The Unchaste

Coquettish Liberties

"Burn all the essays and research papers, not a slip should be spared. The bodies used are to be cleansed and returned to the respective graves. Cremate those retrieved unidentified from mortuaries and Cliffside. The engines and the appliances are to be disintegrated; the parts must be sold lose at the lowest price practicable."

"Aye, Your Grace."

Lord Richard studied at the last sheet of the operation's listing and frowned up at Norris. "How much formalin do we encompass, Norris?"

"For about 300 liters, Sir_ the whole reserve combined."

"Then, no." Lord Richard shook his head. "Draining that enormity will be unacceptable waste, not to mention, a noticeable manifestation too. Seal the vats and remit them to the local medical colleges, or the sanatoriums or private practices, I do not care. That would be for you to decide. A token of Goodwill to the medical research bodies."

Norris nodded. "Indeed, your Grace."

"Have the doctors departed already?"

"No, Sir." Norris gestured towards the door. "They await your convocation."

Lord Richard left his chair, standing straight as he buttoned up his blazer. Delilah, silently as she could, followed his example in the corner of the room. "Then, pray, show them in."

Norris obeyed, and went out of the door_ only for a team of five conciliatory-looking gentlemen enter the room. Lord Richard was courteous in their reception, shaking firm hands with each of them and even the last one_ who seemed but a boy straight out of his graduation end.

"And allow me the privilege to introduce to you, Doctors_ Miss Delilah Eves, an old acquaintance and a relatively newer ally."

His address took her by surprise, and all the faces she had been studying in secret now studied her back in blatant acknowledgement. That he introduced her to those important personas with such earnest words was a source a great bedraggling surprise for Delilah.

And while still fraught in her surprise, ready to dip in curtsey_ Delilah was yet more stunned when the youngest intern extended his hand to her_ not to be kissed_ to be shaken. She did as was expected but did not extent the ordeal by saying anything. The moment she had shaken all hands and smiled at them all, she quietly recessed back to her corner of the room.

The Lord and the doctors then collapsed into a small exchange that Delilah did and did not understand all the same. It, in fact, incorporated the failed experiments_ she comprehended, but what of it exactly, Delilah couldn't say.

"It was the neurons, I suppose." One of the medics reasoned. "It is just about impossible to cite them back into action once they have crashed."

"We did detect brain waves at times." Another doctor argued. "Relevant ones."

"That could have been remnant electricity."

"It could have been anything, Doctors, it doesn't matter anymore." Lord Richard interposed and all fell silent. "It could be the neural failure, the cardiac dysfunction, or the renal collapse. It could have been somatic rebuttal or just us, over-assuming our capabilities. We have failed in total and I think that is all there is to know. Do I sound unconstructive? Does my forfeit puts you off? I understand if it does. I know you resent such easy resignation when there is always a hope for another singularity in future. But I am afraid so much is all I had in me. It is better to concede defeat now, than for me to corrupt my ambitions and direct it into an out-of-turn madness. I think it is time I put more effort loving those I have been gifted, than giving them up for something I clearly cannot have. I send your ways the most buoyant chances for accomplishments, for myself_ I shall hereon keep my peace. A dukedom will suffice for me, I suppose. Godspeed, doctors!"