BeyHop Chpt 63

==Beyond Hope- Chapter 63 - Prelude to the Storm==
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===Ethical Issues===
KowloonFederated Commonwealth (Lyran State)3065
Majery was studying the virus sample in her lab.
“It’s been modified…” She almost gasped.
“It’s a shame that you figured that out. But it seems my timing is quite impeccable.” Majery recognized the man as a med student from the university that was now working in the hospital next to her lab. “Now to arrange a horrible accident with your lab equipment that will be chalked up to random hardware failure.”
“You really should stay where you are,” Majery warned.
“You’re a Doctor. Alone. No one is close enough to hear you scream for help and I disabled the building’s comm systems.” The man began stepping toward her.
“So we’re doing this then. Fine.” Majery calmly took off her glasses, folded them up, and put them in a desk drawer.
As the man reached his right hand out for her, Majery stabbed a scalpel into his wrist, dragging it across for a brief moment before it snapped in two leaving the blade in his wrist.
“You BITCH!” The man howled.
As he reeled and started to collect himself, Majery found another blade. Bigger, more suited to actual fighting.
His right hand flopped as he moved his arm. He started reaching for something with his left arm when Majery threw the knife into his left shoulder.
Shet then revealed another knife she was carrying on her person.
“How many do you have?” the man exclaimed.
“Enough.”
Majery closed in, deflecting the man’s right arm with her left as she expertly drove her knife into the man with several rapid but precise thrusts.
The man fell, clearly unable to control his limbs anymore.
“That ‘Do no harm’ thing? Yeah, that goes out the window when someone tries to kill me or my patients, but don’t worry. I’m a doctor. So you’ll survive. You’ll need a lot of delicate surgery to regain use of your limbs though. So shall we have a discussion about who you work for in a calm civilized manner, or do I need to give you a very hands-on demonstration of what the human body can endure without dying, further amplified by a skilled doctor applying their knowledge and steady hands?” Majery worked to stop the man from bleeding out.
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===When a doctor sees a doctor===
Half an hour later… "Majery, you called for a consult?" Dr. Mai Huyn poked her head into the lab room. "Shit, you need a couple orderlies and a nurse! What happened?"
“Somebody decided they didn’t like a diagnosis,” Majery answered.
"That much is apparent, is he-?"
“He’s alive. Just not very talkative at the moment. And we’ll actually have to call OCB. Somebody has been messing with Green Fever, trying to turn it up to a much more lethal state.”
"Gain of function research?" Mai's eyes widened, and she swore in several languages. "THIS idiot?"
“He passed out before I could find out for sure. But my instincts say no, he’s more a fixer than a do-er.”
Mai sighed heavily. "Majery, in my old life, I spent ten years with Commonwealth Medical Corps as a microbiologist. Mostly working on cleaning up the Level Ones that got thrown around by the Great Houses during the Succession Wars. Let me have a look while 'fixer' here is taking in a nice transfusion of oxygenated blood supplement… then I'll make the call to The Office."
“Thanks,” Majery smiled.
Majery heard the elderly Kowloonese doctor muttering under her breath about “Thought I was finally done with this shit…” as she examined the samples. "Base was Green Fever alright… looks like… Oh, nice, they gave it UV resistance… idiots…" She straightened up. "Amateurs. You don't brew a weapon if you can't brew a cure," she shook her head. "Is this dickhead awake yet?"
“He’s coming around now.” Majery walked over to the wall where she kept a box of gloves handy.
Mai felt out his pockets and extracted his Identicard. "Well, mister Franken, congratulations. You've got the professor's attention. Did you study for your exam, or do we have to give you remedials, you stupid ******?"
“I know my rights… I’m not telling you anything…” Franken was clearly trying to put up a front.
"I'm not the police," Mai said quietly. "In fact, I'm not police, or active military, or in any way restrained by the Charter Constitution, because my paycheck doesn't come from taxes. And as a doctor, I'm saddled with a duty of care. You would be shocked to learn just how open that duty of care is. And how little consequences I may face, if I make a mild, slight misjudgement in treating your injuries." She leaned close enough he could smell her breath. "I can make changes that will be permanent, and only face a mild fine."
“Shall we, Doctor Huyn?” Majery handed a pair of gloves to Doctor Huyn. “The Doctors will see you now. Please turn your head and cough.”
Franken’s eyes went wide at the snap of the gloves.
"I think he might be happier as a woman, Marjery. Something about his nose… just looks so feminine..."
