Calm down. Breath. There is no way they know anything. Alex thought to himself, though he continued to feel their eyes follow him from across the room. Alex approached the group as they marveled at the solid formation on the table.

  “Oh my goodness, this is very promising,” Ms. Gifford exclaimed, clamping her hands before her. The others nodded in excitement, all reaching to examine the rock.

  “Yes, let's make sure to log this properly,” Reshma called out, a smile on his face. Alex nodded and grabbed a notepad to document all the numbers. I probably shouldn’t have done that, he thought as he wrote the numbers down. He sighed as he headed towards a computer to enter everything into the live log. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end making him shiver. Ugh, that was… he started to think when a voice interrupted his thoughts.

  “Interesting work here,” the gravelly voice of the General said.

  “Um, yeah it is always exciting when we get this result. Just have to figure out how to make it work everytime,” Alex answered, not looking away from the screen.

  “Yes… it is a wonder why it doesn't work everytime,” he said, his hot breath lingering on Alex’s neck.

  Alex repressed the shudder seeking release, what is this guy’s deal.

  “So what is it you are doing here?” General Dempsey asked, leaning in even closer.

  “I am just putting in the data from that experiment. We do this for every experiment. It is part of what Evalyn was explaining earlier,” Alex replied as he continued typing.

  “Mmhmmm, interesting. Mr. Choe!” The General yelled as he stood up making Alex jump.

  “Yes, General Dempsey?” Reshma replied immediately.

  “This experiment seems promising. Let's see this other presentation now. Like I said before, we still have another group to review,” he said, turning towards where Siddiq was standing.

  “Yes sir, of course. Everyone, please gather this way,” Reshma pointed towards the other side of the room. The group nodded and made their way towards Siddiq. “Mr. Gully, if you would please.”

  “Y-yes um, yes so,” Siddiq stammered as sweat collected on his brow.

  Alex moved towards the back of the group. Once there he waved his arms to grab Siddiq’s attention. Siddiq looked with a plea in his eyes. Alex closed his eyes and took a deep breath then nodded towards Siddiq to follow.

  “Mr. Gully?” Reshma asked gently. Siddiq closed his eyes and took a deep steadying breath.

  Alex mouthed the words ‘You Got This!’ with two thumbs up. Siddiq nodded and smiled.

  “Sorry, yes. So our press idea has had some positive results so we will definitely continue with that. However, should we decide that it is not feasible we have come up with our next experiment which I will go over with you all now. If I can please get your attention to the board over here,” Siddiq said, moving towards the board.

  Alex smiled as he watched Siddiq give his presentation. I knew once he relaxed he would be fine, he thought as the animated explanation kept everyone enthralled. When he finished the group nodded and smiled.

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  “Any questions regarding this?” Reshma asked as he stepped up next to Siddiq.

  The group mumbled and looked around before the General spoke up, “I believe Mr. Gully did a good job presenting this idea. I will say this, your group here has had some good progress and it’s good to see that you already have a back up plan. There are some others that could learn from you.”

  “Why thank you very much sir. I believe we have a good cohesion in this group and have been able to overcome issues pretty easily,” Reshma smiled proudly.

  “Yes, well, we have a few more teams in review. Once we have finished the review of all the teams someone from the admin office will contact you for your results or reassignments,” General Dempsey said.

  “Re-assignments?” Evalyn gasped

  “Not everyone will be re-assigned,”smiled Agent Chaemin, “We just have come across some teams that might need a little shuffle.”

  “Of course,” Reshma replied.

  “Mr. Moorez,” called the General.

  “Uh, Yes sir?” Alex answered.

  “Let me speak to you for a moment please.” Alex groaned softly as he headed towards where the General was standing. “I just wanted you to know that we will be assigning you to consult with a few groups that are using your work.”

  “Oh right. When I was originally recruited they said this could happen,” Alex said, relieved this was all he wanted to talk about.

  “Yes. Well honestly it probably should have happened sooner. Then we probably would not have had so many sloppy groups,” the General spat. “I hate wasting time.”

  “Of course, sir,” Alex said.

  “I mean if you could just snap your fingers and get results that would be so much better. Would it not?” General Dempsey asked his eyes narrowing in on Alex.

  ‘Danger!’ The words he had heard before rang in his head. Is he implying something trying to get a reaction? Give him nothing. Alex chuckled, “Could you imagine! This whole thing could be fixed in an instant!”

  General Dempsey scanned Alex a second more then gave him a smile that did not reach his cold calculating eyes. He reached out and grabbed his shoulder roughly, “Yes it could, but then what would we do with someone if they had that kind of power.” Alex smiled but an uneasy feeling settled in him as he heard the voice again ‘Careful’

  “Alright!” The General called out making Alex jump. “Let’s head to the next group. I would like to get dinner at a decent time tonight,” he grumbled. The group nodded and began gathering the things they came in with.

  Polite farewells and handshakes were made as the group headed to the doors.

  “Very good work so far,” Agent Chaemin said as she passed Alex on the way out.

  “Not bad,” said the gruff voice of Agent McGuinnely.

  “Whoa, careful that was almost a compliment!” Alex laughed. Agent McGuinnely grunted in response

  “Mr. Dressen,” General Dempsey called before heading out the door, “A moment please.” Zayd winced and headed towards the door exiting with the General.

  “I wonder what that’s about,” Siddiq pondered as he appeared next to Alex.

  “I don't know, but great job on your presentation!” Alex exclaimed slapping Siddiq hard

  on the shoulder.

  “All thanks to you man. I was freaking out there in the beginning,” Siddiq moaned. “When I saw you and took a breath though I could focus and was able to just get into it.” He smiled at Alex then.

  “Hey, I knew you could do it.” Alex smiled at his friend.

  Evalyn walked towards them, her hands clasped, “Well that went extremely well!” They nod at her as Reshma joins them.

  “I don't think we have anything to worry about with re-assignments. It seems they are happy with our progress and our potential next project. Good job Siddiq with that one!” Reshma smiles at Siddiq. “Alex, what did the General want to talk to you about?”

  “Oh, he just said I would probably have to visit with some of the teams using my research over the next couple of days.” Alex answered.

  “Well I am just glad the press worked and even gave us a positive result after the sabotage this morning!” Evalyn sighed. The others nodded in agreement.

  “Yes we do need to find out who was in here that could have done that,” Reshma frowned. Just then the door opened and Zayd entered. “Oh Zayd, please join us. We are just going over the visit.”

  Zayd's face was flushed and there was a wild look in his eyes, “I have to go.” The others looked at each other in silence. Zayd grabbed his stuff and with a final glare at Alex left the lab.

  “What in the world was that about?” Reshma asked, looking at the door as it closed.