trans_9 | "Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2

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"Going where I list, my own master total and absolute" (Part 2 - Diplomacy, Tourism, and Processing)

The trip down was uneventful. The view was gorgeous when the viewing window shields were raised again when they were through the atmosphere, especially as they passed down to Megalopolis, the simply-named giant city that was this world's capital. To the Earthlings there, the continents of this world would look vastly familiar, but that didn't mean anything, did it?

Eventually the sparkling city spires of the mega-city, interspersed with flying traffic, rose up to meet them, and Obs Deck, attached by its massive shielded umbilical cord, deposited them at the Council's private spaceport. It retreated back up to Stacy after they'd disembarked.

This world was a gorgeous world, that much they could likely tell while standing there on the landing pad, looking at the rounded curves of the beautifully designed spaceport. Buildings rose up above them in shades of white, paneled with multi-colored glass, in creative architectural designs. The air traffic weaved neatly in endless lines between buildings, and the overcast sky was in shades of orange and pink, with occasional slips of a bright blue peeking through.

The Council of Five was waiting for them in person, clearly glad to see them all, dressed in resplendent clothing.

"Welcome to the Megalopolis, our capital city, and welcome to Galilee. We are the Council of Five, and we're honored by your presence."

[ooc: The first subthread is now open. They have split into groups! All subthreads are now open! Please do not set up new subthreads. The plot-runners will set them up as needed as we go.]

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Fate raised an eyebrow. Either this guy had a weird sense of humor, or he was being kind of... dodgy?

"I'd like to know too. If this is related to the briefing... shouldn't we be with the diplomats?"

Hamlet? Jr. might have thought that was odd to do, but honestly- he himself quoted books in conversation all the time. Still, the way he spoke instead of answering unnerved him slightly as well.

Sending a glance to Fate when she spoke, he looked back over to Kanner silently.

"I noticed," Kang whispered back to Kon, tail twitching slightly.

Frowning, he spoke up, "If this is something the diplomats need to know, why am I the only one present?" Something about the way Kanner had spoken to Zouichi made his scales click slightly. It sounded... patronizing.

That was part of it. The Councilor spoke to all of them in a subtly patronizing tone, one that he'd been subjected to before countless times by humans on Krynn. He'd gotten used to not hearing that tone.

Edited 2011-06-20 07:28 (UTC)

Patronizing he was used to. Distrust and anger, too! And Zouichi didn't really care if he wasn't included in the diplomatic audience. But the dodge caught his attention.

He smiled at Kanner, as though he hadn't noticed the others' discomfort. "Thank you. Where are we going?"

Superboy just sat there, arms crossed, on alert, ears and eyes open.

Kanner's attention pulled back in to the interior of the transport as he focused on Zouichi, smiling benevolently. He'd granted Zouichi permission to ask his question, and so the question had been asked. It was rare for visitors to be so polite.

"Central Processing," he said, patient in his explanation. "One of our largest facilities in the city, if not the world. The unrest we've been experiencing has left workers at facilities such as these uncomfortable and feeling less than safe for the first time in their lives. Over and beyond the concerns of personnel, there's billions of credits worth of fragile, sensitive equipment we cannot afford to have continuously threatened," he trailed off, looking notably disturbed. He didn't understand why this was happening, how anyone could want to destroy something so important for so many people.

Belatedly, he seemed to recall the questions Fate and Kang had put forward. Less polite than Zouichi, so they merited slower attention. "It's impractical to bring large groups through the Processing Center at this time of day."

The scenes of the city they'd been glimpsing through the windows started blinking in and out as they passed into a tunnel with staggered windows of its own. A large building marked CPC loomed in front of them, difficult to see for long stretches of time. The front of the building was a smooth expanse of a difficult to identify material, thousands of windows beginning some three stories up from the ground and continuing up the majority of the building. There was a large expanse of no windows all through the center of the building; nothing but uninterrupted, smooth surface.

"Considering your group is considered a diplomatic taskforce, or should have been crafted as one," Kanner said mildly, "This shouldn't have been an issue. Are you stating there are members of the crew who are not suited to reviewing and reporting on sights seen? Not sight-seeing, mind you," he said, the barest hint of a smile on his lips. "I'm afraid anything of that particular sort, for enjoyment, must come later. If at all."

He waited, expectant, almost concerned at this apparent implication.

"Not at all. It just seemed a little strange," While it was probably true that there people on the ship that were less qualified for that task, Fate was sure they could all handle instructions as simple as that.

