Abrams finally backs down

The once bustling nurse’s station is now completely silent, everyone waiting to see the outcome of this battle of wills.

"Stand down." Abram's voice breaks the silence. "Dr. Marque is taking custody of the prisoner." The security forces move with military precision packing away their weapons and gear and soon the hallway is empty except for the tall Doctor, Mr. Abrams and the two nurses.

"She's all yours Sir." Abrams hands Dr. Marque a black plastic stick that looks to Samantha like a flash drive but that Rhiain identifies for her as the key to the restraints binding her arms.

"Thank you Mr. Abrams; that will be all." The dark-haired doctor replies a little stiffly and then with a hint of a salute Abrams whirls and moves down the hall following the last of his men.

Samantha tried unsuccessfully to understand who this strange doctor was that he had the authority to over-rule the head of security and send him on his way. She watches as he moves to the nurses and says something that she cannot quite catch. Whatever it was that he said must have made an impression, the older of the two women curtsies and the younger one blushes visibly. Samantha could not help but wonder what it was that this enigmatic man might have said that would elicit this kind of reaction.

"If I remove these are you going to beat me into a pulp?" The Doctor asks startling Samantha out of her daze.

"Ough.. No." She stammers "No, I've never attacked any one before this. But when he..." She stops when she sees Dr. Marque raise his hand.

"Not here." He tells Samantha as he steps behind her and releases the restraints. "Why don't you come to my office? We can talk there in privacy." The doctor's invitation was polite but there was no more possibility of refusing his urbane request than she could have refused Abrams's much rougher treatment.

To her surprise the doctor's office was on the penthouse. The elevator whisked them up to a humungous room with glass windows on three of the four walls overlooking the city. Samantha is barely aware of the elegant luxury of the suite, the great desk and leather furniture cannot compare to the spectacular cityscape of majestic buildings. Neither the artwork hanging from the walls nor the elegant crystal chandelier that hangs from the domed ceiling can compare with lines of air traffic that flew both above and below the glass offices in orderly rows.

Just when Samantha's mind is beginning to accept the fantastic view, a giant spout of flame lights the night to her right as what can only be a rocket shooting through the atmosphere lifts off from just outside the city and heads into orbit.

"What is this place?" She asks in wonder as she scans the alien night sky.