In the Virginia countryside, Wednesday…

Gossip about what RP1 and SW2 had found out in Tyler's office spread like wildfire through the Center. Not all their colleagues believed that they were being lied to, not on something as important as going to the stars. The disbelievers promised to keep quiet, though, since no one liked the Guardians. It was left to RP1 and SW2 to plan their next move.

"I'm at a loss," said SW2. "We know that we're being lied to, that we're some kind of bioengineering project. The whole Center is dedicated to keeping us here under the watchful eyes of Dr. Tyler and the Guardians."

"Maybe we can only find out the truth by escaping," said RP1.

"But what if Tyler isn't lying about what would happen to us out there? Maybe that was what happened to FS2, HJ1 and SW1."

"Their files didn't even mention their escape. The last entries in them were weeks before they left the Center. Maybe they're still alive. But they're not our problem. Don't you want to know why we're here?"

"That one file, that report, talked about us like we're lab rats. I don't like being a lab rat."

RP1 considered that a moment, and smiled.

"With white fur you'd be nice to snuggle up to," he said.

"Get serious."

"Well, I'm at a loss, too. I sort of like it here, though now I'm scared."