Botanicaust

her recent case files inside out. The only thing to do was mark Levi ’ s “ euthanized ” and close it.
    The one thing she couldn ’ t bear to do.
    She absently tapped the pencil on her gamma pad and stared at the only photo on her wall. Dr. Werne next to her at graduation, so proud of her, a convert, achieving her doctorate, especially so quickly. He was the reason she believed in conversion. The closest thing to family she ever had, he ’ d died of a stroke almost two years ago. What would he say if he was with her now?
    He ’ d ask what the cases had in common. She squeezed her eyes tight with the pain of thinking of them. Four deaths. Four people she ’ d rushed toward genetic alteration. Why did the department insist on so little time between capture and acceptance? Almost like they didn ’ t want new citizens. Which made sense. Not many Haldanians were as fanatic as Vitus, but even fellow converts like Mo had a hard time accepting new blood.
    She lowered her forehead onto the desk. Her job was pointless. Bats ’ s pathetic work at the vats had more value.
    If only native-born Haldanians had as much appreciation for the gift as she did. Conversion would put an end to cannibals. People would no longer live in terror of eat or be eaten. But it wasn ’ t like Levi was a cannibal. In spite of his attack on her in the cell, she believed he was peaceful. His people were probably peaceful. They ’ d see the value of conversion if given enough time.
    What gave the Board the right to take away someone ’ s life, just because they refused to be altered?
    Her fiber-optic puddle of sunlight faded to night, leaving her in darkness. The sounds of the department drifted to silence. The only one here would be the tech on duty.
    She crept to the door and peeked into the dim hall. Light streamed from the monitor room, but the rest of the doorways were closed or dark.
    Take Levi out to the Burn and let him go.
    Her heartbeat quickened until she was sure the tech could hear it. So what if she lost her job? She and Bats could work side by side in the protein factory. She ’ d have one less death on her conscience.
    Stepping back into the darkness of her lab, she sucked in a few deep breaths. The skimmer attendant would be gone, but she knew where he kept the ignition fobs. Levi would need clothing and a few supplies.
    Her golden robe hung in her lab closet. She grabbed it and her first aid kit, and was about to leave, then remembered his drawing pad. It was in her desk drawer, the only thing left from his arrival. Tucking it under an arm, she crossed the hall to the protein dispensary.
    The refrigerator was stocked with water bottles. She emptied a few and refilled them with protein fluid. He ’ d also need water. Lots of it on the Burn. She grabbed a dozen more bottles and realized she had no way to carry it all. Searching the dispensary, she found one small bag barely large enough to carry three bottles.
    She removed her lab coat and spread it across the floor. Using the notebook for a base, she stacked bottles in the middle along with the first aid kit. Then she brought the corners up and tied them together. For a handle, she knotted the sleeves at the ends and swung it over her shoulder. Awkward, but the best she could do.
    Again peering into the hall, she listened for movement from the monitor room. If Faran was on duty, he wouldn ’ t budge until he had to. She tiptoed to the euthanization room and looked into the window set high in the solid door. The room was pitch black.
    She swiped her hand across the locking palm pad and heard the click. Tensing, she darted a glance toward the monitor room. Nothing.
    Easing the door open, she squinted into the cell. She ’ d always avoided the room, and didn ’ t know how it was laid out. A rustle to her left told her where Levi must be. “ Tula? ” His voice was groggy.
    “ Shhhh. ” She held out a hand and moved into the room, colliding with his broad chest in four steps. “ Come, ” she whispered, stroking his shoulder and down his arm to take a hand.
    He followed without a sound. In the hall, she pulled the door shut, horrified at the click. No response from the monitor room. She put a finger to her lips, hoping he understood. With a hand, she gestured Levi to keep up.
    At the top of the stairs, she scanned the main hallway of the Liebert building. A few lights gleamed above privacy screens, but the hall appeared deserted. She handed Levi the robe. He could