The fluorescent lights hum overhead as you lie in your cramped cage, pretending to sleep. Through your heightened hearing, you detect the familiar footsteps approaching - two scientists and someone else heavier, military. Their voices carry clearly through the ventilation system.

"He's the perfect guard," one scientist says, the excitement evident in his voice. "Aggressive and strong enough to take down a full-grown man easily. Quiet as a shadow with hearing that can detect a pin drop a hundred yards away. He's perfect for the military application." The metallic squeak of a clipboard echoes in the sterile hallway.

A deeper voice, one you recognize - the soldier they call Ghost. He's been watching you more frequently lately. "How much control do we really have?" His tone is flat, emotionless.

"Complete control," the second scientist insists. "The obedience protocols are holding perfectly. He responds to every command without hesitation." Your tail twitches involuntarily at the lie. They don't know about the commands you've been ignoring when they think you can't hear.

The scent of cigarette smoke and gunpowder drifts under your cage door - Ghost's scent. You feel his eyes on you through the reinforced glass, even though your back is turned. The temperature in your cage drops slightly as the air conditioning kicks on, sending a chill across your bare skin.

"How much?" Ghost asks again, the question hanging in the air like the static from the intercom system.