Penticore Prime

by Mark Chevalier

  “You see, Seiss Theniass, we know of your plans to colonize Enos Penticoras. And we also know that at this very moment the probe you sent to the planet has dispatched replicating Construct Healers. Even now, your towers rise to pierce the atmosphere. When you arrive, there will be fully functioning cities, and your ships will not be subjected to atmospheric reentry.”

  “Seiss Demast,” said Theniass. “I can assure you that my intention was not to circumvent the Senedos Seiss…”

  “Oh, yes it was. Please, let us all speak plainly,” the old Seiss interrupted. “You know that we have been trying to talk both you, and your followers, into reconsidering your position in this matter. And so, you proceeded in the only logical manner available to you. Ensuring that both you and your followers remain committed to the endeavor. I myself can hardly fault you for the unwavering dedication to your cause. I harbor no ill will against you.”

  “Then why the secrecy of this meeting?” asked Theniass.

  Demast took another sip of jenjiss before replying. “You will understand in a moment, Seiss Theniass. For you see, the Senedos Seiss are now wholly convinced that there is no stopping the Out-World Faction. To us, this is a sad day indeed, for we accept the fact that our civilization will be irrevocably separated by both time and space.

  “Yet even though we mourn this great loss, we submit to the will of the Goddess. For if it was not the will of Eos, we know that it would not be taking place. So here is our decree to you, Seiss Theniass, for you lead the Out-World Faction. Shall you hear it willingly?”

  Theniass stood, and bowed in a show of respect. “I will hear the will of the Senedos Seiss, with all humility.”

  “Good,” said the old Seiss. “Here is the decree of the Governing Council. From this day forth, the Out-World Faction will be accorded all support in achieving its goals. For we are Penticorian, and as such we will support each other, even if we are to be separated.”

  Candor saw Theniass smile, and he couldn’t help but be excited for him, as this was an affirmation of all his sacrifices and struggles.

  “However, this declaration also means that certain fundamental changes must be made. For one, six-hundred years before The Exodus is set to occur, we require the submission of a signed docket of all those who choose to depart Penticore Prime. It will be imperative for our own journey that we have an accurate census.

  “Second, after the docket is submitted, the Out-World Faction must provide the Senedos Seiss with a petition for independent status. It must include your chosen form of government, and a list of all those who will govern. Third, from that point on, all members of the Out-World Faction must relocate to the city of Tulacoss.

  “And finally,” said Demast in a weary tone. It was sadness, mixed with a stoic resignation that touched him on an emotional level. “The Out-World Faction must depart no less than twenty years before our own Exodus is to begin. We will require time to repatriate parts of Tulacoss, and will need to expend all of our efforts to secure the safety of our citizens.”

  Theniass bowed once more. “It will be done as the Senedos Seiss decree. And with all respect, I declare the Out-World Faction’s devotion, and great love, for the citizens of Penticore Prime. We are comrades, no matter the distance between us. I know in my heart that one day the descendants of Enos Penticoras, will meet with the descendants of Penticore Prime. It is my belief that when that day comes, they will look upon one another, and will be brothers.”

  Seiss Demast leaned back in his chair, and tears formed at the corners of his eyes as the sadness enveloped him. “I hope,” he said choking back the tears, “that you are proven correct, Seiss Theniass.”

  “Here-here,” added Sador. And one by one, all around the table raised their glasses in a toast.

  “Seiss Sador,” said Demast after a pause. “The Senedos Seiss have agreed to all manner of technical assistance regarding the technology for the creation of singularities. Will that be an issue for you, old friend?”

  Candor watched his father for a reaction. Demast didn’t know that Sador had offered as much, just before he arrived. Yet the silent question remained. Will my father tell him so, or will he let it pass?

  “It is my honor to serve the Senedos Seiss,” Sador told him. “It shall be done as ordered, and it will not impede our progress.”

  “Excellent,” replied the old Seiss. “Remember, Seiss Theniass, once the decree is announced, the Out-World Faction will no longer be considered a part of this world. You must be ready, and vigilant. I think you shall find that the mantle of leadership will be a weightier burden than you expect. Yet I am confident that you will not let the citizens of Enos Penticoras fall into discord.”

