Candor hugged him, and then kissed him on the brow. “Well, that is truly a reason to celebrate. You know, I struggled with advanced mathematics. Once again you have surpassed your father. So, what would you like as a reward?”
“I want to play airplane! Please, Father!”
Candor laughed. “Airplane” was a secret between him and his son, although Thalia knew how he indulged Thador from time to time. Their bonding gave Thalia access to every part of him. Although she still had trouble understanding some things, she could comprehend enough to question the reality of his memories. As did Candor, because they never faded. And his Penticorian memories from before his last rejuvenation never returned.
“Airplane it is,” replied Candor.
His eyes closed to thin slits as he brought his thoughts into focus. First, he felt the electromagnetic field of his own body, as like a beacon in the night it glowed white. Then, stretching out with his senses, he felt the threads of connection between himself and his son. Millions of sparking subatomic tendrils that weaved between them in complex and beautiful patterns. Then Candor went further, tugging at the weak electromagnetic fields surrounding everything in the room.
First the chair he was sitting in, then the table, and on to the light overhead. The part of his mind that could then borrow those electromagnetic forces went into action. Pulling in all directions, Candor focused them around the body of his son; and slowly, Thador began to rise from his father’s lap. Thador laughed with glee as he floated up, extending his hands out to his sides as he locked his feet together. “Brooom!” he said, trying to mimic the sound of a jet turbine. Candor explained the concept to him many years before, and Thador was fascinated by the idea of machines that hurtled through the sky using thrust. For reasons that Candor couldn’t explain, Thador was bored with the field generators of Penticorian design. When questioned, his son’s only explanation was to say. “At least with airplanes you can go wherever you want. Sure, we can go wherever we want inside our cities, but an airplane can go outside, and travel all over Penticore Prime.”
Candor reminded him that using thrust, meant that crashes were inevitable. Yet Thador just shrugged off the comment, as if the rewards far outweighed the risks. In the end, Candor left his son to his imagination. Watching with keen interest as Thador began to construct elaborate models. Models that much to his mother’s chagrin, he would often fly through the house, breaking or disturbing everything that wasn’t nailed to the floor.
Candor looked up, and realized that Thador was touching the ceiling, so he lowered him a few feet.
“Awe come on, Father, I like to touch the ceiling.”
“If I do that, then I shall never hear the end of it from your mother.”
They both laughed. Once again, Candor was enraptured by the joys of life, and fatherhood. What troubled him was the why, because in his human memories he never took a wife, or fathered children. He was certain that during his last encounter with Jeremiah Strange, he gained access to all his memories. Yet at times like this he wasn’t sure. He could feel something lurking in the back of his subconscious, deliberately keeping some of his memories from surfacing.
All I remember is that I was alone, an orphan from a war-torn country, and subjected to experiments that gave rise to Jeremiah Strange. Still, that shouldn’t be the only reason why I never got married or had children…is it?
“Well, what have we here?” said Thalia, letting them know that she was there. “How many times have I told you both not to play airplane in the house?”
Candor could tell from her tone that she was being coy, and didn’t really mean it. Nevertheless, he reached out with his mind and gently lowered Thador.
“Coming in for a landing,” he said.
“Right!” said Thador. “Landing gear down, burr, flaps down, burr…throttle back.”
“You are cleared on runway three-four-nine-left,” said Candor with a chuckle.
“And thank you for flying, Air Thador!”
Candor heard Thalia laughing softly, as Thador touched down. Just as quickly he shot to his feet and shouted. “Again Father, again please!”
“My beloved child,” said Thalia. “I would speak with your father now. We have some matters of importance to discuss. Run along and tend to your studies, your next learning cycle begins soon.”
The normal response for a child would be to protest in some fashion. However, Thador Shuveen was not just any child. He was over two-hundred years old, which had the effect of tempering his youthful zeal with wisdom. He looked at Candor, his eyes questioning without saying a word.
Candor smiled and shrugged, before telling him. “I have no idea what your mother wants,” he said. “You’d better run along, my son. I tell you what, go and see Jinx, and Amron. Tell them I believe that you are ready to begin work on your very own movie. Have them open a file that belongs only to you. I want to see what you come up with, and I’m certain that I will be absolutely delighted.”
Thador smiled, grinning from ear-to-ear, and then just as quickly he lunged forward and embraced Candor. “Thank you, Father. Your faith in me will not be misplaced. I am truly honored, and I love you.”
“And I love you, my son,” replied Candor as he hugged his child. “Now run along.”
Thador nodded, and then approached Thalia, giving his mother a hug and a kiss before running off to find Jinx.
“So, etts imád, I am at your service.”
Thalia approached him, gave him a kiss, and then sat down beside him. “You know you indulge Thador endlessly. He shall become spoiled if you continue.”
“Absolutely I indulge him, and so shall it be with our little Vesspa.” Candor replied, as he gently caressed her swollen stomach. He adored the name, and asked his mother for permission to honor his lost sister. Janesska’s reaction was to burst into tears. At first Candor thought he’d made a mistake, until she embraced him, telling him that it was the greatest honor she could ever receive.
