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Corky had been busy, Ocasa too had helped him with some research though what its significance was did not become apparent until some time later.
Torvan and Beis, were in a section of the Galesia gardens, sat talking, when a figure, their face obscured by branches and leaves, walked past them.
Whoever it was, male or female, it ignored them as it headed further into the garden area beyond them.
What had aroused Torvan’s curiosity?
The figure was headed towards a part of the gardens seldom used. Mostly rough ground, few plants, nothing of any real significance to be found there? Unlike the rest of the Galesia gardens, where you could find an assortment of rare and unusual plants from other worlds.
Returning some seconds later, the figure passed them it would seem in haste. No recognition on its part of them being there, no hello, no goodbye, have a nice day! “Probably “ Beis grinned. “A plant botter.“
Plant botters were usually Elite Kets who used plants for medicinal and similar purposes, trained in a form of botanical leaf culture. Ecology for them, was about teaching other Kets on the morals of looking after your world and not, constantly trashing it, by over using resources, without thought to, for example, planting new trees when you cut others down?
One shouldn’t laugh at them, as most of them were quite proficient at curing most ailments quickly, with their herbal remedies.
It was impressive to see how, they could show, that commercially produced potions were expensive and, NOT always needed.
The Galesia gardens were to them, a vast source of plants and more, that anywhere else, could be seldom found, without having to order in the pre dried or pre packed items. Making it difficult to obtain them and expensive.
Maweana had been in her domicile, sat talking to AkWeis. If she liked him, it was not, on her part made apparent.
Likewise where he was concerned with his affections towards her. They did, to other Kets amusement, though denying it at every given opportunity, seem to be spending a lot of time together. A clear indication that they were desiring, of each others company.
AkWeis had his back to the entrance to the domicile. The hatch slid open as he turned out of curiosity, to see who was about to enter? The projectile, now airborne, whistled past his ear, narrowly missing it! His head went down, ducking the whatever it was, now firmly embedded in Maweana's arm.
The hatch closes. He glances around to see her as she shakes, almost convulsive, collapsing in his arms. A howl, a scream and then silence. Two other Kets, entered some seconds later, having heard the scream; to see AkWeis leaning over Maweana.
He had removed the needle like object that had pierced her skin. Peering at it, in his hand, taking great care NOT to prick his fingers with it. Looking on, one could have been led to believe, he had stabbed her with it?
Penwas had been in the first of those through the hatch, the others may have towered above him but he, was not, going to be intimidated, in any way shape or form, by them! He moved towards AkWeis and although he didn’t know
AkWeis that well, he did know it was him, who had screamed, NOT Mawaena!
If he had stabbed her, would he have been screaming, drawing attention to himself? To his actions?”
Any hostility faded. His remarks on the situation before them, made sense. It obviously DID, pay to listen, before wrongly accusing AkWeis. Aisha had entered the chamber, closely followed by Ocasa. As his hand went to his wrist seconds later a Medisent appeared. The Medisent scanned Mawaena. The other Kets shifted back from the medisent, asked by Arkweis to give it and Mawaena some room!
“Scan indicates presence of a toxin from a plant known as Hjacorvulsis. Origin planetary system Gafrei Worlds. A need to acquire anti toxin, NOT held here at the Akademy. This has to be reported to Security. It is forbidden to grow this plant. Toxin strength indicates a high probability that the needle injecting the toxin has been acquired from a fresh source. NOT obtained off world illegally.
Sending data to central controller for immediate action on obtaining the anti toxin. Security informed. Receiving data, stasis mode recommended until anti toxin is retrieved and given to Ket.' It injected Mawaena with something before making it clear to them.
What she had been treated with, would slow down the toxin in her system. She had 2Tmicrons (24hours earth time) before it would cease working. After that, death WILL occur, unless she receives the anti-toxin.
Mawaena was taken away, AkWeis was inconsolerable, tears down his face, sobbing. Serenia arrived some minutes later. Summoned by the controller to attend. She was someone the Kets were pleased to see.
“We’ve sent a XZimp off world, to fetch the anti toxin. Don't worry! We need to get her back to med central."
Almost fifteen, of our Earth minutes later, Mawaena was tucked under covers and a small device on her wrist, monitoring her vital health signs.
"You know don't you that they don't breathe through their noses? They have gills at the side of their body. She lifted the cover to show some of the Kets. Its important to ensure given recent events that that is not blocked or compromised."
Aisha volunteered to remain, with Arkweis as a companion. "The item that Arkweis gave us, is needle from a plant called the Hydrocorvulsis. I was curious to know HOW the needle came to be here. Its a forbidden plant on this world. Like a lot of other worlds!
For good reason. There was one found in the Galesia gardens. It is being destroyed. We don’t know who planted it, but whoever did, knew a lot about the plant. You have to be extremely careful. The plant seeps a toxin. The needles are how its propagates. Blown off they drop and seed. Luckily we have not detected any other plants.
Torvan had heard, as had a lot of Kets, about the details of what had occurred? Beis who now told Corky about what they had seen? “Problem is.“ He opened his hand, to show the poison spike inside a glass container, visible within a neutral gel. “This is just one of thousands, that plant had? Who knows how many were taken!“
The anti toxin was difficult to get hold off. The Gafrei Worlds?
Whoever had planned this must have known the Akademy did NOT have an anti toxin readily available. Serenia had taken time to examine the Opticon recorded imaging. The attacker had remained anonymous. You could not tell at all from the visuals WHO or if it was male or female. One thing that stuck in her head watching the scene replayed? She felt Mawaena was NOT the original target.
Years of experience and intuition, coming to the fore. Had someone used Mawaena, to see what would happen when the spike was used as a weapon? If they had, by now they would have known, it was a) effective and b) the fact the anti toxin was NOT readily available? Would give them, a second edge to their weapon.
In the corridors, a figure moved towards the domiciles. In his hand, a small ejector device, primed with three of the spikes, all would fire simultaneously. The result would be death within minutes. Elsewhere other Kets were otherwise engaged.
"I felt we should offer up a prayer." Beis was sat talking to Taon. "The temple area seemed a good place to do it." Beis poured a drink offered it to Taon, They sat down. Across from them, a large building with two huge pillars at the front of it.
"Esean and well protected."
Taon was indeed speaking the truth, guards blocked the entrance to the temple and only certain Kets were allowed in, which considering the tolerance practised by most religions?
For most, that didn’t include guards at the entrance, stopping any and all Kets, from entering the temple. A lot of speculation as to what lay beyond its doors! ‘They’re Esean.” Both Taon and Beis turned, to see Megan, one of the Elder Kets.
“If you value your lives, NEVER attempt to force your way past the guards, or break in!
It is rumored the temple has a library, that holds secrets, others should never know. Gathered from across the Galaxies and placed here, under guard, locked away.
The security around the Akademy planet is so good, it adds to the protection they put in place to enhance it. When the Ai Su cleared this world of Dahasa's militia, they left scrolls it is said, taken off Dahasa.
They say some of those scrolls tell of a dark secret that was uncovered by Dahasa and his troops. What, has never been known.“ She sipped her drink.
To Beis and Taon, Taon in particular, Megan was far too matter of fact. She glared at her, watching her as she drained the cup to hand it back to Beis.
“No one knows what it is, but some say it is too terrible, to even contemplate, knowing the truth about it.
“With that, she turned and left them. “So what do you make of that!" Taon said nothing for a minute, watching the figure of Megan, vanish in the distance.
"I don't like her. She gives me the eb'jeebies. Its her smile, have you noticed, her lip curls to one side. Her eyes? I swear she's looking you over, but at the same time dismissive, as though you're beneath her.
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