disclaimer:PG This is Beverly's first story. blittle40@juno.com. No copyright infringements meant.

"Mr. Daniels"

"Mr. Daniels."

Tom heard the voice, but dismissed it. His attention, his being was sharply focused inward on the changes in his body. Fever, nausea, chills--this Change was worse than the first. Tom struggled to remain focused. He kept drifting, loosing his concentration. More than anything, this unnerved him. Control was life.

"Mr. Daniels."

The voice was insistent. Tom opened his eyes. Light, blinding light. Tom blinked his eyes to clear them. The light became less painful. Bars. All he could see was bars and light and shadows beyond. A cage, he was in a cage. * Men bursting in, drugged, Sloan running towards him.* Who had grabbed him? They hadn't been Dominants. He had reverted enough by the time he was snatched, he would have sensed them, wouldn't he? Sloan, had they grabbed Sloan, too? A mix of fear, anger and other emotions surged through Tom. He didn't know how to sort through these new feelings some of which he couldn't even name. Their power threatened to overwhelm him. Before, his emotions had been muted, controlled. Now he found himself gasping for breath as he tried to understand what was happening.

"Mr. Daniels"

Focus, focus. Speculate later. Concentrate on regaining control. Tom forced himself to breath slowly, deeply. He was loosing himself. There was someone in the room with him and he was not paying attention. No Dominant was ever unaware of what surrounded him. Awareness, too, was life.

"Mr. Daniels"

The voice was young, female, polite, with tones of concern. Tom couldn't discern more--he felt no presence. The Change.

"Mr. Daniels"

Tom turned his head towards the voice. She was standing to the side of the cage. Tom's training took over. He calculated instinctively, she was just beyond arm's reach.

"Mr. Daniels, please take this. You need to stay warm."

She held out something. A blanket. Tom stared. He was having trouble thinking. His body was shaking so hard he hesitated to move, to betray his lack of control. The girl stood silently, holding out the blanket. Slowly Tom reached through the bars with his shackled hands. He drew back the blanket.

"You'll also need fluids."

She was young, late teens. Dark red hair, long judging by the braid wrapped around her head. Neatly dressed in slacks and blouse, she was watching Tom with concern and anger. The anger did not seem to be directed at Tom but there was no one else present for her to be angry with.

"Mr. Daniels"

She was holding out a clear plastic bottle. Water. This time Tom reached through the bars without hesitation. She held the bottle by its neck and extended it. Tom could just reach. She was being very cautious. She was wary of him. Anger flared again. How dare she be wary of him, he was the one drugged and in a cage.

The girl stood looking at him for a moment longer. He couldn't read anything in her face but the concern and anger. He could sense nothing. For the first time in his entire life he couldn't sense the presence of another in the same room with him. Even when Ed had given him the first injection he had been able to feel Sloan's presence. Now, there was nothing. He was without the cues he had used all his life to understand and survive.

The girl turned and walked into the shadows surrounding the cage. He listened to her footsteps as they echoed. The room he was in was large.

A light clicked on illuminating a desk, computer and beyond, vaguely, some lab equipment. The girl sat down at the desk and turned on the computer and began to type. With the clicking of the keyboard, Tom realized how silent the room had been. How quiet she had been. He watched her. She did not look away from the monitor. Tom shivered. He drew the blanket around his naked torso and tried to think clearly. Where was he? Who had snatched him? Whoever they were, they had access to Ed's serum, or another very like it. More nausea assaulted him. Tom closed his eyes and focused on breathing deeply, evenly. The roil of emotions was physically painful. Would he always feel like this? When Ed had given him the first injection the fever and emotions had been intense. But Sloan had been there to care for him, to love him. He had had an anchor and a guide. Now he was alone.

Was Sloan alright? Tom hazily remembered seeing her running towards him as he was being put in the van. Had they grabbed her too? He tried to "listen" for her, but felt nothing. Tom's breathing increased again as tendrils of panic tightened his chest. He knew it was panic, he had felt it before, in humans. Then the emotion had been a faint echo, an indication Dominant power. Now it was his heart pounding, his throat that closed.

Think, Tom shouted to himself. Think. Maybe they hadn't taken her. After all they had left Ed behind. Yes, they must have left her behind. Tom forced himself to relax. Then he grew tense again. He KNEW Sloan. Damn, she was probably doing something right this moment to get herself in trouble. She wouldn't sit back and wait. Sloan would be looking for him.