“And how are my two beautiful ladies, this fine day?”
Thalia smiled as her hand overlapped Candor’s. “Vesspa is restless, etts esstoné. I think she wishes entry into the world, and I don’t disagree with her. My feet are swollen, and I find myself increasingly fatigued as I come to term.”
“Here then, let me see what I can do to assist you,” replied Candor, gently reaching down to lift her feet onto his lap. He began to massage them, and Thalia purred with satisfaction as she closed her eyes. Meanwhile, her hands caressed the child inside of her in a rhythmic motion that was purely subconscious.
“So, what would you like to talk about?”
“I’ll tell you, so long as you don’t stop ministering to me,” she replied.
Candor blushed as he realized that he’d stopped, and quickly rectified the situation. “Is that better, etts imád?”
“Yes…” She cooed as he gently squeezed the heel of one foot. “And I came to say that I have reached a decision.”
“I don’t understand, a decision concerning what?”
“A decision concerning our place in The Exodus, an issue that must be concluded.”
Candor felt his heart beat a little faster. The last time they spoke of this was just before their bonding, and they decided to wait.
Well, it has been about four-hundred years. I suppose that now is as good a time as any.
“You know we still have time,” he reminded her. “A little over fifteen-hundred years, to be exact.”
“I know, my husband, but I want to give our family time to adjust. Both of our mother’s question me on occasion. I know that it’s important to them, because whatever we decide will have an impact on the entire family. I think it’s only fair that we provide the family we leave behind with the opportunity to spend time with us, and our children. As you said long ago, however, our decision must be made together. Since more than likely we will never see each other again, at least not in this life under Eos.”
“You are both wise and beautiful
, my beloved wife. I didn’t think about the situation in quite that manner.”
“Of course, I am wise, you bonded with me,” Thalia said with a smile. “As for beautiful, I don’t feel particularly beautiful. I feel exhausted, bloated, and constantly famished.”
Candor laughed, and then took one of her hands and kissed it. “I tell you that you are more beautiful now than the day we met, etts imád. If it were up to me I would have a dozen children with you.”
“A dozen! Bless me, Goddess, for he knows not what he asks!” she exclaimed sarcastically. “And you should be so fortunate as to accept the burden of childbirth!”
He wasn’t sure exactly how he was supposed to reply to that. So instead he changed the subject. “So, what is your decision?”
Thalia looked at him, her demeanor somber. “I believe that we will stay here, on Penticore Prime.”
“Really?” said Candor, astounded at Thalia’s revelation. “I honestly thought that we would remain at odds when it came to this particular question. I suppose it’s the reason that I never brought it up. May I ask how you reached this conclusion?”
“I love my family, you know this, but I never really wanted to leave. Penticore Prime is my home, it is our home. Our children will live a great deal of their lives here, and it is the place from which our race evolved under the watchful eyes of the Goddess. I know that where we are going in the future will be different. Yet it will still be our home, it will still be Penticore Prime. I feel that our place is here.”
Silence fell over them, as he considered what Thalia said. He marveled at the poetic way she articulated her reasons, and he admitted that her thoughts on the matter were superior to his own. Still, there was doubt as he told her. “I don’t think I’m as certain as you are, etts imád. Think about it, we have an unprecedented opportunity to travel the stars, and see a new world. Isn’t that exciting, isn’t it worth considering?”
“Yes, my husband. You are doing a fine job of convincing yourself, but I am not swayed by your argument.”
“What, you think I’m being dishonest?”
“Not with me, but with yourself.”
“Now why would I do that?”
Thalia caressed his hand and said, “Your love for me is absolute. I know this because I see it in you, and I feel it each time that we touch. I also know that you do not wish to see me unhappy. So, you have convinced yourself of the possibility of leaving, but deep down I know you. Even if you choose to ignore your own feelings, I know that your heart longs to stay on Penticore Prime. I simply share your love of our home.”
Somewhere inside him, Candor felt the underpinnings of his emotions give way. Deep down he knew that Thalia was right about him, but he needed to know for certain that she wasn’t just telling him what he wanted to hear. He took her hand, and in the familiar confines of the bonds that existed between them he reached in, asking her to reveal her thoughts and feelings. Thalia did so without hesitation, and Candor felt a wave of thoughts and emotions rushing over him, like a cool spray of waterfall. He knew that she was telling him the truth. Even Vesspa was excited. Though she remained unborn, Penticorian children had the capacity to absorb and learn vast amounts of knowledge from their parents. They would even be still when their mothers asked them not to kick inside their wombs.
“Rest, my beloved daughter,” Candor soothed the child. All is well, and soon you shall be among us. Rest now, and dream the good dream.”
Candor sensed that Vesspa put her thumb in her mouth and began to suck on it, drifting off into placid dreams, as Candor kissed Thalia.
“I love you with all of my heart, and fadosh,” he said. “I don’t know what I would do without you. I couldn’t live without you, Thador, and Vesspa. You are the keeper of my life since the day that I first beheld your beauty, and so shall it be forever. Even after this life, when we are both together in the arms of the Goddess.”
Thalia leaned forward, as much as her belly would allow, and kissed him. “So, it is settled then?”
