by D. N. Leo
Along the corridor, many people were milling about and talking animatedly as if they were at the intermission of a concert. They all looked oddly human. In this place, Madeline expected to be attacked by weird creatures rather than standing here watching fellow human beings interacting in a civilized manner. She couldn’t quite catch the language they were using to communicate.
A door at the far end of the corridor opened.
They entered a grand reception room with a raised platform, where a beautiful White Queen sat on her icy white throne. Around the room were others who looked like servants, counsellors, and other authoritative figures.
Madeline noted that even Ciaran did not know the appropriate greeting etiquette. When the queen stood up and gave them a warm smile, he merely smiled back.
"Welcome to my humble residence,” said the queen in a throaty and mysterious voice.
“Holy smoke, she spoke English,” Tadgh muttered.
“You think she should speak French?” Zach asked.
“I’m not talking about the language. It’s her tone. She sounds human. But she doesn’t have any emotions. Not that I can tell.”
“She might be robotic,” Ciaran agreed.
The queen smiled. “Before we go any further, I’d like to let you know, I can hear what everyone says in this castle.”
Madeline wanted to roll her eyes internally but resisted from doing so as she wasn’t sure what game they were playing and whether the queen could read her thoughts.
The queen reached her hand out. Ciaran kissed it. "Thank you for having us."
The queen smiled graciously, "I love having you here. But I’m sure you don’t want to remain residents here forever. It's best if you remain passing travelers."
Ciaran nodded. "Understood, White Queen."
The queen put on a bright smile. "Rumor has it that the King-to-be of Eudaiz is knowledgeable. You certainly do not disappoint, Ciaran."
"I wish the previous stage had been as hospitable as this one. My friends are tired. What do we have to do to obtain a pass through this stage?"
The queen laughed. "The Black stage is not meant to be friendly because you'd die if you didn't pass. We are friendly because we don't know who may end up being a permanent resident here."
"What are the odds?" Tadgh asked.
The queen smiled again. "This must be Tadgh, the last minute passenger. I can give you that information. No king successor has ever failed this stage. For others, however, eight out of ten fail. We can accommodate many as you can see." She gestured widely toward the people in the room.
"There are jobs and plenty of activities for you here. But you can't compare this place with Eudaiz. This is not a universe. It's just a humble institution," she finished with a smile.
"So at which stage would a king successor normally fail?" Madeline asked.
The queen cast a warm gaze on Madeline. "I know what you must be feeling, Madeline. But I can't give you that information."
"You are not serving the king?" Ciaran asked.
"Correct. Daimon Gate is a gateway to multiple universes. Not just Eudaiz. We manage and legitimize leaders of universes. Depending on the constitution and the setup of the universe, the test requirements will always be different."
"But you must have a leader?"
"Yes, we are governed by the Host and the council of the Daimon Gate. If you are successful to the kingship of Eudaiz, you might be dealing with them directly in the future."
"Can we meet them when we are passing this time?"
"Yes, but only if you win an invitation. No one has won it in the past."
"How can I get an invitation?"
"That information will be revealed after you have passed the next stage."
Ciaran nodded.
"Now, would you like to proceed through this stage as a group or as individuals?" the queen asked.
"I'd prefer as a group, and I'm happy to take the bulk of the tasks. But it’s up to the individuals,” Ciaran said.
"I'm in with Ciaran," Madeline said.
"Same," Tadgh said.
Zach contemplated, and then he nodded. "I'm in with the group."
The queen smiled. “Your group is quite cohesive. So hang on tight. And good luck.” She turned on her heel and headed toward an endless corridor of white marble.
Chapter 23
They entered a square room with a wall-sized computer, similar to the one at the villa outside London. The air in the room hummed with the sound of technology. It felt as though ants were crawling on their skin with the computer eyes everywhere, watching their every move.
The queen entered a command into the control panel then turned around.
"This is not a computer-simulated game. This is the reality in Eudaiz at the moment. Each decision you make here will be executed later after you pass the Daimon Gate and take your respective roles in Eudaiz. The decisions cannot be undone. You will get a green light for an optimal decision and move on. A red light will indicate a suboptimal decision. You are allowed only one suboptimal decision. There is no time restriction. Stay as long as you like. Questions?"
"What's next?" Ciaran asked.
"If you pass, the whole group will progress to the next stage. If you fail, you will all remain here until the end of your natural lives."
The queen left the room.
Ciaran shifted his still not perfect left shoulder and pressed his palm onto the control panel for print verification.
After the welcome message, text flew across the screen like breaking news:
* * *
The Black Rock is attacking District Five again and has killed several residents.
The death toll is not available at this stage.
Sciphil Five - Juliette Dubois has taken no action.
The district has received help from Sciphil Two - Ayana Dee and Sciphil Nine - Pete Chandler.
* * *
"We know why Juliette isn’t taking action, you idiot,” Tadgh mumbled.
* * *
Action needed. Choose one of the two solutions below.