He leaned back against the bars and considered the bottled water. It was still sealed. Which meant nothing. Tom shrugged and opened the bottle. Cautiously he sipped. Tasted fine, although with the Change in his system he probably wouldn't be able to tell if something had been added. Tom took another drink. He settled down to wait.

"Where the hell did he get that blanket?" An angry male voice caused Tom to sit up, startled. He had dozed off. The attractive woman, Attwood's boss entered the lighted area around the cage. Behind her came several men. One, older, was in a lab coat. The others wore suits. The suits carried guns. It was one of them who had spoken.

"Well, Tom, as you can see, things have changed." The woman also stood just out of reach. She smiled, but her eyes were cold.

Betrayal, it wasn't completely unexpected. "Why?"

"We were approached by a group of Dominants who said they wanted to negotiate coexistence. Walter acted as the go between and he was ambushed."

"Is Dr. Attwood dead?" Tom had not trusted Attwood to fight against genocide of the Dominants if open warfare started, but he knew Sloan would be upset if the man died. Attwood had been effective and Tom respected that.

"We don't know. But now we do things my way. No more kid gloves." Tom looked around at the cage he was in. Too short to stand up in, too narrow to lie down.

"What about Sloan and Ed?" Tom knew the question was foolish, giving her a weakness to exploit.

"So long as they behave, they will be fine." Her voice was disinterested, bored.

Tom felt another rush of emotion; anger, fear. This time he didn't try to control it. He lunged at the woman, wanting nothing more than to kill her for the threat to Sloan. She was too far away. But his attempt caused her to step back. Her lips tightened as she realized she had betrayed her own fear. One of the suits smashed at his arm with a rifle. Tom drew back clumsily. The woman smiled, please with Tom's lack of control.

The man in the lab coat stepped between Tom and the suits.

"That was uncalled for." He said sharply. "He couldn't have reached you."

"You're right, I apologize for my assistant, Dr Chandler. Please understand he was only acting out of concern for my safety." The woman's voice oozed sincerity.

The doctor looked at her skeptically. "Who are Sloan and Ed?" he asked.

The woman hesitated. Tom answered.

"Drs. Sloan Parker and Ed Tate. Dr. Tate is the one who created the genogenesis serum."

"He is concerned for two humans, and you are threatening them?" The doctor's voice was hard, suspicious.

"Now Dr. Chandler-" A faint beeping interrupted causing the doctor to check his watch.

"We need to do a DNA check." The doctor gave her a hard look. The matter was not forgotten. Then he turned towards Tom. "Mr. Daniels, please put your arms through the bars." One of the suits pulled out a pair of handcuffs.

Tom didn't move. The woman gestured and two more suits moved into the light. They carried tranquilizer rifles. Tom stared defiantly at her.

"This is unnecessary." The girl had joined the group around Tom's cage. She scowled at the doctor. He looked at her and lifted an eyebrow. He seemed amused. She turned towards Tom. The woman stirred and opened her mouth to speak but the doctor signaled her to be quiet. She stilled but narrowed her eyes.

"Mr. Daniels, we need a blood sample to test. Standard instructions forbid anyone to enter the cage while a Dominant is loose within--a lesson I believe they learned the hard way. If you put your arms through the bars, they can be cuffed to the bars and the sample taken. Then, maybe we can get that chain off too. She looked at the doctor. He nodded.

Tom considered. Obviously if he didn't cooperate they'd drug him and get the sample anyway. It annoyed him to cooperate in any manner with the woman, but if he appeared cooperative, their guard might go down.

He crawled awkwardly over to the bars, his movements made clumsy by the confines of the cage and the Change in his body. He put his arms through the bars. The other suits held their guns on him while the one with the cuffs approached. Once he was secured, the doctor produced a needle and swab and took a blood sample. He stepped back.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Daniels." The doctor turned to the suit. "You may release him now."

"Not just yet" said the woman. She moved closer to the cage and reached in to stroke Tom's cheek. He tossed his head trying to move out of range. "That's enough." The doctor said angrily. "Ms Chandler was correct. Just because we are forced to actions I find personally distasteful doesn't mean we cannot behave in a civilized and humane manner. This is my lab and I will not tolerate otherwise."

The woman stepped away from the cage. Beyond her Tom could see the girl, hands fisted and eyes narrowed. Attwood's boss spared her a glance and turned back to the doctor with a shrug.

"Very well, Dr Chandler. I must admit that you do get results so we will abide by your rules; for now. Uncuff him."

The same suit now removed the cuffs from Tom's wrist and stepped back quickly.

"The chain too." The girl insisted.

