“Soon enough,” Utahia assured. “Soon enough.”
***
“Now?” Kutch rolled his eyes and asked. The accessing of classified data files was taking forever. “I think so--Proto, have we successfully accessed all documents and files regarding the material Tri-SphaliLonsdaleite and some beings called the Aki?” Alex asked.
“ Kutch Administrator, one and Alex Administrator, two, have been granted full access to requested files,” Proto announced.
“Finally,” Kutch grunted. “Is there a significant correlation between the material Tri-Sphali-Lonsdaleite and the Aki?”
“Please specify which document you would care to reference.” Kutch turned to Alex with a look of confused frustration. “I don't know which documents to reference. Now what?”
Alex nodded. “Let me try something,” Alex said and turned to the nearest audio projector. “Proto, using all available data and documents with granted access, please extrapolate a synopsis of the previous question.”
“I understand now. Anu Aki arrived on Earth in the year 3824, and presented the united governing bodies of Earth, along with Tri-Con United, Inc, the governing body outside of Earth, with a treaty, translated to be the ‘Aki, Earth Sovereignty’ agreement, encoded within the atomic structure of a four hundred, fifty-three, point five-ninetwo, gram sphere of Tri-Sphali-Lonsdaleite.”
“The Aki used a large chunk of Tri-Sphali-Lonsdaleite as a medium for a treaty?” Alex asked.
“The hardest substance known, according to Toolkit,” Kutch nodded in amazement.
“Indestructible,” Proto clarified.
“Makes for a particularly permanent treaty,” Alex snickered.
“Sure, but nothing is truly 'indestructible,'” Kutch argued.
“The Aki, Earth Sovereignty sphere of Tri-SphaliLonsdaleite, is unusually pure, without flaw and there is no known method to destroy such a specimen,” Proto explained.
“Center of the sun--” Kutch blurted out.
“Will not melt, at any known temperature,” Proto assured.
“Black hole...” Alex started.
“Will not crush by more than point zero, zero two percent in volume,” Proto argued. “Even when calculated using the largest known black hole.”
“I'm not sure I can believe all that. Nothing is that strong or that perfect,” Kutch dismissed.
“The sphere is flawless and the most perfectly spherical object known to exist, with a zero percent deviation down to the molecular level,” Proto stated with a tone of pride.
“All right then, the sphere is tough,” Alex interrupted. “What is it all about?”
“Please clarify your request,” Proto asked. “Do you wish to start with a history of the Aki as presented from within the encoded data of the Aki, Earth Sovereignty treaty?”
“I--guess,” Kutch said unsure.
“The Aki are an ancient race of beings who came to this universe in the early stages of existence, from another universe that was ending. That other universe was not their origin universe either, but the one before that.”
“The Aki are a peaceful, noble race, with a documented history dating back hundreds of billions of 'earth-years' time reference, known for seeding planetary systems throughout the galaxies of at least three universes. A few hundred million 'earth-years' after their arrival, another species entered the young universe from yet another alternate universe. The Aki called them Muah'Aki, meaning, 'not Aki.' The Muah'Aki are a vicious race of bipedal, reptilian-type, technologically advanced creatures, who are war-like and destroyers of planetary systems.
“For billions of earth years the two oldest species in the universe fought without a winner or loser, until an accord was finally reached--a truce at best. Known and documented planetary systems, quadrants and even galaxies were divided up between the two species. The marker for the claim was the sacred DNA, genome sequence from each species. With only a few minor altercations, the truce has remained, as long as new claims were documented with each other within the guidelines of the truce.
Three billion earth years ago, the Aki explored and claimed this solar system and regional area for the Aki. This particular solar system was considered quite the jewel, because it contained four liquid surface water planets within the habitable zone, around a stable star. Not a common occurrence in any galaxy.”
“Wait a moment,” Kutch stood up. “Four liquid surface water planets? Even if you count that inner planet that got destroyed by the solar flare, that only leaves three planets that could sustain anything close to liquid surface water.”
