Faction (ISA & Invitees) Sympathetic Surgical Theatre

[Pel Grennin]

In the surgical theater, Pel Grennin stood next to a dissected Mynock, only recently deceased. The creature had been opened up, and small crystalline formations were being shown off on a holovideo above him for the audience to see.

"The use of Silicanoid lifeforms for this experiment was because of the use of ground Kyber Crystals, which have been slowly introduced into the subject's diet and bloodstream. Using a carbonoid lifeform would be much more difficult, and we did not want to waste what few resources we had available."

The video showed the concoction of blood and fluids being mixed with particalized Kyber Crystals, which were then injected into the test subjects: A series of Mynocks.

"This is, of course, not a replacement for Midichlorian manipulation, but we aren't attempting to induce Force Sensitivity in the conventional sense. Instead, we are trying to measure it, with the expectation that additional presence in the Force may be triggered through the course of the experimentation. We worked with four groups of Mynocks. Each group came from separate hives, meaning each specimen is from the same hive of the rest of its group, but not any of the others. We had a number of experiments on different specimens, with various levels of controls and alterations. Some we injected the crystals into the being. Others, we transferred fluids and organs from one to another. We also kept some in isolation, others in stressful captivity, and some in ideal situations. Mynocks are a social species, so separating them can be quite stressful."

The video showed the different induced colonies of Mynocks. Over a hundred such experiments were conducted in this manner, working with a variety of controls and combinations.

"Once we had established the intended social behaviors and connections between the test subjects - this one was related and socialized with that one; this one was socialized with by unrealted to that one; these two were related and scoialized, with crystals and body matter transferred between them. This group had exchanged body matter, but did not have crystal infusions. We then began inducing stimuli into the subjects are various intensities, and measured the reactions of their fellows: Related and unrelated controls, Mynocks it had exchanged material with, other subjects it had socialized with, and so on."

The video showed the experiments where the Mynocks were shocked, fed, mated, beaten, cut, cuddled, and played with, and the corresponding reactions to other Mynocks which were identified as paired or controls. Most had few or no reactions, but a number of the paired specimens did have noticeable reactions.

"Although analysis is ongoing, in no small part due to the economic and political trouble the Empire finds itself in at the moment, there is a clear pattern of results. Most circumstances yield nothing - if we did nothing to a Mynock or its partners beyond behavioral variables, we had almost no results with those specimens. However, as expected, those specimens that had body materials transferred between them and a partner had a marginal but noteworthy reaction in response to stimuli either if they were the recipient or the partner. Our best results were those who suffered extremes of either pain or elation, the corresponding Mynock would illustrate at least some behavior in response. Those whose partners suffered were irritated and afraid, while those whose partners were joyful were reported as being more playful and more receptive to attention from caregivers."

Videos of Mynocks whose partners were being tormented had minor reactions of depression and irritability. More videos showed creatures seeking affection and trying to share food.

"The greatest reactions, of course, were those who had the Kyber Crystal infusions. Even if only one specimen had the infusions, the rates of reactions were nearly double as those who had only had body material transfers. Of those, it is the specimens with both the infusions and organ transplants with a partner who routinely had nearly identical reactions."

The video showed one Mynock being horribly shocked, while its partner flew around its cage, banging against the walls to the point of injuring itself. In one case, a caretaker attempted to come into the cage to stop the Mynock from hurting itself, only for the creature to maim the person, and had to be put down by security. The moment the Mynock was killed, its partner being tortured died.

"The most remarkable specimen was a rare situation of the Force favoring our experiments. We had a pair of twins, hatched from the same egg, and we conducted both the transplants and infusions. We tormented one, while feeding and playing with the other. No matter what we did to the victim specimen, so long as the other had started the session in a good mood, the victim endured everything, above and beyond what should have killed it. Now, we had the issue of both specimens falling into depressive moods after the sessions, so I felt that we had learned all we could from these two in particular, and they are now happily living together."

The video showed a Mynock enduring a number of tortures such as being electrocuted, beaten, burned, and even shot, only for it to return to its cage almost entirely unharmed.

