...And bad things happen

...And so it begins.

"Yes, yes...good..very good." Gregor said to himself, clicking his tongue happily while going over the latest batch of test results. It seemed he finally had a lead on a DNA match up.

"..After all this searching.." He read the details on the file again.

"Cheyene Augustus Frost, male age 33, caucasian, country of birth, England. Sought treatment for cut to right palm...", he scanned quickly down the page. "Well, yes..none of that really matters now does it..."

Searching further down the file for the DNA profile. *And there it is, finally, a good strong match.* Gregor thumped the file in triumph, looking up at his brother Tragor's old photo.

"A shame dear brother, you aren't here anymore to see the progress made in your name. But I am so close! I may have it this time. If I can only refine it enough..."

He rubbbed his hands together excitedly before and pressing the intercom on his desk.

"Orvis, Set it up. This one looks quite promising."

---------------------------------------------------

"Hello Max. Just thought I'd give you a ring see how things are going," Cheye smiled into the phone. *...And its always good to hear your voice*, he mused.

"No, I haven't found anything definitive yet. Though the local records give some tantilizing hints about a small villa outside Putka.." Cheye shuffled through his research as he juggled the receiver on his shoulder.

"I was planning on heading out there tomorrow and spend the day. The church archives should be helpful in narrowing it down." He tried to say calmly, as he's scambled to catch some papers as they fell.

"What? No, my hand is fine. The cut wasn't that deep. Really, didn't even need a stitch.

"No, no, they just took some blood samples and gave me a tetnus shot."

He spun quickly trying to catch more papers as they slipped, balancing the phone precariously.

"Well, yes I suppose, it was a rather rusted fence....um...Have you found anything in Bokavitz?" He ask quickly to deflect her concern.

"Oh that's great, Max. As soon as I'm done in Putka, I can meet you at the hotel in Bocal. I should have a solid lead by then and we can fill in the gaps."

He frowns into the phone and gives up on the papers, setting them down.

"Uhm, no..of course not, Max..", Looks at his watch frowning more.

"I was just heading out for dinner right now, actually..", he lied.

He listened to her reprimand as he glanced around the hotel room at the stacks of research material and notes.

"No, really Max. No, no...I'm not still at it. All done for the night. I was just tidying up a little...before dinner." He blushed a little at the fib. He had forgotten dinner completely. Again.

"Honestly, Max. I'm heading out for a bite as soon as I hang up." He stares at the stacks as she scolds him again.

"No, of course not, its not THAT late." Cheye looked at his watch again. It read a quarter past ten. If he was lucky, he could still find a sandwich at the local pub.

"Uhm, well, yes...maybe just a little late. I'd better get moving, Max. I'll see you in Bocal in two days then. Have fun at the monostary tomorrow...yes, alright...Good night."

He smiled as he hung up the phone. She always put him in a good mood.

Glancing around the room at the stacks of papers one more time. He concidered cross referencing some of the manuscripts before heading out. Just then, his stomach chose to growl angrily.

He glanced at the watch again then back to the papers.

"Right then..", he stated whilst patting his stomach,"..food it is."

He grabbed his coat and headed out, shutting off the lights.

Outside, the air was brisk but damp. It was early winter in Romania though the weather hadn't turned fully yet. It had rained earlier in the day and the night chill was setting in.

Cheye hurried down the street to the pub as a few scatter snowflakes fell.

The Inn he was staying at didn't serve food, or anything else for that matter, past seven PM. The Innkeeper felt it was 'uncivilized'.

Cheye laughed to himself at the thought of the odd little man and his wife. *Oh well, the night air will do me some good.*, he thought to himself.

He started to hum a little tune to amuse himself along the way. Smiling as he thought how shocked Max would be to find he knew all the lyrics to such a tune.

It had been a side project of his at colledge. Studying the origins of pub drinking songs and their various incarnations. Some of them had been quite randy. It had infact, earned him an A, and a great deal of laughter from his Professor.

Even his brother, Connie had blushed when Cheye had taught him this particular little tune.

Lost in thought and old memories, he didn't notice the large shadow in the doorway as he past. Nor did he notice when it detatched itself and followed him.

Cheye hitched up his coat a little against the chill. He could just see his breath forming in the air. Another block and he could get some of that warm stew the pub was known for. He'd already had a few late night meals there. Picking the locals for their odds bits of oral history to aid in his research.

He automatically moved in closer to the buildings as he heard a car coming up behind him. These old world towns had such narrow roads and sidewalks. He didn't want to get clipped in the dark.

He didn't really register the sound of the car slowing down as it came closer. He was still working on his melody and trying to remember the chorus, when a rather large something grabbed him from behind.

One heavy arm wrapped itself around the front of his throat and locked over his shoulder. Then a large strong smelling cloth was clamped over his face as he was yanked off his feet.

Cheye tried to fight back kicking and squirming but he couldn't break the grip.

His head started to spin and the smell on the cloth was overwhelming. Slowly his struggles grew less, then ceased as darkness overtook him.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kopesti readied his lab. His new test subject would be here any moment and he wanted to get started.

He turned to study his prize in the holding cage. *A successful result, a very sucessful result.*, He smiles to himself. He was on the right path now, earlier failures dismissed.

After many disapointments, he had finally located a second test subject that met the right criteria. He had almost given up hope. So many DNA samples sorted through and coming up empty. He had it this time, he knew it.

If he could produce the same results with subject 147M33, he'd be halfway there. From that point, it would just be a matter of control.

Kopesti looked again at the large animal in the cage. It was pacing back and forth as usual. He grinned. She always seemed agitated by his presence in the lab. No matter, he'd get her trained soon enough. It was just a matter of time and conditioning, they all give eventually.

He smiled and went back to his preparations.
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Cheye awoke with a small groan. The world was still swimming at the edges of his vision and his head was pounding.

He was cold. It took a moment for his mind to register that. His thoughts felt sluggish, slightly disconnected.

He was suprised to find himself laying flat on a rather hard cold surface. He lifted his head to look around.

His cloths were gone. He had on only a pair of light cotton trousers that were not his.

His fuzzy mind started to put the world back into focus. He could hear voices, some one was talking. He couldn't quite make it out yet. He tried to sit up for a better look but was surprised to find himself strapped down to the metal table he lay on. Secured at the wrists and ankles, as well as straps across his legs and torso. Panic was slowly starting to overtake his earlier confusion.

*Hospital? This can't be a hospital.*, he thought to himself.

He saw an older man with white hair and a doctor's coat working across the room to his left.

"Excuse me..what happened? Why am I here?" Nervousness raising his voice a little higher then its norm as he glanced around. *Definately not a hospital* It looked suspiciously like a dungeon.

"Silence, please." Came the annoyed reply from the man in the white coat. "I can't have interuptions while I'm working." He was laying out objects onto a tray.

Cheye didn't like the look of any of it. Thoughts of 'mad scientist' and 'Frankenstien' starting flashing through his mind.

"No wait, there been a mistake..." He started out nervously, "I'm not the one you're looking for. I shouldn't be here.." Panic now starting to raise the timbre of his voice. "Please, just let me up and I'll be out of your hair in no time. We don't even have to mention this. It's all been just a terrible misunderstanding, really!"

"Silence!" The man in the white coat said sternly. "You will not be warned again!" He brought the tray of implements over next to Cheye.

"Look,..no wait! Oh God, stop! Let me up! I want out of here!" Cheye yelled, pulling as hard as he cool against the restraints.

A large meaty hand came out of nowhere and collided with the side of his head, rattling his teeth and sending stars through his vision. Stunned, Cheye's yelling stopped abruptly. His body started to tremble of its own accord and his breathing was heavy.

"As I said, you will hold your tongue, or it will be held for you!" The old man said leaning over him, a dark expression upon his face. "You will speak only when you are spoken to. And you will do as you are told, when you are told. Remember those simple rules and this will go much easier for you." He said in cold slightly accented english.

Cheye guessed him to be russian. *Definately not local.*

"Who are you?" Cheye asked, regretting the question almost immediately as a heavy hand grabbed his throat.

His head was forced back and up painfully, causing his body to arch against the restraints. He was now looking up past the head of the table he was on and seeing the largest man he had even seen. It was this man that was currently choking the life out of him.

"Bad dog!" The man growled out.

Cheye struggled to get air into his burning lungs. The large man starting to waiver in his vision. Stars danced around his field of vision as he felt himself starting to fade.

"Enough, Orvis. I do believe the subject gets the point." The older man said without remorse. "I will need the vials at the ready for later."

The Large man released his grip.

Cheye collasped back onto the table, coughing roughly as he tried to get air back into his starved lungs. Pins and needles were running up and down his limbs and spine and his ears were ringing loudly. It had felt as if his neck was going to break just before the orgre of a man had let him go.

He lay there, spent. He couldn't stop the little tremors that now ran through his body. It may have been fear, or the cold that seemed to have settled into his bones. He didn't even want to open his eyes. He'd rather not see what else was coming.

There was a click. Cheye flinched.

"October, 5th, 12:32 AM. Preliminary exam of subject 147M33." The old man's voice began.

Cheye cracked his eyes open. The older man was dictating into a small recorder.

"Vital signs as previously noted. Appears in good health."

The man worked his way around Cheye, checking his ears, eyes, throat, reflexes. It was a bit like getting a physical. The absurdity of it struck Cheye. A small snort of disgust escaped him.

Again, a large fist from the assistant back handed him. He could taste the blood inside his lip.

*Right, Cheye, not a peep. They'll be done soon. They'll just realize they made a mistake and you'll be out of here. Just wait them out.* The voice in the back of his head whispered.

Another small tremor past through him. He found himself wishing Max was there. *No...no, they would just hurt her. That would be worse.*

The man in the coat carried on with his exam and narration.

"Placing ekg receivers on the subject's head for active feedback. Hopefully, the recent recalibration of the beam will allow for clearer telemetry at this frequency."

He attatched several small disc to Cheyes head. One at each temple and one at the base of his skull. They stung a little as they bit into flesh. Cheye bit his tongue.

"Using twenty cc's formula B39zed to three cc's of carrier formula A7betta." The man droned on.

Cheye closed his eyes as the needle was brought toward him. He felt the cold of the alcohol swab at his neck and tensed.

"Injecting into the trapevious muscle mass for dispersion."

Cheye surpressed a scream. The needle had injected pure fire into his muscles. He could feel it burning as it spread. It traveled down his arm into his back and up his neck and into his head.

"Orvis, move him to the dias, please." The old man said, waving his goon over to do the job as he moved over to a control panel at the far wall.

Cheye hardly noticed the straps being undone. The burning in his head had now become an insistant hammering. He kept his eyes closed to keep the room from spinning. His mind wouldn't focus on anything but the pain. He felt himself yanked to his feet but his legs wouldn't hold him. The large assistant merely picked him up like a rag doll and carried him.

Cheye silently prayed the goon would strain something.

He was propped up against a rough surface and could feel straps applied tightly again. This time he was held spread eagle, arms out straight from the shoulders.

After a few minutes, he risked opening his eyes.

*Orvis the ogre*, as Cheye had dubbed him, had moved off somewhere behind him out of sight. He was now secured to some sort of upright wooden table. From this angle, he could see more of the room he was in.

It was indeed a dungeon. Somehow, he wasn't surprised. Cheye recognized the type of architecture, noting it automatically. *14th to 15th century gothic revival period*

Little facts about the stucture and details kept rattling around his head. Anything to distract himself from the pain that was continuing to grow through out his body.

*Forty feet wide by some fifty feet down the long wall...thirty foot ceilings...impressive architecture really..* The walls were large cut blocks merged with the natural bedrock.

His mind drifting again, he looked further around the room.

The old man with the lab coat was working at a computer panel now. Still speaking into his recorder. Cheye couldn't quite hear him well enough to make out the words.

He briefly tested his bonds. It was no good, they were solid and he was definately starting to feel shaky. The pounding in his head and aching in his body was still growing. He looked around for more things to take his mind off the pain.

There were some stone stairs leading up and away to somewhere. The whole room had been 'modernized' to accomodate lab equipment and computers. Most of it looked high end. *Someone had too much time and money.*

The steel table he had been on was about twenty feet away in front of him. Beyond it, against the far wall, is what looked like a holding cell, or three.

The pounding in his head was getting almost unbearable. He shut his eyes tight, biting his lip and pulled hard against the restraints, straining every muscle. He relaxed them again and slowly opened his eyes. The pain was still there and hurt like hell but the stabbing sensation had eased.

A movement to his right caught his eye. The was another cell, or cave more like, with oversized bars across the front. The cage took up most of the wall on that side. He could tell the cave within was naturally formed. *Am I in a mountain..Where the hell is this place?*

Something flitted about in the shadows of the cave. It pasted closer to the light for a moment. Then he saw it, a glint of silver-white fur. A wolf.

Cheye's hair stood on end, a chill going down his spine. The creature was huge, easily six foot at the shoulder. *..Dear God!..*

It stopped its pacing and stood still looking at him in the eyes. Cheye shivered again, the pain in his head momentarily forgotten.

The wolf was a snowy white, almost ghostly silver in the shadows. He had expected brown or amber eyes, maybe even albino blue. These were not. They were a true green. The light reflected in them danced like emerald fires.

The wolf stood there and held his gaze.

At the edge of his field of vision, the man in the lab coat moved toward him again. Cheye's eyes were automatically drawn to the motion, breaking the connection to the wolf's gaze.

Immediately, he was again aware of the hammering in his skull. He closed his eyes tight again.

"Orvis, hold the subject's head still, I need to get these wires place correctly the first time."

Cheye felt large hads grab his head like a vice, pulling his head forward and down till he thought it would break his neck. He grunted in pain but couldn't move.

"Steady now, Orvis. I don't want any unecessary damage."

Something cold touched the base of Cheye's neck. Then suddenly, something feeling like a hot poker went into the muscles with a 'pop'. The sharp pain merging with the fire already in his brain. He couldn't help the scream that escaped his lips. Immediately, a large arm cut off his air supply. With his head already bent down and over extending his neck, Cheye couldn't even offer resistance.

"I think you had best get a muzzle for this one, Orvis. I don't wish to have and further distractions."

Cheye could just hear the old man over the roar in his ears.

His head and neck were released, allowing Cheye to suck in some much needed air. He didn't even try to raise his head. He just road out the waves of dizziness, eyes closed.

Someone, likely the old man, was fitting something around his neck. It was snug. With a sickening feeling, Cheye realized it was a collar.

He tried to move his head away. The man yanked on the collar and immediately it sent new jolts of pain into the back of he's neck and skull.

"Stay!" The old man snapped.

