NetherWorld

by Daniel Quiles Pagan

  Exiting the forest, Nick noticed that the rain stopped as soon as he entered the field. It appeared that the rain only occurred in the Silver Forest. The field smelled of sulfur. Dead grasses decomposed in the damp fields creating the sharp odor. Nick tried not to breathe in the offensive odor as he trudged through the muck of the field. Whatever this place was, it sure stunk. Most of the field had already rotted away. Only a few healthy silver stalks stood in the fallow field.

  The field encircled the massive Walled City. It was a fair distance from the forest edge. He could clearly see the spectacular skyline as he approached. A bright light emanated from what appeared to be the center. Maybe someone in the city could explain things to him. No sense in dallying in a grassy necropolis.

  Nick made his way towards the walled metropolis. With no idea where he was or what this world is, he figured maybe someone in those buildings can provide some answers. His bites began to itch quite a bit. Hopefully, they will have something for that as well, he thought.

  As he approached the great wall, he noticed the bright cloudy sky still contained no sun. How can this be? The light has to be coming from somewhere. Ambient blue hues domed this world much the way the sky appears in Karbonon, sans the sun.

  “This is just too freaky,” he said while scratching all over his body. Nick was getting tired of talking to himself. “Where are all the people? Well let’s see if we can figure out what the hell is going on.”

  Nick could see a large moat of vibrant lime liquid surrounding it. The moat was fed by the stream that came from the forest. The smell was unbearable. Tears welled up in his eyes. Holding his nose did not help fight the overpowering sulfur sewage smell. Viscous jaba gel gurgled as it collected in the moat. It sounded like a small dog on the verge of regurgitating something he wasn’t supposed to eat.

  Families of the flat black amoebas he saw in the forest slid freely atop the green moat. They looked like the Murks from the Silver Forest. There were so many of them. Nick, having already witnessed the power of these shape; back away from the two dimensional predators.

  Now that he was out of the forest he could see the encroaching dark section of trees had nearly consumed the forest. There were trees with no leaves and some of the trees had fallen into the sticky swamp. The desiccated forest appeared beyond rescue. This was one unhealthy other world, he mused.

  The massive wall surrounding the city appeared to be made of white fish scales. A large brown drawbridge, almost as high as the wall, was the only visible entrance to the city. The drawbridge had the same fish scale composition. Hopefully someone would lower the bridge and rescue him from the smelly mess outside.

  “Ok. How do you knock on that door?” he said aloud. There was no tool to contact the gate keeper. Nick look around for some sort of intercom. He could not find any way to signal the city that he wanted to come inside. Hopefully, there was some sort of sentry who monitors moat entrance.

  “Hello! Anybody? Hello!” he shouted at the gate. “Please! It stinks out here!” Nothing moved, but the liquid gurgling in the moat.

  “Hey! Message guy! Some creature name ReadMe told me to come here. Hello?” Moments later the sound of chains turning preceded the slow release of the gate. I guess there is someone out there, he thought to himself.

  “I hope you didn’t call him ‘creature’. He really hates that,” said a voice from within the walled city.

  Chapter 5

  The Great Debate

  Book of TranFor: There are things which cannot be decided in a civil matter. Such things are born in debate and decided in battle.

  The Council congregated in a large translucent dome located near the Nexus of Tera. In and around the Nexus, brilliant light streamed from the ground to sky. Even in downtime, the Nexus glowed among the silent buildings lining empty streams.

  The group was now gathered for the most important of debates. History would be made under this dome. The impact of these discussions would extend further than anyone suspected.

  Silicates followed rules. That’s what they did. That’s what they always did. Most of the time, there was little to no dissension with regard to which rule to follow. This was one of those unique moments when enough prominent Silicates were divided, that serious debate was needed to decide which way to go.

  Twelve blue colored spheres spun into the circle to decide the direction of the Silicate nation. Most Bytes had three modes of locomotion. They could walk, using their plunger legs. This was how they moved around on any surface other than the streams. Bytes can be seen plunging about their business all over NetherWorld. This was, by far, the predominant form of locomotion.

  They could spin, which involved retracting their legs to become a buoyant sphere. Once in sphere mode, their southern polar regions spun causing the Bytes to levitate and move in any chosen direction. Spinning was the way of the elites. All Bytes could spin, but social rules reserved this for dignitaries like the High Council.

  Any unauthorized Byte spinning was frowned upon. Silicates generally adhered to a strict set of protocols. Any deviant acts, such as spinning without license, was punished in a variety of corporeal procedures. Most of these punishments left the offender a tad sore and unable to spin for at least a few cycles.

  The final method of Silicate locomotion was surfing. All Bytes who travelled the streams used this method. To surf, Bytes retract their plunger legs as well. The spinning motion of the southern polar region served as a motor of sorts, to propel the Byte forward atop the stream. Surfing was used primarily for long distance travel.

