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"I thought--"

"We’re not going in there with you Don’t be an idiot" She held the unit out toward me "Go inside, sit down, and start your test You won’t be able to get out You can’t hurt anyone"

Relief washed over h to make my shoulders unlock "Thank you," I said I flashed Becks one last smile, aware that it was strained, and not really that concerned about it I wasn’t going to hurt anyone That was all I needed to know

Becks s I was sorry about that, but there was nothing I could do about it So I steped forward to take the testing unit from Dr Abbey’s hand and walked past her into the darkened isolation roo with a hydraulic hiss that went on long enough to make it clear that this wasn’t casual security This was the real thing The hissing stopped and the overhead lights clicked on, illue and I still lived with the Masons The walls were painted a shiny, neutral beige, and there were three pieces of furniture: a narrow cot against one wall, achair There was a blanket and a small pillow on the cot Make the condeuess

I wasn’t interested in co unit on the table in front of ly, like it didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting on with it already

"It’s not like this is iloves, dropping them on the table Blood had run downunderthere were some way to wash it off After I amplified, I probably wouldn’t care, but until then, I’d knoas there I flexedmy joints for stiffness, and turnedunit

It wasn’t a , it looked like the pictures of Dr Patel’s original design, the one that just ive you real-ti I picked it up, checking it for lights, and didn’t find any Apparently, once I was in the isolation room, I didn’t need to knohether I was infected or not I scowled "Isn’t this just dandy?"

"Get it over with," said George, beside me

I jerkedfor her She was nowhere to be seen I scowled ht now"

"The results won’t change if you wait" Her voice caed not to look I just sighed

"Can you just appear already?"