Private Great Minds Think Alike

[Doctor Afic Otker]

Imperial Space, The Colonies Region, Arkania
Planet Grid Sector 55-324A
Office of Imperial Sciences Planetary Headquarters and Research Complex 11A, Administrative Node
17:28

Lab Practicum​

Doctor Afic Otker kept an even but prompt pace as he navigated higher and higher in the office section of the Imperial complex. His destination required him to reach one of the highest and longest points possible, beating all of the other offices he passed by. Despite the sterile and impersonal nature of Imperial architecture, let alone the interior design of the Empire's chief scientific agency, Otker could still determine the prestige and authority of each office he passed by based on their wall prints and the distance it took to reach them from his own office.

Afic Otker was a fairly senior member himself, but rather than chase ranks, Otker only engaged in politics insofar as it helped to secure funding for his department and support for his vision. As Deputy Senior Science Officer of the Department of Advanced Weapons Research, he was second-in-charge of the entire research department. But you wouldn't think it owing to the scientist's subtle nature and aversion to public appearances. The current arrangement suited him perfectly; he handled the day-to-day operation of the department unimpeded while his direct superior was the face of the research department and even got to take credit for his department's successes in his pursuit to obtain more power. Otker did not care for glory, power, or rank. He instead worshipped science and reason and used both to advance the Empire so that the chaos of the galaxy could be tamed by the order and structure provided by Imperial rule.

However, that changed when Doctor Otker uncharacteristically spoke up at the latest Core Summit of the Ruling Council. Otker had watched zealots argue about theology and Imperials virtue signal over the Death Star, which now officially never existed. When he saw an analytical Imperial finally offer a material solution to the Empire's problems, he couldn't help but contribute to the idea, especially since it aligned clearly with Otker's ambitions.

Otker had received an official missive that he was to report to the Director himself; the tone of the missive betrayed nothing—perfectly sterile and professional, as if the memo had done nothing more than order him to purchase more experimental durasteel. This wall of cold sterility, usually Otker's strength, caused him to start catastrophizing as he walked to the Director's office. As far as Otker knew of the man and his past, the Director was a man of reason and science. But he was also a man of politics, and Otker had spoken out of turn at the core summit when the Director didn't call upon him during discussions. Outshining the master was generally a faux pas in Imperial society and politics.

Otker concluded that the most plausible response was a chewing out laced in the biting vocabulary of Imperial contempt, but he couldn't help but wonder if the punishment would, in fact, be worse than that. Otker couldn't afford any missteps now that his ideas and potential initiative were gaining traction, especially since the Empire had bled so much during the Battle for Atrisia that it was now willing to try new doctrines and ideas.

Regardless of Otker's fears, the Doctor would still maintain the same detached and analytical demeanor once he walked into the Director's office. After all, appearance is reality in the Empire.

"I am here to see Director Reiner Ghadi , my presence was requested. The name is Doctor Afic Otker, Deputy Senior Science Officer of the Department of Advanced Weapons Research."

The scientist held his hands behind his back and patiently waited while the secretary held down a button to inform the Director of the man's presence.
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