Kira

Chapter 2. Rogue

Dr. Michelle Torres watched the subject inspect the puzzle. Her chubby baby hands followed the colorful shape blocks, testing their weight and design. They were simple wooden shape blocks, a toy the team hadn't yet introduced to their young alien child. The game's object was to insert the blocks into their respective shapes. Shapes and colors were being taught to the toddler, but they wanted to see her make the connections herself.

K1RA studied the wooden box where she'd have to insert the shapes, her lavender eyes scrutinizing it. She pawed at it, her blunt, stubby claws clicking against the box. Her short black tendrils swayed with the quick jerks of her head.

Soft chirps left her fluttering mandibles as she experimentally lined up a blue triangle-shaped block with the outline on the box and pushed it inside. A few seconds later, K1RA inserted the circle into the circle, inserting each block into its respective outline.

Watching the child solve the puzzle excited Dr. Torres. She hastily wrote down the time for K1RA to solve the puzzle and other necessary data and shot to her feet. The subject eyed her curiously, lifting her arms. Warbles left K1RA's mouth as Dr. Torres knelt before her.

The doctor lifted the baby into her lap and stroked her forehead, smiling at the little one.

"Excellent, Kira. You did so good! You're such a smart girl," Praised Dr. Torres, grinning as Kira nuzzled her with her little mandibles.

"Hungry," Kira said.

"What do we say?" The doctor asked encouragingly. She smiled softly, waiting for the magic words she had worked to impress again and again on the child's mind.

Kira trilled, flexing her hands in her lap. "Hungry, please."

She reached to pluck the plastic container off another table, popped it open, and offered the food inside. Kira's eyes widened in glee, and she happily attacked the food. Soft growls left her mouth as she messily ate the meat and veggies.

"Kira," Dr. Torres admonished, "Eat with manners, baby girl."

Kira huffed, pausing midbite to eye her with pouty mandibles. Her brow wrinkled before she continued to eat her meal, quietly this time.

An electronic rendition of Für Elise interrupted their interaction. Dr. Torres dug her pager out of her pocket and read the small screen, Benson: Meet Office.

She sighed with a frown, unwilling to leave Kira just yet. Spending time with the baby was more interesting than spending even a second with Benson. Her gaze drifted to the small alien girl chewing on her bite-sized meal, soft, choppy purrs leaving her mouth. The little girl wore a pink legless onesie with a Disney princess printed on the fabric, the shoulders and thighs decorated with ruffles. Kira favored bright colors, making it easy for her to buy clothing when shopping for more. Predator children grew faster than humans. She already had to change out all of her clothing every few months.

"Kira, finish your food. It's almost time to go take a nap, darling." Dr. Torres said with a tight smile.

A while later, she headed to Benson's office on the other side of the complex. Leaving the viewing room so early hadn't been on her agenda, but whatever Benson had to say was probably important. She dropped Kira off in her room with a caretaker on the way. It was time for her daily nap. There were only so many tests that she had energy for.

Despite being an alien, Kira had her own limits like a human.

The corridor was luckily scant of others, making the journey quicker than usual. Director David Benson, spelled out in corporate-type lettering, indicated Dr. Torres was at the right door. Rather than waiting, she entered, quietly closing the door with a soft click. She sat in one of the brown leather office chairs and waited.