Tom extended his arms through the bars once more. The suit looked to the woman. She considered Dr. Chandler for a moment and then nodded. The girl watched as the shackles were removed from his wrists. Then she turned and walked back to the desk, pointedly ignoring everyone. She resumed typing.

Dr Chandler and the woman moved away from the cage, back towards the direction she had entered from.

"Now, what are you doing threatening humans?" the doctor demanded.

The woman smiled. She spoke softly so Tom could not hear. "He has an attachment to Dr. Parker. I really have no plans to harm her. But worrying about it might speed up the process of getting some information we want from him."

"I am here to develop a means of peacefully ending this danger. I am not a torturer. My subjects will be treated humanely." Dr. Chandler was furious, his voice carrying clearly to Tom.

"Be assured doctor, I never considered that part of your duties. The General has been quite specific." The woman attempted to placate him. Then she attacked from a different angle.

"Ms. Chandler, Doctor Chandler? " The woman challenged.

"My niece, Nikoya."

The woman's face hardened. "This is a top secret project."

"My niece has lived with me off and on since she was 3. Never during that time have I NOT been involved in a secret project. Niki has a full security clearance to work here. There is no other place safe for her right now. That was a consideration when I agreed to join this project."

"No safe place?"

"Niki's father is covert operations. His current assignment has the potential of placing her in harm's way. So she stays with me in a highly secure location until the matter is resolved." Chandler's voice was firm. "Besides, she is helpful. She has a Master's Degree in microbiology and another in psychology. Her assistance in the lab is invaluable."

The woman seemed to consider for a moment. She studied Niki. "How old is your niece?"

"17."

"Genius level IQ, obviously."

"Yes, in fact she is finishing her thesis for another Master's in computers." The doctor said proudly. The woman looked momentarily intrigued.

"Why a third Master's and not a Doctorate?"

"She says she wants more practical experience first."

"Hmm." The woman turned to study Tom. "I take it she supplied Tom with the blanket and water."

"Probably. I have made other provisions for the Dominants accommodations. These cages are barbaric and unnecessary."

"I say otherwise." The woman snapped. "The Dominants are stronger, faster than we are. The cages are effective in controlling them."

"This is not open to debate. I joined this project as a favor to the General and in the hopes that a peaceful, nonfatal end to this situation could be found. I will have complete control of my labs and my subjects or I walk."

The woman turned to study Tom dispassionately. Her lips tightened, but this was the only sign she gave of her anger. "Very well, doctor. Order the necessary changes, but keep in mind the need for security."

"I'm not likely to forget the dangers, especially with Niki here."

Attwood's boss nodded and looked back at Tom. There was something in the look that made his breathing falter. If he didn't know otherwise, he would have thought her a Dominant. She was as much a predator as Lewis.

She turned and walked away. The suits followed. The doctor stood, lost in thought for several minutes. Then he walked back to the cage.

"Mr. Daniels, my name is Matthew Chandler. I regret the necessity that has brought you here, but I will do what I can to make the conditions of your stay humane. I hope you will continue to cooperate."

Tom wrapped his arms tighter around himself as another wave a pain overtook him. Through gritted teeth he snarled "This wasn't necessary, Dr. Chandler. I was working with Dr Attwood's task force to find a peaceful solution to the problem. And I was cooperating just fine with the doctor who developed the genetic altering serum in the first place."

Dr Chandler frowned. "Dr. Tate, you said. I have heard of Dr. Ed Tate. If you were helping the task force, why are you here?"

"I have no idea. They burst into Dr. Parker's apartment, drugged Ed, Dr Tate, and hauled me off." Tom growled.

Dr Chandler looked at Tom, troubled. "If what you say is true, something is very wrong." He paused and glanced in the direction the woman had gone. "I will look into this situation. But for now, let me get started on making your living quarters bearable."

Still frowning, Dr. Chandler walked over to the desk. Tom strained to hear what he said to the girl, Niki.

"So, what did Herself have to say?" Niki asked her uncle as he came up to the desk.

"Hmm? She is not pleased about our plans for other arrangements for Mr. Daniels and the others. I made it very clear I would allow no interference."

"Great, I have everyone standing by, you just have to okay the changes."

"Fine. Here, run the DNA test while I get everyone started."

Tom watched Niki take the blood sample and test it. Dr. Chandler busied himself on the phone. The test didn't take long and Niki left the printout on the desk for her uncle. Then she walked to the cage, stopping just out of reach.

"Your DNA reads human." She spoke quietly. She doubted he'd be thrilled with the news.

"It did the last time too. Then the process reversed itself." Tom replied matter-of-factly.