Breathing hard and eyes still closed, Cheye held still as the collar was fitted into place. He just wanted this nightmare to stop. *any minute now, I wake up back in my own bed...make some tea..*

His head was pushed back sharply and something shoved into his mouth. He opened his eyes to see 'Orvis the ogre' glaring at him. Cheye lowered his eyes. The gag was fitted in place and biting into his skin.

There was the sound of machinery moving and the hum of a power building up. Orvis moved away again and Cheye glanced up the see a large apparatis moving his way. It was suspended from the ceiling and coming lower, turning to point at his location.

A cold pit of dread developed in his stomach. If he hadn't been secured in place, Cheye believed his legs would have failed him. There was no stopping the tremors now.

He was vaugly aware that the wolf in the far cage had started a low growl and picked up its pacing. Becoming more and more agitated.

The old man in the coat was still at the far consol working and talking into his recorder.

Cheye wasn't listening any more. The apparatis now took up most of his field of vision. It looked like one of those laser cannons in a bad sci-fi movie. It probably would have been funny, if Cheye had been watching this as a movie. But he was here and this one was very real. And it was pointing directly at his chest.

Frantically he began pulling at the restraints that were holding him in place. The power build up was now a high pitched whine and Cheye could see the glow eminating from the side openings of the armature.

*Oh God, no! Please no..not..*

Then the blast hit him.

The pain was unlike anything he's ever felt or imagined. Every fiber of his being was on fire like he was being ripped from the inside out. His body arched involentarily against the restraints, muscles tearing. He was screaming, inside and out. The outer scream caught by the gag and taking his air away.

The laser's light seemed to bore into him, burning through his skull. Everything got brighter until there was only the white fire. He merged with it.

...And slowly he fell into cold darkness.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Kopesti shut the laser down.

"43.7 seconds at 2.75 magahertz. Preliminary read out suggest heart failure of subject 147M33 at 41.9 seconds into treatment."

The scientist stepped over and ckecked for a pulse on his subject.

"Heart has restarted on its own. Steady but weak. Suggested adjustments to time limit. Resetting saftey time limit at 38 seconds until further evaluation of cardio stress factors." He spoke into his recorder.

"Orvis, get him down, I will need him on the table to examine properly."

Orvis undid the restraints, lifting the now limp form and placing him on the exam table and removing the gag.

"That will do, Orvis." Kopesti said waving him off." And shut that animal up over there. Dart her if the collar fails to get her under control."

The wolf hadn't stopped howling and growling since he'd started up the laser.

Orvis nodded and moved off. A moment later, Kopesti heard the dart gun fire.

*Trust Orvis to fine the the quickest solution*, he thought to himself with a wry grin.

Kopesti got back to his work and finished up his exam. Collecting and labeling his samples.

The boy lived, that was a good sign. A few more hours and he would know if it ws worth it or if he again needed another test subject.

*Well, better to be optomistic*

"Secure this one in a cell, Orvis. Then I believe we should relax with some tea. Perhaps we shall have some good news in the morning, eh?" Kopesti smiled, rubbing his hands together as he walked off up the stairs.

He turned back a moment. "You made arrangments at the hotel, yes?"

Orvis nodded.

"Good, good. No loose ends then." And he then he turned and left for his study.

Orvis lifted the body from the table and unceremoniously dropped it onto the floor in one of the smaller holding cells, locking the door.

*Maybe it will be breathing in the morning, maybe not.* It didn't matter at all to him. *We'll just get another one.*

He turned off the lights as he went up the stairs.

*Just like the previous 46 bodies.*
------------------------------------------------------------------
Eight hours had elasped. Gregor Kopesti was getting excited. He had a good feeling about this one. Half of the test subjects hadn't made it past their first exposure to the laser. If this one made it through the next two sessions, he'd have his second werewolf.

It had taken him two years of study to fully understand his brother's work with the 'transgenic laser'. His own field of expertise in genetics had greatly furthered that research. Now, with his brother's laser and his own gene-splitting serum, he almost had the answers.

It had been a sheer stroke of luck that he found his dead brother's original test subject.

The woman had been searching around Pocal, asking questions. At first, Kopesti thought she was with the authorities. There had been several branches of law enforcement looking for answers to the bodies being found about the country side.

It had worried him at first. This woman had gotten closer then the others. Retracing the locations of several of his brother's research labs. She had come very close to discovering his own lab.

His surveilance cameras had picked her up out in the near by woods. He had merely watched with short glances at the monitors, uninterested, till he had spotted the white birthmarks on the woman's wrists.

He couldn't believe it could be the same girl, she didn't seem old enough. He couldn't risk missing the opertunity so he had Orvis pick her up.

There had been a dangerous reaction to the tranquilizer but he had gotten that under control.

He now had his prize.

It had been surprizingly easy to get her 'shifted'. From that point, he was able to isolate the correct gene his was looking for. Which in turn, lead him to his current subject: 147M33, Mr. Cheyanne Agustus Frost.

Orvis had already taking care of the hotel details, leaving a false trail for the authorities.

Gregor had contacted an old friend who would discretly gather a personal file on the subject, just incase he proved suitable.

*Optomistic, indeed.*, Gregor thought to himself as he headed back to the lab.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye's body hurt. There was a deep ache that ran all over and through him. It felt as if someone was splitting his skull and spine to the bone and on down every limb.

Upon waking, he had laid there on his back in the dark, not moving. Small tremors running through him now and then, intensifying the pain on and off in short waves.

He could feel the cold stone floor beneath him. The coolness felt good.

The sound of water dripping somewhere was making thristy. He lay there listening to the drip but couldn't bring himself to move to search for it yet.

Suddenly the lights came on in the room. Even through closed lids it was painfully bright.

Cheye clamped his eyes shut tightly, pulling his arm over his head to shield from the light. His body protesting every move.

He listened to steps approaching, light and quick.

*Not the ogre at least.*

Something metal clanked, then creaked like and old gate. The steps came closer and a hand touched his neck.

With sickening realization, it occured to him they were checking for a pulse.

"October fifth, 8:37 AM. Subject has strong pulse, though it seems warm to the touch...", the accented voice droned on.

*Bloody hell, just shut it already and leave would you!* Cheye thought, moving his arm further over his head protectively.

The older man stepped away.

"Stand." The old man said sharply.

Cheye flinched but made no attempt to get up.

"Stand!" The order came again, louder. This time a sharp eletrical shock came with it. Radiating pain anew from the back of his neck and into his aching muscles.

Cheye quickly attempted to rise, shaking limbs not co-operating. He barely managed to roll over onto his stomach and then get to all fours.

The man snapped his fingers impatiently. "Stand!", he barked, and again a quick shock.

Cheye grabbed a nearby bunk and pulled himself up on weak legs. Standing and squinting against the too bright lights.

"Out." The man ordered, stepping aside and pointing to the cell door.

Cheye started to move forward, holding first the bunk, then the crossbars of the cell for support as he stepped out into the main area.

The man walked past him, seemingly satified with the move.

"Table" He ordered, tapping the metal table to emphasize.

Cheye looked over at the metal table, a shudder running through him. He didn't move.

"Table!" The man barked dangerously glaring at him and snapping his fingers.

"No bloody way in hell!" Cheye growled back, giving into his own anger at the mistreatment.

He hadn't heard Orvis approach.

The first hit of the riot stick was hard across his upper back, breaking his grip on the cross bars and driving him to his knees. The second hit was a boot connecting solidly with his ribs. He could feel something give as the impact threw him violently to the side.

In one swift move, Orvis lifted him clear off the ground with a large hand round his throat and slammed him down on his back on the exam table.

Cheye was seeing stars. Feebly he tried to push the hand away from his closed airway, eyes watering and ears ringing.

The large man loomed in, taking up all of Cheye's field of vision. In a whisper that made Cheye blood freeze, he spoke.

"Bad dog.! If you speak again, I will crush your throat and rip out that tongue of yours, understood?"

Cheye looked up into eyes that held only a cold madness. He couldn't respond, he couldn't even nod his head. Eyes wide, he slowly let his hands drop and stopped struggling, hoping the man would release him before he blacked out.

The hand did release, and Cheye gasped and took in a ragged breath. His body convulsing and coughing for much needed oxygen.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"Orvis, some water if you please." Kopesti said calmly, setting about his exam equipment.

He would have to study the subject's profile carefully once it was all gathered. Elvaluate the best training program. He disliked these little disruptions. They wasted valuable time and there was always a risk of damaging the subject. That could delay his schedule.

The subject's breathing finally calmed as Orvis returned with the water.

"Stand." Kopesti said, motioning for the subject to rise. He didn't really expect a respose. They were always so difficult the first few days of conditioning.

"Stand!" He said more forcefully and snapped his fingers once, again activating the control collar.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye shook as the volts went through him, getting to his feet as best he could.

He was feeling incredibly tired and dizzy, his body protesting every move. He held onto the table for balance and support.

The man with the lab coat started his exam on a slightly swaying Cheye. Again narrating into his recorder. Cheye did his best to ingnore it, closing his eyes and trying to calm his stomach.

*No, not Dr. Frankenstien, more like Vlad the impaler..power hungry psychotic control freak..*, he thought to himself.

A pen light into his eyes during the exam, had been exceptionally painful, making him flinch.

After several minutes, the man tapped the table and said, "Sit."

Cheye did, grateful for the respite.

He wasn't really listening to the narration. There was still and incessant ringing in his ears that wouldn't go away.

A glass was handed to him, startling him back to the present.

"Drink" The old man ordered, continuing his exam.

Cheye sipped, refraining from gulping. His parched throat too sore from the choking to handle liquids any faster.

The Ogre was glaring at him from nearby. Cheye kept his eyes averted and stared at the floor.

Every now and then, he would sneak glaces into the wolf's cage, trying to get a glimpse. It was no where in sight and he couldn't see into the dark recesses at the back.

The man in the lab coat wandered off. Cheye followed the sound of his shoes, not wanting to look up and risk the Ogre's attention.

He could hear a cabinet opened, then glass bottles quietly shuffled around. The sound of the cabinet closing and footsteps moving further away.

Orvis stepped closer, taking the now empty glass.

"Come" The old man ordered.

Cheye looked up to where the old man was standing. His stomach clenched and turned cold. The man standing now at the dias. The upright stand with straps hanging there in wait.

*You honestly believe I'm going to willingly walk over there...you egotistical psychotic son-of-a-bitch?*

Cheye slowly shook his head 'no'.

"Come!" Again the order and the expected shock. Cheye rode it out and just stayed there trembling. Still shaking his head 'no'.

Another jolt went through him, this time strong enough to knock him from the table to the floor.

The old man motioned his assistant, "Orvis."

Orvis wrapped one arm around Cheye's torso and lifted him from the ground while he was still twitching from the collar.

Cheye was still trying to clear his head as Orvis finished strapping him down. The gag was shoved into his mouth as his eyes refocused. Looking up at the laser again, Cheye felt decidedly sick.

"His head, Orvis"

Cheye's neck was again pulled to its limit as Orvis held him still for the needle. Fire quickly spreading through his body from the point of injection.

The old man's casual narration joining the ringing in Cheye's ears.

"Increasing dosage five cc's per unit. Decreasing laser time to 38 seconds at 2.75 megahertz on the dial."

Cheye was shaking. He could hear the power build up and didn't want to look. He was silently praying he would black out and not feel anything.

Then the laser kicked in. His own private hell starting all over again.
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Kopesti was a little concerned. He reviewed the blood test results again.

After the second treatment, he had hoped for more signs of change in the subject's outward appearance and blood work.

Subject 146F30 had changed immediately at the first treatment. True the gene in the second subject was more recessive, but he had hoped for quicker results.

He must have missed something.

Looking back through his brother's log books, he reread the file on his brother's second subject.

A large dark haired local man. Peasent stock with family lore steeped with tales of werewolf ancestors.

After six different treatments, the man had finally managed a partial shift. A dark vicious creature that was difficult to control.

*Perhaps something as simple as male versus female? Something in the male physiology that resisted treatment?* He tapped a pencil on the file thoughtfully. He would have to study this more closely.

He looked up at his clock. *Ten hours, almost time to get started again.* He smiled.

"Well, lets just get this in order here." He said finishing his meal and straightening his papers.

His brother had not had the benefit of his formula, nor his genetic expertise. Perhaps it would not take six treatments. *We shall see*, he thought to himself.
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Cheye's entire body trembled. He was cold but his face felt hot. He woke, lying in the cell face down on the floor, unwilling to move. When he finally did shift, it was to much for his protesting stomach.

He emptied what little content his stomach held in the corner. Dry heaving for several minutes more before collasping on his side and curling up.

His head kept spinning. The vertigo making the world till dangerously every time he tried to open his eyes.

The lights in the outer lab seeming piercingly bright. He kept his back to them, eyes shut tight. Every noise seemed amplified, echoing in his head and bones. And the smells, the smells were just overwhelming, making his stomach roll violently.

He laid there curled up, just wishing himself away. Praying they would tire of this and let him go. Praying Max would find him and storm in with the marines. And in darker moments, just praying he would die.

He heard the footsteps coming before they even entered the room. He curled up tighter into a protective ball under the bunk, covering his head. *Please God,..let it just end..
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Kopesti looked the subject over as he approached the cell. He was curled up under the bunk in the corner.

*Good, he is starting to show signs of wear. The conditioning is going well.*

"Orvis, bring him out to the table." He said, getting his equipment ready.

He had picked up on the smell eminating from the back of the cell. That told him his subject would be getting weaker. He may have to administer fluids at some point to keep the subject hydrated. But for now, it served his purpose.

Orvis grabbed the youger man by the arm, yanking him out from under the bunk and up.

"Stand!", he said, giving the boy a shake.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye struggled to get his feet under him.

"Out!" The large man snapped, not waiting and gaving Cheye a shove.

Cheye stumbled out, squinting against the lights. Swaying a bit as he tried to steady himself.

"Table" He heard the older man say, tapping the metal table. Cheye followed the sound till he touched the metal surface, then stood still.

The tape recorder button clicked and the old man started his narrative again.

"October fifth, 3:15 PM. Subject appears altered..." Hands running over Cheye as he did his exam.

Cheye just stood there and thought of somewhere else...anywhere else.

"Arm", the man said, tapping his arm. Cheye held it out, barely flinching as the blood was drawn.

Then the penlight was shown into his eyes. Instinctively he jerked back away from the pain exploding in his head.

"Bad dog, stay!", Orvis shaid sharply, gripping Cheye by the back of the neck like a vice.

Cheye's knees shook as he tried to keep to his feet.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kopesti stepped closer, turning the subject's face from side to side, noting the tight contraction of the irises.

"Subject 147M33 appears to be developing a severe sensitivity to light. Irises contracted and subject squinting.

A darkening of outer pigmentation is quite noticable, as well as hair color lightening by several shades.

He ran his hand along Cheye's jaw, even checking his teeth.

