A photonic image of the city of Tulacoss replaced the red dot. The city then moved from the string, into the tunnel, intersected with the opposite string, and then back through the tunnel, stopping on the green dot. Sador heard a collective gasp spread through the arena. Although his fellow citizens didn’t understand everything that he was telling them, they saw enough to comprehend the nature of what they were attempting. Sador knew the risks, but he also knew that to do nothing would mean the end of their ancient and powerful race.
“Now that I have outlined both the problem, and the solution, I and my team would like to demonstrate how we have overcome the issue of power.” Sador nodded to his assistant, and she took a position in front of the control panel adjacent to the cube. As she activated the control rods, a glowing light began to pulse at the very heart of the cube, accompanied by a gentle thrumming that grew louder as a predetermined sequence began.
Candor was transfixed, as the light passed over the edges of the geometric shapes inside the cube. The rainbow of colors grew thick, as if the light itself was liquefied and focused to an extreme density. As the colors reached the outer shell of the cube, the edges pulsed with an eerie blue light. The vibrations grew more powerful, the sound broadcast from the cube sending invisible waves through the crowd. Candor could feel them, penetrating his skin with an excitement that was electric. His eyes opened wide as the liquid light passed from the boundary of the cube back down toward the center. Back and forth the light kept moving, the sound rising like the beating of an immense heart at the center of the arena. Liquid colors of light blended together. And just as the floor began to tremble, the center of the cube assumed the white glow at the cube’s perimeter.
Crack-choom!
The arena shuddered, as the heavy sound shot through the crowd like a sonic boom. Candor realized that it was more than a compression wave, because as it passed through him, he could both see and feel the ripple. It was as if his life was turned into a photograph, and suddenly he was being forced to stand outside of it. It was an odd sensation, one that caused him to clench his fists by his sides, while gritting both sets of teeth.
That was a ripple in spacetime, thought Candor. Is time really that thin of a membrane?
Candor was grateful as the wave passed, and his version of reality returned. He also noticed that at the center of the cube was a blinding light. A moment later the metal plate the scientists affixed to the top began melting like mercury, covering the cube. By the time it was finished, the silver metal turned into a pearly white shell. While beneath that, the light continued to pulse in a hypnotic rhythm. Sador activated a switch on his control patch, and the strings above the arena disappeared, replaced by a small pinprick of light that was several orders of magnitude dimmer than what was inside the cube.
“What you are looking at, is the view from inside the geometric vortices of the cube. It has been magnified, as the portal itself is only the size of a single quark. It is, for simplicity sake, a doorway to the super-space tunnels. It is a quantum singularity; through which we can extract the energy we need to make our escape from this time-period.”
Everyone in the arena stood, shouting and applauding. Sador motioned for his team to join him, and together they bowed to both the Senedos Seiss, and their fellow citizens. What they would hear later, was that everyone throughout Penticore Prime was doing the same, as in one glorious voice they erupted with joy. Their salvation was at hand, as against all odds they had overcome, rising to a new level of technological sophistication. Everyone understood the magnitude of this profound and historic moment. With the same importance as when the three founding lines made it possible for their race to survive the Oxygen Invasion. Now here was Sador, of the line of Shuveen, and his name would live forever.
Candor was in awe of his father. Sador was unmatched in his love for his family, his dedication to his work, and the genius that allowed him to think in cosmic terms.
“Seiss Sador,” Candor said as he bowed to his father.
Sador took him by the shoulders. “My son,” he told him. Then he kissed him on the forehead and said. “It has been my honor to work for this day, and to be your father.”
As they embraced, the crowd grew wild with expressions of joy, and it was then that Candor caught a glimpse of a small group sitting behind them. Their conversation was animated, and although they looked both pleased and relieved, Candor swore that he saw some hesitation brewing behind their eyes. The cheers subsided, and the crowd took their seats once again.
Demast smiled and said. “This moment shall be recorded into the pages of our history, Seiss Sador. You bring honor to the line of Shuveen, and like no other since the time of Seiss Nophte Halsshik. This council gives you leave to prepare us for the time of our departure, and any resources that you require will be given.”
“My most humble apologies, Seiss Demast,” said a voice from behind them. Candor knew who it was before he turned to look.
Demast appeared angry at the interruption. Especially once he recognized the son of the leader of the Out-World Faction, a young Penticorian named, Ghedron Nassvhedt. Ghedron approached the dais and bowed to both the council, and Sador. Candor noted that none of them returned this gesture. In their society, it was like being slapped in the face, or publicly shunned.
“I beg the Senedos, and Seiss Sador’s forgiveness,” said Ghedron. “This breakthrough is cause for great celebration. Yet if you will please allow me the honor, my colleagues and I have a few questions concerning this technology.”
Sador returned Ghedron’s bow, and although he still looked a bit flustered, Demast nodded and said. “The Senedos Seiss recognize scientist, Ghedron Nassvhedt. You may ask your questions.”
“Excellent,” replied Ghedron.