“It is settled.”
“Excellent, then I shall set a dinner for the family, and we will announce it together.”
“I am by your side always, etts imád.”
Thalia caressed his cheek. “And I am here by your side always, etts esstoné.”
“I should get going,” said Candor. “I told Seiss Theniass that I would meet with him today, at the observation platform.”
“Really, did he say what he wanted?”
“No, just that he requested my assistance with something.”
“That’s odd. Why would a scientist require the assistance of a tale-smith?”
Candor shrugged as he got to his feet. “I’m not sure, and I agree, it is a bit odd. Perhaps he wants me to recite poetry, while he and his team work. You know, give them some inspiration.”
“You have such an odd sense of humor.”
“I know, but that’s why you love me so.” Candor laughed, then he leaned over and kissed her one last time.
Thalia smirked, as if there was no way around it. Smiling, she told him, “Indeed, my husband, I do.”
The doors opened, and Candor stepped out onto the orbital observation platform. Since the announcement of his father’s aid, the laboratory doubled as a command center for both factions. It was a beehive of activity, with individuals working around the clock. Scientists and diplomats on both sides acquired space for everything, from logistics support and technical assistance, to research and development. There were also offices for the governing body of the Out-World Faction, called, Ventak Penticoras Senedos, which meant, The New Fathers of Penticoras.
My father was right, thought Candor as he exited the lift. Even with fifteen-hundred years before The Exodus, there is still very little time.
Looking out through the nearest transparent wall, he saw Penticore Prime’s new moon, Exodus One. Of course, it didn’t look anything like it did when it arrived in orbit sixty years ago. Then it was a large rock, a massive ball which contained over a dozen different minerals. Now it was lopsided, like it was cleaved in two by a surgeon’s knife. Candor could even see a hint of sunlight around the asteroid from his current vantage point. In his mind’s eye, he visualized the thousands of automated probes which scoured the surface, slicing off massive chunks of the asteroid for transport to the city below. In fact, he was just in time to witness a harvester, as it latched on to one of the monstrous pieces. Its massive clamps locked a huge rectangle of ore into position on a massive hollowed-out cargo bay. The transport then began its journey toward the city’s docking ring. Later, on the surface, teams of technicians process the ore, providing trillions of Construct Healers the materials they required to continue the massive undertaking.
Far beyond Exodus One, Candor beheld the shadowy outline of the gigantic counterweight for the launch cable that was stationed outside the city. He’d never seen anything like it, and he doubted that he would ever see such a thing again in his lifetime. The cable itself was simplistic, beginning as microscopic fibers of titanium steel, embedded with a hybrid form of silk, that was then impregnated with Construct Healers. Once the link from the ground terminal to the orbital station was complete, the Healers began pulling titanium and iron molecules from ground based ore deposits. What began as a cable only a few centimeters thick, was now more than nine feet in diameter, with three times that size to go before the launch cable was finished. In addition, the cable was designed specifically to be a magnetic resonator, like the rails on the towers. And while the docking clamp was not yet complete, it would be the driving force behind the entire operation. Propelled along the cable, and accelerated to escape velocity, the clamp would bear the brunt of the phenomenal forces it would take to launch the ships.
A massive cable reaches into orbit, thought Candor. While down below, resting on launch pads that are a mile apart, two ships will stand ready. Thalia said that the docking clamp will begin to turn as it ascends, adding to its kinetic energy, so by the time it reach
es the counterweight it’ll be traveling at roughly seven miles per second. Then the rings at the end of each arm will let go, and two ships will be hurtled into space, and begin their journey.
He knew that the process was considerably more complicated than that, yet Candor had come to terms with the fact that he was a tale-smith, and not a scientist. It was okay if he romanticized the events of The Exodus, putting them into terms that he understood. He also understood that both the cable and docking clamp were nearly indestructible. They had to be, because there would be one launch, containing two ships each week, for fourteen consecutive weeks, before the task was complete.
Candor still didn’t understand everything, an example being time dilation. Once the paired ships negotiated the asteroid belt, they would join, bonding into one massive ship at the molecular level, and then create a quantum singularity. And even though the singularity generated infinite power and mass, allowing them to approach the speed of light, they were still restricted by physical limitations. Inertia was still inertia, and they could only dampen its effects at lower velocities. They had not been able to find a way to completely overcome it for space travel, only circumvent it to a lesser degree.
After five years of steady acceleration, they would reach a cruising speed of one-one-hundredth the speed of light, or about three-million meters-per-second. But even at that rate it would take them generations to reach Enos Penticoras. So, to cut that down to something more manageable, a little over five-hundred years, the ships were going to do what Seiss Theniass had done with the probe. Instead of taking the long way, that being a straight line, the ships were going to make a series of jumps on the superstring vortices of the spacetime continuum. This was where Candor’s understanding broke down, giving way to his Father’s expertise. But sufficed to say, the ships were going to skip over time and space, like a stone tossed across still water. However, what tweaked Candor was the time difference. Because even though only a few months passed planet-side, the first ships would arrive on Enos Penticoras almost five-hundred years before the last ships to leave Penticore Prime.
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