by Kal Spriggs
Scientist Rhxun did not need to collect his thoughts. Like the thoughtful, concise and methodical Chxor he was, he had determined exactly what course to take. “Tier Three Investigator Ghren, I will explain the circumstances in precision and with sufficient information as to draw the correct conclusions. My experimentation on Klar Three was extremely thoroughly researched and in no way did I fail to take all circumstances into consideration. The failure occurred as a result of Planetary Governor Hlaar, who failed to ensure that I had full access to the planetary conditions, and who sabotaged the entire program deliberately—”
“I have already investigated your accusations of Planetary Governor Hlaar, his judgment is already decided,” Tier Three Investigator Ghren interrupted.
“Yes, Tier Three Investigator,” Rhxun answered, by his count, he had another two juhn to make his statement. A lesser being, such as a human, might have grown nervous, but Rhxun was a Chxor and above such pointless emotions. Not even the slightest sign of discomfort touched his own pale yellow eyes and he met the gaze of Ghren with calm certainty. “To continue, I was not given crucial information about Klar Three’s atmospheric and space conditions. In the interest of efficiency, in order to maximize production, I implemented the implant design based upon faulty parameters given to me by Planetary Governor Hlaar.”
“This does not address why you implemented administration of the implants to the entire planetary population against his orders. Nor does it explain why you circumvented necessary testing procedures in the process. These procedures are in place to prevent such failures,” Tier Three Investigator Ghren stated.
“I do not have time to go into the technical explanation of the science that backed my decision,” Rhxun stated. “Planetary Governor Hlaar lacked the intelligence to understand the science behind my decisions.” It would not be diplomatic to explain to the Tier Three Investigator that he lacks the intelligence to properly understand, he thought. Though he would like to think that a Tier Three Investigator would have the impartiality to admit his limitations, Rhxun had already encountered many of his fellow Chxor who seemed unable to admit that they had nowhere near his own mental capabilities. “However, I will state that I established and followed a highly comprehensive standardized operation procedure for my laboratory as well as the implantation facility which I ensured all Chxor followed rigorously. This seven hundred page document was issued to all personnel and I required they follow it to the letter. Technical Assistant Khlain can verify this.”
“Technical Assistant Khlain was sentenced to the hard labor camps for his negligence in this event, and has already been shipped to a processing facility,” Tier Three Investigator Ghren answered. If Rhxun had the limitation of emotions, he would have felt dismay at the loss of his primary assistant. Then again, he had found Khlain’s constant whining about ‘proper regulations’ a waste of time. If Khlain had simply gone along with the project, Rhxun thought, perhaps he would have proven of actual use and discovered the additional information which would have facilitated the project. “This concludes your investigation. In consultation with the Benevolence Council and after careful and procedural investigation, I have determined the following about this event.”
Ghren paused as he pulled up his notes: “On 5674-Juhnar, Medical Scientist Rhxun, violated standard methodology and protocols with his current experimentation. He disobeyed direct orders from the Planetary Governor, violated Chxor Medical Procedures seventeen, forty-two, one-nineteen, and seven-thirteen through eight-forty-five.”
“Also, technically, nine-fourteen,” Rhxun added.
“As well as nine-fourteen,” Ghren amended. “Due to his inability to follow proper procedures regarding medical methodology, he implanted three quarters of the population, four million of the Than sub-caste with implants designed to limit free will and induce loyalty protocols to the Chxor Empire in general and to Senior Scientist Rhxun in specific. His implants utilized wireless signals to maintain overall control of the population and possessed minimal electromagnetic shielding.”
“Four million, three hundred thousand, four hundred and seven of the Than sub-caste,” Rhxun corrected automatically. “With an additional one hundred and twenty test subjects who survive at the shielded testing facility.”
“Correct, four million, three hundred thousand, four hundred and seven,” Ghren stated with undue force. Apparently he did not appreciate the reminder that his inferior intelligence did not allow him to retain data as well as Rhxun. Well, it isn’t as if I didn’t expect as much, Rhxun thought. The Tier Three Investigator continued, “When a stellar flare erupted, it caused massive radio frequency interference across a broad spectrum, this interference proved particularly hazardous to the population implanted by Senior Scientist Rhxun. The result was initial extreme pain, followed by violent aggression. Final results appear to be the destruction of higher level brain functions and feral behavior. This subsequently resulted in the termination of the entire test population as well as some three million - “
“Two million, nine hundred thousand, nine hundred and thirty,” Rhxun interrupted.
” - of the rest of the population. This number included seven District Administrators as well as the Assistant Planetary Governor, Police Commander, Deputy Fleet Commander, and Investigator Krell who had been dispatched to investigate Planetary Governor Hraal’s statement regarding insurrectionist activity in regards to Senior Scientist Rhxun’s research.” Tier Three Investigator Ghren paused. “I therefore find that the proper punishment is to strip Senior Scientist Rhxun of his rank and sentence him to immediate termination.”
“I understand how you have come to this decision,” Rhxun shook his head. “And I believe you have done your best at the limits of your intelligence and understanding. Am I correct in my estimation that you have followed procedure fifteen of the investigation protocols and have waited to file your official findings pending my sentencing?”