Niki frowned. "You've been given the serum before?"

"I was working with Dr. Ed Tate, the man who developed the serum. I volunteer to test it."

"If you were working with Dr. Tate, why are you here?" Niki asked skeptically.

"Good question. Your uncle said he'd look into it." Tom fought to keep his voice even. Training and instinct combined told him to show no weakness, not even to one as apparently powerless as this girl.

"Then you can be sure he will, and he won't stop until he gets a real answer. But I'll lay odds Herself has something to do with it."

"Herself?"

"That's what I call HER." Niki nodded in the direction Attwood's boss had gone. "I've never actually heard anyone call her by name, just 'Yes ma'am, no ma'am, how high should I jump, Ma'am?'"

Tom laughed. "She is arrogant."

"And then some." Niki frowned. "Dr. Tate, he's part of Dr. Attwood's task force isn't he?"

"Yes, and so was I. I hope he's alright. They used the same drug on him as they did me. It's very powerful."

Niki chewed on her lower lip, troubled. "I'll see what I can find out myself."

"Would you check on Sloan Parker as well." Tom didn't really trust the girl, but he couldn't resist the slim chance she offered.

The girl looked at him searchingly. Something about the way he had said the name Sloan Parker made her curious. "Of course."

Noises caused Tom to start and stare into the darkness. Lights came on illuminating the whole cavernous room Tom was in. A dozen or so men carrying tools entered. A forklift appeared carrying sheets of something. Over the next hour the men built a large cell around Tom's cage. The walls of the cell were made of a thick, clear acrylic reinforced with metal strips. The corners of the room were steel girders. A steel ring was embedded into the wall farthest from the door to the cell. The door itself was all metal, with a circular opening about shoulder height. The opening was just big enough for an arm to be fitted through. A waist high coating of paint was applied to the outside of the cell. A portable toilet was placed in one corner and surrounded with privacy screens. The barred ceiling was lowered over the cell and clamped in place. A cot and a straight chair were placed within.

When the cell was complete the men stepped back. They had set up the cell without once looking directly at him. The impersonal manner of it chilled him. He had gotten use to interacting with humans, of being considered as an individual.

"Mr. Daniels." The doctor stood in the cell's doorway. When Tom looked at him, the doctor threw him a key. "Please leave the cage." Tom undid the lock and crawled out. He stood up slowly, stiff from the unnatural position he had been in. If he had still been 1.6 it wouldn't have been a problem. But at human standard Tom's body was not as able to ignore pain. The doctor then threw a pair of handcuffs at him. "Please secure yourself to the ring so that the cage can be removed." Tom considered. He could see the girl watching from the desk. She smiled encouragingly.

Tom walked over and secured himself as directed. Two soldiers with rifles appeared. Tom tensed. The door to his cell reopened and men with tools came in. Quickly they dismantled the cage and dragged it out. The doctor once again appeared and this time threw Tom the key to the cuffs. The door closed and locked behind him. Tom released himself and watched as the soldiers left. The lights around the cell dimmed and went out. Only the lights over the cell and on the desk remained. Tom lay down on the cot and slept.

A routine was established the following day. Tom was awakened early by a lab technician, a man. He was ordered to extend his arm through the door so a blood sample could be drawn. Next he was given a hearty breakfast. The lab tech took the time to ask Tom's food preferences and made notes. When Tom said pizza, the guy grinned. The blood sample was analyzed by the tech, who then left the room. The lab remained empty for several hours. Tom sat and listened to the silence and tried not to worry about Sloan. He located the cameras, pinpointed the doors as people entered and left, exercised to keep fit and planned. The fever and chills had ended by this second day.

Niki brought Tom his midday meal, eating her own at the desk as she read. She stayed for the afternoon entering data onto the computer or working on her thesis. Often she would pause and read some of it aloud. Tom knew how to work a computer, but Niki's thesis was way out of his league. It dealt with artificial intelligence and biological/mechanical interfaces. Another lab tech brought Tom's evening meal, pizza and Niki left saying she had to join her uncle for dinner. Before the lights were dimmed over the cell for sleeping, another blood sample was taken and then Tom was left alone except for those watching the security cameras.

Testing the next day showed Tom's DNA was returning to 1.6, although more slowly than the last time. When he reached 1.6 a larger injection was prepared and administered. This latest injection altered his DNA for 72 hours. Obviously, though, even if the genogenesis serum could be perfected, it couldn't be injected into every Dominant on the planet so another solution had to be developed. Some of the other doctors were working on strengthening the serum. Dr. Chandler was attempting to find an effective way of distributing the serum through the air. Two days after Tom regained consciousness in the lab, Dr. Chandler approached him to talk.