“The early solar system contained four liquid surface water planets, Vara'Arth, Tara'Arth, Mara'Arth and Nibra'Arth--translated as rocky planets, two, three, four and five. The inner most planet you mentioned was called Ini'Arth, translated as rocky planet one, later known as Mercury,” Proto corrected. “The Aki would check on their claims, sometimes many millions of years between visits, to maintain their authority and ward off theft, or disputed claims from the Muah'Aki.”
“Approximately sixty-five million years ago the Aki came back to check their claim on this solar system to find that the Muah'Aki had indeed attempted to reclaim this solar system as their own on the third planet from the sun, Tara'Arth. This was a third attempt by the Muah'Aki over several hundred million years, and was finally a significant breech of the treaty, causing a local battle to breakout in an effort to reclaim the planet. Bases were built on Vara'Arth, Mara'Arth and Nibra'Arth while Tara'Arth was rid of the Muah'Aki and rebuilt, manned by several legions of Aki to maintain the claim. The Aki also restarted injecting the sacred DNA genome into the indigenous life forms, to further mark their claim.”
“Two hundred and seventy-eight thousand years ago, the Muah'Aki appeared to be dis-interested in this solar system, pursuing no further attacks, so the Aki decided to reduce cost and cut the number of Aki in this area. In order to maintain a presence for the claim, they altered the indigenous population more radically, artificially producing populations on each planet that could carry on the claim more directly as descendants of the Aki. They then introduced civilization, knowledge and technology to the indigenous to assure their survival. Unfortunately, the Muah'Aki found out, and attacked the largest Aki base located on Nibra'Arth, while challenging the validity of the entire claim with the main Council of the Aki. After nearly a hundred thousand years of battle in the solar system, including the complete destruction of Nibra'Arth and near complete destruction of Vara'Arth and Mara'Arth, another truce was agreed upon, leaving the once jeweled solar system damaged and much less desirable to the Muah'Aki.”
“The Aki vacated the planets, making only regular visits every thirteen to fifteen thousand years, to validate the claim treaty. They were often seen as 'Gods' by the local indigenous descendants on the only remaining inhabited planet, Tara'Arth--Earth.
“Their last visit was in the year 3824,” Kutch mused.
“They could be assumed to return any time now,” Alex followed, doing the math.
“So why the treaty with the 'Earth Governing bodies,' as you called them?” Kutch asked.
“When Anu Aki returned in 3824, he discovered that Tri-Con United had made major changes to the sacred DNA genome sequence, by altering sequences beyond original form or even removing several genome sequences, as part of an ongoing artificial intelligence integration program--”
“The bad gene, Q-RVY298852-B...” Kutch remembered from so long ago.
“One of many--that particular gene was not removed from the sacred genome until the generation of the Type II clone batch, making the following Type III clone batch particularly successful,” Proto added. “The alteration and removal of sacred genome sets put the treaty with the Muah'Aki at great risk, particularly since Mars had been rebuilt into another water planet by Tri-Con United, making the solar system potentially attractive to the Muah'Aki once again. The Aki-Earth Sovereignty treaty presented and agreed to by all parties, made that risk known and understood--that those descendan
ts still on earth were of the sacred DNA and rightful owners of the planet and region, and thus by proxy, maintained the claim of the Aki. The sacred DNA genome sequence was never to be altered, and to be protected at all cost.”
“Tri-Con United agreed to that?” Kutch asked.
“They were not given a choice. The advanced technology of the Aki was quite overwhelming, the agreement was not negotiable,” Proto explained.
“Can we examine the sphere of Tri-Sphali
Lonsdaleite?” Kutch requested.
“That is classified. Access denied,” Proto announced.
“WHAT? I thought we had that all cleared!” Kutch fumed.
