The World's Game

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The World's Game Page 12

by Jacobo Izquierdo


  Just under that paragraph, there was a kind of reflection.

  Note of Mike

  There are thousands of documented cases about people that have been on the verge of death. Several of them saw a very strong light at the end of a long way. In that place, some of them even met members of their family that had already passed away. But after being there for some seconds, they came back losing their body and getting used to a new one. I HAVE TO FIND THE WAY OF GOING TO THAT PLACE AND SEEING HER AGAIN. —The last phrase was written in capital letters and underlined with a yellow marker—. I am sure this investigation will lead me to that place. I love her and I will never stop loving her. She was my life and I want to be with her. My obsession is leading me to consider getting to her by the quick track. But life has already been hard with Josef to leave him alone. That would be a selfish and careless decision.

  The last letters were visibly blurred and swollen. Mike might have shed a tear on the paper while writing them.

  Both of them remained in silence. The confession written by his grandpa had touched Josef. Unable to pronounce a word, he looked crestfallen at the wooden boards that formed the floor. «Therefore, all this investigation was to meet grandma again. What did he pretend by writing these documents?» Margaret looked at him with tenderness. She would have liked to surrender to him in a tight hug, but she held back.

  “I’d like to have a fizzy drink,” the young lady said breaking the abrupt silence.

  Despite not being thirsty, her strategy of taking Josef out of such taciturn environment was effective.

  “A Coke?” He asked not very cheerful.

  “Light.”

  The librarian went to the kitchen and, after selecting the drink on the console, the robotized arm served the fizzy drink on tray along with two ice cubes and a glass. It was programed to serve any fizzy drink in such a way.

  “Thank you.”

  Silence reigned once more. The girl doubted whether she had taken the correct decision by asking him a fizzy drink instead of leaving. «Sometimes, silence is the best comfort.» Margaret thought.

  “What an interesting book!” She exclaimed. “Shall we continue reading?”

  “Ok,” Josef answered tired.

  Chapter 5. Cold War?

  According to the information registered over the last a hundred years, there has been a significant increase of natural disasters and every time more devastating catastrophes resulting in a higher amount of dead people. Some regions of the planet, historically protected by nature, are now liable to suffering unusual severe weather conditions.

  List of the most devastating catastrophes of the latest fifty years:

  Catastrophe name: Hurricane Mitch.

  Year: 1998.

  Description: one of the most powerful tropical cyclones in history.

  Mortal victims: 10,000 people.

  Catastrophe name: Bam earthquake.

  Year: 2003.

  Description: earthquake of 6.6 on the Richter scale with epicenter in Sumatra that originated a series of tsunamis that devastated the coasts of Indonesia.

  Mortal victims: 230,000 people.

  Catastrophe name: Cachemira earthquake.

  Year: 2005.

  Description: earthquake of 7.7 on the scale of Richter, the second strongest suffered in the area in the last century.

  Mortal victims: 86,000 people.

  Catastrophe name: Hurricane Katrina.

  Year: 2005.

  Description: devastating hurricane that swept the coast of New Orleans.

  Mortal victims: 2,000 people.

  Catastrophe name: Haiti earthquake.

  Year: 2010

  Description: earthquake of 7.2 on Richter scale that swept the poorest country in Latin America.

  Mortal victims: 316,000 people.

  Catastrophe name: Chile earthquake.

  Year: 2010.

  Description: earthquake of 8.2 on Richter scale that completely destroyed some cities.

  Mortal victims: 500 people.

  Catastrophe name: Japan earthquake.

  Year: 2011.

  Description: earthquake of 9.0 on Richter scale that provoked a tsunami which swept the coast of Japan, moved the island 2.4 meters and altered the Earth’s axis ten centimeters.

  Mortal victims: 21,000 people.

  Catastrophe name: Typhoon Haiyan…

  The number of catastrophes went over several more pages. Margaret took the book and closed it.

  “I don’t want to continue reading anymore,” she said seriously. “The list is endless!”

  “Honestly, I don’t fancy reading it either. Why do you think my grandfather would document all these catastrophes?”

  Margaret shrugged.

  “Let me see something.” The young girl started to turn over the pages. “Look, there’s a note right here.”

  Note of Mike

  The main causes argued by scientists to justify these tragedies are: tectonic plate movement, global warming on the planet, ocean currents, etc. More daring theories highlight the use of electromagnetic waves or Haarp. —Haarp aerials can emit electromagnetic waves to the ionosphere, making them rise up to the outer space and bounce. Such bounce is capable of modifying the weather from thousands of kilometers of distance, provoking drastic changes in the weather, earthquakes, etcetera—. During several of the catastrophes named before, unbelievable and very striking colors were seen in the sky of such countries days before the catastrophes happened. Scientists specialized in the study of these kinds of waves affirmed that such alteration in the sky was consequence of the use of electromagnetic weapons. What none of them dared evaluate was the increase of the gravitational force the moon exerted on the Earth seconds before the catastrophe started. Why did the moon exert such a strong gravitational force for several seconds or fractions of a second during all these earthquakes, tsunamis and catastrophes in general? What if those gigantic beings we discovered on the moon had mechanisms that allowed controlling it and emitting electromagnetic waves capable of provoking disasters? Why, otherwise, would they have such a guarded military base on the moon? It is frustrating not having the needed means to show my theories, and even though I had them, the pressure from the governments would be in charge of silencing them.

