The Weight of One Grain

Silence, long and penetrating. It was the benefit of space, it gave plenty of time to think and reflect. Short of the vibrations of the lunar engines, everything on the ship ran quiet. The personal ship of the Anthurium Family had standards to maintain. A clean spacious luxury yacht, bright red and pink standing out garishly in the black velvet of the cosmos. It was in fine company with the barren red planet below.

Had this been a personal trip, something smaller might have been allowed. Servants waited in muted loyalty at the walls of the observation deck. Even they were dressed warmly in reds, though with a little more sense to include black. They couldn’t stand out compared to their masters, but they were employed by one of the five Great Families. It would not do to look under dressed, even as servants. A tiresome presentation that had to be maintained.

The stars were better company right now. But there was no fault to the attendants. They had the obligation to follow me wherever I went, regardless of my wishes. I guess that was my mistake for giving up so much. Perhaps Father wouldn’t dictate so much of my life if I had a different path. But if this was the price I paid, I guess it might be worth it. The minor inconveniences made me think about my choice each time it surfaced.

Though on the subject of inconveniences, I’d never understand why they built the Great Hall around a barren planet rather than our home. It probably made sense to someone at some time, but now it was just an extra effort to be made leaving Erde behind. The Hall was old and traditional, but it wouldn’t have cost that much to build something on Erde and save everyone the trouble. Though I got the feeling that wasn’t on their minds.

A subtle rocking from behind signaled the docking clamps locking. It wouldn’t be long now. I let out a heavy sigh and took in the red planet once more. “Thanks for the company.” This was the easy part. I didn’t look forward to the debate. It was my fault, but it was important. I just wish it wasn’t me having to make the meeting. Father could have come instead. Was he sending me because he wanted me to take responsibility for it? Was he distancing himself from my research? I could see that being the play in his mind. He was probably grateful I didn’t have much status anymore. I wouldn’t be a loss if I embarrassed myself and had to be cut away. It really was just cold logic, family matters.

I squeezed the arm rests before standing. I had no means to flee from them. Meeting with the Great Families wasn’t what I should be doing. Someone else was better suited for this work. I liked being at my desk, it didn’t have any conspiracies or agendas in store for me. They were going to be a trying set of people to deal with.

A black haired maid stepped forward from the line up. Most of them were Father’s, leaving me politely quiet. If I didn’t know their name, it was better to remain silent. “Lady Ameranth. Docking is complete.”

“Yes, thank you.” The line up servants bowed and kept their eyes to the floor as I walked by. I already missed Teren and Rigal, they would actually look at me. But I couldn’t let it bother me. I had a meeting of pompous jewel covered accessories to try to have a meaningful conversation with.

Only two personal servants followed me out of the yacht. I didn’t miss this part when under the Anthurium House. As shadows, they stayed prompted two steps behind and rigidly silent. But I didn’t have the energy for conversation now. It had been too long since I walked the Hall. It brought back childhood anxiety and wonder. I thought they were buried and forgotten memories, but I hadn’t left them deep enough it seemed. My hands squeezed together to keep from shaking too visibly.

Armed guards stood everywhere and numerous security screens forced us to make sure nothing snuck through. The paranoia was certainly something that I was glad to leave to the more hungry members of the family. The worst that they could fear I would be plotting for one of the Families was death by reams of data. They were safe.

It felt like we had spiraled around the entire station before we reached the Meeting Hall. Dressed in gold and exotic metal alloys from the rim, it absorbed all light and turned it into a dancing nebula of colors. It was certainly beautiful, if unnecessary for a place where we’d be sitting and trying to not yell across the floor at each other. Though I was pretty certain everyone would be redirecting it at me tonight. I was about to make myself the most unpopular person in the system.

Stepping through the opening doors, I was greeted with a gust of pressure difference. It was just enough to brush against me. It felt like even the room wanted to reject me, but gave in with reluctance. We were of one mind.

There were several chairs in front of me. Normally, there would be the entire upper leadership of each Family present, but we were not having an official meeting. They didn’t want more than necessary to hear about my research. Were they going to try to bury it all? I was definitely going to be an inconvenience for them.

I took the far left seat looking the least decorated. Though as I sat down, it was already adapting to my figure to perfectly fit. Great, I could be in comfort as I was lashed by four angry Houses. My two servants remained outside under orders. These were very private meetings.

