Burst Shorts

Some adjustment required (Part 2 of series)

(This takes place about three weeks later. This one is a bit shorter than the rest)

Sora sat on the cot facing the wall. This was the first day she had control since the experiment. She currently had her eyes closed in concentration as she listened to Galaxy.

I am fast leearneer. Galaxy tried. Close but not quite. You forgot the ‘a’ and stretched out ‘learner’. Sora said. Japanese is hard- Galaxy growled. Not as hard as english. Sora said. Do I have… have to.. learn…… uh… help- Galaxy said. English? Sora offered. Yes! Do I have to learn english? Galaxy asked. Not if you don't want to. Sora replied. Oh good. Galaxy said. Hey bud, guess what. Sora said. What? Did me- no no, not me. Did I mess up again? Galaxy asked. Nope, you managed to speak without messing up. Good job! Sora said. Yes! Finally getting somewhere! Galaxy cheered. Mhm. At this rate you'll be speaking complete sentences in no time! Sora said.

Their celebration was short lived as the door suddenly opened behind them. Sora felt hands on her shoulders and wrist. They were trying to restrain her. Galaxy immediately took control, but something was different this time. He couldn't hear Sora cursing the scientists or even speak to him. 

Sora? Galaxy called, worry in his voice. There was no response. Sora, are you there? Galaxy asked, beginning to panic a little. Nothing. 

He felt the hands pull on him, snapping his attention to them. He activated one of his abilities and whirled around to face the scientists, ripping himself out of their grips. One of his fists landed square on the left side of one of the scientist's faces. A sickening crack was heard before the scientist went flying into the nearest wall.

“Calm down! The more you fight us the w-” The scientist was cut off by Galaxy's fist upper cutting them in the jaw. Their mouth slammed shut with a snap before they were sent flying into the ceiling. Due to the ceiling being stronger than the walls the scientist's head was forced down and to the side with a snap. They then crumbled to the floor and lay motionless as blood trickled from their head.

Threat dealt with. Now to figure out what happened to Sora. Galaxy thought. He sat back down on the cot, facing the wall. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on finding Sora's consciousness. It took a minute but she was still there and alive, just unconscious.

He waited for Sora to wake up and made sure none of the scientists that came in touched him. Hours passed and scientists kept coming in to run whatever tests Ashtem had ordered them to. They never got their work done as Galaxy was aggressively preventing them from even getting close.

Sometime after the seventh set of scientists, Sora woke up. Ugh… What... happened? She asked. Only you get knocked out. I stayed awake. Galaxy answered. I think it was from you taking over. I felt control ripped from me and everything went dark and silent. Sora said. So, when I take control from you forcefully, you get knocked out? Galaxy asked. Looks like it. So, unless it's life or death, don't do that. Sora said. Got it.  Galaxy said.

Galaxy let Sora have control again as he felt there was no danger. She turned away from the wall and froze in horror at what she saw. There were the bodies of scientists dead or unconscious scattered on the floor. 

What happened? Why are there so many? How long was I out?! Sora asked. They kept coming to poke with needles or other things. I tried to warn them but apparently humans don't understand growling. Didn't want to be touched until you woke up. You were asleep for few hours. Galaxy answered. They understand growling but they didn't want to take your warning seriously. We’re in their ‘territory’ so they think they have authority over us. Sora said, calming down as she understood why Galaxy had done what he did. We did not ask to be here. They captured and forced us. They have no authority as far as I am concerned. Galaxy growled.

“I am usually a very patient man but you are making my patience run thin, Ember. I see that your mental state has somewhat stabilized and you’ve gotten used to your heightened senses. But I need you to be at a hundred percent before we move on. So, cooperate with me and maybe, maybe I'll let you see your friend again. He’s been asking about you nonstop.” Ashtem said. 

“What did you do to him?” Sora growled. She could feel that second set of vocal cords vibrate as she did. It felt weird. 

“So she speaks, I was worried you had lost the ability to." Ashtem said. "I'll do more than that if you don't answer the question." Sora growled. "Don't worry. He's fine. I just played with his mind a bit, nothing like what I did to you.” Ashtem said, dismissive of her so-called threat.

“What did you do to me? Other than screwing with my senses and dialing them up?” Sora asked. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. I suggest getting some rest, your time of lounging around is over.” Ashtem said.

"What do you even want from me? What is the purpose of this?" Sora asked. "It would go right over your head if I tried to explain now. Patience, you'll learn in time." Ashtem answered.

"And what if I don't wanna stick around?" Sora asked. Ashtem chuckled. "You have no choice." He said. "Really? The way I see it, the only thing holding me here is me recovering from whatever you did." Sora said.

The glass suddenly became see-through, allowing Sora to see Ashtem and the hallway. She saw several cameras and armed guards. She also saw other cells that lined the hallway.

"Now do you realize the weight of the situation you're in? There is no escape." Ashtem said. Sora stayed silent as she took in the new information.

The glass turned opaque as Ashtem turned to leave. Sora listened to the man’s footsteps as they traveled down the hallway and faded into the sounds of the facility. Lounging around?! I’ve been defending you from his dumb… word… Galaxy snapped, his voice calming to a low grumble when he didn't remember the word he needed. Minions? Sora offered. Yes! I’ve been defending you from his dumb minions this entire time! The wolf growled in anger and annoyance. I want to rip that man to shreds. He said. I won't stop you. But first, let's finish figuring this switching control thing out and how to get past all the security. Deal? Sora said. Deal. Galaxy replied.