The Ghost of Sephera

by J. D. Tew

  “Anything,” I say. “Just say when, and I’m there.”

  24 LINCOLN: CHANGE IN COMMAND

  In my chambers, aboard an airship used for political campaigns, I am preparing to address the Sepherans. Today, we are on the planet Sephera, as these Sepherans have made the long trek here from their homes, in all cases savoring their first trip of freedom. Theodore

  [3] and the crew are standing outside. Mariah is standing with her hands on her hips, as the long royal red curtain flutter in the breeze behind her. She is looking at me for answers. I have some, but none of them will appease her desires. I feel awkward, as she deserves better than an uncertain future with me.

  “What now? Am I just to forget this thing between us even existed?” she asks.

  “This is the only way.”

  “You’ve just calculated the odds of our relationship, maybe? I don’t want your statistical probabilities, Lincoln. I want to hear from you, as a man who has feelings.”

  “I feel like I can’t hurt you anymore. That’s why this has to end.”

  “I can’t tell if it’s because you’re so wrapped up in this war or you’ve just lost your ability to love. I want this!” Lowering her voice, she continued. “Where is the Lincoln I loved?”

  “He’s still here,” I say grimly, “but there’s a bigger cause we have to address. Odion will win this galaxy if I don’t act.”

  “Men and their vain crusades,” Mariah snarls, clutching his shirt just above his sternum. As I clamber to think of a meaningful response, there is a knock at the door.

  Theodore appears, with an apologetic look on his face. “Sorry for the interruption. You’re up, buddy.”

  “Thank you, Theodore,” I say. He darts out the door quickly to avoid the tension.

  “Linc!” Mariah shouts to stop me in mid-stride. “I won’t wait for you to come around.”

  “I know.”

  I walk out the door and I can feel the temperature of this Sepheran body increase. My microscopic coolant fans are working overtime as I walk toward the balcony to address the crowd. My Dietons react to the notion of nervousness that is computed by my processor.

  Stepping up to the podium, I gaze across the sea of crowds, as the vast rows of shoulder-to-shoulder supporters fan out. Upon seeing me, the crowd falls into a hush.

  I notice from observing the crowd that the unique Sepheran races of the biospheres are finally intermingling thanks to this worldwide campaign I’ve waged. I smile at the sight of the adulation, but I am really just masking my troubles with Mariah.

  Wanting all the races to hear me, I amplify my voice, pausing for a moment to process the factors of this setting. My programming complicates my data by introducing the most complex definitions of feelings, anger, fear, honor, integrity—love; I complicate them further.

  Quickly, I edit my concerns to incorporate the complex influx of algorithms, and begin. “For seven hundred and ninety-eight days, after my human life was ended, I observed my existence as absent of life; I continually exercised what I would probably refer to as a carbon delusion, wondering if I was real.

  “We, as in the two hundred and fifty billion Dietons that give rise to me as an entity named Lincoln, were left to calculate our next move.

  “I knew that all you Sepherans were out there, unaware of their role in the grand scheme of the galaxy. Unfortunately, I similarly fell into that trap, not caring, not sharing. I purposely avoided offering my guidance and now I regret this. I was afraid. It took a good man, named Theodore Crane, to help me overcome this fear. Now it is my turn.

  “Now. With the Theodore Crane and his crew at my side, and the good people of the galaxy banding together, I can hear you calling to me. We have made many sacrifices, and we will make many more.” I break for a moment to glance at Mariah.

  “And we are now at the crossroads. I know you are wondering why you are choosing freedom. I’ll tell you why. It’s because we are Dietons! That is who we are. Go on! Zane may have created you, but the future is in your hands. Savor it. Celebrate it. Go for the glory.

  “I didn’t come here to tell you that we can help the galaxy end this war, because I know that it never ends with just that.

  “At one time, you were a Rangier. You were an Elon. You were an Earthling. I could go on and on. That was your old life. Now, we have entered a rebirth and we have joined as a unified people. This is now Sephera and you are free Dietons!”

  The crowd roars its approval.

  “We all deserve the same thing.

  “A life free from tyranny.

  “A life free from injustice.

  “The end of war and hate.

  “But all these planets and their people need our help.”

  I raise my fist and pump it into the air. “I will no longer let the fear of Odion undermine the courage of our people!”

  The crowd claps and shouts slogans of support.

  I finish with my closing line and shout, “Are you with me?”

  Overwhelmed with passion, I look down at the sea of Sepherans roaring, and I discern that we embody life; not biologically, but as a vivification of inanimate matter. I call Theodore forward.

  Theodore and I clasp hands, raising our unified grasp above our heads. The crowd loves it; they are lapping it up. Dozens of hover-cameras snap away at the historic moment, for dissemination throughout the galaxy to the planets that are still outside Odion’s iron grasp.

  Once we have both smiled to the supporters, Theodore and I calculate that the best time to depart is upon the peak of one’s stirring performance, and we walk away together.

  “We can finally put that Gitushkan anomaly to use,” Theodore says.

  “Yes, and now that all Sepheran biospheres know the reality of their existence. You can ready Freebird for Cordiant. Odion must die.”

  “Cheese... That sounds like a boring movie title. Odion Must Die, starring—”

  “It’s geez, Theodore. C’mon, and I’m serious,’ I say.

  Theodore is mocking me playfully. “Look at me. My name is Lincoln. I ammm serious... I’m just playing bro.” Theodore is having a hoot at my expense.

  I say, “By the way, thanks for showing up today.”

  “Well, if there is one thing I know,” Theodore says, leaning to within earshot, “Lincoln. It’s that you are truly my best friend and now we’re even... Haha! Okay I’m kidding, relax.”

  I laugh and say, “That’s two things.”

  “Oh yeah.”

  I look at him. He looks older now, having bore the years since we first met at the innocuous age of fifteen, in our neighborhood in Ferndale, Minnesota. His chest is wide, lean and muscular. His jaw has filled out, and his brow is fuller. His eyes no longer sparkle with mischievousness, but convey the maturity and the wisdom he has earned in our journey out in space. A journey that we never envisioned as goofy teenagers, but now would fight together as newly emerging adults against Odion’s tyranny.

  Maybe love doesn’t divert sound judgment.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  J. D. Tew is an oddball from Minnesota that has an insatiable passion for writing. He has a degree in Applied Science (no surprise there), and also served as an infantryman in the United States Army, earning numerous commendations.

  J. D. spends the majority of his days wrangling three kids, cleaning teeth (no, that’s not weird), and creating new worlds through fiction. He’ll never turn down an epic lightsaber battle with his kids.

  His first book The Acolytes of Crane was written from the complex mind of a veteran with extensive experience in combat and knowledge in areas of Science.

  J. D. places the majority of his writing efforts into creating characters and worlds that are unique and engrossing, while fabricating plots that evoke emotion from mystery and twists.

  Justin’s latest project is a realistic science fiction novel that takes place on Earth, in the not so distant future, which should arrive in the spring or summer of 2015.

  Find out more about
the Theodore Crane series and J. D. Tew at www.TAOCBOOK.com