Personal Journal: B11735 Position: Dean of Xeno Science Standard Date: 22.45.612
What has happened? Why is it happening? To the Queen, I am sorry. Even I, Dean of Xeno Science, have started putting questions in my reports. I have to blame the new Human Professor Matthew McTavish and the new science subject of Philosophy. After the first class that I had reported on there were numerous reports from other professors of their students asking questions in class. I attended another class and the Military Technical Science professor from the Feran Empire insisted on seeing what was causing the disturbances in his classes. All I could confess was that he should come with me to witness what I was witnessing or feeling as I am not sure what is going on. Dear mother Queen, what is happening to my mind?
As I and the Feran Profesor Catin Pressor entered the class of our Mad human (as he was becoming to be known by the staff), the class had started to fill up with a few students missing-having dropped the class due to political or mental stresses the class had caused. With a few gone, there were several advanced students taking their places; even the head of security had taken up a spot in the corner.
While the security officer was likely there to make sure there are no issues with propaganda, they seemed more like a student at times. As I looked over at him, I noticed that their offspring were sitting next to each other. Whilst very uncommon, staff of all types were allowed to attend class. The security officer named Pod took the post as a form of education to help his children get into the school. This was common for a species that did not have the political influence nor the credits but rarely did the students do well in the environment nor did their guardians have the ability to understand the information.
As Human Professor Matthew McTavish entered the room, he seemed to be observing every person in the seats and us standing in the back, focused on all of the many different Xenos and not necessarily on any of us. Do I need to inquire if our human is defective? He then broke out with a large, “Good day, I am so glad that you all have made it today. I know several of you may be in some trouble for attending. So I am turning off all transponders in the room to ensure that your attendance will be kept hidden.” Pod looked very worried, was he thinking that this may be a form of manipulation of our students? Being Nozam they could communicate through spectrums that could not be seen by most. His son flashed a signal to his father something along the ideas of stay and watch.
“Last time we had a discussion on Socrates' story of the cave; today we will introduce his method of asking questions. While this will not seem like normal science classes, this will have a great effect on your other classes and will allow you to develop your final project.” He stated it as simple fact, as sure as him standing. “Now this will be scary, as it scared me when I was in school and is very scary for many in my species today. Who is the bravest among you? Who is willing to stand next to me?”
The class went silent; you can smell the fear-based pheromones fill the room. What horrible weapon was he teaching our students to operate? Would this be a fight to the death? Only Military Science students were allowed to dissect and function check others and equipment. From my right, Professor Caitin stepped forward and bellowed from their mandibles, “Do you plan to undermine my department? All military technology is under my charge!”
With a small grin, McTavish bowed and spoke in a low but unnerving voice, “This is not really a military technology but a way to understand yourself and to see if you can understand your technology. Would you care to come and show our students your bravery?” I had to give it to the human, he understands cultures very well or at least the Feran's. As both a Feran and Millitary Proffessor, the soft use of words only placed them as the one needing to prove themselves. As they moved forward with thunderous steps that rang true of military training, they found themselves two heads taller than the human.
The Mad Human did not show fear but only the grace seen in an aristocrat as he spoke, “Thank You for helping us through our learning journey so we may be educated." Caitin seemed to like how they were given a spot of honor. “Please introduce yourself, for the few of us that are ignorant to your contributions and name.” He said as he slowly walked to the other side of the teaching area, where his blasted board was positioned with that barely noticeable smile.
Caitin stood as if a parade was in their honor, “ I am Professor Caitin Pressor of the Feron Empire, I was put at this post by the Council and the Queen herself for my ability to remember all the weapons in the spiral.”
McTavish bowed again, “Thank you, but I have the question, what is the best weapon in the empire, please?”
The Feron without hesitating, “The planet eater.”
Matthew looked concerned then spoke again, “What does it do?”
Pressor seemed to laugh, “ It completely destroys worlds of course.”
The mad human had the look of a predator who had its prey in its claws, “So how does it destroy a whole planet?” He smirked.
The Feron looked annoyed, “It superheats the core of a planet till it pops like Valtuk when left under a red sun. I came here to learn your new science, not teach mine.”
That last statement did make the Valtuks seem disturbed by the statement and Matthew seemed to understand their fear. “ I am sorry, the lesson will come to fruition soon. So my understanding is that there are still chunks of the planet floating about?”
Caitin spoke quickly, “Yes, of course.”
McTavish looked around and noticed two students changed their bodies in their seats. He then pulled out that soft-formed rock called chalk and made two marks. He spoke clearly as if almost to be singing, “I know two of you have started to see what has happened and I ask you to wait. As soon as the lesson is understood, practice will be applied on each other and those who are still confused will be allowed to practice on me tonight at dinner in the designated eating area.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
As I saw this happen I was confused, are the students going to kill each other? Is the Mad human going to let students kill him? I smelled the fear that pushed into the minds of the students, all except for the two that gave something away. Then out of the corner of my 2nd left eye, I saw what can only be explained as excitement, joy from Pod. This did not escape our resident mad-man as he pulled out a separate color of chalk and made a different line away from the others.
Then he spoke faster than before, not so fast to be hard to understand but with purpose. “So it is the best weapon?”