"My favorite specimens, though, are these siblings - not twins from the same egg, but from the same clutch, at least - where we treated both specimens to a stimulating but delightful environment. Plenty of food for them to enjoy, and lots of company, but they had to work for their food by solving simple puzzles. If we showed one sibling a puzzle, and then gave its sibling the same puzzle after, solved, the sibling had a faster rate to success than any other specimen. But the most extraordinary thing happened: When one of the Mynocks mated and became pregnant, the other began having sympathetic symptoms, eventually laying its own parthenogenic eggs - which is common for Mynocks, of course, but unusual in the presence of possible mates, like this one had. Once they are hatched, we will be measuring them for Force affinity, as well."

The video showed the Mynocks solving puzzles, playing with flock mates, and eventually laying nests.

"And, of course, we conducted an experiment where we tormented both siblings after transplants and infusion. We had expected the larger and stronger of the siblings to survive, essentially 'devouring' from the willpower of its sibling it had been bonded to. However, what we found was the opposite: The stronger of them withered away, while the other endured everything we threw at it, eventually escaping its bonds and maiming members of our staff the moment its sibling passed on. We ran short of materials, and haven't been able to replicate this particular experiment yet, but it was a fascinating result all the same."

The video showed the smaller Mynock breaking out of its bonds and ripping the head off the Droid that was conducting the experiment.

"I believe these experiments illustrate not only the existence of sympathetic reactions through the Force, but tell us the circumstances in which it can be expressed. The applications of such a reaction, in creatures not commonly attuned to the Force, are vast, and I'm fortunate enough to have been able to bring my work to the point it is now. I would like to thank, of course, the Imperial Royal Menagerie for their support, as well as our current host, Lord Rasnuhl , who has been generous enough to relocate our operations here on Odacer-Faustin so that we could examine our data and continue working with our specimens. And, of course, last but certainly not least, my staff, who have remained dedicated to the work, even in the face of more than their share of Mynock droppings, bites, and maimings.

"I will now entertain any questions."

Tag Rath Nihro

 

[Rath Nihro]

J O U R N E Y

Tag: Pel Grennin

The explanation was thorough, and Rath would have never considered attempting to induce kyber crystals into another organism. Such a thing could be dangerous on various levels, especially when introduced to a beast such as the mynocks. The dark side of the Force had the tendency to corrupt such creatures and consequently serve as war beasts for the dark lords that managed to subjugate them. But after observing the mynocks behavior change. It wasn’t that of violence unless provoked, which was a suitable response to trauma.

The dark haired man remained seated amongst the many audience within the auditorium, and upon queue for questions. One after another began inquiring what other research had been done with the use of grounded kyber crystals, and how they were able to measure the midi-chlorians within the body. It was relatively simple in Rath’s mind as the kyber crystals were one of the few physical manifestations of the Force, or to put it simply it was the safest form of touching the Force without receiving negative setbacks in the process.

Rath listened to their questions, and then to the representative's response to said questions. It wasn’t like the mercenaries that Rath had been informed of that managed to become force sensitive through unknown means, but it was something to take note of. Perhaps it wasn’t this doctor’s or their group’s actions. For it was possible a third party might have been involved with the spread of force sensitives. It wouldn’t have been much of a problem if it wasn’t for the fact that these very same people misuse their abilities.

Then finally, somebody amongst the audience proposed a question that was interesting yet inhumane.

”And what about potential experiments to measure the midi-chlorians on the Sith? Or maybe the Jedi even?” Rath couldn’t very well see as to whom the individual was, but the question caused a stir that had several people nodding their heads in agreement. It was a dangerous topic to discuss for certain, but the applications for the research would open the doors for further uses.

 

[Lord Rasnuhl]

Lord Rasnuhl sat in his chair watching the presentation. It was rather impressive, the program he had been told a little about had done so much with so little. Compiling vast amounts of experimentation data along with the results. Albeit with not a test line for force influence. But then again it was testing the general nature of the force... how it operated in living things.

”And what about potential experiments to measure the midi-chlorians on the Sith? Or maybe the Jedi even?”

Interesting question indeed

He mulled over the experimental data that was just shown for a moment. Perhaps he is close to figuring out a theory of general force workings. Lord Rasnuhl raised his hand before being called. "So your data is very interesting. If wanted you could collaborate with my science division. They have been working on the genes, midichlorians, and any other related factors connected to force sensitivity as seen in force wielders like myself."

