A person who recently joined Pax Humanis is a chemistry expert, a poisoner. But also uses their chemistry knowledge, and their lab, to make antidotes for poisons. A great combo to save a life of someone who was poisoned, while still taking out a target who was found to be a slave-trader trying to kidnap Alliance Citizens. -- Anon Guest
A common mistake in the Edge Territories is thinking that the Diminished Responsibility bracelets and anklets are there strictly to tell people that those wearing them are in need of help through their everyday life. They're also there to let Security know when and if a wearer has entered dangerous territory.
Space is not safe. Neither are the habitats within. Dangers acceptable for a trained adult are never acceptable for the small or vulnerable.
Another little-known fact about the Diminished Responsibility jewelry is that those who wear them are not always helpless. This band of space pirates has made the mistake of picking on the wrong educational transit vehicle.
Aboard it, guardian of the children and designated pilot, was Saif. Pax Humanis enrollee for their knowledge of ordinary everyday chemicals and bad habit of "making the badguys come down with something." They now have a gengineered conscience named Jiminy. He's a lizard.
Having rendered the actual teachers helpless, the pirates rounded up everyone wearing a DR circlet on their wrists or ankles. They also confiscated any and all pets. Including Saif's lizard.
The real trouble began when one of them asked Saif what they did.
"I'm the driver," said Saif. "I also tend bar on weekends. Would you like me to make you a drink?"
"Mx Saif, no-o-o," whined one of the smaller students.
The pirates ignored this weak attempt at a Greek Chorus, telling the child, "Shut up if you know what's good for you."
Saif didn't like people who were mean to kids. They let the pirates usher them into a separate area and, one by one, poisoned them all. Lethally. They made sure that anyone going back to the kids would simply keel over at a specified time and appear to "go to sleep."
The smarter ones would know. But they'd also know they shouldn't tell.
The therapists would have to deal with all of that, later.
The CRC enforcement vehicles caught up with the mess as the kids were watching a Sing-Along video and Saif was "putting the pirates to bed." They all had their respective pets and augmented helpers.
Jiminy was sighing, "You didn't have to kill all of them."
"They were going to mince you up for burgers," sulked Saif. "And sell the kiddies for toys. And set up an infinite ransom loop for the parents. They were very bad guys."
"You didn't have to kill all of them," repeated Jiminy.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / EastmanPhoto]
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