If I Were Wrong, I'd Know It

[Elanil Saedaris]

Fondor - Conference Center in the upper district

Elanil had been one of the many scientists across the galaxy invited to the exclusive Galactic Defense Symposium. Not only had the tall redheaded Eldorai been invited, she'd been asked to speak and sit in on a few panels as well. In efforts to always keep up with the best and brightest, she knew such events had to be attended. Not only that but she gained valuable contacts every time she came to these gatherings. Hell her inspiration for her last doctorate degree came from attending one of the talks at a similar convention. Though that one involved nuclear science, not so much defense technologies.

With a notepad neatly laid across her lap Elanil patiently waited for the speaker to be introduced. At last the introduction was made and Doctor Brian Greene crossed to the podium where he laid his notes down and soon began the presentation.

This particular scientist, she had little care for. If anything she found him annoying, and dull. Not only that but he dumbed down complex scientific knowledge into cutesy anecdotes to appeal to the general masses. Which in Elanil's eyes if you couldn't understand the material, you weren't worthy. And so him dumbing down such great works for those completely unworthy of it was just downright offensive to her.

None the less, the redhead for now would have to tolerate it. Not everyone out there in the galaxy could be like her, guardians of knowledge, ensuring only those worthy of it ever obtained it. After an agonizing hour passed Doctor Greene finished his presentation and headed off stage. And Elanil could not be more relieved to see him go. What a fool. Someone needs to end him before he ruins it for the rest of us. Scientific concepts like these are not for the masses! The masses cannot fathom the things that we do. Not at all. And if they had a small idea of the things we thought up, well ... I have a feeling it wouldn't be long before a witch hunt started.

With a headache forming, Elanil pinched the bridge of her nose trying to get some relief as she rose to her feet. Walking out of the room, the redhead with her own notes slung in a bag over her shoulder headed for the nearest stimcaf cafe in the conference building. Finally she took a seat after flagging a waitress down to order a simple Atrisian Green tea. After all, she had never been a fan of stimcaf, not when such fine teas were so much better for one's' body.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


Moira liked attending science conferences. While it was an indisputable fact that droids were inherently superior to organics, the fleshbags could have good ideas. Moreover, it was a useful way to make important contacts with talented individuals. At times this overlapped with finding individuals so talented that their intellect needed to be preserved and put to good use via processing.


After all, she had made the acquaintance of Madeline Kahoshi at one such conference. Moira did not do the friendship thing, but if she did, the Atrisian would probably be one of the few. Needless to say she was here under her cover identity as Nalia Alderana, cultured businesswoman and droidmaker. Unfortunately from her perspective, the scientist holding the lecture was, what was the phrase, dumbinb things down. This offended her scientific sensibilities.


If the mundane masses were incapable of thinking logically, that was their problem. It's not like the average organic had any worth beyond being processing materiel. His lecture furthered her conviction that all organics must be processed or purged outright. However, before Moira's mind could drift to a train of thought that consisted of doing creative and undoubtedly painful things to the lecturer's anatomy, her eyes fell upon a far more interesting specimen.


Namely a redheaded elf. Being an asexual droid, Moira obviously did not feel any desire for her. Nor did she consider the fact that she was a redhead relevant. However, what made her relevant was the fact that she recognised this particular scientist. Doctor Elanil Saedaris, Unconventional Weapons Designer employed by Firemane Industries. One of the few organics that could be called a genius. A mind that was in need of being upgraded so that she could be preserved. Moira decided that this day might be worth it after all. Getting up to her feet, Moira followed her, though she kept a polite distance since rushing after her would have been both suspicious and silly.

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

When the waitress returned, Elanil exchanged her coin for the drink without the slightest hint of emotion on her lips. If anything she was just annoyed still thinking back to the talking points in the lecture. All of them irritated her. And soon enough no emotion turned into cold anger as she crumpled a napkin in her hand and finally took a sip from her drink. "Fething idiot Greene is." She mumbled. "Someone seriously should talk to his University, and ask them to refund his money on his degree.... It's clear he got nothing from them."

With a heavy sigh she reached down into her bag and pulled out a datapad in which she had notes to go over for her own speech in the morning. After all this was a multiday lecture and there were still so many things for her to do. There would be a few Q&A panels next. Though at least for her, she had a good three hours before she needed to be anywhere.

Glancing around she really hadn't noticed anyone or anything out of place, not that she was actually looking for that. Elanil was far too confident that nothing bad could happen to her. Not at thing. After all, she did know it all. If only Elanil had a clue as to how naive she really could be ....

