Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

"So glad you asked, Doctor," the Colonel, unflappable as ever, answered. "Thefacility in which you are housed is completely equipped with a full hospital, and staffedby one of the military's top personal physicians. Consequently, your health insurance hasbeen assumed by the military. Your regular salaries are being electronically funneled tonew personal accounts according to whatever schedule your outside employer hascreated. Your monthly bills have all been converted to an electronic payment format,each payment being de-ducted from you account. Lastly, $75,000 has been placed intoyour individual savings accounts as payment for your services on this project. I realizethat the amount is less than some of you are accustomed to earning, particularly those ofyou in corporate research and development. It's also considerably more than some of youare accustomed to earning," he added, his eyes darting in Brian's direction. "All in all, Ithink you'll agree that it is adequate compensation. Do you have any objections, Dr.Harper?""How do we know this isn't just a pile of crap?" she asked skeptically."A private access code to your accounts was sent to your computers via email thismorning. You can use it to access those accounts and verify what I've said. Pleaseremember to open the message by this evening, since we will be deleting it at midnightfrom the system. Dr. Scott, does that satisfy your curiosity as well?"Brian nodded readily, more than a little overwhelmed by the amount."I take it that the rest of you are more at ease now?" the Colonel asked reviewinghis audience. No one uttered a word."Good now on to the next line of business. I'm sure you won't be surprised when Itell you that it is mandatory that you take an oath of secrecy before I go any further. Thesecurity oath required for this level of clearance is on the first page of the materialsenclosed in the envelopes before you. Please remove only the first page and sign theform. I'll collect them now." The team members began opening their envelopes."What makes you so sure we're going to sign them?" a striking, auburn-hairedwoman seated next to Dr. Harper asked, her envelope untouched. Dressed in a doublebreastedolive business suit, she was unmistakably the referent of Malcolm's earliercomments in the cafeteria. Her perfectly oval face was surrounded by impeccably bobbedhair, styled off her forehead to reveal an understated widow's peak. The speaker's nowpursedlips had a barely discernible pout, and her green eyes were positivelymesmerizing. She wore little makeup; she didn't need it. Malcolm hadn't exaggerated."I believe you already know the answer to your question, Dr. Kelley. You have nochoice."The Colonel's bold statement caught the attention of every-one. Expressions ofanger and annoyance formed again on the faces of the team members."He's right," the woman quipped, turning her attention away from the Colonel'sgaze to the others seated at the table. "Unless I miss my guess, the rest of the contents ofthe envelopes in front of you contain a blackballing scheme similar to the one handed tome when I was, how do you say, `recruited' for this `patriotic' venture. " Her voiceddripped with sarcasm, but her look told everyone she wasn't kidding. Save for the oldpriest, the others immediately withdrew the contents of their envelopes and beganshuffling through the documents therein."This is unconscionable!" a wiry, bearded man with curly red hair exclaimed."These are absolute fabrications! I've been here ten months already, why is this necessary34