While Bashoon was beamed down to the estate, Marshii arrived at the monastery to speak with Barath. She found out that he was alone in the new chapel and stormed into it. Barath got up from his prayer\u2019s position at the statue of Clompofenta and Bolmola, the respective God and Goddess of Healing. \u201cDoctor Borontho,\u201d he said. \u201cHow may I help you? Do you require guidance from our patron Divine Ones?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI require you behind bars!\u201d hissed Marshii. \u201cI was one of the people Norvorok brought into the Womb!\u201d Barath sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really wish you didn\u2019t admit that,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have a lot of gall,\u201d snarled Marshii, \u201cpraying to Clompofenta and Bolmola when you\u2019ve long broken your oath. You commit a series of atrocities against those people trapped in the Womb. Thousands of Chimeras die each day on your surgical tables.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s absurd,\u201d countered Barath. \u201cBesides, even if Realmfleet believed you, they\u2019re our creation. They\u2019re not alive by our standards. They\u2019re just flesh as I have told Norvorok before he was excommunicated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThose people down there are alive!\u201d argued Marshii. \u201cYour research, despite all its brilliance, is based on inflicting pain onto others! You infect these people! Expose them to deadly chemicals! Mutilate their living bodies! Then you alter the memories of the lucky ones and release them like animals to the wild! And you refuse to acknowledge that they have built a civilization! And yet, we reap the benefits of those experiments! Medically, ethically, it\u2019s wrong!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo what do you propose to do?\u201d asked Barath as he folded his arms, his views unchanged. Marshii drew in a breath before answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Realmfleet Medical Board has been notified,\u201d she answered. \u201cEven if they say no, Belnki\u2019s going to order the immediate closure of this place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClosure?!\u201d yelped Barath. \u201cWhat about our patients?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA new hospital is being constructed,\u201d explained Marshii. \u201cAll patients will be transferred there as well as the Chimeras trapped down there! We\u2019re going to use a more humane method of research!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo offense,\u201d countered Barath, \u201cbut the doctors there will have to look over OUR methods to start their own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…I realize that,\u201d conceded Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re a physician,\u201d continued Barath. \u201cYou know that there\u2019s always a price to pay for the advancement of medical science.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes that price is too high to pay!\u201d countered Marshii. \u201cTorture is ALWAYS too high to pay!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour description of our methods, not mine,\u201d argued Barath. \u201cYou were there when the Hardfin Virus was cured. So, these experiments we\u2019ve conducted, logically, helped us devise a treatment. Imagine how many lives would have been lost if we hadn\u2019t eliminated this disease now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat doesn\u2019t justify using people as lab rats!\u201d countered Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs was explained since day one of your training,\u201d said Barath, \u201cduring its founding, the Order had to improvise. We had to make do with the resources we had.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the ethical considerations meant nothing then?!\u201d asked Marshii. \u201cDo they mean nothing now?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur Founders learned,\u201d explained Barath, \u201cthat ethics, in the grand scheme of things, are arbitrary. How do you suppose your database was developed, hm? My Ones, half of the medical knowledge that you use on a daily basis came through experiments on lower animals!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot life-forms of OUR caliber!\u201d countered Marshii. \u201cAnd those Chimeras in the Womb ARE life-forms of our caliber!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s convenient to call animals \u2018people\u2019,\u201d sighed Barath, \u201cwhen they look similar to us, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is the Third Age of Unity, Barath!\u201d snarled Marshii. \u201cYour Pre-union barbarism died long before I was born! At least, it SHOULD have!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does it matter how long ago the research was conducted?\u201d asked Barath. \u201cWhat matters is that we can use it to help our patients today!