"Anyone want to explain what the hell that was?" Dr. Ardelean asked.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but that's restricted information."

The doctor tapped her clipboard and stared back at the agent through her immaculately clean glasses. "Nonsense. You brought a civilian into the lab. Why?"

"That wasn't a civy."

"Then who was it?"

"I'm sorry, but-"

"Right." The doctor sighed and turned to leave.

"I'm afraid you need to stay here for now," the agent said, his hand noticably close to his holster, "Just until they have the Subject secured."

"Zero is perfectly fine in her tank, the previous incident was well within established parameters." She tried to leave again but the agent blocked her way.

"They just need a few minutes. Lab is on lockdown until then, for your safety as much as ours. Please be patient."

Dr. Ardelean threw her hand up and, with no better options, decided to lean against the wall clutching her clipboard of EKG readings with as much measures defiance as she could manage with her nervous disposition.

The site director was going to get an earful about this later. And then she was going to get to the bottom of who was trying to upend her project.