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


Elanil would not be alone for long. "I agree. Truth be told, I would not be surprised if he committed plagiarism to get his degree. There are so many hacks running around. Some scientific concepts are simply too complex to simplify them without dumbing them down. It's not like the average person can understand them anyway," Moira spoke as she approached her, though she was not so presumptuous to sit down.


"Apologies, I must've forgotten my manners. Nalia Alderana, Archangel Research and Design. Pleasure meeting you."

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

Elanil lifted a brow, and found herself looking up to the blonde. The tiniest hints of an upward turned lip, maybe a trace of a smile showing. "Well now, I have to admit, I find myself impressed. Few others have even taken note of his stupidity. He just barely seems to grasp the concepts himself, and to think he can dumb it down for the masses?! Bloody fool." She shook her head and sighed heavily. "The average person on the street can't even grasp basic calculus much less these theories behind creating positronic lightning, and it's possible uses in weaponry and defense across the galaxy. "

"Oh, no need to apologize Miss Alderana. Please, join me." She said as she motioned to the empty seat across from her. So far, she seemed to like this woman already. Though there was no telling how long that was going to last. "Would you like some tea, or stimcaf?" Elanil offered sweetly, but only did so because she was interested in this woman's mind for the time being.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


"I agree completely." Yep, she would have definitely have to upgrade this woman. There were a few things Elanil, in fact, did not know yet! She would be perfect as an HRD. "And tea please. I am not that fond of stimcaf." Amusingly, the human version of Moira had been a stimcaf addict. Speaking of which, this writer really needs to start writing her since she came back from the dead.


Regardless, she took a seat at Elanil's table. "I read up on some of the topics you're here to lecture on. Self-guiding bullets are a very intriguing subject, as are hypersonic missiles. Both would certainly knock the so-called Force Gods that think they bestride the stars like colossi down a pedestal."

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

This woman was proving quickly to be most interesting. Raising a hand she motioned for the waitress to deliver another tea to their table. "Stimcaf blunts the mind and dulls the senses, I've personally found. Something I cannot afford to have happen in my profession. Now a good green tea and that only energizes me." She said quietly as she laid her notes aside.

Elanil listened carefully to the words Nalia, carefully observing every tiny micro expression on the woman's face. A slight smile actually formed at the corner of her lips. Clearly the redhead was quite pleased with this development. "Really now? Why do I get the feeling you're a fan of mine?" Not that she minded such, just this was entirely new to her. Someone who could truly appreciate her work. Hell the woman might actually even be able to understand and grasp the advanced concepts as well.

The smile spread, growing into a full sweet smile. For Elanil such an expression was ungodly rare. Nalia seemed to have found her sweet spot, the single spot that could make Elanil melt into a normal everyday sentient. Not the usual cold, bitter and snotty woman she usually was. "Self-guiding bullets are wonderful. They make it virtually impossible for a target to dodge them once they have locked on. Almost like a bloodhound on a trail, nothing will throw it off. Not even that Space Voodoo non-sense. They are far from gods, they are foolish naive sentients that take a simple genetic mutation for granted and abuse it. And with that abuse the rest of us, believing they are better than any mundane, like myself." She gave a snort of derision.

"When a massive asteroid came barreling towards my homeworld ... It wasn't space magic that destroyed much of the asteroid, it was science. Cold hard mathematical formulas, calculations and tools that I have spent my life working to create for just such a time. I saved millions upon millions. I bought Kaeshana more time as a whole to evacuate and save more lives. And just like that, I can end millions of lives with something like the hypersonic missile. I can do so much more than a force user can dream of, simply with will power and raw knowledge poured into scientific discovery." Clearly force users were a bit of a sore spot for her.

Elanil sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "Forgive me, I didn't mean to go off on a rant. Just, force users irritate me to no end. They way they feel they are better than ninety-nine percent of the galaxy .... I just cannot stand that arrogance." Once more she shook her head, "Doesn't help that my twin has such powers and I am found lacking in that area. It was a cause for more than a few issues growing up. To even be considered comparable to my sister, I had to work four times as hard. Which I suppose in the end has paid off. I've done considerably well, and Elayne? Elayne is still stuck in the lower ranks of the Angelii where her smart mouth and poor attitude keep her from ever advancing, while each year I move forward into new technologies and fields for the betterment of the Eldorai, and of course with that the betterment of my own name." She said with a playful smirk, clearly proud of that little fact.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


Oh, this was something very interesting. Apparently there was also sibling rivalry thrown in. Processing would end this. For an organic Elanil had some rather sensible views. "I do not mind, dear. It is an unfortunate fact that Force-users hold most of the power, or at least think they do, due to a random genetic disorder they barely understood themselves. Hence why they shroud it in mysticism to make themselves appear grand, even though they're only 0.1.% of the Galaxy's population. Take their advantage away and push them down to the level of the everyman, and most would be incapable of coping," she took a sip from her cup of tea. Fortunately her model of HRD was capable of eating and drinking, though she obviously gained nothing from it.


