Chapter 8- Probably Very Dangerous

Science is important to Kamabo Co., but obviously not all labs are as nice as the Central Lab. And since NILS neared total completion and doomsday approached, Tartar needed all hands on deck. This included gathering some of the lower-lab scientists, giving a few promotions, and so on. And that's where he was today, reviewing a block of the number-runners, click-clacking down the thin halls between their tiny offices. He was looking for one in particular, a name mentioned by his lead scientist every so often. She had better live up to expectations.

That name, is calmly working away, without much attention- Lumi did this every day, all day anyway, she's gotten so used to being able to absentmindedly work on some project or another. Whatever passed by her desk, whatever fed through her fax machine. She was an Inkling, surprisingly enough- her longer tentacles pinned up high in a cute style, with no reasonable cause to chop them off. And she's very short- even sitting down, she was tiny in that desk and chair.

Oh, why was an Inkling down here? That's not important. Not important in the slightest.

What was important, was the project. The little Inkling's workflow- and stress levels- were about to change very suddenly, weren't they? With that metallic claw of a hand, Tartar left a short rap on her office door, but only to let her know he was coming in. Considerate enough~

"Subject #7869, I presume? Lumiere?" His voice rasped through the vintage brass mouthpiece, robotic body creaking a bit as he balanced out to be standing for a minute.

It was hard to conceal her frightened jump, as well as the look in her eyes as she brought them up to meet the telephone's. "Y-yes sir, that would be me..." She responds in her small, squeaky… just plain nervous voice.

He leans over her desk a little, just for effect. She wasn't what he was expecting at all. Soft, just like Aireen. But most subjects would be a little shaken up with him just storming in like this, and he honestly enjoyed that, so he'll let it slide. "I've heard of you from my lead scientist. After reviewing your academy records, I've decided to bring you on for the completion of NILS."

"...O-oh- just that? I-I mean, I'd be honored to work on the project, sir!" That's a relief, she didn't do anything wrong and isn't getting killed on the spot. But it does mean she's getting transferred. Again. Joy to the world… But this one sounds important, she should be staying there, at least until it's complete, right? ...Right?

Tartar continues his prepared dialogue, he cared little what she actually thought of it. Just had to make sure she knew what's really at stake- "It's in your best interest to not disappoint, or you'll be added to the ammo we use in it, just as anyone else who falls behind. We have no room for tolerating slip-ups right now. Clear enough?" This project wasn't just important- it was the hinge to remaking the world, his way.

Ah, nevermind, she's right back to being nervous. "Y-yes sir, I understand-"

"Good…" He swivels on his base, turning out the door. "You are then assigned to Dr. Aireen's division, report to the Central Lab. They'll set you to work."

"I… u-understood." She mumbles, beginning to gather her more important personal files, paper, belongings… When Tartar says now, he means now. Even if he didn't exactly say it- he still meant it.

He gave her a halfway nod before heading off, glad she got it. "Good day, 7869." And he left the door open- Tartar never slammed doors. No, he left them open so you could hear the unsettling sound of his clicking and twisting, scraping and screams. So you would be discomforted in the lack of privacy, and never lose sight of the union of the bigger picture.

Lumi steps into the big Central Lab, bag with her personal belongings and files in hand. She's been transferred around a lot, but never been to Central Lab… Well, there's a first time for everything. A brisk walk up, and she calmly knocks on Aireen's desk to try to get their attention.

"H-hi Aireen-"

They look up, they were so busy, and you can tell they've been cutting out of their six hours of allotted sleep. But they're happy to see her- just the help they needed. And glad to get her out of the lesser labs. She deserved to be here, after all.

Or, ahem- All for the good of Kamabo.

"Lumi! Welcome, yes, right this way-" They stand quickly, gathering a few choice papers from across their desk and leading the way to her own.

She quietly follows after them, a bit worried that they seem to be short on sleep… but happy to see them again nonetheless, and glad to be here now, too. It was pretty lonely in the lesser labs, and it wasn't as if you'd get any respect if you're anything less than someone in a unit like this.

