That next week General Mansfield was in town. Most projects were on the ball and Jo was happy to see Zane's was thriving even though the General wasn't that interested in it.

Aside from handing security, Jo wasn't really needed at these check-ups but Mansfield specifically requested her presence at Dr. Rawlings presentation. Jim Rawlings: geneticist, bio-pharmacist, and generally quiet man, was giving a visual presentation of various successful subjects in his experiment. Truth be told, Jo was a lot more… captivated than she thought she'd be.

Rawlings had three chimpanzees in cages brought out. Agitated by all the people, they rattled the bars and jumped up and down. They looked like average chimps until Dr. Rawlings handed 'Boji' a crowbar. Boji slapped her cage with it a little and then bent the bar in half. All three of them could do it to varying degrees but Boji was the star. They also were impervious to a number of toxins (which killed the animals of the control group in seconds), had super-dense bones that required four times the force to break (which Rawlings did right in front of them), and healed twice as fast as normal.

She had a hard time getting over the disgusting lack cruelty Dr. Rawlings had just exhibited. Jo masked it as best she could. It was too dangerous to draw attention to herself right now. But that didn't change the fact she felt like a coward.

"When do you think you're ready to start human trials?" General Mansfield looked like a boy at Christmas. It was perverse.

"Our most optimistic projections are for two years from now. However, the tests have shown such promise, I'd say we could start in six months once we have FDA approval."

The General practically wrung his greedy hands. "Don't worry about the FDA. I'll start approaching some potential volunteers. I've already got some people in mind. Are there any side-effects?"

"Boji, Kate, and Tim, here, are three of the five I've treated with the recombinant genome therapy and mental imprinting. The other two had a very rapid cycle of increase in muscular proficiency and acuity that faded just as fast. Nothing to be concerned about."

Jo knew the two that failed had been euthanized and necropsied. Nothing to worry about for them anymore.

"Lupo." The General called her to attention without looking at her distracted face. "I'd like you to personally monitor their progress and keep me updated. Also, while you're getting as familiar as possible with the Doctor and his project, I'd like you to consider being among the first subjects."

Jo wasn't about to say 'yes, sir' but it was very nearly the knee-jerk response. "Uh…"

"Good work, Rawlings, could you give it another crowbar?"

She just turned and walked out.

Horrified and in shock, Jo headed for the relative safety of her office. However, since it was the General, he could very well go anywhere.

She slumped into her chair and swiveled away from the door. Staring at the wall, she considered the situation. As a soldier, her body and mind had been property of the United States military. She had an additional set of rules to follow to protect her self and the government's investment. When you were asked to do something, you did it. No two ways about it. In the General's eyes, she had no choice but to obey. Her only solace was that her military career had ended. She'd been released early because active military couldn't serve as civilian law-enforcement. This Eureka was more military than the other had been but hopefully that didn't mean she'd signed a contract that meant her body and soul belonged to General Mansfield's discretion.

Her door clicked open and shut as someone entered her office. For once, she was thankful it was Zane.

"Hey, Zane."

"GAH!" Zane gave a startled spasm and dropped everything he was carrying. "Don't do that!"

Jo snickered and rose to help him pick up his things. "Sorry. But now you know how it feels to be snuck up on." On her hands and knees, she reached for a stray paper. Zane cleared his throat.

"Aw, are you scared of me, JoJo?" Oh, boy. Jo knew that tone of voice.

"Why are you here, Donovan?" She quickly got on her feet and stood on the other side of her desk.

"I, uh, was just dropping off a file from Fargo. We're having a little party at Henry and Grace's tomorrow. I went over last night and helped them redecorate." 'Redecorate' was a code word they'd established for audio/visual jamming so they're conversations couldn't be monitored.

"I'd like to talk to you about that. You should come over and give me some ideas."

"Will there be brisket and beans?"

Jo tensed her jaw. "How about baked chicken and brown rice?"

"Great! I'll be over late, say eight? And you still haven't answered my question."

Jo could have stalled, distracted him, dismissed him; but that would have interested him more. "No."

"Great! Then we don't need a chaperone. See you tonight."

He made for the door just as General Mansfield entered. "Hey, General! Nice tour of the monkey slaughterhouse?" Zane left with a facetious smile.

"That guy still causing trouble?" The General asked before Zane was too far.

"Not really, I'd like to think we've come to an understanding."

"Did I hear something about a date tonight? Is that the 'understanding' you've come to? I thought you were smarter than that, Lupo."

Jo leaned over her desk on her fists. "Not that it's any of your business, General Mansfield. But, yes, I do believe I have a date with Zane Donovan tonight." It was easier, though only marginally preferable to telling the General the truth.

Mansfield harrumphed. "I trust you won't let his prejudice of Dr. Rawling's work influence your decision to participate. Screw him if you have to but get it out of your system."

Lupo had reached her limit. "On the contrary, I value his opinion on the matter but, in the end, I'll make up my own damn mind. Sir." She didn't yell at him but she was certainly forceful.

Thankfully, the General left within the hour and Jo could worry about something else. Like being alone with Donovan.