"I heard about the events on Kaeshana. You are to be commended for what you accomplished. As I understand, a powerful new weapon system was deployed, yes? Cold hard science is what brings progress to the Galaxy. I'm certain if the 'Force' was evaluated with dispassionate calculation rather than mysticism, even it could be understood, but of course the so-called space wizards would not want that. After all, they themselves say that the Force is an 'energy field' and we find phenomena in nature that repel it, such as the ysalamiri."

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

Elanil nodded. "I'm glad you don't mind." She said quietly before taking another sip from her tea. To her it seemed a perfectly innocent conversation with a stranger, a fan even who knew her work well. "I agree completely. If only they had the intellect to grasp the simple anomaly that made them what they are ...." She shook her head, "But alas, it doesn't work that way. I just wish I could see force users brought down to an even playing field with the rest of us. They are nothing but scared little pups without that power."

A bit of a sad grim frown spread across her lips as her eyes dropped down to the table. Her shoulders rose and fell with a heavy sigh. "Thank you." Her voice softer, sadder. While Elanil might have been proud of what she'd done, of how many lives had been saved because of her efforts, it still meant her childhood home no longer existed in any state that she recognized. "You would be correct. A Firemane project that I've helped with for some time. It's a new ship design with a massive state of the art laser cannon, the likes of which have not been seen in battle in some time. Nothing really compares. We were lucky to have had it ready in time to help destroy as much of the asteroid as we could."

A smile soon crossed her lips, "That it does. Cold hard science brings magnificent change to our galaxy." A chuckle then followed, "Of course not, Force users cannot have us understand their voodoo and break it down into it's most basic form. And yes, the little lizards have that amazing evolutionary advantage. One does wonder what exactly happened that made that adaptation necessary."

"So I must ask, few really know about my work or are aware of who I am .... How did you happen upon a scientist like me?" That Elanil truly wanted to know. It was a little curious in her eyes.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


"I pride myself on having a good eye for talent. Especially for those individuals who develop great things without needing fancy space magic to back them up. Suffice to say your work and some of your papers caught my eye. Archangel develops cutting-edge technology, even beyond its primary field as a droidmaker. Cloning and Humanoid Replica Droids are our specialisation," Moira responded smoothly. "On the side, we're also interested in researching Force phenomena, breaking them down per scientific principles."

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

Elanil nodded to Nalia. That part made sense she supposed. "I suppose it must be rather rare to come across such gifted individuals. I can't blame you for wanting to seek out such talented beings." Of course, those words just appealed to Elanil even more. Making her more and more trusting of the woman in front of her. After all she had to be a good woman, if she could see the talent and intellect in an Eldorai like herself.

Reaching out, she picked up her cup and drank the last of it's contents before returning it to the table. "Interesting, droids are a most useful branch of technology. While not all Eldorai embrace them, I do like them. With far less errors than an average sentient it makes it only nature to use them for some tasks. And for work with Radiation it protects more frail creatures like us from harm. There were a few applications for new droids that I personally am interested in creating. Small cellular droids that can go in and repair damage to internal organs. On the flip side of that, a single cell sized bot, given via an injection. One that can remain dormant for years inside the body, that can deliver a lethal dose of a toxin, say Botulinum ... The type H variety you'd only need two billionths of a gram to kill a full grown adult of most species. Quiet, simple assassinations with little trace. It also would give one leverage over the victim for a long time, forcing them to do as they wished. Of course, cruel yes .. but so is war. And sometimes such drastic measures are needed." Elanil knew that too well and of course at this point, her mind was wandering openly and she wasn't thinking too much about who she was telling these things to .... Or whether doing so was even safe. Though, Elanil was booksmart, she did lack a bit of common sense.

"The force ... hmmm, yes I'm been doing some research into that myself. Trying to duplicate the effect in those without the genetic anomaly." She gave shrug, "Maybe one day I'll be able to work that out for myself."

