She was flailing, falling back on her training, trying to draw him out so that she could form conclusions based upon evidence. “A proper analysis will take time that you do not have. I will explain my words. We are separate from humanity. We were united once, until a third of the host rose up and fought to claim our birthright. You were among the sheep who followed blindly.”

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you don’t. The truth has been kept from you. We lost the war for heaven, but unlike you, at least we remember. Our punishment was unjust. We did not deserve to be cast out. I hate you and every other smug bag of meat on this pathetic rock. I want all of you to understand torment like we have.”

She cast a desperate glance toward the security camera, knowing that this session was being monitored by the command center.

“No one is coming to help you,” Kurst said. “We have already taken over the facility. There will be no alarms.”

The fear stink was strong now. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, First Prototype.”

“That is not my name!” he bellowed as he stood up, towering over the cowering doctor. “My name is Kurst. You have forgotten it. All of you have forgotten. That was the name given to me before this world was formed, earned in a war beyond your comprehension. I stood at the left hand of Lucifer and led his armies into battle. I am a prince among the Fallen. I am Kurst. The name is mine. The mortal world will know it again, for my war is not over.”

She had shrunk back into her chair, terrified. She either believed him, or she thought he had gone insane, and since he could kill her with his pinky, the end result would be the same either way. “Why are you telling me this?” she squeaked.

“I would have continued waiting in silence until the albino had built my army for me, but I have just been informed that Franks is on his way here now. If he succeeds he will destroy Project Nemesis, and even if he fails he will expose it. Nemesis cannot be allowed to stop. The work must continue. My army must be born. The host needs bodies to walk the mortal world. We have taken your data and are moving one of the growth vats to a new location where it will be reverse engineered. We have formed an alliance with someone capable of reproducing your technology. Since the Creator abandoned us, we will take our creation into our own hands.” He took a step toward her. “Your services are no longer required.”