“Hold on,” Alex tried to settle Kutch down. “Proto did mention the single classified artifact that is part of the collection was the Tri-Sphali-Lonsdaleite. We didn't go through the process for that.”
“We can't even look at the sphere of Tri-SphaliLonsdaleite?” Kutch asked.
“That would be classified, access denied,” Proto repeated.
Kutch shook his head and sat back down on the floor with an overly-heavy sigh. “Back to this again...”
“I've got this,” Alex assured. “Proto--”
*** Novia watched from her ceremonial perch as three small figures appeared from the early morning mist, out of the low-lying cloud cover that had moved in just before the light of the new day. Presly1477, Presley1522 and Reed approached the only other figure still remaining, slumped over, not far from the smoky, ash-covered remains of the pyre. All but one of the night-singers retreated to a respectable distance from Toolkit's side, as the three approached.
“Toolkit--it's time.” Reed knelt beside him. “Time...” Toolkit repeated, barely audible. His optical sensors appeared to be focused on a spot of ground not far in front, if on anything at all.
“A full-power test-run of the field-shield generator,” Presley1477 explained. “Your design--”
“You should be there,” Presley1522 pressed. All three helped Toolkit to his feet and started back toward the trail off the mountaintop. They stopped and looked back when they heard a light whimper from the night-singer. Toolkit had taken only a step or two before he glanced back at the animal as well. She was waiting, shaking and unsure-whimpering. Toolkit put his hand out from his side, and she stepped up and licked, then nuzzled the palm of his hand. When Toolkit continued to follow the rest, the nightsinger stepped off with confidence at his side.
*** Damus draped his long fur coat over Novia's shoulders, while they both watched in awe as the four small humans, accompanied by a night-singer, disappeared into the drifting mist.
“I can honestly say, I've never seen such a sight.” Damus shook his head.
“If there are no stories or legends in the Rings, there
will be.” Novia nodded.
“This has certainly been a series of events worthy of
remembrance in the Rings,” Damus agreed.
“Indeed.”
Damus took another look around the ceremonial
grounds. “It would appear we are the last--”
“Then we should be going,” Novia said, dodging the
opportunity she felt Damus was hoping for--time alone. Damus gave Novia a hand, as she climbed down from
the ceremonial perch. “Let me take you...”
“I know my way home just fine,” Novia insisted. Damus stopped and shook his head. “Let me take you
to the Coastal Clans.” Damus could see the heat in
Novia's cheeks from embarrassment. “You need some
time--time away from all of this.”
“Only to continue my duties as Pe'Atchdi of Clans
somewhere else? That is not much time, 'away,'” Novia
tried to recover.
“Your Father is there, along with both of your
brothers--they've settled and started families of their own.
You have two beautiful nieces, you've never met--each
near age for selection of apprentice.”
“My Father was happy to be rid of me, when Utahia
came for me--”
“He is so very proud of you--you need to know this,”
Damus insisted.
Novia stared off into the drifting mist. “I have missed
my brothers,” Novia admitted. She was never able to
leave to see them, like she wanted to after Hyak's
ceremony.
“I have some family I would like you to meet as well,”
Damus said hopefully.
“Family?”
“The brother of my father, and a grandmother are still
alive,” Damus offered with a broad smile.
Novia shook her head. “There is too much left here for
me to do. The village repairs--”
“Are being taken care of by the craftsmen and a few
Elvonians and their tools,” Damus rebutted.
“I am Pe'Atchdi of Clans, I have responsibilities--” “To yourself as well,” Damus argued. He leaned close
with an intense gaze, but Novia averted her eyes, burying
her face into his chest.
“I'm tired,” her was voice was muffled in his shirt. “I know--” Damus relented the argument by simply
putting his arms around her. “I will see you home to get some rest.”
*** “Report!” Huir's holographic projection was, as always, just as imposing as in person.
“We are still no closer to breaking into the codex Cain is using for the protocols,” Keja replied frustrated.