"You'll do great, here-" Aireen had even changed the layout of the lab tables in the room to keep her semi-close by. They cared about her beyond her purpose, too. Just right now, priorities, you know? They pull out her chair for her and start laying out those papers on her desk. Some blueprints, other math formulas and the like.

She smiles a little with a quiet thanks, then sits and looks over the papers- ah, math, how fun. She's glad to see she's at least somewhat close to someone familiar, though. Someone who cared about her at least a little beyond what she was 'good for.' Which is math, technically, but it's not fun regardless.

"I-if you could get these reviewed by tonight, you'd already be on track." They encourage. "And I've transferred your sleeping quarters here too, let me know if there's anything you need!"

"I'm okay for now… Thank you for all the help, th-though!" She really appreciated it, especially being here of all places, on one of the most important projects of all things.

With just one more smile, he hurries back to work. Though, they keep glancing at her from their desk, making sure she's doing alright. Doubt creeps up on them as they watch, of course- did they just doom their friend? They knew she was a good worker and deserved to be here, but at a time like this when one slip up could get you killed?

…Aireen doesn't have time to worry.

Meanwhile, Lumi is taking a lot of deep breaths. Relax, it's just like when they were in academy together. And, when there was a sudden double-elimination exam. Aireen scored top in the class, of course, but Lumi- third from the bottom. There's a reason they were sent to different labs. She's not sure she can keep up- And what does she do when she's nervous?

She… glows. She's glowing…

Aireen has time to worry. She's a… oh no. All those tests they did around the age of 12, they all were to do with this-

They shoot up, rushing back over to her desk. "Follow me." Though level and commanding, their voice was nothing but worried, and they lead her to one of the supply closets along the wall. How could they not have known this before?

She quickly chases after them, a bit confused for a moment. What was wrong, why were they so worried?

Wait, no, she's- heck. Heck heck heck… The one upside of working in the lesser labs before, was that if this happened, no one saw it. It was so, so much more obvious here…

First, he took a deep breath. Then, taking off their glasses and folding them into a pocket, they start.

"You're a, a firefly squid-? How are you still alive- ah, no that's not important-" Another deep breath. And then, in a quieter tone- "Lumi… do you know what they do to firefly squids here..?"

"I-I've heard a couple different things..." None of them were good, and really, it was a miracle she was still alive at this point… she's not sure she wanted to know.

"In order to extract the bioluminescence from one.. they die. In a v-very not good and plain terrible way-" They really did just doom her, oh no. Their face is so pained.

"Listen- the Commanders are coming next week on Wednesday, maybe sooner- you can't let them find out—"

"I don't know..." That… that was a problem. A big one. "I-I-I can't control it well if I get st-stressed, o-or anxious-" She was pretty close to the verge of tears. She could be good about it otherwise, but… she would almost definitely start glowing, if they were coming. She barely resisted it when Tartar came in her little office the first time-

"Lumi, please!" They clutch her shoulders, pulling her into a hug. Now he's on the edge of sobbing, he hiccups into her shoulder. "Please try. Th-this isn't what I wanted for you.."

"I- I..." Lumi glows just that little bit more, she's even more scared now. She didn't want Aireen to have to go through that kind of pain, if she...

"..I'll try, I- ...I promise." She just gives in to the hug.

"Th..thank you…" They stay there for a moment longer, before straightening out their lab coat. Trying to adjust it so you couldn't noticeably see the fresh tears…

"N-now, we have work to do, don't we? We get it done right and we won't have a thing to worry about."

As much as she'd rather continue hugging them all day, she repeats his motion, tugging her coat into place. "Y-You're right-" Just get it done, get it done correctly, and it all would be fine... "Thank you, Aireen."

"Of course-" they smile. Their smile was still something that could light up the entire Metro. They leave the closet first, giving her time to calm herself if she needs. Which she thankfully takes, letting her glow die down enough so that she can get back to work without being a miniature sun. When she can't see the labels on the shelves anymore, she knows she's ready.

As Aireen returns to their desk, they make a priority note- make Lumi as comfortable as possible.