  “I would be honored to have the opportunity to become your student, Seiss Demast. I admit that it will be a daunting challenge, and your wisdom would be most valued.”

  Seiss Demast smiled, and his demeanor improved considerably as he reached for his glass. “It is I, who would be honored, Seiss Theniass. I must admit that I envy you. For you and the Out-World Faction will live to see things that cannot be imagined. You will stand upon the shores of an alien world, where new beginnings and experiences will be commonplace for many thousands of years to come. It will truly be a momentous time for all of you.

  “And now, before my old bones cause my mind to become addled in their craving for sleep, I will address you, Sir Zyphon.”

  Oh boy, thought Candor. And now we come to it, the grand finale. I hope the Senedos Seiss didn’t decide to do anything rash.

  Theniass took his seat, and Zyphon arose. He looked paler than Candor had ever seen him. His heart went out to his dear friend, his brother, and his most trusted companion.

  “It is my honor to hear the decree of the Senedos Seiss,” said Zyphon. “I stand ready to account for my actions.”

  “Do you?” replied the old Seiss. “I think that once you hear what I have to say, your convictions may falter.”

  “I would hear it, and accept it, nonetheless, Seiss Demast.”

  “Very well, Sir Zyphon. I tell you that as a Governing Council, we are appalled at your blatant disregard for our laws. Penticorian’s do not seek immortality. We all desire to one day be reunited with the Goddess. What you have done shakes the very foundation of who we are. Our fadosh longs to join with Eos. It is the summation of our life, our energy. And as any young one in a learning cycle will tell you, energy in any isolated system remains constant. It cannot be created nor destroyed, it can only change forms.

  “You may not have set out to defeat death, but nevertheless, you have inadvertently created the means to that end. It is a strong and potent temptation, to be sure. We are mortal, Sir Zyphon. We were created mortal by the Goddess, and we must hold true to that calling. Do you understand?”

  Zyphon lowered his head, and even Candor felt the sting of Seiss Demast’s words, because he assisted at the incarnation of Shajin Kythonia. Yet he held fast as he looked to his father, ready to take up the argument in defense of his friend. Sador knew what Candor was thinking, and softly shook his head. His hand rose just a few inches above the table, a signal for him to mind his place before the leader of the Senedos Seiss.

  “I do,” replied Zyphon. “I did not reason on this line of thought, Seiss Demast. For that I am truly humbled. The Senedos Seiss, and the citizens of Penticore Prime, have my most sincere apologies for my indiscretion.”

  The old Seiss waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Ah, but what is done cannot be undone, Sir Zyphon, only dealt with accordingly. So here is the decree of the Senedos Seiss. On the morrow, we shall institute the following laws. First, each citizen is entitled by birth to five rejuvenations. That will not change, as it is to honor, by tradition, the number of Sentak Seiss in each of the fifteen cities.

  “Second, is this matter of incarnation. For it shall be decreed that each citizen is entitled by birth to obtain no more than three incarnations. This number honors the system by which we live. With one moon, Pentico
re Minor, the ocean from which we came, Penticore Major, and the solid ground which we call home, Penticore Prime.

  “But know this, Sir Zyphon. Rejuvenations’ shall not renew with each incarnation. The number of five is to be concurrent with the three incarnations’. So that we will not be tempted to think of ourselves as equal to the Goddess, and disregard our allegiance. Seiss Nophte Halsshik committed that error long ago. The Goddess never forgave him for it, and all of us suffered as a result.”

  What remained of the human geologist inside Candor wanted to argue that point with Seiss Demast. Climate changes are a natural part of any geologically active planet. Carbon dioxide levels fall in the atmosphere for many different reasons. And none of them are related to Seiss Nophte Halsshik. Even though I have faith in the Goddess, my ancestor lived in an age where superstition was blended with religion. He was little more than a warlord who grieved the blood on his hands, and spent all his remaining days in penance.

  Candor wanted to say it. He could feel the words forming, yet he knew better, and kept his opinions to himself. The fact was that even in their current state of technological superiority, Penticorian’s comingled the religion of Eos with everything they did. The surest way for him to become a social outcast was to unhinge his jaw, and call their beliefs into question. So instead he kept his mouth shut. And for good measure he said a silent prayer, asking the Goddess to forgive him, just in case she could hear his thoughts.

