The Silver Wolf

Chapter 3

(Carmen's POV)

I sat in the interrogation room, my face showing my anger. The faculty filed in, one by one. I saw the familiar faces of Coach Brunt, looking smug, Countess Cleo and Professor Maelstrom, with similar faces of rage, and Doctor Bellum, not really paying attention. There was someone new though, they looked familiar, but I couldn't place it. Jules wasn't in the room, but I guessed that she was nearby. We were all quiet, no-one wanting to make the first move. I was taking in the room, looking for any means of escape. The room hadn't changed much, they must have re-created it. This was where we had our escaping assessments. When I left I still held the record for quickest escape, but I doubt that they would have kept the plaque. There were a few upgrades, now I was being held with the high-tech VILE cuffs, and there was more security. I wasn't going to be able to escape, even if I made it out of the cuffs, there were still plenty of highly trained operatives around. Coach Brunt was getting impatient with the silence and spoke first.

"So, Lambkins, how did you like our newest operative?"

I scowled at her.

"Yeah, real clever, using my dead dads name on my brainwashed friend."

Coach Brunt was about to say something when Doctor Bellum interrupted.

"That's wrong."

Everyone turned to look at her. Noticing the eyes on her, Bellum continued.

"That she's your friend. That was incorrect. When I was analysing the data, I could see a few common factors. Your consistent working together. Returning all those artefacts to her after working for us temporarily. You gave her roses. All the data suggests that you were dating. That's part of the reason I picked her. The other reason is that she has a mind that can keep up with mine, but I suspect you knew that already."
We all just stared at her in shock. She shrugged.

"That's just what the data says."
I scoffed.

"Real romantic Bellum. Are all your dates with Cleo this analysed?"

The countess's face flushed with embarrassment, looking over at Bellum for support, and not finding any as the doctor had turned back to her screens. Coach Brunt was keeping herself from laughing, and the new member and Professor Maelstrom exchanged a look. I leaned back, satisfied with my work. The new member was the one who spoke next.

"Fellow faculty, may we confer outside?"
As they all stood up to leave, Brunt said what I hoped they would forget.

"Bellum, let's send in that little pet project of yours in to keep an eye on Lambkins over here."

She nodded, and they left. I was working on getting out of my cuffs, when the door opened again. In came Jules, wearing the same mask as before. She walked over and stood opposite me, not saying a word. I had to get through to her, break her out of the spell somehow.

"Jules, what have they done to you?"
At the sound of her nickname, the ears on her mask flattened. Despite myself, I marvelled at the advanced technology of the mask. With no doubt in my mind that she was being used as a lab rat, I tried again, desperation clear in my voice.

"Jules, they're using you, can't you see that? You have to snap out of this, please, this isn't you."

A low growl came from her throat, but she didn't move. As I was about to try again, the faculty came in. Jules made to leave but Bellum stopped her.

"No, you stay there for now."
Obediently, Jules stopped, standing in place. Doctor Bellum was holding a small vial, with a glowing blue liquid inside it. I didn't know what it did, but I didn't want to find out. Doctor Bellum held out a hand.

"Give me your arm."

Was she crazy? I answered my own question as soon as I asked it. I jiggled the cuffs around a bit.

"One, no. Two, I couldn't even if there was some alternate version of me that was a complete idiot and wanted to. You cuffed me, remember?"

The newest faculty member spoke. His voice was familiar, like I've heard him before, but I couldn't place it.

"Well, if you answer our questions, we won't have to use it. So, no more snark and we'll all get along like old chums."
I looked at him like he had grown an extra head.

"Are you serious? This guy is crazier than Paper Star! In a weird, stuck up kind of way."
He motioned to the doctor and she got out a small syringe. I realised I screwed up and tried to backtrack.

"Ok, ok, I'll cut the insults. First, I have a question of my own. If you guys wanted me to steal for you again so badly, why not just kidnap her, like you did last time?"
Professor Maelstrom got a sour look on his face.

"Because last time, you managed to break them out. Besides, we don't want you to steal for us again, not with the chance of you betraying us. Oh no, we're going to make an example out of you."

I was getting nervous, and it must have shown, as Coach Brunt started to laugh.

"And we know that you aren't going to betray us again, because this time we have insurance. There's no way you'll try anything with your little girlfriend on the line."

This annoyed me, because she was right. Not about the girlfriend part, but I wasn't going to risk Jules's safety, even if it meant me escaping. I couldn't just grab her and run; she would take me right back to VILE. I assumed that whatever was controlling her was in the mask, so I made it my mission to get it off her. Professor Maelstrom was the one who got down to business.

"What is the location of your base?"
I was surprised. I thought that they were just going to try and torture me for a while, not actually ask any questions. I had to think of a lie, and fast.

"I don't have one. Something about being locked on an island for my whole life made me reluctant to settle down. Know anything about that?"

A half-truth, easier than lying outright. They seemed to buy it, and they continued asking questions. I continued to dodge it; ever thankful they didn't inject me with whatever was in that vial. Eventually they got Jules to escort me to my cell, with Doctor Bellum instructing her to come to the lab afterwards. I got there and found none other than Tigress waiting. She didn't look pleased about something, but after seeing me it was like a kid on Christmas morning. Without saying a word to Jules, she shoved me inside, laughing gleefully. I could see Jules leaving, while Tigress started to berate me. I tuned her out, something I got good at doing throughout my years at VILE, and began plotting a way out of this mess.

I'm stuck babysitting my sister for the next two days, so updates will be slow.