Thanks to lvs2read for the great beta and thunder_nari for the great beta and spurring me on.

~ “Sedation is always the best method.” The blue-handed man sounds smug as he turns to his compatriot, although his face is expressionless. The gunmetal grey of the room glows lightly all around them, a stark contrast to the room they can see into.

“It could work in our favor.” It’s about as much of an agreement as he’s going to get. “But we can’t let him linger this way for too long, as soon as the muscle heals we’ll wake him. The longer he remains anesthetized, the longer the recovery time.” The man flips through a small brown folder, eyes scanning. “Chances are Tam will react in the same manner with which he has previously, which will put us several days behind schedule anyway.”

“We’ve waited this long.” There’s a ghost of a smile on the first one’s face, “What’s a few days, weeks even? When we convince the doctor to give up the girls whereabouts, even join with us, it will be worth the wait.”

“If we convince him. I’m still not sure anyone can talk this young man around, he seems unnaturally persistent. His parents were easier to condition.” The folder is dropped onto a table, “I still say we employ…other tactics. Conditioning the man would be so much quicker without all this charade.”

For once not united, the two men are so busy staring each other down, voicing their own concerns, that the presence at their door goes unnoticed. But only for a moment, and then their guest speaks, voice soft and articulate, the very image of civility though he’s made many a corpse with his words and hands.

“But Doctor Tam’s a civil man, and a very loyal one at that, special tactics are needed in a situation such as this.” The operative has no doubt of this, can see Simon having a place in the society they create- him and his sister for that matter, though he has no doubt that convincing the man will be a challenge.

“I do believe we taught you that.” Both men are looking at him now, amusement flicking on the first one’s face as his companion picks up the folder once more.

“You did.” The operative inclines his head slightly, “I also believe you want me to persuade the doctor to give up his sister‘s location. I can assure you it won’t be easy, but all men have a failing, something I can work on to change his mind.”

“I take it you’re opposed to the idea of conditioning, then.” The second man holds himself rigidly, displeasure flickering for a moment. More impatient than his partner, he’s not willing to expend too much on a worthless project and he has severe doubts the doctor can be talked around.

“Opposed to injury, yes.” The operative pauses, “But only the kind which leads to permanent damage or maiming. Doctor Tam needs to be in a good physical condition throughout.” He moves closer to the two-way mirror and peers through it, down at the doctor, thoughtful for a moment. “You both taught me the great endurances the human body can succumb to and survive, and that a good measure of them leave no markings nor damage.”

There’s a smile on the second man’s face now, directed more towards the first man who looks to be in agreement too, rather than enthused over, the prospect of inflicting pain.

“Do you think he dreams about her? His sister, I mean?” The operative stares down at Simon, eyes intensely burning, watching him sleep. The questions are meant for himself not for the other two men, and they let them slide. “I think he does. Just as he must those who watch over her.” His hands are lightly tapping the bottom of the glass. “He probably dreams about what will happen when he wakes, even has it all mapped out logically in his mind. Assuming we’ll start breaking him, torturing, resorting to cruel and barbarous techniques.”

“He probably expected to wake up in some kind of holding cell.” The first man’s joined him at the glass, blue hands clasped behind him back. “It was probably a shock seeing this room in contrast.”

“Confusing.” The second man joins them, “Smart as he is, I doubt he’d figure it out.”

“Civility.” The operative smiles. “As opposed to barbarism. Conditioning, pain, but all the while keeping it proper, respectable, as he was once used to before desperation drove him to the Rim. Keeping him on edge, needing to lean somewhere.” He turns away from the man. “Which is where I do believe Doctor Tam may be too smart for his own good.”