“I’m afraid that I can’t really spell it out for you. Part of the contract you signed is a very strict NDA, and the less you know, the more secure our internal methodology will be. What I can tell you is that we’re testing a revolutionary new process chamber.”
“I-I see.” Amelia gulped, hugging herself tighter and wrapping her finned hands around her back and thigh.
“Actually, we’re more or less ready to get started. A few hours of your time is all we need to run the processing and collect data. After that, you’ll be free to go.”
Well, that sounded promising at least. You certainly didn’t tell a soon-to-be-slave that they were free to go. Naïve and gentle Amelia couldn’t conceive that the polite and no-nonsense technician could be lying to her. So, they’d transform her a little, and she’d walk away twenty grand richer. Enough to pay off her overdrawn credit, get back on her feet, get a place of her own, and maybe get out of the waitress job she was in.
The human reached for her fin-hand and put on a reassuring smile. “If you’d like to step this way, we’re ready to get started.”
With a nervous but more relaxed return smile on her thick lips, the rainbow trout gently took the human’s warm hand as he helped her off the table and onto the cold tile of the floor. She realized once again just how small she was next to a human, and staring up at the tech made her giggle and flush a little as he glanced down at her with an unexpected interest.
“This way, Ms. Finley.”
The room beyond the examination area was linked by yet another big steel door, and once she walked inside the warmth of the dimly lit chamber made her fins bristle with joy. She felt the human touch her back and the bare flesh between the thin gown covering her body. There was large chamber in the middle of the room.
“Welcome to the process chamber,” he smiled, almost taking on a childlike wonder. “Isn’t it incredible? Just a moment.”
The human turned and closed the big door behind him. The latch clicked into place and a light lit up green on a metal control panel. Locked in.
“What does it do?” Amelia asked, yellow eyes wide as she tracked the human’s return movement to her side.
“This device is quite unlike anything currently in use. No ovens. No microwaves. No rays. It uses a hot transformative mist to completely and evenly coat a subject. Say, a very cute little fish lady.”
Amelia felt the hot blush on her speckled cheeks before she glanced up at the human. He glanced down with a broad smile.
“There’s no cameras in here, either.” He winked.
The trout positively lit up with shock and delight. “Sir! I don’t even know your name!” She looked the human up and down and was startled to see the obvious bulge protruding from his pants.