Still... that answer didn't really comfort her. She understood that large groups around sensitive equipment could be a risk, but she's been an Enforcer long enough to have heard that kind of story before on her investigations.

She tried not to let any of her discomfort show, but she could definitely pick it up on some of the others. Something was definitely up here.

Jr. leaned back, crossing his arms in thought. It was understandable that people were uneasy about their unrest, especially since he assumed they might have been connected to the sort of healing technology they were here to talk about. He stayed quiet, figuring he'd see where they were going when they finally got there.

"Processing of what, exactly?" Kang asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "And no, Councilor, not everybody on this mission is a diplomat. Some of them, like Fate and Kon"--he nodded at the two of them--"are part of our military command, and some, like, Zouichi, are part of Security. Others, we're not sure why they were included."

He was going to be blunt. This human's tone really didn't put him in the mood to try and play nice.

Jr., you may not be the most recognizable member of Security, but... take solace in being the most irresistable to the ladies?

Zouichi nodded politely when Kang mentioned his name. "And as part of Security, it distresses me that this unrest has interfered with the work of so many. It must be difficult to operate at peak efficiency when lives and property are under threat. Has Central Processing itself been the target of attacks?"

He was so interested in Central Processing, you have no idea!

Superboy still sat, quiet, eyes and ears open, trying to ignore his flaring instincts. Let the others ask the questions. He needed to concentrate with his superhearing, make sure if it was a trap of some kind or something weird, he'd notice it before it was too late.

Kang's lack of proper attitude was upsetting; Zouichi's presence of it properly balanced the draconian's bite so that Kanner could even admire the make-up of this particular team. Too bad their programming was, by and large, sub-par.

Kanner looked to Kang, a more sincere smile turning his lips up briefly. "That's excellent news," he said, some degree of enthuiasm and relief in his voice. "You're far better prepared to assist in all aspects of our concerns than we could have hoped." No need to mention who that you properly included.

The tunnel they'd been traveling through no longr provided views outside, as the transport itself slowed down. Most wouldn't hear the mechanisms as they worked, let alone the voice that droned somewhere, counting off a number and estimated time of arrival. "This Processing Center in particular handles some of the higher load customized model production before they go on the street. In some ways, it's our final quality check before shipments and orders are allowed to go out. It's also one of our biggest gene banks, which is precisely why it's been targeted. The net value of the gene bank itself is astronomical."

He frowned as the transport slowed to a stop, the doors by Kanner sliding back and open. He stood. All of this business was highly unsettling for him. "This way, please." Stepping out of the transport, he moved into a sleek hall. Panes of what might have been glass sealed this section of the hall to just the platform for the transport. While waiting for the crew to join him, Kanner placed his hand on part of the pane. "Councilor Kanner Drayan," he announced, staring unblinkingly forward at the pane itself.

Three different modes of identification (palm scan, voice recognition, retinal scan), followed by a short series of alphanumeric characters typed into a holographic interface. It might have been part of the base genetic code for humans -- if someone caught the sequence, and was familiar with it in the first place. "Security's been heightened," he offered as way of explanation. "Until recent months, access wasn't as stringent. Ah, before I forget," he said, door opening into the hall beyond. "Due to the sensitive nature of the equipment within the Center, communication devices are asked to be kept off. I'd appreciate if you would turn any such devices off yourselves, for the duration of our time here in the Center."

No mention that the interference from the center would render them useless anyway; Kanner didn't care. He was protective of the equipment, not prone to explaining the (to him) non-significant details of the CPC's technological peculiarities.

Fate honestly didn't like the idea of cutting off communications between them and the other groups. Even though this all seemed routine, that bad, nagging feeling at the back of her head still wasn't going away.

Luckily for her, Bardiche didn't exactly have an 'off' switch. And she also had her telepathy to rely on, so she'd at least be able to contact Nanoha or Signum if the group's instincts were right and something was going to go horribly wrong.

So she was silent as she obeyed Kanner's request, pulling out her comm device and shutting it off.

"Model production?"

Jr. raised an eyebrow, mentioning genes along with it didn't sit well with him at all. But at the same time, he figured getting nasty with the questions wouldn't do any good. And coming from a world like the one Jr. came from, those words didn't always mean entirely bad things. Realians - the synthetic humans of his world - were amazing. Though they'd always had the problem of equal rights due to their nature - a matter that was still disputed over. Of course, because many pets, such as dogs were very rare finds, most pets that people owned were the same as the Realians. Alive even though their birth wasn't the same as everyone else's.

