Every day spent in the facility felt like a hell on earth to Kenmei. She had been treated well enough by supervisors, trainers and other employees, but it was nearly impossible for her to keep her emotions in check around their captors. After over a month of training, she was left to her own devices, working with three other employees in her specific department. True to Ja'far's words, as an inventory specialist, she spent most of her time on the second floor. She also felt as if this particular job was given to her out of spite, somehow influenced by her father, because it was a painful experience.

Kenmei had to observe almost every scale extraction. If there was one on her shift, she was made to have to watch it, counting and recording the amount of scales that were pulled. This was the same for the hair, working to measure and record the pounds of it that were collected weekly. Over her training, she had learned the ridiculous significance of harvesting these materials and the imprisonment of those that bore them. The hair, she had been told, was stronger and more durable than human hair, as it required a strong, sharp blade to cut it. This was true, as Kenmei had seen them have to use very thick serrated blades, and was even shown a demonstration as to how normal scissors or even electrical sheers had no effect.

Due to its durability, the hair was made into a variety of clothing items, but they all had a specific purpose. No matter how mundane the style, the whole purpose of it was to be knife proof. It baffled Kenmei, to think that just a simple t-shirt could be resistant to an attempted attack with a knife. But, she had seen the demonstration, and it truly was fascinating. How Sinbad ever figured this out was beyond her understanding. They had made it into such a 'for the people' type of campaign that it actually made Kenmei nauseous during the big meetings, where they explained new marketing tactics and expansion. It had been explained to her that it was no different than collection wool from a sheep, and everything was humane as could possibly be.

The collection of the hair was not so bad as the scales. Kenmei had seen many times where the creature was not fully asleep before they began to pull them out. The surgeons had a twisted sense of enjoyment while doing the extractions, usually making jokes or being unnecessarily rough. It made Kenmei sick, and when she had tried to report the abuse, it was dismissed. The superiors knew, but there was nothing that could be done. The scales were the more important of the two items, as they could be made into a huge variety of things. Though, the most popular among the rich that could afford it was the jewelry. This was just another fact that made Kenmei furious with humanity.

Now, it was the anniversary of Kenmei's second month employed, and she was making her rounds in the underwater tunnels to inspect the creatures and see who was ready for harvesting. She had a couple of numbers indicated on her clipboard already, and she was actually glad that it was less than normal today. Typically, it took two to five months for the scales to grow back large enough to be harvested, depending on the age and health of the specimen. The hair was usually taken at the same time to prevent any unnecessary interaction or administered anesthesia, as experience has shown the superiors that too much of it impacted the quality and speed of resource growth.

With a quiet sigh, Kenmei came to a stop at the hallway for the red scales observatory. Since it had been two months, Judar would be nearing time to harvest again, and she needed to check his status to see when she needed to act. During her shifts, she had been checking every possible way to sneak him out and allow him to escape. So far, her options were slim, as every inch of the facility was highly secured. She had one idea, though it was extremely dangerous for both Judar and herself. There were guards placed around outside on the sidewalks that lined the surface between the habitats, and on the tower itself. Judar or herself could end up shot in the process, but it was seeming like the only option at this point.

Judar's habitat was positioned right on the edge of the facility, where the opening was placed beside the electric fence that surrounded the surface. Because it was electric, it was not very tall, and Kenmei was positive that Judar could pull himself up over it if the electricity was turned off. She knew where the control room was, and if she could get in there while the technician was out, or if she could incapacitate him somehow, she knew she could shut it down. This plan also included making sure to open the gates on the habitat, but she worried that more than just Judar's was going to open. That would cause chaos, and she was scared of causing the unnecessary deaths of other prisoners.

It would require more planning, and a deeper look at the control room, if she could manage to get inside.

Using her keycard to open the door, Kenmei quietly headed into the observatory. The ones kept here where typically very quiet, except for Judar. He displayed aggression to anyone else, and was known for being one of the most difficult to handle in the facility. It's because he's new, her supervisor had told her once. Usually they calm down when they realize there's no point in being aggressive.

Looking out of the window to her left, she observed the female with a brilliant red-orange coloration swimming around in a circle in the habitat. According to her records, she had been here close to five years. This pacing around the habitat was a sign of mania that isolation and the confined space had a tendency to cause. It pained Kenmei to watch her, though the shine reflecting off the scales behind her long white hair marked that she was ready for harvesting, and Kenmei marked her down reluctantly on the clipboard.

