The Experiment

[caylith]

She had been flying her Chimaera more and more lately. She found it odd that she was given such an armored ship. She did have to travel far for her research but a Chimaera? She had never once been engaged by the Dragons or the GC. Maybe it was because of Jen, her friend from school who had run off to join the GC. They hadn't talked in many, many years but maybe that was the reason for her peaceful excursions. But no matter, this week was an expedition to Hokkaido. She needed to stop thinking so much and just do her job.

Her given name was Merideth Harolds. She was born on Manhattan to two of Liberty's top scientists. There seemed only one path for her to take. She studied at Cambridge and eventually chose to major in Psychobiology; the study of all life forms, not just humans. Merideth found herself to be in high demand, what with all the new life froms being discovered (or created) each day and the even more amazing ability to communicate with them. She was able to relate to these creatures more so than her fellow humans. You see, Merideth was somewhat of a recluse and despised her peers, not only for their substandard mental processes but because she really didn't like people.

Despite her volatile personality, she eventually landed a job working for the Kusari government and quickly rose to the top of their Research and Development department. Her colleagues called her Ember behind her back. They felt as though they had to walk on eggshells, afraid something might spark her rage and life in the laboratory would be hell for days. Eventually, after years of interacting with her, they began to call her Ember to her face and the name stuck.

Lately, Ember found it harder and harder to come into the lab each day. This project was not supposed to be her life's work. It was a temporary project that turned into this fiasco. It went against everything she believed in; the 'nature vs. nurture' theory, reinforcement and rewards. This was not what she had signed on for so many years ago. Study, yes. Manipulation, no.

Ember was tired, physically, emotionally and mentally. She looked to her nav map and realized she had drifted within 4 clicks of Ainu depot. How could she have been so careless? Maybe if she mentioned Jen's name over her comm channel she would be okay. Or she could try to dock, she did need a drink and it would be nice to talk with Jen about this mess.

She requested to dock, one hand on the throttle and one hand on the autopilot. Might as well be ready for either answer, she thought. Much to her surprise she was given permission to dock. She let out her breath, sat back, engaged autopilot and thought about how she would broach this subject to someone she hadn't seen in lord knows how many years.

(Note: Psychobiology, also called biopsychology, is the scientific study of mental functioning and behavior in relation to other biological processes, or put another way, of the effects of cognition, emotions, and experience on animal physiology.)