Chapter 1
As the cool metal of the elevator met your white button-up blouse, a shiver ran down your spine. The gleaming doors slid shut, enclosing you with the armored guard who stood at parade rest before the touchscreen panel. Despite being no taller than you, he might have been intimidating under different circumstances.
You bit your lip, resisting the urge to tap your loafer on the marble floor. The guard's face remained hidden behind his thick helmet, his expressionless demeanor unnerving you.
"Ahem," the guard cleared his throat, tapping his gloved hand on his uniformed arm. He clearly expected something, but you couldn't fathom what. You weren't familiar with fancy elevators.
"Um..." you hesitated, wondering if people tipped elevator guards. After all, you'd never encountered one before. Your lack of expertise in tipping culture meant you typically avoided situations involving percentage-based math. It wasn't your strong suit; there was a reason you were a guard and not a math scientist...Mathmagician? You'd remember the word later...
You reached for your wallet and pulled out a couple of dollars, glancing at the guard. He sighed and tilted his head toward the floor.
With pursed lips, you stuffed the dollars back amongst crumpled receipts and disorganized cards before extracting a rumpled twenty-dollar bill. You smoothed it out and hesitantly offered it to the guard.
A moment of awkward silence ensued as the tattered bill fluttered between you like a woeful flag. You couldn't shake the feeling that the guard was laughing at you behind his mirrored visor.
"What exactly do you think is happening right now?" the guard asked in a surprisingly high-pitched English accent.
"It's my, um, first day. I haven't been here long enough to ride the fancy elevator, so..." You shrugged and gestured vaguely at the panel. "I don't... Yeah."
"Thought you were a fancy doctor until you pulled out that ratty wallet. It's your security card I'm after, miss," the guard informed you, dropping his formal stance. "Officer Lucan Brattleby at your service, Miss. Security Guard, are you?"
You nodded, suppressing a sheepish grin as you rifled through your wallet for your security card.
"No longer interested in paying me, huh?" the guard joked. "Twenty dollars just for standing here and looking at you? Either you're a fool, or you have money to burn. And I doubt you have money to burn if you're willing to work anywhere this elevator goes..."
"Give me a break, will you? This place is on another level; how was I supposed to know? It's not like there's a sign with instructions about having your security card ready." You shot a glare at the guard and tossed your card at him like a throwing knife. He snatched it from the air with impressive agility for someone encased in an armored suit.
"Hey, hey! No harm intended," he reassured you. "The ground floor is filled with the brightest scientists of our time. I'm just helping you get used to being called a fool."
"Wow, thanks a lot."
"You're welcome," the guard laughed, your distorted reflection glowering back at you from his tinted visor. "Don't give me that look, rookie. Take comfort in the fact that you're likely the sharpest of the security team stationed in the lower levels. Although, that's not saying much; they have some first-class dimwits down there."
"Who should I credit for such a bad impression?" you inquired. "What did they do?"
"It's more of a general attitude than a specific incident."
"One of them farted in your elevator, didn't they?"
"Everyone farts in this elevator."
"I haven't."
"And I thank you for that, imagine my horror when you tried to pass me cash. I thought the twenty was for the 'gas pass.'"
"Ugh. Disgusting."
"Believe me, I should be the one who's disgusted. This suite doesn't have air filters, and I can't leave during my shift, except for lunch breaks. I'm the real victim here."
"You certainly sound like a victim.” You scoff, “We just met. Why are we discussing flatulence?"
"Flatulence? That's a big word. Are you sure you're not a scientist?"
You swat at his arm as Lucan examines your card.
"Wow, this is so new I can still feel the printer's heat. I'm guessing you're going to the lowest level since it's the only floor with open access today?"
"Yes, I completed the corporation's basic training program a month ago. Apparently, I have limited access and need to wait for the lab's scheduled shipments before I can go down." He hands back your card, and you tuck it into your Alice in Wonderland wallet.
