For Science, You Monster

The Project

[ ok so FRICKIN FINALLY, HERE IT IS FOLKS. I hope it doesn't disappoint, especially after that hiatus. Moving on, comment, vote bla bla bla, enjoy chapter three!]

It is only a little after six, but I can't help but wander around my desk impatiently. I know this is the project Cave is putting the most work into so it only heightens my curiosity. He had talked about it previously, but he spared any details. I reassure my self that I'm not spying on him; this is only to help me find out what is going on around here. To keep him safe. I seem to know less and less every day.
Finally there is the nock at my door. I quickly cross the room to open it. Doug looked tired, more so than he had earlier. But he also appears nervous and worried about something.
He shakes it off and smiles at me.
"Ready for the surprise?"

"Surprise?" I inquire.

"Well, it sounds better that way." He frowned a little again.

I follow him through the halls, going deeper into the facility. The dwindling amount of windows darkened the hallways, giving a forbidding feel; as if we are descending into the depths of a dangerous cave. Doug is more quiet than usual.

Barley audible he mumbled, "No, no. Not now. Not now, this is important, go away. Go away."

"Doug... are you ok?" I say, worriedly.

"Oh, yes. I just, I was just reminding my self... to refill my prescription," He looked back at me replying louder.

Only fluorescent bulbs light the walkway now. We reach a metal door, with large black words under a yellow hazard symbol that read; 'AUTHORIZED ONLY'. Doug swipes his ID on the scanner next to the door and begins to open the door for me, before he suddenly stops and quickly closes it again.

"They're still here." He says almost to himself as his eyes examine the wall in fount of him.
Then, louder and looking at me, "We should come back later, I wouldn't want to bother them."

"Who's they?"

He's already walking away. "Just other scientists."

"Doug... what's going on?"

He stops. He doesn't reply for a moment, still turned away me. The light above him flickers making his shadow jump.
"I lied," he said turning abruptly. "You aren't actually allowed in there. I just wanted to warn you."

This only worsens my confusion but I decide the only answers are behind that door.
"Swipe your card."

"What?"

"Swipe your card, I'll handle it."

Doug looks very uncertain as he walks back and stretches the spring cord to the sensor. The little green light flashes and a happy beep alerts us that the door had been unlocked. He glances at me before opening it and proceeding.

A wider built man that is standing across the room turns and greets Doug. He has a red-brown goatee and large square glasses that sat on his round nose. He smiles - until he sees me.
His face pales. "Doug you know we can't-"

"Don't worry, Mr. Johnson sent me here." I say, cutting him off. By now, all three of the other workers have stopped their work and are staring. They all look unsettled.

"He did?"

"Yes," I feel a little annoyed that he was questioning but I didn't show it. "He is resting but wanted to check on the progress. I'd like a report for him. Just spoken is fine."

He still looks worried but didn't dare question further; he obviously has no desire to face Cave's wrath. I feel sorry the scientist; now days Cave changed rules and plans so often you had to be on your toes. Sometimes you just had to guess.
"Well, ma'm, we haven't gotten much farther, however..."
The room is large and square, and full of various equipment. Robotic voices could be heard occasionally or someone cutting metal.He leads me through it gesturing to the tables and their contents that we pass. Doug trailed behind.
"We have begun human testing, and we've had a few failures but I do believe we're making progress."
We pass a metal sphere laying on a table powered down, and another one with cables in it that snaked to a computer, a scientist tapping furiously at the key board. A set of blue LEDs in a circle was at its center, and it is babbling on about -Cake ingredients? What is going on...?
"Soon we believe we'll be well on our way to stability."
My brain makes the connection. These were people, put into the machines. This was the conversion Cave had told me about...
"If we can store music on a compact disk, why can't we store a mans intelligence and personality on one?"
Suddenly I feel ill.
"Yes, very good. I'll be going now."
I turn and almost run into Doug in my hurry for the door.
"Thank you, Mr. Sinske!" He called before stumbling after me.
We make out of the room and some how the air seems cleaner; my stomach settles.
"Is he forcing them to do this? Is he forcing people into those things?" I ask immediately.
"No- I - I don't know. Thats not my department. I only just learned these are actual people, not just AIs."
"But why did you tell me about it? I can't do anything.... I'm just an assistant..."
"Miss Caroline, he wants to put you in one of those things."