He pauses for a moment "What interested you in this line of research?"

 

[Pel Grennin]

”And what about potential experiments to measure the midi-chlorians on the Sith? Or maybe the Jedi even?”

Pel tried not to smile too much at this. It seemed a distinguished question, but it was a rather unrefined inquiry, "Testing for M-Counts is a common practice for many Force Cults, including the Sith and Jedi. If you are asking if there is a way to use these techniques to detect or remotely measure a being's affinity for the Force, my experiments would be closer to disproving the reliability of any such test or device. It is supposition on my part to say, but I believe that a being's power in the Force cannot be truly quantified. At best we may be able to create a sort of alarm system to the presence of someone who can use the Force, but I wouldn't rely a whole system on it."

Pel did smile at Lord Rasnuhl 's offer to work with his science division, "I would be honored to work with your science division, Lord Rasnuhl. I work with a number of sponsors, and I'm positive they would be thrilled at the the chance to multiply their investments in such a collaboration. I am always eager to assist my colleagues."

Pel hoped his word choice would be caught - Number of sponsors and collaboration. Pel was no stranger to oversight or having superiors, but he was wary of working with or for a singular source. It wasn't some egotistical principle about independence or anything like that, but a matter of pragmatism. Having one master meant a single point of failure. It had already saved his work from sharing in the Empire of the Lost's destruction, and allowed him to move his work here to begin with. He also didn't know Lord Rasnuhl particularly well, but this offer of patronage was exactly what Pel was hoping for.

Boundaries were healthy, after all.

"What interested you in this line of research?"

This was a question that required some thought. Pel had to be careful not to divulge too much that might give away some weakness Pel was unaware of.

"I spent much of my career as a battlefield surgeon, of all things. I learned to use the Force as well as my training as a doctor to attend to some of the most horrific injuries a being could sustain. The body's capability to survive provided much of the basis of my work here, but I also dealt with the bonds between people. Soldiers in particular were my main source of patients, and I noticed a number of trends among them. Not only in the quality of care and what people were able to endure, but also...Feelings through the Force that, as I said before, I do not believe can be quantified.

"I noticed that the stronger the bonds a patient had with their fellow soldiers, the more they were able to endure. My hypothesis, as it were, is that just because someone is not sensitive as, say, a Sith or Jedi, does not mean the Force is beyond their reach, especially in numbers. I seek to find how this might manifest, because it is unlikely to be in a form that is easily recognized by someone born to and trained in such talents, used to using and viewing the Force in a certain way," he explained.

Karl Von Strauss Rath Nihro

 

[Amalia Visconti | Mira Rhory]

TAG: Pel Grennin

​

With her hands resting on the Balustrade, Amalia looked at the strange show below, the experimentations that were being revealed, the scientist's explanation, showcasing not just their work, but also themselves. While she was not much of a scientist herself and had only learned a few basic things from old mentors of her Like Charles Castex or Dr. Ghast, the woman was quite certain that what was being displayed would at least be very interesting to at least one of her employers; specifically the one who officially acted like a looming shadow over the N&Z through it's section C.

She had to admit, that the longer she heard this Duros scientist talk, explain his work, the more even she got entranced by the idea he proposed, the interesting abilities and uses his work could produce if simply supported by the right people, though the right people were...not necessarily the ones with the right intentions.

"Milord, are you receiving the footage?"

The datapad she held in one hand was recording the display, sending it through an encrypted channel to a location quite hard to pinpoint due to the scramblers on the channel to everything without the appropriate encryption code. A buzz could be heard coming from the other side of the datapad's connection, a crackle coming into her earpiece when a rough and raspy voice immediately seemed to bring along with its timbre, the unholy unlife from which it originated.

"While his methods seem crude and rash at first, his idea has merrit, his execution when looked at from a purely scientific mindset brings forth a very interesting possibility," The voice halted for a moment, as if intently listening and watching the footage being sent through. "A artificially created and biologically transfered force bond... he is coming into my territory...and he is coming very close to one thing I could not solve...how to have separated, yet bonded beings strengthen one another. Mira... I must have this man, I must have this scientist...use the Section C backchannels and make sure you can support his research, perhaps even try and see just how far this man is willing to go in his pursuit for progress."

