One was middle-aged with salt-and-pepper hair. He was wearing a dark suit and had a grim expression on his face. The other man was much younger, with light blond hair cut short. Also wearing a dark suit, he looked equally unpleasant.
With their backs to Paelen, they started to whisper with the doctors. Paelen couldn’t help but smile. They had no idea that he could clearly hear them discussing the test results and what had been learned so far. Just like they didn’t know he could hear the other voices through the grill above him.
Once again, Paelen was reminded of how different he was to these humans. And even though the meaning of some of their words eluded him, he understood enough. They were discussing how extraordinary his brain patterns were. How he had superior muscle strength and density. How his bones were flexible and nothing like human bones, which partially explained how he survived the fall. They’d also found several organs they couldn’t identify. When asked, one of the doctors suggested that Paelen was no more than seventeen years old.
That comment nearly had Paelen in fits of laughter. He had to bite his own tongue to keep from laughing out loud. If they knew the truth of his age, he was certain they would never believe him. But then again, maybe they would. That could only make things much worse for him.
Finally the two new men sat down in chairs beside Paelen’s bed. The older man pulled out a small black device from his pocket and flicked a switch. He held it up to his lips and started speaking.
‘CRU report, C.49.21-J. First interview. Date: June 2nd. Time: nineteen hundred hours. Subject is male. His approximate age is seventeen. Medical tests reveal multiple injuries consistent with a lightning strike and fall from a great height.
‘Further tests reveal profound physical anomalies. The subject’s organs are not where they should be. We’ve identified several other organs whose function is as yet undetermined. These warrant further investigation. Subject has multiple broken bones which are healing at a remarkable rate. Blood work has revealed an unknown cross-type with unfamiliar properties. Subject is physically strong despite his small size and youthful outward appearance …’
Paelen watched the man speaking into the device. It sounded like he was describing some kind of monster and not him. The more he listened, the more he started to understand the degree of trouble he was in.
Finally the man finished and turned his attention to Paelen. ‘State your name for the record,’ he demanded, holding the device towards Paelen.
At first Paelen remained silent. But when the man repeated the question, he thought this would be a good time to start his own investigation. Breaking his silence, he replied. ‘Subject.’
‘That is not your name,’ the man said.
‘Perhaps not,’ Paelen agreed. ‘However, it is the name you have given me. One name is as good as any other, is it not?’
‘I didn’t call you Subject.’
‘Yes you did.’
‘I don’t think so,’ the older man said.
‘But you did,’ Paelen insisted, ‘Just now. You were speaking into that little black box and said, “Subject has multiple broken bones which are healing at a remarkable rate.” Then you said, “Subject is strong despite his small size and youthful outward appearance”.’ So if it pleases you to call me Subject, then that shall be my name. I am Subject.’
‘I don’t want to call you Subject,’ the man said, becoming irritated. ‘I just want to know how we address you before we start with our other questions.’
Paelen noticed this man was easily flustered. He was worse than Mercury. And Mercury was always the easiest of the Olympians to upset. Lines of frustration and anger already showed on his face. He lips were pressed tightly together and his brows were knitted in a deep frown.
Paelen decided to push the man a little further to test him. ‘You seem confused,’ he said. ‘If this happens so easily over the simple issue of my name, I am certain you would be far too challenged to understand the answers to any questions you might pose.’
The man shook his head in growing frustration. ‘I am not confused,’ he said angrily. ‘And I know your name isn’t Subject. Subject isn’t a name. It is what you are.’
‘And yet you still insist on calling me it.’ Paelen lay back against the pillows, enjoying the game. ‘I do not understand you. You are obviously a man of questionable intelligence. Please leave.’
The man’s face turned bright red. He took several deep breaths to calm himself. ‘Perhaps we’d better start again,’ he said. ‘Very simply, what is your name?’
‘You may call me Jupiter.’
‘What? Did you say Jupiter?’
‘Are you hard of hearing as well as ignorant?’ Paelen asked. He turned his attention to the younger man. ‘I believe it is time you took him away. He is obviously unwell and should be restrained.’
The older man stood up in a fury. ‘Why, you arrogant little—’