Part 20 of some new science fiction. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with part 1. The image above was created with stable diffusion.
The recently-materialized lie detection scepter was an ornately decorated stick with a winged jewel on one end. In James' hands, the device scanned a subject and then projected 'lie' or 'truth' on nearby walls according to scan results. Congressman Lake and Suit had both just been scanned and found to be lying about the abduction of Pink.
"Well, what did you expect us to do?" asked Suit. "Do you know how many lives we could save with their medical technology?"
"Did you do this to save lives?" asked James.
"Of course we did," said Congressman Lake, who was lying according to the scepter.
"Did your experiments produce any data on me that wasn't stored in the lab?" asked Pink.
"Why did you take Pink and not me?" asked Ochre.
"I'm not authorized to discuss any of that," said Suit. "But consider the fact that Pink's room was closer to the exterior door."
"There is another matter I came here to discuss," said Mr Lake. "Dr Wicker, would you mind excusing us? You're not cleared for this."
"Okay," said Janet, getting up and leaving the room.
"What's this about?" asked James.
"Your Artifact," said Mr Lake. "Specifically, its dematerialization capabilities. What is the maximum amount of mass you can make disappear in one hour?"
"I don't know," said James. "Maybe four compact cars worth."
"There's a nuclear site in Georgia with waste piling up and nowhere to move it," said Mr Lake. "Twelve tons of solid material and tens of thousands of gallons of contaminated water. You'd be doing a great service to your country if you could make it go away."
"I don't know," said James. "I'm not sure my bubble of protection covers nuclear radiation. And what if it messes up my Servant?"
"Your Servant can withstand intense radiation," said Suit, who was telling the truth according to the scepter.
"You fuckers," said James, attempting to reclaim some of the righteous anger he'd entered the meeting with. "You irradiated my Artifact?"
"No comment," said Suit.
"We Visitors can tolerate fifty times the amount of ionizing radiation that humans can," said Ochre.
"I'll tell you what," said James. "You guys are totally on my shit list right now. You owe Pink and the rest of us an apology and then some. If you make that apology public, at a news conference, and you pay Pink damages equal to the total cost of the operation to kidnap and experiment on him, then I'll go to Georgia and see what I can do."
"What was the cost of that operation?" asked Pink.
"I don't recall the exact figure," said Suit, lying according to the scepter.
"One point three billion dollars," said Mr Lake truthfully. "But there's no way we could find that in the budget to pay him," he lied.
"My understanding of your economics is imperfect," said Pink. "But how is it possible for you to have spent such a large sum capturing me?"
"The answer to that is complicated," lied Suit.
"What's the simple version?" asked James.
"Secrecy costs money," said Mr Lake honestly. "And we had to grease a lot of palms for this thing."
"Okay," said James.
"Plus, now the contractor we used has to change its name after all of the bad publicity you gave it," said Mr Lake, honestly again.
James frowned. "There's no way you'll do a public apology, is there?" he asked. "So no apology, and no settlement, is that right?"
"Pink, on behalf of the United States, I apologize for your abduction," said Mr Lake. "You may sue our contractor in court, but no court is likely to hear your case due to your extraterrestrial status."
"And what about me?" asked Ochre. "My talk show tour was disrupted by the abduction."
"The United States apologizes to you for that as well," said Mr Lake. "Now, about the situation in Georgia."
"I guess if I can help there I will," said James. "Only because it's the right thing to do. But you guys are officially on my shit list."
"What else is new?" said Suit.
"Noted," said Mr Lake. "And please give Dr Wicker access to this new lie detector at your earliest convenience. Most impressive."
"I want a better apology," said Ochre. "The United States completely ruined my plans for the month and this form will not last forever. Apologize for consuming my time."
"I am satisfied with my apology and grateful that you forced me into a grand adventure," said Pink.
"Very well, Ochre," said Mr Lake, mindful of the scepter. "You and Pink are the only Visitors I've personally met with. My social status is as high as it gets, and I've dedicated a whole day to meeting with you. On behalf of my government, I'll again say that we're sorry for any inconvenience our actions may have caused."
While they talked, James focused on his servant. Soon Suit made a face. Then Mr lake made the same face. "Haha!" said James. "I've just dematerialized your underwear and materialized solid ice in its place. Should melt in a minute or two."
"I'll bring the hammer down on you for this," said Suit.
"The original plan was underwear made of fishhooks, so you're welcome," said James, using the scepter's display to attest to his honesty.
While Suit looked angry, Mr Lake looked scared. "You know, we gamed out hundreds of ways this could go, with you wielding the power of the Artifacts. Most of them ended very badly. Please don't push our relationship in that direction."
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