~Chapter 1~

A loud slam followed by a cry of "Guilty," echoed down the chambers of the large gold tinted hall.

The floating sensation did not leave his body as he traveled down the hall and into the assumed courtroom. The cylinder shaped room was packed with creatures of all shapes and sizes. Some looked like animals similar to those on his home world. Others were alien to the traditional Order of Classification. All were squeezed tighter together than citizens gathered to catch a glimpse of their king.

"The Ethics Committee finds the defendant, Ahrin-Seru, guilty of malpractice and improper use of the scientific method, as laid out by those who came before us," announced a hooded figure from the edge of its stand.

"Oh what grounds?" asked a female, voice full of rebellion. Her image was blurred by the mass of creatures present for the trial.

"On the grounds that you performed your experiment without Flesh consent. On the grounds that you left your tested subjects in a mental state that was different than when you started the test. On the grounds that you informally initiated these tests without taking into account the uncontrollable variables. And finally, on the grounds that you failed to present this test to The Ethics Committee before testing commenced."

After pushing a couple of strange and alien creatures to the side, she became visible. Her delicate hands were not chained by any means, but her slender body was confined within a waist high wooden jury stand. Below her calm and composed face, he noticed her hands folded across her chest, tense with frustration. "If those Flesh knew what I was testing, the results would have been invalid."

"Never the less," boomed a voice from the stand above. "You have violated the sacred pact between the Hirabe and that of the Flesh." A group of nine figures stood up from their balconies, carved into the walls high above the defendant. He assumed they were The Ethics Committee.

"While we cannot sentence one of our own to death, we can sentence you to the highest degree of banishment. Complete and utter memory loss on a primitive planet. You will starve to death in a Flesh-like state, completely ignorant of what you really are."

The crowd began to murmur at the verdict. Despite the cruelty of decision and the comments of "What a horrible way to die," the female smirked. Without a hint of shame or fear, she looked straight at the head of The Ethics Committee, smile still present upon her lips.

"Your honor."

The conversations in the crowd turned silent as all moved their gaze back to the defendant. He, as well as the other creatures in the room, stared at her in apprehension. With just two words, she was able to capture the attention of everyone in the room. 'What a presence. Just who is this woman?' he though.

The emotion of glee spread over her entire face. "Over my stagnant energy."

The defiance in her face remained present as the outline of her body began to shimmer and fade. An overpowering golden light began to radiate from her place on the stand as she reveled her true self to the court. Those around him shielded their eyes from the piercing glow as she laughed at their distain.

"Don't let her get away!" He heard one of the committee members yell over the noise. "Confine her at all costs!"

"Just try, Mr. Board of Scientific Discovery." An image of her face assaulted his blinded vision. She had no way of showing emotion on her featureless face, yet she still was able to look manically delighted. "Just you try."