Page 39 - Contrast1993Fall

looking at the subject. The general didn't understand, it was not his
pI~ce. The Doctor tooka deep breath, and did his best at being strong.

By the studies performed, yes, it should. The only question we
have is their adaptation ability, an ability which would allow them
to sacrifice large numbers. Their culture seems to be broken down in

sO,~ialstrata anyway," replied the Doctor.
Then we thank you for the briefing, Doctor. I will personally see

that ,your research is carried to the higher echelons of the command.
You.ve done your job very well." The General turned to the Colonel,

~nd Ina very casual voice,loud enough for the Doctor to hear, he said,
See the specimen destroyed and report to the war-room." With that,
the General left.
The Doctor turned away, not wishing to look at the specimen. The
general was wrong about what was to be done, that these creatures
Were not what was to be expected. He walked around disconnecting
the t_nachines, trying not to look at the subject of the work, the
SpeCImen. The Doctor tried to think what it would be like to be taken
away to be studied only to be killed and the information gathered
u~ed to kill or capture your kind. He shook his head in disbelief, and
still noticed that the subject was unusually quiet. Perhaps he was
wro~g, and this would be easy. He turned to the Colonel and

mOtioned for him to take the subject away.
It was only after the Colonel started to leave that the Doctor noticed

that the bond along the arm that the Nurse had cleaned was not
~ound. He also noticed as the Colonel left that the scalpel he used for
tISsue samples and for the cut during the briefing was also missing.
J:Ie looked around, and then it hit him: why the creature wasn't
fighting, why it had gotten calm, and that the specimen had heard
What the panel was discussing. He whirled, reaching to the control
panels to raise the alarm, but halted. If a study was ever to be done
about the Specimen and others like him, what a great study it would
be to watch the events in the next few minutes. The Doctor heard the
Colonel's screams, and reclined back, watching the event from his
Communications panel. Yes, what an interesting study th~ would
be, the Doctor thought as alarms went ringing all over the ship. After
all, if the General had r~ally listened to the anatomy lesso~, he should
~ave realized that the invasion of Terra would provide a very
Inte~esting study into the Specimen, Earthman at h.is most. primal.
. WIth that, the Doctor listened to the battle in the ship, makmg notes
Into his computer. Earthman would indeed be a most interesting

SUbjectfor study.

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