Page 40 of Protected By the Convicts
Dresden walked past the series of mice cages in Sersie’s lab.
“How much longer?” Dresden asked.
“I’m running additional tests,” Sersie said, pointing to the two rows of cages on the wall. “The top row is the control group. The mice on the bottom row are slightly agitated but not showing any signs of agitation even close to Flight or Crash.”
“The preliminary results for NK171 showed the mice were crazed, cannibalizing one another to get to the drug for a second hit.”
“These are the same mice. It appears NK171 did not have the desired effect on their systems. I believe their natural immunity kicked in. There was no need for a rescue drug.”
“That won’t do. Not at all,” Dresden said as he stopped in front of one of the cages and tapped against the plexiglass. The mice scurried to the other end of the cage. “I need this drug to be ready yesterday.”
“Salvation is complete,” Sersie announced. “That was the goal, correct? It will probably help addicts on Flight and Crash, though not as effectively as Rescue.”
“Rescue is a myth,” Dresden said. “And Salvation does me no good without NK171.”
Rescue wasn’t a myth. Sersie had seen a trial that proved its effectiveness. It was a shame he’d never seen the chemical makeup or had any of the key elements needed to create it. He’d gladly use it on himself and anyone else struggling with drugs.
“NK171 is only for testing purposes.” Sersie was sure now more than before that Dresden planned on flooding the market with NK171 so he could swoop in and sell Salvation at exorbitant prices.
“Fix NK171,” Dresden ordered.
“To what end? We got what we needed from it. Salvation should in theory work to cure addicts of their cravings for Flight and Crash.”
“I need to show The Company the dangers of NK171 before they’ll see the benefit of Salvation.”
“They’ll see the benefits in how—”
Dresden turned sharply, throwing his full weight forward as he towered over Sersie. “I better not find out that you’re playing me, Mr. Campós, or you and that unit of yours will regret it.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Manager,” Sersie replied, kicking himself for saying anything beyond answering Dresden’s questions in the most basic manner. “I’ll ask Dr. Caster to check the biochemistry of the mice to see if he has an answer as to why NK171 lost its effectiveness. It’s quite possible the drug simply has an exceedingly short half-life, making the need for any rescue drug obsolete.”
“Then you better find a way of making NK171 more potent, Campós. Or do you need a reminder of my number one rule?”
“Make quota?” Sersie asked, not sure what rule Dresden was talking about. The man always emphasized to the new inmates how above all else they better make their quotas to The Company. “I made my quota with the creation of Salvation.”
“The other rule.” Dresden flung the door open so hard the door struck the wall of mice cages, rattling them and sending the mice scurrying. “The rule that says if you fuck with me, I will take your greatest asset from you and give it to those who abide by my rules.”
“I’ve followed my orders,” Sersie said as a chill went down his spine, remembering how Dresden had used Vaughn to destroy Ren’s spaceship. Ren had worked on that ship for over six years, pouring every credit and spare minute into building it.
Sersie scanned his lab. He had the best set up on Narkos, better even than on Argus. State-of-the-art equipment and the freedom to come and go as he pleased anywhere on the planet in search of new flora. Dresden could easily give the lab to Galloway or Michaels, shove Sersie in a closet somewhere. Or replace him altogether.
It was quite possible Dresden already had another botanist with a chemical degree on his way to Narkos. If Dresden didn’t get the destructive drug he wanted soon, Sersie could well find himself working in the mines, or worse, lowered to a Level 5 and shipped to Veenith.
* * *
Sersie stumbled into his room.The day had been exceedingly long thanks to Dresden. As Sersie stripped, he shoved thoughts of Dresden out of his mind. He needed to relax. He’d figure out what to do tomorrow. He’d talk with Vaughn and perhaps the others in the unit. Strange. Before Hannah, he’d never thought of consulting with anyone not directly involved in a problem.
The house was rather quiet at this late hour. Then again, he’d arrived long after third meal. Likely, everyone had first shift in the morning. Sersie slipped into the last and smallest bedroom, the one that Ren had converted from a storage closet to sleeping quarters. It hadn’t taken him long to get used to having a roommate, especially when that roommate had been Hannah. But more often than not, she didn’t sleep alone.
Hannah had been sleeping in the master bedroom with Ky’Li the last few nights. Ren and Vaughn, meanwhile, slept in the middle room, the one that shared a wall with Hannah’s room. Ren and Vaughn enjoyed listening to her moans when she was with Ky’Li. She wasn’t exactly the quietest when it came to sex, but that was definitely something Sersie loved about her. Hannah wasn’t afraid to be who she was. He envied that confidence, that freedom.
At least Ren and Vaughn were talking again. Sersie remained upset that Ren hadn’t trusted his secret about the ship to him, only Vaughn, but Sersie had done that to himself with his addiction. Maybe in time, he’d earn Ren’s trust. And Ky’Li’s. And Hannah’s. . . Hell, it was a really long list now. It was no longer just Vaughn who knew better than to trust him.
He’d broken Vaughn’s trust the first time he’d slipped and taken Flight. He really wanted their respect now. All four of them, but especially Hannah. It was more important than ever, than when they’d been solitaries even. He didn’t want to be the weak link in their unit.
Sersie stripped and slid into bed, right up against a naked body. He nearly jumped out of bed until he felt the long hair. “Hannah?”
“Y-Yes.”