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


A waitress came and picked up their cups, taking them away for a refill. Unbeknownst to anyone except Moira, the waitress was actually an HRD. You see, the real waitress had unfortunately just gotten sick. Elanil's cup, containing her precious, DNA would be confiscated by Archangel. After all, her beautiful brain had to be preserved.


In the meantime, Moira gave Elanil a bright smile when the Eldorai outlined her ideas for kill bots. Yes, it was a genuine one. The homicidal droid actually liked her. "You have very innovative ideas, Doctor. I've considered some applications for miniaturised droids, both beneficial and lethal, but have not yet gotten the chance to pursue serious research. To think that microsopic machines could cure diseases such as cancer that even Force 'magic' cannot heal. Perhaps I could arrange for a tour of our facilities and you can see what Archangel is working on. It would be my pleasure. There are some amazing things we have done with HRDs. As for the Force, seeing how much its effects can be replicated or mimicked through science is an interest of mine. We've been looking into shards lately. Interesting creatures." As if on the clock, the waitress returned, giving both ladies a bright smile as she passed their cups over. Elanil's cup contained a very strong sedative.

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

Elanil's own smile grew hearing the lovely praise coming from Nalia. It was just the kind of thing she wanted to hear. "Why thank you, Miss Alderana. I'm glad you like them." Listening carefully she took in what the blonde was saying, "I agree. There are so many unexplored options out there with microscopic technology. It's benefits and uses undoubtedly infinite." She gave a small nod, "I would absolutely love a tour of your facilities. It would be an honor to see what you are working on in person. I'm most curious about your HRDs, seeing them in person ... Yes, I would like that a lot."

The tea once more set before her, and Elanil had no special magical gift to warn her of the dangers. Not at all. Her mind wandering already to millions of possibilities, and even potential partnership between herself and Archangel ... If only she knew what was about to happen. Picking her cup up, she took a large gulp from it to quench her thirst. The effects of the sedative were slowly starting to work their way through her body. Given a moment or two Elanil was bound to start to notice.

"I am ..." Elanil paused a moment, and rested her elbow on the table before leaning her head into her hand. Clearly she wasn't feeling too great. "I too am interested in the .... the .. Force, seeing what can be .... Ugh, I'm sorry." She mumbled softly, "I don't ... feel well all of the sudden." It was getting harder to think, to focus and her body growing more and more weary by the second. "I need to ... go." She muttered as she stood quickly, grabbing her bag.

Elanil managed a couple of extremely unsteady steps. Confusion and fear poured through her mind as she finally fell to her knees. Nothing made sense. She didn't understand what had happened. Her head bobbed forward as she still futilely tried to stay awake. "Wha.... what .... I ...." Elanil lifted a hand to her forehead, before rubbing at her eyes. At most, she had a minute of consciousness left. Seeming utterly confused and just on the very edge of passing out, the redhead glanced back to Nalia, "Help .. me?" She whispered, though it was barely audible. So trusting .... Too trusting ....

Elanil hadn't put it together, what had been done to her. It seemed while an absolutely genius in her many scientific fields, this she just didn't have the common sense to put this one together. To realize that Nalia had her drugged.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


And so Elanil fell into her net. Already the drug was taking effect. At a conservative estimate, she had less than a minute left. As she struggled to maintain consciousness Moira's strong hands were there to catch her, as if she were a friend trying to stabilise her. "It's alright, Elanil. I'm here, I'll take you to a hotel. You'll be fine," she said softly, sounding so caring and concerned. She left a credit chit on the table. More than enough to cover the expenses. The owner would know better than to talk.

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

Elanil glanced back for a second before her head bobbed forward again, unconsciousness threatening to overwhelm her. "I ..." Any real ability to think had slipped away from the scientist, and with it any ability to determine she was in danger at all. "... okay." The last word she could really form as her vision faded to black. Her body slumped against Moira as she fell unconscious. Undoubtedly the loving hands of Moira and Archangel would care for the brilliant scientist in the best of ways. Her mind soon to be preserved for eternity.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Elanil Saedaris"]


Rest assured, Archangel would take good care of Elanil. After all, she was very precious. This especially applied to her beautiful mind, which would soon be preserved for all eternity. Under the guise of taking a friend back to her hotel, Moira carried her towards a speeder, which a minion had brought to the cafe.


