Save me, please...

Chapter 4

Conrad woke up at dawn the next day. Whether it was out of habit or excitement will have to remain a case of debate. When Dr. Anderson arrived outside his door, she was surprised to see him ready and waiting.
"Wow, you're up early. Did you get any sleep?" she asked playfully. Conrad didn't know how to respond so just shrugged. Is she flirting with me?
Brushing off the sudden awkward silence, she ushered him out of his 'flat' and into the hall. "Let's go have breakfast," she said happily before making her way towards the end of the hall.
"Not...not the lab?" Conrad queried.
"Breakfast, boy. Even scientists have to eat," she chuckled.
"But Doctor Ander-"
"I told you," she interrupted, almost sounding...angry? "Call me Beth."
"Okay..well...er-Beth..." The name would take some serious getting used to.
"I know, I know. I was just as eager as you on my first day. Breakfast first, okay? The lab can wait a tiny while longer." It just felt like Dr. Anderson was stalling. The government flew him out to the desert literally in the middle of the night and here he was discussing breakfast with a leading scientist. A leading scientist of what? Conrad didn't even know what they were working on here, much less what his role was in all of it.
Conrad momentarily ceased his questions and reluctantly followed 'Beth' into the canteen. First thing he noticed?
"Where is everyone?"
"Some are working, others are still sleeping. We keep our own hours here. Its just the way things work. As long as we get the work done and get results, they are happy."
"They?" Conrad asked, as observant as usual.
Dr. Anderson took a while to answer. A little too long.
"Well, everyone of course..."
Conrad didn't comment. They sat down at one of the many vacant tables and chose their breakfasts. Dr. Anderson served herself a large stack of pancakes and a cup of hot chocolate while Conrad opted for a healthier option, fried egg on toast and a glass of orange juice. Much to Dr. Anderson's appreciation, they ate in silence. She didn't enjoy keeping things from Conrad but she knew how protocol went and, quite frankly, there were some things she just didn't feel like sharing just yet.
Conrad soon finished his breakfast and began to fidget, but Beth continued to take her time. Just then, Director Rodriguez seemed to appear out of nowhere at the head of the table.
"Doctor Peterson, nice to see you up and at it so early in the morning," she said as Conrad stood up and shook her hand, his respect for the woman obvious. Then she focused her beady eyes on Dr. Anderson. "Doctor, what's the hold up?" she asked.
"...beg your pardon Director?" said Dr. Anderson, seeming slightly stunned.
"I flew Doctor Peterson in here at nightfall yesterday. Can you please explain to me why he has yet to step foot in the lab and look at any information besides the cafeteria menu, much less the accumulated documents regarding Project A? I expect him to earn his keep..." Her eyes shifted to Conrad who smiled almost fondly at the Director, obviously sharing her opinion, visibly eager to begin his work.
"Forgive me, Director," Beth spluttered, "I wasn't aware that Doctor Peterson even had access to-"
"Enough of your excuses, Anderson. If you had done what you were to do as head scientist and taken him down into the lab, you would have realised that he has all the security access needed for Project A."
Dr. Anderson looked positively appalled.
"All the access? Director, i worked for a year for the access to that project. To just...give him the access-"
"Anderson, you're embarrassing yourself. Remember, you were the one who recommended Doctor Peterson. Do your job."
With that, the director turned on her heels and left a red faced Dr. Anderson in her wake.
What Conrad was struggling to understand was why Dr. Anderson was so upset. She immediately stood up, her second plate of pancakes completely forgotten.
"Well then, come on. There's work to be done."