"So, you're saying it's still alive in there?"
"That's the theory, anyway. I believe the purpose of the patron firearm system is to provide reinforcement of the Law. But I feel that there is no point in seeking it out at this stage, at least not for me."
"Ezell..."
"There's only one way to be sure." Gesturing across the table, the Sankta gestures at the disassembled shotgun, kindly smiling towards the Doctor. "Now, which part of the firearm contains the fragment of God?"
_ _ _
The empty laboratory clicks open with barely a hiss, thanks to the clever use of a magnet at the top and bottom. It's stupid, you know? All of this technology for monitoring these top secret projects defeated with something a child has decent odds of keeping around as a curiosity. W chuckles to herself as she quickly shuts the door behind her, slipping in. A handheld light clicks on as she surveys the room. Her eyes widen.
*Well, well*, she thinks. *Guess I'll be adding this to my collection next.*
Reaching across the table, she starts to reassemble the firearm beginning with its smallest pieces. But as she moves to affix the firing pin, a curious thought strikes her as though from afar-
*YOU'LL DO.*
There's an explosion like the report of a firearm, and then nothing.
- - -
She comes to some time later, the mist of the fire suppression system making her vision hazy. Of course it's that damn Doctor in their stupid idiot mask. Must've been some kind of intruder countermeasure. She squints against the light, eyes trying to adjust. "Ugh... could you shut that damn thing off? It's getting in my eyes."
The Doctor gives a look of concern, brow furrowing detectable even through the darkness of their mask. "...no," they say, carefully and diplomatically.
"I get it, okay? I'm in the damn doghouse. Just shut that thing off or at LEAST turn it down."
The Doctor pulls out a compact mirror, flipping it open with one hand, and shows W her own reflection. She squints against the glare a moment before her eyes widen.
The lights are not on in this room. The only source of illumination is coming from just above W's brow, with more behind her splaying out. She flexes her shoulder back as she grabs the compact in wonderment and shock, and she sees the wing behind flex also, it's fragmentary components splaying out like fingers widening from a fist.
"Uh oh."