“Of course,” Ghren said. The tone of his voice suggested that any other option would not follow the proper regulations. A loyalty to regulation and bureaucracy that Rhxun agreed with and appreciated immensely.
“Excellent,” Rhxun said. He drew his dart pistol and fired once. The small dart struck Ghren in the side of his thick neck, just above the collar of his brown uniform.
Ghren stared at him in shock for a moment. Then the convulsions began. Rhxun walked calmly around the desk and deleted the Tier Three Investigator’s notes. He then pulled the dart out of the dead Chxor’s neck and carefully dropped it down the incinerator chute behind the desk. A moment later he tapped the intercom button. “Excuse me. It seems that Tier Three Investigator Ghren has undergone a seizure. I would suggest that a body disposal team be dispatched.”
* * *
Little had changed of the office after the three months since his last interview, save that Tier Four Investigator Thrun sat behind the desk, he had two armed guards posted behind Rhxun, and Rhxun wore manacles at wrist and ankle. The guards had searched him thoroughly, though they had allowed him to wear his normal lab suit. Rhxun had expected this, but he still found it ridiculous that they considered he might repeat his previous termination of Tier Three Investigator Ghren. Do they think me to be of such low intelligence, he thought, that I would attempt the same result?
Tier Four Investigator Thrun looked much similar to Ghren, and Rhxun supposed that the two had come from similar military lines. Thrun looked a little older but seemed to possess the same heavy frame and absolute dedication to regulation. If anything, his brown uniform looked more severe. “Senior Scientist Rhxun,” the Tier Four Investigator began. “After thorough investigation into both the failure of your experimentation and the termination of Tier Four Investigator Ghren, I have come to the following conclusions - “
“Am I not allowed a statement of defense according to paragraph five of investigation procedure fifteen?”
“You are, unless the accumulation of evidence indicates that your statement of defens
e would be of little value,” Thrun stated flatly. “Which in this case, the termination of Tier Three Investigator Ghren would indicate that your statement would be of little use. It is most likely that you would merely repeat your previous arguments, would it not?”
“I would,” Rhxun stated, “And from your statement, I would interpolate that you have reached a similar conclusion?”
“Yes. In addition, I find your manipulation of regulations to ensure a Tier Four Investigator must be dispatched resolve this investigation is a blatant case of abuse of your position to - ” The Tier Four Investigator broke off. One hand went to his throat and Rhxun could see the Chxor’s throat muscles tense, as if the other Chxor tried to force words out against some pressure.
“I am left with little option, then,” Rhxun stated, “as you have proven as limited in both intelligence and personal bias to understand my devotion to research and my importance to science. Therefore, I will have to hope your replacement proves to be senior in not only rank, but also intelligence.” Rhxun raised his foot off of the crushed glass vial. He saw both the two armed guards collapse to the ground. Both of them clawed at their throats as the neurotoxin paralyzed their lungs.
Tier Four Investigator Thrun’s hand flailed towards the alarm, but Rhxun stepped forward and caught it. The Tier Four Investigator had little strength and Rhxun easily held his hand away from the button. “Now, Tier Four Investigator, that would be a waste of personnel. Any response team would die of the gas I released unless they received the proper antidote before hand. Seeing as I tailored this agent specifically for this occasion, I find this problematic at best.”
Senior Scientist Rhxun waited until the neurotoxin did its work and then dropped the limp arm. He shook his head slightly at the typed notes of the Tier Four Investigator. “A note about my unprofessional use of materials and research? This shows very little understanding of the science. I will have to conclude that I must try once again with your superiors.”
* * *
Once again Rhxun waited the result of the investigation.
This time, however, he stood stripped naked, and in a quarantine inspection airlock. On the other side of the inspection glass stood a squat female Chxor in the uniform of a Tier Eight Investigator. This confused Rhxun slightly, as he had not expected such a senior ranking investigator. Then again, he had expected that his reason and logic would eventually penetrate one of the previous investigators. Perhaps I ask too much, he thought, after all, the investigators tend to be such limited castes, far inferior to me in intellect and resourcefulness.
Still, the Tier Eight Investigator showed both intelligence and foresight in his preparation for Rhxun’s statement of defense and sentencing. At least that suggested that his fellow Chxor had some capability to learn from the mistakes of her predecessors.
She did not look particularly intelligent, Rhxun noted. She stood silently on the far side of the inspection window. Her hair had an odd trim, almost out of regulation. Her block-like head looked narrower than the Chxor normal, and her eyes had a darker color than the normal pale yellow. She looked… vaguely predatory, Rhxun realized. In fact, he noted that as she stared at him, he felt some of his otherwise suppressed primitive body functions awaken. In particular, he felt his heart beat increase, a sign that his body recognized danger. This caused Rhxun a brief moment of reflection, for it seemed illogical that he would lose control of his mental balance so easily. Still, something about her dark yellow eyes made his normal calm very hard to contain. He rationally knew that many of the Abaner genetic lines had darker eye color, yet this did little to reassure him. The Abaner are an inferior line, drawn to intuitive thought patterns and almost… emotional behavior, he thought.
