Elena kept her expression neutral as Keller expined the vampire enhancement protocol, her scientific mind cataloging every component and procedure with methodical precision. Three days in captivity had provided valuable intelligence on boratory routines, security rotations, and research vulnerabilities.

  "The viral vector requires precise calibration," Keller expined, his manner that of a professor with a promising student rather than a captor. "Previous attempts resulted in cognitive degradation alongside the enhanced physical capabilities."

  "A bance between amplification and stability," Elena observed, her interest genuine despite her circumstances. Scientific curiosity remained her core, even here.

  Keller smiled with professional appreciation. "Precisely why your unique hematological profile is so valuable. Your natural antibody production could be the key to maintaining cognitive function during enhancement."

  As he guided her through the central boratory, Elena noted the security keypad sequences, camera positions, and staff rotations with the same attention she gave to the research protocols. Knowledge accumution was survival in this environment.

  "These test subjects," she inquired, gesturing toward the row of containment units housing transformed vampires in various stages of enhancement, "what percentage maintain higher cognitive functions?"

  "Seventeen percent," Keller admitted with scientific candor. "An unacceptable failure rate for wide implementation. Hence my interest in your transformation model."

  Elena studied the formu dispyed on the nearest monitor, identifying three critical components that could be subtly altered to produce failures that would appear as experimental variability rather than deliberate sabotage. Her doctoral work in immunology had prepared her for this moment in ways Keller couldn't imagine.

  "I see the integration issue," she said, pointing to a legitimate problem while mentally noting an additional vulnerability she wouldn't reveal. "The protein binding site creates instability in the tertiary structure."

  Keller looked genuinely pleased at her observation. "Your insight confirms my decision to bring you into the program. Few minds could grasp these complexities so quickly."

  "Science transcends circumstances," Elena replied, the statement both truth and calcuted strategy. "The research itself is fascinating, regardless of application."

  Later, alone in her secured boratory quarters, Elena meticulously documented everything she had observed. Without physical materials to record her findings, she constructed an eborate memory pace, storing each critical formu, security protocol, and facility yout in visualized locations she could mentally walk through.

  Tomorrow, Keller would grant her limited boratory access to demonstrate her cooperative potential. It would be her first opportunity to introduce subtle irregurities into the enhancement formu—changes that would cascade through subsequent generations of the virus, creating cumutive failures that would set back his program by months.

  As she composed herself for sleep, Elena reached for the fading telepathic connection to Viktor. Though too attenuated for coherent communication over this distance, the tenuous link provided orientation—a reminder that she wasn't simply gathering intelligence for her own survival.

  Her scientific mind had become her most potent weapon. And tomorrow, she would begin to wield it.