Research Center

Leah Fortinier

Leah Fortinier is a nurse in the Corona Tower's research division. She works in the research hospital on Basement Level 4, but she is frequently seen with Dr. Jamie Jimenez, wherever his duties take him.

Leah is a medium-size women, neither young nor old, and she doesn't share much about herself. Even her hair is nondescript, a neutral brown. She wears little makeup.

Unerringly positive and polite, nothing seems to fluster Leah. Neither does anything seem to excite her. The human-hybrid project isn't a problem for Leah. It's a job, one she is good at, and she sees it that way. The ethics are left up to those in charge over her.

Leah spends her work week in an apartment assigned to her on Basement Level 2 with the researchers and other medical staff. The military who stay on campus are housed on Basement Level 1 and are rarely if ever seen on any of the lower floors, except for the most senior officers. Leah doesn't consider them part of her underground world, so they are off her radar.

Leah rarely shares anything personal. If she has any serious flaws or fractures in her background, they have yet to show themselves. She even takes Garik's references to her as Nurse Ratchett as a comical and endearing part of her day.

We first meet Leah in Book 1 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Shattered by Glass.

Rachel Prager

Rachel Prager is pretty much a mystery to us in Book 2, Inside the Darkness.

We hear Rachel’s voice from behind a glass wall. Her job in the research center is clerical and data entry. She comes across as highly efficient. She works with Jantzen Hefferly in her office in B2-Facilities Management, although with Jantzen being the brains behind the human-hybrid project, by definition Jantzen works all over the massive complex.

Rachel makes a return visit in Book 8, Sunchaser's Gambit, although she is referenced several times in the intervening books.

We are introduced to Rachel in Book 2 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Inside the Darkness.

Tyrone Brown

Tyrone Brown doesn't have an official title except the one stitched on his shirt, Maintenance.

His name is also on his shirt, and to the casual eye, he is on an equal footing with Joseph Howard, who does have an official title, Head Custodial Maintenance.

Tyrone's actual job is as a floor sweeper, although he assists Joseph in anything that Joseph needs him for. They are often seen together around the complex.

Tyrone is known around the research facility as friendly, and people look forward to seeing him flash his white teeth when he smiles. Tyrone likes to smile a lot.

We first meet Tyrone in Book 2 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Inside the Darkness.

Joseph Howard

Joseph Howard's official title is Head Custodial Maintenance.

His name and Maintenance are boldly emblazoned on his shirt. The only way people can tell that Joseph heads the custodial team is that he's the one instructing the others what to do.

Joseph is friendly, a hard worker, and gets along with everyone. His job supervising the maintenance duties of the research center suits him well.

In Book 3, The Mirror Cracks, we also meet Jeffrey Howard, but the two men are unrelated.

We first meet Joseph in Book 2 of The Human-Hybrid Project, Inside the Darkness.

Jeffrey Howard

Jeffrey Howard wears the title of IT Oversight and Security Specialist.

A thin man, Jeffrey is normally seen in a suit with a thin tie that emphasises his slenderness. He is forgetful with his glasses, keeps his hair short on the sides but likes to maintain a thick shock on top.

You wouldn't know it by watching, but Jeffrey is detail oriented. His focus on detail keeps him from connecting well with the world around him.

Jeffrey likes to repeat himself, whether in words and phrases, or stories of not being able to plug in his electric car.

Jeffrey has endured two divorces, both from his lack of attention to his relationships. He drives an electric car and thinks it's a crime against the environment to own anything else.

Jeffrey has written a computer game. It is currently in beta test mode, and he asks Garik to test it for him.

We first meet Jeffrey in Book 3 of The Human-Hybrid Project, The Mirror Cracks. Jeffrey is unrelated to Joseph Howard, whom we previously met in Book 2.