The World Above Us

Chapter 9

Anthony

The lab was just as Anthony expected. White, cold, and sterile. Long, metal tables covered with beakers and other scientific equipment were arraigned in a long row down the mid-sized room. His heart thumped nervously in his chest. His palms started to sweat. The sight of the lab brought back memories of his days in education. He blinked back tears as a wave of nostalgia passed over him.

How had his life gotten so messed up? All he had wanted to do was help people. And for that, he and his whole family were being punished by people who had far more power than they. Government officials whose one, burning desire was for power. There was a reason the Mitchell case had gone the way it had. Anthony couldn't put into words how much he didn't want his family to meet the same fate.

In the lab, he saw four other researchers and astronauts. He saw Allison Hernandez, whom many people thought of as the star pupil of the Dome. Her long, black hair was tied into a ponytail at the base of her neck. She crossed her arms when she saw him, trying to keep her face neutral. "Mr. Hale," was all she said, accompanied by a curt nod. Anthony nodded back. "Dr. Hernandez," he replied with a small smile.

He recognized DeShawn Carson, the computer genius, and Robert Carson, his brother. Anthony had heard whispers of DeShawn's gifts while he worked, but he hardly knew anything about his blonde, adoptive brother. Robert was a man of few words, that was for sure. Anthony wasn't even sure he'd ever heard Robert speak.

Anthony didn't recognize the fourth person in the room. She was a tall woman with blonde hair that was so light, it was almost white. Her cold blue eyes fixed on him, but she didn't say anything. Her cool, calculating demeanor told Anthony all he wanted to know about her. He didn't have to be a genius to know that this woman was bad news.

"Welcome, researchers. Thank you all for participating in this trial. The future explorers of space thank you," a tall man with silver hair said as he walked into the room. His pale skin was papery and wrinkled. His brown eyes were cool and calculating as he scanned the room. Anthony fought the urge to shiver when those eyes landed on him. He recognized the man as Dr. Daniel Parker, head researcher at Novae Terrae.

Much like the CEO, he radiated power and coldness. He was just as terrifying as Maryanne Holland. If not more so, since his activities were more easily concealed from the rest of the colony.

"Should we get this show on the road?" one of the other researchers asked. Dr. Parker nodded. "We should," he replied. Anthony fought the urge to shiver when one of the researchers guided him to a white chair in the back of the lab. She was dressed head to toe in scrubs made of space-grade plastic and goggles. In her gloved hands, she carried a vial filled with the same blue liquid that he had seen in Dr. Holland's office. The sight of it caused Anthony's stomach to turn.

The other trial participants were also herded to their seats. Anthony felt nauseous as one of the lab assistants stepped closer. The smell of disinfectant singed his nose. He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to resist the urge to panic. Anthony felt his breathing hitch as the lab assistant rolled up his sleeve and swabbed his arm with disinfectant. Anthony closed his eyes when he saw her ready the syringe.

Dr. Parker watched from the back, a gleam in his eyes that unnerved Anthony. Anthony's stomach turned again when he felt the needle prick his arm. He felt nauseous when he felt the blue liquid enter his veins. The world seemed to stop as he sat there, waiting for whatever Novae Terrae had concocted to take effect.

He glanced at the other researchers, watching to see their reactions. He gasped when he felt all his nervousness suddenly vanish, as though it had never been there at all. He felt almost...happy as the drug kicked in. No. He did feel happy. The sensation of the blue liquid running through his veins felt euphoric. He felt all the weight that he had carried around since he got arrested disappear. His shoulders felt ten pounds lighter.

He glanced around at the others. The coldness in the blonde woman's eyes had disappeared and she wore a genuine smile on her face. Allison beamed as she got up out of her chair. DeShawn and Robert exchanged joyous glances. Robert's hands were practically shaking with energy as he scanned the room.

"Now, you'll have to stay in headquarters for observation. You can go anywhere you like except for a few restricted areas. Our agents will let you know where you can go," Dr. Parker said. All the researchers nodded. Anthony felt the urge to throw his hands up in the air. At that moment, nothing bothered him. Not the fact that he missed his wife and kids, nor the fact that he was a prisoner here. For the first time since he had been forced to leave his home, Anthony felt at peace.