Part 4 of an untitled scifi work. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with Part 1.
The heist of the Lindrue observation device was as successful as the test heist had been. A few days later, Mork was reviewing his device's records and turned up evidence of the thefts. Once he understood what had happened, he paid a visit to Pipix and Benjamin. "We need to talk about observation ethics," he said as Benjamin opened the apartment door.
"Okay," said Benjamin. "Come on in. There's caviar toast and fig basil wraps if you're hungry."
They found Pipix in the living room, writing in a notebook, nibbling toast. "Hi Mork," she said.
"I know what you did," said Mork. "The theft may merely be harmless fun. Of greater concern is the fact that you lied to me about it. It's my device. I'm responsible for any harm that it causes. What if you'd made an error? There could've been a catastrophe. A cataclysm."
"My servant knows what he's doing," said Pipix. "And he was only doing as I instructed. I admit it. I used your device to steal from Lindrue's secret government, in a bid to negotiate myself off of their blacklist. But what choice did I have?"
"Sorry I misled you," said Benjamin. "It's actually been really cool hanging out and learning about your device."
"I suppose you have learned all about it, and rather quickly," said Mork. "But that's no substitute for formal training. What did I expect from an Earthling and a Lindrue?"
"As I said, it was all my doing," said Pipix. "Benjamin is blameless."
"Perhaps," said Mork. "And yet, blame is unimportant compared with the question of what to do next. Tell me, did your plan work? Have your actions returned you to good standing with the Lindrue order?"
"Not quite," admitted Pipix. "They still won't return my calls."
"Living in exile here on Earth, I sympathize," said Mork. "And I've come to count you both as friends. Can you promise never to deceive me again?"
"Agreed," said Pipix.
"Okay," said Benjamin.
"In that case, I will have some toast," said Mork. "And some fresh juice if you have it."
Serving the snacks, Benjamin wondered if life in the service of rich people would always be like this, with outrageous deceptions taken in stride. Mork the exiled Motherling took it in stride. Pipix the dispossessed Lindrue oligarch probably wouldn't have been so diplomatic. Benjamin had recently seen her perform a kicking-and-screaming tantrum after he brought the wrong bathroom hand soap home. Yet she was playing it remarkably cool when it came to the alien technology she was holding hostage.
"Do you mind if I speak directly about sensitive matters?" asked Mork.
"Please," said Pipix.
"When you and Octex had me kidnapped for our initial meeting, it left me with a bad impression of your species here on Earth," said Mork. "Recently, getting to know you, I've realized that it wasn't your species that was the problem. It was your leadership."
"They are a pit of vipers," said Pipix.
"But based on my observation, this isn't simply learned behavior," said Mork. "You were biologically programmed for your place in the hierarchy, were you not?"
"I'm a programmed three," said Pipix. "Not the leader, or the leadership group, but higher up than the fours, who intermarry with Earthling elites."
"Now that you're not receiving instructions from the leadership group, how are you making decisions?" asked Mork.
"Benjamin helped me make a vision board," said Pipix.
Benjamin laughed. "I keep telling her she can do whatever she wants, with her money and other resources. But all she wants to do is regain her standing with the Lindrue."
"It's true," said Pipix. "Part of my biological programming. I crave approval from my people like I crave food or my cell phone."
"And what if I told you that the Lindrue plan for Earth was doing far more harm than good?" said Mork. "That Lindrue manipulation of politics and business had caused incalculable suffering."
"The Earthlings suffer," said Pipix. "The Lindrue thrive, as is our natural right."
"Imagine if the Motherlings treated the Lindrue this way," said Mork.
"This is one of our greatest fears," said Pipix. "Most of us wonder why your people never conquered ours."
"Divisive traits like the urge to conquer were bred out the Motherling population long ago," said Mork. "Our technology could end worlds in a wide variety of ways. At some point in our history it became imperative to choose peace over conflict in all of our affairs."
"End worlds?" asked Benjamin.
"As I've explained before, my observation device on its own could be misused to end the world," said Mork. "It could also be used to assassinate anyone anywhere."
"Now that is good to know," said Pipix. "This couple that took over my old apartment, could it assassinate them?"
"Yes, but the targeting would be difficult for me, which means it'd be impossible for Benjamin here," said Mork. "And I consider murder unethical, so you'll get no help from me."
"Fine," said Pipix.
"There is something you can help me with, however," said Mork. "Relating to the Earthlings. You've already assisted me with the immigration program. You may not be aware that my participation in this program is strictly informal and voluntary. My actions are loosely coordinated with former pupils back on Mother. But I'm free to do whatever I please here on Earth."
"Where do I fit in?" asked Pipix.
"I'm getting to that," said Mork. "There's a category of Earthling that we call Outlings. These are people society holds at arm's length by a variety of subtle mechanisms. You say your people blacklisted you? Well, the Outlings are blacklisted by the collective unconscious. Their potential is thwarted at every turn. I want to help more Outlings immigrate to Mother. And I want your help with that."
"You say Outling, I say bum," said Pipix. "What exactly did you have in mind?"
"Benjamin is a borderline Outling who only moved up in the world because he came upon you in a moment of high drama," said Mork. "For all of your entitlement, you're very good with him. I want your help presenting the opportunity to immigrate to other Outlings like Benjamin."
"Borderline Outling?" asked Benjamin.
"Full Outling designation involves thwarted potential and I've seen no evidence of great potential in you," said Mork.
(Feature image from Pixabay.)
Read my novels:
- Small Gods of Time Travel is available as a web book on IPFS.
- The Paradise Anomaly is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Psychic Avalanche is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- One Man Embassy is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Flying Saucer Shenanigans is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- Rainbow Lullaby is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
- The Ostermann Method is available in print via Blurb and for Kindle on Amazon.
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See my NFTs:
- Small Gods of Time Travel is a 41 piece Tezos NFT collection on Objkt that goes with my book by the same name.
- History and the Machine is a 20 piece Tezos NFT collection on Objkt based on my series of oil paintings of interesting people from history.
- Artifacts of Mind Control is a 15 piece Tezos NFT collection on Objkt based on declassified CIA documents from the MKULTRA program.