Making her way down the hall, she observed the others, though found none that were ready. By the time she reached Judar's, he was already up against the glass of his habitat, staring at her intently. Seeing him like this brought her to tears every time, though she was quick to wipe them away. His hair had grown down past his shoulder blades by now, and Kenmei knew that it would be his time soon. He was healthier, having started to eat at her request. No more wounds blemished his skin, though he did look exhausted, as if he weren't resting properly.

Kenmei reached up and put her hand on the glass, expressing her affection the best she could against the barrier that separated them. Judar gave her a wary smile, though Kenmei could see the question in his eyes.

When are you going to get me out of here?

With a quick glance at the door, Kenmei pulled her hand back to her, scribbling on it with her pen. Judar moved down a bit lower to be more level with her, ready for her message. They had communicated this way often, though usually he couldn't understand or read what she had wrote. Sometimes he could understand it if she mouthed the word to him, but it was still tricky. Once done, she held her hand back against the glass. Narrowing his eyes at it, he attempted to mouth the word, though Kenmei felt discouraged at the confusion on his face.

After seeming to get the wording correct, he tilted his head back in obvious frustration, and Kenmei assumed he couldn't recall what it meant. Frowning, she pulled her hand back to herself, making another quick doodle on her hand, this time drawing it out. Instantly after showing him, Judar looked up at the surface before back behind him, where the faint image of the parameter fence could be seen through the murky water.

Fence? He mouthed to her, pointing behind him. Kenmei nodded, pulling her hand back. Expression of confusion on his face, he shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands up a bit, as if to say, What about it?

Kenmei raised an eyebrow at him, and after staring each other down for a moment, realization came over his features. He moved back closer to the glass, expression shifting to a mix of curiosity, seriousness, and excitement.

When?

With a small sigh, Kenmei shook her head, still unsure of when she could accomplish the task. Judar's expression became worried, looking at his back over his shoulder. Kenmei had caught a glimpse of it, and to her dismay, he was almost ready again. Judar shook his head before leaning his forehead on the glass, eyes downcast. Kenmei could tell what ailed him, and she clutched her clipboard tightly to her chest.

They're going to hurt me again.

Not wanting to leave him discouraged, she scribbled one more message on her hand, knowing she had to leave before she got caught. Judar observed her palm pressed against the glass before his gaze moved to her serious expression, and he nodded in understanding.

Soon.

Kenmei sped through the rest of her rounds, being sure to clean her hand of ink as soon as possible. Claiming that she wanted to take a stroll outside as a break, her supervisor allowed her some time out on the surface walkways. It was a hot and humid day, though Kenmei quite enjoyed the sunshine and fresh sea air. As she made her way around, she observed the mesh lids of the habitats, which prevented the inhabitants from reaching any extremity up out of the water. Kenmei had seen them moved back many times for access during harvesting time, though the creature was usually knocked out by then, administered a drug during feeding.

Usually, each habitat was opened individually, so Kenmei knew each one had to have it's own button or something in the command room. As she walked by Judar's habitat, she avoided looking inside it, not wanting anyone around to get an impression that she still cared for him. In fact, her feelings for him had only grown recently, and saving him was the only thing that was ever on her mind. She tried to visit him at least once a week, but Kenmei was unsure about his feelings.

There was a reluctance when she saw him. She could see it in his eyes and often in his body posture, as if he still didn't trust her. She had tried everything in her power to gain his trust back, but there was still that presence of resentment. It worried her. What if, when she did save him, he ran off never to return? She wouldn't hold it against him, but she knew that her heart would be broken, and there would be nothing left to tether her to his world. In fact, she didn't even know if she would make it out of this rescue mission alive. There were rumors of betrayer employees, who on record were mentioned as being fired, but supposedly it was worse than that. Some of the recent employees say that they are never seen again, by family or friends.

Kenmei didn't doubt for a second that Sinbad would be willing to put anyone to death who threatened his company. If she was unable to escape, she knew she would have a similar fate. In the end, she knew that it would be worth it, if she could at least save Judar. He didn't deserve this suffering, and it was her fault in the first place.

She would gladly give her life for him, but she prayed it would not come to that.