My fellow members of the High Galactic Council,
As of today it has been two weeks since the trial of Doctor Jumba Jookiba and the discovery of his creation, Experiment 626. Upon the discovery of 626 I declared that I would work to rehabilitate and mold him - yes, 626 is a 'him', as he stated during Jumba's trial and has continued to make clear in the weeks since - into a functional member of Federation Society, and it is high time that I present you all with an update on this matter.
In my opinion, the work is going excellently - 626 continues to make strides every day, and in many ways has revealed himself to be a sensitive and affectionate - if energetic - being. If one were to compare him to the being we were first introduced to during Jumba's trial, it would almost seem like we were looking at two completely different beings. I say almost, as 626 does still enjoy throwing things around and occasionally playing at destruction, but he continues to learn when that is and is not acceptable.
Which brings me to the following: upon consultation with Doctor Milyon Scheur, I have decided it is time to allow Experiment 626 to leave the quarters he has been staying in for short periods of time and under observation and guard. Although it is true that he could in theory escape, as I am certain many of you are like to worry, I have faith that he will not attempt to - after all, never in the two weeks I have worked with him has 626 shown the slightest inclination towards making a break for it.
For the purposes of assuaging any fears you may have regarding 626 and the dangers of introducing him to wider society, I have attached the following statement from Doctor Scheur:
Over the two decades I have studied and worked within the field of Developmental Psychology, I have spent time with beings of countless dispositions, personalities, and values. Compared to these previous beings, Experiment 626 is simultaneously a highly unique case and a remarkably normal one - indeed, in some ways so normal as to almost be underwhelming in comparison to all the rumors one hears flying around. I say 'unique' for obvious reasons - 626 is the only being of his kind in the entire Federation, and as such lacks any sort of developmental or cultural background like those most species/groups possess. He is, in a manner of speaking, a blank slate.
As for why I would also call him 'normal', that is for a simple reason: his development is proceeding, rapid though it is, along the lines one would expect from a small child. Actions previously taken by 626 were not done out of malice, no more than when a preschooler throws their breakfast into their parents' faces. 626 simply lacked the pre-existing knowledge of right, wrong, moral, immoral, etc. that adult beings have, yet he is learning quickly. In short, I recommend treating Experiment 626 as one would any other child: with compassion, understanding, and clarity. To do otherwise would be to do a disservice to a unique being.
Doctor Milyon Scheur, Developmental Psychologist.
These statements are backed up by my own observations, which - if the Council so wishes it - can be further reinforced via security footage we have captured of Experiment 626. As he has been under permanent surveillance over the past few weeks, I feel as though the lack of any particularly dangerous behavior exhibited in the footage (with the exception of the circumstances surrounding Officer Higota, circumstances which I have thoroughly explained in previous updates) also speaks volumes. As such, I urge the Council to permit my work with 626 to continue into the next stage.
Cal Zeller, Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation
"Well," Ava began once she finished reading the Councilwoman's statement, "you certainly provide a decent bit of justification for your decision."
"But will the High Council give a rigellian?" This question was asked by First Officer Ombit, a member of the Galactic Armada on loan from Gantu as Higota's replacement. Before meeting her the Councilwoman had been somewhat hesitant to take on another one of Gantu's suggestions, but Ombit had proven open-minded enough. Even if she was a little too casual for the Grand Councilwoman's tastes. "I mean, considering how they reacted during the initial trial. Didn't that one guy ink himself and hide?"
"Councillor Flemian, yes." The Councilwoman sighed. "To be fair, he's always been more than a little skittish."
"Bengez and Liinylan seemed a lot more amenable, though." Said Ava. "If anything they seemed to be curious about 626. Particularly Bengez."
"That's fair." Ombit gestured with her hands. "I mean - robots, genetic experiments, similar origins if you ask me. Mind if I take a look at the statement real quick, ma'am?"
"Go ahead." The Councilwoman had to say, she was fairly curious as to what sort of comments Ombit would make.
"Hmmm…" The Chalmyphoran's eyes whipped down the screen, one hand occasionally rubbing the plates on her head as she thought. "Maybe add a little more about what exactly you've seen 626 doing? Like the hugging thing or the building a replica of Turo City thing."
"Or the afternoon when he tried to make you a chocolat shake." Ava suggested, although her face fell almost immediately afterwards. "...even though that ended up with him throwing the blender across the room."
"Ah, yes. Perhaps I'll put in all three. They may serve to help reinforce the idea that 626 is but a child."
A few edits later, and the statement was on its' way to the rest of the High Council.
Dear Esteemed Grand Councilwoman,
I wish most severely to protest these actions surrounding Experiment 626. You may think that it is turning over a new leaf, so to speak, but I say this: that…creature we all saw in the Council Chamber was little more than a rabid beast. Perhaps, as you say, it is capable of interacting with a modicum of decorum around beings that it likes; this does not diminish my fears for how it may react around beings it does NOT like, such as myself or Captain Gantu. Willing you may be to sweep its' assault on Officer Higota under the rug, I am not so forgiving and forgetful. I urge you caution and restraint going forwards, and have similarly urged my fellow members of the High Council.