Only the Plumeria and Heliconia Families were present so far. Each balcony of the hall was decorated in the colors of the Family with the center pedestal pure white for the mediator. Tonight would have no such formality. In the Plumeria wing with yellow and light pink I saw a middle-aged man that I knew by face, but not name. They weren’t the head, but an advisor, I believed.

The Lord Plumeria looked dressed for a teaching job rather than a formal meeting. Seeing him looking slightly underdressed made me feel better about the simple red dress I was forced into. I fought for it not to be overtly accessorized. They insisted it was a matter of presentation, but the crimson silk already screamed loud enough. I didn’t need to make the whole room deaf. They were only going to be annoyed with my report, no more offenses needed to be stacked.

Heliconia was where my concerns for tonight lie. Bright orange and large, a man that cared very much about appearance and presentation. Adorned in jewelry collected from the length of the system and a powerful body, he was the might of the Heliconia Family Conglomerate, Hendric. The heir to the family and the current President of the Conglomerate. He was going to be the most trouble I faced and I could already see him glaring at me in silent crossed arms. It looked like he could pop my head in those arms with how tightly he was pulling his arms in.

Our Families weren’t enemies before, but that probably was going to be changing tonight. I just had to keep the damage to a minimum. As long as I could keep doing my research, I’d take being disowned. But maybe I was being optimistic about my chances tonight.

The doors opened to Oncidium and Vanda Families finally arriving to finish the set. Vanda currently ruled with the most influence and would be acting as the meditator for the meeting. They were an old woman that had been managing the Family for more than a hundred years. The Vanda operated in trading operations throughout the system giving them vast pull with anyone that they were dealing with.

While deep rich purple dressed the balcony, she walked in a dark black dress robe the depth of space itself. Even in age, she moved with elegance and carried an aura of dignity. She had refinement and health that anyone wished to possess at such an age. Truly an impressive and unnerving individual.

Oncidium was a young man that I also didn’t know. They didn’t seem to be important by age, but I didn’t attend all of the soirees that my family did. So maybe they were important. His corner of the hall was covered in platinum white and silver. They had a stern and cold look about them. He looked ready to start a board meeting and maybe came from one. Perhaps, he didn’t even want to be here, like me. Though I could feel him staring at me across the room.

It wasn’t my fault. Well, it was because of my team. But it was just what we discovered. We had nothing to do with it happening. It wasn’t my fault.

As the final attendees took their seat the doors behind me locked. The sound of the others locking bounced around the chamber making lean me to one side of the chair. I really could have used someone else to speak for me. This was far too many important figures for my health.

A holo-screen projected down in the middle with the Vanda leader presented. “Thank you for coming on short notice to this private meeting. Lady Ameranth Anthurium as you are the reason this meeting was called. You may introduce the topic.” The old woman managed to carry herself with the same grace as anyone I had heard half her age and still be filled with a frightening pressure leveled in each word.

Promptly, the screen showed me and seeing my anxious self staring at me only made the sweat build faster. Everyone could see each twitch and dart I made. There was too much attention. But the spotlight wasn’t leaving. If I just treated it like a presentation with my colleagues then maybe I could get through this.

I stood up, even if it really didn’t matter. Habit. “I…I, that is my team’s research into the sub species of primate, Igni, that we use as our primary source for the Enzyme 24B may no longer be viable to harvest.” My report was over fifty pages of data and extrapolations, I doubted that they wanted me to read it in its entirety. I was already going to have to defend it. Though I didn’t know how much they had read it before arriving at the meeting.

“Lady Anthurium, you need to properly summarize your report.”

“Yes! Right.” I wasn’t detailed enough for them. They already wanted to tear apart our research. I guess I had to stand in front of the firing line longer. “Our research is exploring the behavioral habits and developmental potential of the Igni. In the course of the study, computational models from my team have presented the possibility of their evolution to a sentient species. Which would violate the ethical harvesting of their blood as mandated by the Five Families since operating on Erde.”

“You are suggesting we return to the stars in search of a new source of blood.”

I shook my head. “I’m merely reporting our findings. It’s not the purpose of my report to dictate a change in policy.”

“I would hope not!” Lord Heliconia’s voice carried deeply almost without the aid of the projection. Even with the support of the screen and him staring straight at me, I could already see his eyes across the hall locked on to me. I didn’t need two sets of his intimidating presence meeting me. “That would see an entire sector of our industry destroyed. To speak nothing of the risk to life. Their blood is required for us to live.”

