One Week Later… Late July, 1860
Werner Maxwell sighed as he drummed his fingers atop a rusty rail on a balcony. The sun was setting across the tree dotted hills along the horizon. A gentle breeze swept through, picking up and dropping off odd leaves with it. The campus below was quiet and lonely. It was Sunday, and the researchers had all gone to their quarters, if not home at all. Werner reached into his rawhide leather coat, withdrawing a photograph of he, Ekatrina, and the small child he called Virginia. It was black and white, as all photographs were, and a very formal photograph at that. However, he could still catch a smile on Ekatrina's lips. Werner smiled back as he heard the calls of geese flying overheard in the purple-orange sky. They were heading home, those geese, to be with each other. However, Werner was not. It would be best to get a good amount of the basic level work done first, he reasoned. That way, there'd be no guilty consciousness, or the wrath of one Ms. Anastasia Saint and her committee. He'd be a good researcher, and even a better council Member, if it meant sacrificing a few days with his family. Yet the brown-haired man sighed once more and looked longingly to the west. This entire operation was for them, his family. To save Filgaia in order to bring about a better life for them.
"What's on your mind Werner?" Dr. Duran Feld asked as he emerged from a door, behind Werner.
"Why do you ask?" Werner asked as he turned to greet the much older man.
"For instance, anyone watching a sunset in the posture your in has something on their mind. It's a scientific fact." Duran chuckled.
"Oh really…" Werner grinned. "I was just thinking of the family back at Boot Hill." He handed the photograph to Duran.
Duran reached into his breast pocket and pulled out his spectacles, which he placed upon the bridge of his nose and looked at the photo. "A very nice photograph, if I say so myself." Duran then turned his eyes to Werner. "So why don't you go visit them?"
"We should be getting our work done first, build a reputation with the council before we do things that would waste their money, don't you think?" Werner asked Duran.
"So spending time with your family is a waste of the committee's money, huh?" Duran glanced at the photograph once more. Werner turned his gaze back to the sun.
"I don't want to screw up, Duran. The Senate, Berlitz, and the Committee all are watching us. I don't want to seem like an average employee. I want to be seen as Council Member material." Werner spoke.
Duran folded his spectacles and placed them back in his pocket. He let out a breath and leaned against the same rusty railing, his back to the sun. "You know Werner, I once had a family. Real loving type too. Married to an Tiffany Bryant. Wife, three kids, a dog and a cat. But my work always came first, back in those days. Years and years ago… I'd be out late at the lab every night, would spend weekends there, work always needed to be done. I missed my children growing up, and my wife missed me. It got to the point where one day, I returned home to find most of the furniture missing, …the beds empty, …and a note, saying my wife had left me for another man that she had met years before. I was alone with nothing but my work…"
"…That's terrible, Duran." Werner replied.
Duran reached into his vest pocket and pulled out his pipe and a match, handing Werner the photograph back. The old man lit it and took a deep breath of the cherry flavored smoke and let it out. "That it is… The point of my story is that don't let your work life overtake your personal life. Don't miss out on your family." Duran then patted Werner's shoulder and stood straight up. "We have an appointment with Dr. Peter Inkapalia tonight, right?"
"…Yea." Werner replied, turning to Duran after picking himself off the railing. "After a week of trying to get a free spot with him."
"From what Dr. Enduro said, he may have had the same problem as I did…" Duran mused.
"You don't keep yourself working night and day, Duran." Werner gave a smile.
"That I don't Werner. I'm a lazy old fool." Duran chuckled to himself before opening the door and walking in.
Werner shook his head. Duran was quite the character, but… Werner looked at the photograph once more. His Wife's lips seemed to have turned from a slight smile to a look of worry. "Don't worry Ekatrina. I'll be home soon enough. But first, I need to assemble the Council of Seven."
** *
The two scientists walked through a rusty hallway once more. The lights even dimmer and the darkness ever more prevailing. Several laboratory doors were opened as scientists of all kinds readied themselves to go back to their quarters or have a bit of night life. The janitorial staff slipped between doors; often inwardly asking themselves why they signed on to clean messes of such high caliber. Duran carried with him several papers, as did Werner (including the manila folder.)