He reached to turn off his communication device as well. He figured they were quick and easy enough to turn back on if they needed to use them.

"What exactly is it that you're processing here?"

Now it wasn't just the tone of voice that was patronizing, it was the smile. Kang's scales were definitely clicking in unease now, especially after he heard certain words in Kanner's statements.

Processing center. Model production. Gene bank.

Wait. Fate and Kon, he knew, were clones, just like him. Zouichi was a synthetic human; did that mean the same thing? And as for Jr., he had no idea. However, he was relatively sure that there were no clones in the groups they were separated from, and to have three known ones in this one was far too much of a coincidence.

So, he pretended to shut off his omnicomm. "That's what I'd like to know, too. What are these models and what is their function?"

He shot Kon a glance, knowing he'd hear it, and stood up and moved next to Jr. to whisper very quietly, "I have good reason to ask this, but... are you a clone?"

Zouichi actually had very little reason to worry about Kanner's choice of terms -- gene banks? Model production? Shipments? To the development branch at Toha Heavy Industries, Synthetic Humans like himself were, essentially, products. They were created on timelines and in batches, sometimes for very specific purposes.

On the other hand, those scientists who referred to them explicitly as products rather than people were almost invariably the most unpleasant to deal with. What was more worrying was that Kanner hadn't really answered the questions that were put to him... but at this point it didn't really matter.

He did not glance back at Kon, Kang, and Jr.; it would have been too suspicious. Instead, he nodded politely toward Kanner, making a point of switching off his Omnicomm. His communicator, concealed from view, stayed on.

Oddly, he did catch the code Kanner entered into the interface -- the nature of his work back on Earth required an unusual amount of familiarity with the human genetic code -- but did not comment upon it.

Kon turned off his omnicom as well, but kept the concealed Legion flight ring in his armband on.

In fact, he did more than keep his ring on.

His wasn't just one of the comm-rings. It was a Legion flight ring, which Brainiac 5 had based all the comm-rings on. He was also more experienced at using his than most and knew all its little tricks after being a Legionnaire. It was highly telepathically sensitive, to the point that all he had to do was think at it, and it'd pick something up.

« Nightwing. There's something weird going on. Can you hear me? I'm sending this by thought rather than saying it. Permission to retreat. I repeat, I am asking for permission to retreat to be conveyed to Kang. Situation is highly suspicious and we may be in danger. »

It was blocked so there was no answer. Why was there no answer?

It's a trap. This is a trap.

How did he say that to the others without just yelling it aloud and tripping it before they could all react? If he used his ring, it'd still blare audibly for the others.

Superboy whispered, using a little trick he and others of awesome hearing sometimes used to communicate unheard, hardly betraying the slightest movement of his lips, with his head turned away from Kanner as if he was looking around to hide it.

He thought maybe Kang could. He wasn't human. That might come with perks. Like being able to hear things said at a level inaudible to the average human ear.

Edited 2011-06-21 23:53 (UTC)

When they were all through, a faint hum from beneath signaled an odd, almost force-field like moving platform. "I'd have expected you to already know the answer," Kanner said, faintly puzzled, "If the GIA had given you the appropriate information on our chief exports and internal structure."

They were zooming along down the hall, Kanner standing with feet set shoulder-distance apart, unconcerned. "The majority of our society is maintained and monitored by one of the seven classes of genetic constructs brought into perfection over the five-thousand year span of united Galileean Government."

Windows flashed on either side of the hall, at first disorientating. But these were meant to be viewing windows, and the scenes they revealed were almost beyond words.

"Or as referenced in common vernacular, clones. They're beautiful, aren't they?"

Kanner sounded fond, looking out to the left at the passing thousands, perhaps fifty-thousand and more pods, tubes, containers, some empty, others containing the created life within them. "Brought into this world for an express reason, never having to wonder about a greater purpose, place, or standing in the universe. No why's, for the most part, no troubling uncertainties about their worth. Given life, they know happiness and fulfillment from the moment they become conscious. From Birth to Death, there is no more beautiful machine than the living being."

All communication was down, as Kon had discovered. Kanner could have told them, might have even, if he'd thought they'd need to know. But of course they didn't. Just like they didn't need to know that the standard means of entry would lead to the nulls preventing them (for now) from lashing out in their unpredictable natures at the Councilor, or the men who met him at the hall's end. Like they didn't need to know they were kept firmly in place until Kanner ordered otherwise. The only individual who would be allowed to leave that platform of their own free will was Kanner.

