Chain Me

Both Sides Of The Curtain

As soon as the subject escaped we were sent word. It put a hitch in our plans but the General was certain Cas could track her down again and bring her in. Cas has proven herself again and again, so I believe the subject will be apprehended. Mariam has promised there will be minimal damage and no casualties, but I'm not so sure about that promise. The subject is unbelievable and slippery, according to her file. None of my colleagues are entirely sure how much of the file is fact or fiction so we've collectively decided to take it all at face value. We want this dangerous subject in our hands and not out on the streets.

--

A whole week- searching through three states and combing through dozens of towns- and the subject has yet to be caught. Reports that have been given to me are useless when all they outline are expenses and time wasted. My patience is vast, but pressure from up high has me on edge. I'm only a Watcher, yet am treated like someone out in the field. I have no control over what happens up top. I analyze and give reports, make things happen under the radar, whisper in powerful ears. I am no soldier. I can't get the subject here any faster, and I've tried.
So between updates from Mariam and conferring with the other two Watchers, I walk the halls of the Facility and make sure everything runs smoothly. I know every nook and cranny better than anyone else, more so since I simply moved down here instead of commuting from up top. I don't have friends, anyway, so moving down here seemed smart. There's no mortgage to pay and work is just down the hall. I do miss the sun, sure, but I could easily travel up top if I feel the need. 

While I'm taking stock of the Facility's soldiers and experiments, I get the summons I've been waiting for. I rush to the reinforced holding cell, originally designed to hold Cas, and meet the other two Watchers there. The three of us huddle into 'the looking glass', the room hidden behind the cell, the fourth wall shared with the cell but only able to be seen as a screen from our side, and we take our seats. As per usual I'm seated between Luis and Charles, our roles subconsciously coming to light. In a sense Charles is our leader, his seniority over us obvious, while I have a fairly decent amount of power and knowledge, much more than Luis, who's the newest at it all. 

Luis taps away at his pad, his connection to his branch, while Charles sits his pad, much bigger than Luis's, on his lap and waits. When the subject is checked in and processed, her vitals and other such things will show up real time on the device so we can see. As for me, my opinions are the most important. Seeing things the others don't is what I do. I may not have the last word on things but I can sway most people with my skill.

"They're bringing her in," Luis informs us, his finger sliding across his pad. My eyes study his device for a moment before I focus on the wall connecting this room to the subject's. I recommended she remain in it for her time with us, and I was listened to, unsurprisingly. I also recommended she be kept under and out of it as much as possible, at least until we can run diagnostics on her.

After a few minutes Mariam walks in to the looking glass, alone, and she stands behind us. I'm the only one to swivel my chair to face her, always the one to be expected to interact with others. It's obvious that my femininity is responsible for expectations like these but I have yet to make a complaint about it. "Problems?" I ask.

Mariam adjusts her glasses. "None. No collateral damage or casualties."

Charles grunts and I shift in my seat. "Cas?" I inquire.

"Up top."

"Unsupervised?"

"With Emma."

Ah, Emma, the oddest development. No one, not Charles nor Luis, wanted Emma to remain in Cas's life. But I said it might be a good thing and it was allowed. Cas is our most dangerous experiment and to keep her calm she needs a distraction. Emma is that distraction.