Here We Are

Chapter 7

"Hello Group B," he says briskly, "I won't keep you long, I just have something to tell you all."
Dr Bramwell is standing behind a well kept desk, no mess in sight. His arms are firmly press to his sides, a clipboard tucked neatly under his right arm. His feet are pressed together, back straight like a pencil. He was also slightly looking down on us. At the end on his nose perched small rimmed glasses, looking as if they would fall off if he moved his head any lower. He was like a soldier, armed with a clipboard.
We stood in a room I had only been in a couple of times before. It's just as neat and polished as his leather brown shoes.
The walls are light and plain, covered wall to wall in glass. If we strained our necks long enough, we could just see up and over the dark walls of the compound. Golden fields of tall grass swayed in the wind, delicate poppies and daisies bowed their heads to the sun. The sky is painted with shades of blue and a solemn oak, standing tall, shrouded by ivy, moss and dense leave.
The floor inside is polished and shining, and the smell of bleach lingers heavily in the air.
"As some of you may have noticed," he began, looking at each of us in turn,"we have had some guests come to visit us."
Some murmurs and whispers pass through the group.
"They are visiting from another research facility in Ireland, and have come to assess the progress we have made here so far here. They won't be staying long, just enough time for them to get a good idea of what type of ship we're running here."
He brings his eyes over the crowd, seeing the confusion and curious expressions some have plastered upon their face.
Dr. Bramwell remains expressionless.
"I am aware we have not had visitors for a long time and I admit their arrival was sudden," he starts,"but we just want to tell you there is nothing to worry about. They're here on business and it shouldn't concern any of you."
He looked at us with cold, narrowed eyes, which seem to be scowling at us.
"You don't need to be too dismissive of them. Don't ask too many questions either. They aren't interested in any of your social lives"
He pauses.
"Any questions?" he says, straightening his back.
The room is silent.
Satisfied, he nods.
"Good. You can go."
Two guards that were standing beside each door, stepped forward and pushed them open. We all silently marched out of the room, no one daring to speak.
As I exit, I can feel someone staring at me. Drilling into the back of my neck with their eyes.
I turned as casually as I can, to see Dr Bramwell still standing tall, watching us leave, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips.