[Lily POV]

  As I look for evidence to find out who freed Brick, someone informs me that the recovery team is calling for me. I look over at the messenger, who's shaking like a leaf.

  "D-d-doctor, there is a call from the recovery team for y-y-you."(messenger)

  "Thank you, you may go."(Lily)

  I try to tell her in the most reassuring voice, but unfortunately, it seems that has only frightened her more. It looks like my test outburst has made the rounds. After locking up my b, I head to the communications room to talk to the recovery team. I ask the frightened receptionist which one of the phones the recovery team is on, and she points to the st one in the line. I picked up the phone expecting to hear Gale, but to my surprise, it was an unfamiliar man named Ivan.

  "Hello, Ivan of the recovery team reporting in."(Ivan)

  "This is the head Doctor Lily. What happened to Gale?"(Lily)

  "Gale pushed himself too far and is passed out at the moment. But do not worry, he is fine, as are our targets."(Ivan)

  "That's good to hear. How are the targets doing?"(Lily)

  "Both of them are asleep right now. Kim was worried about Gale, but I informed her he was just passed out."(Ivan)

  "I see, but other than that, she is ok?"(Lily)

  "Quite so, she got angry with the other two members for calling Jill the fox a thing."(Ivan)

  "I see. Do you know if Kim had named Jill?"(Lily)

  "Unfortunately, good Doctor, she went to sleep after chastising them. So I did not get the details, but I recognize Jill as the same creature that saved me and my men a little while ago."(Ivan)

  "It's reassuring that Jill isn't hostile to people, but I still need more information. Maybe a blood sample as well."(Lily)

  After being reassured that everyone is ok, I start rambling about the test I need to do when they get to the base. That is until I remember Brick is on the loose still.

  "Ivan, have you encountered any humanoid bug monsters?"(Lily)

  "No, but Gale seemed upset before he made a mad dash over here. By the time I caught up, he was passing out."(Ivan)

  "Then there is nothing to worry about."(Lily)

  "Why do you say that?"(Ivan)

  "Gale, likely finish it before you got there. He would have been dead otherwise."(Lily)

  "I understand. Then I will have him inform you when we return."(Ivan)

  "Good, I will be waiting"(Lily)

  I hang up the phone, happy that Kim and Gale are safe. I head back to my office to continue investigating who freed Brick. I open up my files, and after a brief moment, I notice that some of them were accessed soon after Brick was brought in. I quickly looked through a few of them, some were corrupted, but I have backups in my safe that only Gale knows about. I noticed the corrupted files were about Kim and the effects of Shift energy on her. This isn't good. What could they possibly want with this info? As I ponder this, I'm reminded that Brick knew something about the cocoon strands I didn't. Maybe he didn't learn that himself, but someone taught him instead. I continue to ponder this while looking through more files. As I keep looking, trying to find something that points to the culprit, nothing is popping out.

  "I wish I knew who had more information on Shifts than me!"(Lily)

  After my outburst, I walk around the base alone to clear my head. The hallways are always clear when I take a walk. I know people avoid me, but this still gets to me. I hope Gale and Kim get back soon.

  [Jill POV]

  After waking up, I looked around to see if Kim was alright. I immediately felt that she was sleeping on my back, and a look of satisfaction forms on my face. After confirming Kim was ok, my next concern was Gale's well-being. I did not have to worry because he was sleeping while a man I recognized watched over him. Oops, It seems my shifting has woken Kim up.

  Sorry, did I wake you? (Jill)

  "No, I was more resting than sleeping. How do you feel?"(Kim)

  I'm fine. I was more worried about you. (Jill)

  "I'm good, but did you hear anything before I was knocked out?"(Kim)

  Kim seemed embarrassed when she asked that question.

  No, I was too angry to notice. Was it something important? (Jill)

  I replied, slightly annoyed when I remembered what happened.

  "No, it was nothing, and I'm sorry I worried you."(Kim)

  Don't be. You're safe, and that's all that matters. (Jill)

  "But that's not all that matters! You got hurt, and I couldn't do anything about it!"(Kim)

  Kim's shouting got the attention of everyone, and the man next to Gale looked worried.

  "Kim, what's wrong?"(Ivan)

  "It's nothing, don't worry about it."(Kim)

  She replied, a little embarrassed because of her outburst. I decided to pat her head with one of my tails.

  "Stop that! I'm still mad at you for the risk you put yourself in!"(Kim)

  Kim's yelling seems to have woken up Gale. I see him start to stand up and look around, but unfortunately for him, so does Kim.

  "And you, why did get so worked up that you passed out in the middle of the road?!"(Kim)

  Gale's eyes shot open, turning to the person yelling at him. He looked like a deer in headlights at being scolded as soon as he was awake. But before Kim could continue, someone else stopped her.

  "Sorry, Kim. But I have already informed him that I will be the one to give him a talking to."(Ivan)

  "Fine, but save some for Lily. She will want in as soon as she hears about this. Now Jill and I will go to change be right back."(Kim)

  Kim grabbed the clothes Ivan handed her and pulled me behind a building.

  "Ok, now we are alone. I need you to transform so you can put on these clothes so that you are not naked in the car when we leave."(Kim)

  Ok, but are you sure you're ok? You still seem mad. (Jill)

  "I'm fine, but we will talk when we get to the base."(Kim)

  After telling me that, I transformed and tried to put on the clothes Kim gave me. Only after I made some holes for my tails and wings was I finally able to put them on. Kim waited for me to finish before we started to walk back.