“Oh yes. And it will be so much less painful in prison that way,” Majery nodded.
"Hm…" Mai looked around. "Got a local? I don't think we should use a general for this. Too much risk of nervous system damage long term."
“Always be prepared.” Majery dug a full medkit from one of the cabinets nearby. “Never know what sort of workplace accidents might occur. Wouldn’t do to have a health and safety violation in my lab.”
"Indeed. Nice work on canceling his voluntary nervous system without actually permanently damaging it. Beautiful nerve block there…"
“Jakob did say I was a natural. But really, it’s all the work of steady, skilled hands.”
Mai finished applying the padded restraints to the man's limbs and torso. "Now, Mister Franken, you're about to feel a slight stinging sensation as I cancel Doctor Caprice's nerve blocks. It should only be a tingle, you'll be sure to tell me where it hurts, ja? Ja…"
Franken was panting hard, clearly trying to ready himself for the torture about to befall him.
"It's too bad we can't film this, Majery. For the elementary classes on neurology… bone saw?"
“Saw.” Majery handed over the tool.
"Mister Franken, I'm now going to begin the incision to your scalp, since we're going to make some deep changes, we'll be starting with your brain structure. After all, you should not wish to be a man trapped in a woman's body, so we're going to fix that."
“Then we’ll have to break and reset some of your ribs to give you a good waistline. Hips too.”
"You see, Mister Franken, a skilled neurologist can change your mind for you. Isn't that something?" She ran the saw next to his ear.
THAT got him screaming, not in pain, but in fear.
After a thorough hands on demonstration of what two skilled doctors could do to a human and still have them live through it the man identified himself as Klaus Franken.
“Your partner and where you live?” Majory asked.
“Chloe Detmer. She’s the one that ran this operation. Our cover apartment is 1187 24 Strasse Unit G. We also have a backup safe house at Pier six on the waterfront. Warehouse four.”
Mai looked to the doorway, "Jane, was that clear enough?"
“Oh yes.”
Doctor Mai Huyn ended the man’s suffering, permanently.
“Shit I thought I was done with that part of my life.”
“Sorry about that. What’s your drink? I think I owe you a bottle or two to make up for this.”
“Make sure you dispose of the bodies in a way that doesn't leave a trace. I would prefer it if my nephew doesn't have to start a murder investigation that leads here."
“Just in case, I’ll compose a little something to give you two legal cover. Advantages of national security orders. But only if it comes to that,” Jane nodded.
“Shit. This means Liz and Helena are going to have to be briefed on this… That’s going to be fun.” Majery shook her head.
"Elizabeth is her Grandfather's girl. She knows the score," Mai commented. "As for Helena? I'll prefer it if my name doesn't come up in the report."
Majery's eyes narrowed, "You've done this before."
"Yes, but not for several years."
“Sure. We’ll call it Doctor Patient Confidentiality. Patient doesn’t need to know her Doctor was involved,” Majery smiled.
"Precisely. I would hate to imagine the damage Helena would suffer, knowing that her chief psychiatrist worked interrogations for Lohengrin in the thirties. Elizabeth knows, but that's different. Dinh had me on staff by the time she was born."
“Is it screwed up that I want a coffee now?”
"I usually go for something stronger after one of these jobs. Usually grain alcohol, but no, it's not even that unusual."
“I suppose it was all that talk about that coffee shop a couple blocks away.”
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===Caught in the Act===
Ia Drang, KowloonFederated Commonwealth (Lyran State)3065
"Miss Detmer?" the young man in gang colors on the other side of the peephole asked.
Adept Detmer tensed instantly. First the polite term, and then her name, from a visibly criminal person.
Her awareness expanded in that fight-or-flight way, and she realized that there were more, covering entries and escapes from the lobby of her apartment building…
And that the civilians were already taking cover.
She typed a command into her computer before ducking into her closet.
Searching for her emergency kit.
<{Network Unavailable, Abort/Retry? blinked on the screen.}>
She then entered the self-destruct code into her computer.
<{Password?}>
“Password? The code by itself should have started the file scrub and overheat sequence…”
<{Syntax Error, Abort/Retry/surrender?}>
“Oh ******.” She pulled a weapon out of her bag, a small laser pistol and shot her computer, aiming for the memory storage area.
Next she looked to the window.
“Too obvious. They have that covered.”
She went back into her closet and started tapping on the outside wall, trying to find the stud width. Once she found that she started kicking at the inside wall.
There was a faint but audible click from the front door. The door lock should have held longer than this.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Knocking on the closet door. "Miss Detmer?" 
