29. Ivy

The Supervisor wasn't happy when I turned the power off. He slapped me across the face, knocking me to the floor. I tasted blood and tongued the split in my lip.

The Supervisor balled up his small fist and his body quivered with rage. I'd hate to see what he was like when he flew into full-on rage.

"Doctor," one of his assistants said. "The power needs to be turned back on. If the prisoners were to get in here…"

The Supervisor didn't acknowledge he'd heard her words. He only glared at me and blinked as if he were coming awake.

"Yes. Of course. Pick her up and keep hold of her."

The guards did as he ordered.

The Supervisor turned to the console.

"Computer. Reinstate the power."

"Power is currently offline," Computer said. "It will take some time to initiate."

"Do it."

The Supervisor turned to me.

"Now. Where were we?"

He raised the injector device and marched toward me.

I struggled against the guard's grip. My arms were held behind my back and there was no way I could wriggle free.

As the Supervisor closed on me, the device raised, I snapped out with my foot, kicking his hand and sending the device sprawling across the floor.

The Supervisor howled and clutched his hand close. He jammed a finger in my face.

"Do you know your problem? No respect. You don't have any idea of what we're trying to do here. We're here to make the galaxy a safer place! Where there will be no wars. We might even figure out a way to eradicate disease and, one day, death."

"Do it. But you're not doing it with my baby!"

"Your baby will be the key to unlocking every creature's ability in the galaxy. And you will be a proud member of the team or you will be removed the moment the baby is born. You're going to be a part of this project, whether you like it or not."

He bent down and picked the device up again.

"Now, let's try that again, shall we?"