<Several hours later>

Harmony awoke to the sound of beeping monitors and soft sheets wrapped around her body. She still felt weak from the extreme conditions of the last couple of days but it was good to be in a comfortable bed again.

In a chair next to the bed Alex was sitting engrossed in reviewing some medical documents on a data pad. “So, am I going to make it?” Harmony joked weakly. Alex jumped at the sound of her voice. “Harmony, oh thank the Trinity you're awake! I was so worried that your organs would have lasting damage from the dehydration, the scans showed everything was alright, but I still couldn't help but be worried.” said Alex. She then suddenly wrapped her arms around Harmony “I missed you so much,” she whispered, clearly relieved by Harmony’s awakening.

Alex broke her embrace and began checking the information on the monitors. “We got you re-hydrated pretty quickly so I just want to rule out possible over-hydration. Are you experiencing any nausea or headaches?” she asked Harmony while checking her brain wave readouts on the display next to the bed. “Alex I’m sure you gave me the correct amount of fluids, that’s not something you would mess up.” Harmony said in a calm voice trying to sooth the concerned Alex.

“Harmony, I wouldn’t be a very good friend or doctor if I didn’t cover all the bases after what you’ve been through over the last two and a half days.” Said Alex in a stern tone as she fussed over Harmony.

“But first, I have to know what happened to the other researchers after they took me away?” Harmony asked to change the subject. Alex stopped fussing and sat back down.“After they arrested you the rest of us all surrendered pretty quickly, they smacked around a few of us afterwards and interrogated me for nearly 12 hours, but at least no one got shot this time.” Alex recalled with a sad smile. “So why are there suddenly soldiers here-” asked Harmony but Alex quickly cut her off. “All in good time but you need to rest first, doctor’s orders.” Alex tried to give a reassuring smile as she pushed Harmony to lie down, but Harmony saw that her eyes were suddenly full of fear.

“Hey, is everything alright? ”Did something else happen while I was gone?” Questioned Harmony as she held Alex’s hands, they were shaking slightly. “Please tell me what happened?” A look flashed across Alex's face as if she wanted to say something. “Everythings fine, I’ve um... just been worrying about you too much that's all” replied Alex quickly, not meeting Harmony’s eyes. Why are you lying to me? Something bad must have happened in Harmony’s absence since everything couldn't be fine, the project hadn’t shown any significant results in the last six months.

Harmony's eyes locked on to the medical documents that Alex had been reviewing and was now trying to hide behind her back. “Alex, show me those documents” Harmony said firmly. Alex looked unsure of herself and wouldn't make eye contact with her. “At least tell me why there are suddenly military contractors on the base” Harmony said changing the subject.

“Something big is going on Harmony, they brought a ship with them that’s outfitted to carry… that thing you're working on” Alex said, not meeting Harmony’s gaze. Alex, along with most of the base only referred to the primary research subject as ‘that thing’ or ‘it’.

“What are you talking about it’s nowhere near ready to be fully activated let alone field tested. Haven’t they read the reports we’ve sent.” Harmony was shocked by Alex’s revelation.

Harmony watched that a look of guilt spread across her friend's face. “Alex what haven’t you told me, I promise I won’t get angry.” At least not at you. After several seconds of silence with Alex clearly trying to formulate a response she finally spoke, “I think it would be best if you spoke to the Project Director first.”

Harmony was sure she must have misheard “Raymond Hanson is here, on the base?” she asked slowly. She didn't hear Alex’s response, she was in too much shock from the thought. Raymond Hanson had never stepped foot on Tal'nor in the five years since the project had started, the situation must be extremely serious. “Alex I need to see him immediately!” Harmony said as she grabbed Alex by the arm. “No Harmony, you need to rest. Please, please just wait a few days while you recover.” Alex urged while trying to prevent Harmony from disconnecting herself from the monitoring equipment. “Well Dr Zakorve, I think it would be best if doctor Farthing was brought up to speed on the current situation now,” said a calm voice from the other side of the room.