"Subject's canines also appear to be altered, more pronounced. Ears appearing to have changed as well..." He said, pushing aside Cheye's hair and looking his ears over carefully.

"They appear to be developing tips or points on top, almost like the much fabled elves of old..."

Kopesti paused for a moment, waving Orvis off and looking at the subject intently.

*Yes, this could be something else here...*
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye kept his eyes half closed, looking to the floor. He hadn't really been listening to the man muttering around him. The ringing in his head made it hard to focus on the words.

The old man lifted his chin again, holding his face up toward the light.

"Well now, it would seem this specimen will require a great deal more study,...indeed.", the old man said looking at him intently.

Cheye gave an involentary shiver.

"We shall see, we shall see..." The old man quipped and stepped away.

"Come." He said, snapping his fingers at Cheye and walking toward the dias.

Cheye knew where the man was going. He took a step, turning to look at the raised dias. Eyes automactically focusing on the straps of the raised platform. He stood there, trembling slightly.

"Come!" The man said more forcefully. It was followed immediately by the now familiar pain of the electric collar. Cheye took another shaky step forward.

"If you would, Orvis." The man sighed, annoyed.

A hard jolt of electricity passed through Cheye even as Orvis kicked him forward from behind.

Cheye lurched forward, sprawling onto the floor. The electric current making it impossible for him to get his limbs under control.

The current finally stopped and Cheye managed to get to all fours. Orvis grabbed him by the back of his head, gripping hair and half dragged half-carried him forward to the dias.

"Bad dog, come!."

Cheye was scrambling to keep up and trying to get his feet back under him. It didn't work. Orvis just pitched him headlong into the restraining board.

Cheye hit the floor in a heap. Slowly he pulled his arms up over his head protectively and curled up. He couldn't control the tremors that were coming constantly now. He was filled with dread at what he knew was going be happen next.

*Please God, not again, not again!* Tears were running down his cheeks as he shook.

Orvis grabbed him roughly by his neck and lifted him, slamming him into the wooden surface of the restraining board. Spinning him around roughly to face forward.

"Stand, dog!" The order was given at the same time he was back handed. Cheye forced his legs to stiffen, trying to stay upright.

The Ogre roughtly strapped him down, not caring about Cheye flinching when the straps cut into the skin.

Cheye kept his eyes closed tight, trying to ignore the hum of the power building up.

*Think, think, think...summer in London, a spring day at university,..Maxine's birthday party last fall...No, you don't hear that..its the washing machine, is all...you're not here, Cheye, you are not here!..*

The gag was pushed into his mouth and tightened down.

*No God..oh, God, oh God..please no more!* Cheye opened his eyes. The light was blinding him but he could hear the old man approaching. *No..no more needles please!..no more, God no more!*, his mind screamed.

He began pulling hard against the restraints, panic rising and making him stronger. His body bucked, arching away from the board then slamming back into it. He didn't feel it. He just had to get out. He kept yanking and pulling at the straps like a madman.
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Orvis, pin him down, now! He'll break something if he continues like this!", Kopesti barked as he struggled with getting the saftey strap around the subject's head.

Orvis was trying to get one secured around his waist. Finally, the assistant just slammed a fist into the young man's middle, knocking the wind out of him.

The extra straps were quickly secured into place while the subject hung there there limply.

"Eyes!", Kopesti snapped, tapping the subject's head and making him open his eyes.

Gregor had been surprised by the young man's outburst. He didn't think he had that much fight left in him. Gripping the boy's jaw, he study his eyes, slightly relieved to seem some intelligence still residing there.

"A simple panic attack then, eh?", Kopesti said, holding the gaze. *Not suicidal madness.* He thought to himself.

"We must work on that temper of yours..", Kopesti whispered coldly, narrowing his eyes at the boy before going back to work.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye trembled a bit more, eyes looking back to the floor again. He didn't flinch when the needle went in.

As his two captors stepped away to start up the machine, he tensed for the pain.

