Inoadar looked over at Verin, holding the eye dropper, and instructed him to apply the enzyme to only one of each sample. He was tempted to start mixing enzymes, but such grasping was counter-productive. If something didn't work, you went to back the most recent step that did, not go on further with guesswork. But as every application failed, in every instance where it should have worked, it was getting to harder to find such a "recent step", regarding the paste. The more they wasted samples trying to find a test that broke the pattern of obstacles they were encountering, the more frustrated they both became. Inoadar found himself agreeing completely with Verin's assessment. How could anything natural be so completely immune to the effects of these compounds? The fish were natural, purchased right here in town, yet this ridiculous paste, also provided right here in town, defied chemical reaction! A thought struck him suddenly. It would be somewhat painful to test, but that concern was for the lesser-devoted to worry about. He'd used an enzyme that was LIKE acid, in that it broke down the structural adherence of the fish flesh, without burning it. But it was NOT acid in truth. He went to a shelf and got a vial of genuine acid. He squeezed the eye dropper and pulled a bit of the fluid into the tube. he dripped a drop on the fish and the paste. This seemed somewhat redundant as the effects were exactly as predicted. the fish flesh burned and bubbled, but the paste did nothing. "So, I wonder just how, exactly, anyone is to get any benefit from this..."supplement"...if acid does not break it down? How is it to be digested?" His question was entirely rhetorical as his tone and gestures were like a professor at the IHL, addressing a class of students. He swept these samples aside, with some measure of disdain, and rose from the worktable to get a different sample of acid. This was actual, organic stomach acid. He gave Verin a look that said 'Watch this.' and dripped a drop on the paste. It immediately began to dissolve. He did not bother dripping any on the fish flesh, he knew the reaction would be the same. Now he touched his finger to the spot where he'd dripped the acid. He made a face and pulled his hand away sharply, the tip of his finger lightly blistered. He returned the remaining acid to the vial, stoppering it tightly and turned with a look that combined triumph and perplexity. This was significant, but he was not sure how. He turned again to Verin, "Well now, if anything, this is even MORE astounding! This paste actually has some "selective reactivity" capability." He was now pacing furiously, his chin cupped in his hand, the elbow supported by his other hand, mumbling to himself. "...So it refuses to react to laboratory acid, yet yields to stomach acid, allowing us to digest it..." "I would be worried that this is some hostile development, sneaked in by our enemies, except that no one has suffered any ill effects. All indications are that this is made right here, and at no significant cost. What is there that we have plenty of, with easy access to, right here, that can be used to make paste, and also has special properties to it?" Again, his questions were directed at himself, but he had no answer. It taunted him though. He was sure the answer was so simple he'd curse his stupidity when he finally arrived at it. "Master?" it was Burke's voice, returning from the front room. It carried a note of concern. "Did you MEAN to leave this sample so close to the heat? It is all dried out." He pointed to a dish that Inoadar had shoved aside in earlier frustration. Even though he was still frustrated, he was now also intrigued. It was no longer a case of something simply not working. It was now a mysterious case of it working under certain undefinable circumstances. He looked at the sample Burke was indicating. It was now a hard lump. It was no different that before, except for the lack of water. He went back to his exasperated musing. |