admissible and granted.”
All in the assembly looked relieved, except the diplomat, until I opened my mouth. “I request data retrieval and presentation via the Cranaltar IV.”
Chapter 2
The Cranaltar IV is a 4th generation A-Tech or advanced technology brain-scanning device. It is being developed by several of the larger corporations with substantial Umbelgarri support. Some people consider A-Tech to stand for alien technology, which is in essence true, as humans are currently considered to be I-Tech or at the intermediate stage of technological advancement. Mankind probably would not have yet reached I-Tech if it were not for the Umbelgarri intervention during the Silicate War.
The previous Cranaltar prototypes were less than stellar successes. Any human hooked up to one came out somewhat addled at best. The ultimate purpose of the device is unclear, but it is purported to have the ability to draw information from an individual’s memory and store it as any combination of audio, visual, or even text files. It has even been suggested that advancements in the Cranaltar Project could eventually lead to information retrieval from recently deceased individuals. It has been asserted that is how the Umbelgarri utilize their more advanced version of the device.
The Umbelgarri are amphibian and more cerebrally evolved. Their brain anatomy and chemistry differs substantially from a human’s. Thus, adaptation for use on humans, or any lesser primate, has proven to be a real stumbling block.
The device poses obvious ethical issues, even if the mentally destructive risks are ignored.
Falshire Hawks swept his computer clip board from my lap and stalked back to his seat. The assistant hastily pecked at his screen, calling up information on the Cranaltar IV. It wasn’t a corporate or military black project. The Phibs are secretive, but general knowledge points to continued refusal in collaborative corporate black projects.
I watched as the diplomat attempted to suppress a smile. Hawks had never heard of the Cranaltar Project.
“Your request is out of order,” said Hawks, still reading from his assistant’s clip screen. “The device has not been proven. It is merely a prototype.” He continued to scan the data now appearing on his clip.
The admiral, general and CJO sat, braced on the edge of their seats. Something other than my fate was in play.
The diplomat glanced down at her clip. “That is inaccurate. The Cranaltar III was used in two cases to successfully obtain information from unwilling convicted criminals. The information retrieved was deemed admissible as evidence to be used against those convicted and their accomplices.”
Lawyer Hawks folded his arms. “But, Diplomat Silvre, it severely damaged the subjects’ brains, rendering both virtually brain dead. Only the most basic autonomic functions remained intact.”
“True, Mr. Hawks. However, vital information was obtained. Vital information in this case could also be obtained.”
“What information would that be? Even if Specialist Keesay were by some miracle able to cast minimal doubt on even one of the charges, he would be rendered entirely unable to serve the punishment for his crimes.”
“Your point is?” asked Diplomat Silvre, with eyebrows raised.
Hawks seemed puzzled or distracted by the continued, almost feverish activity of his assistant. Whatever it was, the information wasn’t being transferred to his superior.
Hawks stood, then walked past the military officers and stopped in front of the diplomat. “My point, Diplomat Silvre, is that the accused’s actions have resulted in substantial loss of life, capital, and future profits. Quite substantial in the view of the Capital Galactic Investment Group.”
The diplomat turned her clip over so that Hawks couldn’t view the screen’s contents. “If he is indeed guilty of the crimes suggested, as a relic tech security specialist, the accused would never be able to repay the
All in the assembly looked relieved, except the diplomat, until I opened my mouth. “I request data retrieval and presentation via the Cranaltar IV.”
Chapter 2
The Cranaltar IV is a 4th generation A-Tech or advanced technology brain-scanning device. It is being developed by several of the larger corporations with substantial Umbelgarri support. Some people consider A-Tech to stand for alien technology, which is in essence true, as humans are currently considered to be I-Tech or at the intermediate stage of technological advancement. Mankind probably would not have yet reached I-Tech if it were not for the Umbelgarri intervention during the Silicate War.
The previous Cranaltar prototypes were less than stellar successes. Any human hooked up to one came out somewhat addled at best. The ultimate purpose of the device is unclear, but it is purported to have the ability to draw information from an individual’s memory and store it as any combination of audio, visual, or even text files. It has even been suggested that advancements in the Cranaltar Project could eventually lead to information retrieval from recently deceased individuals. It has been asserted that is how the Umbelgarri utilize their more advanced version of the device.
The Umbelgarri are amphibian and more cerebrally evolved. Their brain anatomy and chemistry differs substantially from a human’s. Thus, adaptation for use on humans, or any lesser primate, has proven to be a real stumbling block.
The device poses obvious ethical issues, even if the mentally destructive risks are ignored.
Falshire Hawks swept his computer clip board from my lap and stalked back to his seat. The assistant hastily pecked at his screen, calling up information on the Cranaltar IV. It wasn’t a corporate or military black project. The Phibs are secretive, but general knowledge points to continued refusal in collaborative corporate black projects.
I watched as the diplomat attempted to suppress a smile. Hawks had never heard of the Cranaltar Project.
“Your request is out of order,” said Hawks, still reading from his assistant’s clip screen. “The device has not been proven. It is merely a prototype.” He continued to scan the data now appearing on his clip.
The admiral, general and CJO sat, braced on the edge of their seats. Something other than my fate was in play.
The diplomat glanced down at her clip. “That is inaccurate. The Cranaltar III was used in two cases to successfully obtain information from unwilling convicted criminals. The information retrieved was deemed admissible as evidence to be used against those convicted and their accomplices.”
Lawyer Hawks folded his arms. “But, Diplomat Silvre, it severely damaged the subjects’ brains, rendering both virtually brain dead. Only the most basic autonomic functions remained intact.”
“True, Mr. Hawks. However, vital information was obtained. Vital information in this case could also be obtained.”
“What information would that be? Even if Specialist Keesay were by some miracle able to cast minimal doubt on even one of the charges, he would be rendered entirely unable to serve the punishment for his crimes.”
“Your point is?” asked Diplomat Silvre, with eyebrows raised.
Hawks seemed puzzled or distracted by the continued, almost feverish activity of his assistant. Whatever it was, the information wasn’t being transferred to his superior.
Hawks stood, then walked past the military officers and stopped in front of the diplomat. “My point, Diplomat Silvre, is that the accused’s actions have resulted in substantial loss of life, capital, and future profits. Quite substantial in the view of the Capital Galactic Investment Group.”
The diplomat turned her clip over so that Hawks couldn’t view the screen’s contents. “If he is indeed guilty of the crimes suggested, as a relic tech security specialist, the accused would never be able to repay the
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