When the laser hit, he could have sworn he heard an ungodly howl rip the air and filling the room, just before he faded into oblivion...
-------------------------------------------------------------
"...36, 37, 38." Kopseti shut down the machine as the timer finished.
He scowled looking over at the wolf's cage. As soon as he had activated the laser the animal had gone beserk in it's cage.
"Orvis, get that thing under control!"
Orvis had already been trying to get a dart into the unruley beast but so far it continued to evade him. It was constantly ducking into the shadows and nooks at the back of the cave.
*At least that damned howling stopped*, Orvis thought as he turned to get a better angle.
Suddenly the animal rushed the bars where he had been standing too close. He barely jumped back in time. The large animal slammed into the bars, teeth ripping the air he left behind. Immediately it retreated to the shadows, disappearing.
Orvis swore under his breath and tried again to get a bead on it again with the dart gun.
"Leave it, Orvis", Kopseti said with a resigned wave of his hand. "As long as it is quiet, we have other work to do."
Kopesti looked over his read out sheets, not looking up. "We will have to push her harder on the conditioning, but that will have to keep. I need specimen 147M33 moved to the exam table for now.", he said, gathering up his vials.
Orvis glared once more at the wolf in the shadows. *I'm going to enjoy killing you someday. I'll use your mangy hide for a rug.*, he thought to himself with a smile and turned away.
Heading back to the dias, he removed the now unconcious form and placed it on the table.
"That will be all for now Orvis. Why don't you set up those records for me in my office. I'll need them when I am done running my test here.
"When you are done, you can come back and place the subject in his holding cell."
Orvis nodded and bowed to leave.
"I will call if I need anything, thank you." Kopesti said, dismissing his assistance. Then started his exam and taking his samples. Once completed, he turned on his ever presence recorder.
"October fifth, 3:46 PM. Subject appeare to have a momentary break down prior to treatment. This has been later attributed to a panic attack. This will be noted in his personality profile for further study.
"Follow up examination is as follows:
"No evidence of hair or fur growth, as it was with the 1964 test male. No major or minor changes to bone structure in hands or feet. This is also inconsistant with the 1964 male subject.
"Blood and tissue samples drawn for further analysis.
"Speculation based on current observations:
"Subject 147M33 is believed to be infact a dark elf, not a wherewolf as previously thought. Review of DNA findings pending."
Kopesti looked over his lab specimen carefully. Studying the gentle elongation of the tips of his ears. The young man's skin now quite darkly tan and his hair a medium blonde.
"So, what will I do with you, 147M33? What use could I have for a dark elf, eh?"
He paced some more in thought, occasionally looking over into the wolf's cage.
The animal was at the back wall in shadows but he could still feel its eyes upon him.
"Like this one do you?" He said pausing and looking into the cage expecting no reply.
He looked back at the dark elf. "If I could get the wolf to respond to you, it would make her training much easier." He said to himself, nodding. "Yes, yes...this might work very well."
He stepped closer to the unconcious form, walking around the table and thinking.
"147M33...Doesn't exactly roll of the tongue now, does it." He walked back and forth as he talked, still studying the innert form lying there.
"Aidan...Yes, that's it. Aidan is a proper name for an elf." He stopped and stared a moment at the unconcious form.
"So Aidan. Let's see what kind of creation I can make of you, shall we?" He smiled.
Orvis was just returning down the stairs.
"Ah, Orvis. Place this one in the holding cell and leave a pitcher of water this time. We can't have him getting sick now, it looks like he'll make it through the process....and I have plans."
With out another word, Kopesti headed up the stairs to his office. There was much research to be done.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheye woke on the floor shaking. His stomach had awakened him and it was rolling violently. He barely had time to make it to the back corner of the cell before the heaves began.
It seemed like forever before they stopped, though they had been mostly dry heaves. Cheye knelt tere, panting. His eyes closed and arms wrapped around his middle waiting for his stomach to calm. After a few minutes, he lifted his head cautiously and looked around.
He smelled the water before he saw it. A pitcher was just inside the door of the cell on the floor.
He stared at it a few moment, suspicious.
He looked around the outer room. The lights were off but he could see quite clearly, as if they were still on. The only sounds he picked up were coming from the wolf's cage. He could make out the steady breathing of the animal and the water still dripping somewhere back further in the cave.
He eyed the pitcher again, slowly moving forward. He sat carefully, keeping a hand on his still sore ribs, then sniffed at the water.
*It smells clean* He thought, taking a small sip. Finding no odd taste, he took a better swallow. He paused a moment, sniffing the water again, curious as to why he thought it smelled clean.
*tap water..since when does tap water have a smell?* He eyed the pitcher, turning it in his hands and taking another drink before setting it down. *I can smell water..when did that happen?*
He looked around the empty room again. The water hadn't helped his hunger any but it had calmed his stomach and throat some.
The outer room seemed to be giving off a low hum. Cheye looked more closely to see where the sound was coming from.
The rows of consols across the room gave off a faint glow, his ears pinpointing the sound as coming from them. The faint glimmer was distracting. Cheye thought maybe his eyes were strained and turned his head back to look at the wolf's cage.
He could see well into the back of the cave now, even into the darker shadows. The wolf lay at the back on a ledge, apparently sleeping.
Again he noticed a faint shimmer, this time from the wolf. She glowed slightly brighter than the consols but the effect was the same.
*Heat..she's warmer..* He thought to himself, not thinking it odd that he could see that.
He galnced back at the consols. He could now distinguish the varying heat waves in the equipment. *Strange I didn't notice that before*
Looking up the stairs to the door, he could make out still warmer areas. His glance strayed to the laser hanging from the ceiling. He gave an involentary shudder and quickly looked away.
*There has to be a way out of here.* He studied the dungeon again, looking for a way.
From somewhere, he picked up a wiff of fresh air lightly scented with pine. He stood, trying to detect the sorce.
The sound of him moving about waking the wolf. She jumped to her feet with a snarl, hackles raised. Cheye instinctively jumped back and crouched down.
She looked around, sniffing the air and glaring out into the lab. After a few minutes, she relaxed and yawned into a stretch. With a shake of her fur, she jumped off the ledge and walked over to the bars closest to Cheye's cell, sniffing the air and ground.
He was nervous at first but something in her relaxed stance was non-threatening and put him at ease.
He stood slowly, moving a little closer one step at a time till he was at the bars nearest her.
There was still an eight foot gap between the cell and the cage. Cheye held his hand out through the bars.
The wolf sniffed the air a few times, as if picking out his scent from the surrounding smells. After a few more sniffs and huffs she wagged her tail.
Cheye lowered his arm and smiled. He liked this animal.
He watched her for several minutes, just amazed at her sheer size. She laid down against the bars closest to him, laying her head down on her paws. Dispite her size she was very graceful.
Cheye let his mind wander as he watched her drift off to sleep again.
The fresh air drifted by him again, mixed with the musty warm scent of the wolf. *The air is coming from the cave, of course!*
He looked at the cave's walls more closely, seeing a slight turn at the back of the cave he hadn't see before. From this angle, he could just make out a tunnel and part of large iron gate. As he strained his eyes and concentrated he could tell the air coming in the gate was much colder. *An outside wind!*
He quickly turned back to his cell, looking around. *A wire..I need a wire! If I can get the locks open, I can get out that way!*
He frantically scowered his cell for anything he could use. The noise causing the wolf to look up and watch him.
The bunk was just a hard board anchored to the wall and suspended by two solid rods at either end. No springs, not even a matress or blanket.
After going over every inch of the cell six times, Cheye finally gave up and squatted down by the cell door. Fustration making him frown.
The wolf whimpered softly watching him with concern.
Cheye smiled a bit at her to reassure and wiped away a tear forming.
He was so tired and cold. He sighed and wrapped his arms around himself. He started rocking a bit to get warm.
Slowly, the hum of the consols lulled him back to sleep.
-----------------------------------------------------
Cheye woke with a start. Something had clanked somewhere. The wolf was still there. She was now standing and looking at the upper doorway. She started to growl. Then Cheye heard it too, cold spreading down through his stomach. The sound of foots steps coming towards the door.
The door lock clicked and Orvis stepped in, switching on the lights.
Cheye was immediately blinded. His eyes burned as if staring into the midday sun. He shut them tight, scrambling to get under the bunk and out of the light. Even eyes closed the light was painfully bright. He curled up, pulling his arm over his eyes to block out the light.
He could hear the wolf growling her displeasure as Orvis's footsteps approached. The man banged something loudly on the cage bars and yelled something at the animal. Cheye couldn't quite make out what he said.
He followed the large man's footsteps around around with his hearing.
As his cell door opened, Cheye tensed but didn't move. He heard Orvis shuffling around, then the dull clank of the metal water pitcher. Followed by more shuffling. After a few minutes, the cell door slammed shut and the lock clicked into place. Cheye was relieved but still didn't move.
Orvis's footsteps moved around the outer lab, easily giving Cheye a clear mental image of where the man was in the room.
After another twenty or thirty minutes, he heard more footsteps enter the room. He started to feel sick.
*My own personal demon from hell...the 'mad scientist' himself..* With a bit of surprise, Cheye realized he didn't even know the man's name.
Again the cell door opened and he could hear the wolf growling ominously.
"Out." The old man ordered. It struck Cheye how odd the word sounded.
"Out!" Again, louder this time along with a jolt from the shock collar. Cheye jumped this time. Banging his head against the wooden bunk as he hurried to get up.
He got to his feet and followed the bars to the cell door eyes still closed. He knocked over the pitcher of water as he stepped up to the door.
"Stay!" A hand across his chest stopped him and he froze, standing stock still. He's legs were a bit unsteady but his grip on the crossbars kept him steady enough.
He heard the familiar click of the tape recorder and the old man started talking. Hands started roaming over him again.
*Creepy old bastard...smells like riggatoni and old papers* He listen to the man's voice drone on. Slowly it dawned on him he couldn't understand what the man was saying. He listened intently for a few minutes but the meanings of the words were just outside his grasp.
*This is it...I'm actually loosing my mind. I'll spend the rest of my days in a nut house making dollies from newsprint....No, no..I would have to get out of here first...There must be an out..think, Cheye , think...*
The man tapped his forhead, saying something.
Cheye tilted his head slightly, not catching the word.
The man tapped his forehead again. "Eyes!", again the shock from the collar.
Cheye opened his eyes. He couldn't see anything, it was much too bright. The man lifted his chin up toward the light, Cheye's eyes began to water.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"This specimen definately seems to be adapting for a darker enviroment. The iries are severely contracted in normal lightly, likely rendering the subject near blind." The doctor stopped his narration for a moment to examing the young man's eyes more closely. They were watering profusely now.
"Close.", he said, covering the subject's eyes with his hand. The man complied instantly.
"Orvis, lower the light levels by a third and see if you can find a pair of sunglasses about."
Orvis nodded and walked off.
"Table", Kopesti said, stepping over to it and tapping the metal surface. He looked at the young man.
Again the odd tilt of the head. Kopesti thought the boy looked slightly confused. That was not the required response.
"Table!". he said again forcefully and activating the collar.
The young man jumped as the current hit then carefully stepped forward in the table's general direction. Kopesti tapped the table again and the man immediately homed in on the sound and stopped at the table. His eyes still closed tightly.
"Subject 147M33 seems to be having a behavioral setback. Possibly due to treatment reactions...though it could be a genetic trait.
Delayed or confused responses to orders. Subject seems totally unaware of conversations or voices in near proximity, though hearing still seems accute."
Kopesti stopped to look at the open folder on the table. "I will continue with the forth treatment", he spoke into his recorder, "but will be adjusting the treatment schedule for subsequent treatments.
Expanding the time from eight hours intervals to twelve hours. This should allow adequate recovery time for subject, as well as allowing a feeding schedule to be introduced."
The lights dimmied somewhat and Orvis returned with sunglasses.
"Ah, thank you Orvis. Just place them on the counter for now. They'll be needed later."
The large man nodded and put away the sunglasses.
Kopesti picked up his usual selection of vials and headed over to the raised dias.
"Come." He said. Again the tilt of the head from the subject, eyes still closed.
Kopesti was not surprised, just annoyed. "Come!" He said louder and activated the collar. He gave Orvis a nod as the subject started slowly forward.
Orvis pulled a shock rod off the counter and poked the subject forward, getting him moving.
------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye was grateful the light had made his eyes water earlier. His tears were lost in the mix as he was strapped in.
It felt as though the machine was eating away at his soul, stripping away who he was. Too much more and he knew he would cease to be altogether.
The gag was placed and the hum of the machinery started up. He didn't flinch as the needle went in.
He just waited for the pain. It didn't take long.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Go ahead and get him secured", Kopesti said as he stepped over to the consols.
Orvis picked the boy up and strapped him in.The subject offered no resistence.
------------------------------------------------------------
Through half open eyes, Cheye stumbled forward toward the dias. He could make out the warm shape that was the old man in front of him. He was trying to stay ahead of the Ogre with the cattle prod behind him.
He finally tripped onto the platform, falling to his knees. He didn't have it in him to go further.
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Go ahead and get him secured", Kopesti said as he stepped over to the consols.
Orvis picked the boy up and strapped him in. The subject offered no resistence.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye was grateful the light had made his eyes water earlier. His tears were lost in the mix as he was strapped in.
It felt as though the machine was eating away at his soul, stripping away who he was. Too much more and he knew he would cease to be altogether.
The gag was placed and the hum of the machinery started up. He didn't flinch as the needle went in.
He just waited for the pain. It didn't take long.
------------------------------------------------------------------
"October fifth, 11:30 PM. Subject has received a forth treatment." Kopesti started into his recorder as he finished taking his samples and started an I.V.
"An extended break between treatments will be necessary as subject's vitals are not as strong as they should be. Sometime will rehydrate the subject and get sustenance into his system. Also, lighting precautions will have to be taken due to the sensitive nature of the subject's eyesight.
"Once treatment are completed, a detailed study of all sensory imput should be conducted.
"Also noted, subject still appears to have an elevated body temperature. Wether due to treatments or natural adaptation is, as of yet, undetermined.
"EKG sensors have been removed. The laser has been calibrated for maximum efficeincy."
Kopesti pocketed his recorder as he finished up his exam of the body on the table.
"Orvis, see that you put him on a blanket. He seems to be picking up a fever."
The large man nodded a response.
"Best leave some broth and bread with the water this time. We need to keep his strength up." Kopesti said as he headed for the stairs.
"Sir?", Orvis qustioned.
"Yes?", Kopesti turned back to him.
"The lights, Sir?"
"Ah, yes. Just turn them off as usual,Orvis. I don't think we need to keep them on for now. Also, have you cut the wolf's rations yet?"
"Yes sir, by two-thirds as of yesterday." Orvis tried not to grin.
Kopesti nodded to himself thoughtfylly.
"She's still pretty spry. Cut her water in half and stop with the food until further notice. I want to see if we can work past that temper of hers.
"Oh, and the back of Aidan's cell will need cleaning. Perhaps a bucket for any future mishaps?"
"Yes sir."
Orvis grimaced as the doctor walked off. *Well, at least I can watch the wolf squirm for awhile.* He smiled and got back to work.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye shivered. His dreams had been full of swirling colors and pain...lots of pain.
He carefully opened his eyes.
{No...not a dream, you're still here, Trog.}
Cheye grunted. The lastest edition to his distorted dreams. His brother's derisive comentary running through his head. *Why couldn't it be Max's voice?*
{Because Max never would have gotten herself into this mess, Trog!}
Cheye pulled his arms back up over his head. *Shut it! Shut it! Get out of my head!*
{Stop being such a child, Trog! Get up and get yourself out of here.}
Cheye groaned again. Even imaginary, his brother was insufferable. He carefully levered himself up on his elbows, his stomach tightening dangerously.
He manage to get to his knees slowly but then it hit. He scrambled to the corner and found a waiting bucket.
Twenty minutes later he lay on the floor spent. The heaves had stopped but he just hurt to much to move. He could hear the wolf pacing its cage. Every now and then voicing a concerned whine.
He smiled a bit to himself. At least something cared if he lived or breathed.
{Get up, Trog, get moving. You're wasting time..as usual!}
Cheye groaned to himself. *Oh do shut it, you obnoxious prig!* He angrily rolled over and got to his knees. Hestitating a moment as his stomach clenched dangerously. He looked over the room while his equillibrium caught up with him.
He had awakened on an old grey blanket, which was still crumpled up by the door. *Wool, by the smell of it.* The metal pitcher was there, as well as a bowl of something and a hunk of bread.
He moved back to the blanket carefully. His body felt odd, uncoordinated. He sat, leaning back against the bunk and looked over the contents of the bowl.
He sniffed it, picking up the strong smell of beef broth. His stomach rolled again and he set the bowl down. *Okay, maybe just water for now..*
He sat and sipped at the water, letting it cool his burning throat. Across the gap, he could see that the wolf had laid down, leaning against the bars closest to him again.
Her quiet steady breathing helping to steady his nerves. There was an earthy canine smell that he found comforting. His eyes slowly started to drift shut.
The wolf huffed and Cheye opened his eyes. She was watching him. He smiled back at her. *Watching over me, are you?*
He studied her for awhile, sipping the water. *We are the same, you and I...just dogs for their amusment...*
{Stop feeling sorry for yourself Trog, and get working on a plan to get youself out of this mess!}, Connie's voice nagged.
Cheye frowned, still looking at the wolf. *We both have to get out of here...I won't leave you to them.*
Then he grinned a bit to himself. *Connie can stuff it in his hat!*
He swallowed down some more of the water, his stomach feeling much calmer. He looked at the bread roll, then at the wolf.
