Chapter 7: Research Facility

Massive gates and electronic key card entry points graded them as they made it to the research facility Conrad led the way opening each checkpoint. After the convoy entered the base Conrad broke off from the group, He knew the others would be going to the underground parking which held direct access to the Lab. Conrade didn't want Cassie to be there when they unloaded the body, he didn't think his sister needed to see that.

Given everything that had already happened Conrad felt he was doing her kindness. Why would anyone want to see a body bag on a rolling stretcher knowing what was inside said bag, or rather who, she didn't need more of a reminder that the man she loved was dead.

When he pulled into the parking space at the far side of the base he looked over, touching his sister's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. " Cassie, we're here, are you ok to get out ?"

The little blond didn't answer and Conrad just sighed, he hoped this would work. If this went the same way as the other trials he didn't think Cassie would survive it you can only care for someone so much if they no longer care for themselves. thinking that didn't mean that he wouldn't do everything that he could to keep her safe. It simply meant that Cassie was smarter than him she always had been and always will be he knew that she of course would have denied it and that kind way that she had the Conrad knew that if Cassie wanted to do something like hurt herself, she would find a way and that was a fate he could not face.

He got out, went over to the passenger side door, and lifted her in his arms. "It's ok, I got you. Everything's gonna be ok. "

Conrad carried his sibling easily balancing her in one arm as he slid a key ID car in a door. When they entered the hallway with its high polished black floors was empty. there was only the gentle bubbling from an aquarium located in the alcove where the elevators were. He rocked Cassie and hummed along to the lullaby their mother used to sing as he waited for the lift doors to open.

The only response he got was Cassie gripping his shirt tighter, pressing her face into her brother's chest.

Soon the doors opened and they went down. Unlike most, Conrad and Eva never left the base, they had an apartment which was located just behind Conrad's office.

Conrad liked to refer to it as Central Command, once they stepped off the elevator it was another corridor with a small indoor garden in a circular lobby. To one side there was a door with a mail slot.

Conrad slid his ID car again and went inside, for now, he laid Cassie down in the master bedroom while he went to fold out the couch. The apartment itself was modern but cozy, Eva didn't let Conrad have his comic book posters up like he wanted to. Long gone was the ratty recliner from his days as a bachelor. Instead, there were just a few tasteful things here and there.

Not that Cassie noticed the decor, she was in and out like the world around her was a dream.

After setting up the sofa, Conrad moved his still-shocked sister to the fold-out. Gently taking off her shoes and personal belongings, setting them aside. " Hey Cassie, you wanna change out of your scrubs, huh, I probably have some pj's around here .. Come on Cas."

Conrad was trying but it just seemed there would be no reaching the other at the moment so he settled with covering up his sister and tucking her in. Carding his fingers carefully through Cassie's hair, he leaned over and kissed his sister's temple ." I love you Cassie, I promise you we won't let you down ."

Beneath them, however, was a buzz of activity there was no such common kindness and gentleness. The facility was stark with white and stainless everywhere, the hum of the bright bluish-white LED lights on the ceiling greeted the others as they entered.

"Travis, You and Liz go and remove any foreign bodies from the subject and seal up any wounds before we begin phase one. " Eva said, directing the group around like a general on the front lines.

Liz nodded, she was aware normally Randal would have assisted but she knew why that wasn't the case now. The woman followed Travis taking one end of the gurney as they walked down a hall, the little brunette offering her a kind smile. She bit her tongue wanting to correct Eva for referring to William as " subject". But she knew what they were doing was risky, not just for the people who cared for the dead man, but for the fact they were doing this on a human without going through the chain of command.

Time was of the essence in a situation like this, and dealing with the red tape meant losing that time altogether. This made her think of Eva's words on more than one occasion when they had done questionable things in the name of science. " Asking forgiveness is easier than asking for permission ."

They figured that out from past experimental subjects, waiting too long and the drugs wouldn't work. Too close to the edge is just as bad. Yes, while you can reanimate a subject the measures to halt decay do nothing, you end up with half the results. That perfect window, 5 hours at the most, and keeping the body temperature up high when things got started.

But still, there were so many variables, looking down at the black bag as they entered an operating theater just to the side where they would begin the reanimation. Liz prayed silently this time would be different, that the human mind was far more than just primal urges. That William wouldn't be like the others, they still had time.

Back in the observation lab Eva was having another assistant begin prepping the instruments for phase one, Ed, their computer technician, was at his computer station setting up the monitoring programs and ready to record to an encrypted flash drive. they couldn't have Conrad's superiors accessing the database and finding out about this just yet. That would be all their heads and she would be damned if she let that happen.

The woman looked over at the remaining members of her team. Randy seemed to have cooled his heels and was putting on a pot of coffee for everyone. Luke was trying to calm the timid Felicia who wasn't dealing well with the sight of the cages and various strange machines in the lab. One could only imagine the horror scenarios going through the honey-eyed girgirl'snd.

" Luke, take Felicia down to Conrad's office and knock on the door, hmm? It would be good for her to be with Cassie for this, yes?" Ev asked looking at the nurse who seemed rather confused looking around and clinging to her husband.

"Yes, thank you, Eva." Luke ushered his wife down the hall away from the lab. Trying to assure her that she could stay with Cassie until later on.

"Oh...Luke, this place is so strange. " Felicia shivered slightly in the cold sterile air of the underground area. After seeing the large steel cages and all the shelves of what she was almost sure were pickled organs.

Though she wasn't sure as they looked a bit off. She worried about what had gone on in this place and if her beloved Luke may have done anything frightening there. SHe didn't want to believe it. Felicia forced herself to remember they were here to help William, that they would help Cassie and everything would be put right.

They slipped into the office and knocked on the oak door to the left of the large desk. After a few moments, Conrad answered his tie was loose and crooked. The man looked weary, " hey " he mumbled stepping aside to let them in.

" How's your sister," Luke said, unwrapping his arm from Felicia as the slim redhead hurried over to the foton petting her friend's head and speaking to her softly.

Conrad just shook his head ." She's... well damn man just look at her. "

" I know, I hate to ask but, is it alright for Felicia to stay in here, what with things as they are ..."

Conrad nodded and ushered the taller man through the door." ya man don't worry, hey I didn't mean to sound like Cassie's the only one hurting. I know this must be hell for you."

Luke looked away, he wasn't one to show emotions in public, even now. "Thank you, we're all hoping for the best now. If it's possible."

The soldier agreed and turned to the women on the sofa, " Felici, I and Luke are steppin' out so ya mind keeping Cassie company? "

Felicia agreed, mostly because of how scary the lab seemed, but she was also worried about her friend.

Once out in the corridor the two men walked silently back until they were met with the large metal doors leading to the others.

" hey um. Luke, I just want you to know that, well, I'm with ya on this man, and not just for Cassie's sake. I know I didn't always get along with Will, but he was a good guy. We're gonna make this right, and I promise you I will find that bastard that shot him too. " Conrad said, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.

Luke looked down at the keypad typing in the entry code to get back in the Lab, to be honest, he found Conrad annoying most of the time, what with the man's loud laugh and constant consumption of fast food. But right now part of him wanted to hug the idiot. A very small part that he had no intention of acting on but it was there. "Thanks ... when you do find that man.... bring him to me ."

Conrad smirked and agreed, even if they brought William back. Someone was going to pay for killing him in the first place.