Chapter Two
Phl'intaal's Need
“That concludes the genetics team’s findings, my Lord,” said the young scientist as he nervously wrapped his long, yellow fingers around his databoard. He quickly moved from the wall monitor, crossed the small conference room to the long table and sat down with the rest of his equally nervous team.
Administrator Vol, her small ears flat against the top of her head and her lips in a tight line, looked up from her databoard to the wall monitor and back again. The small red spots on her head paled slightly as she turned her strikingly calm gaze towards the young male. “Are you sure?” she asked quietly, her tone suggesting much in the way of punishment if they were not.
“Yes, Administrator,” he said softly, his voice still carrying a hint of femininity, a sign that he had not been male long and was not fully out of the transgenic phase. He was understandably nervous; the hormones that facilitated the physiological change from female to male were obviously still affecting him. Would she be that much of a wreck if and when she made her choice? She pushed that unpleasant thought out of her head quickly as she waited patiently for the scientist to collect himself. He dropped his bright green eyes to his databoard, his voice now stronger, surer. “Bioform 765alpha’s mutation rate has suddenly and quite unexpectedly accelerated. Nothing in the environment could account for this. It is a simple aberration.”
A gruff, irritatingly moist voice spoke from Vol’s right. “There are no simple aberrations on Kopae tech, ever. We control all bio-factors on the planet, from the amount of solar radiation to the exact variety of bacteria in a given location of soil. Nothing is altered without our oversight,” Phl’intaal stated as he put down the databoard he had held and sighed dramatically. “I don’t see as we have any choice now but to proceed with extinction protocols.”
As Phl’intaal’s words drifted over the conference table, many of the scientists tried hard not to show their displeasure at his decision. Vol shared their discontent and she also knew that had the gathered team not feared his legendary temper, had they an ounce of courage among them, they would have spoken then and been true to their convictions. But no, as the micro-units slipped by, they each sat there in silent impudence knowing what was about to be asked of them. Thankfully, for the scientist’s she was the one being in the room who could speak up to him. “I highly recommend reconsideration, My Lord,” Vol said quietly. “This action could come back to haunt us if we proceed as you suggest. We will at best be boycotted by some key planets, at worst the Galactic Parliament…”
“I don’t care what the rest of the galaxy might think of us, Administrator!” Phl’intaal’s voice was sharp and bitter as it cut her protest off. “This is strictly a Plenekee affair. The days of the Alliance and its meddling are long gone. We will not bow to the misguided morals of other races ever again. If the protocol is too unpleasant for you, I will take personal responsibility for it,” Phl’intaal smiled at Vol darkly.
Vol let Phl’intaal’s harsh words wash off her like this morning shower. She had quickly become used to his abrasiveness in the brief time she had known him, but what he was planning…it was wrong and she had to do her utmost to stop him. “My lord, please. These are not mere animals that we are thinking of destroying.”
“You are right. Bioform 765alpha are not mere animals. They are vermin of the most extreme kind and their existence has caused our people far too much strife,” Phl’intaal turned his attention back to the science team across the table. The young male who had spoken flinched at Phl’intaal’s renewed gaze “Do we have enough materials to complete all extinction projects?”
The scientist licked his lips “N-no my lord. We are very close to depleting our supply of pre-transgenic materials. We won’t be able to create enough termination factors-virus’s, predators, etc., to cover all…target organisms.”
“I see,” Phl’intaal tapped a databoard in front of him. “Then do what you can. I will personally oversee this aspect of the operation.”
“Very well, My Lord,” The tech’s voice was properly submissive, which sent a wave of nausea through Vol’s midsection.
Vol turned to Phl’intaal and was stopped short by the look of utter satisfaction on his face. With the blink of an eye, however, Phl’intaal’s voice turned to steel as he looked once more at his databoard. “Dismissed.”
As the science team quickly left the conference room Vol stood, buttoned her cream-colored lab coat neatly around her small body and stared at the findings on the wall monitor one more time. “Why are you really doing this?” she finally asked in a quiet voice. “Extinction protocols are explicit and not to be used lightly. They do not cover sentient bioforms such as 765alpha. You are crossing a very big line here. If word gets out…”
“I do not have to explain myself to you,” Phl’intaal spat as he gathered the databoards that were in front of him. “I am of the ruling caste administrator, and my judgment is final in this matter. Your problem Vol is that your professionalism and your emotions are too muddled-too mixed. Much like your own genetic heritage. It has bent your views all out of proper perspective. No matter, you will obey my orders,” He stood as if to punctuate his remarks with all the authority his pear-shaped body could project. “Or do I have to take you to the baths?”
Vol glared at him as she leaned over the table in Phl’intaal’s direction. “You may be of the ruling cast My Lord, but you are by no means perfect. And like you, I have friends in high places. I recently received a copy of your sealed records. I know your little secret, a secret you’ve tried to hide from for years,” Her small ears flattened themselves onto her head. “You caused a great deal of dishonor for our people and for your family in particular. That is why you are now last on the list for the Throne of Light. So, do not think that you can come in here and threaten me. You may have the final say as to projects here in this sector, but I run this station.”
Phl’intaal just stood there throwing daggers at her with his eyes. His voice had no trace of the deadly emotion that boiled in his eyes. “Is that all?”
“For now, My Lord,” Her tone left nothing to the imagination as who she really thought was vermin in this sector of space.
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