\u201d Marshii\u2019s communicator beeped. She looked at her inbox to see an order from the Realmfleet Medical Board. She read it to herself, then turned to Barath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt looks like the debate has been taken out of our hands,\u201d she responded. She then fully opened her communicator and a holographic screen with text appeared. She read the text aloud. \u201c\u2018It is the judgment of the Realmfleet Medical Board and Realmfleet Supreme Admiral Aldarval that the Vorkath Monastic Hospital is to be closed, its research halted and seized, and all patients transferred to Realmfleet Medical Central until the proposed Crossgene Hospital is constructed. In light of recent evidence, Realmfleet cannot, in good conscience, continue funding such research that deliberately ignores Sentience Clause 4, Subsection A, Paragraph III, \u2018Any and all artificial life-forms that display the same abilities as life-forms that occurred via natural means shall have all rights granted unto them, including the right of decency.\u2019 We hope and pray that the doctors that read this will understand why we recommend the immediate arrest of all staff members in the Monastery.\u2019\u201d Another message arrived. Marshii read it to herself. \u201cIn all honesty, I was waiting for that warrant,\u201d she explained. She then drew out a pair of handcuffs. \u201cThat\u2019s why, in good conscience, I brought these.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018In good conscience\u2019?!\u201d hissed Barath. \u201cWhat about the well-being of the Endeavor<\/em>\u2019s crew? Doctors are confronted by new forms of illness every day, many of them fatal! You need us, you need ME! Arrest us, and you violate the first oath you took as a physician, an oath you took in THEIR presence!\u201d He pointed to the statue of Clompofenta and Bolmola to emphasize his point. \u201cI believe it says, \u2018In thy presence, Oh Divine Ones of Healing, I swear to thee that I will do no harm in my duties!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have no right to quote me that oath, after what YOU did in their name!\u201d snarled Marshii. \u201cAs an Officer of Realmfleet…!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can arrest me,\u201d interrupted Barath, \u201cbut you can\u2019t deny the fact that you\u2019ve already benefited from our research!\u201d He paused for effect. \u201cWhere was your conscience when Laverda was dying in the Kurontar Sea? Ethics? Morality? Conscience? Funny how they all go out the window whenever we want something. Are you and I really so different?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d declared Marshii as she slapped the cuffs onto his wrists. \u201cBecause, unlike you, I consider all variables before treating people and conducting potentially harmful research on a life-form. You\u2019re being charged with torture and exploitation of an entire species. As an Officer of Realmfleet, I\u2019m placing you under arrest. This way.\u201d She then led him out of the Chapel and into the waiting arms of the Vorkath Police so he could be taken into custody until Aldarval arrived. Arsha approached her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRooshee\u2019s just been taken into custody,\u201d she said. \u201cThis whole affair is going to trial. Unfortunately, Realmfleet believed that ALL members should be arrested, that included Norvorok.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe kid\u2019s innocent in this!\u201d protested Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI raised such an objection,\u201d explained Arsha. \u201cHowever, he offered no resistance while being arrested, saying, and I quote, \u2018I may not have cut any Chimeras in the Womb open, but I still delivered the results to the respective Monks. I have aided in evil and must seek forgiveness somehow. I will not argue with Realmfleet.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStupid kid!\u201d muttered Marshii. \u201cThrowing away his entire livelihood like that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was his choice,\u201d countered Arsha. \u201cHe feels guilty and wants to atone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI guess that\u2019s his choice,\u201d sighed Marshii. \u201cI can only hope the Judicial Branch can grant him mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think they will,\u201d replied Arsha. \u201cBelnki\u2019s been pushing for the lightest sentence possible with him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, he DOES have support, good,\u201d sighed Marshii. \u201cCaptain, if you don\u2019t mind, this whole affair\u2019s shaken me. I need to see Thengo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right,\u201d said Arsha as she stepped aside. Marshii then made her way to the Endeavor<\/em> and entered it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cComputer, locate Counselor Lortora,\u201d she commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCounselor Thengo Lortora,\u201d replied the computer, \u201cis in her quarters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d acknowledged Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Doctor,\u201d reciprocated the computer. Marshii made her way to deck 17, Starboard Bow. She approached a room and rang the chime on the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome in!\u201d cheered a peppy voice. The door opened and Marshii entered to see Thengo touching up the webbing that lined her room, the PINK webbing. Thengo then caught sight of Marshii. \u201cDoctor!\u201d she cheered. \u201cCome in! It\u2019s so lovely to see you! I don\u2019t think you\u2019ve ever graced my quarters with your presence!