Erica felt a bit nervous as she followed Miss Planner through the long basement hallway into the lab area. She had no idea what to expect. Although Miss Planner's team of analysts had access to a lot of sensitive information, they still knew almost nothing about the work the Chosen Ones' elite team of research scientists did far from prying eyes.
"This is where the researchers work... Dalton and his team are usually around here somewhere..."
Miss Planner waved her hand in front of her as if trying to push away invisible clutter. Erica walked closely behind her, hugging her purse tightly. Her heart raced and she tried hard not to think too much. The last thing she wanted right now was another panic attack. The women's matching loafers tapped rhythmically against the cold stone floor, leaving dark footprints in the dust.
"Well, look who's here... it's our team's newest scientist. Erica, this is Tori. We snatched her up from the Pit Kings last week. She's still in training, but she's pretty good already."
Tori was sitting alone in a research station at the back of the lab complex. She turned to give Erica a small wave and smiled weakly. A large, flat desk messily covered in racks of test tubes occupied much of the room's space, along with other bits of strange equipment that Erica couldn't even guess the purpose of.
"Hi. Nice to meetcha," said Tori. "I hate to push people away, but I'm in the middle of something right now. Let's talk later."
She gestured to the room with a flick of her wrist, indicating the piles and racks of equipment. It was all very cluttered, but she'd managed to get it organized at least a little.
"Nice... to meet you too," whispered Erica. Miss Planner sighed and took her by the arm, dragging Erica away from the research station. They continued deeper into the lab until they arrived at another wide door.
"Everyone else should be coming in soon. Lazy slobs making Tori do all their work. I bet they think they can sleep in every day... damn it."
Erica was shocked to hear Miss Planner express her frustration. She was used to seeing the tiny woman put on a cheerful face and smile all the time, no matter what. What Erica didn't realize was that Miss Planner only acted that way around people who weren't important enough to get under her skin. She was willing to tolerate a little bit of bad behavior here and there from ordinary low-level employees, but she expected better from the Chosen Ones' star players.
"We pay these slackers far too much money for what they do. At least I get to work on the big boy all by myself until they get here."
Miss Planner's demeanor changed at once, and she returned to her usual calm self. She pulled open a heavy metal door and led Erica into a wide concrete room filled with enormous metal cylinders. They looked like giant soda cans without tops. Miss Planner hopped to a research station and pressed a few buttons, and the room whirred to life. Light came from deep within the machines, creating an eerie glow that illuminated the entire chamber. Erica felt overwhelmed as she looked around. There were so many different tubes, pipes, and wires covering the floor. It almost seemed like some sort of factory, or maybe a machine shop.
"This is where we're keeping the Feeder. You can watch from the monitors if you want. Or if you're feeling brave... you can come in the containment chamber with me."
Erica froze. She knew the Chosen Ones caught a Feeder, but she couldn't imagine getting anywhere near one. Miss Planner smiled at her, unperturbed.
"Don't worry. Our pet Feeder is as sweet as pie. Why don't you just watch from the monitor? Here. You don't have to come in with me. Just relax. Take a seat. Wow. These chairs are comfy, huh? Do they let you adjust the back and legs?"
"Umm... isn't it dangerous?" asked Erica nervously. "I mean... they eat people... and they can change their shapes..."
Miss Planner chuckled. She guided Erica by the waist into a comfy black leather chair, placing her in front of a large monitor mounted on the wall. Displayed on the screen was a containment tank ominously labeled 'DANGER - DO NOT OPEN - MATURE FEEDER - MALE.'
"Oh, stop being silly. Believe me when I say he's harmless."
The tiny blonde woman patted Erica on the head and left her alone at the research station. She walked deeper in through another wide doorway to the Feeder's cage. The lab techs had positioned a control box beside the large container connected to all sorts of blinking lights, dials, and levers. All of the equipment was covered in red plastic, except for the top of the device. Miss Planner flicked the cover open with a finger, revealing a pair of glistening red eyes peering at her from the dark interior of the enclosure.
"Hello there, sweetie," said Miss Planner softly. "It's time to eat. I've got some nice expired meat for you from the cafeteria. Ah. What a waste of nice steak."
She pressed a few buttons and a chute opened in the beast's cell, unceremoniously dumping its meal to the floor like a pile of dirty laundry. A long, winding tongue snaked out of its mouth and curled up to lick the mess away from the concrete floor. Miss Planner watched silently as the Feeder sniffed and slurped up the bloody mass. She made sure to stay away from any sensitive parts of the creature, but it didn't appear to be particularly bothered by her presence. Rather, it looked like it was enjoying itself immensely. Erica watched intently from the research station, at first horrified, then fascinated.