"For processing, sir?" One of the triplets in the room looked to Kanner, the golden emblem on his forehead a stark contrast with his warm, olive skin-tone.

"As usual," Kanner said, "All as Deltas."

The assistant nodded, returning to a console he started typing into with the ease of long familiarity. Kanner turned to his assembled group. "Councilor Kang, if you wouldn't mind...?"

It was there, the implication that Kang could choose this. He could walk forward and enter this room, accept whatever it was Kanner was offering. It was there, but the option to choose otherwise... that was not.

Whatever was about to happen would happen, regardless of the crew's cooperation.

Oh yes, this was beyond words. Even for someone who had dealt with facilities that illegally produced clones many times in the past, and had dealt with horrifying clone factories when she helped Kon out of his nightmares during the Nightmare King incident... things like this still mortified her and made her stomach turn.

"How... how could you do something like this!? This is horrible!"

When Kang had moved closer to Jr. he had visibly tensed at his question. Slowly turning his head to look at Kang, the expression in his eyes affirmed what Kang had caught on to. "You mean ... they put us together for a reason."

And when they got a clear view out the window, Jr.'s blue eyes went wide. But that expression of borderline shock and horror quickly hardened into one of rage as his eyes snapped over to Kanner. "Shit..." When he spoke, his voice sounded far beyond a simple twelve year old boy. "This is what you took us here to see?!"

And then he felt an uneasy shiver go up his spine when Kanner addressed Kang. Sending a quick glance to the draconian, Jr.'s hand swung back to grab the grip of his pistol, ready to draw.

"So you are one," Kang muttered a curse. He barely heard Kon's words a second later, and clenched his jaw, blinking twice.

And then, he saw the clones, and his suspicions were confirmed.

Stupid. They'd walked right into it.

If it weren't for the force keeping his limbs in one place, his wings would have flared out in anger and he would have stepped back. It didn't keep the sparks from dancing around his mouth, though, and the smell of ozone to fill the air.

"Is this how you treat foreign envoys, after asking for their assistance?"

It took Zouichi a moment to realize that the odd background noise was coming from Superboy, and that it was not, actually, background noise. But by now, the trap had already been sprung.

Well, he doubted it would work, but --

"Councilor Kanner. I believe there must have been a slight omission in the information the GIA provided to the crew. As such, I'd like to request that we obtain the permission of our Captain before we undergo 'processing' -- it is to him that we ultimately answer, and I'm afraid that without his express leave to proceed, going through with this procedure might constitute unauthorized modification of those under his direct command. I'm sure it would behoove both sides to follow proper protocol in this instance, to avoid stepping on the toes of any negotiations."

Also, Kang smelled funny.

Kanner honestly looked apologetic. "Protocol on our end has been consistent the last two hundred years. All off-world clones must be branded for the duration of their stay on Galilee. If the GIA failed to provide this information to you, and I'd find such to be a breech of faith with their own ships," at which he sounded both troubled and disbelieving, "Disheartening, that is beyond our control, and you have our sympathies. If, on the other hand, there was a failing in properly understanding the full importance of our world contact clauses, I can only apologize for having to be the first to clear up the misunderstanding for you."

His hands were brought in front of him. "Please understand. The laws do not bend on Galilee. Much like our scanning and sampling procedures, this is part of our world's official law when dealing with off-worlders come to ground."

"Fine," Superboy said, slowly stepping forward. "The law's the law."

After taking a few steps, be immediately launched himself into flight, eyes glowing red, ready to punch the Councilor out--and after him, the guards.

"And it's a stupid law! Process this!"

The restraints leaped almost out of nowhere. Kanner looked started in that moment before the restraints wrapped around his assailant's limbs and midsection, another around his forehead. Red sun lamps came on, bathing Superboy in their light.

For those who could understand the implications, it was frightening.

"I had hoped," he said with resignation, "It would not come to this." He flicked a wrist, apparently directing the restraints and Superboy toward a machine within the room. The guards looked unfazed, their triplet still operating the console. "I'm sorry, Councilor. It appears another has volunteered to go first."

No one on the platform would be able to move anymore. Blink, twitch, breathe, but not move arms or legs. Kon had taken their autonomy away, for all he couldn't have exactly known.

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