She was laying there seemingly unconcerned with the food. Cheye looked deeper into the cave. There was no sign of a food dish or water.
He closed his eyes and tried to pick up scents from the air. With some work, he could just make out the smell of dried dog food. It was faint but he had it. He opened his eyes and looked in the most likely direction. Two bowls sat on a cubbard across the room. The bag of dog food sitting there next to the bowls.
*So the Ogre is made at you too now?* Cheye looked back at the wolf who appeared to be sleeping. He grinned a little, *You're not fooling me, you know...*
An ear twitched in his direction.
Cheye tore the bread in half and soaked it in the broth. *There's more here then my stomach can handle anyway.* Once it had soaked its fill off broth, he stood up and took half of it out of the bowl.
He stepped up to the closest bars and got ready to toss it. He stood there a moment, trying to say something to get the wolf's attention. His body tensed and he started to sweat. He couldn't seem to get out a sound.
{Its ridiculous, Trog. Shy Annie, you're a grown man, spit it out!}, Connie's voice scolded in his head.
Cheye closed his eyes as a shudder went through him. *They're not here..its prefectly safe..* He told himself. *..but they might have a microphone...or a camera..*
He knew it was unrealistic but he couldn't help feeling the Ogre would know.
'I'll rip out your tongue!'The ogre's voice hissed. He shivered as the memory flashed.
Shifting the bread and bowl in his hands, he settled for tapping the wooden bowl on the bars. He did it very quietly but the wolf heard and looked up at him.
He smiled. *I'm not totally done for yet.*, he thought to himself.
He put his arm with the bread out between the bars. The wolf immediately stood up. *So you are hungry, then!* He lifted it twice before giving it a toss neatly through the bars on her side. The wolf caught it clean in the air.
*Nice!*, He grinned. Cheye took a few bits out of the other half of the bread before tossing it too. *Another perfect toss and catch!*
He sat back down and sipped at the last of the broth. His stomach protested but it stayed down.
He looked over at the water pitcher and figited with the now empty bowl in his hands. Niether would be an effective tool, or weapon for that matter.
The Ogre had been thinking when he chose them. *The Ogre thinks?* That in itself was a rather frightening thought.
Cheye dropped the wooden bowl, disgusted. Even the bucket in the corner was all wood. No wires, no rope, no nails.
{You're going to have to do better than that, old boy.} Connie's snide voice echoed.
Cheye looked out into the outer lab. He would have to find a way to grab something while he was out there, with them. {Nothing else for it, Trog.}
Cheye shivered.
His stomach churned dangerously and he felt cold again. He pulled the blanket up around himself, tucking his knees up to his chest as well to conserve heat. He rocked slightly, staring out into the lab and studying it for some small object he could grab and use.
Several hours later, he drifted alseep like that.
-------------------------------------------
Kopesti study his notes. There was in fact, a slight difference in the dormant gene between subjects 146F30 and 147M33. He had missed it the first time. After some modification to his plans, he had decided it would work out for the better.
One to be used for security and protection, the other for stealth and retrieval.
What little information he was able to gather on the female, was from a rather thin file his brother had compiled. *Not very useful to get a working profile.* Gregor sighed inwardly.
At the time, the team had managed to get basic controls over the wolf but had failed at true behavior modifications.
Kopesti was hoping to do much better. He would use the wolf's protective nature as a means of training and controling it. The key would be the dark elf.
He would have to have complete control over the boy. This would enable him to use the drow to contol the wolf.
A shame he would not have his brother Tragor to share his results with.
At least there had been better fortune in collecting information on the boy.
He paged through the work up. Not quite as in depth as he liked but these things took time. All that digging into a person's personal life without alerting safeguards. He would have to start with the basics.
"Born and raised, Sussex England...
Degrees in archaeolgy and anthropology for Cambridge. Working on doctorate in epigraphy from Dayton University...Massetusetts
...Mother living abroad. Father deceased. One surviving brother living in London."
It wasn't much to go on yet. He turned a few more pages.
"Small social circle, mostly acedemics...above average intelligence.."
That he could work to his favor. He found brighter minds tended to conform easier. Logic drawing its own conclusions to a captive situation.
Once the walls of the 'self' was sripped away, the mind would grasp at any sense of purpose put to it. That need to have a 'sense of being' in the universe.
Many years of working for the KGB and less well known 'organizations', had made Kopesti an expert in mind munipulation. He always looked forward to trying out his theories.
He turned on the monitors at his desk. Two of the cameras were trained on the lab. One viewing the smaller holding cells. The other giving a good view of the whole lab. All the cameras were equiped for use in lit or unlit conditions.
147M33-Aidan was laying curled up between the bunk and the bars, apparently asleep.
Kopesti glanced at his watch. *11:27 AM.* He frowned a bit. *The subject should have been awake by now*
He zoomed the camera in and panned the cell. The water pitcher was there as was the bowl. Looking closer, he could see the bowl was empty and the bread gone. *Good, you've been up.*
He glanced at the second monitor. It was angled to keep the wolf's cage in view.
Normally, the animal avoided the camera. Staying well back into the recesses of the cave.
Kopesti could see it clearly this time. It was resting against the bars nearest the boy's cell.
Gregor smiled to himself. *Good. No time like the present to get started then.* He shut off his monitor and headed out to the hall and stairway.
"Come, Orvis", he called to his assistant down the hall. "We have training to do."
Orvis smiled and followed the doctor.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Max tried the cell phone again. "Hello, I can't answer your call right now..."
She hung up again.
“Damn it, Cheye, you’d better not be sleeping with your phone shut off again.” Max growled at the phone.
She had arrived at the hotel in Bocal by 8:00AM. It wasn’t a surprise that she had been Cheye there. By 9:00, she had them both checked in and then called to see if he was on his way. She ended up leaving him a message to get a move on.
By 10:00, She’d gone through her research twice and left two more messages. It was now !0:30 and she was starting to get irritated.
She’d even gone so far as to call the operator for information in Putka were Cheye was suppose to be staying the day before. She’d gotten the number to the two hotels there.
By 10:45, Max was starting to get concerned. Cheye hadn’t checked into either hotel. In fact, she was told he had called to cancel his reservation. By 11:00,he had called the Inn in Botiz where he had been. She was told he had checked out the day before. Now she was worried.
She dialed up a friend at the university and got the ball rolling. She’d known her friend Tom since she’d been in the service. He had a few contacts and favored owed him, yet. Maybe he could track down Cheye by credit card or laptop log ins.
She felt a little better, hanging up the phone. There was still a good chance Cheye just found a good lead he was following up. It’ll wouldn’t be the first time he’d done the ‘absent minded professor‘ thing. But Cheye’s English manners rarely let him just leave her hanging. *He should have called and left a message by now…if he could*
Max shook her head and refused to follow the train of thought. She gathered her gear and keys and headed out. *Time to do some old fashioned leg work.*
She got in her car and headed for Botiz. Last known location of a certain missing linguist.
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Cheye flinched, something had awakened him. The wolf was already up and standing, looking toward the door at the top of the stairs.
Then her heard it too, footsteps coming door the upper hall. The feeling of dread turning his stomach cold again.
They wolf started to growl and pace. Cheye watched her, getting up slowly himself. The constant fever was leaving him tired and achy all the time.
The wolf started growling louder. Its agitation growling. Cheye looked across the room at the empty food and water dishes, a thought occurring to him.
“Shhhhs…shhh…venorsh pholod udosstan…” The words were barely a whisper. He wasn’t even sure he had spoken them out loud until he heard them.
The wolf had heard and immediately went quiet. He hoped it would work. She was very large. Even if he gave her all his food and water, it wouldn’t be enough to sustain her. If her could keep her quiet and calm, maybe they would start feeding her again.
The upper door lock rattled.
The wolf looked up at it and tensed.
“Shhh…bautha nina tylpesuliss …tlu velkyn…”, he whispered.
She looked at him and he waved her off toward the back of the cave. “Ulu veldrin…alu!”
She hesitated only a moment, then drifted quietly to the back of her cave. Hidden deep in the shadows.
He felt both relief and horrible alone. His eyes glancing at the machine hanging from the ceiling before quickly looking away with a shudder.
He sat done in the corner of his cell. Closing his eyes tight as the lights came on, blinding him. He pulled his arm over his eyes to cut the glare.
A few minutes later, he heard the cell door open and a command given.
“Up”
*The older man’s voice.* Cheye thought, listening to the footsteps.
{Stand up, Trog or you be in for it!}, Connie’s voice nagged in his head.
Head stood slowly, lowering his arm but keeping his eyes closed tight.
He flinched when someone placed a blindfold over his eyes. *Orvis, by the smell of him.*
It shut out enough light to make it bearable at least.
“Come” Another command. Cheye followed the sound of the old man’s voice and the tapping on the table. He guided himself along the cell wall to the door then to the metal table.
The old man ordered something else. Cheye could tell by his tone but didn’t quite recognize the word so he tilted his head.
“Name.” The command came again. This time a hand hit him in the chest. He staggered back a bit, Orvis quickly pushing him forward again.
The command again, “Name.” Followed by another hard tap to the chest. Then the older man gripped his jaw suddenly, saying something else. He repeated it, more forcefully this time and shaking Cheye’s chin.
Cheye hesitated, not knowing what was expected of him. Taking his best guess, he quietly repeated the word. “Ai…Aidan” It was barely audible, no more then a whisper but he flinched waiting for the strike.
It didn’t come.
“Name.” Again the tap to the chest.
He hesitated again and the man jerked his chin roughly.
“Aidan.” The old man said loudly.
“Aidan.” Cheye repeated softly, trembling.
“Name.” Tapped again.
“Aidan.” Cheye said.
“Name!”, again loudly.
Cheye flinched, “Aidan.” He couldn’t see much past the blindfold and kept waiting for Orvis to strike at him from somewhere for speaking.
“Name!”, the old man ordered again, releasing his jaw.
“Aidan.” Cheye repeated.
A hand touched his head and Cheye ducked instinctively. The hand merely ruffled his hair.
“Aidan.” The Old man said patting him on the head like he’d been a good boy. Cheye shivered. He didn’t like this game.
“Come.”
Cheye followed the sound of the footsteps. They weren’t heading toward the dais. He guessed the bearings. They were heading toward the stairs. He opened his eyes behind the blindfold but the lighting was still to bright. He closed them again and kept following the sound of the foot steps in front of him.
Walking slowly, he concentrated on the heat patterns around him. Only mildly surprised to find he could make them out behind closed eyelids.
With this secondary sight, he was able to follow the old man’s heated form better.
There was a doorway under the stairs Cheye hadn’t been able to see before. A row of consoles had blocked it from sight. He could tell by the sound they were heading down a hallway.
The old man stopped by what Cheye presumed was a door. There was a rattle of keys and then the man’s form faded suddenly cooler. The wall between them making the man’s heat image fainter but not blocking it. Cheye tilted his head, curious at the effect.
He could even pick up the warmth left on the door handle.
“Come, Aidan.” The man said and snapped his fingers.
Cheye felt his way around the doorframe. The room smelled oddly medicinal. The sounds muffled. *It must be small.*
“Come, sit.” The old man said, tapping something.
Cheye stepped forward, moving to the sound. He stopped at what felt like a leather padded chair.
“Up, sit” The man said.
*Must be a doctor’s office.* Cheye thought as he sat.
He heard the familiar click of the tape recorder as the old man started dictating into it. He couldn’t follow a word of it.
The exam went through the usual pattern, Cheye paid little attention. He had held out his arm as ordered and a needle was placed in but not taken out. Cheye listened to the movements of the old man and Orvis.
*I.V. bag? Why?* Cheye puzzled.
It wasn’t long before he drifted off to sleep.
------------------------------------------------------------
“Good”, he’s under. Go ahead and take off the blind fold, Orvis. I want to get these scans done and have time to recalibrate if necessary before he stirs.” Kopesti said as he readied the machine.
He had designed this machine himself for other purposes but it would be well suited to the task at hand. He’d be able to do a 3-D scan of any object, with and accuracy that was the envy of any forger. Scanning the curvature of the human eye would be quite easy.
“Once I have these in the system, they can be sent to Bucharest and have the lenses produced. We should have them in about a three days later. Then the real training can begin.”
Kopesti moved the last piece of equipment in place.
“Do you have him secured?”
“Yes, Sir. He won’t move, even if he wakes.” Orvis replied, securing the last strap. He had the younger man strapped into the chair with his head held be a bracing system., completely immobilizing him.
“Very well then, Why don’t you check on that animal while I get this started. She seemed very quiet today. Be careful, she may just be waiting.”
“Yes, Sir” Orvis turned and headed out.
Kopesti meticulously lined up the scanner targeting system. Then just as carefully, taped open Aidan’s eyes. Putting a gel over the surface of both eyes to keep them from drying out too badly. Soon the scanner was humming as the program started to run.
“October 6th, 12:15 PM”, Gregor spoke into his recorder. “Taking a three dimensional scan of 147M33 Aidan’s eyes. Telemetry will be used to have high density sclera contacts made to protect subject’s eyes for brighter lighting. Subject has been sedated and immobilized due to the need for accuracy in this procedure.”
Kopesti leaned against the desk in the small lab and watched the scanner run.
“Side note: There are definite signs the subject is loosing language comprehension. Whether this pertains to just the subject’s native tongue of all learned languages is uncertain. Cause as yet undetermined.
“I have done some limited study of dark elf legends. According to what I have found, members of the species theoretically, are born with a full knowledge of their language.”
Gergor studied the subject in the chair for a moment. “…And quite possibly race memory and history as well. Again, this will require further study. For the more immediate future, this will mean remedial training daily to retain command comprehension..”
*Time to check on that wolf.* Gregor shut off the recorder and took a last look at the scanner read outs to ensure all was running smoothly. Satisfied, he stepped out and closed the door.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Well, how does she look, Orvis?” Kopesti inquired, walking up to his assistant.
The large man shrugged. “She hasn’t moved. Even when I banged on the bars.” *Suits me just fine if the damnable beast just up and died.* Orvis thought to himself. *To much work anyway.*
“Did she respond at all? I don’t believe the cut rations could be affecting her this early.” Kopesti said taking the spotlight. He stepped closer, lighting the wolf up again to see for himself.
“She did look up at me at first. Not sluggish or anything. I’d swear she’s ignoring us.” Orvis said with another shrug as the doctor turned to look at him.
“Alright then, I’ll have to examine her. I’ve needed update my file anyway. It would be good to see if the drug is still active in her system.”
“Do you want me to tranq her, Doc?” The big man offered.
“No…not yet. Perhaps her human mind still has some sense of self left. I need to see just how her mood is today.” Kopesti said, checking his lab coat pockets for the correct tape to record on.
“I would like to draw a blood sample, though I am quite certain she will not allow me to get that close.” Gregor moved to the cabinet to get the vials he’d need.
“Orvis, I will need you to watch for any sudden movements. Keep your hand on the control switch at all times. If she , or rather ‘when’ she jumps, stun her with the collar device. Set it on level 6. I don’t believe a lower setting will be adequate for this.”
“Yes, Sir.” Orvis nodded, taking the smell control box from the doctor.
Kopesti unlocked the cage and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
--------------------------------------------------------------
She turned an ear to the sound of the cage door unlocking. She heard it open and close but did not look up.
Then she heard the footsteps approaching. She turned her head to look at him. It was the older man. He was slowly walking towards her.
Her ears went down in annoyance but she stayed on her ledge.
He continued moving closer.
She considered taking a bit out of him, but kept thinking about the drow. It had been important to him that she keep quiet and away from the bad men, to ‘be unseen’.
She fidgeted a bit on her ledge. The old man was getting uncomfortably close. He was only fifteen feet away and still moving closer slowly.
When he was within ten feet, she growled, low and slow. He stopped.
After a moment, he said something to the other man, then started forward again.
She growled a warning again. The man said something, snapping his fingers, then came a sharp pain at the behind her head. She shook her head furiously to get it off. It stopped a moment later.
She looked back at the man. He was even closer. She growled and slowly stood up.
Again he said something, louder this time. Again snapping his fingers as the pain shot through her head. She shook her head to clear it. He was way too close now.
She hopped of the ledge to move further away from the man. As she stepped to the left, there was a blinding pain. She backed away and turned to the right to go around him.
Two steps and again, pain.
Each time she would try and step away, the man would say “Stay!” and snap his fingers. If she continued to move away, the pain would come.
After repeating this many times, she just stood still, eyes hard and ears flat back.
The man was within biting distance now, and she was very sorely tempted.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kopesti was excited. This was the closest he’d ever been able to get without having to knock the animal out. He could see it was both and angry and scared. If he wanted to get his blood samples, he’d still have to knock it out. He knew he would loose the progress he made in training if he did that.
*Change of plans there, Gregorych, be flexible.* He smiled to himself.
“Orvis,” he called quietly to his assistant. “I’m going to go ahead and give her the release command. Let her walk off when I do.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Just keep an eye on her as I walk back to the door.”
“Yes, Sir.” Orvis said with his hand tensed on the controls. He was rather enjoying shocking the ‘ornery dog’ into submission. *Maybe I’ll get lucky and have a chance to knock the bitch unconscious.*
Kopesti stood still, looking at the wolf. It’s gaze constantly switching between himself and Orvis. There was definitely an intelligence behind the eyes. He would have to be careful with the training.
“Go.” He said, waving his hand off to the side. The eyes immediately focused on him again. “Go!”, he said while signally again and snapping his fingers. The animal flinched just slightly, then took a tentative step to the side.
“Go”. Again he waved it off. This time it didn’t hesitate and bolted to the far back tunnel in the cave, away from both men. It stood by the back gate, tense and nervously twitching its ears.
Kopesti smiled to himself and headed back to the cage door. *Very good, very good indeed!*
Orvis opened the door then secured it once the doctor was out.

