And they probably will

Alan set the tape recorder down on his desk. Lacy joined him soon after, having watched from the viewing room. She started first.

"Why'd you tell him she isn't in water? That was the first thing the placement program rep had us do before calling her pod alpha in."

Alan smirked, "Pressure. We're allowed to lie, and he was acting like he cared...I kinda want to see if he really does or not."

"Doesn't mean he didn't kidnap her."

"True. We'll have to wait for the others to get done with his family and boss...and Archie to get done with the Nova.", he leaned forward and propped his arm on his desk. "Y'know, it's the weirdest thing. Naming her that way."

"Gotta have something to call her."

He shook his head. "Why name her if he did kidnap her? To get attached? When it happened she couldn't have understood him."

Lacy shrugged, "Some weirdos out there, y'know. Maybe he thought she'd get stockholm or something."

"Yeah...but report from the initial sweep says there's no trace of the silicate-clorophene rubber material that makes those suits.", he turned his screen to her to show the report. "Maybe he's not lying."

Lacy frowned. "I don't like it...something still stinks here, Alan."

Both of them heard shouting at the other end of the station. They turned to see the two men from the placement program Lacy had been showing around screaming at the chief. One of them threw an insult at another placement official that stood near the chief.

Alan raised his eyebrows. "Wow. They are pissed the chief called in new officials from the program."

Lacy's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, they are..."