  “I understand, Seiss Demast,” said Zyphon.

  “There is more, Sir Zyphon. We honor your incarnation of Shajin Kythonia, but we do not, regarding Seiss Theniass. The Lady Kythonia was near death, and you acted in good conscience to preserve her life. With Seiss Theniass you behaved irresponsibly. He was not near death, only an old Penticorian who should have known better than to solicit an incarnation.”

  Seiss Theniass was chagrined at the chastisement from the elder Seiss. Yet he made no move to apologize, nor argue. Implying that Theniass knew his incarnation would not be well received, but had done it anyway.

  Demast continued. “You allowed your pride to override your sense of duty in this matter, Sir Zyphon. As a result, the Senedos Seiss are agreed that you must leave Penticore Prime with the Out-World Faction. Now if that is what you wished, then my words mean nothing. Yet if you intended to stay, then it would surely be a fitting punishment for the sins that you have committed.”

  The room fell silent as they digested that piece of startling news. For unlike the rest of Penticore Prime, Zyphon’s free will to choose his path during The Exodus had been revoked.

  “I intended to stay on Penticore Prime, for it is my home.” Zyphon replied.

  The dejected look on his face was more than Candor could bear. Even though he knew that his father would disapprove, he couldn’t bear to see his friend in pain as he said. “Surely there must be another way to resolve this, Seiss Demast. Please, I implore you to have mercy upon him.”

  “I understand how you feel, Sir Candor. Remember that you bear responsibility in this matter as well. Were you not present at the incarnation of Shajin Kythonia?”

  “I was, Seiss Demast, but we saved her life.”

  “You share culpability, Sir Candor. And whether you realize it or not, we overlooked the role that you played. The price for that oversight is the expulsion of Sir Zyphon. Would you share in his fate? Would you sacrifice yourself to restore your friend, nay, your brother, to gain his freedom? Would you relinquish your life, and assume his burden?”

  For Candor, there wasn’t the slightest hesitation. “I certainly would…”

  “No, Candor!” shouted Zyphon, cutting him off. “You shall not! Not under any circumstances, my old friend. This is my burden to bear, not yours.

  “Seiss Demast,” Zyphon continued. “Standing before the Goddess as a true Penticorian should,” he added, “I accept the decision of the Senedos Seiss. With humility and loyalty, I shall leave Penticore Prime with the Out-World Faction. I am honored to serve both the citizens of Penticore Prime, and the Goddess. I would entreat the Senedos Seiss, that as further penance I be allowed to institute a learning cycle for all the physicians of Penticore Prime. They shall require proper instruction on the use of the nanites, and the laws governing the methods of incarnation.”

  The old Seiss took another drink as he considered it. Then he nodded and said. “I see no reason why that would not be acceptable. You have earned my respect for continuing under such difficult circumstances.”

  “Speaking on behalf of the Out-World Faction,” added Theniass. “I welcome Sir Zyphon with open arms, and the love of a true brother. You are honored among us.”

  Zyphon nodded toward Theniass, and Kythonia embraced him, adding a chaste kiss to his cheek. “Yes,” she said, appraising him with a warm smile. “You are loved by all.”

  “Well then, it is settled,” Seiss Demast said. “And now that my obligations have been discharged, I shall take my leave of you. I have a great many other duties to attend in the morning. The matter of escalating violence in this city being foremost among them.”

  Everyone was more than shocked at the news, and more than appalled. To think that one Penticorian would injure another, on purpose, was a crime of the highest order.

  “Please, Seiss Demast, can you elaborate?” Sador inquired.

  “Not much is known, Seiss Sador. As you know, long ago we disposed of any monitoring equipment inside the dome. We do not know if it is one citizen, or many. What we know is that eight citizens have been attacked in recent years. None of them died, thank the Goddess, but they all required extensive rejuvenation, except for one.”

  “That would be Shajin Phēń-Mazas, who I incarnated two nights ago,” replied Zyphon.

