Page 61 of Anders
The assistant nodded toward a locker on the far wall, her fear scent filling the room.
Etta released her, backing toward the locker while keeping both lab technicians in view.Her examination gown provided little protection or dignity, and she was painfully aware of her vulnerability despite her current advantage.
The locker contained not her own clothes but standard-issue scrubs—better than nothing.She pulled them on quickly, her movements awkward due to her partially shifted state.
The exit,she demanded once dressed.Now.
Dr.Mercer had regained some of his composure, though his hand remained at his throat where her claws had broken the skin.
You’ll never make it out of the facility,he said, his voice raspy but regaining its clinical detachment.Security protocols are designed specifically to contain shifters.Even if you get past this door, there are three checkpoints between here and the exterior, all staffed with personnel trained to handle enhanced subjects.
Etta tilted her head, a distinctly lupine gesture as she assessed his claim.His heartbeat had accelerated slightly—not lying exactly, but not telling the full truth either.
You forget,she said,I was trained by your program too.As an intelligence asset, I was taught to observe, analyze, and exploit vulnerabilities.Her lips curved in a cold smile.And everyone has vulnerabilities, Doctor.Even your precious facility.
Before he could respond, she moved to the door, listening intently for movement in the hallway beyond.Her enhanced hearing picked up footsteps, but they were receding, not approaching.
The door was secured with a biometric lock—fingerprint and retinal scan.She turned back to Dr.Mercer, who held up his hands and backed away.
No,he said.
You’re right—I’m not a killer,Etta said, moving toward him.So you can either let me out of here, or I can take your eye and hand with me.
You’re making a mistake,Mercer said as she dragged him toward the scanner.The reset protocol is for your own protection.Without it, the neural interface will continue to deteriorate, causing catastrophic neurological damage.
A chill went through Etta at his words.
You’re lying,she said, though doubt crept in.It’s a control mechanism, not a medical necessity.
It’s both,he insisted.The interface was designed to work in conjunction with the chemical suppression.One without the other creates a biochemical imbalance that will eventually lead to system failure.
System failure,Etta repeated bitterly.You mean death.
Dr.Mercer’s silence was answer enough.
He could be telling the truth, Etta thought.Either way, I can’t stay here.I won’t let them erase me again.
Decision made, she forced Dr.Mercer’s hand to the scanner, then held his eyelid open for the retinal scan.
The lock disengaged with a soft click.
Thank you for your cooperation, Doctor,she said, releasing him with a gentle shove that nonetheless sent him stumbling back several steps.I’ll take my chances with system failure over your reset any day.
Then she was out the door…
And on the run.
CHAPTER 14
THE CORRIDOR BEYOND THEmedical room Etta had been held in was equally sterile and white, security cameras mounted at regular intervals along the ceiling.
She moved quickly, keeping close to the wall, calculating angles to minimize her visibility.
Three checkpoints, she reminded herself.And then freedom.
The first checkpoint came sooner than expected—a security station where a guard in tactical gear watched a bank of monitors.He glanced up as she approached, his hand moving automatically to the sidearm at his hip.
Halt,he commanded.Authorization code?
