.....Becomes a Not Normal Day

Ken has been working on this drug for the past several months. And, finally, he seems to be getting close to finding the solution he needs to make it work. As he continues his research and analysis of the last test, a large, muscular man walks in from the hall. The way the other scientists react, one can tell that this is an important man. Ken, entranced by his research, doesn't notice the man until he speaks to Ken.

"Dr. Spencer," rumbles the man.

Taken by surprise, Ken almost falls off the stool he is sitting upon as he spins to face the man.

"Gen....Ge.....General Caraway. I'm sorry, I did not hear you come in," Ken stammers out.

The General looks Ken over very carefully before responding, "I noticed. Will you please come to my office?"

"Yes, sir. Just as soon as I finish this analysis."

"No," says the General in a no nonsense sort of manner. "You will report now."

"Yes, I will be there," he says, unsure of why the urgency. Usually, the General would allow Ken to finish an analysis before insisting he be in the office. But, there was something in the General's features that made Ken think that this time is not the time to test his patience.

As the general leaves, Ken gives quick instructions to his lab staff to finish the analysis he had started. He then quickly leaves the lab headed towards the General's office. He finds when he turns the corner at the hall intersection towards the General's office that there are a large number of troops on guard duty near the door. While it is not unusual to see soldiers in the facility, it is quite unusual to find them guarding inside the building.

When he gets to the door, one of the soldiers knocks on the door and announces Ken's presence. The General waves Ken into the room and the guard closes the door. For a few moments, the General is concentrating heavily upon his cortex terminal. He then looks up to Ken and offers him a seat opposite him but out of view of the terminal.

"Dr. Spencer, I have called you in here on a matter of Alliance security. There is a project that must be completed as quickly as possible and I have volunteered you. Given how swiftly you conquered that strain of Talos Flu that the troops on Shadow a few months back, I think you'll do well for this project."

Ken is intrigued. Thus far, the projects have all been for the betterment of the troops and have been excellent challenges for his skills. "What sort of project is this, General?"

The General hands over a piece of paper to Ken. The heading reads "Top Secret". And the sub heading causes Ken to check a second time to be sure he read it correctly. He looks up at the General, "I cannot participate in this project, sir."

At those words, the General suddenly turned red and quite angry. Despite this change in mood, the General's words were measured and spoken clearly, "What was that, Mister?"

"I cannot participate in this project, sir. It goes against my oath as a doctor and humanitarian."

"You did not join the military to be a humanitarian."

"No, sir, I did not. But, I did join the military to help people. And, this....this 'project' helps no one."

The General was becoming quite irate at Ken's blatant refusal to head this project, "Doctor, you will do this project or you will suffer the consequences. I will give you until the end of the day to decide the way you should. Now, Leave!"

Taken aback by the anger in the General's voice, Ken is unsure what he should do. For a moment, he endures the stare of the General before he gets out of the chair and makes his way back into the hall. He saunters slowly back to his office next to his lab where he can think about what has just happened to him.