[OC] Corridors - Chapter 14: Patterns

Ambassador Evans had spent the last few hours walking through endless halls and mazes of corridors, looking up at portraits of past Onathin Savants and Academics. The large images sported Onathins of every colour, some posed with outstretched wings, some adopting a more conservative, pensive posture. “How long has the Gorandis Research Metropolis been in existence?”

“Many, many Journeys. ‘Centuries’ as you would say.” Savant Kasdion nodded to the portraits, “One day, I will be a fixed image on these walls, forever a spectator in the march of progress.”

“It’s quite a legacy.” Ambassador Evans remarked.

“The Gorandis Research Metropolis was the birthplace of many important technologies that has shaped Onathin society in innumerable ways. The Photon Lance weaponry that you may be familiar with was conceived and developed here in our high-energy physics research bloc.”

They reached the end of the hallway and stopped on the side of a balcony overlooking the rest of the Research Metropolis. Lines of silver aircraft rushed to and fro, weaving past gently floating orbs full of squabbling Onathins scratching equations, molecular diagrams, and script along the insides of their Deliberation Orbs. Ambassador Evans looked down at the vastly interconnected web of skyways, “Has it always been like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I was just wondering what the metropolis would have looked like if Onathins could still fly. Was there a time when Onathins would float in the air on just their outstretched wings, discussing the mysteries of the universe?”

“Perhaps, but that was before my time.” Savant Kasdion said dismissively. He stretched his wings in the sunshine and chirped in pleasure. Green and yellow feathers, released from his underwing, fluttered about his red-feathered body. “As Savant, I only care about the future of this Research Metropolis. If you or any of your scientists wish to collaborate on any projects, do let me know. I have no doubt that working with different species, and thus different ways of thinking, would unlock many secrets that would not have been discovered otherwise.”

Ambassador Evans smiled, “Thank you Savant Kasdion, you can rest assured that today is only the beginning of many scientific collaborations between our peoples. Perhaps we should check on the progress of the one in your genetic sequencing lab now?”

Savant Kasdion nodded, and led the way back through the portrait-filled halls and corridors. Ambassador Evans looked at the majestic images briefly before asking another question, “How long have you had those markings in your underwing?”

“Such a strange question,” Savant Kasdion replied, “I’ve had them since I was a young hatchling. Every Onathin develops their unique underwing markings as they mature and develop.”

“Has it always been this way? Some of the portraits show Onathins that seem to have no unique colourings beneath their wings.” Ambassador Evans said, pointing to one such portrait.

Savant Kasdion paused and stared at the painting of a forest green Onathin, proudly stretching his wings towards the skies. His head twitched as he inspected the solid green underwing plumage. “Pardon my confusion, but I’ve never noticed that. Must be an error made by the artist.” He dismissed the thought and kept walking.

Ambassador Evans followed silently, mulling over Savant Kasdion’s reaction. As an ambassador, he had interacted with many Onathins all across Sovereignty space, and had learned their mannerisms. That head twitch…that’s not confusion.

Before long, they arrived at Scholar Cerion’s lab again. Ambassador Evans walked into the lab and was greeted by a most peculiar sight. Academic Lysion was standing next to Tara Yang and another blue Onathin, all staring at a gnarled black screen, and reading the text that scrolled past it. At the other end of the lab, a much smaller blue Onathin was perched on Kevin’s shoulders as he and Derek inspected what appeared to be a broken machine. The silver-gray parts were exposed, and some of them were smoking or glowing.

“Did you learn anything, Dr. Yang?” Ambassador Evans asked.

“Oh you’re back!” Tara said as she whirled around, “I’ve learned so many things! Did you know that Onathin genetic material is based on the controlled aggregation of zwitterions? And that these aggregates are protected by a backbone of covalently-bound molecules, and are regulated and chaperoned by enzyme-like molecules that use different forms of charged metals to rearrange the zwitterions as they see fit?”

“Uhh, I didn’t know that,” Ambassador Evans said cautiously, trying to avoid prompting Tara from continuing further, “I assume that you need to spend more time here?”

“Just a little bit more time,” Tara said as she turned back to Scholar Cerion and Academic Lysion. “I want to examine this section of the sample.”