“Corporate is almost non-existent. Division after division are closing down with nearly all personnel walking off their assignments, attempting to reach the Great Hall and 'worship' Cain!” Huir reiterated with passion.
“I am trying my best, I need more time,” Keja argued.
“We NEED Cain's protocols stopped now, or there may not be anything left to give time for!” Huir demanded.
“Understood!”
***
“Classified access is granted,” Proto announced. “NOW?” Kutch's sarcastic tone of frustration was not missed.
Alex ignored Kutch's attitude. “Proto--where is the sphere of Tri-Sphali-Lonsdaleite kept in your facility?”
“There is a special facility for the sphere, two levels below.”
“Is there a lift, or do we have to take the stairs for everything?” Alex asked.
“If I remember correctly the lift was in need of maintenance or something,” Kutch said.
“Makes sense,” Alex replied. “Nobody around to keep the equipment running correctly.”
“Please follow the flashing overhead lights leading back to the stairwell,” Proto announced.
They followed Proto's lighting prompts and entered another level with several secured individual display structures. The lighting prompt stopped in front of one.
Kutch stepped up first to see a display platform behind the heavy glass barrier. “I'm not sure what I am seeing here Proto. Can you explain?”
“This looks empty,” Alex added.
“This is the heavily-protected and secure display platform specifically designed for the Tri-SphaliLonsdaleite sphere,” Proto announced with a hint of pride.
“Impressive,” Kutch mused. “But, where is the sphere?”
“The sphere is no longer accessible at this display,” Proto announced.
“NOT AGAIN!” Kutch groaned, as though in significant physical pain.
“Proto, is there another classification barrier we have to access to examine the artifact?” Alex asked.
“Kutch, Administrator, one and Alex, Administrator, two, are cleared, full access is granted.
“Then, please explain,” Alex said, trying to remain calm, although her own patience was growing quite thin.
Proto remained silent for a while before answering. “The Tri-Sphali-Lonsdaleite sphere was removed without appropriate authorization, and not properly returned,” Proto answered, soundin
g disgusted with his own reply.
“Removed? Who removed it?” Kutch asked.
“Galactic Board Member, Denior and Administrator. Galactic Board Member Denior misrepresented his actions. He lied--” Proto protested. “The Galactic Board Member, Denior intended to leave this facility with the sphere.”
“When I was here before, you told me they died from an accident--equipment failure, correct?” Kutch asked.
“Equipment failure is correct,” Proto answered.
“What equipment?” Alex asked, although she was already having a feeling she knew, when she looked at the doors to the lift, across the room. The doors were just a bit ajar.
“The lift system failed,” Proto announced, sounding a little proud.
“The lift system--failed,” Kutch repeated.
“That is correct,” Proto answered.
“How exactly did the lift system fail?” Alex asked as she approached the doors to see if she could peer through the opening.
“The lift ascended to the top level with Galactic Board Member, Denior and Administrator. Then reversed direction to the bottom, at an accelerated speed.”
“Just how 'accelerated' was that?” Alex asked. She had moved one of the doors further aside and started shining a small portable inside for light.
“Sixty-three point seven-two meters per second,” Proto answered.
“Specifically?” Kutch was skeptical.
“That is correct,” Proto replied.
“Why?” Kutch continued his skeptical tone.
“Because that would be precisely the minimum speed required to insure absolute terminal failure of a PPD to protect a falling human in a straight drop,” Alex answered dryly, peering down the shaft.
“That is correct,” Proto agreed.
“You caused the acceleration?” Kutch asked concerned.
“That is incorrect. However, I was unable to apply any mechanical deceleration procedures, due to a sudden, and completely unscheduled maintenance on the deceleration equipment,” Proto clarified.
“So how is that equipment failure?” Alex asked.
“Simple--the equipment failed to make an adequate safe deceleration before approaching the bottom,” Proto explained.
Kutch turned and realized where Alex was standing. “The sphere?”
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