  Josef closed the manuscript with anger.

  “My grandfather’s ideals were a bit radical, but his reflection, if true, would justify several things. Maybe you think he was crazy,” he added grimacing.

  “No, quite the opposite. He simply knew information the rest of the people ignored.”

  “Have you come in your car?”

  “No. I’ve come on foot.”

  Margaret took the glass and sipped the coke. «I haven’t drunk anything.»

  “Would you like me to give you a lift?”

  “If you’re so kind to,” she smiled. “It’s a bit late.”

  «You could’ve said it before. I work tomorrow!»

  They got out of the house and walked some meters until they reached the car. They sky was clear, the moon was radiant. «Impossible not to look at it,» Josef said to himself raising his eyes. Some dogs barked, scared of the two pedestrians. A man was extinguishing a cigarette before ringing the bell of a nearby house. The door opened and a handsome woman received him with a kiss on his lips.

  Josef stopped beside the vehicle and opened the door. Both of them got into it and the girl told the computer her address. Instead of turning on the TV, the librarian decided to tune in to a popular radio of the city. After having been listening to it for several minutes almost without talking, the music was interrupted and an interlocutor started to talk.

  “Good evening, listeners,” a young male voice said with a serious tone. “We interrupt the music program due to breaking news. Greece has suffered an earthquake of 6.9 on the Richter scale that has provoked a lot of damage in the city. Early sources talk about one hundred dead persons and three thousand missing ones. Property damage in buildings and monuments is substa
ntial. It is even being talked about the collapse of the Parthenon. New Guinea is among the countries that today have been affected by an earthquake. The magnitude was 6.6 on Richter scale, with the eye in the city of Kundiawa. According to the authorities, which overflew the area, the city has been almost completely swept. Information is scarce since the zone is within a mountainous area and of very difficult access. Rescue teams have tried unsuccessfully to reach the city through terrestrial means since the freeways have been destroyed.”

  Josef clenched cursing the nature’s fury. «Nothing and no one can fight against it,» he thought. A tear that was born in one of her eyes and that rolled down her cheek to die in her lips, wetted Margaret’s cheek.

  “Counting this one, there have been twenty earthquakes over the last year. Governments from around the world are pressuring the experts to give a convincing answer.” She made a short pause and the radio interlocutor continued: “continue enjoying good music here on the trendy broadcasting station «Music or death.» So now you know: or you listen to us, or you’re dead,” he added laughing.

  “That last comment was unfortunate,” Margaret said wiping away her tears.

  “The planet is becoming more and more unstable every time. I don’t know how this is going to end.”

  The car stopped.

  END OF JOURNEY.

  Chapter 17

  The argument he had witnessed confused him. He remembered the content of some of the boards and he felt even more horrified. «In order to control overpopulation in Racot, you should introduce new diseases from time to time. If during my stay on Racot I succumb, I want life there to be unbearable. Use the resources provided by the zac to obey this order.» The orders were forceful. «What would have happened to grandpa to change in such a radical way?»

  After the confrontation, Yewut sat in front of one of the monitors and watched the destruction caused by his son. The vision stopped for an instant. «I can’t see anything.» Seconds later, it continued. His grandfather’s body was walking hastily towards Grias’ lab.

  “Have you found the solution?” He asked barging in the room.

  Some scientists stepped back startled for such a sudden apparition. The silotacan did not even move.

  “I think I have,” Grias answered with his peculiar tranquil attitude.

  Yewut went close to him and put his right hand on his loyal friend’s shoulder, action that meant respect and admiration.

  “Which one is the craft you’ve improved, old friend?”

  “No, sir. It’s not a craft what we’ve modified.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “No,” he answered keeping secrecy.

  “How are we going to travel then?”

  “On transport cabins.”

  The transport cabins were designed to allow traveling across any corner of the planet in an instant. They are the only mean of transport in Mida. They are as big as to hold up to six midarians. A screen attached to one of the inner walls has all the coordinates of every area in which there is installed one of them. They are very simple to use. One only has to select in it the desired destiny and immediately the passenger turns up in such place.

  Yewut remained in silence.

  “What’s the matter, sir?” Grias asked.

  “Let me doubt about it. Do you think that with a transport cabin we will be able to travel to Racot?”

  “Years go by and you still have the same fears,” the silotacan kidded. “I’ve tried it along with five of my assistants.”

  “How did it do?”

  “To be honest, not very well; only two of us came back,” he answered taciturn.

  “What?” He asked in anguish.

