Chapter 330
[DR. MAYHEW, YOU NEED TO STAY CALM.]
“We’ve been stuck here for two days, C.H.A.D.D.,” Kyle growled. He understood the quarantine, he truly did, but sitting and waiting on some farce of a trial was ridiculous. Adding insult to injury, he had no resources or method to contact his friends outside. Ghork assured him things would be fine, and that his friends and allies already knew what was going on, but that was little comfort.
He was a prisoner in everything but name. He was mostly free to roam the facility, though a small flock of drones followed him at all times to take biometric data and sanitize the spaces he left behind. There was a small courtyard, though no plant life could be found there. The Collective supposedly had books and videos to watch, though one needed to have a nav bracelet to connect to the systems, something he still hadn’t been issued.
So, with nothing else to do, Kyle paced around his room, considering his options. Ger’Sinh had already been snatched up by the Archdrake Supremacy, so that was a bargaining chip that was off the table. Not that their group would have been terribly helpful, given that they were only there to take custody of the prisoner. Kyle was reasonably confident in beating Creisus if things devolved to fighting, but there was nothing to be gained from that, either. Even if he won, he’d be stuck on the quarantine moon until the Collective sent somebody more powerful to handle him.
So, he was forced to idle the time away. Kyle was under constant supervision, so he didn’t want to showcase any of his projects, or do anything that might reinforce the accusations of “unfair profit.” C.H.A.D.D. already shared with him the relevant statutes, but unfortunately there was very little of use. Most of them revolved around the notion intentionally destroying planets or communities to get access to natural treasures, and the rights of native sapient populations.
The broadest interpretation Kyle could see was that he led Valentine to the outpost by accident, though he could hardly be blamed for that. Furthermore, the settlement was a group of Gray Conglomerate researchers and members, not a native population. The connection was tenuous at best, and he hadn’t thought to have C.H.A.D.D. download and store reference materials for these types of legal proceedings. That would have been a smart thing to do, Kyle admonished himself. His agitation was only enhanced by Phaegos, who was constantly sending frustration through Pack Leader’s Instinct. The glutton wanted to go find new things to absorb, and their current reality was far different than the Parasitic Devourer’s expectations.
Finally, shortly after dinner was brought to his room, an announcement rang out.
Kyle Mayhew, please report to the central courtyard. You will be escorted to your initial hearing.
[YOU SEE, DR. MAYHEW? STAYING CALM WORKED.]
“You’ve been saying it often enough you were bound to get lucky,” Kyle shot back, though he felt a small smile come through. Nothing good would come from him being emotional at his hearing. Instead, he’d need to be calm, rational, and stay focused on his most important objective: communication with Jarberry. Everything else could get figured out from there.
A small, mobile teleportation platform was set up in the courtyard, and the swirling mass of Creisus was waiting for him. “I wish you… good fortune… Mr. Mayhew.”
Kyle gave the phytan a nod in response. “I wish you the best as well.”
With that, he stepped onto the platform, the world around him shimmering as he found himself standing in a large stone room, with five raised platforms surrounding him. Projections rested atop each of the platforms; a skrell, a goblin, a phytan, a velgian, and a zoomed out view of a crimson dragon. The dragon spoke first, its voice a rumble that translated through the room’s projections.
“Kyle Mayhew, you stand before this Tribunal with exceptional circumstances. Our data indicates there is no further need for a quarantine; however, the accusations against you make us wonder whether or not you should remain in isolation while these other matters get sorted out.”
Kyle took a deep breath, pushing down the bubbling frustration. “And what, exactly, are the charges? Surviving a half-baked expedition, where other refugees from my planet were infested by an awakened fungus, or surviving when the surface of the planet was nearly wiped out by the cleanup crew?”
The skrell spoke next, clearly not happy with Kyle’s attitude. “You did far more than survive. You stole a resource that rightfully belonged to the lessees of Kertan Six, and ought to have been sold with its profits split. And this is not the first time you’ve profited off of the destruction of common people.”
With that, the skrell waved their hand, projecting an image of Earth, and an image of Pall’Eth.
“It is no secret that you found unique opportunities during the destruction of your own world. You were brought here by a corporate sponsor after seizing what rewards you could, and then sought ever-greater opportunities by joining the Collective and pursuing a license to operate within the Guild system. Millions upon millions died, so that you could try to stay on the road to power.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Kyle exclaimed, glaring at the skrell. “Earth was the victim of a riftwyrm attack! If you think I had anything to do with that, you’re insane!”
The skrell smiled, revealing sharp teeth. They clasped their hands behind their back, and began to pace about their platform. “True, you couldn’t have been responsible for the riftwyrm attack. However, your lust for power is clearly documented.”
With that, images of Kyle’s Phase Three Practicum were projected, showing him retreating from the Igneous Glaivebeak. “You were so eager to get access to a rare artifact, you were almost willing to sacrifice your Phase Three!”
“That’s a misrepresentation,” Kyle said. “I was going to return the entire artefact once I had the final piece. I thought it would merit a higher evaluation.”
“Oh?” The skrell asked. “Did you turn the artefact in? Did you allow it to be studied by the Collective? Or did you demand its return? From where I sit, it’s never been put on the open market. That means that you’ve either used it to help with your advancement, or you traded it with somebody that you knew would have something of value to offer in return. Still, if the Tribunal is not convinced, there is more to share.”