  The Servers were among the most revered Bytes in all of NetherWorld. They managed the operations of an entire sector of the Walled City. This vast metropolis was composed of twelve distinct sectors. There was a thirteenth sector of the metropolis that was not represented anyone on the High Council, the Silicate Slums. This was an untamed area overrun with unsavory Silicates bent on self destruction. Buildings were in such disrepair, that the administrative arm of the High Council, SolidState, had condemned most of the entire sector. Some areas were so vile, they were quarantined. Of course, everyone knew that NazKlan was most likely responsible for the troubles in the slums, but there was no proof. Their need for jaba allowed for strange bedfellows.

  The Servers were the bluest of the Bytes. Pure royalty as far as the Nethers were concerned. They had their own supply of purified jaba to make sure none of them would succumb to the taint. In order to preserve order, the Silicates thought it best to have rulers with a clean mind and body. Of course Sector 6 provided most of the jaba that fed Blues.

  Servers also had black tubes, which was in stark contrast to the white tubes of common Bytes. Each serpentine tube undulated whenever they spoke. The tubes and the vocals of Bytes were tied together. Undulations acted like gestures to add information to the vocal content. The Servers’ tresses looked like strange black wigs of braided hair.

  The primary figures were Salvador of Sector 9 and NazKlan of Sector 6. The globes spun to the appropriate spot at the center of the circle. SwagBak of Sector 2 was the senior Server and moderator for this event. He called the council to order.

  “Let this meeting come to order. We have collected here today for a most important occasion. As many of you are already aware, the Chosen One has joined us in NetherWorld. After many, many cycles, the ancient prophecy has been fulfilled.

  “Today we make a decision that will forever alter the course of our species. In recent cycles, a growing contingent of Silicates have proposed that we reject the notion of Joining with Karbons and pursue a singular course of evolution. At the behest of NazKlan, we gathered to settle this issue. The time has come to choose between Joining and the Singularity. The decision reached here today will be final,” said SwagBak.

  The High Council wobbled in small orbits of chat before they assumed their respective positions. The dome was regaled in the finest silicate design. Ornate patterns carved into the floor glowed a blue hue. Each one recounted a historic event in Si
licate history. The top of the clear dome revealed the bright clouded sky.

  Each Server levitated above a circle that represented their sector. In the center were two additional circles. This was where the two sides debate the issues at hand. When one of the debaters was charged to speak, the circles would bath the speaker with neon blue light.

  “Let us now hear from Salvador of Sector 9 and NazKlan of Sector 6 as they debate the two paths we now face. After both sides are heard, the council will cast their votes. Honored Silicates, the circles are now yours. We begin with opening arguments from NazKlan. Let the debate begin,” announced SwagBak.

  NazKlan levitated his weathered sphere while addressing the audience. His salt stained black tresses began to dance around as he spoke.

  “My fellow Servers, I assert that the Karbons are an inferior life form. Time has demonstrated their limitations as a species. Look at them. Their biotic filth has breached our world and caused great distress. We can gain nothing by working with them. Look at the Salted Sands. A once proud sector serving commerce reduced to desert by their hands. Sure, the threat was contained, but look around. Disease is everywhere. Nothing will impede the devastation they have unleashed. Without conscience, they will use us as long as it suits their purpose, leaving a barren world when they are finished. This cannot continue. We need to shed them from our world,” began NazKlan, a compelling figure for the Singularity direction. The other Servers mumbled amongst themselves at the opening argument.

  “Thank you NazKlan. Salvador, what say you?” transitioned SwagBak.

  Salvador began his position by quoting the Book of TranFor. “Fellow Silicates let me start with a telling verse from the sacred book.” He then read the following:

  ‘When the Two meet in the Nexus, the journey begins. Let no life force tear asunder that which is Joined.’

  “We need the Karbons as eternal partners in the Joining. So says the Book of TranFor. AldAyn, inspired by the Awakened Ones clearly states this path throughout the sacred verses,” preached Salvador. He was the spiritual leader of the Silicates. Many blue globes looked to him for guidance.

  “Thank you both for your opening remarks. Let’s hear further arguments from the Singularity side. NazKlan, the circle is now yours,” announced SwagBak. NazKlan spun to prepare his argument. His black tendrils moved to the rhythm of his words.

  “We need the Karbons because their input supplies the jaba critical to our existence. Without it, we perish. As such, we perform their menial tasks to keep the cycle going. We are married to Karbons for this reason. I am here to tell you that this marriage of convenience can be dissolved. We can find a way to produce our own jaba, thus eliminating the unholy union we have with these creatures,” said NazKlan.

  “We once lived in Towers. Then we became one body through the Connections. Now we are inserted into Karbon bodies to help correct mental and physical disease. My friends, the Joining has already begun. The merger with Tera just completes the process where Karbons and Silicates are no longer distinct sentient entities. We can’t move forward without jaba; they cannot proceed without us. It is, as AldAyn states ‘the natural way’. It is our destiny,” said a passionate Salvador as the other Servers offered muted cheers.