“ That was excellent, Orvis! Well done!” Kopesti said patting the man on the back.
“I will have to get my samples later of course, but that was some real progress!”
Even Orvis smiled at the doctor’s enthusiasm.
“We will try that again, later this evening. I want to make certain it was not a fluke.” Kopesti said as he thought it over some more.
“We will have to do it before Aidan’s next treatment. I do not think it would be prudent to do so afterward.”
Orvis nodded. “Do you wish me to give it water before then, Sir?”
“A half a bowl, I think, Orvis.” The doctor said, adjusting his recorder. “I don’t want to take a chance on her getting too spry on us. It might make things more, ‘difficult’. If she does well tonight, I will put down some food for her.”
Orvis nodded again and went to fill the water dish.
Kopesti absentmindedly looked at his watch. *12:30PM. Aidan should be done with the scan by now. His eyes will be getting dry.*
“Orvis, when you are done there, I will need Aidan moved back to his cell. Leave bread, water and broth again. He seems to be a little unsteady on his feet. We’ll need to get more nutrition into him.”
“Yes, Sir.” The man answered as he put down the bowl.
Kopesti was already on his way up the stairs.
“Oh, and there are drops for his eyes on the counter there.” He waved a hand toward a corner wall unit. “Two drops in each eye, if you would, thank you. I’ll be in my study.” With that he was through the door.
Orvis just shook his head and smiled, *Its almost like working at a zoo.* Then he went back to his work.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Max was getting frustrated. She had driven all the way back to Botiz to speak with someone at the Inn Cheye had stayed at. The Inn Keeper was a nice enough man but had been of little help. He had even let Max check out Cheye’s now empty room. Nothing was amiss and all of Cheye’s belongings and papers had seemingly gone with him.
The Inn Keeper did look slightly insulted when she looked under the bed and in the trash bin. He’d frowned at her all the way back to the front desk.
“I’m sorry, could you just check again among the messages? Maybe one got misplaced?” She said with her best, ’could you help me?’, smile.
The Inn Keeper straightened himself to his full stature, which unfortunately was several inches shorter than Max.
“I can assure you, Doamma, we have not misplaced any notices.” He said crisply and slightly indignant. “Domnul Frost’s assistant collected all of his affects and paid the bill. He was very through in insuring that he had all of his employer’s belongings. We may be just a small village but we are very professional about our duties.” He huffed.
“I am sorry, Sir. I mean no disrespect.” Max said while politely smiling and thinking to herself, *I’d really would like to just rip your little arm off and beat you with it, you pompous ass! It would be more productive!*
She looked at him again calmer when her mind caught the slip. “His assistant?”
“Yes, of course.” He replied still miffed.
“I’m truly sorry. I hadn’t realized Mr. Frost had brought an assistant.” She smiled again, trying to look contrite. It seemed to work. The red was slowly leaving the Inn Keeper’s face and he appeared to be calming down.
“Could you by chance tell me the assistant’s name or describe him for me? Its quite possible I missed him at the hotel in Bocal.“
The Inn Keeper looked doubtful.
“It would really mean a lot. Obviously Mr. Frost is going to be cross with me if I don’t get this research to him on time. If I can at least find his assistant, I can turn the files over to him….Please?” Max gave him her best, ‘I’m sweet can I have a cookie’ look.
It worked. The old man sighed and softened his expression.
“Well, we do try to please our customers and be of service when we can.” He flustered.
“The gentleman in question said his name was Domnul Abretski, though he sounded Russian to me, not polish. He was a very large man, perhaps six foot five or six. Very large build…rather intimidating really.”
He leaned back a bit, tapping his chin in thought. “His hair was a light color, very short, almost to the skin. You know, that military style so popular nowadays.” He frowned a little. “Dark eyes, cold. Not a very pleasant man as I recall.“ The Inn Keeper gave a slight shudder at the memory. “I would say Domnul Abretski is about forty, perhaps as high as forty-five. It would be hard to be certain.”
He focused back on Max. “Perhaps is would be best for you to go directly to Domnul Frost with your papers, eh? I do not think it would be wise to bother Domnul Abretski“
He leaned his head in toward her to convey his unease.
“Thank you so much, Domnul Tollen. That is very good to know. I think I will heed your advice.” Max nodded her head solemnly. “This man didn’t by chance mention where Mr. Frost was heading, did he?” Max crossed her fingers to herself hoping for a lead.
“It was odd but he did say Domnul Frost would be returning to Bucharest by train.” He said.
“Odd, how?”
“I had talked with Domnul Frost a few times before. A very pleasant man, interested in our histories and culture. He had mentioned how he hitched a ride down from Satu Mare. We discussed some of the tourist sights of interest. He hadn’t been to Bucharest, or on the trains for that matter.” He tapped his chin again in thought. “I do know the cab service the assistant used, I called it myself.” The Inn Keeper quickly searched behind his desk and produced a business card.
“My brother-in-law’s first cousin runs a taxi service. He may be able to give you further information.”
“Thank you so much, Domnul Tollen! You’ve been of great help.” This time Max gave her best smile. “I really do appreciate it and Mr. Frost will too.” She gave him a quick hug, which made him blush crimson but he smiled just the same.
With another grin, she headed out the door.
------------------------------------------------------------
Cheye woke feeling cold and groggy. His eyes felt dry and itchy. He was lying on the blanket on the floor again. It was all quiet in the lab. He knew the lights were off but it was still bright as midday to him. He lifted his head slowly and looked around.
The wolf was resting against the bars nearest his cell. He noted a water dish inside the cage with a slight smile. *That’s a good sign.*
He sat himself up slowly. They hadn’t used their machine, but his body still ached all over and his ribs still gave him some trouble. He sat leaning against the bunk as another shiver passed through him. He felt cold to the bone. He pulled the blanket up around himself to try and warm up.
The metal pitcher was near with water, as well as a bread roll and bowl of broth. He picked up the bread tearing it in half to soak in the broth. Then sat back and sipped at the water.
The wolf appeared to be sleeping but he knew better. He ears twitched his way every time he moved. He smiled a bit to himself.
His gazed wandered as he look around his cell again. Hoping to find something he new he could use to aide escape. He knew better but had to look. He wasn’t surprised that there was nothing.
Getting up slowly, he relieved himself in the waste bucket in the corner then used a little of the fresh water to try and wash his face.
He was startled to find he didn’t feel the beginnings of a beard. Not even the beginning stubble of one. He paused, rubbing his chin. *That doesn’t seem right? It has to have been at least two…three days by now…right?* He shivered, uncertain. Nothing in the lab gave any indication of how much time had passed. *Maybe it hasn’t even been a day?*
To his body, it felt like it had been five days already, but there was no real way to tell. He had slept, a lot perhaps. He couldn’t be certain of that either.
He glanced at the food. He hadn’t been that hungry, he still wasn‘t now. *If it had been five days…I’d be famished by now…surely?* He stared at the food and felt his face again. *Could I have guessed the amount of time that wrong?*
The wolf huffed, shaking him out of his thoughts. She was watching him, ears perked.
{You’re loosing it Trog..} Connie’s voice nagged. {Obviously you’re getting a free shave while you sleep.} *Yes…that…that would make sense…Then there would be know way to judge the time.*
The wolf huffed again. Apparently concerned at his lack of movement.
He smiled at her. “usstan uil al…ol zhah zabol…”, he whispered. { I am well… it is nothing.}
She seemed to relax a bit and thumped her tail a few times on the floor. He picked up the bread and broth, standing at the bars to through it to her. She quickly stood and caught the first piece neatly. He took a few bites of the second one and prepared to throw it.
The wolf growled sounding slightly annoyed, then back stepped a little. For a moment, Cheye thought the Ogre was coming and he hadn’t heard it. His whole body tensed as he turned and listened intently. There was nothing.
He relaxed and turned back, ready to toss the last piece. This time, she huffed and walked away. Sitting down and looking at him once she was out of range for the toss.
Cheye frowned. *What are you playing at?* She just sat there and stared at him.
“…Dos inbol uluinbal cahallin…”, He whispered trying to coax her in closer.{ you have to have food}
She huffed turned in a circle few times then sat back down to stare at him almost indignantly.
He watched her a moment, looking down at the bread then back to her again. “…dos z’ress ussa ulu cal?…”{…you wish me to eat?}
She gave a satisfied huff in response, thumping her tail twice.
Cheye smirked.
{It seems all women want to ‘mother’ you, Trog.} Connie’s voice teased in his head.
*No wonder you never grow up!}*Insufferable prig!*, Cheye retorted. He would definitely have to have words with his brother the next time he saw him. *..If...if I see him..*
The wolf gave an annoyed whine. Cheye blinked. His mind had wandered off again. He refocused on her and he nodded. *No negative thinking…think positive..* He sat down to eat his bread and broth. As soon as he finished, the wolf moved back to her now customary spot nearest his cell.
He hadn’t realized his thoughts has drifted off again till the wolf suddenly jumped to its feet. It growled low once looking at the upper doorway, then looked at him expectantly.
“…shhh…iz’p’los…”, he hissed and waved her off. {…shhh…as before…} She quickly moved out of sight.
A moment later, the lights came on. Cheye cringed and covered his eyes with his arm as he heard the upper door open. He listened to them approach and the cell door open. He could tell it was the old man by the footsteps and smell.
“Aidan, come.” The man ordered.
Cheye got shakily to his feet and followed the cell bars with his hand to get to the door. He estimated where the man was standing and move toward him.
“Table, sit.” The man said, tapping the metal surface. Cheye corrected his direction and reached the table, sitting down. He listened to the man shuffling around for a bit. Then he came back and placed something on Cheye’s face. *Glasses?*
The man tapped his forehead. “Eyes.”
Cheye cautiously opened his eyes. They were a pair of dark sunglasses. The kind the military sharpshooters use with the blackened side shields. They didn’t filter the light quite as much as he’d like, but it was bearable.
The old man seemed satisfied and turned away, saying something to the Ogre. A few seconds later, the lab lights dimmed, enough that Cheye could see without squinting.
The old man studied him for a moment more, then got out his recorder for his usual physical inspection. Drawing samples, poking and prodding. Cheye was getting sick of it.
He looked around the lab to distract himself. Studying things lying about the counters. He saw an odd wiry looking tool on one of the counters. Its shape clicking in his mind. He kept his gaze moving so they wouldn’t notice. *If they take me back to the side room, I could trip…maybe knock it of into the cell.* {Now you’re thinking , Trog…about time too!} Connie jeered him. *I could retrieve it later, when they’ve left…* This would hinge on him being moved from the exam table to the side room. *If they use the machine again…* He gave an involuntary shudder, not wanting to think about it.
The old man snapped his fingers. Cheye jerked his head up to look at him, startled. His mind had wandered again.
*Did I miss something?* He tensed, waiting for the pain to follow, but the man only look at him intently then nodded.
“Come.” He said, moving off. Cheye got up and followed. His stomach knotted as they started toward the dais. He thought maybe he would be sick before they could tie him down. He was surprised when the man stopped halfway there, kicking at something on the floor.
“Sit” He said, pointing to a spot on the floor. Cheye sat down next to a rind set into the mortar in the stone floor. The man pointed at him, snapping his fingers, “Stay” Cheye didn’t move.
------------------------------------------------------------ “Orvis, I’ll need that lead chain by the wolf’s cage. They training is still new. No need to tempt him to run.” The doctor said, checking he had everything he needed in his pockets.
Orvis handed him the six foot section of chain. Kopest took it, locking one end to the anchor ring in the floor. The other end, he locked into the ring on Aidan’s collar.
“Until we have time to embed the training. It would be best not to give him to many options.” Kopesti said. He checked the lead chain and the locks, satisfied Aidan was secured.
He straightened and moved over to the wolf’s cage. She was in the back again, laying on her ledge. She had been quiet when they came in, but she was watching them closely.
“Get some food and water ready but leave them out hear. If she does well, she can have them.” Kopesti said while fiddling in his pockets again for his recorder.
Orvis went to retrieve the required food.
Kopesti was keeping an eye on Aidan’s reactions as well. Noting the way the subject tried not to appear to be watching. The boy sat with one leg pulled up to his chest, the other curled under him. Arms wrapped around his shin and head lowered to rest his chin on his knee.
Even with the dark glasses on, Kopesti could see the dark elf’s gaze shifting nervous glances at the wolf’s cage.
Orvis returned with the food bowls, setting them down. He had also brought another lead chain. This one much heavier.
“Ah, thank you, Orvis. That may come in handy. We can be optimistic, eh?” He glanced at Aidan then up at the wolf. “He does seem to have a calming affect on her. We can use that to our advantage.”
He handed the control box and recorder over to Orvis. “I don’t think I’ll be able to dictate into my log without distracting her. Perhaps it is best to just let it record from out here.”
Orvis nodded and set the recorder near the food dishes.
Carefully, Kopesti entered the cage. Securing the door behind him. He moved slowly but deliberately toward the wolf. As he neared, he could she the change in her demeanor. She had made no sound yet but her body had tensed. The fur of her ruff stood on end and her ears had gone flat.
“Stay!” Kopesti said firmly while still moving toward her. He kept a slow steady walk. The first week of her training he hadn’t been able to enter her cage. The wolf had simple refused to obey any commands. She would continue attacking until they were forced to tranquilize her or give up. He had been getting doubtful of any progress. And yet here he was moving ever closer. His dark elf would be a prize indeed if it meant he could control the wolf with it.
He got to within ten feet before she stood up. Her hackles were raised and her head lowered with her tail stiffly arched. A very clearly warning posture.
“Stay!” He ordered again. He could see her twitch as the collar echoed the command. She shifted her stance but didn’t leave her spot.
When he got within six feet, she suddenly jumped down from the ledge, trying to move away from him.
“Stay!” Kopesti commanded as Orvis hit the controls.
It was a stronger charge this time. The wolf yelped a bit and shook its head trying to dislodge the device. She even rubbed a front paw over her neck to try and get at it.
Gregor waited till she stopped. He needed her to be watching as he approached. Startling her now would be dangerous for them both.
The wolf calmed and stood still, eyeing him warily. She still shifted her feet but didn’t move further away.
He waited another moment then slowly stepped forward again. At three feet away, he could see she was doing her best to lean away from him. Almost as if her feet were anchored to the spot.
Kopesti stood close enough to touch her now. He had been careful to approach her at a slight angle so as not to be too near her teeth. He was just arm’s length from her shoulder.
“Orvis, “ He said very calmly, “I am going to try and get the lead chain on her. Be ready should you need to knock her out.” He heard a quiet grunted response.
Slowly he raised his arm toward the collar. The wolf let out a low growl.
“No, stay!” He said firmly. The wolf flinched again as a small charge went through.
He got his fingers on the collar ring then brought up the lead chain and clicked it in place. He could feel the animal tremble under his hand. He considered a muzzle briefly but decided against it unless proven necessary. He preferred to use the least force required.
He backed up a step letting the lead chain hang between them. He had a long enough lead but wanted to keep her closer to see how well she would handle it.
“Come.” He said, giving the lead a slight tug. The animal growled quietly but made no move to follow.
“No.” He said, snapping his fingers.
She flinched.
“Come.” He said again, this time giving a steady pull on the chain.
The wolf took a cautious step, then another.
He had to maintain the pull on the chain but she let herself be pulled toward the front gate of the cage. Six feet from the door, Gregor found the anchor ring he was looking for.
“Stay” He ordered, pointing at the wolf. The animal stood still. Slowly, without taking his eyes off her, he bent down and locked the end of the lead to the anchor ring.
“Stay.” He said again and backed out of the gate as Orvis opened it for him.
Kopesti couldn’t suppress his grin as Orvis relocked the gate.
“That went well, don’t you think, Orvis?” He patted his assistant on the back. “Well done, well done.”
With a sideways glance, he could see that Aidan hadn’t moved. Though he did have one hand gripping his lead chain tightly.
Kopesti turned his attention back to Orvis. “I think our furry friend has earned some dinner tonight, Orvis.”, he said picking up the food and water dishes.
Orvis opened the cage door for him and Kopesti slowly stepped in.
The wolf made no attempt to move or pull the chain but her ears twitched back and forth nervously. She stood rigidly still.
