In the large room overlooking the red rocks and semi-arid landscape, the representatives of reptile species gathered around an enormous table.

The Council President rose from his seat, a red-tinted rock sphere held in the palm of his hand. He was about to deliver his closing words when the Anolis Kuni spoke up, her voice echoing in the polished wood chamber. All eyes turned towards her as she stood, regal in her gold crown of outward facing spikes, and her armor polished to a mirrorlike finish.

"There has been no discussion of the mammal issue."

The Council President maintained an affable facade as he spoke, though the Kuni could sense a hint of arrogance in his words. "That has been slated for the next meeting," he said.

"I'm talking about the research project that recently began—with no input from our own experts here in our native country. You can't be serious about our nation staying on this 'Council' when we are blatantly excluded from such a significant discovery." Her voice was measured and controlled but with a barely-contained angry undertone.

The Council President nervously ran a hand through his stiff, spiked beard as he shifted uneasily in his seat. He set down the smooth, marble-like ball and attempted to break the awkward silence. "We didn't think you had any interest in this mammal," he stammered, looking away from the Kuni. "You've been so busy with our other visitors that we thought--"

The Kuni cut him off abruptly. "Do not insult me with excuses," she said firmly. Her piercing gaze seemed to bore into the Council President as he continued: "We know how hostile the Council is to us. Events like this are precisely why we are considering withdrawal."

The President's voice was low and coaxing, and he gestured an outstretched hand as he said, "No slur was intended."

"I demand that our experts be allowed to investigate the mammal as a show of your sincerity."

Zilik jumped from his chair and slammed both hands on the wooden table, leaning forward with each word. "No! I object strongly. This has nothing to do with honor or their motherland. This is personal."

The Kuni and Cla stood up to leave, but the President interjected before they could take a single step. He picked up a polished red stone ball from the table and clacked it on the table to draw attention back to himself. "No, wait. Zilik, you're out of order. The Anolis Kuni's request will be granted."

Zilik crossed his arms and shook his head. "Leader, she's manipulating you. She has her own reasons for this. She's jealous because Alex is the sleep-mate—you can see it in her eyes," he said. He pointed an accusing finger at the Kuni, while one eye fixed on the Kuni and the other eye fixed on the Council President.

The president placed one hand on his hip and he waved the polished ball at Zilik. "Silence. Don't force me to eject you from this chamber. The Kuni's request is valid and we shall honor it as a measure of good faith."

Lok's voice was low and tinged with sadness as he looked at Zilik. "Alex is not the first to be sacrificed to political expediency." His color was a deep blue.

"But," Zilik said.

"Out." The President nodded to the guards who swung open both doors.

Zilik complied, his color changing furiously to red. He waited behind the double doors when the other members filed out after the President dismissed the meeting. When the Kuni and Cla exited, he hissed in Cla's tympanum, "Don't even think of harming Alex."

Cla whispered back, "Your kind will make excellent slaves when we conquer you. After we have slaughtered your cities, I shall spare you and have you as my personal slave to lick my feet."

Only Cla could leave Zilik speechless with anger.

***

Dr. Glick peered at Alex from behind the glass screen, his gold-rimmed glasses perched on the tip of his muzzle. "I need to see more of your cranial structures. Another bone film won't hurt," he said.

"Sure, Dr. Glick, but don't you have a CAT scan? It would be a lot more revealing," Alex said.

"What is a CAT scan?"

"It's like a bone film, except it takes pictures of the soft organs, such as my brain." Alex wondered that this world had primitive x-rays, yet still used carriages and horses.

A tall Anolis female entered the room, her stride confident and her head held high. An Anolis warrior followed her in and then took up guard at the door.

The tall Anolis' claws tapped a steady beat on the metal desk as she spoke. "Tthe creature is right. Examining its brain would be most useful. Why have you not explored this avenue further?"

"I beg your pardon?" Dr. Glick summoned every ounce of cold professionalism and faced the Anolis female.