Heliconia was spread out in many businesses on Erde, but they held the largest Igni farms and was the primary supplier of blood for the planet. They were known more for quantity than quality and saw great success in being an affordable market to the commoners. They still maintained a more prestigious line for nobility, but there were other companies that had far better brands. But it was through that art of refining the highest quality blood that the purpose of my research started to be necessary.

“Lord Heliconia, everyone present knows the importance of the Igni’s blood. You don’t need to restate such facts. This meeting is to determine the veracity of Lady Anthurium’s research and what changes might be needed.”

“Yes, Lady Vanda.”

The defense was welcome. Though I immediately saw her return to me. She wasn’t going to let me free just yet. I had hoped to leave it up to them to have the debate. Having a minimal involvement was my ideal. I hated politics and Family fights even more. Maybe I shouldn’t have been studying the Igni. But I didn’t think it was going to lead to such a disturbing discovery. They just had the greatest cognitive potential of all the primates, it made for an interesting study.

The old woman redirected the focus back to me. “You speak to the possible sentience of the Igni. We searched out numerous species across the galaxy for a suitable animal for our supply. It’s a grave claim to make that you believe that they are sentient.”

I felt the crushing weight of each word she spoke. My chair no longer felt comfortable. “They aren’t sentient right now.”

“Then why the hell are we even having this meeting!”

Mister bulging muscles only got scarier. I gripped the arm rests for support. “They might be in the future.”

“Why are we entertaining a chance? They’re animals, simple as that.”

“Maybe right now, but when do they stop being animals? How much awareness before it’s unethical? What if we cross that line before we realize it?”

“You’re talking in hypotheticals. A future that may or may not happen in centuries or millenia. Evolution is slow. Again, I ask, why are we even here?”

Evolution was such a troublesome matter. I understood his reluctance. But he was only worried about the financial problem that it would cause for him. It would be a massive blow to the Family. To speak, nothing of all the commoners that relied on them for the necessary blood just to survive. If only we didn’t need their blood to live.

I shifted around in my seat trying to find anything that resembled comfort. It wasn’t working. I was too hot. There were too many eyes. “It’s science. We deal in hypotheticals all the time. Little is certain.”

“Then there’s nothing to discuss.”

“But there is. We need to judge when they become sentient.”

He tightened up his muscles more, staring at me. I had sort of forgotten that he was frightening as he dragged me into the theoreticals. I could thank him for that, but he didn’t seem pleased by it. I think he hoped that I would fold. And I didn’t want to be here, but it was also too important to ignore and delay, even if he wished it were. “That’s a matter for scientists and philosophers.” He dismissively waved the topic away.

I was going to reply, but the Lord Oncidium interjected. “And you would leave the fate of your business and finances to the decisions of others, Lord Heliconia?”

I was thankful he said what I would have. Something this important had to come from the Families. It affected everyone. There was no other way he would accept it either if it came down to ending his business. But I hesitated to even offer that. We’d all probably be dead before the possible reality came forth. Unless we determined different criteria for the Igni.

The young Lord provided enough of a corner for Heliconia to accept the continuing of the meeting. He didn’t give a direct answer, only a begrudging nod and relaxed slightly in his seat. At least, I thought he did. All that muscle and tension made it hard to tell.

Vanda pointed to me again. “Lady Anthurium by what measures are you finding the Igni more of a potential than the rest of their kin?”

Leaving the data we collected out of the topic, I turned to our method. “We run cognitive tests and experiments for their capacity to learn and grow. Based on records from our arrival on Erde a thousand years ago, there is a clear marked change in the species generation to generation. They are advancing faster than natural evolution would dictate.”

“Lady Anthurium,” said Oncidium, “Are you suggesting our interference has caused this?”

“That does seem to be the case. It is all speculative models, but I believe our domestication of the Igni has encouraged their development.”

“Then would the advice be to release them or change our treatment of the Igni?” I didn’t like the suggestion he was making in his tone. We already herded the Igni in vast farms for harvesting. It felt quite inhumane at times what was done for the sake of our need to live. I didn’t want to imagine how we could make it worse.

Everyone else remained less than moved. Could they possibly be considering that as an option? “I don’t know what impact that might have. We would still have to harvest blood making the process more difficult. And possibly induce more trauma to them.”

“Then what would you offer?”

“Is the right course to stunt their evolution for our sake?”

“Lady Anthurium, their blood is our survival. Ethically questionable as the thought might be, the alternatives would be far worse if your models prove to be true. Which is the more unethical course, preventing their development or feeding on a sentient lifeform? Seeking out another rare animal would leave our species on the brink of extinction.”