"Mr. Daniels, I have not forgotten I promised to look into your situation. I have spoken with a number of people but I am getting nowhere. Unfortunately, the military considers Dominants to be an immediate threat and are acting accordingly. I have not been able to contact Dr. Attwood, he still seems to be missing. I have also been ordered not to contact Drs. Parker and Tate. I can tell you that they are still free and apparently causing quite a stir in their efforts to find you. I have protested keeping you a prisoner since you were so obviously cooperating with the Task Force. I was told that if I wouldn't deal with you, one of the other scientists would. At that point I deemed it best to shut up. Distasteful as your imprisonment here may be, I fear that under the supervision of one of my collegues, you would fare much worse." Dr. Chandler was angry. His words were spoken in a clipped manner. Tom was back near 1.6 and could feel the man's frustration and dismay at the situation. Tom was surprised the doctor had been so persistent on his behalf. "I am sorry." The doctor finished quietly and left before Tom could reply.

Niki was even more upset with what was happening. The ban on contacting Sloan and Ed applied to her too. It had been put in place before she had had a chance to make even one phone call. Not content with the official report, she did some hacking and discovered the order the kill Attwood, and the surveillance on Ed and Sloan. Niki was torn. She knew she should tell her uncle about how the official line didn't match reality but she was afraid of what he would do. Her uncle was a man of principles. This testing on Dominants had caused him more than one sleepless night, but the alternative of all out war and genocide was worse. Niki began to wonder about their own safety. If Attwood was expendable, so was everyone else. Who had control of this project, the General or Herself? Finally, she confided her findings to Tom, playing Mozart in the background and speaking softly so as not to be heard by the surveillance equipment. The news was not good but Tom advised her not to tell her uncle and to wait.

The very next day Niki brought lunch, unable to hide a smile. Tom could see she had news and could feel her suppressed glee.

"You're Dr Attwood's got guts." Niki said as soon as she was in range. Tom stepped over to the ring in the wall and cuffed himself. Dr. Chandler had made very clear that no one could come within the cell if Tom was not secured. Anyone violating this rule would be barred from the lab. Niki opened the door and set Tom's dinner down. She threw him the key to the cuffs and closed and locked the door. Tom released himself and went over to get his lunch.

As he sat down to eat Niki continued. "Apparently he wasn't able to get any news groups to publish his side of the story, so he dumped it all onto the Internet. Completely in the open. You know, I wouldn't have thought someone with his experience in covert projects would be able to bring himself to spill the whole truth to the public, but that's what he did. He posted a detailed description of what really happened; the Dominants that wanted to negotiate peace, the meeting, the ambush, who was really behind the ambush, how he is on the run, that Dr. Tate and Dr. Parker are endangered not only by the Dominants but by elements of their own government. He's named names and dates and downloaded the phone numbers from Herself's cell phone." Niki paused and frowned. "I wonder how he got that?" She mused.

"Who was she getting her orders from?" Tom asked eagerly.

Niki grimaced. "I didn't get a chance to look. The complex's Internet access went down; technical difficulties, they say. They'll fix it as soon as possible." Niki's tone made it clear she didn't expect the access to be reestablished anytime soon. "I'll bet Herself is just livid." Niki finished gleefully. Tom frowned slightly in warning and tipped his head towards the surveillance cameras.

Niki grinned, "By now I'm sure she is very well aware of how I feel about her and what's going on here. Uncle's work is very important, she might make things difficult for me, but she won't try to do my any real harm. Besides, the General owes my da big time."

For the next several days nothing new happened. Testing showed Tom returning to the 1.6 level. Dr. Chandler decided to test the airborne version of the serum on Tom. A small amount of the serum was released into the air of the room. Twelve hours later, tests showed Tom's DNA had decreased by .5%. Trial and error with the dosage finally resulted in Tom's DNA approaching human standard, with fewer physical side effects.

The next morning the lab tech brought Tom his breakfast, but for the first time since his imprisonment no blood sample was taken for testing. The tech simply brought the food and left. Shortly afterwards, Niki entered the room. Immediately Tom could sense something was wrong. His DNA was returning to normal quickly, allowing him the use of some of his empathic abilities. Niki slowly approached the cell. Tom could see signs that she had been crying not long ago.

"Niki, what's wrong." She kept her head down and didn't respond. Dread filled Tom. "Is it Sloan, has something happened to her." Tom felt his heart race at the thought that Sloan had been harmed. Niki looked up and smiled wanly.