"No need to share your whole life story, Miss... While we are at it, I'd suggest getting a lanyard for that card. The guys downstairs might tease you if they see that wallet - you're already petite, and you don't want them to treat you like a child."
"Look who's talking! You're barely taller than me!" You point a finger at him, hand on your hip. "You rude little man!"
"Little man!? I'm fun-sized, and I'm allowed to use a taser if I want!"
You lean back, eyes wide. "Do you have a taser on you?"
"No, but I wish I did right now." Lucan huffs.
"Shorty."
"Better get going before I hear more of it." Lucan laughs, pulling out his own ID card and swiping it on the console beside him. The elevator doors lock before the lift drops smoothly.
"Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt." A low gurgling noise shatters the brief silence, and you turn your horrified gaze towards its source.
"Lucan, did you really?" You cover your mouth and nose with your hand.
"We've got about three minutes to marinate in the consequences of your actions, Miss. Enjoy the aroma. As for the lab access, it only opens once every three years, barring emergencies. I hear the pay is great for lock-in assignments, but I'd go stir-crazy down there with those stuck-up lab rats."
"We're just ignoring the fact that you farted?"
"Yes, we are. Unless you want another whiff of Eau de Brattleby?"
"No, thanks, Lucan. Scientists? Do they live down there too?" You'd been kept in the dark about your assignment, only knowing you'd provide protection for the research team, serve as general security, and receive on-the-job training. You had no clue what research was being conducted in the corporation's lower levels or who the scientists were.
"Of course. You didn't think this fancy marble and posh decor were for us, did you?" He laughs, playfully smacking your shoulder as if you were old friends.
"I hope the dorms are more welcoming than the intimidating lobby."
As the elevator descends rapidly, you wonder if it's supposed to move this quickly.
"Don't get your hopes up, Rookie. Everything here caters to a higher class than us. They prioritize aesthetics over comfort, but you'll adapt... probably."You sniff, then remember not to breathe too deeply in the elevator. With pursed lips, you pick at a stray thread from your slacks, hoping they won't unravel. Your family might not be rolling in cash like Scrooge McDuck, but Lucan didn't need to remind you. "Well, here we are. Just a heads-up, you have a nice face, but I doubt I'll remember your name after three years."
You stifle a laugh. "I was just thinking how memorable your helmet is. You leave quite an impression, Lucan. It was almost a pleasure."
"Yeah, yeah." The guard taps his helmet. "Lift Bravo to ground level. Rabbit is in the hole, I repeat, Rabbit is in the hole. Over." He taps his helmet again.
“Acknowledged, over.” You wince at the static-laced voice booming fromt the radio at Lucan’s hip.
"You're kidding. With this high-end setup, they can't tell when the lift reaches the right floor? Am I the 'rabbit'?" You raise your brow, pointing at yourself.
"Don't flatter yourself, Rookie. Only important people like lab rats get cool code names. We're just supporting characters." As the elevator stops with a soft ding, Lucan taps his card on the panel and fiddles with the console. "They'll teach you additional security measures as you go. The corporation prefers inexperienced security to train by their standards. You'll be a pro in no time, I promise."
The doors unlock with a clank, making you jump.
"This is your stop."
"Thanks for the chat, Lucan." You nod, patting your back pocket for your security card before turning to the doors. "See you in a couple of years."
"You will." The guard leans in, whispering, "Some advice: Don't get too close to the scientists. Pretend they don't exist and go about your day. They're the exotic animals in this zoo, while we're just squirrels. Save friendships and casual flings for your security team." His voice is tinged with bitterness, making you want to comfort him.
You nod, your smile fading and shoulders tensing in front of the doors. You wonder what prompted him to share that advice.
"Remember, you're expendable to them." Lucian's words echo in your mind as he stands in his corner. You turn to ask why he'd say that, but the doors open with a swish, casting a blinding line of light on you. Disoriented, you stumble out of the elevator, covering your eyes from the harsh fluorescent lights.