Maudad Flemian, High Councillor for Economics of the United Galactic Federation.
The Grand Councilwoman was on the verge of writing a rather unprofessional response to Flemian when she received a message from Bengez, who had apparently beaten her to the punch.
Dear Esteemed Grand Councilwoman,
I am writing to you with three intentions: to express my support for your suggestion regarding Experiment 626, to applaud your open-mindedness towards him, and to apologize for a significant breach in protocol on my part. Specifically, upon receiving a message from High Councillor Flemian urging me to take a hard line against 626, a message that used language I found rather...questionable and somewhat offensive towards non-biological beings… I was unable to restrain myself from leaving a less-than-diplomatic response. Meaning, I told High Councillor Flemian he was permitted to bite a particularly shiny area of my casing. I do apologize for this breach of decorum, and hope that it does not influence your decision regarding 626.
Bengez-869148, High Councillor for Infrastructure of the United Galactic Federation
The Grand Councilwoman was unable to suppress a similarly-unprofessional noise, after which she read Councillor Liinylan's message. It was roughly as supportive as Bengez', if perhaps somewhat more reserved. Satisfied, she typed up a reply stating that the next phase of 626's rehabilitation was to go forwards.
The next day, she received another message from Flemian:
Dear Esteemed Grand Councilwoman,
Once again I must express my profound opposition to allowing Experiment 626 a chance to leave its' holding cell. We are still unsure of what it is capable of, and for all we know it could have been using this chance to escape. I suggest instead we take deeper steps to monitor it as-is, and upon the first sign of further trouble along the lines of what it did to Higota, removing 626 to a proper prison cell.
Maudad Flemian, High Councillor for Economics of the United Galactic Federation
Are you kidding me? The Councilwoman thought. He's even worse than Gantu. Unable to restrain herself, she typed up a quick response. It was short, to the point, and would have absolutely horrified Ava were she there to read it.
Dear Councillor Flemian,
You are outvoted by a margin of three to one. I will continue to work with Experiment 626, and if you desire to further object, you may instead, as Councillor Bengez put it, kiss his shiny, metal ass. Good day.
Cal Zeller, Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation
Just as she predicted, Ava was mortified when she read the Councilwoman's statement. "M-ma'm, this is…I mean, I understand how you feel, but… this just isn't done ! Isn't it a little too undignified for your position?"
"Probably." The Councilwoman realized she didn't care. "But that doesn't change the fact Flemian is a bigoted fool too busy floating around his suit to even think before he speaks."
Ava bit her lip as she struggled to hold back her laughter, but Ombit proceeded to laugh enough for the both of them. "That's hilarious! Oh, and if it matters, Gantu's all for this as well."
"Is he?" That was a pleasant surprise in the Grand Councilwoman's eyes. "I see your updates have persuaded him?"
Ombit shrugged. "That and, well, you know - he's kinda been watching 626 the whole time from afar."
"Oh? So he has been." The Councilwoman had suspected it, but getting confirmation was oddly satisfying. "I'm glad to hear he's changing his mind as well." Turning her attention back to the task at hand, she continued. "Now, where to take 626? I don't want to bring him anywhere too overwhelming, but at the same time we should expose him to other beings…"
"Maybe take him down to Galactic Control for a little?" Ava suggested. "During the midday shift it's usually fairly quiet."
"Right, he might like that. It also might be fun to bring him up here, show him my office again? Last time he was here he was still in that glass case, so it would be nice to let him just walk around."
The three of them continued to hash out an itinerary, one that eventually included a stop by Dr. Scheur's office and another pizza delivery after the Councilwoman went on at length on how much she'd enjoyed watching 626 experiment with different toppings and ingredients, only stopping when she noticed the other two were getting rather amused. Nonplussed, she dispatched the two of them - Ava to present the plans to Dr. Scheur, Ombit to set up security with Oltz. She herself would go to 626, telling him what was up, and maybe along the way she'd stop and get him a little something to -
She was halfway around her desk when the Councilwoman realized Ombit was still there, giving her a searching look. "Can I help you, First Officer? Did you have any further questions?"
"No - er, yes, but not about your plans for taking 626 around so much as about 626 himself. Or, more specifically, you and him."
"Pardon?"
"Well, the way you talk about him, it's kind of - I dunno, not really what I'd expect from you? When I've heard you speak before you're always this stoic, dignified, composed figure, what when you talk about 626 you're, well, different. More relaxed. More emotive." She waved her hands. "N-not that that's a bad thing! And the way you usually act isn't bad either. It's more like, I guess, more like you're…"
"More like I'm…?" The Councilwoman prompted, wondering where Ombit was going with this.
Ombit nervously rubbed her head plates before taking a breath. "I'm about to ask a personal question, and I apologize for that, but…" She looked up at the Councilwoman, straight into her eyes.
"Do you love Experiment 626?"