Academic Lysion peered at the screen, “There’s no genetic material there, it’s just some random contaminant. Where did you say you got these samples from again?”

“From Onathins all over Sovereignty space,” Tara said evasively, “Can we sequence it anyway? It looks sort of similar to Onathin genetic material.”

“I don’t see the resemblance at all,” Academic Lysion said, “It’s a waste of resources to sequence that sample. It wouldn’t work! It’ll be like sequencing dirt!”

“Although,” Scholar Cerion mused, “It does share some similarities with Onathin zwitterionic aggregates. Maybe it’ll work?”

“It’s a waste of resources!” Academic Lysion said again. Ambassador Evans surreptitiously turned off his translator and listened to the raw Onathin song that issued from Lysion’s beak, and was surprised to find violent and threatening undertones embedded within the words. He decided to intervene.

“Savant Kasdion, my understanding of the technology exchange agreement was that we would have unfettered access to Onathin genetic sequencing technology and expertise. Perhaps your subordinates were not aware of this agreement?”

Savant Kasdion twitched. He shook his head again after a moment, “You are correct, Ambassador Evans. Academic Lysion, perhaps there are other projects that demand your immediate attention?”

The yellow-feathered Onathin flapped his wings in frustration, “Very well, Savant Kasdion. I cannot stand to watch this Scholar squander our resources anyway.” Turning on his talon, Academic Lysion left angrily.

Tara watched him leave in puzzlement. The machine in front of her blared as it finished sequencing the biological contaminant. Scholar Cerion inspected the results on the screen and chirped slowly, “I don’t know what this is. It is mostly composed of Onathin genetic material, but also has other repeating elements that suggest a different type of genetic code. I’ll have to look at it some more to be able to help you identify it.”

Tara turned towards Ambassador Evans, “I would like to stay here for at least another day. I think I could learn a lot more about Onathin physiology than if we just brought their scientific equipment home to study.”

Ambassador Evans turned towards Savant Kasdion, “Then I think I shall take my leave. I seem to recall that you had planned to send over the Onathin genetic sequencing equipment to Earth on an Onathin cargo ship. Perhaps I may become another passenger on that ship?”

“You may,” Savant Kasdion said, “But why not leave on your own ship?”

“I would prefer not to restrict Dr. Tara Yang’s freedom. If I leave the Nightingale here along with her pilot, she may leave whenever she wants. I have no idea how long she would like to stay.” Ambassador Evans turned towards the other humans, “I think I left some things on the Nightingale that I need when I get back to Earth.”

Tara took the hint, “Oh, and I also, uh, have to give you something before you leave. It’s also on the ship, so I guess I’ll come with you.” She turned around, “Kevin, can you bring Derek along?”

Kevin nodded understandingly, before picking up the Onathin hatchling that sat on his shoulders and setting him down carefully, “Ride’s over, buddy.”

“Aww…” Derion said as he shambled over to Cerion and slowly crawled up her back until he found her shoulders again.

Savant Kasdion cocked his head at the strange behavior of the humans before dismissing it on the basis of human peculiarity. “I’ll prepare the Onathin cargo ship for departure. I’ll find you again at your ship later.”

The humans silently walked to the end of the skyway that jutted out of the spire. The Onathin entourage had disappeared some time ago, leaving them alone as they stepped into a Deliberation Orb. As it sped off towards the central spire, Tyler looked expectantly at Tara.

“So is the biological contaminant and the fact that the Onathins are flightless, in fact, connected?”

“I think they are,” She paused to take a deep breath, “I think the biological contaminant is a parasite, and I think that all Onathins, everywhere, have been infected with it. I think it destroys their ability to fly, which would explain the pattern that I’ve been seeing with the Onathins. It sounds a little farfetched, but if they had lost their flight due to an infection, it would explain their ineptitude at seismology. An unchecked, species-wide infection could occur within a few decades, meaning that they’ve only been ground-bound for a comparatively short time, not long enough to become well-versed in seismology to be able to predict seismic events.”

Tyler frowned and shook his head, “But wouldn’t they know? Wouldn’t someone notice that a disease was spreading throughout the Onathin Sovereignty and do something about it?”

/r/HFY Thread