The Anolis' lab coat was starched and neatly pressed, a stark contrast to the rumpled state of Dr. Glick's own attire. "I am Dr. Kor," she said coolly, "and I will take over this mammal's case. It's clear to me you have allowed far too much personal involvement in your analysis – something more befitting of a Chameleon than an Iguana."

"You will take over nothing," Dr. Glick replied curtly, setting his jaw as he maintained eye contact with the other doctor. "I am the authority on primates here."

"Start acting like one. I have the authority of the Council. Dak, inject the primate with dye and set the bone film machine," Dr. Kor said and handed a syringe to the Anolis warrior.

"Who are you?" Alex jerked her arm away from the Anolis with the needle.

"She is unrestrained, Kor," Dak said.

"Rectify that. Hurry with that dye, enough time has been lost already."

"Stop. You have no idea how that dye will affect her brain," Dr. Glick protested.

"Exactly." Alex fought off the new attendant. "You still use horses and swords! What kind of dye can you possibly have?"

"It is harmless to chitterers," Dr. Kor replied.

"I'm not a chitterer. I'm an alien. When will you get that through your thick reptile skulls?"

"This is an outrage! Fila, Dr. Zoor, report immediately," Dr. Glick shouted into the lizard phone.

"They have been dismissed. You will find yourself so if you do not behave in a responsible manner."

"We'll see about this," Dr. Glick said.

"Dr. Glick? What about—" Alex cut herself off.

No need to mention Razz's name.

"Don't worry. I'll be right back with security. I will take care of everything and everyone."

Alex watched him leave with a sinking heart. In that instant of distraction, she felt cold metal around her wrists and the warrior slammed her back onto the table. "You better hurry, Dr. G.," she whispered as the needle probed through her skin, searching for a vein.

Oh, to blast the lot of them. But not unless they try to kill me. The last thing I need is for my powers to be exposed.

***

Hours later, Alex stumbled into her bedroom and slammed the door shut. She threw herself on the mattress and curled up in a ball. Her fists clenched tight as she fought against conflicting emotions - rage that boiled like lava within her chest and despair that threatened to swallow her whole.

Dr. Glick cautiously stepped into the room, his eyes sweeping around as if searching for something or someone. He made brief eye contact with Alex before looking away. "Alex, I'm sorry it took me so long to come back. The politicians wouldn't let me near you until now. How are you doing? Are there any aftereffects from the dye they injected in you?"

She shook her head slightly. "It wasn't the dye that hurt. It was those electric shocks that didn't sit too well. But that's not important. Is Razz safe?"

Dr. Glick came over, his glasses perched delicately on the end of his muzzle, and sat on the bed beside her. His eyes were heavy with sadness as he spoke. "I sent him with Zilik for safekeeping. I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do for you in this situation. You can't fight the Council." He reached out and grasped her hand in his, then settled a cold metal key into her palm before releasing it again. "Tonight will be a lonely night for you. Your friends are still out, and most will be gone from the Institute tonight."

Her chin trembled as she held back tears, never once taking her eyes off Dr. Glick as she withdrew her hand.

Dr. Glick looked at her intently, his eyes conveying an urgency that words couldn't express. "I must go. I used up a lot of favors tonight. I'm sorry, but remember, my home will be open to you."

He wants me to escape and hide out with his family? Endangering them is the last thing that I would do.

Alex gripped the key and nodded, unwilling to argue with him. She had just drifted off to sleep when she heard her name called softly.

"Gabe?" Her heart raced as she snapped awake and shifted her gaze around the room, trying to get reoriented. When she finally spotted Zilik standing inside the doorway, she remembered why he was there. "Sorry, Zilik," she whispered. "How did you get in here?"

He smiled knowingly, his voice barely audible. "Shh. There are those sympathetic to you on duty tonight."

Alex leaned back on the headrest, exhaustion making her heavy and sluggish. "We'll have a party. Is Razz safe?".

