BDP 28
Ian and Moby were waiting in the common area for Moira. They knew she, at least, would tell them the truth. The rest of the Dragons were in the exercise room, having complete faith in their appointed representatives to discover exactly what was going on.
It had been something of a surprise to Nottingham when they had chosen him, considering he was not comfortable being a leader like Moby. He had always been a subordinate growing up, and he found it hard to break the habit. Perhaps they had elected him because of the incident this morning? Ian did have an even more vested interest in finding out what was going on than they did, as it seemed he was the most strongly affected.
"Moby, about this morning." Ian began, only to be cut off by Mobius.
"It's all right Nottingham. That wasn't you; it was a combination of the conditioning and the drugs they've been giving us. However, you have made your feelings about the good doctor much more clear than is good for you." One side of his mouth curled up in a grin that was part humor and part grimace. Nottingham had made for himself a hard row to hoe. The military was very strict on their no-frat rules, especially in this kind of setting.
The other Dragons had agreed to keep the truth behind Nottingham's outburst to themselves. Even Beck had even been relatively graceful about it, all things considered. Although the rest of the unit didn't think there was anything truly going on between the two beyond mutual attraction, and a crush of massive proportions on Ian's side.
Moby was not so sure that it was that simple, but he kept his opinion to himself. No good could come of it, and he might be wrong. He didn't think so; Nottingham's response to Beck's advances was rather excessive for a crush. No one flew into a violent rage, even with the treatments they'd been receiving, unless they felt they had a claim to defend. He didn't know how it had happened, or when, but the two had to have gotten closer than the mild flirtation that they had been able to pursue in the lab.
Down the hall, they could hear the staff room door open. Both men tensed as they waited, listening to the low murmurs of the group as they left the complex. The emergency meeting had run later than anticipated, and everyone wanted to go. They had already separated into little clusters, still discussing their personal theories among those who were like-minded.
Rather than the light step of Dr. Burke, they heard a heavier tread approaching the common area. Nottingham and Mobius flicked a little glance between them and stepped slightly apart. They wanted room to move, if necessary.
Dr. Casca strode into view. He was the 'civilian advisor' from Vorshlag, and the actual head of the project. It was not his title, but Dr. Pym, who supposedly was, deferred to his will constantly. It was not difficult to see where the true power lay. Casca was built like a wrestler going to seed. He had the beginnings of a gut, and his muscles were losing their tone. His eyes were flat grey, like old concrete, and about as expressive. Whatever intelligence moved behind those eyes was no longer hampered by humanity. His hair was buzzed so short it was impossible to tell what color it was.
"The testing has shown that there is nothing to be concerned about. We were simply giving to high a dosage for your bodies to assimilate safely. We will be cutting back on the amounts given, and we will be changing your training tapes. If any of you continue to experience unusual responses to the therapies, please alert the nearest medical technician or doctor." Casca gave them a smile, perhaps meaning to reassure them, but it reminded the two uncomfortably of a shark about to bite.
Mobius was about to ask questions, for he had a great many of them, when Nottingham touched his arm. Heeding his brother's warning, he simply replied, "Yes sir."
"Yes sir." Nottingham added when the cold eyes shifted to him. He had seen Casca at work before, and it was best not to give him any idea what you were truly capable of. He was one of Mr. Irons most efficient employees, by simple virtue of the fact that he didn't care what he did to achieve results. Ian had worked very hard not to come to this man's attention.
Besides, Moira would find a way to tell them what was really going on. They would just have to be patient. He watched Casca leave the room, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Mobius opened his mouth to speak, but Ian held up a hand for silence, then made the gesture for 'false trail'. He did not put it past Casca to be standing just inside hearing range. "Well, that's a relief. I was afraid it would be something more serious."
"Let's go tell the others. It will relieve their minds to know." Mobius nodded, respect for Nottingham's subterfuge glinting in his eyes.
Ian and Moby were waiting in the common area for Moira. They knew she, at least, would tell them the truth. The rest of the Dragons were in the exercise room, having complete faith in their appointed representatives to discover exactly what was going on.
It had been something of a surprise to Nottingham when they had chosen him, considering he was not comfortable being a leader like Moby. He had always been a subordinate growing up, and he found it hard to break the habit. Perhaps they had elected him because of the incident this morning? Ian did have an even more vested interest in finding out what was going on than they did, as it seemed he was the most strongly affected.
"Moby, about this morning." Ian began, only to be cut off by Mobius.
"It's all right Nottingham. That wasn't you; it was a combination of the conditioning and the drugs they've been giving us. However, you have made your feelings about the good doctor much more clear than is good for you." One side of his mouth curled up in a grin that was part humor and part grimace. Nottingham had made for himself a hard row to hoe. The military was very strict on their no-frat rules, especially in this kind of setting.
The other Dragons had agreed to keep the truth behind Nottingham's outburst to themselves. Even Beck had even been relatively graceful about it, all things considered. Although the rest of the unit didn't think there was anything truly going on between the two beyond mutual attraction, and a crush of massive proportions on Ian's side.
Moby was not so sure that it was that simple, but he kept his opinion to himself. No good could come of it, and he might be wrong. He didn't think so; Nottingham's response to Beck's advances was rather excessive for a crush. No one flew into a violent rage, even with the treatments they'd been receiving, unless they felt they had a claim to defend. He didn't know how it had happened, or when, but the two had to have gotten closer than the mild flirtation that they had been able to pursue in the lab.
Down the hall, they could hear the staff room door open. Both men tensed as they waited, listening to the low murmurs of the group as they left the complex. The emergency meeting had run later than anticipated, and everyone wanted to go. They had already separated into little clusters, still discussing their personal theories among those who were like-minded.
Rather than the light step of Dr. Burke, they heard a heavier tread approaching the common area. Nottingham and Mobius flicked a little glance between them and stepped slightly apart. They wanted room to move, if necessary.
Dr. Casca strode into view. He was the 'civilian advisor' from Vorshlag, and the actual head of the project. It was not his title, but Dr. Pym, who supposedly was, deferred to his will constantly. It was not difficult to see where the true power lay. Casca was built like a wrestler going to seed. He had the beginnings of a gut, and his muscles were losing their tone. His eyes were flat grey, like old concrete, and about as expressive. Whatever intelligence moved behind those eyes was no longer hampered by humanity. His hair was buzzed so short it was impossible to tell what color it was.
"The testing has shown that there is nothing to be concerned about. We were simply giving to high a dosage for your bodies to assimilate safely. We will be cutting back on the amounts given, and we will be changing your training tapes. If any of you continue to experience unusual responses to the therapies, please alert the nearest medical technician or doctor." Casca gave them a smile, perhaps meaning to reassure them, but it reminded the two uncomfortably of a shark about to bite.
Mobius was about to ask questions, for he had a great many of them, when Nottingham touched his arm. Heeding his brother's warning, he simply replied, "Yes sir."
"Yes sir." Nottingham added when the cold eyes shifted to him. He had seen Casca at work before, and it was best not to give him any idea what you were truly capable of. He was one of Mr. Irons most efficient employees, by simple virtue of the fact that he didn't care what he did to achieve results. Ian had worked very hard not to come to this man's attention.
Besides, Moira would find a way to tell them what was really going on. They would just have to be patient. He watched Casca leave the room, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Mobius opened his mouth to speak, but Ian held up a hand for silence, then made the gesture for 'false trail'. He did not put it past Casca to be standing just inside hearing range. "Well, that's a relief. I was afraid it would be something more serious."
"Let's go tell the others. It will relieve their minds to know." Mobius nodded, respect for Nottingham's subterfuge glinting in his eyes.
