Trixie and Uni straightened their backs, ready to listen to Dolores's plan. They were relieved to have an expert guide them, but also slightly nervous about what they might have to do to help Stephanie.
"Please, tell us," Uni said, glancing over at Trixie, who nodded in agreement.
Dolores, satisfied with their determination, began to outline her plan.
"The first thing we need to do is to observe Subject Zero. We need to know more about her, about her behaviors, triggers, any potential weaknesses that can be exploited. We must understand her completely to have any chance of getting through to her.”
Uni and Trixie nodded, taking in every word. The thought of observing Stephanie was uncomfortable, but they knew it was necessary.
"We can do that," Uni assured Dolores. "We know her well...at least...better than anyone else. We can look for patterns, triggers, anything that might help.”
Dolores, pleased by their cooperation, continued. "Good, that's a start. You will also need to ensure your own safety when dealing with Subject Zero. Her potential for violence, especially under the influence of the Archons, is immense. There are countermeasures you can take advantage of to handle her, but you must be prepared. I need you two to be trained in self-defense, and you must have quick access to tranquilizers if necessary.”
Uni and Trixie nodded again, both a bit shaken by the mention of self-defense and tranquilizers. But they swallowed their fear and stayed determined.
"We can learn," Trixie said resolutely. "We'll do whatever it takes to be prepared for whatever happens with Stephanie.”
Dolores gave a nod of approval, a bit of respect in her eyes. "That's the spirit. But understand, no matter how much we prepare, there's always a risk. Aranaki are volatile and unpredictable, especially Subject Zero. As you've stated, her upbringing has allowed for a certain level of control over violent impulses, but we can never be too sure when the Archons take full command. That being said, do everything you can to keep Stephanie away from any physical, mental, and emotional stress or harm. Any excessive stimuli will cause her to snap and kill anyone with reckless abandon, and that includes you two."
Uni and Trixie exchanged a look, the weight of Dolores's words sinking in.
"So, we need to make sure she's as calm as possible," Uni said, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Keep the environment as normal and stable as we can, and avoid any triggers."
Trixie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we understand...but...what if it's not enough? What if we can't keep her calm? What if the Archons take over...?”
Dolores paused, her face solemn. "If that happens, it's a worst-case scenario. If the Archons fully take control, there's nothing we can do. Tranquilizers are useless against a full-blown Aranak attack, and physical restraint won’t hold against the kind of strength they possess. Our only hope in that case would be to get away and regroup when she has calmed down.”
Uni and Trixie's faces turned pale at Dolores's words. The thought of Stephanie transforming into a violent monster, completely controlled by the Archons, was terrifying. But they couldn't give up now, not when they were this far.
Trixie, trying to hide her fear, nodded and asked, "What else can we do if...if things don't go well...?”
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Dolores took a deep breath, knowing this was a tough question to answer. "In that unlikely but very real scenario where we fail to control Subject Zero, where the Archons have managed to regain control of her mind, then...then you need to understand that there is a high likelihood that we will be dealing with a dangerous, unstable Aranak. And the protocol in that case..."
She trailed off, her voice becoming quiet.
Uni picked up on Dolores's tone, and her heart sank. "The...the protocol...?"
Dolores looked at them with a grave expression. "In the unlikely event that control cannot be exercised and Subject Zero becomes a danger to society...the only way to prevent further harm is...to..."
She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper, "...to neutralize Subject Zero.”
Trixie and Uni stared at Dolores, their faces a mixture of shock and horror. Did she really just imply what they thought she was implying? To end Stephanie's life? That wasn't an option. It wasn't.
Trixie's voice trembled as she asked, "Neutralize...you mean...kill her?”