"As far as I know, Sloan is fine." She stopped talking and swallowed heavily. "One of the Dominants being tested by another doctor has died; cause unknown. He, he started choking and there was no one in the lab with him. Security didn't think it was serious so they didn't call for help until he went into convulsions. By the time the med techs got there, he was already dead. Uncle Matthews has ordered all testing in his labs halted until an autopsy can be performed. Herself is not pleased, but he is adamant." Niki looked at Tom with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"Who was he?" Tom asked quietly.

"His name was John. But they called him Subject 5. He was one of Dr. Copeland's men." Niki hugged herself as if against a chill. " I hate this place." She burst out.

"Niki," Tom began but she just shook her head and walked over to the desk. She took several deep breaths and began to type haltingly. Tom watched her for a time and then went to sit on the cot. SUBJECT 5, yes to many here, they were just subjects, lab animals to be experimented on. Tom felt bitterness and anger. Maybe coexistence was a futile dream. But there was Sloan, and Niki and even Dr. Chandler. It could work, it had worked on a small scale. The Task Force had proven that. But were there enough people who would allow it to work? Tom sat lost in thought.

Niki stayed most of the day. She left a couple of times, to see Dr. Chandler's other test subjects. When she was in the lab she and Tom didn't talk much. What was there to say?

When night came Niki decided to stay at the lab. She had an irrational fear that if she left Tom alone, he would end up dying too. Tom nodded when she told him she was staying, gave her a brief smile and then went back to contemplating the floor.

Niki leaned back in the chair. Not the most comfortable place to spend a night, but she felt Tom deserved company. He had been very quiet ever since she had told him about the Dominant dying. Niki didn't know how much was grief or concern and how much was his Dominant side reasserting itself. Tom hadn't said anything, and she hadn't tested his DNA that day, but she thought this serum was loosing its effect more quickly than the last. There were subtle signs she was beginning to recognize, in Carl as well as in Tom.

She glanced towards Tom's cell. The light was dimmed for sleeping, but she didn't think he was asleep. Somehow, being able to provide Tom with company made her feel better, like she was accomplishing something, instead of feeling helpless. Her uneasiness with this project was becoming stronger every day. This death had made her consider if she could continue. And if she couldn't? Somehow, Niki didn't think the powers that be were going to let her walk away free.

Niki looked down at the book she held. It was a volume of Emily Dickinson's poetry. During one of their talks, Tom had admitted curiosity about the need for poetry as a literary form. Niki had come in the next day with a volume of Shakespeare's poems and started reading aloud. She wasn't allowed to give Tom anything to entertain himself with. And she knew Herself had spoken to her uncle about her talking with Tom. Herself wanted him alone and on edge with nothing to distract him from thoughts of what could happen to him and his friends. Well, tough. Until her uncle gave her a direct order, Niki would do what she could to keep Tom, Carl and even Mike company.

Again she began to read aloud, quietly, in case Tom really was sleeping. She had finished two poems and was starting another when a feeling of danger caused her to falter. She strained to hear whatever had alerted her. Tom lay on the cot listening to Niki read. He had given up trying to solve this knot they were all in. He had gone back to his conviction that genocide was wrong. Sloan was human and he loved her. So the death of all humans could not to be allowed. But his people had the right to live too. He would watch for an opportunity and be ready to take it. He waited.

Tom heard Niki's voice falter. He felt her sudden uneasiness. He extended his senses, trying to identify what was wrong. Dominants, there were other Dominants in the room! "Niki, run!" Tom yelled surging off his cot and reaching the wall instantly. He struck the wall hard, but it did not give. He was helpless to save her.

A barely heard footfall, the sound of cloth rustling had Niki moving instinctively for safety even before Tom yelled for her to run. She threw the book at the sounds and slid across the desk on her hip. Grabbing an onyx paperweight as she went, that too was thrown into the darkness. She heard a thud and a muffled groan as it hit.

Off the desk, Niki sprinted towards the cell. She had the key in her hand. Tom! She had to reach Tom. She was halfway there when someone tackled her. Niki slammed into the floor, knocking herself breathless. As she tried to inhale, a body, a male body pressed her down.

"Be quiet!" A man whispered in her ear. It was Carl, Copeland's assistant. He, too, had been under Dr. Chandler's supervision. "Stay down. Be submissive. Don't attract attention." He continued. Carl squeezed her shoulder. Niki nodded, gasping for breath. Carl stood up and moved to join two others at the door to Tom's cell.

