Challenge #00109: Science Project

Parent: [Character name]? How much uranium is in the house…?

Child: [after much dancing about about whether it’s uranium at all, and if so, how much] Okay, a lot…

“Jachyx…” came the warning call of Parental Prime. “How much uranium is in the house?”

Jachyx hid her work and emerged from her private space. “Who says I have any uranium?”

“Security detected fissionable material, grubling.”

Gah. She hated it when the Parentals called her ‘grubling’. “I’m past my pupal stage, Pripa… You don’t have to call me 'grubling’ any more.”

“Is. There. Uranium. In. The house?”

“Did they say it was uranium?”

“Yes. They did. They gave a precise location. Which is almost exactly where your privacy chamber is.”

“You know those loc-traces are kinda… unreliable, don’t you?”

“That’s why I ran a scan,” said Pripa. “I have trace going in and out of your privacy chamber.”

“Trace isn’t proof. I coulda walked in some or–”

Pripa held up a claw. “Not on this station. There are strict regulations and permits regarding fissionables. You know how the squishy-ones object.”

“And you’re certain it’s uranium.”

“Uranium 238. Now. How much?”

“Pri-paaaaaa….”

“Answer the question, Jachyx.”

“Just enough for my science project, I swear! It’s no big deal, I have it shielded and everything. It’s not like I’m making it blow up or melt down…”

“How. Much.”

“Um.” Jachyx rubbed her own claws up and down her carapace. “Lots?”

[Muse food remaining: 10. Submit a prompt! Ask a question!]