"Judgment": A Dishonored Fanfic

Chapter 18

   "What will they be doing right now?" Elaine asked as she stood outside the tall doors that were the entrance to the Academy, suitcase in hand.
   "Debating." Daud said. "They have a meeting at this time to go over the best findings of each week. Sounds more like a good excuse for wine o'clock to me."
   "Right then. They can debate this." She led the way, walking into the Academy with the two men in tow. She strode to the cafeteria, guided by the ornate signposts that had probably been paid for with elixir money, she reckoned, and entered.
Several men and women looked up at her, and there were definitely a few wine bottles in attendance, too.
So early in the morning? No wonder they all looked grumpy.
At the far end, an elderly professor with long, grey hair had paused part-way through his recital of something or other, and stared at her for a few seconds.
   "Are you lost?" He called out. "This isn't a public meeting, I'm afraid, you'll have to make an appointment."
   "It is now." She carried on walking, heading for the snooty professor and passing by several hushed whispers.
When they got to the slender-built man, he ignored her and instead looked at Corvo and Daud, inclining his head respectfully.
   "Ah, welcome." The professor said. "I did not realise you were also with the lady. What can I do for you and the Empress?"
   "Listen to her, for starters." Daud said.
   "Yes, of course. My apologies." He turned towards Elaine, suddenly remembering that she existed. "And to you too, of course. How can I help, miss..."
   "Havisham." She said. "Elaine Havisham. You've heard of me?"
   "That name does ring a slight bell, yes. Tyvia?"
   "That's right. Well, I won't beat about the bush because this is rather urgent. I have made a vaccine for the plague."
The entire room went deathly silent. She'd expected that.
The professor stared at her for a few seconds. "...really?"
   "Yes, really." She replied. "I was asked to look into the problem by the Empress, a while ago, and I have a solution."
The professor tittered quietly. "I hate to down-play your discovery, but it's rather unlikely that you've got a vaccine that works. This plague is too well-established, it's been with us for more than a year, and-"
   "Yes, yes, I know all that." She waved her hand, cutting him off abruptly. "I have all my notes here, plus a sample of the vaccine, plus two test case results to prove its efficacy. All I need is your approval and sponsorship and I'll be on my way. Time is of the essence, you understand."
   "Miss Havisham." The professor said sternly. "I don't know how they run things in Tyvia or Pandyssia, but these things do take a little bit of time to sort out. It's not an appointment at the doctor's surgery for a prescription."
   "And you are?"
   "Professor Robert Altman." He said. "I'm also the head of this Academy, and an expert in many fields."
   "Well then, Robert, I have to say that both Tyvia and Pandyssia know how to run an Academy far better than you ever will."
His mouth opened and closed rather like a dying fish, face turning slightly pink, while the rest of the cafeteria whispered.
   "I beg your pardon?" He spluttered.
Elaine was losing her patience with the old fool. "Are you deaf as well as stupid? Do you people even know what the purpose of an Academy is for? All I see is an awful lot of people more interested in lining their own pockets than saving lives."
His spluttering stopped, as did the hushed whispers, and behind Elaine, Corvo and Daud were trying their best to hold a straight face. Robert went icily calm, looking at her, and she stared him right back without flinching.
   "That's...an interesting opinion." He eventually said.
   "My stock is facts, professor. Since I've been here I've not seen a single person researching this plague, and strike me down if that doesn't seem the oddest thing. Why would this be the case? Is it like you say, that it's not possible as it's had too many generations in rats- or is it really the case, that your scientific principles extend to using the people of Dunwall as test subjects? I have to say, sir, that I know which one I'd put my fucking money on."
His expression changed to one of fear. He was about to consider backing away, but then saw the Royal Protector and Spymaster both looking at him, and had no choice but to stay where he was. Leaving would have made it even worse, and he knew it.
   "I know all about it." Elaine continued. "Quite a few people wouldn't dare to dispute you, as you're supposed to be an official medical body. Your word is life and death. If you say that the elixirs are an effective deterrent, well, that's got to be true. You didn't even realise the plague was Pandyssian, did you? I assume you've been there, seeing as you're such an expert. Well I, am a real scientist. I don't approve things just to get a load of fancy new signs pointing the way to this cafeteria. I save lives. Now do I have to stand here and say more, or are you going to wipe that look off your face and do something truly useful for once?"
He swallowed nervously. "Walk this way." He said, then turning and heading for his office.
   "Well not quite that way," Daud murmured, "you have a limp."
   "Sssh!" Corvo said while trying not to laugh.