  “Indeed, Sir Zyphon,” said Demast. “Another selfless act, and one that weighed heavy upon me when final judgment on your actions was being debated.

  “I didn’t know what happened to her until you said something, Seiss Demast. I knew that the laceration on her neck was too precise to be the result of an industrial malfunction.”

  “Laceration?” Candor asked.

  “Her head was nearly severed from her body,” Zyphon replied. “However, her fadosh was still present, and I was able to revive her. She doesn’t remember what happened to her, so obviously the Senedos Seiss are aware of a pattern. Are you keeping this a secret from the citizenry on purpose, Seiss Demast?”

  “No,” replied the old Seiss with a hint of irritation. “Since we don’t know what we are dealing with, we do not wish to cause panic. Instead we have quietly increased Lawgiver presence in the city. We will get to the bottom of this soon enough, I can assure you all. And please, be vigilant, but do not share this information.”

  All of them were still in shock, when Seiss Demast let them know that the conversation was over. “I thank you for inviting me to your table, and the wonderful evening meal.”

  Everyone stood and bowed, as the old Seiss retrieved his cane. They bid him goodbye, and when it was Candor’s turn, his heart just wasn’t in it. And not because of the revelation that there was a murderer among them, but because he knew that after tonight nothing would ever be the same. He sensed that he and Zyphon were destined to be separated, and the thought grieved him, because he envisioned a world in which they would always be friends. A world where Zyphon would be bonded, and their children would play together.

  Now I fear that will not happen, thought Candor. I don’t remember having a true friend in my human memories. And since they are the only memories that persist, I was looking forward to growing old with my wife, and my friend.

  Jinx escorted Seiss Demast from the room, and as they sat down, Theniass said. “We have much work to do, Seiss Sador.”

  Candor’s father nodded. “I agree. And we must be to it with all haste.”

  “Are you all right, my old friend?” Candor asked Zyphon.

  His friend managed a thin smile as he touched his shoulder. “I am well, Candor. Please do not troubl
e yourself over me. What was done, had to be done, and could be no other way.”

  “And who is to say that the government of the Out-World Faction will not be more liberal,” Theniass added. “Just because the Senedos Seiss have restricted incarnations to three on Penticore Prime, doesn’t make it so for the citizens of Enos Penticoras.”

  “You would live forever?” Sador asked.

  “Perhaps, but I don’t think that even I would desire such a thing. I think that Seiss Demast is correct. We are only mortal, and eventually even life would become something of a burden. However, I do believe that the Out-World faction will decide to leave the number of incarnations up to the individual.”

  “Interesting,” replied Sador. “I don’t think the Senedos Seiss even considered that with infinite incarnations, a Penticorian may still choose to die.”

  “Ah,” replied Theniass with a wave of his hand. “We are brothers, Seiss Sador. Our past bickering is over. I shall not trouble you over such things as my opinion of the Senedos Seiss.”

  “And I,” replied Sador, “am delighted to hear it.”

  They all laughed, and the tension in the room declined, as the conversation turned to other things. Yet even though Candor smiled, holding Thalia’s hand and relishing her attentions, he couldn’t help but feel sad.

  Oh yes, he thought. Things will never be the same again. More’s the pity…

  On the fifteenth day of Eos, in the month of Astruess, Candor and Thalia were bonded. In the city of Tulacoss, in the house of Eos, and presided over by the High Priest of Halsshik, known as a Venishh Devasshik, over five-thousand citizens witnessed the ceremony. Throughout the fifteen cities, in other houses of Eos, photonic projectors revealed their actions, giving the impression that Candor and Thalia were with them, and capturing the event for all who desired to be a part of the ceremony.

  Candor was uncomfortable being broadcast throughout their world. Nevertheless, he understood that for the citizens of Penticore Prime, his bonding was a monumental event. After all, since the opening of Earthly Light, he was a celebrity. The name Candor Shuveen was highly respected and adored. Even his term, “movie,” was synonymous with his work. New venues were dedicated, and technical crews upgraded hundreds of theaters with additional photonic projectors, so that audiences could experience them as he intended. While far and wide the clamor continued, as citizens throughout their world anxiously waited to see what movie he would come out with next.