He approached Sador, his arms clasped behind his back, his gray robe billowing around him. Candor thought he looked like a reptile that had not yet fully evolved into a true Penticorian. Ghedron was over six feet tall, with steely gray eyes, and a dark green complexion. While the red flecks on his cheeks gave him a sharp, almost devious look, when coupled to his closely cropped black hair.
“As you know,” began Ghedron, “my father and his team have successfully designed and tested most of the systems we require to construct the ark-ships. Transports that will take those of us who wish to leave Penticore Prime on our journey.”
“So long as you capture an asteroid with sufficient metal composition, and return it safely to Penticore Prime,” replied Sador. Clearly, he was not amused, and Candor knew from his tone that this was not the first time that this had happened. Candor felt his muscles tense as he went on alert, waiting to spring into action should Ghedron approach his father. Ghedron stopped to appraise Candor, and for an instant he looked genuinely surprised. As though he could sense that Candor was ready and willing to tear him to shreds to protect his father.
He smiled as he said. “That is true, Seiss Sador. However, that is a small matter when compared to the launch system we have designed. Smaller still when weighed against what was our common problem, namely power.”
Sador understood immediately. “You wish to use quantum singularities to power your vessels.”
“I do not know if that is possible,” replied Ghedron with a smile that made him look even more like a predator. “Does it generate its own magnetic field?”
“Yes, it does. In fact, this is the second of two singularities,” Sador motioned toward the cube beside them. “The other was removed to the city of Pharidoss. The fields the singularities generate are so powerful, that they would annihilate one another if they came together, causing a catastrophic implosion. So as a safety precaution, a minimum distance of three miles is maintained.”
Sador crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “This will all be made public through the Interlink after today. Surely you could have waited to ask these questions.”
Ghedron looked at the cube, and even touched it, as if he were at the altar praying to the Goddess.
His hand traced the cool opaque metal as his fingertips caressed the edge of the cube. “I agree, Seiss Sador, but this is all so freshly in our minds.” He turned, fixing both Sador and Candor with a concentrated stare. “I would beg your pardon to hear your answer. My father requested to see you on several occasions, to no avail.”
Sador sighed, and Candor understood just how tired and old his father really was. It pained him to see Sador being picked at, by what was essentially a young punk.
“Ghedron Nassvhedt, I have been at my work for countless decades. I never refused to meet with Seiss Theniass. Yet when I submitted times for your father to meet me, he continued to make apologies for his absence.”
Looking down, Ghedron said. “My humble apologies, Seiss Sador, for you are both very busy.” Then just as quickly his expression changed, and he smiled. “But please, if you would tell me, where does this subspace opening derive its power?”
Now it was Sador’s turn to smile, because for all his posturing, Ghedron was a brilliant scientist, and was surely an honor to his father.
Sador told Ghedron. “During the formation of the singularity, the opening locates itself onto the largest magnetic power source.”
“So, like a magnet, the singularity is drawn towards the largest source of magnetic power? And although travelling through time freely is not possible, you can use these super-space tunnels to traverse the time barrier?”
Even Candor could see that Ghedron already knew the answers, and was simply baiting the crowd. Although he wasn’t sure where this was going, he had a sinking feeling that Ghedron was going to continue to be a pain in his father’s side.
Well, not if I have anything to say about it. Candor thought, as something inside him awakened, something dark and malevolent. He stepped forward, ready to pummel Ghedron where he stood, when Sador grabbed him firmly by the forearm.
“Son, I appreciate what you’re trying to do for me,” he said to Candor’s mind. “But this is not the time or the place. Don’t worry, I can handle Ghedron.”
Candor looked at his father, and Sador smiled at him. Then turning back to Ghedron he replied. “Yes, and yes, to both questions.”
“Then by that logic the singularity is forming over what, the core of our planet?”
“No, the core of the planet is not the strongest source of magnetic energy. To fully comprehend the nature of the singularity you must think beyond the fourth dimension, to the realm of string theory. Actual distance means very little in terms of time or space when you consider the reality of the continuum.”
Ghedron turned, a gleam in his eyes. “That means that the largest magnetic power source near us would be, Eos?”
The crowd began to murmur as a psychological rift formed. Sador knew what his fellow citizens would be thinking. They would argue that he was infringing on the realm of the Goddess, an act that could label him a blasphemer. He knew that the day would come when this very question would arise, although he hadn’t planned on it being today. Yet he also knew that he had no intention of losing control as he had before, and certainly not to a child.
“That is true, Ghedron. Yet I would have your attention, my fellow citizens!”
Sador smiled inwardly as the crowd hushed, focusing on every word that he spoke. “Neither I, nor my team, directed the singularity to open into the heart of our Sun. Do not mistake me in this, because the laws of physics are absolute in this matter. The singularity naturally opens onto the most powerful magnetic force nearby. For every star system under Eos, the sun is the focal point of that power. If we resided in a binary star system, then the singularity would inevitably be drawn to the sun with the greater electromagnetic prominence.
“And besides,” said Sador with an earnest smile. “I believe that Eos herself has guided our hands. She has directed us to the only place where we can find the nourishment to endure, to her. I believe that she has blessed us for safeguarding her ways, and refusing to alter nature, and the order that she sets forth. She has shown her love for us by allowing us to use her energy, so that we may survive!”