“Yes.” Caitin replied.
“It destroys the planet?” McTavish pressed.
“Yes.” Caitin answered.
“Does it allow you to use the resources of the planet afterward?” McTavish solicited.
“Well no.” Caitin acknowledged.
“So for taking the planet for its flora does it work?” Matthew asked as he walked towards them.
“Well no, I guess.” Caitin now looked to be hunted by the human.
“Can matter be destroyed?” McTavish queried as he looked at the students.
“No, I don't think that is possible.” Caitin seemed confused by the series of questions.
“So, is the culture of the world destroyed?” Matthew took a stride closer to the Millitary Professor, never letting his eyes leave the class.
“Yes, there would be no survivors.” Caitin retorted with a slightly pompous attitude.
“What about those off-world, do they still remember?” At this, the human seemed to bring his shoulders square to the much larger Feron.
“Well, yes, it does not remove the memory. What is this about?” Pressor asked, seemingly agitated by the series of nothing-questions.
“Just a moment, you are an expert?” McTavish inquired as he deftly avoided the question.
“Yes, one of the best.” Caitin stated.
“The Feron Empire is the greatest Military force?” McTavish continued.
“Yes, we can destroy any planet we choose.” Caitin spoke with pride.
“Why?” McTavish said as he started wandering around.
“Why? We can because we have been. We destroyed at ease for eons?” Caitin said, beginning to question a statement they made.
“Why?” McTavish pushed further as he seemingly prepped for battle
“Again this unusual question! I do not understand!” Caitin exclaimed, drawing a deep breath to steady themselves.
“Why?” McTavish asked, only to seem more relaxed.
“Fine, The Empire is eternal and will always be!” Caitin cried out, tiring of the onslaught.
“Why?” McTavish smiled that devilish smile. “Wait, do not answer. There is no need.” He said sharply as my baser instincts screamed internally for me to run, but I would not fold. The tone was as calm as a storm before it would strike the land on my home planet. “Thank you, you may go back to your area. This next part may cause embarrassment, but you have been amazing in our learning process.” He said almost as if consoling a child. The Military professor seemed confused and tired as they sauntered back to me.
“Okay, we heard from our esteemed, brave volunteer that has helped us all learn and shown us the truth. Never forget that the brave Professor was speaking his own truth and has given a great gift.” As the praise flowed out you could feel the confusion in the class. Matthew McTavish walked over to his board.
“So the Planet Eater is the best weapon in the Empire. It destroys a planet.” looking intently at every single person in the room. “This seems to be very much true as I could not have had a better expert in the field of…Military Science… Sorry, still a new term to me. If one wanted to take a planet over let's say subjugation of its people, it would fail as it would kill those it was meant to subjugate. So a less devastating weapon would be better or another method.” He turned to look at the students, and his hand started more of those damn lines. “Also if the parts of the planet are still there and the maps say it is there, it is still there. Remember, its shape has only been changed as the matter was not destroyed.” A few more students seemed to move, a few more ticks on the board.
I could feel the rage developing from Professor Caitin Pressor building next to me as I began to realize what was happening. The Mad Human spoke again, “SO one question for all of you to think about and will be part of your project for the term. If we all know something, is it true and can it be destroyed? The planet that we talked about is now all in your minds and if all of you remember it, does it still exist?” More ticks on the board. “Now back to the statement, is the planet destroyer the most effective weapon in the Feron Empire? Now you will build a statement that you are sure of, then you will ask a fellow student to do the same to you. This is called the Socratic method. It is to find the flaws in your own thinking by being open to answering questions. I will email directions to you.”
The class was shocked. Several of the students and staff were not sure if they had just seen heresy, though they left without incident as they filed out. Pod seemed to come to talk to Professor McTavish, at first I thought Pod was going to arrest him for slander or causing rioting acts. Then Pod smiled or their version of it, a glowing warm color. They then walked over to their child and left. As I and Caitin stood in the back, Professor Matthew McTavish walked right up to us.
“Professor Caitin Pressor of the Feron Empire, I am humbled by you and your willingness to face this situation. Let me introduce you by my former military title, I am Sergeant Matthew Patrick McTavish of the Earth Expedition Marines, retired of course and I thank you for helping me find a perfect subject for the students to learn. As is the custom in my line of work I would love to buy you some drinks and look forward to sharing stories of lives gone past.”
I will have to admit that Professor Caitin seemed to take it in a good gesture. While still angry about being made a fool, they seemed to now recognize a former warrior.
As the Dean of this Mad Human, I must recognize that he seems to have a high level of engagement with the students and seems to care for them more than most. I have sent an inquiry to ensure that this is not a spy in our midst or a usurper, but it's odd that a human warrior would be a teacher. Much more information is needed on human culture, as I understood: educators could come from anywhere but this Mad Human seems to be of two caste systems.
How is this capable? What is his goal? Why do they refer questions to science? Why am I filled with questions? I am supposed to make sure they are to be taught how to do science, to ensure our machines and relics continue properly but now I have students asking questions of why something is and questioning others. I fear that I may need to get the Xeno-biologist to see if this “Why” is an infection that can be cured. Why do I stay up past the sleep cycle wondering Why?
Dean of Xeno Science
End of Report