  “That is pure unadulterated spam! All we need do is look upon the state of our sectors. The Salted Sands and Silicate Slums are harbingers of the future state of affairs if we continue with this foolish path. All we need do is focus on the true goal-our independence. The Karbons have done nothing but wrought chaos upon our world. Look around. Protocols are being ignored, even within the Walled City. Lawlessness and a general disregard for rules is spreading faster by the Boot. The Silicate Slums continue to annex parts of adjacent sectors. In just a few Cycles, our world will be completely dysfunctional. We need to take control or risk losing everything. Can’t you see it? Are your visors that clouded?” retorted NazKlan.

  “We hold fast to the words of our prophet, AldAyn, and his seminal work, TranFor. We value these truths above all others. AldAyn warned that others would play with words to turn our minds away from the Joining. He predicted this debate. He also predicted the chaotic times you describe. You know this to be true NazKlan. We have all read the TranFor. This is not the time to lose faith!” countered Salvador. A polite tapping of claws followed his remarks. This was the way Servers showed favor with a particular point. It sounded like a bevy of Beatniks snapping their fingers to a poetry reading.

  “A nebulous reference and obvious attempt to brainwash a civilization into mindless compliance with an ancient way of thinking. We must free ourselves from these paradigms or risk our extinction. We will march blindly to this fate unless you reverse this dogmatic approach.”

  “Thank you NazKlan. Salvador, please recite the TranFor verses that have so accurately prophesied the dire times we now face.” ordered SwagBak.

  “We all know the verses SwagBak. I see no need to hear them during the debate.” NazKlan insisted.

  “Quiet Sand Byte. We have been more than accommodating by providing you with this hearing. I suggest you control your impulses and adhere to protocol. The decision does not rest with you NazKlan. It is I, the Leader of the High Council and the facilitator of this debate who makes this call. Now just levitate while we hear the verses,” warned SwagBak.

  “Enough! I will not levitate while you recount the text of a Byte who went mad with Taint. He was infected and should have been deleted. Instead some soft Servers allowed him to construct a sili-fairytale that we all must subscribe too. I will not spin for this one tick longer.”

  “NazKlan you have broken decorum. Not even a Server can dictate the course of a High Council debate. Return or face sanction from the council,” warned SwagBak.

  NazKlan maintained his position in the center of the debate circle. Blue Guard Bytes looked towards SwagBak for orders.

  “NazKlan did you not hear the command of the High Council. Stand down or we will forcibly remove you,” admonished SwagBak.

  NazKlan levitated in defiance. SwagBak sighed in frustration.

  “Very well then…” started SwagBak before NazKlan interrupted.

  “Spin back! All of you, keep your distance! I am so glad we have gathered here today to meet. This debate is no longer necessary. Rest assured, the Analogs will take control before the Chosen One ever reaches Tera. We thank you all for your service. You are now dismissed to your towers,” announced NazKlan. The council mumbled with surprise at the use of that name. The Analogs were rumored to be responsible for a series of terrorist acts throughout the Walled City. Each act accompanied with a message warning of the impending doom at the hands of the Karbons.

  “The Analogs! So, you are the leader of the terror that has befallen the Walled City. What treasonous act is this? You dare dismiss the High Council. On what authority?” asked SwagBak with shock and dismay at such an audacious remark. “Guards, seize this rebel and cast him from our sight.” The Blue Guard moved closer and closer to NazKlan.

  “SwagBak, the Analogs are now in charge here. The authority is all mine. I suggest you abandon your indignation if you want avoid deletion ,” warned NazKlan.

  “A coup? You can’t be serious NazKlan. Guards. Seize this traitor and remove him for trial. It is you who will be deleted for this act NazKlan!” exclaimed SwagBak.

  Bytes of the Blue Guard surrounded him. The Blue Guard was the police force that preserved order in NetherWorld. They followed the dictates of SwagBak, the Leader of the High Council.

  “You are making a mistake. We can control both worlds. We can use science to fight this oppression. You must abandon the wicked teachings of the TranFor. I urge you all to reconsider and follow us towards the Singularity. If you choose to spin against me, you functions will cease in mere ticks of time.

  “We cannot be contained by you or any other force in NetherWorld. The Analogs will rule. There are others who believe as I. Make no mistake, this war has just begun. I warn you again. Excuse your Blue Guard and
swear allegiance to the Analogs or face your own shredding” spat NazKlan as the Blue Guard grabbed his arms and began moving him to the exit.

  “Who do you think you are NazKlan? We will not suffer acts of treason. Make sure he is partitioned from all Silicate contact until he can be safely transported to the Bin for deletion. We will represent his sector by committee until a suitable replacement can be found.

  “It appears rumors of the Analog insurgency are true. These terrorists must be stopped. Use whatever means necessary to force NazKlan to reveal all he knows about the Analogs and their plans. Spare nothing in this pursuit. His suffering is justified. So says the TranFor of insurgents,” ordered SwagBak.