Kopesti set the bowls down well within reach. “Rest.” He said, waving a hand at the bowls then backed out of the cage.
The animal didn’t move.
“Will she take it, Sir?” Orvis asked once the gate was safely relocked.
“Perhaps she will, after a while.”, Kopesti mused. “I think we will hold off Aidan’s next treatment for another hour or two. Set some food down for him as well and we’ll let them eat it peace.” Kopesti said as he headed for the stairs. “Oh, and Orvis…You can go ahead and leave him secured there, he should be fine. Just remove the sunglasses and turn of the lights when you’re done.
“Yes, Sir.” Orvis nodded. “Sir, your case log.”, he said bringing it to the doctor.
“Quite right, quite right. There’s much to catch up on. Thank you Orvis.” With that Kopesti hurried up the stairs to his office.
Orvis walked over to where Aidan sat and took off the glasses. The elf flinched, closing his eyes but didn’t otherwise move. Orvis smirked. He was almost disappointed at the lack of resistance. He gathered the water and bread, grabbing a can of soup out of the cabinet to pour in a bowl. He set all three down on the floor by Aidan.
“Eat.” He said, taping the bowl on the floor so the boy would hear it. Then he headed out and turned off the lights.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheye felt the tension ease as the lights went out and he heard the upper door lock. He had felt sick watching his two captor’s working on the wolf. He felt he was responsible for requesting her to be quiet before. They had used that against her to their advantage.
He looked over at her in the cage. *I know you wanted to rip them apart…I know I certainly did…* He was worried. She was standing there not moving.
He checked the length of chain that held him. He pushed the food and water closer to the wolf’s cage, then edged himself as close as the chain would allow. He was about four feet away when the chain pulled tight, triggering and electrical charge through the collar. He had to back up a little to give the chain some slack.
He arranged himself again, carefully, then looked at the wolf. She still hadn’t moved except for the nervous twitching of her ears.
“…ol zhah sreen’aur …nind inbol alus…”, he whispered. {..it is safe…they have gone}
Her ears pointed toward him.
“…nelgeth ussa…phuul dos naut al?…”, he whispered again. {..forgive me…are you not well?..}
Her ear twitched again. *I’m sorry, this was all my fault.*, Cheye thought to himself. He felt his eyes start to moisten.
The wolf suddenly gave a casual ‘huff’ and stepped up to the bars closest him. She sniffed in his direction, nose through the bars, and wagged her tail.
Cheye couldn’t help but smile. “…elendarin abbilen, zhah?…” { ..continuing friends, then?..)
She huffed again, wagging her tail with a little more enthusiasm.
He grinned and ‘huffed’ back at her. “…udos inbal ulu cal…” {..we have to eat..)
She grunted once then moved back to her food dishes.
He watches as she laid down, bowl between her front paw and started noisily crunching the food down. Then he started on his own.
He looked the gelled substance in the bowl over. *Yeah, change in menu. Cold broth to cold mushy soup….I’m honored…* He sniffed it, then poked some of the stale bread into it. He bit a piece off to chew on. *Not exactly four star, but marginally better than that boiled rat in New Guinea last year.*
The wolf finished first and moved over to the bars closest to him again. She stretched then laid down against the bars.
Cheye had eaten half of his bread and soup but couldn’t finish. {Wasting food? That’s not like you at all, Trog.} Connie’s voice piped in. Cheye scowled then sighed. He just wasn’t up to food just now. He sipped at his water. He suspected he was running a fever by the way his body ached. *That would keep me from being hungry, I suppose.* He stretched a little to test the theory. Every muscle protested. *Ah, yep...that would be it..*
He eyed the rest of the soup and bread in the bowl. On a whim, he placed the bowl between his bare feet. He stretched his legs out toward the wolf’s cage, carefully maneuvering the bowl between the bars. Smiling as he set it down with his feet just inside her cage.
She was surprised at first, but then thumped her tail a few times. She quickly cleaned up the last of the soup and bread.
Cheye didn’t bother to pull his legs back, leaving his feet resting on the bottom cross bar. He lay on his back propped up on his elbows. Head tilted back and relaxing for once.
Suddenly, a cold wet nose and whisker tickled his feet, causing him to pull them back with a start.
The wolf had her head down on her paws looking at him innocently, but her tail was wagging furiously behind her.
“…dos xuat wael ussa, inthuul ionar jindurn!…”, he hissed while giggling. {..you don’t fool me, cold wet face..} He tried to sound stern but it wasn’t making it. She was not impressed. She merely lifted her head, tongue lolling out to the side and her tail thumping away merrily.
He pointed an accusing finger at her and shook it. “…dos phuul inbalin jivvin xuil ussa…” {..you are having fun with m…}
She lowered her head again, trying to look contrite, but her tail said otherwise as it continued to wag.
He grinned, shaking his head and stretched his legs back out again and putting his feet back through the bars. The wolf nudged the wooden bowl over, picking it up with her teeth and putting it between his feet. Cheye deftly pulled the bowl back over and set it down. He again stretched his feet out, amusing himself by pushing his foot against one of the wolf’s paws. He could just reach it.
She rolled to her side and pushed a front paw back at him playfully so that they were foot to foot. Again her was struck by her sheer size. Her front paw was almost wider than his was long, and easily six inches longer.
Cheye grinned to himself. *I wonder what Max would think of me, playing footsies with a wolf…a giant one at that?* He giggled some more as they played back and forth for awhile.
{Come on, Trog, old boy.} Connie’s voice scolded in his head. { Stop messing about and get back to work. No wonder you’re still here.}
Cheye sighed. *I suppose you’re right. I need to find us a way out.*
{Of course I’m right. Are you going to lay about all day?} The voice jeered.
*Annoying prat!* Cheye thought back, but he got up anyway.
The wolf sat up and watched him.
First he determined how far he could reach in any given direction from the floor ring. If he stayed down at floor level, he could get about six feet of chain plus another two feet in arms length. This didn’t get him close enough to anything useful.
Lying on the floor with his legs stretched out gave him almost eleven feet total. But everything was still out of reach. He sat back up and crossed his legs. *Come on Cheye, think, think, think…*
He looked around the lab again. *There must be something, think damn it!* His gazed traveled across one of the counters. The tool he had spotted earlier was still there at the far end of the counter. He stared at it for awhile.
*I can throw something at it, knock it down…maybe even hard enough to knock it toward the cells. They might not see it. I could pick it up later.* He looked at what he had near him for throwing. Quickly picking up the wooden bowl and testing it’s weight. Connie’s voice bounced back in his head again. {No, no, no, Trog. Don’t be daft! If you throw the bowl that Neanderthal will just go looking for it and find you out. You’ll be done for!}
Cheye hesitated, turning the bowl in his hand. Connie was right, they’d see right through it and find the tool. *The Ogre will know I’ve been up to something…* His stomach knotted up again.
‘..A simple panic attack, eh?…’ The old man’s words played through his mind. *A panic attack. Yeah, that might do…* A plan started to form in his mind. *Throw the bowl, hit the tool.* He plated with the bowl in his hand, feeling its weight carefully. *Then throw something…say, the water picture at something else…like a tantrum* He glanced briefly at the raised dais. *Yeah, they might go for that…*
{They’ll put you down is more likely!} Connie’s snide voice cut it. {You know that great ape is going to choke the life out of you if he doesn’t beat you to death first!}
Cheye scowled, ignoring him. *I’ll have to fight the lease and collar when they come back…convince them.* His stomach knot tightened. He was setting himself up for trouble and he knew it.
{This is madness, Trog! You’ll get yourself killed before you even get it off!}
Cheye closed his eyes. *Oh do shut it Connie if you’re not going to be of any use!* He opened his eyes and shivered again. He knew this might just as well get him killed. He eyed the machine in the lab again. *I will die here either way at this point…* He looked back toward the tool then the wolf. *I have to try…*
He watched the wolf for a moment, she was sitting there watching him with her head tilted to the side. He bit his lip. *This will be hard for her.*
“…kyorl, tlu hongalth…”, he softly said. {..wait, be calm..}
She quirked an ear at him.
“…xun naut xun zil’usstan xun…”, he whispered quietly, “…vel’drav nind doer whol ussa…xuil mir dossta tril…” {..do not do as I do..} {..when they com for me, with hold your bite.. do not help me..}
She stood up, ears twitching.
“xun naut xxizz ussa…usstan orn eledar…”{..I will endure..}
He watched her a moment as she gave a nervous growl and whine. She paced back and forth on her tether for a minute before finally sitting down slowly. She gave him a concerned look. He gave her a weak smile and a nod, then went back to his task.
He hefted the bowl one more time, eyeing the upstairs door briefly. *This is going to hurt.* He lined up the bowl and the tool and then let it fly. With a loud crash, he succeeded. *Sweet! *
The bowl had scattered many items to the floor, but the tool he had particularly wanted was bounced neatly into the back of the middle cell. *Hopefully, I can reach it later.* He allowed himself a brief glimmer of hope before he got back to work on his ‘tantrum’.
He grabbed the half full water pitcher. .Weighing the metal container carefully in his hand as he looked around for something to throw it at. His eyes rested on the raised dais and the restraining board. His body trembled. His eyes narrowed as he let pent up emotion come to the surface. First fear, then with pain, then anger boiling into rage. *Use it old boy, make it look good, this is your one shot!* He tensed, then let the metal picture fly.
It spun end over end through the air, water sloshing everywhere. With a resounding thud, it embedded itself solidly in the wooden struts of the restraining board. The last of the water running down the board.
“Plynnil nindel harl wun dossta vlosin zhaun’ol, do ussta’sargh fa’la’zotoast!” Cheye hissed out. { write that in your bloody book you arrogant bastard!}
He spun around looking for something else to throw. His pent up anger was coursing through him now looking for an outlet, and he let it run.
He took hold of the chain anchoring him to the floor and began to yank on it. He hardly noticed the shock it was sending through the collar. He squatted down, wrapping the links round his arm and hands. Propping his feet against the floor ring for leverage, he started to pull with all his might. Using his whole body to yank repeatedly against the chain.
“Doer tir d’gaer, dos waele d’har’d’nath’elg’caress!” He yelled, pulling for all he was worth. { Come off of there, you stupid son-of-a-bitch!}
He was only vaguely aware of the door banging open somewhere above him. His anger already up to a fury and blinding him to anything but the chain he was determined to snap in two. He was oblivious to the lights flashing on in the lab.
“Dos phuul naut aluin ulu sar ussa ghil dos drostan in’loil d’iblith!” He screamed throwing his weight into it. {You are not going to keep me here you metal piece of shit!}
He had given his anger full reign and there was no stopping now. He didn’t notice the chain biting into his skin, drawing blood. Cheye was yelling at the chain at the top of his lungs.
“Harventh tir xsa’ol! Harventh tir! He yelled with another heave to the chain. “Doer tir gaer, xsa’ol!” {Break off damn’it, break off!} {Come off there, damn’it!}
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“Orvis, grab him quick before he harms himself!” Kopesti yelled even as his assistant was bolting down the stairs.
Orvis moved with a speed that belied his size and age. He was on the dark elf in seconds. He wrapped around Aidan from behind, trying to pin his arms and create lack in the chain. He was caught off guard when Aidan suddenly sprung up and backward, bucking him off.
“Inbau tir ussa dos vithin kerol! Inbau lil uoi’nota tir!” Aidan screamed furiously. “Inbau nindol vithin ut’sili tir ussa!” { Get off me you fucking ogre! Get the hell off! } { Get this fucking slave collar off me!}
The boy had gotten back to his feet and was now clawing at the collar, frantically trying to yank it off.
Orvis barreled back into him, taking the much smaller man clean off his feet and driving him to the floor.
He had expected to stun him with the impact but was surprised to find Aidan still kicking and screaming, not even slowing down.
“Inbau tir ussa dos verin vithin plindar! Inbau dosst e’tritin rahi tir ussa!” Aidan screamed again as he fought to get free of Orvis. {Get off me you evil fucking monster! Get your filthy hands off me!}
Orvis was having a hard time holding on to him. The slighter man was covered in and blood, making him very slippery. He was twisting and bucking frantically under Orvis’s grasp. Kicking and screaming the whole time.
“Inbau tir dos waele iblithkaliik! Ele xuat dos tuth fridj vith tir lueth el!” Aidan screamed. { Get off me you stupid shit head! Why don’t you both just fuck off and die!}
He’d managed to get one good kick into Orvis’s ribs. The older man doubled his efforts.
Orvis was using his size to roll the younger man over. Attempting to tangle Aidan further into the lead chain.
“Pin him down as best you can, Orvis. I have the sedative ready!” Kopesti yelled over Aidan ranting. Orvis grunted a reply. He managed to roll the elf one more time onto his stomach, trapping the young man’s right arm under his body. Orvis had a hard grip on the Aidan’s other arm and kept it twisted behind the boy’s back for leverage. Aidan was still using his legs to try and raise himself up and buck Orvis off.
“Usstan plith dos tuth! Xsa dos tuth rath ulu uoi’nota!”, Aidan yelled as he fought on. {I hate you both! Damn you both back to Hell!}
Orvis manage to adjust his grip and get a better hold on the elf’s body.
“You’ll have to be quick, Doctor, he’s getting stronger!”, Orvis yelled as he tightened his grip on the still ranting and squirming elf. *This little shit is getting Strong! Tire already, damn you!*
“Le’zin ussa alu! Inbau tir!”, Aidan growled out, bucking hard against Orvis’s weight. {Let me go! Get off!}
Orvis had to keep his full mass on the elf just to keep him pinned.
Kopesti manage to get along side the struggling pair. The doctor knelt, using one of his knees to force Aidan’s head down.
Orvis felt the elf tense up under him getting ready for another burst. “He’s gearing up again Doctor!.”, he yelled tightening his grip.
Kopesti quickly wiped down Aidan’s exposed neck and pushed in the needle.
Orvis could feel the boy twitch as the needle went in. Gripping tightly, the big man readied himself for the next round, but it didn’t come.
Aidan just suddenly seem to give up at that point. “Ele xuat dos tuth fridj alu lueth el? Fridj sevir ussa maglust!” {Why don’t you both just go and die? Just leave me alone?}
His voice was still loud but no longer yelling. His breath was coming ragged and labored.
“Qualla Yah, fridj le’zin ussa alu. Ele h’ros dos fridj le’zin ussa alu?” { Please God, just let me go. Why can’t you just let me go?} The drow’s voice growing more hoarse and pleading as he spoke.
Orvis felt the boy’s body finally relaxing into the drug. Slowly he loosened his grip.
“Qualla Yah, nau mzild. Nau mzild chath’ harl’l’waess. Nau mzild jiv’undos. Le’zin ussa alu.” { Please God, no more. No more fire beneath the skin. No more pain. Let me go}
Small tremors went through Aidan’s body as tears started to form. “…Fridj le’zin ussa el, qualla…” He muttered as his eyes began slowly drifted shut. “…fridj le’zin ussa el…belbol ulu ussa elghinn….belbol ulu’ussa elghinn…”{Just let me die, please…} {Just let me die…gift to me death…gift to me death..}
Orvis finally released his grip as he felt Aidan’s body go limp. He sat himself up and rolled the elf, over face up.
Kopesti reached over and checked for a pulse. “Slow, but steady.” He smiled a little and patted Orvis on the shoulder.
“Well done Orvis. He should be safely under now. Let’s get him up on the table and see what the damage is, eh?” Kopesti said as he worked on getting himself up.
Orvis nodded, unlocking the lead chain and disentangling the unconscious body before putting it on the table.
Kopesti gathered medical supplies from the cupboard. Then turned on his recorder as he turned back to the exam table.
October 6th, 7:45PM. Had to sedate subject 147M33/Aidan. An emotional break, quite possible an anxiety attack or stress induced rage. I had hoped to bypass this problem as subject was showing signs of compliance and making quick progress.”
Kopesti handed off some sterile rags and disinfectant to Orvis.
“We’d best get him cleaned up. Start with his arms and chest, then check his legs.”
His assistant nodded back and got to work.
Kopesti got out his pen light and checked Aidan’s eyes. “Pupils equal and responsive, though still severely sensitive to light.. No sign’s of head trauma other then a few minor abrasions.”
He tapped the unconscious man lightly on the head. “My, that was quite a display.” He continued along the table assessing the injuries.
“The subject has multiple lacerations on both arms and torso. None deep enough to require stitching. There is extensive bruising in these areas as well.. The are a few minor lacerations and bruises to his legs as well, though mostly superficial..
“Both hands, particularly the palms, have been badly torn and will need bandaging for the time being.”
Kopesti looked over Aidan’s hands, frowning. “These will definitely need wrapping, Orvis. Be sure to clean them well.” Kopesti said moving back to look at Aidan’s collar.
“Yes, Sir. Do you want the rest of the wounds wrapped, Sir?” Orvis enquired.
“No, no I think not. So long as they have stopped bleeding they should be left be. They can serve as a reminder. I don’t want him thinking this foolishness did him some good.”
The doctor looked closely at the implant point at the back of the collar.