Zilik leaned in closer to Alex, barely audible but determined. "Razz is safe, I promise you that. Listen, I'm going to help you escape Kor's grasp - she's already made it clear what she'll do tomorrow. It's like she can't wait to rip you wide open and examine every part of what makes you who you are."

Alex grimaced at the thought, understanding all too well what the consequences were if she stayed put. "I know what she wants," he said bitterly, "all this talk about 'seeing what's inside me'. Like somehow she has the right to do that."

"Alex, you must get out of here tonight. Dr. Glick visited you right?"

She nodded and showed him the key. He gently placed his hand over hers and closed her fingers around the metal object.

"The west side is your best chance. Three of the four guards are known sympathizers . . . are you listening to me?"

Alex didn't look like it, only shrugged and said dully, "West side."

"What's wrong with you? This is your only chance."

Alex's gaze drifted out to the inky night sky beyond the window. Thoughts of Morgan and the scientists who'd created her raced through her mind. She reached one conclusion: maybe it was better to die here than live any longer as an experiment. "Maybe I don't want it after all," she murmured. "Maybe there's no point. I've always known my life would be short. Dying here isn't so bad."

"Stop talking like that," Zilik said.

"I hate being locked up and living in hiding is no improvement. Besides," the corner of her mouth took a wicked twist and her eyes sparkled briefly. "Gabe will be incredibly guilty when he finds out I'm dead. When you tell him Cla was responsible . . . well, I can rest easy."

"Are all your kind this insane?" Zilik asked.

"Some more, some less."

"I hope I never visit your world. Now shut up and listen to me. You must be alive to enjoy Gabe's guilt. Get out through the west side and there'll be a carriage there stocked with supplies. Head due north, following the river. No reptiles can live in that cold. The vehicle will be stocked with survival gear. Please, Alex."

Alex searched Zilik's face. When he clasped her hands, she said, "Only because I won't give Cla the satisfaction of my death. She'll have to kill me herself."

Alex lay in bed, the darkness of her room pressing against her like a heavy cloak. The minutes ticked by and still she was unable to summon the strength to rise. Suddenly, a loud bang filled the air and Alex felt her heart skip a beat. Her bedroom door had been thrown open with such force that it had struck into the wall on the other side.

Kor's voice was deep and cold. "Gently now, restrain her with care, sedate her if necessary, and strip her. Then bring her to the lab."

Two of her assistants made a move towards Alex, one gripping her arms while the other reached for the hem of her nightshirt.

"I'm no animal!" Alex yanked free of the assistant, her voice rising in fury as she lunged at the Anolis trying to take off her shirt. "Try that again and I'll fry your insides."

Alex hurled the assistant with such force that she collided against the wall before regaining her balance. In a flash, she evaded Kor's assistant and was out the door. Alex heard Kor bellow in anger behind her as an alarm sounded through the hallway.

With no time to waste, she took off at full speed, running down the long flight of stairs, her feet pounding on every step. As soon as she reached the main hallway, two guards stood in her way blocking any escape route. A chill ran down her spine as one of them raised his sword for a lethal swing. But just as he was about to make contact, the other guard dove forward, seemingly heading towards Alex but instead tackling his partner.

Alex burst through the exit, eyes scanning the dark expanse until they landed on a waiting carriage. Illuminated by torchlight, it sat at the edge of the courtyard, silent and still. With a determined grin, she flew towards it and pulled two bulging bags from inside. The wind howled in her ears as she soared higher into the night sky, leaving civilization far behind.

Hours passed as Alex pushed herself further and further north. She finally landed in a clearing, where frigid air numbed her cheeks and frosted her breath. Shivering slightly, she sorted through the bags' contents. After donning warm clothing and securing a wrist compass, Alex lifted off again. Her path followed the winding river below, silver under glimmering stars.

She grinned at the sense of freedom that coursed through her veins as she took to the air once more, flying due north along a winding river. The mountains loomed ahead like jagged teeth piercing through dark clouds, promising danger and adventure in equal measure.

***