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The cuff gave a frazzling noise before giving Aven a jolt of electricity. She a small cry and immediately collapsed. Her father gave the Doctor a mild look.

"Now THAT looked like it hurt," the lackey snickered.

"Did you really think we wouldn't make it tamper-proof?" her father asked dryly completely ignoring the fallen girl, "She is very much a genius, it would be foolish to think she wouldn't attempt to remove the restraint. But you sir... you are not the bumbling fool you appear to be. Tell me, who are you?"

"Oh yes, I've read the files. The man with different faces. Hero and protector of the weak etc. etc. And as always... you travel with a companion. Poor judgment on your last pick, Aven is not allowed to travel. Company policy, you understand," he replied snapping his fingers at the two execs and pointing to Aven. They immediately went to her side and lifted her to her feet.

"So tell me Doctor, what did you think of her? Quite a piece of work isn't she? Of course, we had to keep her social interactions to a minimum, but her mental capacity is a feat all on it's own wouldn't you agree?" he asked as if he were speaking of a car.

"Because she is," he replied simply, "a lot of money went into creating her and providing for her education. She is a very valuable asset...oh wait... don't tell me. You're a sentimentalist."

The CEO gave the Doctor a smile. "Have you been giving my daughter hugs and pats on the back? No wonder she was so uncooperative. You've nearly broke her programming."

The execs began guiding the stunned Aven out towards the corridor.

The CEO found the Doctor amusing but not the least bit threatening. He would be allowed to stay if only for entertainment purposes. The execs brought Aven to a crisp white lab filled with petri-dishes and several microscopes. They placed her on a chair until her body regained her motor functions.

"Aven, wake up, darling," the CEO called out giving the Doctor a toothy grin, "you have work to do. The bio samples..."

As if on cue Aven's eyes fluttered open. Her gaze was distant and cold. The clamp on her emotions held strong. She sat up and looked around momentarily confused.

"The Bio... oh yes, I almost forgot about those," she stood up and quickly began sorting through the petri dishes as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Her father watched as Aven worked like a perfect little wind up toy. All her troubles and dangerous thoughts were suppressed under a grip of ice.

"Oh it varies from time to time," he stated as if he were talking about the weather, "on average I'd say it takes about three months or so to reset her mind. As I said before, it doesn't hurt her. In fact, she doesn't feel a thing."

"Doctor Joules if you could please enlighten us on your findings," one of the execs piped up.

"Yes, yes in a minute!" she replied before glancing at the Doctor. She stared at him curiously for a moment but the dull look in her eyes returned and she continued working. "I wish you would let me see the specimen instead of just bringing me samples of it."

"Paperwork dear, you know how the government works. We're lucky to have access to it at all much less bringing it to you," her father replied glancing at the Doctor from the corner of his eye.

"It's a mutagen..." Aven replied distantly, "...highly classified. And apparently resistant to every sort of radiation we have in the lab. Extraordinary... These cells survived every sort of test here. Ebola virus, HIV, ultraviolet radiation, bacterial growth, even extreme PH levels... they're virtually indestructible!"

"Can you extrapolate it," her father asked, "and splice it into a human genome."

"I... suppose it would be possible... yes, I'm quite certain it's possible," she said and began scribbling notes. "It's just a matter of isolating the genome sequences and calibrating splicing enzymes..."

"How long?" an exec asked.

"Oh I don't know... three weeks sounds about right. I should have the first stem cells in three weeks," she replied never once looking up from her notes.

"Excellent work Aven," her father smiled, "a superhuman serum. Perhaps a cure for all those deadly diseases."

"Mmhmm..." Aven replied but wasn't really listening.

Aven continued working, oblivious to the Doctor's words, more than likely due to the restraint making her focus on the task at hand. It was her father who finally broke the silence.

"The suppressor seems to be doing its job," he stated looking to the younger of the two execs, "stay with her, and make sure she isn't distracted by any more unexpected visitors."

"Well, Doctor", the CEO began all the while giving him a smug look, "I suppose there is no harm in it. Would you like to see the source of our samples?"