Pavel looked up at Mai as she accused him of wanting more info. Of course, she was not wrong, but He needed to extract the information slowly. He needed to make it come out naturally, like it was her idea to volunteer information. He poured himself another glass of wine. It was a port. A dessert wine that was sweet and delicious. He had a few cases of it in the wine room adjacent to the dining room and always requisitioned some when he needed. It was grey and windy outside. It had started to rain, and the rain was coming down rather loudly on the floor to ceiling windows. He walked to the window gazing out quietly his back to Mai. This went on for several minutes before he spoke. “So crude Mai, did your parents not teach you any manners?” “What makes you think I want something; you broke the rules on multiple occasions, that alone is grounds to revoke your freedom you know that”<br/><br/>He turned to her and walked towards the phone on the wall. His dress shows clicking slowly on the black marble floor. This was a moment that he needed to outright demonstrate his authority over Mai. Pressing a button on the intercom he spoke directly into it. “Please freeze the bank accounts and all ration credits for Ms. Larsen’s family. Also please limit their electric and water consumption to 4 hours per day” “Yes sir” The voice on the other end replied. He tossed a tabled that had a live video feed of Mai’s home. He pointed to the screen showing that the water and electricity had been shut off. “It doesn’t have to be like this Mai. I really don’t want to do this to your family, but if you’re going to be rude and crass and reject my hospitality, then I have no choice. If you like I can have you sent back to the dormitories, where you’ll be poked and prodded and all sorts of other vulgar things”<br/><br/>He downed the glass of wine and went to his study leaving Mai there. His study was lavish and modeled after the study of one of the old Russian Tsar’s. It had dark oak paneling on the walls and green carpeting. The oak complimented bookcases along the walls that contained mostly forbidden literature that was not available to the public. Like the other rooms in the gigantic penthouse, the room featured floor to ceiling windows and a view of the city. He had a computer on his desk on one end and a pile of folders containing dossiers on the other. Above his desk, hung a portrait of the great leader. A mythical figure, whom according to state lore helped the country achieve independence and freedom from the tyrannical monarchy. Though this was somewhat hypocritical as the leader had turned into a despot himself.<br/><br/>Pavel began typing a report quietly requesting guards to come and retrieve Mai and bring her to the dormitories. Of course, he was banking on Mai submitting so that he didn’t have to send her off. Oddly he enjoyed her company. Throughout most of the days, his time was filled with people acquiescing to his every whim. No one said no to him and that is what he liked about Mai. She challenged him. Openly to boot. But this was a mission from the leader himself. So, he would not stray.<br/><br/>The resistance had increased their efforts at sabotaging the rulers plans for expansion and it was up to Pavel to thwart him. He was in charge after all and reported to no man outside the leader himself. He did not want to deploy the army, but it was becoming close to impossible to prevent. Since Mai’s family was identified as having connections to the resistance, it was his job to thwart them. A short time later a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. As he allowed access. Two armed guards marched in and stood to attention stiffly. “We are here to escort Experiment 124a to the dormitories sir” they reported. Pavel turned and looked at Mai. “Well Mai, the decision is yours. Will this be necessary?” He asked looking her in the eye.