Throwing this out into the ether so I can stop agonizing over it. The ending was kicking my ass for some reason T-T Miss Kiida I need to write you moreeee
Tw for discussion of a dead body/murder? It's not graphic but just in case
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There truly was something beautiful about the body failing.
Edmund didn't often get poisonings in this jurisdiction- violent crime was common, but it was typically more… blunt. But, well, when a trade executive is found in a Gorven back alley with high levels of caffeine in his system, one can allow for exceptions.
It didn't help that he was getting the woman's assistants popping in every other day trying to keep things under wraps. They didn't care if the scene suggested foul play, they just wanted to avoid a scandal at whatever cost. As if even stepping foot on Gorven was a crime. Then again, some did think that way. Even Edmund had at first.
Thankfully, it seems the officers have finally learned to do their jobs and keep people out of his office. Autopsies were delicate enough when you weren't dealing with chitin. He needed to examine the victim, not mangle her.
The screen hovering beside him had a link to the camera down her throat. Definite signs of abrasion- she must've gone out into the dunes at some point. There hadn't been any sandstorms in the area she'd been found.
His ear flicks back when he hears a distant door open. Standard issue hoof pads, and dress shoes with a muffled heel. One of the chunnyik officers and- presumably- a human. They weren't talking, or if they were it wasn't loud enough to carry this far. If it's another one of this woman's damned associates he was going to start welding the entrance shut before his shifts.
Edmund removes the camera probe in the time it takes his guests to reach the doorway. Officer Eesrii enters, eyes already averted from the holoscreen. She was one of the more squeamish recruits, if he remembers right. "Doctor Shelley, you have another visitor."
Well, it wouldn't do to snap at the poor thing. He takes a breath before replying. "I could tell. Whoever it is can wait until I'm available." His eyes flit to the doorway where the visitor lingered-
"Professor Callaghan?"
His former teacher smiles, looking just the same as she had nearly a decade ago. She really did look like she could be someone's mother now- the way she'd always acted. He didn't want to think on why that unsettled him.
"I'm sorry for interrupting your work, Edmund. I didn't realize you were busy." Her hands were clasped tight at her front. Tense shoulders, tired eyes. Stress, and some level of sorrow. It wasn't a look he'd seen her wear often.
Edmund shakes his head, having to jog his memory on a proper polite smile. He thinks he manages. "It's alright professor, these things happen. Particularly when new recruits forget that civilians aren't allowed back here." Officer Eesrii puffs up at the realization- it's hard not to be amused. "Well, since you're here already, I'll get cleaned up and step out to speak with you."
Once he's deployed and the patient is back in cold storage, he does just that. The hallway's LEDs are just this side of irritating. "So, to what do I owe the visit, Professor?"
"Please, call me Kiida," Professor Callaghan- Kiida, apparently, is all smiles again. He'd admire her ability to put on a brave face if it wasn't so unsettling. "You haven't been my student in quite some time."
"I haven't, have I?" He hums to himself. It was strange to think about how much time had passed. He'd never expected to live this long. "Here, how's about we walk and talk? I've got some things to file."
She falls in stride with him without much issue. Edmund tries not to linger on the few inches she has on him. Despite the friendliness of the interaction so far, he couldn't help but feel hunted. Had he truly become so paranoid working here?
Kiida's the first to speak. "How many sophonts have you worked on, if I may ask?" Looking her way doesn't betray anything.
"All but neasles and that recently discovered species, I believe. Though personally I consider the subtypes of chronomorphs and Kroolie to be their own groups at times, which how much they can vary. I still have yet to examine a basal kroolie- doubt I ever will..." Edmund trails off. Maybe hes more tired than he thought, going on like that.
To her credit, Kiida just nods. "And you'd consider yourself well versed in the anatomy of those you've worked on?" He wasn't sure he liked where this was going. "Why the sudden interest in my skillset?" Why the hell is she here??
The tension is back, but barely. Edmund stops walking when she doesn't follow. "Have you heard of the ECLPS program, Edmund?"
ECLPS… He thinks he heard about large robots that were a result of that program, but little else. "The name's familiar. I'm not one for advanced technologies."
Kiida's looking out one of the windows now. The asteroid housing the station was just barely large enough to have a visible atmosphere, the distant star painting verdant greens across the horizon. "Our pilot program has been growing steadily, but the work is dangerous. We'd anticipated injuries, but… there's been deaths. Sooner than expected."
Ah. "You want me to process them then?" Or replace them, but he doubts that. No sane person would look at him and think he'd be safe in heavy machinery. "Why me, if I might ask? Not that I'm not flattered by the visit, but I'm hardly your only student versed in anatomy."
Her smile returns, but it lacks warmth. "You have a… reverence for the dead others don't. You care, and you're all the more meticulous for it. That's what I need."
Edmund… isn't sure what to say to that. It had something in the back of his mind raising hackles. Ridiculous. She wasn't some looming predator. "Well then. I'll see about finishing up my current case, and contact you about a transfer then."
"Oh, there's no need! I had a feeling you'd agree, it's all taken care of." That makes him stiffen visibly. Kiida just laughs. "Oh come now, I meant nothing by it! Just being proactive."
Hopefully, this new job was far from her jurisdiction. "I assume you have transportation prepared as well, then?" He sighs, glancing back at the dark expanse outside. Working so closely with those… collosals, even if just through examining the victims? It excited him, he couldn't deny that. And yet he had the strangest sense of dread.
Edmund shakes it off and follows behind her. Perhaps he just needed to get used to Kiida again. She'd be the only ghost of his past to deal with, at least.
"I'm so glad you agreed to this. Juniper was doubtful, but I knew you've always wanted to do the right thing. I can't begin to tell you how much this means for our organization."
... great.
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Universe and Kiida Callaghan belong to @catboymoments!