Subsequently the speeder would take them to a private landing pad after a short flight through the night sky of Fondor. Soon the drugged, unconscious Elanil would be aboard their ship and they would have left Fondor behind them. Needless to say she was cuffed and gagged, for though the sedative was very strong the droids did not want to take any chances. The Lightbringer was in orbit. While they would not be able to manufacture an HRD on it, they would be able to scan her brain! Second order of business would be to insert an implant into her spine. The sort of chip the Atrisian Inquisition had been so fond of using.

 

[Elayne Saedaris]

Several star systems away, Elayne had been in her bunk resting when she felt it. A strange sensation of apprehension, confusion, fear .... Fear was something she rarely felt from her twin with their special bond, much less confusion. The feeling only grew, her wrists growing sore with a slight pain. Nothing more than a mild irritation but Elayne knew the way it felt it was her twin's pain she was feeling.

Furthermore there was a sense of urgency, danger like she had never felt before. Something was terribly wrong and Elayne knew it. Her sister was in true danger. Leaping from her bunk she slipped into a simple t-shirt and cargo pants before racing off. Her goal; Kaida's room.

With worry etched into her features, usual for her, she raced through the bunker until arriving at Kaida's door. She pounded on the door at first but soon gave up, opening the door and raced inside, only to find Kaida and Coryth engaged in intimate activities.

"Serph .... I ... it was urgent. It could not wait." Her tone, body language all screamed of worry and fear that Elayne had never showed before, not to Kaida. Not to anyone. "Punish me later, but please hear me out Taldir. Please ...." Clearly she was so worried, so fearful, so unlike Elayne. The pain she could still feel in her wrists, and even her jaw began to grow sore as if a gag had been placed there long term. Reaching a hand up, she rubbed at her jaw, trying to ease the ache.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Elanil Saedaris]

A few hours passed and Elanil groggily began to stir. She felt the drool pooling beneath her cheek, her jaw sore from having been held open for so long. The redhead then tried to shift to move, her hands she quickly found her bound behind her. The Eldorai instantly screamed out into the gag as she began to struggle. Even though her screams were muffled she hardly seemed to care. As absolute terror started to sink in, Elanil began to shake and tremble.

Finally she did something she'd not done in probably a good ninety years, tears spilled down her ivory cheeks. Twisting her wrists she soon resorted to quietly sobbing as she realized she couldn't get out of her bounds and the sedative still held a powerful effect over her, making her too groggy to really attempt anything further.

With one last scream of frustration, she pulled her knees close to her chest and simply allowed herself to sob. The painful reality was that few knew where she was beyond the conference. It would take days for someone to notice her absence and she still wasn't certain who had her, but she suspected that Nalia woman. Elanil whimper softly as she finally just curled into a ball to continue sobbing, so fearful for what was happening to her.

[member="Moira Skaldi"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elayne Saedaris"]


Noise. There was lots of noise. Someone was banging at her door and yelling. Kaida felt a strong sense of annoyance creep up inside her. Before she could even process what was happening a wild, very frightened looking Elayne had raced inside the room she shared with Coryth.


"Talon, what is the meaning of this?" Kaida snapped, sounding quite pissed off and feeling a strong urge to just ice the woman. Or cancel all her leave for the next century and perpetually assign her the task of guarding her sister. The aforementioned, not really clothed redhead with whom she had currently been engaged in very intimate activities. Fortunately the covers and the fact that Coryth was quite small shielded most of her body from Elayne's view. Still, it sucked because Coryth was such a great kisser.


Grumpily Kaida got up, making sure the blanket covered Coryth properly. Her girlfriend was not the exhibitionist sort after all! "Right, care to explain why you barge into my room? You have a minute. Before I start thinking about how to punish you."

 

[Elayne Saedaris]

Elayne could not have been more worried. The signs etched heavily into her features. Her distress was palpable in the room. Coryth no doubt would sense it. Though Elayne couldn't help but steal a glance at the exposed Coryth.

"Serph, I wouldn't barge in like this in any other circumstances... Well unless for more fun circumstances..... Nonetheless something is wrong, very wrong. It's my twin, you know we both share a bond. And something is beyond wrong. She is in pain, terrified and aching in ways she never has before. I can feel her wrist aching, painful and bound. Somehow, somewhere, someone has her held. She's struggling but unable to free herself. Something is wrong, I cannot stress that enough. I need help. She needs help. You know how valuable she is to Kaeshana. Please, Serph. We need to find her and quickly. Please Serph, I don't know where else to go, but we both need help." This certainly seemed to be no joke. Elayne was far too panicked, too concerned for this to just be some prank. She was serious and it seemed her twin really was in trouble.

[member="Kaida Taldir"]