"Laboratory 76C, was it?" Duran asked, his eyes darting back and forth from door numbers.
"I believe so. Elliot and Koge should be waiting for us." Werner replied.
"Shouldn't you be calling Dr. Enduro by his title?" Duran asked the man.
"The Council of Seven should be on friendly, first name terms with each other. The Councils of Seven of the past were like family, and thus so should ours." Werner lectured.
"You do forget that Dr. Enduro has that superiority complex?" Duran reminded him.
"He'll have to get use to it. He hasn't been given the 100% clear sign yet."
"Ah. We are all to be a family to replace the ones we've left behind?"
"I don't like to think of it as leaving behind, Duran…"
"Sorry. However if we're all to be family, I'd much rather lounge at a restaurant than a laboratory." Duran laughed.
Werner chuckled a bit as well. "I'd love that as well. Will they have trilobite tails at this restaurant?"
"Only the finest. Boiled and then grilled with a nice layer of butter and garlic."
"And Axebeak wings, I'm sure."
"Now let's not go too far Werner. I'm sure we'd have to settle on Pordarge wings with our current salary."
"And yet we can afford trilobite tails?"
"Trilobite tails I'll make an exception for." Duran laughed. "Ah, here we are."
Laboratory 76C, or so the sign read, lied before them. The door was solid, thick, and open. A light appeared on the inside as an old janitorial woman walked out, carrying a bucket of water and a mop. The woman nodded to the two taller men as she exited before walking down the hall. There was no sign of either Elliot or his assistant Koge.
"You think they're still in there?" Duran asked his fellow scientist.
Werner opened his manila folder and quickly referenced the file on Inkapalia (it had a bookmark over it for easy reference.) He was an older, squat man with dark spectacles and crazy black hair and a pencil thin mustache. His race was definitely Baskar. "According to the file, he's a workaholic. I doubt he'd leave this early."
Duran stepped forward, tapping on the thick metal door and glancing about inside. "Hello! Anyone there?"
A few quick steps and Duran was greeted by the lovely Koge Donbo. She smiled as she realized who it was. She bowed before the two. "So glad you could make it. Won't you please come in?"
"You don't need to bow Koge." Werner held his hands out in protest. "We're not anyone of real importance."
"Well, of any significant importance…" Duran coughed.
Koge stood to her short full height and shook her head. "To bow when greeting someone is a custom for my people." She giggled. "Dr. Enduro and Dr. Inkapalia are inside."
"Ah. Lead on." Werner smiled.
"O.K." Koge turned and walked through the heavy door, leading the researchers into a large round room that was brightly lit and well kept. Several boxy stainless steel tables sat on the floor, and a round table was in the middle, which above hung a large display of nasty looking tools. Werner whistled at the heinous contraption as Duran looked on, all the while being led by the petite miss through a door, leading into a small library. There sat four padded chairs around a coffee table. Werner could see Elliot sitting in a chair opposite them, but couldn't make out the Baskar scientist.
"So good to see you again gentlemen." Elliot said through clasped hands. "I trsut you've been well?"
"Fair enough." Duran smiled, allowing Koge to set their chairs for them.
"Well aren't we all." Elliot seemed to murmur. "I'm so sorry you had to wait this long to see my partner. He's quite the busy body."
Werner thanked Koge as he sat in his chair. "So, where is the Doctor anyhow?"
"He is here, be assured. Peter may be busy, but he's not rude." Elliot smiled. "Koge! Go and fetch Dr. Inkapalia! Now!"
"Yes sir!" Koge replied before hastily making her way out of the small library.
Werner cleared his throat while Duran checked his watch. Elliot tapped his fingers along his knee in his ill patience.
"So Elliot, perhaps you can answer a question or two while we wait." Werner insisted.
"I'm happy to oblige." Elliot said darkly. "Ask me whatever you wish."
