THE YEAR 37C45 M.Q., IN A UNIVERSE FAR, FAR AWAY
Negative matter
"Behaving strangely, Zhertum Vrenkil is," pondered lead scientist Dr. Daru, watching from the secluded upper level of InterGalactica Headquarters as the man himself peered furtively over hunched shoulders, one way then the next, before rounding the corner and disappearing from view.
"Yes, very strange indeed," agreed Zhertum Ina, one of the few females to receive the designation. "His actions of late have been extremely peculiar. Very withdrawn, refusing to make eye contact. You don't suppose..."
Dr. Daru wiped his glasses on his bright white lab coat. "Suppose what?"
"Erm...you don't suppose that someone from...from the Grifus is trying to proselytize him? Just last week, we lost Sukima to that evil organization, and"—Ina gave a mournful sigh—"poor Zhertiko Joberi a month prior to that."
"That may be an unfortunate possibility. Only one way to tell." Dr. Daru placed his glasses on the bridge of his nose and stroked his stark white beard thoughtfully. "It was formerly thought to be simply a guilty and suspicious conscience manifesting itself, but after comprehensive behavioral analysis, my colleagues have determined those particular actions were most likely for one reason and one reason alone."
"And that reason would be..." Ina's voice trailed off.
"The proof is in the eyes."
"The eyes? Doctor, what—?"
He swiftly turned and stared down intensely into Ina's own confused blue orbs. "You mustn't repeat a word of this, Ina. Do you swear by the Goddess?"
"With my sword and my life," came her bewildered reply.
There was a pregnant pause before Dr. Daru spoke in a hushed voice. "Undercover operations retrieved Joberi two days ago and are now in the process—"
"What?!" Ina hissed.
"Sshhhhhhh! Quiet! This is classified information and you are not meant to know anything about it! I tell you only because I know Joberi is—was—your commanding officer. At any rate, the process the Grifus puts their initiates through causes their eye color to change. Joberi's medical records indicate he had green eyes."
Ina's petite frame staggered as she fell back onto a nearby bench, futilely brushing escaped black wisps back into her utilitarian bun. "Yes...a-a mossy green. He's shown me holopics, and his entire family—may the Goddess rest their souls—had that exact shade."
"Well," he informed her, "they are no longer green, but pure black. Apparently, black streaks appear within ten days, and continued indoctrination turns the entire eye, sclera and all, completely black within thirty days, hence their action of avoiding eye contact. Tests and experiments have been run in the hopes of reversing the effects, but none have been one hundred percent successful. Joberi has become increasingly combative and mindlessly aggressive—most likely withdrawal symptoms—but efforts with him have been in vain."
"Is there nothing to be done?" she cried.
