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reactor
chamber. They were loaded with rack-mounted computer equipment
actively processing data with their LED lights flashing and their
hard drives whirling. A retractable network console was located
waist-high in the center rack with its hide-a-way keyboard pulled
out on sliding rails.
    “Trevor designed the system from the ground
up and it controls our reactor. Everything else is networked to the
university’s mainframe and we share CPU time across all active
experiments.”
    Lucas guided her to a pair of tall,
red-and-blue storage cabinets on the other side of the room. He
opened the first storage unit, which contained an assortment of
hand tools, cleaning supplies, paper, pens, and other miscellaneous
materials.
    “If you ever need any supplies, you’ll find
them in here.”
    He removed a clipboard hanging on a magnetic
hook inside the cabinet’s door. “Just be sure to write down what
you used in this inventory log. Dr. Kleezebee wants every penny
accounted for.”
    He opened the second cabinet, which held an
array of equipment, wire, and other electronic parts. He pulled out
a handheld device the size of a DVD case and held it up in front of
her. “Radiological detector. Hopefully, we’ll never have to use
this puppy.”
    “How likely is that?”
    “Not very. We’ve spent the past eighteen
months making sure this experiment is perfectly safe.”
    “But there’re always risks, right?”
    “Sure, but I wouldn’t be too concerned.
Kleezebee made sure we took every precaution.”
    Abby allowed herself time to scribble in her
notebook. “Can I see the reactor?”
    “Sure. I was planning on showing you that
next.”
    He walked to the door to the reactor chamber.
Drew followed along behind them. Lucas led Abby into a smaller room
just inside the chamber’s entrance; Drew stayed outside. They were
standing in a closet-sized room that resembled a two-door airlock
system, like those found aboard a submarine.
    “The reactor’s a clean-room, so we use this
decontamination chamber each time personnel or material enters the
chamber.” Lucas reached around her and closed the thick outer door.
He turned around and powered on a twelve-inch LCD monitor to the
right of the inner door. Drew’s face appeared on the screen once
the image stabilized.
    “He’s sitting in front of his console at the
Primary Control Station,” Lucas told her.
    Lucas opened a cabinet to his left and
gathered one of the six yellow protective suits hanging inside.
Below them were several pairs of steel-toed boots and
chemical-resistant gloves. A handful of voice-operated microphones
and earpieces were sitting on the top shelf.
    “A Hazmat suit?” she asked.
    “Yes, Level A. Provides airtight protection
from all forms of chemicals, including gasses and vapors. Safety
protocols require we use them inside the reactor.” He pulled out a
second suit and handed it to her. “We even have one in your size.
Put this on. Let me know if you need assistance.”
    Lucas used the reflective glass to watch her
wiggle and slide her perfect ass into the bottom of the suit. His
face flushed with blood, as did the rest of his body. He wondered
what it looked like underneath—probably milky white and smooth
since she did not appear to be much of a sun worshiper. He didn’t
see any panty lines underneath her white stretch pants, so perhaps
she was wearing a thong or nothing at all. He smiled. She was
definitely an improvement over their previous assistant, Gracie.
She pulled the suit higher, nearing the sculpted curves of her
breasts that were tucked away inside her skin-tight, pink t-shirt.
He prayed she’d ask for help, but she didn’t. Then she froze for a
moment, turning her head slightly as if she sensed him gawking at
her flawless body. He looked away and fiddled with the video
screen, pretending to adjust its screen.
    * * *
    Five minutes later, both of them were
wearing their protective gear, including boots, gloves, and the
voice-activated