Werner glanced to Duran, who shrugged. Werner opened his notebook. "Elliot, why would you like to join the Council of Seven Department Heads?"
Elliot's false smile turned into a frown as his eyes looked to the upper right. It was a moment or two before he opened his thin lips once more. "To honestly answer your question, it would be for the respect, and the challenge."
"Respect?" Werner questioned.
"Seriously, the honor of being chosen a member of the Council of Seven is one of the highest honors a researcher can ever dream of. To be approved for a multi-billion Gella project that is saving the world from extinction… there's not quite anything else like it…" Enduro's eyes sparkled with glee as he spoke.
Werner jotted a few notes in his book and smiled. "I suppose it's a good enough answer. There is quite a large amount of honor being placed on one elected into a position where only seven can be."
"Nothing quite like it." Duran quoted.
"Dr. Enduro!" Koge's voice called as she walked back into the room.
"Yes, what is it Koge?!" Enduro snapped.
"Dr. Inkapalia would like you and the two other doctors to see him in the workshop." Koge bowed.
"I swear… Can Peter give up one hours work at all?" Elliot growled.
"It's no problem. Really." Werner protested.
"We'd like to able to see his work." Duran added.
"Well, if you'll follow me." Koge smiled.
** *
The workshop was a rectangular room with many tables in it. Once again, tools of all kinds lay about, and research notes were like a freshly fallen snow. Koge stepped to the side as the three scientists walked in. Dr. Inkapalia was on a stepladder, pushing a book back into its place in a bookshelf.
"Hello boys." Dr. Pete Inkapalia greeted without turning towards them. "I'll be with you in a moment."
Werner and Duran stepped to the stepladder, standing below the large scientist atop it. Werner decided to speak first and reached a hand out to shake with. "I'm Werner Maxwell."
"DR. Maxwell!" Koge interrupted, silently reminding Werner to remember his false titles.
"And I am Dr. Duran Feld. We represent the Council of Seven." Duran extended his hand as well.
Pete started down the ladder and shook their hands heartily. His eyes were small and dark, yet full of cheer. "Good to meet you. You probably guessed it by now, but I'm Dr. Pete Inkapalia."
"Dr. Inkapalia is currently in the process of publishing a book." Elliot interrupted.
"Really? What about, Dr.?" Werner asked.'
"Oh it's nothing. Just a few detailed papers on the anthropologic fields of human, Elw, Demi-Human, and Homo Sapien Superior." Pete blew it off.
Duran took out his spectacles and glanced at the book that had been recently placed in the bookshelf. "The History of Ourselves by Dr. P. Inkapalia…"
"It is quite thorough, it's won a few awards as of now." Elliot stated.
"Well that's not anything of importance." Pete grinned. "Just anyone can write a book. You guys want to see the good stuff."
"The good stuff?" Werner raised an eyebrow.
"This way, gentlemen." Pete smiled as he began to walk out of the room.
"Peter, you're not going to show that thing off, are you?" Elliot grumbled.
"Of coarse I am. Things aren't impressive unless they actually mean something." Pete replied as the caravan of scientists emerged back into the table room connecting to the main exit. Peter walked to a table, allowing Duran and Werner to stand next to him. "Koge, be a dear and start twisting the other side."
"Yes sir!" Koge smiled as she walked to one end of the stainless steel box table and took hold of a lever. Without a word, Elliot sighed and took hold of a lever on the other side. At once, the two set to pulling the levers in unison.
The top of the table opened up, revealing a cadaver of some sort, lying in the compartment in a thin layer of green liquid. The actions of the levers helped raise the body to the surface of the table. With a loud clink, the body was held in place.
The body itself seemed to be of a young woman of seemingly Baskar descent. She seemed peacefully asleep under a blue towel. A slight incision could be made out from the top of her black hair covered scalp down below the sheet.
"A Baskar cadaver…" Duran stated.
"Not quite, Dr. Feld." Pete interrupted. "Upon closer examination, she is of Elw heritage."
"Elw? I thought they were extinct." Werner examined.
"Oh don't worry. They are quite extinct." Pete chuckled. "This example is some twenty years old."
