n

n

n~ ZEV ~

nThe more Dunken talked, the more tense Zev became.

nHe'd been fine when his friend was covering all the things he already knew—that the males had been off fighting, demonstrating dominance, and working through the hierarchy on the night the females were taken.

nBut he hadn't known that the Team must have brought through dozens of people, because hundreds of females and offspring were removed from Thana in only seven hours.

nThat more than a dozen lower level males were killed because they'd returned to the City to check on their families, or to sleep in preparation for the following day, and disturbed the raid.

nHe hadn't known that the males still didn't understand how the females had been removed—so many of them, so quickly—because they knew their females would have fought the weaker, smaller humans.

n

"It made no sense,

" Dunken said, his frustration plain.

"There was no blood, no evidence of a struggle, even! We heard none of the sounds of weapons—and yet, the males that disturbed them were executed. So, how did they do it?

"

n

"Hasn't anyone asked them?

" Zev asked.

n

"They say they went voluntarily.

"

n

"Wait, what?

"

nDunken nodded.

"I know, it's crazy, but the researchers swear that they came and presented their case, and the females followed them. On their own feet.

"

n

"With the offspring?

"

n

"Yes! At least, that's what they say, but it can't be true! They would never abandon their mates. The only thing I've discussed with Lhars—when Xar wasn't listeneing, because the Tiger gets really tense whenever we question this stuff—is that maybe they were deceived? Like, maybe the humans offered them something they thought… like you said they made you believe that you had to go save lives. Maybe something like that? But I just can't see them all falling for that kind of ruse—and bringing the kids! I mean, the humans were being so helpful in the wake of you leaving, yes. We were all cheered. It seemed like they actually wanted to help. But this? I just can't see it.

"

n

"Wanted to help? How would humans help you work through the hierarchy?

"

n

"They left that part to us. But they brought extra teams through with food and medical supplies, so we didn't have to hunt, and we could heal even faster. They offered—and they were true to their words. They were bringing stuff through every few days. Even I was surprised.

"

n

"They brought food?

" Zev asked faintly.

n

"And medical supplies—and I know what you're thinking, Zev. But no, it wasn't drugged or anything. We all shared the evening meal before the males went off to finalize the hierarchy. If that had been it, we would have all passed out, or… or whatever.

"

nThat wasn't true. But his friend couldn't be expected to know that. Zev's stomach dropped into a pit and Dunken's eyes got sharp.

n

"What is it?

" he growled.

nZev raked a hand through his hair. Sasha was watching him closely. He had to be careful not to frighten her.

"So, the humans… they have tools… things I've learned about since my time with them. And it's not true that the food you ate couldn't have been tainted or poisoned. At least, you're right—they didn't put a drug in it. But they have… other things at their disposal.

"

n

"Things like what?

"

n

"Like drugs that are harmless in their normal state, but that shift in your blood if you're given the right addition to them.

" Zev cursed and Dunken got very tense.

n

"What are you saying, Zev?

"

nSasha stared up at him, her eyes wide. Zev squeezed her hand.

n

"I'm saying it's very possible that you all had something in your bloodstream that, if you'd been given whatever the females were given while you were gone, it would have made you decide to walk out of here by choice, too.

"

n

"What?! You can't be serious?

"

n

"I've seen things they give people that just… remove their… I don't even know how to say it. Remove their will? They become compliant. They can be told to do something and they won't question. They can be asked a question and they'll just answer it—no matter what the truth is.

n

"If they gave all of you something that needed, I don't know, a second food or drink that would trigger the first in your system—the trigger is different depending what they used. Hell, it could even be that all they have to do is shine a specific type of light on you, or play a certain piece of music—

"

n

"What? Are you crazy, Zev?

" Dunken scrambled to his feet to stand over him.

"What music or light would make people do something so stupid? How many types of light can there be?

"

n

"Thousands,

" Sasha breathed, still staring at Zev.

nHe looked down at her, an apology in his eyes.

"I don't want to scare you—

"

n

"You're saying all that mind-control stuff… the people that you worked with, they do that?

" Sasha said quietly.

nZev nodded, and his stomach sank further. She knew about these things?

nSasha shook her head.

"I so hoped that those programs, those operations that got declassified last year… that they were the last.

" Her eyes looked so sad.

"That's how they got you to walk out on me? And on this place? These people?

"

n

"No! No, that was just… Nick deceived me. Manipulated me. I wasn't mind controlled.

"

n

"Are you certain?

" she asked.

nZev blinked. He hadn't been. Had he?

nA small, cold trickle of fear started down his back. He had to turn away from Sasha's worried face for a moment. Why was it that he'd never asked himself that before? He'd seen these tools used so many times—had been party to their use against criminals and murderers… But himself?

n

"No,

" he said emphatically.

"They haven't. I remember everything clearly—and the people they do these things to always forget. Plus, Nick said they never want to risk messing with my head, because they need me… look, the point is. I was wrong to go—from both of you,

" he said looking back and forth between Dunken and Sasha.

"But I was manipulated. I was young and naïve when they took me from you, Sasha, and I was desperate to prove to myself that I hadn't made a mistake when I left you when they got me out of Thana. The whole thing is just a cluster ** and I wish I'd never been a part of any of it.

"

nHe was beginning to shake. His mind starting to flash with images that he had to force himself to turn from.

nThey were both staring at him. Why wouldn't they stop staring? He was fine! He was just upset.

nBut then Sasha turned and put a hand on his thigh.

"Zev, what is it?

" And when he reached for her, his hand was trembling so badly his finger snagged on her jacket.

n

"It's just… It's just ugly stuff. The things you're describing, Dunken, they end in ugly things. And I wish… I would do anything not to have been a part of it. That's all,

" he said, sliding his hand under Sasha's on his thigh and locking their fingers.

n

"So, they really did just walk out?

" Dunken breathed.

nZev nodded.

"I'm sorry. They probably did. But it isn't because they wanted to. They weren't convinced of anything. They were controlled. They won't even remember it.

"

nBut Zev did.

nZev remembered what was done to them later.. And that was the sickest part of all.

n