Suspicious Mindsis set before the events ofStranger Things.
Suspicious Mindswill publish Feb. 5, 2019, and isavailable for pre-order.
(And if you cant wait until 2019, get yourStranger Thingsfix with thisspecial companion book, publishing Oct.
Credit: Netflix
The lab clearly anticipated his arrival.
Maybe theyd even followed the directions and specifications he sent ahead about preparing his new domain.
The soldier studied his license and avoided looking him in the eye.
Del Rey Books
Almost everyone was less interesting after the last.
But he never gave up.
Looking, assessing, was second nature, a crucial element of his work.
Most people had nothing to interest him, but those who did…
They were why he was here.
Welcome, Mr. Martin Brenner, the soldier said finally, squinting between the man and the plastic card.
The rest: genius IQ, potential…limitless.
We were told to expect you, the soldier added.
Dr. Brenner, he corrected the man, but gently.
Her hands were balled into fists under her small chin.
Hed preferred to oversee her transport to the new facility himself.
Yes,Dr.Brenner, the guard said.
The skepticism came through.
But it was none of the mans business, and besides he wasnt wrong.
Brenner was no ones father.
Father figure, yes.
That was as far as it went.
Im sure theyre waiting for me inside.
Brenner studied the man again.
A soldier back home from a past war, a war theyd already won.
Unlike the quiet escalation with the Soviets.
They were already engaged in a war for the future, but this man didnt know that.
Brenner kept his tone friendly.
I wouldnt ask questions when the other subjects arrive.
The guards jaw tightened, but he let it go.
His eyes flicked to the sprawling multi-story complex beyond them.
Yes, theyre waiting for you inside.
Park anywhere you like.
Another thing that hadnt needed saying.
To be top secret, after all, the research couldnt be advertised.
The Agency understood greatness couldnt always follow standard operating procedure.
Brenners employers would be reminded of this whenever they forgot or had too many questions.
So his work remained a top priority.
Eight continued to sleep as he got out and walked around to her door.
He slowly opened it, pressing her back so she wouldnt tumble out into the parking lot.
Hed sedated her for safety while traveling.
She was too important an asset to leave to other people.
Thus far the other subjects abilities had proven…disappointing.
He crouched by the seat and gave her shoulder a gentle shake.
The girl shook her head, keeping her eyes shut.
Kali, she mumbled.
She insisted on it.
Usually he didnt humor her, but today was special.
Kali, wake up, he said.
She blinked, a spark lighting in her eyes.
Yournewhome, he added.
Youll like it here.
He helped her sit upright and coaxed her forward.
He extended his hand.
At last, she reached out and slid her small hand into his.
As they approached the front doors, he put the most pleasant smile in his arsenal on his lips.
A tanned man with a lined facetoo much time out of doorsstepped forward and offered his hand.
He looked at Eight, then back at Dr. Brenner.
His rimmed glasses were smudged.
Dr. Brenner, Im Dr. Richard Moses, acting principal investigator.
And this must be
Im Kali, the girl said with drowsy effort.
A very sleepy young lady who would like to see her new room.
Dr. Brenner sidestepped the mans hand.
I believe I asked for one set apart?
And then Id like to meet the subjects youve brought on board.
Brenner spotted the doors off the lobby that looked the most secure and headed in their direction with Eight.
Silence trailed him for a long moment.
His smile became almost real before disappearing.
Moses lunged ahead to buzz an intercom and gave his name.
There was an unsettled hum of conversation among the other doctors and lab associates who followed them.
Of course, the subjects havent been prepared, Dr. Moses said as the double doors swung open.
He kept glancing at Kali, who was getting more alert by the second, taking in their surroundings.
No time to waste getting her settled in.
They checked Dr. Moses badge and he waved them away from a similar check of Dr. Brenner.
He hasnt gotten his ID yet, he said.
The men moved as if they might challenge Dr. Moses, and Brenners approval raised another notch.
Ill have it next time I come through, he said.
And well get you copies of the subjects paperwork.
He nodded discreetly to indicate Eight.
The soldier inclined his head and the entire group passed.
I specified I wanted to meet the new subjects when I arrived, Dr. Brenner said.
So it shouldnt come as a surprise.
We thought youd just be observing, Dr. Moses said.
Should we set some parameters?
Prepare them for your visit?
It might disrupt the work weve been doing.
The psychedelics make some of them paranoid.
Dr. Brenner held up his free hand.
No, I dont think that or Id have said it.
Now where are we going?
For the first time that morning, Dr. Brenner felt like he could make this a home.
This way, Dr. Moses said.
He found the lone woman on the professional staff in the herd and addressed her.
Parks, can you arrange for one of the orderlies to bring the girl some food?
Her lips tightened at being sent to do the equivalent of womans work, but she nodded.
Hed asked for the bed to reassure Eight hewassearching for appropriate companions for her.
She spotted it immediately.
Sooner or later, yes, he said.
Now, someones going to bring you some food.
Can you wait here alone?
Dr. Brenner turned to leave and ran into an orderly and the one female staffer.
Dr. Moses raised his eyebrows.
Shell be okay on her own?
For now, Dr. Brenner said.
And to the orderly, I know she looks like a child, but follow your security protocols.
She might surprise you.
The orderly shifted uncertainly, but kept quiet.
Take me to the first room, Dr. Brenner said.
Everyone else can go wait with your subjects, but theres no need to prep any of them.
The rest of the assembled team waited for Dr. Moses to concur and he gave a pained shrug.
As Dr. Brenner says.
The first room housed a subject ineligible for the draft due to a club foot.
He had the permanently fried look of someone whose disengagement tool of choice was marijuana.
Average in every way.
Do you want us to dose the next patient?
He plainly didnt understand Dr. Brenners methods.
I will tell you when I need something.
Dr. Moses nodded and they proceeded through five more rooms.
It was as he expected.
Two women, neither exceptional in any way, three more men, completely unexceptional.
Except perhaps in their lackluster quality.
Gather everyone in a room so we can talk, Dr. Brenner said.
He was left to wait in a conference room, with a last nervous glance from Dr. Moses.
Soon enough, the group from before entered and arranged themselves around the table.
A couple of men tried to make conversation so you can pretend none of the mornings events were unusual.
Dr. Moses shushed them.
Thats all of us, he said.
Dr. Brenner gave his staff a closer look.
They would need work, but there was potential in their quiet attention.
Fear and authority went hand in hand.
All the test subjects I met this morning can be dismissed.
He waved a hand.
Pay them whatever they were promised and ensure they remember their nondisclosure agreements.
The room absorbed this.
One of the conversationalists from before raised his hand.
My name is Chad and Im new to this, but… why?
How will we do our experiments?
Why is always a question that moves science forward, Dr. Brenner said.
But I will tell you why.
Its important we all understand what were here to do.
Does anyone have a guess?
His treatment of Chad kept them quiet.
Good, he said.
I dont like guesswork.
Were here to advance the frontiers of human capability.
I dont want the common Mus musculus of humans.
They are not going to give us extraordinary results.
He swept a gaze around the room.
There have been embarrassments, and a great many of them can be sourced to inadequate subjects.
Whoever thought prisoners and the asylum-bound would tell us anything we need to know were fooling themselves.
Draft dodgers and potheads arent any better.
But we cant get the results we want without the right people, period.
We need those with potential.
But…where will we get them?
Brenner made a mental note to have him dismissed at the end of the day.
Soon, your real work here begins.
Yes, they were learning.