One: Elimination by force.
Probability of success: Sixty percent.
Costs: One tower, one Sciphil, and two hundred thousand fighters.
Record: Attempted by Sciphil One - Richard Kelly.
Result: Failed.
* * *
Two: Building alliance with Earth.
Probability of success: Ten percent.
Costs: Compromised technology, risks of chemical contamination.
Record: Attempted by Kyle Wolf.
Result: Failed.
* * *
What is your chosen action: . . .
* * *
"That sucks,” Zach said. "Surely there are other solutions."
Kyle preferred building alliances. That explained his actions and why he had ended up on Earth. Apparently, the fact that he attempted to build an alliance with the Black Rock was not on record, Ciaran mused. He considered the information interesting. This step was a no-brainer for him.
"We'll go for war. I can do better with the second action than Kyle Wolf. But based on this record, number one is a more optimal solution," Ciaran said and entered: One.
The green light flashed.
* * *
The second lot of text appeared:
* * *
Earth attack.
A foreign chemical was introduced into Eudaiz's food supply system.
The chemical had been contained and terminated by Sciphil Three - Bran LeBlanc.
This is classified as an unprovoked attack from Earth.
* * *
Action needed. Choose one of the two solutions below.
One: Elimination by force.
Probability of success: Ninety percent.
Costs: Five hundred thousand fighters.
Record: Proposed by Sciphil Seven - Ralph Durant.
Result: Not yet attempted.
* * *
Two: Elimination of the source o
f the chemical on Earth. Target - the United Kingdom.
Probability of success: One hundred percent.
Costs: Ten specialists, one viral seed.
Record: Proposed by Sciphil Eight - Aiden Felix.
Result: Not yet attempted.
* * *
What is your chosen action?
* * *
"They are talking about sending a virus bomb to the UK. We all know where the attack on their food supply system came from. How could their records be so primitive?" Ciaran said.
"I don't know anything about the attack on their food supply system,” Zach said.
"We have to go with number one. We can deal with fighters. But the viral bomb will be mass destruction,” Ciaran said.
"You’re having a conflict of interest, Ciaran. Who is fighting whom here?" Madeline said.
"I know. But do you have a better suggestion, Madeline?"
"In the best interest of Eudaiz, number two is the clear winner. But, as with Ciaran, I have a conflict of interest, so I wouldn't choose number two," Tadgh said.
"If we choose number one, it's going to be a red light,” Madeline said.
Ciaran said nothing. He paced, contemplating.
"We have to follow through with one of the solutions. I can manage and control the fighters. The viral bomb, once executed, cannot be reversed, and the effects will be unpredictable,” Ciaran said.
"How can five hundred thousand fighters take over the entire Earth?" Zach asked.
"That's why it's clearly an inferior decision for Eudaiz,” Madeline said.
"I'd like to take the red light on this and do my best to green light the rest. What do you think?" Ciaran asked.
Tadgh said without hesitation, "I'm in."
"Me, too,” Madeline said. She trusted her instincts and Ciaran's capability.
Zach contemplated, then he shrugged. "I'd prefer number two. But I’m outvoted. So take the red light then."
Ciaran entered: One.
The red light flashed.
* * *
Air supply shortage.
Eudaiz’s air production system has been damaged by the Black Rock in the latest attack.
Air shortage occurred in District Nine and District One.
* * *
Action needed. Choose one of the two solutions below.
One: Trade with the Green Stars.
Probability of success: Ninety percent.
Costs: Seed energy of five hundred years supply for one hundred years of air supply.
Record: Proposed by Sciphil Nine - Pete Chandler.
Result: Not yet attempted.
* * *
Two: Steal from the Black Rock's natural air supply.
Probability of success: Ninety percent.
Costs: Two hundred fighters for a one-year air supply.
Record: Proposed by Sciphil One - Richard Kelley.
Result: Not yet attempted.
* * *
What is your chosen action?
* * *
"I am in for the trade with the Green Stars, solution one. Although stealing from the Black Rock is tempting, it can't be a long-term solution. Any objections?" Ciaran asked.
Everyone agreed on this scenario. Ciaran typed in one. The green light flashed.
* * *
More text flashed on the screen:
* * *
Sciphil successors and new appointments.
Due to the latest development in the council, changes need to be made to replace Sciphils and appoint new successors.
Action needed. Choose one of the four combinations below.
* * *
One:
Sciphil Three - Bran LeBlanc - replaced by Ciaran LeBlanc.
Sciphil One - Richard Kelley - replaced by Madeline Kelley.
Sciphil Two - Ayana Dee - successor appointed: Zach Flynn.
Sciphil Nine - Pete Chandler - successor appointed: Tadgh LeBlanc.
Termination: Sciphil Four - Kyle Wolf - replaced by George LeBlanc.
Termination: Sciphil Five - Juliette Dubois - replaced by Chloe Matheson.