Rhxun awaited her prepared statement. He had little else to do. Yet her calm gaze did not break, nor did she relieve the silence. In fact, the silence seemed to grow. To pass the time, Rhxun ran through a review of his statement. This new Investigator’s silent gaze gave him the strangest mental pattern, one where he felt some slight uncertainty. No, not her gaze, merely the extra time, I must use it, he thought. Yet even as he reassured himself, he wondered why he needed such reassurance.
He studied her uniform, and noted seven small, gold pips above her name-tag, which read Khlen. Each of those, according to regulation, represented a commendation from the Benevolence Council. Rhxun had not heard of any military commander who possessed more than three. His mentor had possessed two for his research in genetic engineering.
“You present an interesting problem, Rhxun,” Investigator Khlen said.
Rhxun felt his uncertainty grow. This did not follow the standard procedure. She had neither asked him a question nor had she made a statement in regards to the investigation. Perhaps, he wondered, this is a test of some kind?
“Do you know what cases I normally investigate, Rhxun?”
Rhxun felt his uncertainty grow at her neglect to use his official title. Unless he had been sentenced, then he retained his title and rank and all Chxor would honor that. Had this odd Tier Eight Investigator bypassed the normal procedure and sentenced him before his statement? Rhxun realized that she still stared at him and realized that she expected an answer to her odd question. “No, Tier Eight Investigator, I do not.” He made sure to use her entire title, a reminder to use his own.
“Normally I only investigate very senior levels of subversion and treason within the Chxor Empire. Cases that involve Fleet Commanders and System Governors.” She stared at him for a longer moment. “These cases often require intricate knowledge of both the official and unofficial policies and politics well beyond the normal knowledge of rules and regulations most Investigators possess.”
Rhxun waited. He had little interest in policies beyond those of his own field of research. He had far less interest in the politics of the Chxor Empire, beyond the current desire for expansion which had yielded his rapid promotion and backed his current research. He did not see why this Investigator had chosen such an odd course of dialog. Perhaps, he thought, she suffered from some brain damage? It would explain her odd gaze, he decided.
“Your elimination of Ghren and Thrun has attracted my attention, which prompted me to conduct a more thorough investigation of you,” Khlen said. “This began with your production lot. You were from the Urn Creche in the Urgal system. Your lot was Seven-thirteen Flen Twelve. You and your fellow reproduction were an experiment in genetic engineering by Senior Scientist Gurn. All other subjects were eliminated due to mental instability and physical defects. You are literally unique.” She continued to stare at him. Rhxun felt his uncertainty grow as she peered at him. None of the other Investigators he had encountered had gone that far back into his past.
“Senior Scientist Gurn personally instructed you from when the creche released you. You trained under him while he further developed his genetic engineering knowledge… right up until his termination in a lab accident.” She paused. The silence grew long again.
Rhxun realized she expected some statement. “Yes, I acted as his assistant,” he said. “The investigation of the accident was very thorough. It is very unfortunate that the aggressive human subjects got loose and attacked him. His dedication to science was commendable.”
“I’m sure,” the Tier Eight Investigator said. “Though I find some of the evidence of the accident rather slim. In fact, the accidental deletion of the lab security records is particularly odd, do you not agree, Rhxun?”
Rhxun felt an odd hollow sensation in his bowels. He suddenly felt the need to utilize the organic waste facilities, though he somehow doubted that the Investigator would allow him the option. “Yes, this might be odd, however, I would point out that the human test subjects had access to the entire facility for several hours. They could easily have accessed the records-”
“The records, written in Chxor and secured by pass-code known only to security staff and key research personnel?”
Rhxun felt the hollow sensation in his lower intestines shift. “
It is not unthinkable that they would seek to access it and bypass such safeguards during their escape.”
“Not unthinkable that they could, I agree,” Khlen said. “But rather odd that they felt it necessary. Certainly even humans must know it would be obvious that they had escaped and terminated the lab personnel present.”
Rhxun felt his left cheek begin to twitch. “Perhaps they wished to create confusion as to their escape attempt and gain themselves more time.” He must suffer from some vitamin deficiency, he thought, to cause the involuntary muscle spasm. “Though it can be pointless to attempt extrapolation of the reasoning behind emotionally-driven human actions.”
“Perhaps.” The Tier Eight Investigator answered. “Though I did find interesting notes in Senior Scientist Gurn’s personal records. He seemed to disapprove of your professional standards and felt that overall you put too much trust in your own judgment.”
“I think my actions so far have proven that decision incorrect,” Rhxun said.
“Interesting,” Khlen stated. She continued to stare at him. Rhxun suddenly realized that he had seen such a gaze before… when he stood outside a specimen cage and stared at one of his test subject. The twitch in his cheek redoubled in pace and his stomach seemed to twist. “I also found it interesting that the escaped human test subjects managed to seize a courier vessel docked with the labs and escape the star system. Their timing for escape could not have been better… not without help from a Chxor.”