Pall’Eth’s face was then highlighted, an action that drew a notable response from the goblin who had otherwise been silently waiting. The skrell played a quick montage, showing the destroyed tower in Er’Mithren’s capital city, then continued. “You were hired by my colleagues at the Verdant Republic to negotiate a peace on a culturally significant world. Instead, you were accused of murdering thousands in a terroristic plot against the current rulers, and returned to the Collective with documented traces of C Grade mana inside your aura! You sacrificed the peace and comfort of the common people to gain an opportunity for personal advancement.”
“That’s not what happened at all!” Kyle protested, his anger beginning to get the best of him. He felt a warning from C.H.A.D.D., but was getting to the point where he really didn’t care.
“Then what did happen, Mr. Mayhew? Because from where I stand, all I see are consistent patterns of self-centeredness and disregard for others. And I do not believe that such behaviors have a place within the Collective, or representing us through our Guilds.”
Kyle was fuming. This was a blatant mischaracterization, and he’d been taken entirely by surprise with the accusations. Before he could jump in, however, the goblin interjected, glaring daggers at the skrell. “The Verdant Republic would like to go on record as saying the actions taken by the Courier in our employ were sanctioned, and investigations cleared him, and us, of any wrongdoing in the matters of Er’Mithren. While there are still some administrative hurdles to clear, it is the strong opinion of the Verdant Republic that the Courier be reinstated. His resourcefulness, skill, and adherence to protocol make him an asset to the Collective. And these spurious accusations should be dismissed outright.”
There was a fleeting moment of satisfaction, until Kyle saw the easy smile on the skrell’s face widen. “Oh? And who, pray tell, conducted the investigations?”
The goblin rolled his eyes, exasperated. “We did, clearly. As it turns out, self-regulation works wonders when there are clear-cut rules put together and followed, as opposed to designing rules and regulations to be intentionally ignored.”
Turning now to the swirling blue algae making up the projected phytan, the skrell gave a shallow nod. “And to our humble representative from the Pillar, how does it sit with you that this man offers incredible support to the Verdant Republic, advancing their agenda, only to have them back him in a meeting like this? Wouldn’t you agree that our colleague should recuse himself in these matters?”
The blue algae swirled slowly, before a deep voice rang out; much smoother than any of the phytans Kyle met before. “We are less concerned with the self-governance of the Verdant Republic… and more concerned about the Courier’s rise to power. Might must be tempered with wisdom, and we have a… history of the Courier’s planet demonstrating poor judgment in those regards. Perhaps… a sanction of some type would do him… good.”
What do they mean by that? Kyle wondered, thinking about the other Earthlings.
“I agree –“ the skrell began, before the dragon shifted, the motion cutting off the skrell mid-sentence.
“This conversation grows tiresome,” the dragon said, voice rumbling through the chamber. “Casiniax, you’ve made your points, and established the opinion of the Gray Conglomerate. Similarly, the opinion of the Verdant Republic has been made plainly known. I would know where the Pillar and the Alabaster Courts stand on the issues at hand.”
The blue algae swirled again as the phytan responded. “We recommend Guild status be revoked and Collective citizenship be suspended. We recommend mandated civics coursework and community service… perhaps on a Pillar world. His impulsiveness must be tempered.”
The velgian seemed to consider for a moment, then turned to Kyle. “Is it true, Mr. Mayhew, that you have a World Tree Seed in your possession? One that you’ve fused with in order to survive?”
Kyle simply nodded. “That’s correct.”
“Very interesting… while you all are arguing the ethics, perceived or otherwise, I will attest that the simple act of being able to bind with a seed is quite a challenge indeed. From what the Alabaster Court has been made aware of, the Courier’s power is beyond question. As such, we recommend that he be allowed to continue in his capacity with the Collective Guilds, and as a result, retain citizenship. He’s earned this by virtue of power.”
“And so, the decision falls to me,” the dragon breathed out, projections of flame surrounding the imposing figure. “I looked at your records, Mr. Mayhew. You had a place to call your own; you contributed as a Guild member, and as a part of Collective society. You seamlessly integrated with the people around you, and as such I am inclined to give you your citizenship and Guild licensure back, on a provisional basis. However, before I do, understand that this comes with a warning. You are no longer in D Grade. Your actions, now more than ever, have consequences.
“This Tribunal is not over, and while I see insufficient reason to keep you detained, you are still at the core of several larger investigations. It would behoove you to keep that in mind as you conduct your business in the days ahead. Is that understood? ”
“It is,” Kyle replied, doing his best not to jump for joy while making rude gestures to the skrell representative, Casiniax.
“Good. There are other matters to attend to, but you will find a teleporter open shortly. I’ll see to it that a new nav bracelet is sent to you. Good hunting, Courier Mayhew.”
Kyle didn’t miss the satisfied look on the Verdant Republic’s representative, but was surprised to see a toothy grin still plastered on the skrell’s face as it was the last of the projections to disappear.
“Not a bad job, kid. This round goes to you. We’ll be seeing each other soon.”
With that, the figure vanished, leaving Kyle alone in the chamber with as many questions as he had answers. But one thing was certain: he was almost ready to leave this rock and go home.