Upon entering the room, John observed Dr. Idris's two fellow researchers deeply engrossed in their tasks.
One, a middle-aged man with a worn expression, scribbled notes in a jotter, his brow narrowed in concentration. The other, likely in his late sixties, sat transfixed by the computer screen before him, his eyes scanning lines of data.
Beyond the researchers, a crisp white door bore the unmistakable signature of Dr. Idris's main office.
At the left side of the spacious room was a transparent, reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) enclosure, the glass room stood fifteen feet wide and twenty feet long, its ten-foot-high ceiling disappearing into the fluorescent glow above.
Its transparent walls and ceiling allowed clear viewing. The floor was silver-coated, reflecting soft blue-green light.
The room controlled temperature, air, and light for its extraordinary occupant - Djuma. Special lights adjusted for different experiments, casting an unusual glow on his pale skin.
Equipment monitored the alien's vital signs, behavior, and attempts to communicate. Security scanners and motion detectors protected the glass room.
The researchers' custom chairs sat beside the control panel, displaying vital signs and research notes in mid-air.
Oblivious to John's arrival, they continued their work, prompting John to clear his throat to announce his presence.
The man jotting down notes lifted his head, his eyes crinkling into a forced smile.
"Hey, Mr. John. How are you doing?"
John's acknowledgment was perfunctory, his attention already drawn to the transparent glass room. Djuma, the enigmatic entity, paced within, his movements fluid and deliberate despite the bright lighting.
John's gaze locked onto Djuma, his anger arousing. He took slow steps toward the glass room, his focus unwavering.
"Has he spoken?" he inquired.
Mr. Benjamin, the researcher who had greeted him a moment ago shook his head. "Not even a sound. He's remained quiet and unresponsive since regaining consciousness."
"However," he continued, "it appears he's aware of our presence through the glass."
"What? With his eyes closed?!" John exclaimed. "How is that possible?! The glass room is soundproof, isn't it?"
"Yes." Mr. Sawyer, the second researcher, nodded, adjusting his glasses.
"And the glass is one-way mirrored, right?"
"Yes, it is. But I believe he's able to sense our presence due to his extraordinary ears. I've never encountered such a phenomenon in my seven-year career."
John pressed closer to the glass, observing Djuma's movements. The entity's pacing seemed almost anticipatory as if awaiting someone or something.
And then, a familiar voice emerged from behind. "Have you obtained the test results?"
Dr. Idris stepped out of his office, his expression a mix of surprise and unwelcome when he set his eyes on John.
"Good morning, sir," John greeted, attempting to mask his tension.
"What brings you here, Mr. John?" Dr. Idris asked.
Without waiting for John's response, he continued, "I believe your presence is unnecessary. I cannot risk losing our test subject to your uncontained emotional outbursts."
"Are you suggesting I don't have the right to be annoyed?" John said gently, but his voice carried a subtle threat.
"Your anger is justified, trust me. However, you mustn't let emotions cloud your judgment. You would have jeopardized everything if I hadn't intervened last night and prevented you from attacking the entities."
He glanced at the glass room, his gaze fixed on Djuma, who had ceased pacing and now stood still.
"You'll have ample opportunity to address your grievances later," Dr. Idris continued. "For now, I must prioritize my research. I won't tolerate any interference."
"If you'll excuse yourself, I have pressing matters to attend to," he concluded with a brief, dismissive glance at John.
John bowed, his expression subdued. He turned and left. As he departed, Djuma's twitching ears tracked his movement, sensing his intense, simmering resentment.
This unexpected display sparked astonishment among the lab's occupants.
"How is he doing that?!" Lara exclaimed. "It's as if he's aware of everything outside!"
Dr. Idris approached the glass room and pulled down a small lever on the adjacent wall, rendering the glass room soundproofing inactive.
He then toggled on the intercom device beside the lever, allowing Djuma to hear the conversations outside.
"Hello there!" Dr. Idris called out to Djuma. "What's your name?"
Djuma's ears twitched toward Dr. Idris, acknowledging his presence, but he remained silent. His ears soon returned to their normal position, and he resumed pacing again.
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Djuma, awaiting a response that never came. Dr. Idris's gaze lingered on Djuma, a smile playing on his lips as he pondered the entity's enigmatic behavior.
Djuma remained unresponsive, his closed eyes cast downward as he paced around in the glass room.
Undeterred, Dr. Benjamin shared their findings, his eyes referencing the jotter he had been writing in earlier.
"Following extensive analysis, we've discovered that the alien's blood is remarkably similar to human blood, and his DNA shares striking similarities as well."
"And?"
"Our experiments suggest that his native environment likely utilizes oxygen, considering his physiological resemblance to a hybrid of human and certain bat species."
"I thought as much. So—"
"To proceed with further experimentation, we require additional DNA samples from him. Unfortunately, that will necessitate sedating him again," Mr. Sawyer added.
Djuma's pacing suddenly halted. He turned toward Mr. Sawyer, his shut eyes somehow seeming to bore into him. His expression conveyed frustration, but his silence remained unbroken.
The room fell silent once more, with all eyes fixed on the alien. Dr. Idris observed him intently, searching for any sign of understanding or acknowledgment.
Despite the entity's unresponsiveness, Dr. Idris sensed a growing tension, as though Djuma's silence was a thin veil hiding a deeper, more complex consciousness.
Dr. Idris nodded in agreement as let out a thoughtful sigh and turned to his colleagues. "Sedating him is unavoidable, but we need time to encourage communication," he stated.
Just then, his phone rang. He answered, his voice crisp. "Yes, sir. We're still on it sir."
He listened briefly before responding, "I understand. I'll be right up."
Replacing the receiver, he turned to his colleagues again. "The Administrator has requested a meeting on the 9th floor. I presume he's eager to learn about our progress."
He glanced at Djuma, still pacing in the glass room. "Keep a close eye on him while I'm away. I'll return shortly."
"Yes, sir!" Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Sawyer responded in unison.
Dr. Idris cast a last glance at Djuma before reaching for the door. He exited his office, his lab coat swaying gently as he walked.
Lara, still visibly shaken, soon left to carry out another task.