Tom had to stifle a laugh watching what was happening, especially watching the armed guards fingering the triggers of their guns as they watched carefully. He'd never seen their guns used but one of the few staff he trusted had told him half the guards were ex-military kicked out of their units for being a little too trigger-happy on the front lines. Once the guards, and the attention of the other prisoners, had lost interest in Ix he picked up his tray and walked over, making sure to avoid getting too close as he wasn't sure how the alien would react to his presence.<br/><br/>"You do know you nearly picked a fight with one of the worst prisoners here right?" he asked, not sounding as friendly as he had intended. "The guy runs half the lower level of this prison, there's a reason they don't send unarmed guards down there." He took a sip of his drink, wincing slightly at the sharp taste. "I don't think we've met before, my name's Tim, what's yours?" At that moment he heard a loud cough, turning to find a young woman in a lab coat stood directly behind him, her glasses placed haphazardly on her nose. "Can I help you?" he asked curtly. The woman's only response was to hand him a piece of paper, before vanishing back into the crowd. Tom opened the note, letting out a laugh as he read it. "Can you believe this?" he said, laying the note out flat in front of Ix. It read:<br/><br/><em>"Tom, Ix, my name is Professor Mertens,"</em>the note started.<em>"I have been looking into your cases and I believe you two may be innocent of your crimes. While I cannot make you do anything, if you wish to know more come to my lab once the meal is over."</em>