Page 2 of Broken Bonds

“Well, as I said in my request for the facility, I wish to study the Phoenix Cluster,” I say, wondering if that’s possibly enough for him.

It’s not, because of course it’s not.

The man’s frown deepened, though I’m not sure how that’s possible.

“Yes, I recall that,” he nods. “However, that still doesn’t explain your desire for isolation. You could easily study the Cluster at any of the other facilities.”

The man is persistent, I’ll give him that. Luckily, I have several lifetimes worth of practice when it comes to warding off nosey humans.

“I’m not a social being, by any means,” I answer, although that’s not completely honest. I just prefer socializing with fellow phoenix shifters, but the work I’m undertaking is more important. Plus, it’s not like we’re going to run out of time to see each other; we’re essentially immortal. “And my research is of a rather…delicate nature. It’s just easier that I’m alone.”

“What could be so delicate about a galaxy cluster?”

I just keep from rolling my eyes and growling out loud in irritation. Can this man not take a hint? I want to be left alone!

“I’m afraid I can’t divulge that information,” I reply, making my voice as serious and authoritative as I can. “Classified. You understand.”

His eyes widen as if with sudden realization. Damn. I should’ve led with the classified bit.

“Oh, I see,” he murmurs, glancing around. Afraid the place is bugged? If he is, he might not worry so much about me living here alone. “You’re working under a…commission of sorts.”

I nearly laugh at his rather clever use of commission to describe my apparent top-secret enterprises, but I manage to hold myself together. I’ve finally got him convinced of a greater purpose for my being alone, and I don’t wish to ruin that progress.

“You could say that,” I reply. “While I obviously can’t go into details, I hope that makes it easier to understand my need for a certain amount of isolation.”

Charlie nods quickly; that’s right, I distinctly remember him saying he prefers to go by Charlie although the paperwork I was given says Charles. “Yes, of course. My apologies, doctor, for pushing the matter. It’s none of my business, clearly.”

It wasn’t any of his business when he didn’t believe I was being funded by a powerful entity, but I’ve learned in my long years that some people just need that extra push to know to keep their noses of out other’s business.

“Well, I think I’ve taken up enough of your time,” he says, suddenly all too eager to leave me be. “If you need anything, radio us. We’ll make a supply drop every couple of months.”

I nod. “That works perfectly. Thank you.”

He continues to gaze up at me for several long moments, unmoving, and it becomes painfully obvious that he doesn’t actually know how to bring this awkward exchange to an end. I almost feel sorry for the man. When was the last time he was around anyone who wasn’t a scientist, living on the icy tundra of Antarctica?

“Well…goodbye,” he blurts at last. Turning, he scurries toward the door, pulling on his hood and goggles before opening it and stepping out into the frozen wilderness.

I cross to the door and make sure it’s shut firmly behind him. The moment I know I’m totally alone, I release a deep breath and feel my shoulders sag in relief. The urge to transform hits me, but I resist for the time being. There will no doubt be countless opportunities to let my wings out, but for the moment, I need to get everything set up so I can begin my work.

I pick up the large bag I’d brought in with me from the helicopter from its resting place by the door, and trudge through the facility toward the dormitories. They’re all the same sizes with the same accommodations, so it doesn’t matter which one I choose. Crossing the threshold into my new room, I immediately begin shedding the thick layers covering me from head-to-toe. They were admittedly helpful when I was outside, but now they’re growing stifling. Once I’m free, I grab my bag back up and trudge toward one of the labs he showed me.

My blood is humming with excitement as I go about setting up my equipment. Years ago, I set up a Google alert to send me automated updates every time a news article appeared with the keyword phoenix. Most of the time, it returned junk; Chinese astrology, movies or comic-con conventions but as soon as I saw the subject of this news alert, I knew it would change the course of my work forever. I can’t help but imagine the endless possibilities that lay before me as I learn about the Phoenix Cluster and the way it uses energy. If I can understand that, then I can better understand the differences in how phoenix’s consume energy versus humans. I can better understand my kind, and the forces that bind us to our animalistic instincts and desires.

I’ve already managed to find a way to break the mating bond our instincts force on us but the potion I concocted was more like a sledgehammer than a surgeon’s scalpel. It sought to obliterate any memory or connection a phoenix had to their mate, and in my limited knowledge, it did its job well. Now, with this new research, I’ll be able to give all phoenixes the ability to minutely control those drives and impulses that would otherwise control us. We will no longer be mythical beasts, reduced in legend to simply our animal characteristics. Instead, we’ll be gods among men, capable of wielding our phoenix abilities without losing our reason and logic.

A slow, excited smile spreads across my lips.

It’s time to get to work.

Samantha

Present Day

It’s stunning. Whenever I thought of Antarctica growing up, I only ever thought of bone-chilling cold and penguins. Now, as I gaze out the window of the helicopter transporting me over the icy terrain, I’m breathless with wonder. I would never have expected the vast tundra to seem so…full of life.

I know, though, that as beautiful as it is, there’s danger down there hidden in all that ice and snow. Just like a thorny rose, or a gremlin that’s fed after midnight, something so seemingly peaceful and serene poises life-threatening obstacles to anyone not part of its habitat.

And humans definitely are not part of Antarctica’s habitat.

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