  Grias and his assistants started to laugh.

  “It works perfectly well, sir,” the silotacan answered. “Two of my assistants installed a cabin on planet Bikra and three more on planet Tracos. When coming back, the six of us fitted inside it,” he said pointing to it. “We selected Bikra’s coordinates on the screen and we travelled there. Later on, we selected Tracos’ and we finally came back.”

  Bikra and Tracos were two dwarf planets very near Mida. The lack of resources had allowed them to keep virgin during its whole existence.

  “Wonderful!” He exclaimed. “Would these cabins be capable of reaching a planet such as Racot?” He asked again.

  “Without any problem at all,” he answered straightforward. “We’ve improved the scope of the cabins considerably. The radius of movement reaches six hundred light-years.”

  “Let’s try it!”

  Yewut approached the cabin and got into it.

  “Which are the coordinates of Racot?” He asked desperately at seeing the enormous quantity of destinies displayed on the screen.

  “The database doesn’t have the ones of that planet yet.”

  “Why?”

  «Because there’s none placed there!» Palac exclaimed for himself.

  “Sir, Racot doesn’t have a transport cabin installed there yet,” Grias said. “Let’s go for a ride!”

  The scientist got into it, closed the door and selected the coordinates of Bikra on the screen. For a moment, the light went off, but it immediately came back again. Yewut pressed the opening mechanism and got out of it. The lab had transformed into a desert planet of white sands. A plain scenery without mounds. A virgin planet with no life at all.

  “Fascinating!” The leader exclaimed.

  “I don’t like this planet at all,” Grias said. Any place outside Midas boundaries was dangerous to him. “Has it been enough?”

  Yewut nodded. He stepped inside the cabin and they went back to the lab.

  “Where do you want it installed?” Grias asked leaning on its shell. “I recommend that you place it in a safe place.”

  “It’s not necessary. It will be enough for it to be well guarded. We’ll install it in front of Sinz Palace. That places is permanently watched by our warriors. How many cabins have you modified?”

  “Three. Why are you asking?”

  “I’ve had an idea. What do you think about installing a cabin on each of the most important planets in our radius?” Yewut asked.

  “A great idea, sir,” the silotacan answered not pretty much convinced.

  “I’ll make the list myself. Respecting the treaty, we would ask permission to the leaders to visit them. Once there, we’ll explain them that we would like to treat them with the construction of a pyramid as a symbol of friendship and respect. Such pyramid will hide the cabin. On the inhabited planets, we will install them directly.”

  “All right.”

  The image disappeared again. «Again?» Seconds later, Palac recovered his sight. His grandfather, helped by several midarians, had just installed the cabin in front of Sinz.

  “What do you need?” A voiced at his back asked.

  «My father!»

  Cabolun appeared in the panoramic before his eyes.

  “I’ve asked you to come here because I’ve got a mission for you,” Yewut said. “It’s very important that you carry it out correctly.”

  “Tell me, what do I have to do?” Cabolun asked terrified.

  “As it took a hundred years to reach Racot and these beings evolve fast, I asked Grias to find the way to get there faster. In order to achieve it, he had improved the scope of some of the transport cabins.”

  “What do I have to do with all that?”

  “I’ve made a list with the main planets. Your mission will be to install one of these on each of them.”

  “Perfect!”

  “To avoid them being used without our consent, before installing them we’ll build a pyramid with stone blocks. The subterranean chamber will be the place to hold the cabin. In order to access the interior of such chamber, we’ll put a Ralex codified door with the password Mida. The instructions to build the pyramid are in the craft.”

  At first sight, the Ralex door is a simple uniform stone wall without stiches. On the upper part of the door there is a small panel with a gol
den midarian alphabet engraved on the stone. Typing the correct sequence of letters on the panel, the wall disappears for five seconds to allow communication with the other part of the room where it is placed.

  Cabolun changed his expression. He started to walk, restless and nervous. He was aware of the fact that building a pyramid, and the later installation of the transport cabin, would take time. A lot of time!

  “How many planets are there on that list?”

  “Waiting for some leaders to give their consent, I think they could be as much as ten thousand,” Yewut answered. “Many of them are inhabited, but they have been included due to its strategic position and resources.”

  “Have you gone mad?” He shouted. “It will take thousands of years to complete this mission. I can’t spend so much time outside Mida.”

  “According to Grias’ calculations, you will have installed the last cabin in a thousand years. You’ll get used to living outside our frontiers. It’ll do you good.”

  “Is this a punishment because of the other day?”

  “Son, one day you will be Mida’s leader. This mission will show me that the planet will be in good hands when I die.”

  “Have you thought that if they discover the cabin in some of the planets they could invade us?”

  “Ralex doors are very safe. If you don’t know them, you’d never think they’re doors. For added safety, one of our soldiers will be buried inside the pyramid so that the midarian force prevents any indignant being from entering. A hundred thousand workers will help you with the construction.”

 

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