Disclaimer: Alas, I own nothing so it is a waste of time to sue.
AN: From now on, everything should be in the present. Any exceptions will be noted.
This chapter is for QueenTrione who has encouraged me through my abortive attempts to properly load this story. Thank you.
Sydney's Office
"Sydney," Broots hissed, moving through the door with his usual caution.
Sydney, who had been entering statistics concerning twins' reactions to food sensation, glanced up. "Come in Broots," he welcomed. The study had gone quite well.
Broots did a poor job of sneaking toward him but finally managed to make it to Sydney's desk. "I found something," he whispered.
Sydney cocked an eyebrow at his nervous coworker. "Something?" he prompted.
Broots glanced around the office and lowered his voice even more. "A DSA on Project Control," he murmured. "I haven't seen it yet. It was hidden and I just found it. I know it has something to do with Miss Parker's disappearance," he rushed out before taking a deep breath. "Have you heard from Jarod lately?"
Sydney frowned. "No, not lately. He wasn't able to find anything about Project Control as of the last time I spoke with him." He rolled his chair over a little and retrieved his Haliburton, placing it on the desk and popping the lid to reveal his DSA player. "Shall we take a look?"
Jarod's cell
"See," Lyle continued. "The food is not such a big thing. Hell, we just take you off the nutritional slop and let you eat at the employee's cafeteria, plenty of sugar there. I even had a refrigerator installed in your quarters so you could keep your sweets on hand 24/7," Lyle offered affably. "Of course, as always, there are conditions. First, you have to keep yourself in this fine, fine shape," Lyle explained as he ran a caressing hand across Jarod's taut stomach, lingeringly. "Yes, indeed," he murmured.
Jarod sucked in his breath attempting to avoid Lyle's touch.
Lyle grinned and left his hand on Jarod's stomach, flexing his fingers slightly. "Second, you have to have regular medical check ups and if you fall prey to High Blood Pressure or Diabetes or whatever, then you get to suffer with the rest of humanity and change your eating habits. It's only reasonable," Lyle explained as though he were pointing out employee benefits to a new hire.
Jarod closed his eyes as he listened to Lyle so casually map out the terms of his imprisonment. If he was going back to his old quarters, then he would be able to escape without too much effort. He never unofficially left his 'good boy' quarters so it was possible they were not aware of that way out.
"Now, a refrigerator is not the only new thing in your quarters. No, indeed. I told you that I have thought about your situation. Gone is that little cot you slept on. I had your quarters expanded and you now have a king-sized bed waiting for you." Lyle leaned closer, close enough that his breath touched Jarod's lips. "Now we get to the sex part."
Sydney's Office
Broots fumbled inserting the disk, but eventually the silver slice of life slipped into the player.
Sydney keyed up the code and the two of them watched the flickering screen.
"It's Miss Parker," Broots commented, not surprised, only dismayed. He tilted his head a little to the right. "What are they doing to her?"
Sydney, whose head was also tilted to the right, frowned. "This isn't an official DSA," he stated. "Look at the camera angle. I wonder if you found someone's private memory stash? Where did you find it?"
Broots glanced around guiltily. "It's okay, this is a copy, but I found it in the linen supply closet for the Renewal Wing. It was the only one in a manilla envelope titled 'Control - First Phase,'" Broots shared in a whisper.
The two men watched for several moments longer as the screen showed a limp Miss Parker being laid out on an exam table and strapped down. Her right arm was extended and an IV was started by a nurse. A clear plastic half-moon-shaped instrument was centered over her head. Various probes appeared to be extending from it.
"Stop it. I think I know what they are doing and if I'm right, then God help Miss Parker," Sydney intoned.
Jarod's Cell
"At first it seemed that we could find you someone rather easily. I mean, you seem to have a preference for redheads, right?" Lyle chuckled. "Believe me, I know about preferences," he assured Jarod jovially.
"You're disgusting Lyle," Jarod spat out, appalled on many levels by Lyle, too many to even think of. All he knew was that this man could not possibly share DNA with Miss Parker. It just was not possible. It had to be another Centre lie.
Lyle dug his neatly manicured fingernails into Jarod's stomach in retaliation for his remark. "Behave," he threatened as Jarod involuntarily winced.
"Anyway, as I was saying. I thought a redhead or two, maybe an occasional blonde for variety. But, then inspiration struck. A bolt of lightning if you will. Who have you been sniffing after all these years? And she's right here, nice and handy, too." Lyle chuckled, a sound devoid of humor.