Krikos: The Vertical Horizon
Page 20
Ruto walked towards Krawn as the scars on his arms recovered in small floating fragments. While walking, he suddenly grabbed hold of his ally and threw him across through a glass pane.
“These underlings do not understand plain and simple passive commands… I want the Xanethius to myself…” Ruto said.
“How can the underling have that much strength in a mere kick? He is not a normal human, Is he?” Krawn asked as he got up from the rubble.
“Feluma Mordore… he is more like your friend Kridious” Ruto said.
“So, you met Kridious... And you lived. That is more than enough evidence for me to get serious” Krawn said as he activated his White Core.
“Oh… this time... It is the opposite. Mordore here as such is way better than that Kridious of yours. He has what is called “SKILLS” along with capability. But he has yet to learn much. As such… now Kridious… is dead. He was far less of a challenge than the one with the Esem,” Ruto said.
“No, it can’t be... You...” Krawn shouted as he ran desperately towards Gravanc. Mordore came in from behind to counter Krawn, but suddenly he fell down on his knees, loosened the grip on his sword, and held his head tightly. He started moaning heavily. Even the distracted Ruto was almost overthrown by Krawn.
“Mordore... It is almost time…we should go…. It’s the Explorer we were warned about. Let’s go” Ruto said.
They both retorted and jumped into the vacuum through the deck stairwell and then disappeared.
“Ruto Gravanc…. Mordore… That man…. Nahcas… you fine?” Krawn said.
“Yes… To the Abyss…” Nahcas said, bleeding through his nose and eyes, as he fainted.
“Take him to the Infirmary… We must retreat now till we all rendezvous.
A sudden engulfing bright flash was seen in a distance from the Annaeax system. The flash had covered the entire visible space in all directions around every molecule within a tenth of a light year from the Annaeax System.
“Sir…. The radar… has detected… no... It can’t be anything else” Raymor said in the Master beacon.
“What? It is here… it is too soon…” Krawn said.
♦♦♦
Inside the central Stillite station.
“Sir…. It is here...” a frightened radar lookout said to the old guy.
“It is time then... Execute plan Infringium.” The old man said.
Diaries of Flex:
Episode 17-
Eutopium II.
When the world is turbulent all that one sees is war. When the world is at peace, all that one seeks is war. War is the unit of history. We remember history in terms of war and war alone. But nobody knows what happened in between. The true reason for war.
E
utopium was an organisation built on war. Magnus Eutopium, the Elite noble squad of the Epilion Council. From Raul'o Mastiff to Marcolo Gorvez to Sai Mu-Wen, every Eutopian leader used domination to preserve peace. Justice was prevalent but in a different way. Equity replaced equality. All in all, it was much better than all of its predecessors. But better doesn't mean good. The council often took creative measures for the benefit of the general masses, but always with hidden motives. Hidden to such a deep extent that it left no visible trails whatsoever. The First Speaker of the Eutopium was Sai Mu-Wen and the Second speaker was Firdigo Lunarte. Sadly, a few years from then, Mu-Wen would be murdered and Firdigo would take his place on the High Chair. But leaving it all aside, I was there, in the royal country at the Eutopium Residency, to meet the then second Speaker Firdigo Lunarte on the 592nd Floor. And I ran into a possible old friend of mine claiming to be some Muta Hoko the Merlyn. Possible old friend only apparent from his claims and not his face. But his name somewhat seemed familiar.
“Muta the Merlyn... I think I've heard that name before.” I said.
"Heard... You mate were my roommate for the Supreme Scholars Degree."
"Oh yeah! Muta Hoko... You are the son of the old librarian, right?"
"Yeah... the old guy passed away. So, how were you? And what brought you here... You have the permit, eh?” He said with a wink.
"I do ... I definitely do... yes I do.”, I became nervous.
"Y'all Sweating up. Now let me off to work. Best of luck for your ... ahh? What is it you are here for again?"
"Something complicated.”
"Complicated... hang out more with Flex and get only complicated... Where is the old sucker?"
“He passed away a few years ago."
“Woah! Poor Galacta... doomed with the megalomaniac...”
"I should really be going”, I said with a new found urge towards my original goal. He disrespected Flex. A Legendary name like that. I thought of him as the future God and he defamed him through his words. I saw my goal again. Eutopium seemed like a puny target to me. The greater one (that was Flex) I had already conquered. After final goodbyes with my old acquaintance, I moved on and opened the door. The sight seemed familiar yet eccentric. There were two men facing each other and sitting across a table as long as an aircraft. There were seats all around. Immediately it struck my mind that it all seemed like the old concept of a dining hall. The faces of the two people were evanescent. It was only when I went a few hundred feet closer that I found that one of them was the Second Speaker Firdigo Lunarte. I gave the royal salute of honour by bowing down with my arms crossed at my chest.
