Memory download: Presentation of HLD; My first meeting with the Tallest

I'm as prepared as I'll ever get. I have my black lab uniform on, my boots polished, my mane clean and combed, and my tail pretty well-hidden under my coat. I'll have to take the music clasps off my antennae -- it doesn't look professional, though neither does the Tallest eating donuts during a meeting, but I guess they're above the rules.

"Night," someone calls. I turn to see Maes in the doorway of the presentation room. "They just entered the base," he says.

I take a deep breath. They shouldn't make me this nervous. If I looked normal, I wouldn't care about this nearly so much, but I know they'll bring up my appearance. I take off the music clasps and put them in my belt pouch next to the audio drive they run off of. I really should get wireless ones next time I get paid. I wear out so many just because of the cords.

Okay, the file is in the computer, screen on, vial in box, lighting good, chairs comfy, donuts on table. I'm ready. I'm ready to meet the Tallest.

"I'm just saying we should call it something else."

"Like what? Horrible Liquid Doom is a good name."

That would be them.

When they enter the room, it's all I can do to keep my antennae from drooping in shock. I knew they were tall, but I had no idea they were that tall. They have to be almost three times my height. I swallow hard. I will not let them intimidate me.

"Greetings, Tallest," I say smoothly (not freaking out not freaking out), with a deep bow.

"Oh, hi," Red says, looking down at me. "You're . . . "

"Night, Tallest." Good. Someone told them about me. Red forgot, but they were told.

"Yeah, Night," Red says, still eyeing me curiously.

"Mind if I ask a question?" Purple inquires. "Why do you look like such a freak?"

They are my leaders. I have to respect them. I have to respect them.

"Side effects from several viruses I engineered," I say demurely. Be professional, Night!

"Oh really?" Red asks, taking a seat. Purple follows his example. "Which ones?"

"Race K, WhiteX, Pulsar, and Spectrum," I tell them. It's really only a partial list; these mutations are a mixture of various genetic effects. Red nods. Purple starts munching on a donut.

"So, you've got some Horrible Liquid Doom for us, right?" asks Purple, his antennae perking up.

"Yes, Tallest, I do." I pick up the small metal box from the table and lift its lid to reveal the vial of neon yellow fluid and a memory card containing our full report. Red takes it and picks up the vial, holding it to the light. Relax, Night, it's shatterproof. Relax.

"So what exactly does this do?" Red asks.

"It kills," I say. "Quickly, painfully, and efficiently. You're holding enough to wipe out the entire crew of the Massive."

"So this isn't one of those species-specific things?" asks Purple, looking slightly concerned.

"It is, in a way," I reply. I'm starting to enjoy this. "We performed the final test on a defective Elite yesterday. It met our standards for speed, level of agony, and corruption of PAK data."

Oh, the look on Purple's face is priceless! Apparently he didn't know we research ways to destroy our own race.

Red shows no sign of surprise. "So how does it kill, exactly?" he asks, laying the vial back in the box and placing it on the table between him and Purple.

"Allow me to show you our data," I say, starting the presentation file with my remote. It pops up a diagram of HLD's chemical structure and graphics depicting its interaction with cell membranes.

"The chemical destroys the outer casing of most kinds of cells in any Type 1 life form, resulting in the release of the liquid contents, " I explain. "This is more commonly known as a 'melting' effect, and it causes death by blood loss, dehydration, and shock."

Next screen. "This particular chemical also creates severe overfiring of the nervous system, which means powerful convulsions and extreme pain," I continue. "In Irkens, this effectively shorts out the sensitive equipment in the PAK, rendering it unusable and scrambling the data it contains."

One more screen. "The byproduct of reaction with organic matter is a toxic gas which prevents oxygen exchange at relatively low levels, creating a secondary killing ability which, while slower, is also less noticeable. This gas can be filtered out with a Class 3 biohazard air filter and poses no significant danger unless inhaled."

Purple is staring at me as if he can't believe what I just said.

Red smiles. "This should be useful," he says, "especially with the rumors of rebels we've been hearing."

"I am grateful you appreciate our effort, Tallest," I say, bowing deeply. I think he's taken a liking to me. I hope so.

"You . . . uh . . . I . . . " Purple stammers. He swallows his mouthful of donut. "Yeah, Horrible Liquid Doom is a good name for it," he says.

"So, do you have anything else in development?" Red asks.

"Well," I say, doing my best to stand a bit taller, "Team 10 has a --"

"No, you," Red says.

"I --" I'm starting to blush; I can feel it. "Vot hasn't told me my next assignment yet. He wanted me totally focused on the HLD project."

"Any projects you work on in your free time?" Red asks with a probing look.

I can't tell him about BioPak. Not a Tallest. I don't know if I can trust him. What else have you got, Night? There has to be something. Something he'd like. Ah! A bit old, but I do need to finish it . . .

"I have been working on a self-erasing mutagenic formula. It's supposed to cause rapid mutation, taking on the DNA it replaces in the subject. Then, after a predetermined period of dormancy, it reverses the mutation. The basic concept is in place, but I have a lot of small problems to solve before it's practical."

Red and Purple both look pleasantly surprised. "So, could it function as a disguise?" Red asks.

"That's the idea," I reply, smiling slightly.

Red gives Purple a questioning look. Purple cocks his head slightly, and Red replies with a subtle motion, indicating me. Purple's eyes widen slightly in recognition, and he nods.

They both get up but don't move to leave. "Night," Red says, "We've heard quite a bit about you from Maes."

"He said most of the breakthroughs on this project were yours," Purple adds.

I look at the floor. "I did accomplish a few --"

"We know you're good at what you do. This isn't the first time your name has come up." Red tells me. "You deserve recognition for your work."

"My Tallest, I --"

"Be on the Massive at six-thirty," Purple says. "We'll be waiting."

"Of course, Tallest," I say humbly.

"Make sure you're not late," Red says as they leave.

I won't be.