Dolores's face remained stoic but her inner turmoil was evident. "It's a last resort. A choice nobody wants to make. But an Aranak out of control, especially one as powerful as Subject Zero, is too dangerous to be left unchecked. We've seen the results of her escaping once, we can't afford to let it happen again. Her powers are too destructive, her potential for harm too great. If it comes down to the lives of many, over the life of one…”
Uni and Trixie looked at each other, a pleading look in their eyes, silently begging the other to find a way around it, to convince Dolores that there was another way. But both of them knew that Dolores was right. They just didn't want to accept it.
Uni's voice was thin as she said, "There has to be a better way... We can't just...we can't just kill her…”
Dolores's expression softened a fraction, a trace of empathy in her eyes. "I understand your emotions, but we're dealing with a level of power and danger here that you're both not truly grasping. You're seeing Subject Zero through rose-colored glasses, and while I applaud your loyalty and empathy, it's blinding you both to the danger she really poses. I'm not advocating for killing your friend on a whim. I'm advocating for it as a last resort if all else fails, if she poses a genuine threat to society that we can't contain.”
Both Uni and Trixie felt a wave of helplessness wash over them. They knew Dolores was right, but the thought of doing harm to Stephanie, even in extreme circumstances, was unbearable. They were stuck in a tight spot, torn between their loyalty to Stephanie and the necessity of taking extreme actions.
Trixie, her voice barely above a whisper, said, "But...she's more than just an Aranak... She's...she's an innocent little girl…”
Dolores looked at the two girls, her expression serious, but her voice softer. "I'm not denying that. She is young and has been through a lot. But remember, she's still an Aranak. And an Aranak that's out of control is a destructive force. I'm not saying this to be cruel, I'm saying this to make you both understand the reality of what we're dealing with here. We're walking on a tightrope, and we need to be prepared for any and all possibilities.”
Uni and Trixie nodded, their faces reflecting their understanding of the dire situation. Dolores was being practical, seeing things they couldn't, not wanting to. But they still clung stubbornly to the hope that it wouldn't come to that. That there was a way to help Stephanie without ending her life.
Uni, after a heavy sigh, said, "Alright...we get it. As a last resort...if there's no other way...we'll...”
She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Dolores observed their faces, noting their pained expressions and the struggle within themselves. She understood the difficulty of the situation, but her duty was paramount.
"Just remember," she said, her voice stern yet comforting, "our goal is to avoid that outcome at all costs. But we must be prepared for it. We have to be strong, even if it means making tough decisions. Understood?”
Uni and Trixie nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Dolores. Despite the heaviness in their hearts, they knew they couldn't let their personal feelings cloud their judgment. They had to be ready for anything, even if that meant making a decision they didn't want to make.
Dolores gave a resolute nod in response, finishing off one more stick of biltong before zipping the bag up and wiping her hands off with a napkin. "Very well then. Now then, since you've gotten the information you've come for, I reckon it's high time you both get out of this facility. I don't want you both to get caught and get ME in trouble too.”
Uni and Trixie, shaken up by the gravity of their conversation, nodded again. "Thank you, Dolores," Uni managed to say, her voice thin but grateful.
Trixie echoed the sentiment, "Yeah, uh, thank you for talking to us, even though it was...you know..."
Dolores nodded stoically and said, "Don't mention it. And one more thing before you leave…”
"What is it?" Uni asked, her focus shifting back to Dolores.
Dolores's gaze was steady and serious. "This conversation stays between us, understand? The less people who know about your knowledge of Subject Zero, the better. I took a risk talking to you, and if higher-ups found out, there could be trouble. I'm trusting you both to keep this under wraps, for your own sake and mine.”
Uni and Trixie nodded fervently. "Of course," Uni said, while Trixie added, "We won't tell anyone, we promise."
Dolores gave a nod of approval. "Good. Then off you both go. Don't get caught on your way out, and stay inconspicuous. Keep your heads down and don't do anything stupid.”
Uni and Trixie, both trying to gather themselves back together, murmured their thanks once more before heading out of Dolores's office. Each step felt heavy as they walked away from her office, carrying with them a burden of decisions that they hoped they would never have to make.