Page 6 of Broken Sentinel

"It's irregular," the technician answers, giving Trent a wary look. "But not necessarily problematic. Some Sentinels simply metabolize the enhancements differently."

"Some Sentinels," Trent repeats, his tone making it clear hedoesn't believe that for a second. "Run a full spectrum analysis on her bloodwork. I want to know exactly what's happening."

The technician hesitates. "That would require special authorization. The standard protocols only call for?—"

"I'm authorizing it," Trent cuts him off. "Security override Vanguard-Seven-One-Two. Log it as a tactical necessity for maintaining optimal Sentinel function."

I watch this exchange with growing unease. Trent doesn't typically override medical protocols. In fact, he's usually the one insisting we follow every rule to the letter. Something about my reaction has genuinely alarmed him, and that's far more concerning than any physical symptoms I'm experiencing.

The technician reluctantly begins preparing a blood extraction kit while I watch Trent closely. There's tension in every line of his body, from the set of his shoulders to the way his fingers flex slightly at his sides, a tell I've only noticed in our most dangerous field operations.

"You're overreacting," I tell him quietly when the technician moves to the analysis station. "It was nothing. I feel fine now."

His eyes finally meet mine, and the intensity I see there steals my breath. "Your neural patterns spiked to levels I've never seen in any Sentinel. For approximately seven seconds, your brain was operating beyond measurable Enhancement scale."

I blink at him. "That's impossible."

"I know." He glances at the technician, then lowers his voice further. "Which is why we need to figure out what's happening before the next treatment."

Before I can respond, the medical bay doors slide open, and Chief Medical Officer Niren enters. His gaze sweeps the room, lingering on the disconnected enhancement apparatus and my clearly unfinished procedure.

"Sentinel Vanguard," he acknowledges with a curt nod. "I received an alert about an interrupted enhancement protocol. Care to explain?"

Figures that Niren would appear. Nothing goes unnoticed here. Nothing.

Trent straightens to his full height, easily towering over the slighter medical officer. "Sentinel Thorne showed irregular responses to the standard formula. I made a tactical decision to terminate the procedure before risking damage to a valuable asset."

Niren's eyes narrow slightly. "I wasn't aware tactical decisions extended to medical procedures, Sentinel."

"They do when they affect Sentinel performance in the field," Trent responds smoothly. "Would you prefer I consult a committee while watching my partner's neural patterns destabilize?"

I've always admired Trent's ability to challenge authority while sounding completely respectful. It's a skill I've never quite mastered, my temper rising at the worst times and making me sound like a blundering fool.

"Your concern is noted," Niren says after a moment. "However, enhancement protocols exist for a reason. Sentinel Thorne's previous treatments have all shown above-average adaptation. One irregular response doesn't justify special handling."

"With respect,sir," Trent counters, "this is the third consecutive treatment where Sentinel Thorne has displayed atypical responses. The pattern suggests something systemic rather than incidental."

I shoot Trent a surprised look. Third consecutive treatment? I only remember mild discomfort during my last procedure, nothing worth reporting.

Has he been monitoring my treatments without telling me?

Niren considers this information, then gestures to the technician. "Show me the neural activity logs."

While they review the data, Trent moves closer to my medical platform, positioning himself between me and the others in a way that could seem casual to anyone who doesn't know him as well as I do. It's a protective stance, one I've seen him take in the field when assessing unknown threats.

Since when did Unity medical staff become a threat?

"Interesting," Niren murmurs, studying the displays. "These patterns are rather unusual."

"Unusual enough to warrant further investigation," Trent presses.

Niren's expression remains neutral, but something shifts in his eyes, a calculation being made. "Perhaps. In the meantime, Sentinel Thorne will require a modified enhancement regimen."

"Modified how?" I ask, speaking up for the first time since Niren's arrival.

Niren barely glances at me. "Lower concentration, extended application time. It will be less efficient but potentially more stable for your...unique physiology."

The way he says "unique" makes it sound like a disease rather than an advantage. In Unity, anything that deviates from the carefully calculated norm is viewed with suspicion at best, hostility at worst.

---