The Aftermath

Tuesday Afternoon
17h31

“Did F really get fired?” R looked at the ceiling as he frowned against a wall.

“Management has terminated Researcher F’s contract due to substandard work,” said Hades. “I believe that was the reason provided by Management.”

“That doesn’t make it the truth.”

“Let it go,” sneered H. “I doubt the machine’s masters would let it answer truthfully.”

“I cannot hide something,” said Hades. “My programming could only prevent me from vocalizing all the information at hand.”

“That is what hiding means.” R lowered his gaze with a shake of his head.

“Veebee?” P questioned with a squeeze on my shoulder. “Are you okay?” I shook my head as my pillow protested against my tightening grip.

H broke the encroaching silence. “Hopefully by now Management will see fit to do something about the situation.”

“I doubt.” R turned his head toward her. “Whatever the conspiracy, Management deems it more effective to isolate us than to protect us.”

“You think we’ll accept that?”

“You assume we have a choice.”

“Incoming call from Management.” Hades interrupted whatever objections H might have raised.

“Researchers.” Management’s voice replaced Hades’. “We have been briefed about recent events. Researcher M’s demise is most unfortunate and will result in both a drop in productivity and a significant drop in morale. We wish this weren’t the case”

Oh, no. N! My eyes widened at the realization. I didn’t even think about her...

“We have certain guidelines to combat any further developments,” Management continued. “Firstly, you aren’t allowed to notify your colleagues of the current events. We will schedule a meeting at nineteen hundred hours, where we will communicate that we released M due to a breach in protocol.”

“Not... not true...” I finally managed to unclench my jaw.

“We will present this truth to the other researchers, and they will accept it as such. Any attempts to notify your colleagues otherwise will result in termination. Is that understood?”

“Yes.” R’s reply was instantaneous. H mumbled something a second later. I couldn’t answer.

“Good. Secondly, we will start the curfew two hours earlier to ensure the engineers have enough time to repair M’s room. The curfew will remain in effect until the perpetrator is dealt with. Failure to adhere will result in severe pay deductions or termination, depending on the severity of the transgression. Is that understood?”

“Yes.” We answered instantly. My reply was weaker than the others.

“Good. Lastly, any further information must be reported to Management. As this has been a trying day, you’ll be allowed to excuse yourself from work at 13h00 tomorrow. This is optional and not a recommendation, therefore the deadlines of your individual projects won’t be moved.” Neither of us responded. “Do you have any questions?”

R didn’t miss a beat. “Was F truly fired, or was he killed as well?”

“Researcher F expired by several lacerations to the chest and a cranial intrusion caused by improper use of a scalpel.”

“Why hide this information?” H’s asked the follow-up question.

“The threat of having one’s contract terminated leads to an increase in productivity. Knowing somebody murdered a colleague will have an adverse effect. Additionally, this risks alerting the perpetrator of a possible investigation, whereas we prefer the solution to happen... discretely.” That sent a chill down my spine.

“Now that it’s evident there is a murderer amongst us, what steps will you take to ensure our safety?” asked R.

“Researchers will have to wear their Sleeves at all times and may only remove them for water-based activities. You will communicate these to Hades beforehand and will be limited to thirty-minute segments.”

“And...” I coughed once to clear my throat. “And if the anomaly occurs again?”

“Anomaly?” R shot me a look.

Management took a second to answer my question. “We are investigating methods of combating the anomaly. It is taking longer than anticipated as we don’t know its origin or its mechanism. To ensure the safety of all researchers, we have recruited several mercenaries who will act as bodyguards. They have been equipped with automatic rifles and breach bombs, and are tasked to eliminate any obstacle that may bar their way. The mercenaries will stay near the facility’s entrances and will deploy if any of Hades’s sensors malfunction.”

“Hang on a second.” H narrowed her eyes toward me. “What anomaly are we talking about?”

“Something...” I unclenched my hands from the pillow. “Something seems to knock out Hades’ sensors, usually around the time somebody died.”

“I assume this anomaly occurred again today?” R turned his gaze back to the ceiling.

“Confirmed,” said Hades.

“Seems like our bosses can do little to protect us.”

“We have made our decision and will adapt as the situation develops. Management out.”

“As am I.” R stretched slightly as he unstuck himself from the wall. “I will see you later.”

“Same.” H followed him out without saying goodbye. Or maybe that was her way of doing so? I shook my head at the thought.

I glanced at my friend. “And you, P?”

He shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere just yet.”

“M... maybe you should. I’d... like to take a nap before the meeting starts.”

“You sure?” He squeezed the closest shoulder. I only nodded as a reply. “Well, you know where to find me.”

I gave him a last smile as he stepped out. What I day... Fatigue hit me like a train, and with the adrenaline long since run out, I could do little more than crash sideways onto the bed and close my eyes.

“Researcher V, may I have a moment?” Hades asked.

“N... not really.”

“I have unscrambled the previous message. Would you like me to read it to you?”

“Can’t it wait?”

“Technically, yes, but I highly suggest you become aware of the contents before the meeting with Management.”

“I’ll take a look at it before then. Just... for now... let me take a nap.”

“Very well. Have a pleasant rest.”

“I’ll try...”