"Morning, Ms. Yu," A Spanish-accented voice greeted Morgan a little further down the hallway from her apartment.
A plumber in a blue jumpsuit was crouched next to an open pannel along the right-hand wall. Glancing at the pipes, Morgan could see some sort of slight gas leak.
Morning, Morgan answered as she kept walking. Turning left, she reached the already open elevator. This one had that unique smell she had come to know; not unpleasant, just… odd. She heard whistling from behind as the plumber continued her work.
As her hand went for the roof button on the touchscreen, Morgan stopped, frowning. Did I just…?
Blinking a couple of times, she pressed 'Roof'. It must have been her imagination.
The elevator rose several floors, beeping past each one and reaching the roof of the building once beyond '50'. Roof access door, and... she stepped out onto the sunny helipad.
Transtar's black-and-white helicopter was already there, blades spinning loudly. It reflected the morning sun.
Well, at least Morgan would get a final scenic ride of San Francisco for her morning troubles.
The side door opened for her, and she boarded the vehicle. Taking one of the back seats, she strapped in.
"Ms. Yu, please make yourself comfortable and we'll be on our way," the male pilot's voice came in from the speakers. "TranStar facility is just a short hop," he added as the chopper lifted off. "Seventy-eight degrees. Clear skies all the way."
Thanks, Captain Obvious, she thought.
Looking to her right, she took in the urban scenery as the skyscrapers went by. She noticed that an interesting, upbeat song started playing in the passenger cabin.
Morgan tapped her foot along to the rhythm.
"There's a nice view on the Bay there," 'Captain Obvious' said as the Golden Gate bridge came into view. Morgan agreed. The chopper soon turned, meandering in-between the tall buildings when a familiar skyscraper emblazoned with a large golden letter 'T' soon became visible.
What's this song called? Morgan asked the pilot. She'd have to get it after she's finished with Alex's tests.
"Can't say I know, Ms. Yu," Mr Obvious stated, his voice slightly apologetic.
Damn. Oh well.
They reached the TranStar HQ helipad, descending onto it. "Here we are, Ms. Yu," the man notified her. "Mind the glass on the way out. Good luck to you."
Thanks, Morgan replied absent-mindedly as she exited the craft. Then, she froze, eyes widening. She ducked back inside for a moment.
Say… you can hear me now, right? Morgan inquired, now very aware of something.
"Err, sure thing, ma'am," the pilot said, voice perplexed. "Why wouldn't I?"
It's nothing, Morgan replied. Thanks for the ride.
"It's been a pleasure, Ms. Yu!"
Stepping back outside onto the sunny roof and the noise of the helicopter's propeller, she let out a long breath.
Alex, you magnificent bastard, she thought. I don't know how you did it, but I'm impressed.
No wonder he was so eager to show her what he's been up to!
Making her way into the green topside room, she was greeted by the warm feminine voice of a floating science operator. "Hello, Dr. Yu."
Morgan was about to greet back automatically, but then something occurred to her.
She focused, hard, on speaking. Actually speaking, using her own voice.
Her mouth opened and closed, her throat strained, but nothing came out.
The operator just floated in place, facing her as Morgan spent a minute doing what probably looked like an imitation of a fish trying to breathe on dry land.
"Everyone's eager to see what you're capable of. I know I am" the operator broke the awkward silence in its impeccable British accent. "It won't be long before you're on a shuttle bound for Talos I. All our labs meet the minimum—" Suddenly, the operator made a garbled sound.
"Strange, that's never happened before," it noted.
Well, join the club! Neither has this, Morgan retorted, frustrated.
"I'll have to file a maintenance request," the operator continued.
Oh, I'll file one myself with Alex, the bastard, Morgan promised menacingly. I swear to god, if he made me permanently mute…
"Please excuse me, Dr. Yu," the operator said, but did not go to the elevator as she had expected it to. Instead, moments later it added, "The elevator will take you directly to the testing area. I'm sure your brother is waiting for you."
He better be, Morgan muttered darkly. In her mind, at least. She headed for the elevator.
"Welcome, Morgan Yu. You have a… 9 AM appointment in the testing facility," a female robo-voice notified her. Please confirm." And there was an actual button on the touchscreen saying "Confirm."
What… of all the useless things, Morgan simmered as she poked at it harshly. The elevator door closed, and she felt her stomach go up as the lift quickly went from floor 100 to 71.
Then she was in the green-walled lobby of the testing facility, with her brother Alex waving at her. "Morgan! Finally," he drawled.
Squinting, Morgan approached him.
"Hey. You don't look terrible in a TranStar uniform," Alex greeted her amiably. "How's your eye? Still red?" He squeezed her left shoulder reassuringly.
Eye's fine, Morgan snapped back.
Alex raised his eyebrows, but pressed on. "I know the tests might seem a little… unconventional. But it's a Yu family tradition. Breaking convention is in our blood," he told her, splaying his hands.
Morgan merely folded her arms.
"Once you start the tests, just do whatever comes natural," he instructed her in his best calming voice. "Don't overthink it. Dr. Bellamy's going to walk you through the process. You're in good hands." He wagged an index finger at her, emphasizing his point. "We'll be in orbit next week, I promise."
With that, he turned to walk away.
Speaking of being in good hands… Morgan began.
"Hmm?" Alex turned back.
As you may have noticed, I'm not actually speaking, Morgan noted bitingly.
"What are you talking about?" Alex frowned.
Telepathy is very nice and all, Alex, but your mystery neuromod rendered me unable to speak, as in, use my voice, Morgan explained, gesticulating lively.
"I hear you just fine," Alex responded, confusion written on his face.
Yeah, in your mind. But do you hear any actual sound coming out of my mouth? Morgan retorted.
Alex blinked, then blinked again. "Look…" he lifted a finger to the bridge of his noce, fixing his glasses. "We'll talk later, okay? Let's just do these tests, and then we'll figure out what the problem is," he raised his hands out in front placatingly.
Morgan let out a frustrated breath, glaring at her brother heatedly.
"Mr. Yu?" The blue-and-black clad security guard in the booth to Morgan's left interrupted. "They're ready for your sister in room A." He looked between the two siblings uncertainly, mouth slightly ajar.
"Right!" Alex pointed a finger at him, seeming glad for the deflection. Turning back to face Morgan, he sighed. "Listen — just be yourself," he advised her. "I'll see you after." Nodding, he indicated the hallway to her right.
Shaking her head, Morgan marched off.
A door slid open as she approached it, and she found herself in an elongated room with a pair of floor circles and a glass wall at the far end. A trio of scientists clad in white coats finished their erstwhile conversation, turning to face Morgan as the door behind her closed.