In Lost Dreams the Four Were Bound

Intermission - Board Inquiry

In the middle of the large, dim chamber, the luminous-haired android Maximillian Verudt stood. A carbon and metal podium rose behind him, facing an amphitheater of assistant androids and bright alloy-glass displays. Above the stands, six balcony-like stations surrounded him. Each possessed two terminals and two carbon-fiber seats occupied by one of the six pairs that made up the Ientec Foundation's board.

Starting on his left-rear flank, his ruby-haired brother and sister sat. They oversaw diplomatic relations, cultural outreach, and humanities. Following clockwise were the sapphire-haired siblings, which managed sanitation, engineering, and industry. To his left-front flank sat the golden-haired pair entrusted with economics, trade, and banking. Beside them, a silver-haired duo leered. They were responsible for security, military operations, and defensive strategy. Next were his emerald-haired siblings entrusted with scientific research, historical analysis, and data management. Last was the amethyst-haired pair in charge of entertainment, service provisioning, and biologic support. At the rear podium, a lightless skinned gynoid with amorphous non-reflective hair presided as mediator. With his physical capabilities locked down, Maximillian's focus was upon the inquiry.

He had spent the better part of the last thirty-eight hours reiterating previous research reports into the analysis of the small planet of Genea, a world situated beyond the space-time anomaly known as the Genean Distortion Field. They had covered past incidents of Omega-3043's activations, including linked analysis sessions #7329, #7328, #7327, and #7265. They had surveyed imagery, analyzed gate resonances, and pored over reports. From iron age fortress vistas to Jovian red sandstorms, he presented evidence to answer their every query. Yet after two rounds of argumentation, the board was at a stalemate in deciding whether or not it should limit Maximillian's autonomy.

"Thank you, Overseer Mammon," the lightless female android called from the podium behind him. She bowed to the golden-haired android across the room. Turning her glowing rainbow eyes to the right, she pointed to the silver-haired gallery. "Thank you as well, Overseer Oda."

"Thank you, chancellor," the male of militaristic pair said. He bowed his head without taking his blazing white eyes off Maximillian.

"Second round arguments are closed, and votes are in. Five for and seven against. Lacking a two-thirds majority, we will now begin third round arguments. President Maximillian Verudt, you have the floor."

[Thank you, Cynthia,] he replied. Maximillian monitored his every thought as hundreds of thousands of threads scanned his running processes. [Cynthia, please bring summary information on Koppa-7.]

[Acknowledged.]

At once, the holographic displays across the room filled with details relating to the creature in ancient Inun legend referred to as 'the worm.'

[Foundation classification: Koppa-7. Type classification: Outer Being. Location: Unknown. Common identifiers: Fones...] the displays continued describing various physiological and supernatural aspects of the entity. Its powers included material incorporation, annihilation, anti-causation, and a capacity to learn through assimilation. Numerous redacted fields revealed its connections to over twelve-thousand objects of various classification levels. Maximillian focused their attention upon the most crucial to his stance.

"May I query chancellor?" the dagger-eyed silver-haired male stared him down as he asked for permission to speak. Following a singular synaptic acknowledgment from the chancellor, Overseer Oda prodded. "President Maximillian, what are you withholding regarding Omega-3043 and Koppa-7? All relative analysis regarding the two requires executive clearance."

"Yes, Max," Overseer Mammon spoke from her overlook, interrupting their brother. As he piped an interjection, she continued to cut him off. "Given your willingness to show your hand, I assume you wish to propose a reason for ongoing study?"

[Cynthia, open relative analysis summaries linking Omega-2901, Omega-3043, and Koppa-7.]

"As you wish, Maximillian," the chancellor vocalized.

As the details of Koppa-7 shuffled on the alloy-glass displays, new information about both Omega-2901 and Omega-3043 popped up. Each board member received clearance keys for accessing the related analysis files. As he waited, Maximillian detected hints of resignation as his siblings probing processes halted their assault on his psyche. Overseer Oda sneered as he shuttered his terminal.

"This Omega-2901, one classified as a Lori-Ama from the target planet," Overseer Mammon pondered as she gestured to the room, "of what interest is he?"

"It's obvious from the reports this extends well beyond general curiosity," the female silver-haired piped from her seat. "I see private communications between Council Grandmaster Hamora Merchante and President Verudt in the links. Overlooking the goddess of light, this Madrus Ohran is of particular concern."

"President Verudt, please share your insights on this Omega-2901 and Omega-1644," the golden-haired Mammon requested.

Preparing the next trickle of information, Maximillian watched as the ongoing rejection total wavered between seven and eight. He was close to subverting the resolution.

[Cynthia, declassify relative analysis for Omega-1644.]