The 8ight: Desperate Hour. Maxine Boone's McClendon

became very secretive and paranoid. Dr. Shiva had suspected that there was some sort of genetic link between Claire and the specimens and indicated that she was going to do some research in the archives. Her last digital communication to me was that she solved the riddle, had found something she needed to bring directly to the ruling body of the Company, but before she could even share with me what she found she was executed.

      “Claire said it was one of the specimens that did it, but I had my suspicions. I think her fear of what using her ability was doing to her caused her to accelerate our testing schedule. She became erratic, and as I said earlier, extremely paranoid,” Dr. Ivo babbled, trying to save himself and his staff. “She gave us an ultimatum: either uncover why the specimens were immune to the aging factor that was affecting everyone else with abilities or be exterminated along with them in the New Year. How were we supposed to work under those conditions?” Dr. Ivo glanced back at his companions, but none of them offered to help.

      “I was in charge, Kyle! Me! The Company hired me to solve this riddle. I was promised complete autonomy and what happens? I’m treated like a common errand boy, a dog! I was put in charge!

      “I tried to reason with her, but she wouldn’t listen. How can you gather the greatest scientific minds in the world and expect them to work under threat of death? It’s just not possible!” Ivo shouted, his indignation momentarily overcoming his fear. “We accepted the fact that she was going to follow through with her threat, so my staff and I just...acted before time.”

      Kyle nodded his head in an understanding manner. “So, because my sister expected you to do what you said you were able to do and hold you responsible for your progress or lack thereof, you destroy the entire facility, and kill everyone within, including the eight successful specimens and my sister? Now I understand Dr. Ivo, I really do.” Kyle looked at the remainder of Ivo’s staff. “You all may leave,” he said, dismissing them with a wave.

      At first, no one moved, unable to believe that they were escaping punishment so easily. With a sharp whistle and snap, the dogs stepped to the side, along with the armed men in black. Hesitantly, in pairs and groups, Dr. Ivo and his staff slowly turned and made it to the door when Shannon’s grin turned pure evil and she gave a tight nod.

      The room quickly filled with excited barks and excruciating screams of pain and fear. The scientists all fell under the weight of the attacking guard dogs which blinked! away quickly after latching onto arms, torsos, legs, and necks. In the literal blink of an eye, Dr. Ivo was the sole remaining person alive from his staff. He cowered on the blood-soaked carpet, held spread eagle by four massive Blink! dogs, each of his feet and hands gripped tightly in their huge jaws.

      “Please,” Dr. Ivo begged as he looked up at the impassive Kyle in abject terror. “Don’t kill me! I have too much to offer to the Company!”

      “Oh, I’m not going to kill you, doctor,” Kyle said as he crouched over his trembling body. “Your expertise is going to be greatly needed in creating more specimens.” He motioned to the last remaining Blink! dog and it crept forward slowly between Dr. Ivo’s outstretched legs, menacing growls emanating from its drooling jaws.

      “However, unlike my dearly departed sister, I will suffer no challenge to my authority,” Kyle declared as the Blink! dog clamped down onto Dr. Ivo’s groin area.

      The other dogs released Dr. Ivo’s hands and feet, but he remained frozen in fear, afraid that any wrong move would result in dire injury to his private parts.

      “There can only be one man in charge, Dr. Ivo. Only one. Me. Maybe this will bring my point home.”

      Kyle nodded once to the remaining latched-on Blink! dog. It seemed to smile evilly around its clamped jaws.

      Then it blinked! away.