"My mentor in the field died, and I couldn't bring myself to study literature anymore," Ezekiel explained his voice full of sadness.
Little Dragons didn't fear death and usually when we succumbed it felt right and natural not only to the individual but to those around us. On occasion a Little Dragon chose to end their life unexpectedly, but that wasn't common. "It wasn't a planned death?" I asked attempting to understand.
"My mentor Mateo Gomez ended his life because Little Dragons began questioning the legitimacy of his work," Ezekiel confided to us.
"Are you saying he was also a victim of Res Publica?" Jerome then asked his voice filled with a horror that I shared.
"After Simon Carmen exposed them, I have often wondered if that is the case," Ezekiel said confirming our suspicions. "Mateo was a good mentor but a soft soul. Loved literature not confrontation. Unlike Simon Carmen, who fought for what he knew to be true, Mateo didn't have it in him."
"What was he working on that was questioned?" I asked trying to understand how this group found a way to discredit yet another legitimate researcher.
"He found an obscure work written by the author of a famous 23rd century poem. He did a paper on that book but when he submitted it for approval no one could discover evidence that this book ever existed. A serious inquiry into Mateo's sanity was started and that included a thorough investigation into all of his works," Ezekiel's round large Rzerth's eyes began first staring into mine and then Jerome's. "Sounds familiar doesn't it?" he asked.
A feeling of dread came over me as I began to wonder just how long had Res Publica been truly around.
"It is unfortunate that you never published the work but the anti-garden study really happened couldn't something be said to the elders...." Jerome began but his voice trailed off as he realized what we all knew, it was a dead end.
"That study has probably been altered," I said giving voice to something that in theory should be impossible and although Jerome gave me an annoyed look for even mentioning it. He couldn't deny what I said.
"Yes, if Elder Keros is behind this then he will make sure it doesn't incriminate him," Ezekiel agreed. "There is also another reason why even if we could find a legitimate copy of the scientific anti-garden theory that it wouldn't matter. The death of a Little Dragon has completely unsettled many of the elders so they are circulating another possibility, that Anne herself is the weapon."
That theory sounded strange to me. Anne isn't capable of killing another Little Dragon with her abilities. Any Little Dragon would need access to a weapon like the one we surmised was found in the anti-garden. Despite our friction, Jerome and I exchanged puzzled glances.
Ezekiel gave a heavy sigh. "A few scientists have theorized that the magnitude of stress placed on Anne by Linda Devine's actions caused her abilities to temporarily morph, so she can kill another Little Dragon. It is being proposed that she be studied to determine how this is possible and to create a cure."
"So she will be poked and prodded indefinitely," I said my voice solemn.
I could feel Jerome's anger growing as a sweet spicy smell enveloped my body. "Good job Gershom," he spat at me. "She will now be taken off the planet project's social code committee and you will be free to run it as you please."
His rancor felt justified to me and I didn't bother to refute it. I had done this and the only way to undo it was to make a new choice. "I am going to go undercover in Res Publica," I said out loud to them both. I felt a little satisfaction when the smell coming from Jerome suddenly ceased at my announcement. Both Little Dragons were now staring at me their large Rzerth's eyes unable to suppress their astonishment.
That ends Social Conundrums, Part XXIII. Next month is Social Conundrums, Part XXIV. Learn more about the Little Dragons by reading the earlier blog post series titled Humanity's Evolution.
If you enjoyed this story, please consider donating either time or money to your favorite charity. A few worthwhile ones are www.feedingamerica.org, www.doctorswithoutborders.org and www.givedirectly.org.
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