"This is the lab?" Taylor looked up at the building nervously.
Christian gave him a curious look, before his face softened.
"Oh wait, you never saw the outside... Yeah, this is it."
"It's big."
"He has a lot going on," Christian shrugged as the teleporter disappeared with a word of thanks from Kirk.
"Ok, are we all set?" he asked, rubbing his hands together to warm them up.
Christian opened his mouth to reply before Taylor stopped him.
"Wait," he insisted, "you don't have my jewelry."
"Good thinking. It'll hide where his scars are supposed to be as well," Kirk nodded as Taylor began taking his necklaces and bracelets off and handing them over to Christian.
Christian in turn put them on, then raised his eyebrows.
"Now?" he asked simply.
"How do we know how it's going?" Taylor asked suddenly, "I mean, what if you get in trouble? How am I supposed to know that I have to do something?"
"He's subtley bugged," Kirk explained, revealing what looked like a small minidisc player from his trenchcoat.
"But won't they pick that up?"
"It's below the skin and the transmission is undetectable. We have technokinetics who have made sure."
Christian grinned, before extending his hand to Taylor.
"Ready for this?" he asked as Taylor shook his hand.
"I'm ready for it to end," Taylor replied cautiously.
"Then let's end it."
He saluted before beginning to cross the road as Taylor and Kirk watched him.
"He looks more like me than I do," Taylor murmured as he slid his hands in his pockets.
"Glad to hear that. Come on," Kirk took his shoulder and pulled him over to a sort of hiding place in the nearby bushes, "because the transmission is undetectable it only has a short radius. Christian was sure the underground part of this complex would be within that range, so let's hope he was right."
~*~
Christian slipped into his facade quite easily through his practise and made his way up to the doors. Already in his act and knowing that cameras were now watching, he began to be very, very cautious. He eyed off the door for a moment 'working out' that it must open onto a corridor that probably led into a main foyer or something of the like. Hesitating for as long as he could stand, he grunted a little before opening the doors and stepping through. There was a short walkway into a main foyer, but before he could make it there he was approached by a guard.
"I'm sorry Sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Christian gulped slightly.
"I... I need... I'm here to see Blakesly. Kaleb?"
"I'm sorry Sir..." the guard reached over to take Christian's arm, but Christian flinched back in fright.
"Please," he begged, not looking the guard in the eyes, "I know he's here. I need to see him. I can't take this much longer..."
"I'm going to have to ask you a final time to leave the premises."
"I'm a Dathrian!" Christian finally insisted, hoping that would gain him access.
The guard had to have known what he was talking about, at least. And to his hidden delight, the guard hesitated and pulled out his radio.
"Come with me, Sir..." he insisted suddenly, beckoning for Christian to follow him.
Christian wrapped his arms around his chest before following the guard into the foyer and being told to sit in a nearby seat.
"What is your name?"
"Taylor... Taylor Hanson," Christian gulped, closing his eyes as he leant forward.
"I have a Taylor Hanson here to see Dr. Blakesley," the guard said into his radio.
"Which one?" came a crackled reply, making Christian's eyes open.
"Junior," was the guard's reply.
"Lucky. The old man isn't here yet. He'll be right down, he's just with something at the moment."
"He'll be right down," the guard relayed to Christian before going to resume his post at the door.
Christian looked up at the woman behind the reception desk for a moment, but made sure not to make eye contact. He knew the cameras were still on him, and he needed to make sure that absolutely nothing was out of the ordinary.
When at least half an hour passed, Christian began to get worried. The guard had been told that Blakesley would be right down, so where was he? He began contemplating if this was test... After all they wouldn't exactly have expected Taylor back anytime soon. He also realised that if Taylor had truly been made to wait this long he would have backed out of it already.
Deciding to test this himself, Christian nervously stood and began to inch toward the door. He had to force himself not to smile as the guard once again stepped toward him.
"Sorry Sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to wait here."
"But he's taking too long!" Christian insisted, looking desperate, "can... can I just step out for a second? Please?"
"I never knew you to be quite so... impatient," Blakesley's voice suddenly came from behind him.
Christian froze, and the guard backed away.
He heard Blakesley's footsteps slowly making their way over, and closed his eyes with a gulp.
"I almost expected you back earlier. I must admit you dissappoint."
Christian immediately hung his head.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Blakesley simply nodded, before sidling up him and placing a hand on Christian's shoulder. Christian immediately jumped at the touch.
"You fear me, yet you still came back. Why?" he asked simply.
Christian opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. Taking a moment to 'gather his thoughts', he replied.
"Nothing feels right anymore," he whispered.