“Here-here!” came the shouts from the crowd. The arena erupted in applause again, and even the Senedos Seiss stood, clapping in agreement. Sador made his case eloquently, and they knew that he just dealt a heavy blow to the Out-World Faction. As many in their ranks joined simply because the ruling Senedos refused to break with tradition, and release carbon dioxide from the planet.
Ghedron knew his attempt to undermine Sador had failed, and his face flushed crimson with anger. His hands balled into fists, and he looked as if he were going to charge Sador. Candor was there in an instant, ready to protect his father. It was strange, because Candor knew that he should be afraid. Something inside of him told him to be afraid, and yet as he watched Ghedron, he felt no fear whatsoever. In fact, it was quite the opposite. He felt powerful and full of strength, confident that he could disable Ghedron quickly if it came to blows. Somewhere, deep in the recesses of his mind, he heard a voice that sounded hauntingly familiar.
“Candy-ass,” it said. “What the hell would you be, without me?”
Candor pushed the voice from his thoughts, yet it was still there, lurking underneath the folds of his conscious mind. He smiled unknowingly as he waited for Ghedron to make a move.
Ghedron saw the look in Candor’s eyes, and it frightened him. There’s something wrong with him, something vulgar and evil. He would do me violence if I gave him cause, and have no ill conscience whatsoever as to my injury.
His anger abated, and Ghedron fell to his knees before Sador. “Seiss Sador, of the line of Shuveen, I beg you to aid us in our time of need.”
Sador stepped forward, and he was both proud, and a little concerned, to know that Candor would guard him so fiercely. He was worried that Candor was quick to resort to violence, even appearing to revel in his aggressive tendencies. It took their species tens of thousands of years to leave those traits behind, and yet here they were, right in front of him, resurrected anew. Sador resolved to meditate on this problem later. He turned to Ghedron and said. “As I stated, all of my work shall be available to anyone seeking it.”
“Your meaning is clear,” replied Ghedron, “in that the singularities cannot function in proximity to one another. This is dangerous technology by its very nature. I am right to reason that the Senedos Seiss will take measures to protect this knowledge. Once they do, our hope to obtain this power source will end.”
“Get up, Ghedron,” commanded Sador. “Worship is for the Goddess, not me.”
Ghedron did as he was told. He didn’t look at Sador as he stood, fearful of locking eyes with his son. Instead he looked at Sador and said. “If you would send some scientists to help us, then we could…”
Sador interrupted him. “Relocating fifteen cities through time will be a vast undertaking, Ghedron. I will need all the resources at my disposal if we are to be successful. However, I do beseech you, join with us now. We are your race, your brothers and sisters, your family. There is no need for division to remain.”
“But we have found it!” Ghedron implored, hoping that the elder scientist would see his earnestness. “We have found a habitable planet!”
Conversation erupted in the crowd. Some of it was shock, and Sador understood their feelings, because he shared them. He asked Ghedron. “If that is the case, then why didn’t your father come here to unveil this discovery?”
“Seiss Sador, my mother has taken ill, and the Healers can do nothing to save her.”
Sador understood, and he took pity on Ghedron, because he knew the effort it took for him to come to the Great Hall, and leave his family during a time of such sorrow. He sighed heavily and then told the youngster. “I will not be the one to turn my back on your family, nor the will of the Out-World Faction. Go now, and tell your father that I will take council with him, once this matter with your Shajin is concluded. May Eos bless your family.”
Sador bowed to Ghedron, while soon after, all those in the arena followe
d. Ghedron had tears in his eyes, and even though he was on the verge of weeping, he bowed before turning to leave. Yet unbeknownst to Ghedron, a conflict was brewing inside of Sador, one that he felt coming for some time. On the one hand, he had much to do in preparation for their journey through time. While on the other was his loyalty to his race. What ate at him was the knowledge that deep down he despised what the Out-World Faction was doing. He didn’t want to help them.
Yet do I have a choice? He thought as he ran a tense hand through his hair. As a Penticorian, did I ever really have a choice?
“Father,” said Candor, recognizing the weight of his father’s thoughts.
Sador straightened and addressed the Senedos Seiss. “I will take my leave of you now. I thank the Senedos Seiss, and all the citizens of Penticore Prime for their continued support. May the wisdom of Eos shine down upon us.”
Seiss Demast nodded, and Sador returned to his seat with Candor close at his side. The proceedings continued, and fortunately for everyone, with items that were far less stressful. Sador bent his knees to sit, and then stopped.
Janesska turned to him and asked. “Are you well, my husband?”
“Father?” asked Candor.
Sador raised a hand to quiet them, while the other massaged his temple. “I shall be fine. My business here is concluded, and I wish to go home now.”
Janesska stood and took Sador by the hand. “Then I will attend you,” she replied.
Sador kissed her tenderly as Candor stood up, intent on joining them. It was Janesska that halted him. “You should stay, Candor. We shall be fine, and I’m sure that Zyphon would be more than happy to see you home. Perhaps you can visit some of the shops along the way.”
Penticore Prime Page 13