Too slow. This is taking too long.
She started looking at her laser pistol.
Click.
“Not alive.” she said as she brought the gun up to her head.
A hand caught her wrist, and twisted, the pistol hitting the floor under a nerve-and joint-lock. "Miss Detmer, you are under suspicion of criminal conspiracy in the disappearance of one John Ivan Franken, you have the right to remain silent, and to legal counsel, but we have evidence of a possible homicide. Do you understand?"
There’s a play here after all.
“Police? Oh thank god. I thought you were the local street gangs. My boyfriend is working. What are you talking about? Did something happen to him?”
"Yes, and you have been implicated. If you want this cleared up, you will need to be deposed," the young man explained. “As of the moment, you’re our only suspect. Perhaps once you've given your statement, that will change."
“O…o...of course. I’m sorry. I’m just really rattled right now. I thought my home was being invaded and something terrible was going to happen to me.”
"That's natural. Once you've summoned your legal representative at the station, and given your statement, I’m sure we'll have this all sorted out," he said agreeably.
“I haven’t been on world long and I’m kind of poor. Know any good lawyers that work pro bono?”
"Legal representation is a legal right. If you can’t afford an advocate, one will be assigned to you under the Charter Constitution." He helped her out into the apartment's living room, where a group of other men, these in 'evidence bunny suits' were already at work. "Shame about the computer, those models are nice," he added. "This way, ma'am."
“I had some sensitive research on there for my job. I couldn’t take the chance of it falling into criminal hands.”
"Well, hopefully your bosses won't be so upset they dock your pay, I assume it’s insured?" he offered. "If not, then an estimate by a neutral third party can help recoup any financial loss, presuming this wasn't an act of malice."
“That would be wonderful. I’m not used to such generosity.”
"Ma'am, this is a Coast Guard matter. We have rules and standards, including for treatment of suspects and witnesses… oh, and the warrant." He held a multi-sheet flimsy. "A copy will be provided to your legal team as soon as possible."
“The last world I lived on had a more draconian legal system.”
He chuckled, "Aren't you glad you're here?" he led her out into the hallway, where raid-jacketed Coast guards were already taking statements from the neighbors.
“Starting to be.”
"We do have to cuff you for the ride, please don't resist," he told her in the lobby.
“If I could just have a quick moment with Mister Wong, I just want to let the landlord know where I’m going. He’s been nice to me and my boyfriend.”
"He's already been informed, miss…" the guardsman was still courteous, still polite, but the denial was firm. "We'll take your statement and you may go."
“Okay. Will this take long? I am expecting a package from my mom in the next day or two.”
"Depends on how detailed the statement is… right hand?"
She extended her hands.
The cuff was lined with a resilient material, not cold steel, some form of composite, and it deformed to match her wrist. Active restraints? It was a shock to see off Terra itself.
“How much trouble am I in for the unregistered laser pistol?”
"Well… we'll find out, won't we?" she felt a sting in her back, like a hornet, and her limbs went limp.
"Finish binding her, Qua. Her Grace was explicit!" another agent ordered as she felt darkness closing in. The last conscious thing she saw was the view as she was bundled into the boot of an automobile.
Jason Qua closed the lid. "Got her. Keep processing the site. If nothing comes up at the second or third addresses, whatever you find here could be vital."
It turned out Franken only knew two addresses, but with that information in hand, OCB had located a third safe house in Hue City.
"Ayeh, Sirrah."
The paddy wagon rolled away north, while Qua got into the sedan, and headed east.
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===Questioning===
Ia Drang, KowloonFederated Commonwealth (Lyran State)3065
Detmer swam in darkness, with soreness in her back and wrists, but then…
"She's awake." 
She opened her eyes.
"Hi there." 
“Wha… Where am I?”
"Currently? You're in an undisclosed location somewhere in the system. How do you feel?"
“Wh… Why?”
"Well, under narco, you spilled a lot of beans." 
“Fuuuuck.”
"You know, you core-worlders always make the mistake of thinking we're all bumpkins. It's cute, really, when it's not completely irritating."
Detmer was trying to make what were obvious motions with her body.
“Yeah we made sure your suicide devices were disabled before you woke up. So no easy way out for you.”
“Still the only options I have are death and death. So I’m feeling rather uncooperative.”
"Everybody dies, it's part of the circle of life. You live, you ****** up, you die… at least, most of the time."
“And that’s where you’ve ****** up. You don’t have anything to leverage me with now.”
