{"id":575,"date":"2026-08-17T16:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T16:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=575"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:13:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:13:40","slug":"the-locked-workshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=575","title":{"rendered":"The Locked Workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tales from the Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moral Dilemma:<\/strong> When important work requires privacy, at what point does protecting your process become hiding from the people who might tell you that you&#8217;ve gone too far?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The workshop had always been locked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That wasn&#8217;t unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven made medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some ingredients were poisonous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some were expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some smelled so terrible that his wife, Talla, had once threatened to move into the barn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The children knew the rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do not enter Father&#8217;s workshop without permission.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years, that was enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Iven added a second lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is that for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla pointed at the new iron bolt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSecurity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou already have security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBetter security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgainst whom?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven kissed her forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThieves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They lived in a village where people left vegetables outside unattended with signs asking customers to put coins in a bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDangerous neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven&#8217;s work had changed six months earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had been a competent herbalist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not famous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not brilliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He treated burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fevers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stomach complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People came from several villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then a patient named Haret arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haret&#8217;s leg was dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone knew it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The physician from the city recommended removing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haret refused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven tried everything he knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he tried something he didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He combined three substances that should not have been combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applied them to the wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haret screamed for nearly an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next morning, healthy pink tissue had appeared where black flesh had been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within three weeks, Haret was walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven became obsessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He called the substance Renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla called it the reason her husband stopped coming to bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven experimented constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cuts healed faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burns closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Damaged plants regrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mouse with an injured leg recovered overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven began keeping notebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then locking the notebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then locking the cabinet containing the notebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then installing the second lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their daughter, Neri, became suspicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat does he do in there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe used to let me watch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe&#8217;s doing different work now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla had no answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri pressed her ear against the workshop door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something scratched on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She jumped back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA mouse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat was a large mouse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At dinner, Iven barely ate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri watched him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His fingernails were stained green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFather?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat&#8217;s in the workshop?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMedicine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat kind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNew medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCan I see?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause I said so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was unusual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven had always explained things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why boiling water mattered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why some mushrooms killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why wounds became infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why children should not lick unknown minerals despite how interesting they looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri looked at Talla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla had noticed too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A week later, Iven stopped seeing patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTemporarily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People complained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haret came personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou saved my leg.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOther people need you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI am working on something that could help all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen it&#8217;s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haret looked toward the workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat are you making?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSomething better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The scratching became louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then came knocking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not human knocking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Irregular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla stood outside the workshop one evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She knocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sound inside stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIven?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bolt moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her husband opened the door just enough to stand in the gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His face was exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is in there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cExperiments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat experiments?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ve explained.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo. You&#8217;ve said the word <em>experiments<\/em> repeatedly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTalla.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat is knocking?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNothing dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen show me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause you won&#8217;t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sentence landed between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven realized too late what he&#8217;d said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla&#8217;s expression changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo, that&#8217;s not what I meant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGoodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two nights later, Neri entered through the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was an extremely bad decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She knew that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did it anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The workshop smelled of soil and metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plants filled the tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But they were wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A severed branch had grown roots from both ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mushroom pulsed slowly like a lung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dead rosebush had flowered so aggressively that blossoms covered the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Neri saw the cage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside was a rabbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or something that had once been one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its injured leg had healed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then continued healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bone had grown past where bone belonged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fur covered one eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A second ear had begun forming beside the first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The creature breathed rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri whispered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Behind her:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou shouldn&#8217;t be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven stood at the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri began crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFather.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI told you not to come in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;m fixing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe rabbit\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;m fixing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven didn&#8217;t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She covered her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven moved toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She backed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNeri, listen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf I can control the growth\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re hurting it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTo learn how not to hurt thousands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri looked at the rabbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you understand? Burns. Lost limbs. Damaged hearts. Perhaps things we currently call incurable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri wiped her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why did you hide it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause people would stop me before I finished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWould they?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven opened his mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then looked at the cage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla entered through the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had broken the lock with an axe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat was expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ll buy you another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She saw the rabbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The joke disappeared from her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They argued until morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven explained everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The successful trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The possibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The months of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla listened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When he finished, she asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you want me to tell you to stop?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven rubbed his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause then I can be angry at you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talla sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd if I tell you to continue?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ll blame you if something goes wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven laughed weakly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat seems unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked around the workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo perhaps you have to decide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven did not destroy Renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He wanted to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For several days, destruction seemed morally cleaner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burn the notebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kill the plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">End the experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Return to ordinary medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Haret still had his leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That mattered too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work was not evil because Iven had conducted it badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nor was its promise enough to make everything he&#8217;d done acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both facts remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So he did something much harder than either secrecy or destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He opened the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A physician joined the research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then an animal keeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Haret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, to Iven&#8217;s irritation, Talla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat exactly is your qualification?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know when you&#8217;re lying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUseful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cApparently essential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They established rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Limits on animal suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Independent review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Records others could inspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Experiments Iven was forbidden to perform alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Progress slowed terribly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven hated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Progress also became better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He hated admitting that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, Renewal became a treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not the miracle Iven had imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It could not regrow limbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It could not cure everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It became extremely useful for certain wounds and almost useless for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first medical text describing it listed seven authors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven&#8217;s name appeared first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stared at that for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had once imagined his name alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The old workshop remained behind the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually Neri became a healer herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One afternoon, she found her father replacing the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re putting a lock back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShould I get Mother?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPrivacy is still allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven installed the lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then handed her a key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat&#8217;s this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA key.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI can see that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven put another in his own pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere are things I need privacy to discover.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He closed the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd things I apparently need other people to help me notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neri turned the key in her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow do you know which is which?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iven looked at the new lock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ve become suspicious of any answer that requires nobody else to be allowed through the door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: When important work requires privacy, at what point does protecting your process become hiding from the people who might tell you that you&#8217;ve gone too far? The workshop had always been locked. That wasn&#8217;t unusual. Iven made medicines. Some ingredients were poisonous. Some were expensive. Some smelled so terrible [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tales-from-the-universe"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Locked Workshop - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=575\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Locked Workshop - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: When important work requires privacy, at what point does protecting your process become hiding from the people who might tell you that you&#8217;ve gone too far? 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