Lowering her datapad and putting it back into the inner pocket of her vest, the woman's gloved left hand started to tap onto the railing of the balustrade as she smiled, hearing how at least one or two people seemed to ask questions, yet, while she was looking at the scientist, she noticed Lord Rasnuhl , the man who was being mentioned as the host of the evening... but it was fitting to have a lifeless planet be the host for something which could very much shake up the scientific community...not to mention stir up fear amongst those who held the force as something...sacred.

Suddenly she cleared her throat, loud enough to be heard, her dull eyes looking straight at Pel Grennin , then turning for a few counts towards the host, before turning back towards the scientist. "I must say that I am very impressed with your work...Doctor...Grennin, is it? The applications, the further research this study of yours could bring forth is... to say the least both frightening and remarkable. I wonder though... How far are you willing to go to explore the possibilities that come with your research and do you chose results or ethics in the ever moral dilemma all scientists face?"

 

[Pel Grennin]

"I must say that I am very impressed with your work...Doctor...Grennin, is it? The applications, the further research this study of yours could bring forth is... to say the least both frightening and remarkable. I wonder though... How far are you willing to go to explore the possibilities that come with your research and do you chose results or ethics in the ever moral dilemma all scientists face?"

Pel smirked at the question; he did not fancy himself a spymaster, but he kept tabs on particularly important people, and knew who this seemingly young woman represented, even if he was ignorant of her true nature. Pel mad made sure he was well briefed on everyone here; not only for his own security, but to avoid any kind of embarrassment for his host, as well.

"I spent my youth being trained and drilled to serve the Sith Empire. Their expectation is not only that anything is acceptable in the pursuit of power, but that inflicting pain and suffering ought to be part of that pursuit. It is a sort of institutionalized sadism. They numb you to it. I have no love for the things I had to do to survive. But if I had to repeat them, with no other choice, I would."

Pel took a breath, and shifted his stance, "The reason I am here, seeking to share my work and obtain patronage is that I shouldn't have to make those compromises if I don't need to. I could have rounded up any number of people and brute-forced these experiments upon them, but the truth is, not only do I not need to, it makes for bad science. Mynocks are not people. It is easy to acquire and breed them, and the effects of my work is limited to my test subjects, rather than the communities and societies that slave subjects would have an effect on. I have no drive to hurt people. In fact, I hope to make people's lives better. Protect them from things that would devour them, and leave dust in their wake. Eventually, I will need to find some way of applying what I've learned to sentient subjects, but by being thorough, and not cutting corners, I will learn more, and the end result will be all the better refined. If I am prepared enough, such questions won't be necessary.

"I have had to make many decisions where the lives of myself and others hung in the balance. Had to make the choice between suffering and bliss. In most of those situations, I am confident in my choices. In others, I know I was wrong. Those times don't bother me because I know I wouldn't make the same mistake. It is the ones I am not sure of that give me pause. And it is also the reason I am looking to reach out at this time, when before I kept my work closer to the chest."

Pel changed the holo to a picture of a group of Stormtroopers standing in formation at attention.

"It is a saying among the Jedi that the Force belongs to everyone. It flows through all beings, but much of our understanding of the Force is filtered through powerful individuals. Sith Lords. Jedi Knights. Shamans. Any number of monsters capable of obliterating whole communities by themselves. My work here with the Mynocks illustrates a larger point - and a possible application. That it flows through all living beings, and those who are bonded in life have a stronger connection. I admit, what I've done to these test subjects is extreme, but I don't believe, in the long term, that it's strictly necessary.

"I believe that there is a much more powerful manifestation of the Force that can be tapped into. The bonds we form with one another, in a unity of vision and common drive, we can foster that power. And with training and an understanding of the Force, we may be able to find a way to use it, and better protect not just our troops, but our citizens, our leaders, and our infrastructure. But this manifestation would not be the kind of telekinesis and foresight that we're used to seeing with the Force. I believe it would be something entirely new, and will take time for us to fully understand it. Our current comprehension of the Force may, in fact, be a liability in its study, due to our preconceptions and expectations."