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrue, this IS my first time in here,\u201d admitted Marshii. She looked around in confusion. \u201cHow did you make pink silk? I\u2019ve never known Driders to make colored silk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSpecial silk dye that we can drink,\u201d explained Thengo. \u201cNon-toxic, otherwise I wouldn\u2019t have pink silk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see,\u201d murmured Marshii. Thengo then noticed her distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can see you came here for another reason,\u201d she observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI need your help,\u201d explained Marshii. \u201cMy emotional state is all over the place, and that\u2019s not good for a doctor, especially the…\u201d she then rubbed her eyes, trying to hold back tears in frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh dear!\u201d exclaimed Thengo. \u201cPlease, sit down. I\u2019ll make you some tea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d mumbled Marshii. As Thengo scuttled off to make some tea, Marshii sat down on a couch, allowing a few tears to come down her face. Thengo came back, allowing the water to boil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s about this whole business with the Monastery, isn\u2019t it?\u201d guessed Thengo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot just that,\u201d explained Marshii. \u201cBarath and I went to the same classes together. We both took an oath to do no harm! Right in front of Clompofenta and Bolmola\u2019s statue, no less! When I confronted him about the Womb, he insisted he was doing the right thing! He blinded himself to what kind of harm he had wrought!\u201d The kettle then whistled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease, continue,\u201d encouraged Thengo as she went to prepare the tea. Marshii then told her what happened in the Chapel. Thengo came back with a couple of tea cups. Marshii continued as they took their tea. She noticed something about the taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBelsnath Black?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou said it was your favorite tea,\u201d explained Thengo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think a youngin\u2019 like you would remember this old-timer\u2019s favorite tea,\u201d chuckled Marshii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI find that familiarity helps people with their emotional state,\u201d said Thengo. \u201cMarshii, correct me if I\u2019m wrong, but, as you spoke, I noticed some self-anger in your voice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou ain\u2019t wrong,\u201d muttered Marshii. \u201cI should have been there more for him. He had a bit of trouble with right and wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t think there was anything you could do,\u201d countered Thengo. \u201cI know the phrase isn\u2019t a pleasing one to hear, but it\u2019s the truth. The most wonderful thing about life-forms like us is that we\u2019re all different in terms of mental processes. That can be a blessing and a curse. In this instance, it\u2019s more of the latter. Some people honestly believe that others must be sacrificed for the greater good of society. You and I both know that better than anyone else.\u201d Marshii\u2019s mind flashed to an incident that both she and Thengo were privy to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe difference is,\u201d she sighed, \u201cthat the guy back then wasn\u2019t in his right head. Barath is mentally stable. And what if what he said is true? Are we really so different?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDoubting your own words?\u201d asked Thengo. \u201cThat\u2019s not like you.\u201d Marshii was confused. \u201cYou said so to Barath,\u201d Thengo explained, \u201cyou consider all variables before treating people and conducting potentially harmful research on a life-form. You ARE different from Barath. I don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to go down his path.\u201d Marshii smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI suppose I needed to hear someone say that and mean it,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s the truth,\u201d explained Thengo. Marshii finished her tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks, Fuzzylegs,\u201d she chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYep, there\u2019s the Marshii we know and love,\u201d snickered Thengo. \u201cIf you ever want to talk again, my parlor\u2019s always open.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d said Marshii. She left the room and the door shut. Thengo grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, what do you know?\u201d she asked herself. \u201cMarshii FINALLY asked for help.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" While Bashoon was beamed down to the estate, Marshii arrived at the monastery to speak with Barath. She found out that he was alone in the new chapel and stormed into it. Barath got up from his prayer\u2019s position at the statue of Clompofenta and Bolmola, the respective God and Goddess of Healing. \u201cDoctor Borontho,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,94],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-1-her-highness-the-captain","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2003"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2004,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2003\/revisions\/2004"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}