Procedures

The large display in the meeting room is showing Layla and Becca relaxing in the observation room. Damon watches for a moment, then turns to the others. “So. How do we proceed? Do we treat them like we did Mike, and ignore the abduction? Do we turn them over to the security division?”

Mike sighs. “I’d rather see them taken care of. It’s not like they can escape, there’s nowhere to go.”

Alicia nods. “I agree with Mike for the most part. I do think we need to keep an eye on them, though. There’s no way they just gave up.”

Kyrie grins. “They can stay with me, I’ll keep a VERY close eye on them!”

Damon shakes his head. “I know you’re mostly kidding, Kyrie, but I don’t think seducing them is the plan here.”

Kyrie shrugs. “Maybe not your plan. I saw how they looked at us, there’s definitely some interest there.”

Liam nods. “I agree, they’re interested. The thing is, what happens when they start changing like Mike has?”

Damon sighs. “That’s my worry. What if they have a stronger compulsion effect? What if the female anatomy reacts differently?”

Mike nods. “So take it slow, like you did when I arrived. Run tests, keep them mostly confined.”

Alicia smiles. “We’re getting ahead of ourselves anyway. They can’t even understand us yet, the first step is getting them their language implants. It should be easier, since we have Mike’s for the baseline.”

Damon nods. “And I think that for now, they stay in the medical rooms, until we get a better read on them. Or until one of you can’t restrain yourselves, I suppose.”

Kyrie pouts at Damon. “Oh please. We are not animals. And we know better than that!”

The ghost of a smile crosses Damon’s face. “What, I can’t make jokes?”

Liam and Alicia laugh, and Kyrie huffs and crosses her arms, although she is smiling as well. Damon turns to Mike. “So, I suppose we should inform our guests of our decisions. I’m hoping they agree to the implant surgery, we need them to be able to understand us.”

Mike nods. “I think they will. They seemed intrigued by my ability to understand, and I told them that everyone has it.”

Alicia stands, taking Mike’s hand. “Let’s go then! The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can celebrate!”

Liam giggles, and Kyrie grins. Mike chuckles, looking at the three of them. “Something tells me that you’ve got plans already.”

Liam winks. “Don’t worry, you’ll love it! Now go help us get started.”

Kyrie nods. “And later we’ll help you get started!”

Damon shakes his head. “It’s amazing anything gets done around here. Kyrie, Liam, go get the implants ready. Mike, the surgery is automated, so just let them know that it’s a fairly simple procedure.”

Mike nods, and Alicia and him head out of the room. They head down to the observation room, and Mike smiles at Alicia before heading inside. “It’s interesting to see this from the other side. I guess I’m the one doing the corrupting now!”

Alicia laughs, opening the door.