"Sweetie, if I wanted leverage, eleven hours under narco gave it to me, no, this is where it's decided whether you ****** up badly enough to be killed, or you have something to offer in exchange for a second chance at living." Her interlocutor clarified in her vision, "See, your tradecraft was almost good enough. You made a few critical errors, but those are doctrine and training errors, not stupid errors."
“Then you just lied. If there is nothing left for you to leverage out of me, then what can I possibly offer in exchange for a second chance?”
Elizabeth Ngo-Steiner-Davion crossed her legs as she sat on a shelf, "Well, see…I like potential, I like to see how things play out. And forgiveness and second chances are not things we give to people who deserve them, but to the undeserving, so that they might redeem themselves. Your partner made the wrong choice, so he didn't get to have a second chance… but you might choose better. I don't waste lives needlessly."
“Loyalty. I have it for my masters.”
"Which is why you're worth redeeming," Liz said. "If you were fickle, you'd be out the airlock already. Loyalty is a virtue. It's all too uncommon, especially in your business."
“And I got caught. That means the other truth of my business is now in play. I die by your hand, or another operative is sent to make sure I give you nothing.”
"Which wasn't your fault. Your partner ****** up, which goes to the concept of 'teamwork'... and sweetheart? I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to give you a second chance, as I said. You're going to be taking a trip to another undisclosed location. Where you'll be able to work your way forward into a new life."
“What’s the catch then? There’s always a catch.”
"The catch is that in nine months, you'll have to care for someone else… You'll need to use all your survival training to manage it," Liz said. "After all, you're going to be a mother, on an alien world, by yourself. Nobody for light years, just you, and the contents of your shuttle."
“You would do that to a child?”
"NO, I'm letting YOU do it to a child," Liz told her. "Think of it as a long-term experience for trying to unleash a level one biohazardous organism on millions of other children."
“So who is going to be the father? I hope he’s good looking and skilled so I can at least enjoy becoming a mother.”
"Nah, I don't have to make that arrangement, you already did. I assume whoever the father is was at least a decent partner. You get to experience motherhood in the freedom to raise your little darling without anyone to interfere."
“Oh ******… I was on contraceptives when we ******… Nonononononononononono.”
"Those don't always work,, Miss Detmer. Think of it this way, you get to decide how much of the Light of Mankind you can shed with the product of your own genes, and maybe, if you work very hard, you'll invent a radio to call for help. Because that's a part we're not leaving behind."
“Training or not, that’s a death sentence if you’re not leaving me anything.”
"We all die, you get to live first," Elizabeth told her. "Your restraints will release on their own, once you've arrived."
“I’ll be lucky to get past my second trimester before I become too invalid to look for food.”
"That's also your choice. Women have survived far more trying things than what you're about to do…or fail to do. I'm letting you decide your own fate… within reason." Liz got up, floated to the door, and opened it. "Live or die, it's up to you and what you're capable of. If you're really capable, who knows? You might find a way to come back and seek revenge." She left, closing the cargo pod's door behind her.
Leaving Detmer to fume in her restraints.
“That’s kind of cruel Liz. I mean it would be fair to tell her she’s going to have other colonists. Sure they’re from Blackgate and a few other prisons but letting her know she’s not on her own? You should. She’ll take an entirely different approach if she thinks she’s on her own rather than has people to potentially rely on,” Daphne said after the container was sealed.
“Maybe, but I consider that part of the test. If she’s half as sharp as she should be for someone in her line of work, she should be able to figure it out,” Liz answered.
“Hmmm. Still not sure I like all this, but it is the best chance we can give her because she’s not wrong. They’re going to want to come clean up their mess.”
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===Tender MOments===
Eddie was half asleep in the chair in Gabriel’s room.
She got up, still a little unsteady on her feet, and made her way over to him and kissed him on the forehead.
“You are here for me. This means a great deal to me.”
“I couldn’t leave you on your own.”
“That certainly makes some decisions easier for me that I have been debating.”
“Oh?”
“I wish to stay here, on this world with you Eddie Vanh. I do not intend to go back to Clan Goliath Scorpion.”
“That’s big, Gabriel. You sure about this?”
“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
“Then there’s some things we need to talk about. For the future.”
“Aff.”
“The first is this could cause complications.”
Gabriel took Eddie’s right hand in hers and put it over her heart.
“You have defeated me in honorable combat Eddie Vanh. My heart belongs to you.”
The nurse quietly opened the door just in time to see Eddie and Gabriel kissing and simply closed the door just as quietly.
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