Botanicaust

through proper channels, you helped him escape. ”
    “ I have attempted to avert the euthanization of prisoners before without success. Because of the unique nature of this subject, I could not risk failure. I felt the need to make a physical protest of the Protectorate policy of euthanization. ” This was part of the plan she and Mo had worked out last night. If freeing Levi was a conscious protest rather than an act of passion, there might be a chance she could avert the reversion charges. And hopefully change conversion policy.
    Vitus sputtered. “ If Dr. Macoby truly intended her actions to be a political statement, she would have returned home after releasing the prisoner. ”
    Dr. Rice chimed in from the vid speakers. “ When Dr. Macoby arrived at our doors, she did not request we contact the Protectorate. In fact, she asked us not to, which made her a reversion by your own definition, and ineligible for Protectorate amnesty. I again request extradition on charges of murder. ”
    The gallery buzzed in anger.
    “ Dr. Dedecus, Dr. Rice, please. ” Councilman Roben hushed the room with his gavel. “ You will get a turn for your request. ”
    Tula drew steady breaths to calm herself. “ I would like to address the Fosselite charges of murder at this time, if I may. ” Without waiting for permission, Tula continued. “ While I was inside the Fosselite compound, I discovered several Haldanians who had been condemned as reversions and sentenced to euthanization. Only they were never given the “ peaceful ” death our Conversion Department promised. They were traded as experimental longevity subjects. Fosselites are harvesting them for drugs, torturing them with excessive doses of ultraviolet radiation prior to chemical extraction. They attempted to do the same to me. ”
    More noise among the gallery, and several people had to be subdued by Enforcers.
    Vitus rose from his seat. “ I protest! This weed — this woman is obviously a reversion. She is subverting this trial from the matter at hand. ”
    “ We have a contract with your thumb print and a retinal scan agreeing to experimentation, Dr. Macoby. ” Dr. Rice ’ s voice was deceptively calm over the speakers.
    “ And what about the other “ test ” subjects? There is a child convert at the Holdout. Eily. She was a twin supposedly euthanized on Dr. Dedecus ’ s orders six months ago. You ’ ll find her match in the DNA records. ”
    “ Lies! Can ’ t you see she set this all up? ” Vitus blustered, fine beads of sweat breaking out over his chlorotic skin. “ This weed had access to euthanization records. She ran to the Fosselites, knowing she would soon be discovered. But they saw through your deceitful nature. ”
    “ The red of your eyes, Dr. Dedecus, reminds me of my time with the Fosselites. Did you know Dr. Kaneka told me your T-cells had become non-selective? That your ripening was accelerating in spite of your treatments? ”
    “ My affliction is none of your concern. I was born with it, as my documentation will attest. ”
    “ Will your documentation also detail the special treatments you ’ ve been receiving? Perhaps we ought to take blood samples to look for foreign genetics. ”
    “ I don ’ t have to stand for this. ” He wobbled and settled ungracefully back into his seat.
    “ Dr. Kaneka told me about your “ deal ” — as he strapped me to a table and inserted experimental fungi into my bloodstream. I always wondered why someone who hates converts would work in the Conversion Department. Now, I know it ’ s so you have access to test subjects. ”
    Councilwoman Arnica tapped her stylus against a gamma pad on the table. “ Dr. Dedecus, I sympathize with your condition. But these are serious charges. ”
    “ You ’ re going to let that weed invade my privacy? Dr. Rice, tell them how ludicrous all this is. ”
    “ I warned you about allowing her to give testimony, Vitus. ” Dr. Rice ’ s eyes settled on Tula. “ We will offer fourteen units of telomerase if you hand her over to us now. ”
    The gallery exploded with outcries.
    “ Order! Order! ” Councilman Roben ’ s gavel cracked uselessly against the table.
    Vitus ’ s outrage echoed through the crowd. “ I am a citizen! A natural born Haldanian! That weed is lying! She ’ s obviously reverted. Why didn ’ t she come back to the Protectorate after releasing the prisoner? Ask her that! ”
    Several Board members argued with each other, while Dr. Rice