Dr. Holiday leaned back in his office chair and sipped coffee while awaiting Borous, his research assistant, to come back to their cubical. He had sent him out with a request for permission to test Lot-192-C on live subjects. Knowing how much of a stickler the on-site level 3 was, he included a 'portrait' of Benjamin Franklin on the back page to arouse approval.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Holiday." Borous chirped as he returned.
"You're late," Holiday muttered between sips of coffee, "the news?"
"We are in luck, sir, our petition was granted!"
Borous' excitement was not unique, for Dr. Holiday, despite being a level two researcher himself, had not performed such experiments. He too was excited, not visibly, to work outside his comfort zone.
He swiveled around to his filing cabinet and grabbed a manila folder labeled "D-Class". He flipped through the pages containing background information on all available personnel: child molesters, murderers, rapists, and the random innocent were at Holiday's disposal. Contrary to expectation, none stood out to him, he mused momentarily on why he expected as much.
Many researchers tend to act as though they have a vendetta against one type of D-Class or another when selecting them for experiments. He understood the 'why', the abhorrence of their crimes and sins, but Holiday did not understand how such hatred could manifest against a living being. A hatred that lusts for for their blood.
It is not that Dr. Holiday does not grasp the finer points of crime and punishment, but for a group of people devoted to preserving humanity, they show no care for the life they dispose of.
"Doctor?" Borous noticed his coworker had stopped flipping through the files, "Have you found a suitable subject?"
Holiday noted how his tone held disbelief. Borous was very observant, a trait he displayed quite often. This did threaten the security of Holiday's mind and professional demeanor, which also unnerved him. Having been with the Foundation for ten years, he had developed a secretive personality which clashes with that of Borous.
"Of course, Borous, would you kindly send for this subject to be sent to room-219 for testing later today? Say, about 17:00. Also, please notify the other researchers in conjunction with our project."
"Yes sir." Borous left with the personnel file for D-331 which Holiday had randomly drawn from the cabinet.
He released a silent sigh and swiveled to type away on his computer until the scheduled event this evening. Out of habit, he opened his email despite how seldom he received a message. Time tends to make fools of all as there was a message from HR requesting a visit in the debriefing room.
"Shoot, what did I do this time." He muttered as he struggled to remove himself from his chair.
Holiday was greeted by whitewashed walls and two agents upon entrance to the chamber.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Holiday, I trust you are familiar with Agent Heigns?" the small man in a navy neoprene jumpsuit motioned to a larger man in a navy neoprene jumpsuit. "He will be asking you a few questions about your upcoming project today."
"Are you his entourage? Or will you be interrogating me too?" Holiday grunted.
"I'm here to ensure you are answering truthfully, Heigns will be the one speaking."
Heigns sat down at the metal conference table and motioned for Holiday to do the same. Heigns had a chiseled, no nonsense face that anyone could feel comfortable confiding in, or intimidated. He inquired about simple matters: disciplinary record, past projects, coworkers. It was not until Heigns' final question when Holiday paused before answering.
"No, I have not worked with live test subjects before." he answered while copying his recent demeanor.
"Indeed, Dr. Holiday, I believe today will be your first experience." Holiday suspected that was not a request for confirmation. "Despite being cleared for testing, we would like to inquire if you are familiar with the following information." Heigns slid over a neatly typed list across the table.
"Yes, I am familiar that D-Class personnel are disposable, and will be introduced to situations that risk life and limb 'all for the good of the Foundation'. I understand such personnel were convicted felons sentenced to execution before being 'recruited' under the 'promise' of being granted freedom at the end of their duty. Yes, I do not hold these 'disposable' lives above the will of the Foundation. Furthermore, I acknowledge the 'work' I will be undertaking outweighs the lives of disposable persons in light of benefiting humanity." Holiday then slid the list back towards Heigns after reciting its contents.
He waved his hand, "Keep it, Doctor, you can pin it up in your cubical." Upon being said, they both exited the room.
Holiday sat in the cold, uncomfortable, metal chair momentarily in the stark room. He was not the superstitious type; however he had the sneaking suspicion that someone had their doubts about his upcoming experiment. He just shook the idea along with his head as if to clear it and left for his cubical.
Borous, unfortunately, was awaiting for him there, furthermore, he was smiling.
"The hour is neigh! Tonight we shall feast with Coeus!" He claimed with joy. Holiday, in a moment of weakened mental fortitude, buried his face in his hands and let out a large sigh. He valued and respected Borous, but he also could do with less individuality.
"Yes, yes. Of course, of course. Shall we then, Borous?"
Holiday plucked a vial from the centrifuge and drew some of the less dense liquid into his syringe. He placed it down and repeated the process vial by vial until the rest of his research staff arrived. The motley crew was six in number: the guard, two level one scientists, D-331, Borous, and himself.
"Ah! Glad to see you make it!" Dr. Holiday exclaimed, "Please, send D-331 over to here." He beckoned to the doorway that lead to the observation room.
The guard and D-331 exchanged stony glares before going to the room. Holiday followed and proceeded to prep his charge for the experiment.
"Okay, D-331, we will be performing a few injections today. Before hand, we will need to restrain you." D-331 gave a 'I didn't sign up for this' furrow of the brow before complying. "Please tell me if the restraints are tight beyond reason."
"Tighten to your heart's content, we wouldn't want the pig getting loose before we stick 'em." the guard said. Holiday disregarded his insult.
"It's good, Doc." D-331 replied.
"Thank you, D-331. The testing will begin shortly."
Holiday returned to the chamber to double check his equipment and assign his personnel their positions. He loaded up an aluminum cart and rolled it back into the observation room. When administering the injections, he gave the same care when inserting the needle as he did during his youth as an actual physician.