Dedications: Thirteen of you have reviewed this story so far that I have not dedicated a chapter to. I can't express how much those reviews mean to me, though. Thank you, All. This chapter, though, goes to Angel of Mirth. After a long drought of silence, Mirth's unexpected reviews reminded me that I needed to get back to work. Thank you.
Note: The first chapter really was meant to stand alone. So I take no responsibility for how emotionally damaging this story has become since this is purely punishment for no one liking my first attempt at elegant closure. :P The current events will be reaching my next attempt at closure soon, and it will be up to your reviews to tell me whether to leave it in peace or torment you further. :) You iz warned.
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Chosen.
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With a loud tone announcing its arrival, the elevator's doors slid open. The third security group spread out encircling the doctor. He directed them down the hall pausing only by the nurse desk to have the two head nurses called. Elsie was nearby and returned quickly. She was obviously unnerved by the presence of the assault rifled bearing guards in close proximity with the patients.
As they moved to the end of the hall, the racket of doorbanging and occasional shouts cut the air. The doctor stood back and motioned for the nearest guard to open the door.
"Officer Merquise! Stand back from the door, Sir."
As it opened, the disheveled man stood speechless several paces back from it staring back at them intently. The forward most guards had steeled themselves for an attempted escape, but all he did was open his mouth to speak, only to be cut short by the doctor.
"Four of you will remain here and guard him. A window entry is not beyond possibility. The rest of you will guard the patient in the room adjoining. No one may enter but Mary and Elsie. Our greatest fear is a destructive effort towards one of the two officers. You know the rules of live fire in this building."
As he spoke, Mary rushed to the edge of the grouping.
"Doctor, there's an injured therapist on the office floor. He's unconscious and has a broken collarbone. But... we... don't know who he is."
The doctor nodded to her and looked to the head of security.
"I need two of you to come with me."
The head motioned orders, he selected one guard, then he himself became the second, falling in behind the doctor as they headed back to the elevator.
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The doors opened and the lower guard steps out at full readiness. Seeing no visible threat, he motions to the two man behind him and progressed down the office hall scanning every cubicle to the floor. The doctor waited patiently till the guard reported back to his superior that the main room was clear. Then he addressed him.
"Very well. We're meant to be here, though, so you can stand down. Your comrade is in the lounge, fourth door on the right. Go ahead and take him back to the others, but be careful of his injury."
The head looks at him with a raised brow. "What makes you think he's one of ours?"
"Mary knows everyone who works here. And most probably none of my personnel would have presented a threat. This was probably just an invitation. The room at the end of the hall is my office. I leave that matter to you."
The head sighed and nodded to the guard to go on as ordered. Then he drew his sidearm and deactivated the safety, looked down the hall at the open door, and took the lead.
Taking every step seriously, he even looked above him as he crossed the threshold into the spartan but functional office. Keeping his back to a bookshelf, he edged along the longer side of the room till he reached the bathroom and quickly scanned it. His only job requiring his turned back completed, he nodded to the doctor and motioned him to enter as far as the bookshelf. He kept his gunarm raised though and scanned the final wall and its closeted recess closely.
A moment passed motionless. The doctor took a step closer, "Chief?"
The guard's gunarm dropped. The pistol clattered onto the floor. With a resisted slowness, then guard's body sagged, then fell after it. On his neck stood a neatly crafted dart created from a broken syringe and bulb.
The doctor breathed deeply and clinched his fists, but dared not move.
From the closet's darkness, the wolf in guard's clothing emerged. She inspected her handiwork with a sick bemusement on her lips. She lifted the pistol and turned her gaze to the doctor.
"Thank you for coming, Good Doctor. Be so kind as to shut that door and lock it. We have no need for interruptions."
He swallowed dryly and considered escape. Then his sense returned and he closed the door and locked it as instructed. He watched her situate the inert guard to a comfortable position against the wall.
"How bad is he?"
"An injured pride, that is all. Have a seat, Doctor. It's a pleasure to meet you awake."
"The pleasure's entirely yours. What are you intentions?"
She stood in the center of the room as he seated himself and faced her.
"Precisely the same as yours..."
"Then you'll have to enlighten me."
"To fix what is broken."
"Then I should congratulate you now on your fantastic work thus far."
"Oh, come now, Good Doctor. Despite your wondrous anesthetics, the sting of sarcasm is not lost on me."
"However, reason and moderation seem to be."
"Is that so? I would consider any act of nobility that ends in only one death to be supremely conservative, wouldn't you? All the moreso if it is the nobles own."
"I see no reason for suicide, even for those in power."
"Martyrdom, escapism, and insurance, each is compelling. Need there be more?"
"So which was it for you? I certainly hope there is no religion hallowing you as a moral guide and inspiration."
"Such a delicious contrivance that would be, though, don't you think?" Smile.
"I do hope you are not confusing the fact that I administered care in your recovery with the absurd notion that I appreciate your company, Ms. Catalonia."
"Careful, Doctor. I have a request of you. You won't sleep peacefully tonight if I state it as a threat."
The doctor considered this.
"I have no intention of testing the matter. However, I am at a loss as to what you desire of me."
She nodded towards the report spread across his desk.
"How much of that report has Milliardo seen?"
"None. He never made it passed her entry condition papers."
"Good. That is precisely how it will stay."
"What good would withholding a report about her current condition provide? It won't change the facts."
"Nor does it need to. It does, however, allow time for the facts to be changed."
He watched in utter loss as she began unclasping her uniform.
"I don't understand."
"Predictably. Perhaps a blueprint would suffice?"
She shrugged the top off her shoulders and released her pants to let them fall.
A long moment passed as the doctor lookedat her incredulously.
"I presume I would meet no success attempting to dissuade you, Ms. Catalonia."
"The attempt alone may cost you your life, Doctor."
She took a step closer and added coldly.
"But I promiseyou. Refusal to aid me will cost you far, far more."
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