Standing at the doorway of the medical suite flanked by two armed contractors and a personal assistant was Raymond Hanson himself. Harmony was completely stunned but Alex jumped up and placed herself between Raymond and Harmony as if defending her. “Mr Hanson it is my medical opinion that Dr Farthing requires at least forty eight more hours of bed rest,” said Alex, clearly trying to remain calm. “Dr Zakorve it seems clear to me that Dr Farthing is quite well, and she wishes to talk with me” Raymond retorted. Alex silently held Raymonds piercing gaze. “Dr Zakorve, if you will not discharge her I will relieve you of your duties as chief medical office and replace you with someone who will.” Raymond said harshly. After a few tense seconds Alex's crumbling bravado fully collapsed. “I will discharge Dr Farthing and bring her to your office in ten minutes” Alex whispered in defeat, her voice barely audible. “Good good, I will see you soon Dr Farthing” Raymond said with a victorious smirk on his face.

As Raymond left with his entourage Alex turned around and began unhooking Harmony from the monitoring equipment while still avoiding eye contact with her, she finally turned to Harmony and said “please don't let him turn you into a monster, promise”. Harmony was surprised by the request but replied “I promise”. Alex then took Harmony to Raymond's office, inside were the same two contractors from before, the base’s commander Maxwell Freeman and Raymond Hanson himself seated at the desk. One of the contractors took the wheelchair from Alex and brought Harmony over to the desk.

As the door closed Raymond began speaking “Dr Farthing the data gathered by your team in the last round of testing has allowed our R & D teams to design an improved neural interface for the primary research subject.” Raymond handed Harmony a data pad that showed the new neural interface design. “They have also prepared three test pilots for your team to use, I hope that this will be enough for your team to bring the primary research subject to the stage where it can be used in the field.” Raymond paused to take a sip of water from the glass on his desk. It was clear that he had rehearsed this before.

“Mr Hanson this-” Harmony began but was rapidly cut off by Maxwell, who had materialized behind her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. “Mr Hanson hasn't finished speaking yet, and we haven't even discussed your little stunt from four days ago yet.” Maxwell said with an unsettling smile on his face. “Commander Freeman is quite right, your little strike to force unnecessary and inefficient safeguards onto the company so that our human test assets would not be used up so quickly. While I am sure this was done in good faith it wasn’t required since Xero Heavy Industries makes sure to comply with all the Federated Nations laws regarding private human resources.” Raymond said slowly as if speaking to a child, it was clear there was still some form of punishment to come.

“Now what were you saying when you rudely interrupted me?” Raymond asked, opening up the floor to Harmony. “Mr Hanson this new neural interface will get significant neural feedback from the research subject which could cause the pilots to have a sensory overload, they won't be able to pilot the unit in that state, it might even kill them eventually. It is my opinion that the neural interface will need redesigning!” Harmony said diplomatically.

“I'm afraid that will not be possible for two reasons. One, the R & D team realised that to pilot the research subject in real time the interface would need all of the previous limiters removed and have multiple connection points to the peripheral nervous system. As shown in the documentation the test pilots have had most of their limbic system co-opted into their cortices and 90% of their neurons have had electrical synapses added which should allow them to process the data output from the unit.” Hanson said confidently, not really understanding the technical information he was relaying. “And number two we have a new immovable deadline of one hundred days to complete the project. A redesign would take months your team has already spent too long just monitoring the unit. Oh and if the project is not completed within the allotted time the project and all related assets will have to be terminated” Raymond stated without a hint of emotion. Harmony was speechless for the second time today, we can't complete this in a hundred days. This is too much to do even if we work through the nights. He's crazy! “Dr Farthing I recommend that you check the names of the pilot candidates you may recognise one of the names.” Maxwell said with barely contained glee. Harmony brought up the personal files on the candidates and scanned the names quickly.

The data pad fell from Harmony's hands; she was completely paralysed by what she had just read. “Oh and Harmony, I'm glad we will be working together.” chimed Raymond, but Harmony didn't hear him as the guard wheeled her out of the office and back to her quarters. No that's impossible, how did they find her, there shouldn’t be any records connecting us. Harmony’s mind was racing trying to find a way to escape the trap she had stumbled into

Raymond got up from his desk and retrieved the data pad from the floor and stared at the names of the candidates for a moment with a growing smile. The name of the first candidate was Harmony’s young research assistant Cyrus, who had organised several previous strikes.

As Harmony was wheeled down the hall back to the medical complex her mind was filled with a single name and a question. The name was that of the second candidate on the list, Naomi Lawson. The questions filling her mind were slowly consuming her every thought.