Page 1 of Hired for Research
1. Evelyn
“We need you to take over the Alpha Research Project.”
Sucking in a deep breath, Evelyn tried to swallow the automatic response, but it escaped.
“Is this because I’m an omega?”
The Director of the Research Division sat up straighter, clasping his hands on the desk in front of him, looking off somewhere over her left shoulder.
“Your dynamic does give you a unique ability to pick up things about the other dynamics that a beta cannot. That, combined with your abilities and help with other studies, led us to choose you to take over.”
His gaze dropped to meet hers and a bit of the stiffness left him as he leaned forward.
“I know it may seem… contrived, to put our only omega scientist in charge of the Alpha Project, but you’ll be the one leading the way, making breakthroughs. You’ll receive credit for your efforts, and with the current attention on alpha issues, this is bound to be a boost for your career.”
He leaned back in his seat as if he thought that was what she was worried about.
“Will I be able to publish my findings? And what of my current research? And my classes?”
His eyes shifted away again. She’d known something strange was going on when she was called into the Director’s office. He usually left her alone outside the monthly meetings where the team reported any new findings or changes in their projects, but Beth’s unexpected departure upset things. Evelyn knew the Alpha Project was considered a top priority with all the buzz created by Eden, but she hadn’t expected to be put on it since she wasn’t the most senior researcher.
“We will have to discuss publication of any findings at the time. After the suppressant has been created, tested, and patented, of course. We need one hundred percent of your focus on the Alpha Project because we are adding a second branch of study, but you are free to continue your research into beta fertility in your free time. Jean will take over your classes so you are able to concentrate on the project.”
Evelyn sat up straighter, mind running through what this change would mean. She’d long thought alphas were connected to the beta fertility issues she’d been researching, but she hadn’t been able to convince anyone to give her a chance to test her theories. If she was running the Alpha Project though, with permission to continue her own research on the side, there would be no one to stop her from doing the tests she wanted. She could combine the two, she just had to be careful to keep the documentation separate so she could publish her findings on the betas since she knew the Director’s evasive answer meant it would likely be years before she had any chance of doing it with the alpha research.
“Won’t Jean be assisting me?”
She frowned at the Director’s negative headshake.
“I don’t think she’s ready to balance teaching as well as helping in the lab. For now, you’ll be on your own on this. Once you have a solid heading with concrete evidence, we can look into finding you an assistant to fast-track the suppressant.”
“You mean Beth’s lack of progress made the backers reduce their funding, and you can’t afford to hire someone else. That’s why you’re shuffling us around.”
The Director’s narrowed gaze flicked back to her face before he heaved a sigh, but Evelyn pressed on before he responded.
“I need the truth if I’m going to make any headway. Beth hasn’t reported anything new in the monthly meetings for…”
Evelyn trailed off. She didn’t know how long it had actually been, but it certainly hadn’t been within the past year. Personally, she thought Beth had been lazy and had been sliding by on the backs of her assistants. After losing Fred to another lab, all progress had stopped.
“Okay, yes. With no breakthroughs over the past year, and with your inexperience leading a project, the Board reduced the budget. They were going to cut the project completely due to the turmoil brought on by that new Alpha-Camp, but that would waste the years of research already put into the project. They agreed to give us six more months on the condition that we add on the other branch and have something ready to test by June.”
“June?”
Evelyn jerked upright, mind whirling over all the arguments on the tip of her tongue. She’d been aware of the Alpha Project but hadn’t had any part in it, so she’d have to study what had already been done before she could even begin to figure out what the next steps were. With how long the Alpha Project had been open she’d have said there were months of files she needed to read, yet they wanted her to have a drug ready for testing in only six?
“I know it’s a short deadline—”
“It’s a bloody impossible deadline! Especially with you taking away the only other person aware of what has been going on. You can’t expect me to dig through everything Beth has already done and—”
“That’s why the new direction they want us to look in is so important. If we can get enough information to support that, I’m sure I can convince them to give us more time on the drug.”
Evelyn forced aside everything she wanted to say, knowing it would make no difference.
“And what is this new direction?”
The Director’s eyebrows bunched, and he glanced down at the papers in front of him before answering. Evelyn was familiar enough with him to know he didn’t like what he was about to say.
“The Federal Bureau of Population and Labor has approached the board to look into the assertions that alphas are not as dangerous as previously claimed, and that their rights have been wrongly taken from them. They want proof that alphas are too aggressive to release from the Alpha-Camps and have wandering free in the city without the mandates.”