We had searched the galaxy just to find Erde. There was a statistical chance we could find another compatible species that we could use to feed on. But the time needed to find them couldn’t be calculated. We hadn’t pushed into deep stellar travel since settling on Erde. The need of the Igni made that a logistical difficulty. We would have to take them with us where we went and there was no telling how they would fare removed from their habitat.

He was right that searching wasn’t going to be an option that the Families would pick. It would be a last resort. The galaxy was vast and we could find another animal like the Igni out there or we could not. I could be suggesting us upend our entire society. But that would be something the whole of the Five Families would have to decide.

I really didn’t want to entertain such a thought experiment, but procedurally it was fair. There were some possibilities that I considered and his offering wasn’t one of them. This was the value of having different minds. Ideas that I never would have purposed. “Following the proposal for a theoretical exploration, engineering a means to stunt their evolutionary development is a field of research we have never ventured into. Knowing what the results would be or even predicting them, will be difficult.”

“We already selectively breed animals and crops to have stronger traits or more docile ones as our needs arise. It would be the same with the Igni. It would be more targeted to those with poor cognitive and learning skills to breed out those traits and retain their non-sentient status.”

Part of me wanted to reply immediately and another held silent. The thought of it just made me churn my lunch in my stomach. And worst was that the scientist inside me agreed. We selectively bred many things to promote desired traits. It wouldn’t be that different. And yet it still was intentionally preventing a species from achieving its potential for our sake. Was that even right? Why was I even considering it? Our survival was on the line, was that it? Was that the limit of my morals?

Around the room, the rest of the Families had mixed reactions to the suggestion. This was the first real offering of a solution. The old lady from Vanda kept stoic with no reaction. She had to be completely frigid to not even think there was something wrong with his suggestion. On the other side, Heliconia looked to be almost grinning or smirking, it was hard to tell with the roughness of his features. The idea would only change how they bred the Igni and manage the farms, the cost would likely be minimal. And it would be on the scientists to find means of identifying the traits or testing to be able to give them the results they needed. It would still be a large monetary investment, but he didn’t seem to mind it. I didn’t seem to be alone with Lord Plumeria, he did his best to hide it with a hand over his mouth, but there was a clear disgust with the notion. But with possibly three in favor, it might pass.

In the end, I had to respond. It was hardly my area of expertise. We would need to hire specialists to determine the viability of such an option. “It would mean making universal changes to all farms regardless of how they’re treated. And it would have to mean the extermination of all Igni that don’t meet the new standard. And what of those that still remain free. The majority are domesticated and live in farms, but there are still some in isolated pockets of the Erde. Do we hunt them down to prevent them from eventually becoming a different evolutionary track? Would they be considered a different sub-species now unique from the selectively bred one?” The words were like lead on my tongue. That I had to even say it.

“For the few variables it presents, it allows for the preservation of society as it stands. A matter that is of primary concern for us.” His words and look felt like they were trying to tell me to shut up. And I understood his view and the Families. It was why we were gathered. But to entertain such an option shouldn’t be our first choice.

While I was considering my rebuttal, Vanda stepped in again with sharp clarity. She was practiced in this handling of rotating subjects. “Taking it as the second proposal, what more suggestions do you have to offer?”

“Lady Venda!”

“Yes, Lord Heliconia.”

“Have we moved to accept the report to be true? By Lady Anthurium’s own admissions, it is an estimation. Should we truly be changing course on a chance? It could be a millenia before it’s even a concern.”

“The suggestion of feeding on a sentient lifeform is risk enough to have a dialogue.”

“They’re primates. They are no more capable than canines.”

I couldn’t listen to him comparing them to pets and hunting animals. “Lord Heliconia, primates are far more sophisticated than canines. They can be taught complex actions and act with reason. Our study has been continuing for ten years.” Watching them, it felt like they only needed a few changes to happen for everything about them to alter. And yet all he could think about was his business. The longer that they were just animals, the better it was for him.

“Lady Anthurium,” Plumeria began to join the meeting, “The Igni are the only species we’ve found with Enzyme 24B in sufficient quantities to make it a practical source for harvest. Are there other species that are close that could be modified to become a suitable replacement?”

We had been seeking alternatives for centuries. It wasn’t a priority for most, but Igni were large animals for what we needed and there was always the worry of disease or some unknown disaster killing them. Unlike any other food, a simple replacement wasn’t readily available. As Lord Plumeria said, the enzyme existed in other animals, but it was too low to be effective. Harvesting entire regions would be required just for a small settlement.

