Chapter Text
A man had once jumped from Ava Paige's office on fifth floor. Thomas wasn't sure why he remembered that, but as he waited impatiently outside the Chancellor's office, it was all he could think about.
Thomas had never worried about his weekly meetings with Chancellor Paige. After all, she was like a mother to him. Running a nervous hand through his hair, Thomas tried to push down the uneasy feeling in his gut. Taking a deep breath, he smoothed down his lab coat and knocked sharply on the door. Ava's voice called him in. Thomas pushed open the door.
The office looked as pristine as ever. The books lining the bookshelves were orderly and identical. Ava's desk was covered in piles of nearly arranged folders. Ava herself was stood looking out through the shining floor-to- ceiling windows.
"Thomas," she smiled. "How's everything?"
"Same as ever. Teresa and I discovered a unique gene code in one of the volunteers. Teresa thinks it could be the key to a cure."
Ava nodded approvingly. "And what do you think Thomas?"
Thomas hesitatd. "I... I'm not so sure." Ava gestured at him to go on. "I don't think we'll find the cure in the Immunes genes or cells. I think the answers in the brain. The Flare doesn't just attack your body- it attacks you mind, your soul. It takes away who you are."
"That's why it's so important we find a cure. Write up a report on your theories and submit it to me by Friday."
Thomas nodded. "May I be excused?"
"One last thing; I promise I won't keep you long. There's a new investigation coming up. It's a little different to what you're used too..." she pulled out a small folder from her drawer and handed it to him. "Everything you need to know is in here. Just...think about it."
~000~
Teresa was waiting for him when he walked into the lab. "Hey Tom. What did Ava wanna talk to you about?"
"Some new project. And she gave me a report," he groaned.
Teresa gave him a pitiful look.
"You gonna catch some sleep? It's getting pretty late," asked Thomas.
"I probably should. I was supposed to get an early night - I've got to do a presentation to Janson first thing tomorrow."
Thomas scowled. "I don't trust him. Just...be careful."
"You're too paranoid," Teresa giggled. "Goodnight Tom."
~000~
Thomas was the last one left in the labs once Teresa had left. He pulled out the folder Ava had given him earlier. There were a number of sheets detailing the (limited) information WCKD had on a resistance group known as 'The Right Arm'. According the the file, it had been formed only a couple of years after WCKD, and had been steadily growing since then. As of now, it was by far the largest resistance group they had ever faced.
Another document summarised the information gathered by a group of WCKD soldiers who had raided one of the Right Arm's safehouses. The soldiers had recovered plans for an attack on WCKD's headquarters.
Thomas lost track of time as he studied each and every page in detail, finding out everything he could about the Right Arm. He has heard about resistance groups before, but none had been of this size and power. Personally, Thomas thought that if it came to it, the Right Arm could take on WCKD. It was strange that he hadn't heard about it before, but it was likely that Chancellor Paige must have done everything in her power to keep this under wraps. The last thing they needed was panic and fear spreading through WCKD employees.
Thomas glanced at his watch. When did it get so dam late? He shoved all the papers back into the folder and hurried from the lab. "Chancellor Paige!" he yelped as collided with the woman. "I'm so sorry I was-"
Ava smiled. "No worries Thomas. Have you had a look at that folder I gave you?"
"Yeah, I actually wanted to ask you about that. Is the Right Arm a threat? Shouldn't we be...you know... preparing for an attack?"
"Don't worry Thomas. I'm glad to hear your concern, but it's under control. I did want to let you know, however, that we have a lead."
Thomas looked up in surprise.
"Assistant Director Janson and his team apprehended a suspect just a few moments ago. We believe that he has invaluable information on the Right Arm and it's leaders." She continued.
"That's great but...what does this have to do with me?" Thomas wondered aloud.
"I want you to interrogate him. Question him. Use whatever means necessary. I want that information. Whatever the costs."
Thomas gulped. "Of course Chancellor Paige."
As he turned to leave, she called out to him: "Remember who you stand for Thomas. Don't forget - WCKD is good."