“He has done some damage here.”, Kopesti said, scowling. “One wire has been torn out and the other has shifted out of place.”
He shook his head disapprovingly as he carefully removed the collar and wires. “it’s a wonder he didn’t knock himself out or kill himself.” He put the collar away in his pocket.
“I will have to repair it before it can be put back in place.”
The Doctor looked at the areas Orvis had cleaned already.
“Well, Orvis. He doesn’t seem to be as bad off as I thought.” He could see where most of the cuts had stopped bleeding already. “The sedative will wear off within the hour. We cab begin his next treatment a few hours after that.”
Kopesti taped his chin in thought, studying the prone form.
“Orvis, when you are done. Secure him in his cell, anchor him down completely. It is important that we establish who has the power and control here. He must learn that such actions are futile and have repercussions. We don’t need any more such outburst.”
“Yes, Sir”, Orvis smiled and nodded. *More than happy to, Sir.*
“I have some work to finish and I’ll have to repair this collar.”, Kopesti stated as he glanced at his watch. “Go ahead and clean this up.” He waved a hand toward the items strewn about the floor from the counter and the water pitcher still sticking out of the wood struts.
“Leave the lights on full. It will give him time to think things over.” He glanced at the wolf, who was still pacing back and forth where he had left her. She had been oddly quiet during this whole episode. He stepped toward the cage to check on her.
“At least the wolf is behaving, though that may not be a good indication in this instance.”
Kopesti watched the wolf for a few minutes. She was highly agitated. The lead chain barely giving her more than three steps to either side for pacing. It was almost too short for her to turn around. She moved back and forth quickly, her head bobbing up and down. Occasionally stopping to sniff the air.
*Maybe I should tranquillize her..* Kopesti thought to himself. He stepped up to the bars of the cage. Instantly the wolf jumped back away from him, as far as the lead chain would let her. She growled a small nervous growl for a moment then stood still.
“Good girl.”, he smiled. “I see you haven’t lost you senses like your friend.”
She stayed there, ears twitching.
*No, you’re fine for now. No sedatives unless necessary.* Kopesti decided.
“Keep and eye on her, Orvis. Don’t get to close to her cage. There is no telling if she will stay calm, and no need to push her while she behaves.”, he said heading up the stairs.
“Yes, Sir”, Orvis answered as he finished cleaning up Aidan’s wounds.
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Max sat in her hotel room. By all rights, it was a beautifully appointed room. Bright reds and burgundy fabrics and mahogany paneled walls. There was an oversized four poster bed with canopy and a warmly glowing fireplace. Overall, the room looked down right regal. Max saw none of it as she stared into the fireplace.
She sat in one of the two overstuffed chairs, oblivious to the room’s charms. She was rubbing the bridge of her nose again, an old habit for relieving tension. Cheye use to give her a wry grin and hand her the aspirin bottle when ever she started doing it. After having spent the day finding and tracking down any leads as to Cheyenne’s ‘disappearance‘, she was getting frustrated. She sighed heavily and looked at the notes she made.
Max had driven around Botiz all day. She had found the taxi driver, who then scent her to the where he had dropped off “Domnul Frost’s assistant”.
She talked to everyone inside the pub. None of the regulars or employees had seen the man enter.
Max played a hunch and contacted the town’s other taxi service. The driver she spoke with remembered the large man. He had been the one dropped the man off at the Inn Cheye was staying. From there, she found the driver had picked the fare up originally near the train station. The station house was closed by the time Max got there so she headed to the local police station instead.
The detective she spoke with was a thirty-something , stout man with kind eyes. Dark hair making him look sterner then he was. Detective Ambrosi, had been very polite and took down all the information. Max could tell by the look on his face, he didn’t hold out much hope.
The department would follow up the leads, but the detective pointed to a stack of files on his desk.
“I’m sorry, Miss Trudeau, we will do all that we can, but we are over run right now. All of Saute Mare is in need. We have had a sharp increase in missing persons in the last few months. The state agencies will be joining the investigations next week, that should help.”, Detective Ambrosi explained apologetically. “Our resources are limited but will do everything we can. You can be reached at your cell phone number, yes?”
Max smiles politely and nodded. ”I’ll be available if you find anything new or need more information.”, she offered.
The detective nodded, noting the number in his notepad. “We will have someone start on the leads as soon as we can and keep you informed of anything new. Thank you for your help and co-operation.” The detective smiled sadly back at her and closed his book.
“Thank you, detective. I hope it helps.” Max paused a moment looking at the stack of files still cover the detectives desk. “Just how many people have gone missing lately?”
I’m afraid we are under orders from Saute Mare Headquarters not to disclose such things, Miss Trudeau. I am told it is bad for public relations.”, Detective Ambrosi replied with an apologetic look.
Max got the impression he was not at all impressed with Headquarters.
“Of course, detective. Thank you very much for your time. I will let you get back to work. I’m currently at the Eagle’s Crest Inn if you need me for anything., good night.” Max shook the man’s hand and headed back to her room at the Inn.
She sat in a chair in her room staring at the papers and leads. Her hand lingering over a photo of her and Cheye at a convention in Albuquerque. She smiled, remembering the week. Cheyenne had been scheduled to give several lectures on early Indo-European language families. She had teased him about the make up of his audience that signed up for the lecture. Fully two thirds were women. Cheye had been puzzled by the phenomenon. Max had laughed so hard she couldn’t catch her breath to explain it.
He had blushed thoroughly when she did. It had just never occurred to him that he was attractive.
She had spent most of the week fending off his would be suitors so he could work in peace. The memories brought a smile to her face as she set the photo down.
She stared at the photo for several minutes. Her thoughts whirling around with possibilities. She sat up suddenly, a name popping up in her head. “Turk!” She grabbed her contacts book and started dialing.
Peter Turkowski was an old army buddy. They had trained together in Alabama and later stationed at Ft. Hood. He in CID her in the Mps. They’d become good friends, even dated on and off over the years. They had always stayed in touch, even working together a few times. He had moved on to the secret Service and later CIA and NSA. She knew he was working in the private sector now but still had agency contacts.
“Hey Pete, how ya been doing?” She did her best to sound casual.
“Well hiya, Max! How the hell are ya? What do I owe this honor to?”, Pete’s voice greeted cheerfully.
“You still have those contacts at Interpol, Pete?” Max couldn’t keep the worry out of her voice. She knew Pete would pick up on it immediately.
“Sure, Max. What’s up and how can I help?”
She relaxed a little and smiled slightly at the steadying voice through the receiver. “Its Cheye…Professor Frost, he’s gone missing. We’re in Romania. The locals are doing the best they can but something is up. Their swamped and I don’t think they have to where with all to find him. Can you dig around and see what’s going on?”
“In Romania?” Pete sounded a little less sure of himself. “Max, their still pretty tight on the whole ‘secrecy of the state’ thing you know…”
She heard him shuffle around a few papers then sigh.
“I’ll make a few phone calls, see what I can find. I still owe Rain a few favors. He saved my butt last year with that Coptic translation last year.”, Pete said with conviction.
Max grinned at Pete’s nickname for Cheye. They had spent a summer near Istanbul helping the then NID agent break and translate code that was written in ancient Aramaic. They had help stop a major arms trafficking cartel. She tried to get the story out as to the name, and why Cheye called Pete ‘Nova‘, but nether man would talk.
“You should get some sleep, Maxi. You sound tired.” Pete said, drawing back her attention.
“I’ll bee a few hours before I have anything. I’ll call you as soon as we have something solid.”
“Yeah, I’ll try and sleep….And Pete?”, she said, exhaustion making her voice waiver.
“Yeah, Max?”
“Thank you…I really appreciate it.”
“Any time Max. He’s a good guy and a good friend. We’ll find him, don’t worry. Now get some sleep…” With that, Pete hung up.
Max shut her phone and laid back on the bed to stare at the yellowing ceiling. *Where are you Cheye and what have you gotten your self into?*
She was still combing through the leads in her head when her eyes finally drifted shut.
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***
Cheye woke slowly, his mind sluggish from the sedative and persistent fever.
His first focus was the pain. It was too bright even with his eyes closed tight. The light seemed to burn to the back of his skull. He tried to turn his head away but quickly found he couldn’t move it. Panic started to wash over him as he found he couldn’t move anything.
He was sitting on what he presumed to be the floor of his cell. He could smell the waste bucket and the wolf nearby. He was held upright, back against the bars and arms spread out and wrapped around the bars. His shoulders hurt from being over stretched. He could feel ties at his wrist, elbows, waist, chest. His legs were tied together in front of him and anchored to something that put tension on them. Likely the bars at the other end of the cell.
Even a band around his head held him securely to the bars so he couldn’t move. A gag in his mouth and another cloth band around his neck that made it difficult to breath if he struggled against it.
Everything hurt. His eyes burned from the light and his mouth was dry from the gag. He skin burned in places and felt raw in others. His were stiff and sore. He could smell antiseptic mixed with blood and sweet. His stomach was starting to roll on itself again. He did his best to shift his body to ease the stain on his back and shoulders.
The moment he moved his weight, a sharp electric shock hit him in the right leg.
“Stay!”, came the sharp command.
Orvis was there.
Cheye froze. Small tremors ran through his body. He couldn’t be sure if it was from the electric shock of fear. He did his best to hold still.
Something touched his temple, something metal with prongs.
“Eyes, open!”, came the stern order. The metal pushed in slightly.
Cheye opened his eyes. The light flaring into them made him choke involuntarily. He eyes began to water immediately. The world was one blinding shade of piercing white. He managed to keep them open.
“Stay!” Another tap to the temple.
He could hear the man moving off and leaving the cell.
He didn’t dare close his eyes. He knew the Ogre would be watching for that.
*You can do this, old man. You can get through it. Stay calm, don’t upset Silvergrace.* He told himself as his body broke out in a cold sweat.
He could here the Ogre moving about the lab. He concentrated on the sounds and mentally followed the man around to distract himself. Anything to take his mind off the fire in his skull and in his limbs. The tremors from over stretched muscles were getting stronger now. His breathing more labored.
He tried ticking off the minutes in his head. *A half hour? Forty five minutes maybe?*
He tried swallowing to ease the burn in his airways but his throat was to dry and he choked. The electric shock came as he coughed. The convulsion from the electricity making the ropes cut into his skin.
“Stay!” Orvis boomed out.
Cheye tried again to get his muscles to comply. He quieted the tremors as best he could and kept his eyes open.
The metal rod touched him under the chin, pushing upward and raising his head slightly. The binding on his throat and head made it impossible for him to move further. The rod bit into his skin for a moment then was pulled away.
“Eyes closed!” A heavy hand pushed his eyes closed. Cheye choked back a gasp as his eyes burned anew.
“Stay awake!” A finger jabbed hard into his chest. “Awake!”
Cheye couldn’t remember an ‘awake’ command. The word had no meaning for him. Fear of getting something wrong left him tense and alert, waiting for another shock.
He heard the man move off again. Another involuntary tremor ran through him and Cheye waited for the shock. It didn’t come. *He must not have seen that one…*
He did his best to keep the tremors down and stay alert.
Again he focused on any sounds he could track. There was the familiar sound of water dripping somewhere in the wolf’s cage. He listened closer. Ever so faintly he could make out the wolf’s breathing. It wasn’t the slow breathing of sleep. More rapid and shallow, as if trying not to make noise.
Cheye worried something had happened to her while he was unconscious. *They wouldn’t have reason to immobilize her too…would they?*
His heart rate picked up. With out being able to turn his head, there was no way of knowing how she was doing.
He heard something else, something faint. *Footsteps on carpet…the old man is back..* He stomach flipped dangerously and bile rose in his throat. He heard the door at the top of the stairs open. Another tremor ran through him.
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“Is he behaving himself, Orvis?”, Kopesti queried as he came down the stairs.
“Yes, Doctor.”, Orvis replied as he put away the last of the cleaning supplies. “He came around an hour ago as you said he would. I did have to use the prod twice to get his attention. He has not acted out further.” Orvis just managed to keep the smile out of his voice.
“Good, very good….”, Gregor said while rubbing his hands together. He glanced at his watch and frowned. “Hmm…its almost 11 PM. He is over due, we should get this treatment started.”
He looked over at his assistant. “Once this one is done, Orvis. We will take a good nights rest and start late morning tomorrow. It has been an eventful day.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Orvis nodded.
“Now lets see if your young charge has learned anything from this, shall we?” Kopesti waved Orvis over toward Aidan.
Orvis suppressed a grin as he entered the cell. He could see the dark elf tense as he stepped closer. Small tremors ran across the boy and he was damp with sweat. He tapped the young man’s chest hard.
“Stay!”
The Orvis saw the flinched but the boy stayed perfectly still as he untied the ropes.
“Secure his hands behind him, Orvis, and leave the gag as well. I don’t wish any more disruptions. We are far enough behind already. He will have to learn obedience or he is of little use to us.” Kopesti pulled the now repaired collar from his pocket and gave it a last inspection.
Once Orvis had the drow’s free of the bars and hands re-secured, he unceremoniously yanked him to his feet. Holding the smaller man by the back of his neck till he stood on his own.
“Aidan, come.” Kopesti said and tapped the table.
Aidan started forward, eyes still closed tight. Orvis kept a hand on the drow’s neck to guide him out the cell door.
The elf stumbled into the table and stood still.
Kopesti lifted the young man’s chin to study his face.
“His fever seems to have picked back up…perhaps his earlier exertions.” He released Aidan’s chin and pulled out his recorder.
“October 7th, 11:05 PM. Subject 147M33/Aidan beginning fifth treatment. Treatment was delayed due to a slight tantrum after which the subject had to be sedated. The control collar was damaged and will need to be re-installed. The subject also sustained some damage though not enough to warrant a discontinuance.”
Kopesti set down the recorder and checked the collar leads one last time.
“Orvis, if you would please. Hold him securely as this goes in.”
Orvis pushed Aidan’s down, bending him over the table and pinning his head firmly to the surface.
“Stay” He said, giving the elf a shake. He felt no resistance from the drow, just the small tremors running through the young man's body.
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Cheye stayed as still as he could. The Ogre had one massive hand pressing on the back of his head and pinning him down to the table. The other hand had a hard grip on the ropes round Cheye’s wrist which were pushed up as leverage to keep his torso firmly pinned.
He felt the collar being fitting around his neck again. He tensed but didn’t try to fight. He knew he couldn’t stop them anyway. He kept his mind focused on the wire tool. If he could get hold of it, there was hope.
The collar leads were snapped in, setting his nerves on fire up and down his spine. He bit into the gag and rode it out, doing his best to relax the muscle spasms.
Finally the pain receded to a throbbing ache. Orvis yanked him to his feet.
“Come!” The old man ordered.
Cheye did his best to follow the voice. He already knew what was coming next. He tried to keep his mind focused on the tool. He followed the man’s footsteps and stumbled up on the dais behind him. Orvis still gripping his wrist to keep him upright. The he was stopped and turned to stand again the restraining board.
The tremors were almost constant now. Some from the shock his body was feeling, some from fear. He didn’t care anymore and didn’t try to cover them.
Cheye could hear the old man’s voice droning on again.
*Recording your little notes? Get all the details straight, did you?* He hated this man.
Someone untied hid wrists and pushed him back against the board. Cheye offered no resistance. It was getting harder to keep his mind focused.
*My turn comes later…I just have to make it through one more…*
“Arm!” Orvis barked.
Cheye held out the arm that was tapped and it was strapped down.
“Arm!”
He held out the other arm and it was secured as well. Then his feet and chest.
*Just one more time , old boy…you can do this…* He told himself.
The needle went into the back of his neck and his head was strapped down.
*For Max…you can do this for Max.*
The hum of the laser started up.
*Oh God, just please let it be over…*
Then the laser hit…
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