"Twenty years old?! That is some powerful formaldehyde." Duran commented.
"Of my own design. She was quite withered when she came into my care." Pete grinned. "But now it's time I explain. Koge, would you fetch us some gloves?"
"Right away sir!" Koge was gone and back in a flash, handing the two doctors a pair of plastic gloves.
Donning a pair of plastic gloves himself, Pete stripped away the sheet and inserted his fingers into the incision that ran the length of the cadavers body. He smiled as he lifted the skin and dermis and folded it back, revealing the innards of the Elw maiden. Her innards were sitting in the same pool of green liquid that sat outside her, giving a quite eerie visual. The ribcage immediately surrounding the heart had been done away with, leaving a square hole with which to view the heart. Pete clutched the heart gently in his palm and removed it from the body. (The major arteries and veins being cut loose a while back.) Pete noticed the attention on the heart and cleared his throat.
"This is an Elw heart." Pete notioned the muscle that resembled gray roast beef in his palm. "Notice its size. It's larger then a human heart by far. This would indicate several things, such as the ability to survive atop higher elevations, the ability to endure much more physical stress, and the ability to pump blood over the body much faster, thus cleansing the body of toxins faster then a human would."
"Interesting. Would this have any connection to the Elw's ability to feel the planet?" Werner asked.
"One would think, eh Dr. Maxwell?" Pete suggested. "The reason for this I have theorized a number of items. For instance, let us take a look at this…" Pete placed the heart back into it's chamber and closed the flap of skin. He then walked over the head, pushing Elliot aside to make room for his two guests. Gently, he took a screwdriver from his lab coat pocket and undid two screws lining an almost invisible suture around the cranium. Once the screws were out of place, he gently pulled the scalp and frontal plate off the head, revealing a gray brain wrapped in a layer of Dura matta. Carefully, the Baskar slid the brain out, having previously severed the spinal cord, and held the thing in his hands. "This is the brain. It's about the same size as a humans, same weight, same amount of folds and wrinkles. The difference is not in the upper brain at all, but in the mid brain." Pete toyed with the brain until he was facing the rear end of it. He then gently pulled on the top, revealing a space inside where the mid-brain was. "The mid-brain rests in here. It consists of the hypothalamus, thalamus, Pons, and medulla oblongata." The doctor was sure to point out every piece. "The difference between your brain and this brain is the size of the mid-brain. Hers is somewhat larger, especially in the hypothalamus. The mid-brain is responsible for your subconscious actions; breathing, pumping of the heart, temperature regulation, things of that nature. It is also the receiving point of electrical signals from the body. Signals from the optical, olfactory, and tactile nerves come here, as well as various internal signals. From here, they are redirected to the corresponding area of the brain. Elw hypothalamus' are much larger then humans, which leads me to believe-"
"-That they also received signals from Filgaia…" Duran finished.
"Exactly. Electrical signals from surrounding living creatures could jump through the air and flesh and end up here, where a sort of sixth sense would determine what it was. However, I cannot test it due to my specimen being disposed of an all." Pete stated.
"That is quite intriguing…" Werner placed a hand to his chin.
"It makes sense when you add the Filgaia theory. Electrical signals from Filgaia could pass into an Elw's hypothalamus, thus creating a link between the two." Elliot observed.
"Elliot. You said that this "Zed" had a similar gift, right?" Werner asked.
"I would not call it a gift, Dr. Maxwell." Elliot frowned.
"It works almost the same." Pete interrupted, adjusting his tiny glasses. "Zed uses his medulla oblongata instead, thus giving a less powerful signal. Zed doesn't receive signals though." Pete then grinned a dark grin. "Would you like to see him?"
"I'm not sure we ought to. He is but a child…" Duran sighed.
"We'd love to." Werner nodded.
"Pete! It's not a good idea! What if he overcomes the drugs while they're here? Their added presence may change his status." Elliot warned.
"Oh poppycock." Pete laughed. "Koge, would you go and get Zed for us?"
Koge swallowed. "Y-yes sir…"