As our one weakness, it was a concern for many pragmatic groups that wanted to prepare for worst case scenarios. “At least on Erde, nothing else has been found to be even remotely comparable. The Igni are a unique anomaly amongst primates.”

“And what would it take to complete the research on artificially producing the Enzyme?” That was an even more fruitless endeavour thus far. Though being different fields of research and science, I couldn’t be an expert on it. But I was aware of its development among my peers.

It was the great hope of our people to no longer be shackled to a single source. We were stuck to the single star system unless we wanted to transplant the Igni to new worlds. The logistics started to become complicated with our empire. “Its not my field, I can’t speak with accuracy, but it is nowhere close to being viable. If we made it a priority, it is reasonable to believe time and money would make it possible. But we would need to make changes.”

“This meeting sounds like the place to be making those changes.”

Heliconia took the screen once more. “Lord Prulemia, I should caution you that Lady Anthurium’s optimism isn’t widely shared by the scientists. It is equally believed to be an impossible feat. It has been work that has been studied for more than a century already with no progress.” I probably shouldn’t be surprised he had familiarity with the development.

I wanted to interject, but held back. He already was likely making plans. ‘I’m sorry father. I don’t think my work can be isolated.’ Heliconia would be coming for our Family most likely. And he would doing anything to keep his business. The enzyme research was reportedly being stalled by efforts from the Heliconia Family. It would negatively impact their business. It was in their favor if it was never made. I wonder if he even truly believed that the Igni were impossible to develop sentience or if money was making him ignore everything rational.

He stared back at me after finishing with Plumeria. Open conflict between the Great Families hadn’t occurred in more than two hundred years. The Great Hall construction that came after the end of the war saw to the cooling of conflicts. Though violence wasn’t the only means to fight. It only became more subtle. But with how much intensity I felt from him, I worried greatly that the cold war between the Families was about to melt.

A knocking of wood came from Vanda’s side as she pulled attention back, not giving into the rising tensions. For a relief, Heliconia was not attacking anyone. Being a pile of muscle, he seemed intelligent. I guess the man was a business professional, knowing how to be tactful was a skill. I doubted he sought to make enemies with everyone.

“We will not ignore any proposals at this point. Nothing decided from this meeting will become law. The financial, societal and governmental impacts will be reviewed before putting any proposal into action. We may need to meet again if it is deemed impractical.”

“Yes, Lady Vanda.”

“Now, with the three offers presented thus far. Are there any more you wish to bring forth before we put it to a vote.” She turned slightly to direct her attention to Lord Heliconia. “The report of the Igni’s potential sentience was brought forth today because it was deemed proven enough to be debated. That being said, it is understood science is not perfect. It will continue to be heavily scrutinized even after a verdict is made today. Should new evidence come forth counter the data we will re-evaluate any decisions mean. That being said, our timelines are very long. We have time, but if it is true, then we need to begin making a new plan. Understood?”

“Yes, Lady Vanda,” we said together. The agreement didn’t sound as genuine as I would have liked. Most sounded like a school child being disciplined rather than true acceptance. While Plumeria and Oncidium offered solutions, I didn’t know if they accepted our findings. They could be siding with Heliconia.

How many enemies had I made tonight? This was why I didn’t want to come. I didn’t want to be a sacrifice. But I hated even more if I caused it to return to the Family. What could I do? I couldn’t retract my statement. It was already out. That couldn’t be undone. And I didn’t want to leave this burden to future generations when we could have worked on a different path. If we left it to the future, would we accept violating our taboo for our survival? I understood what death would make someone do. We hadn’t been tested in such a manner for so long.

What should I do? If I voted for Lord Oncidium’s proposal I might be able to spare my family backlash. It disgusted me to even think about it. What could I do? Where was my responsibility, to science, to my family? My back felt far heavier than I had known it to be. The chair had ceased being comfortable ages ago and now it became a sore that jabbed in my backside. I wished to leave. Abstaining wouldn’t even be allowed. Vanda wanted a vote. I would likely be the deciding voice.

I was going to be sick.

Family or science. I stared out into the center trying not to look at Heliconia. Lady Vanda started calling for a vote on the proposals. There was no stalling I could make. But I wasn’t ready. My word would alter the fate of the Igni. I just wanted to save them. They were becoming unique, special. We needed to respect that. The chair was sticking to me as my body heated up.

Vanda called to me. “Lady Anthurium, how do you vote?”