"I didn't expect a visit from you so soon." Dr. Velia Zarow, Head of the Vanes Progression Institute said.
"Neither did I. But I wanted to check on things before I departed." Rumlar replied as they walked around the outside of one of glass enclosure science labs. They had stopped to observe some of the scientists as they moved about their work inside.
"Your departure?" Dr. Zarow prompted.
"Yes, due to, a situation that occurred two weeks ago at Zandri." Rumlar replied.
"A situation? I hadn't heard about anything?"
"Recall the quakes a couple of weeks ago?" Rumlar asked.
"The ones that shook the entire planet the same time? Which was odd, by the way. Of course. The scientific community is still talking about it." Dr. Zarow replied.
"That was Fae."
"Fae? How?" Dr. Zarow asked shocked.
"Mindquakes."
"The mind of a Fae can shake an entire planet?"
"Now you understand why your work here is so important."
"Evidently."
"Lucky for us, Dr. Lavoie checked in on the Labs right after the quakes, and for security reasons had to exterminate the entire Zandri Guard force and staff who had the misfortune of working that night. He seemed particularly upset over losing one of his Interns. Apparently, she had promise."
"I can sympathize. See that one across over there?" Dr. Zarow replied as she pointed.
"Yes."
"Her name is Livvy Saen. She is one of my prized pupils, exceptionally gifted in genotyping and DNA sequencing. Inquisitive. Clever. Determined. Highly ambitious, and comes from a very wealthy family."
"Someone we could recruit to our cause?" Rumlar asked.
"Not sure yet, but if so she would prove a valuable asset."
"Well, make sure you keep your prized horse tied up, then. I wouldn't want it to come a situation where I have to exterminate everyone here at VPI to include your prized pupil."
"Of course."
"How are your test subjects progressing?" Rumlar asked.
"This way, please." Dr. Zarow pointed down the hall. They took elevator several floors down and then walked along an underground skyway and then reached another set of steel double doors flanked by two guards. Dr. Zarow, punched a code and the doors opened to another set of glass doors. They stepped though as both sets of doors closed behind them. Rumlar saw that scientist were spread out conducting tests in both open and enclosed labs.
"The Fae we picked up from Brazenwood are steadily adapting." Dr. Zarow said as they walked along then pointed to a room further down the hall from where they were. They arrived at that door, she opened it with a code, and after they had stepped through the doors shut behind them. Then the lights illuminated the room and Rumlar saw there were a number of body bags lined up on tables.
"There were some that had to be destroyed. Their genetic chemistry did not take well to the changes we had introduced into their systems."
"I can see."
"Those who are still alive, though are responding well to the tests."
"Timeline?" Rumlar asked.
"I thought we had some time yet?" Dr. Zarow countered.
"As did I, but recent events both Zandri and over the last few months have accelerated plans." Rumlar replied. "Do you have any preliminary results I can take with me? To demonstrate progress?"
"Of course. I am curious, though as to why you chose to experiment on your own kind?"
"If you liken these sub-Fae to the rest of my kind."
"Guess there's a caste system in the Fae world, too huh?"
"High-born Fae would never associate with the likes of these…Fae."
"Then you must really despise us humans." Dr. Zarow said. Rumlar only offered a brief smile.
"I like to see one of your progressing test subjects."
"Of course! This way." Dr. Zarow said as she led them out of the mortuary room and down a series of halls to another area where some of test subjects were in small cells with glass fronts.
Dr. Zarow directed Rumlar's attention to one darkened cell. Rumlar couldn't readily see into the cell and looked at Dr. Zarow, who then touched a panel off to the right of the cell and the lights rose just enough to reveal a Fae hunched in a corner.
"Is that one of them?" Rumlar asked.
"Yes, the other Fae called him the Sherriff." Dr. Zarow replied.
"He looks primal. And his eyes."
"They are all somewhat sensitive to light right now, and have to be exposed to it gradually."
"That's a problem, Doctor."
"I know, but we have only limited data from Dr. Taft's experiments." Dr. Zarow replied.
"What about Dr. Lewis's data? Didn't you find any of hers there?" Rumlar asked.
"We gathered everything we could find from Dr. Taft's abandoned compound and extrapolated from there. If we had a sample of Dr. Taft's post-transformational DNA we could reverse-engineer what Dr. Lewis was able to resolve to make his transformation successful."
"Dr. Lewis." Rumlar said with a slight hint of frustration. "The only one who seems to hold the key to either turning humans Fae, or Fae to humans."
"We've only ever really had one successful test subject, but even that one has issues. It would be great if we could snag Dr. Lewis herself." Dr. Zarow replied.
"Hm." Rumlar mulled. "Test data, Doctor?"
"I can have it prepared right away. How will I contact you in case I need to reach you?" Dr. Zarow asked.
"Through our usual channel."
