The Oceanless Squid

Stalling { 4 }

    Eden and Aiden took their time getting ready the following morning for work. Their complete and sudden failure weighed the two of them down like four airplanes were attached to each ankle. Although each twin knows how to cheer up the other, neither could find the motivation to actually speak.

    The two got on their two-person bicycle and rode their way to the lab. The morning conversation they would normally try to have was completely nonexistent. They rode over to their normal space for their bike and put the stand out to keep it from falling over. Both continued their silence all the way to the door of their lab where they saw some BSR officials waiting. They both stopped in their tracks and looked at each other, they were always the first people to arrive at the lab and no other scientist was to be seen. Eden took the lead and walked over to the two suited individuals and smiled at them.

    "Good morning, gentlemen. May I help you?" Eden greeted the two and waited for a response. They looked at her with deadpanned expressions and didn't even attempt a smile. Eden dropped hers and stuck out her hand.

    "Dr. Eden Seitz, I work in the establishment. This is my associate, Dr. Aiden Seitz," they each shook Eden's and Aiden's hands. The officials remained serious and didn't seem to care for their names at all.

    "BSR Agents Grood and Riles, we are here to investigate how well your project is supposed to be going. Word got back to us that your squids have finally bred. Care to show us?" one of them explained. Neither Eden or Aiden could pinpoint who was who, but they could pinpoint the immediate panic that filled the air. They had no idea how they were supposed to cover up the fact that Musham and the eggs were gone.

    The twins stood there wordlessly and started to stutter out some excuses.

    "Uh, um, our lead scientist isn't here. Dr. Villette Tougas, as you may be aware, does not permit people in the lab without her knowing. No matter the circumstances," Aiden stumbled over his words but came up with an excuse that might buy them enough time to contact anyone else for help. Agent Grood and Riles seemed very skeptical of their answer, but sighed when they realized just how difficult Dr. Tougas can be.

    "Alright, here is what is going to happen," the other agent who hadn't spoken the entire time finally spoke. "We are going to go out for breakfast and wait for you guys to contact us when Dr. Tougas is aware of us coming to check on your project. Understood?" he explained to them as if they were kids being reprimanded. The twins nodded their heads at the two agents and were handed a card from one before they both finally leave.

    Eden let out a deep breath and walked up to the scanners with Aiden behind her. After she is recognized, the two walked into the lab and immediately closed the door behind them. They walked over to their respective desks and stopped for a few seconds before speaking.

    "That was way too close," Aiden started, which earned a nod from Eden. "We have to get all of the scientists over here to figure something out before those two come back," Aiden whispered. They each started calling the different scientists and explained the situation to all of them. They left Dr. Tougas for last knowing that she definitely had a hard time during work yesterday and may be upset over that entire situation.

    After several rings, Dr. Tougas finally answered.

    "What?" her voice was raspy and it sounded incredibly strained. Eden put her on speaker phone so Aiden could hear whatever was said.

    "Dr. Tougas, some agents from the BSR were stood outside the door when Aiden and I got here this morning. We managed to stall them for now, but they want to return once you come in. What are we supposed to do?" Eden explained and waited for an answer. A long inhale followed by a deep sigh was heard on the other side.