Niki lay as still as possible until her breathing eased. Then slowly, very slowly she turned on her side. There were more men and a couple of women going through the files and checking the computer. Niki glanced back at Tom's cell. She could see him through the wall. He was looking at her intently. Stay down, his look said.

Niki glanced cautiously around. The Dominants all seemed busy. Tom's cell seemed to be giving the trio problems. They hadn't seen the key Niki had been carrying. They were trying to pick the lock.

Niki crept into a sitting position. She kept her head down. *Submissive, think submissive. No need to worry about the human. She's being submissive.* Niki thought at the Dominants as hard as she could. She began to creep backwards, towards the shadows slowly, so very slowly, trying to be soundless. Tom glanced her way as she first began to move then shifted his attention back to the lock. Carl did the same.

One foot, two feet. Niki approached the edge of the darkness. No one was paying any attention to her. The edge of shadows was just behind her. She got her feet under her, preparing to make a run for it when she came up against something solid and warm. Niki looked up and behind.

LEWIS! Niki had never seen him but she knew it was him. Her heart faltered and she held her breath. His icy blue eyes stared down at her.

Niki tried to throw herself away from Lewis. She opened her mouth to scream.

Lewis reached down and grasped her throat in one hand, silencing her. He pulled her to her feet by the throat, turning her to face him.

"Niki!" Tom was free of his cell, but too far away to help. So was Carl. Both men looked at Lewis in dismay, knowing they couldn't get there before he broke her neck.

"Lewis, don't." Tom shouted.

Lewis looked at Niki than at Tom. He sneered. "You still have feelings for these human, after all they've done to you?" His voice was hoarse, ragged.

"MY humans are risking their lives trying to find me and get me free." Tom snapped back. He couldn't get a clear look at Lewis, who stood partially in shadow, but something was wrong with his old mentor.

"Lewis, let her go." Carl said quietly.

"You too." Lewis sounded amused. He stepped further into the light. Tom was stunned. Lewis was gaunt, haggard. His eyes were sunken into his head and bruises and cuts showed on his skin. Lewis held Niki away from himself and looked her over carefully. "She seems rather young and inexperienced for either of you, much less both."

Carl and Tom tried to drift closer without Lewis noticing. Tom saw that Lewis seemed to move as if in pain; slower than normal, less fluid in his movements. What had they done to him? Tom closed his eyes trying to "see" Lewis more clearly. Tom struggled to control his own reaction when he "touched" Lewis. *Rage, a barely contained rage* threatened to overwhelm Lewis. Tom had never felt his mentor so out of control before. Not even when Tom had turned Lewis over to Attwood had Lewis faltered in his fabled control. But now. They had given the genogenesis serum to Lewis! He was on the edge of madness with the emotions unleashed within him.

Lewis tightened his hold on Niki's neck. She clutched at his hand with both of hers.

"Stay still," Lewis commanded. The others froze.

Niki knew they were helpless to save her. Lewis obviously thought she was helpless too. All his attention was now focused on Tom and Carl as they tried to reason with him. Niki let go of Lewis's hand with one of her own. She reached up, into her hair, to the wooden pick that held her twist in place. She swiftly freed the blade hidden within and slashed at Lewis, trying to cut his throat.

Lewis felt the motion and pushed her away as the knife flashed towards him. Instead of cutting Lewis' throat the knife sliced into his face. Lewis howled and grabbed Niki's arm. He squeezed. Niki cried out in pain and dropped the knife as her arm snapped, broken.

Carl and Tom hit Lewis together, driving him away from Niki. Each man clung to an arm, forcing Lewis to the floor. Lewis snarled and fought savagely to free himself. Then, abruptly, he stopped struggling and relaxed.

"Gentlemen, now is not the time to indulge ourselves. Let's get together later, shall we." Lewis said calmly, with a slight smile.

Tom was surprised into a laugh. This was the old Lewis. Carl just looked puzzled, he hadn't caught the inference. Tom warily let go of Lewis' arm and stood up. Carl hesitated and then stood also.

"Leave her alone Lewis," Tom demanded. "She's done a lot to make this whole mess less vile."

Lewis narrowed his eyes at Tom's tone. Tom did not flinch. The two men stared intently at one another for a time. Then Lewis nodded. With Lewis apparently back in control of himself Tom went to Niki.

She sat where she had fallen, her right arm cradled in her lap. She didn't look up as Tom knelt beside her, but she did intercept his hand when he reached for her arm.

"It's broken."

Tom pulled the wooden sheath out of her hair. "Interesting accessory."

"A gift from my father. He believes in expecting the unexpected." Niki smiled fondly as she thought of her father. Then she inhaled with a hiss as the pain throbbed.

Carl came to stand beside them. "We need to leave now, Tom. The computers are erased, all the paper files have been destroyed. We have to get out of here before the next shift arrives." Tom nodded and stood. He helped Niki to her feet.

"We're not leaving her behind, alive, to call for help." Lewis snapped as he too came to stand near Tom and Niki. Niki flinched away, shifting so Tom was between her and Lewis.

Tom looked up to argue and saw the others. Most had ranged themselves behind Lewis. There were too many if it came to a fight.

"I'd rather you killed me now, Tom." Niki said, her gaze fixed on Lewis.

Tom glanced around, then picked up Niki and headed for his cell. He entered and gently placed her on the cot. She grasped his sleeve as he stood to go.

"Tom, with you escaped, Herself is sure to go after Dr Parker and Dr Tate."

"I know. I'll take care of it." Tom paused in the doorway. "Thank you, Niki, for your humanity. And thank your uncle, too."

Tom left the cell, shutting and locking the door behind him. He turned towards the others. "Problem solved. She can't call for help and she won't slow us down." Tom stood braced, challenging Lewis with his eyes.

"Let's go." Carl snapped and Lewis nodded. They moved toward the door and out of the building.

Outside it was dark. Clouds hid the moon. The security lights were off. Tom paused. The lights should have been on. He reached out with his senses. There were others of his kind waiting in the street. The escaping group moved swiftly in that direction. Tom hung back. He began to move at right angles to the group, away from that street. His movements caught Carl's attention. Carl hesitated, nodded, then continued after the others.

On the street two vans waited, engines running, doors open. The escapers began to climb in. Suddenly Lewis stopped. "Where's Tom?" He growled. Everyone looked around, but Tom was gone.

Lewis flew into a rage. "Find him. We're not leaving here until you find that traitor."

Lewis was clearly out of control. His voice rose until he was shouting. The others were stunned. Such behavior was unbelievable, especially from Lewis whose control was legendary.

Carl stood just behind and to the side of Lewis. He looked at the faces of the others, blank with astonishment. Some were still unstable because of the serum. These appeared almost in tears. Carl pulled back his arm and smashed his fist into the back of Lewis' head. Lewis pitched forward, stunned.

"Into the van," Carl ordered. Hands grabbed Lewis and pulled him in. Everyone else followed and the vans sped off.

"Niki, My God!" Light flooded into the cell. Niki woke from a doze. She moved to sit up and hissed at the pain in her arm. She had splinted it the best she could using the wooden sheath of her dagger and strips of cloth from her shirt. She's seen it done in an old Western. It worked, sort of.

Dr Chandler rushed into the cell and gathered her up in his arm.

"Are you alright?" He demanded.

"Mostly," Niki answered hoarsely. Her throat was sore. "My arm's broken."

Dr Chandler picked her up and carried her out of the cell. He gently placed her in the desk chair. He gently examined her arm. Next, he checked her throat, which was covered in bruises from Lewis's hand.

"Really, Unc, I'm okay." Niki sought to reassure her uncle.

"Amazing." Herself stood nearby. "Why?"

Niki looked at her puzzled.

"Your uncle and I saw the security video of what happened here. Why didn't Lewis kill you?" She made it sound like an accusation.

Dr. Chandler spoke up. "I woke up last night and just felt something was wrong. I checked the house and when I knew you hadn't come home I tried to call the lab but got no answer. When I didn't get an answer from the security room or the guard outside, I called for help and raced over. I probably broke every speed law in the city." Niki grinned and laid her good hand on his.

"A quick sweep of the building showed no sign of you, all the Dominants gone and no one able to tell us what happened."

"Is everyone else dead." Niki asked fearfully.

"No. Some are, but most were rendered unconscious. No wholesale slaughter." This last remark was clearly directed at Herself. She shrugged.

"So, I was frantic, she was livid and then I thought to check the surveillance videos for the labs. That's how we knew where to find you." Dr. Chandler explained.

"So Ms. Chandler, why did Tom AND Carl protect you from Lewis?"

"They like me." Niki said with a wide eyed, innocent look. "I'm a nice person. Many people like me." The tone of Niki's voice made it clear that in her opinion this was not a trait shared by Herself.

Dr Chandler choked. Herself glared at Niki with suspicious eyes. Niki glared back, chin up and challenging.

Without another word, the woman turned and stalked from the room.

Dr. Chandler chuckled. "Bravo. Now, let's get this arm properly seen to."

THE END