* * *
Two:
Sciphil Three - Bran LeBlanc - replaced by Ciaran LeBlanc.
Sciphil One - Richard Kelley - replaced by Madeline Kelley.
Sciphil Two - Ayana Dee - successor appointed: Zach Flynn.
Sciphil Nine - Pete Chandler - successor appointed: Tadgh LeBlanc.
Termination: Sciphil Four - Kyle Wolf - replaced by Josephine Cassidy.
Termination: Sciphil Five - Juliette Dubois - replaced by George LeBlanc.
* * *
Three:
Sciphil Three - Bran LeBlanc - replaced by Ciaran LeBlanc.
Sciphil One - Richard Kelley - replaced by Madeline Kelley.
Sciphil Two - Ayana Dee - successor appointed: Zach Flynn.
Sciphil Nine - Pete Chandler - successor appointed: Tadgh LeBlanc.
Termination: Sciphil Four - Kyle Wolf - replaced by George LeBlanc.
Termination: Sciphil Five - Juliette Dubois - replaced by Daniel Chandler.
* * *
Four
Sciphil Three - Bran LeBlanc - replaced by Ciaran LeBlanc.
Sciphil One - Richard Kelley - replaced by Madeline Kelley.
Sciphil Two - Ayana Dee - successor appointed: Zach Flynn.
Sciphil Nine - Pete Chandler - successor appointed: Tadgh LeBlanc.
Termination: Sciphil Four - Kyle Wolf - replaced by Chloe Matheson.
Termination: Sciphil Five - Juliette Dubois - replaced by Josephine Cassidy.
* * *
What is your chosen action?
* * *
Ciaran found himself pacing back and forth in the room. There was no easy answer for this one, and they didn’t have any red light allowance left.
Chapter 24
“The first four combinations are the same across the four scenarios. The differences are in the replacements for Kyle and Juliette,” Ciaran said, more to himself than to others.
"Josephine Cassidy. Is that our Jo, Madeline?" Tadgh asked.
Madeline nodded.
"What does Chloe have to do with any of this? She doesn't even know about the Daimon Gate.” Zach was astonished.
"You never know . . . she might have a hidden talent the multiverse needs.” Ciaran smiled. "We know George. He helped design the lights to kill Juliette. He'd make an excellent Sciphil. We don't know Daniel Chandler,” Ciaran said.
"It might be my buddy, Dan. But it might be just a person with the same name," Zach said.
"Who's he?" Madeline asked.
"He's Chloe's stepfather's son if that makes any sense. They moved to Australia a few years ago from England. He likes supernatural stuff. He’s the one who worked out that Kyle Wolf was using the Zodiac system, and he saved my ass in a Japanese maze. But apart from being a pain in the neck, I don't know what his talent might be."
"Sounds as if he could be a candidate,” Madeline said.
"They wouldn't just draw these names out of a hat,” Tadgh said.
"I speculate that Daniel Chandler was put forward by Pete Chandler. Jo's there because of her relationship with Madeline. Chloe is there because of Zach. And George? It’s obvious—he's a LeBlanc," Ciaran said.
"We have to keep in mind that the combination has to be in Eudaiz’s best interest,” Madeline said. "George is excellent. However, his name will add another LeBlanc to the council of nine Sciphils."
Ciaran nodded. "It would be three out of nine from the LeBlancs."
"Then Dan would add another Chandler—if they’re really related. If the LeBlancs don’t increase and the Chandlers do, we’d have the same voting power from both families. I can't imagine that’s in the best interest of Eudaiz. We shouldn’t take Dan if we don’t take George,” Zach said.
"It's best to have a clear dominant power, which is the LeBlancs. Then the rest should be equal. Because if we have the best and the second best, factions will occur,” Tadgh said.
"Which is?" Tadgh asked.
"We don't know what the best interest of Eudaiz is. We don’t know the thought process behind this test. The balance of power is a natural and logical analysis from our perspective. But it might not be the most important issue for Eudaiz. If we look at the selection from a capabilities point of view instead of a power balance point of view, then George is an outstanding candidate."
"I have a good feeling about Daniel, too, although I haven’t met him,” Madeline said.
"Chloe is clearly not equipped for this at all,” Zach said.
"Jo is excellent, but she is now with Kyle Wolf, and we don't know what will happen," Tadgh said.
Ciaran looked at Tadgh. He was glad Tadgh had voiced the reality about Jo. She could be dead, or she could have turned to the dark side with Kyle Wolf.
"I don't believe that the test program would have the information about Jo being with Kyle. But if it does, choosing Jo would be the worse decision,” Ciaran said.
"If we can't choose Jo, then scenarios two and four are out,” Madeline confirmed.
"We can’t get this wrong,” Zach stressed.
"Let's just figure this out with logic first. Between capability and the balance of power, which is best for Eudaiz? I’m saying it's capability,” Ciaran said.
"Balance of power,” Tadgh said.
"Same,” Zach said.