"At ease my boy, at ease. We have been seeing that door for the past few minutes awaiting your footsteps. It is definitely an honour to meet you. ", he said as he rose up from the table and came to me raising his right hand. I grabbed hold of it and shook it as hard as I could have.
"Are you hungry Dr Daniels?” asked the second speaker.
"It depends...”
"On what?"
"On the cost and type of food."
"Hahaha Hahaha... Witty indeed. Well, I may assure you that it’s free of cost. Though it required the blood and sweat of every Royal Cook to prepare. A cost Unparalleled."
"I apologise your highness but I cannot eat it... I don’t like the taste of another man’s sweat."
“Hahaha... Once again you caught me off guard Dr Daniels. Witt is a human sin if not possessed by a leader. So tell me, Doctor. Are you a leader?” asked the Second Speaker.
“Going by the looks I get from the people who know me, I don’t even know if I am human anymore. Maybe lesser… Maybe more,” I replied, thinking maybe I overdid it that one time.
“Hahahaha…. I really like you now. Maybe all leaders are not human. History projects a lot many as inhuman as such. Maybe all leaders are aliens… That is what makes us wittier than the rest of the lot,” The Second Speaker said.
“Well… that is based on the presumption that every alien is witty…” I replied.
“It is not really possible to talk a man of science down, is it now? Nevertheless, since we have to, let us walk to the table and since we were going to sit there, let me introduce you to my dearest Mr Twagmire."
One more thing ... Mr Tween Twagmire was the Chairman and founder of the T.W. space corporation limited. The corporation had maximum shares in the ongoing RASORVE space projects. It had one of the largest private Industrial Facilities on the moon.
“Mr Tween Twagmire? THE Twagmire. “, I asked desperately, although I knew the answer.
"And you are good Mr Daniels. I am even more excited to meet you. “, the other man said.
“With all due respect, Sir... Doctor… eh… Daniels. And Sir, meeting two of the most respected people in the Human Universe is an honour."
“Not just Human Dr Daniels…. The entire Universe…” said THE Second Speaker.
"Yes... Doctor Daniels of the Hexkon Thrust.", said Mr Twagmire.
"Yes, indeed Sir."
"Very good Dr Daniels, you may be seated. Let us have a conversation over the dining,” he said.<
br />
"Definitely Sir."
"So, Dr ... I heard about this new proposal of yours. ", said Lunarte.
"Let me Elucidate Your Highness."
"No no... You don't need to. When I said I heard, I meant heard, analysed, optimised and speculated the possibility and requirements for success. We at the council work for the human nation Dr . . .. We are undoubtedly motivated towards your proposals and we will accept them, but we need your full co-operation. As much as you are Dr Daniels of the Hexkon Thrust, you are also Dr Daniels of Jupiter. We need everything you have."
“Your Highness, as I have told your honourable subordinates also, these designs are not even partially mine. I am merely the messenger because the owner entrusted me with all of this before dying."
"Yes yes yes ...that Late Dr Dustener. He never had that a name in the council. I heard about his autobiography. Have you brought it along?"
“Yes, sir.” I looked into his eyes and lied straight away. I had brought along a few of the relevant notes accounting to about 100 pages or so but not all of them. I had brought everything I had read about the designs of the Hexkon Thrust and the Krikos.
"Hand them over then. No point keeping the Earth waiting.” he gestured.
"And as you both are doing that, please excuse me for a minute or so. I have to use the men's room,” said Mr Twagmire as he retired to the inner chambers to return later.
"You did a very good job with the Hexkon Thrust Dr Daniels. Yes, you did. But a project this majestic is only an object of dreams and can create utter turmoil if not kept confidential.” said the Second Speaker.
“I share the same feelings, your highness."
"So, you may. You agree to submit all records of Late Dr Flex D'Dustener to us?"
"Definitely Sir."
"We are settled then. Here is the Royal Contract. You may place your Official Watermark here. And when you do, you'd officially be the Managing Director of the RASORVE program.” he said as he pushed the Holocron registration module towards me. I was flabbergasted. I never expected to even be inducted into the RASORVE program as a minion. But to become the managing director of the bearers of the most advanced technology was like the dream come true of a dream I could never even dream of dreaming.
"I stand speechless your highness. I'd sign it right away."
"I'd read it before signing. A Sly guy this Lunarte,” Tween made a joke while entering the hall.
"Hahaha... yes yes… take your time. Otherwise, later you'd claim I'm a liar like this man right here. I swear on Galacta I told him the truth. I said honorary representative of the Hexagon and not honoured representative of the Hexagon. Don't blame others for your ear,” said the Second Speaker.
"Eh. Got mad again you. When will you start understanding jokes, my friend?", said Mr Twagmire.
Meanwhile, I was reading the contents of the contract. It gave me the position of the Managing Director of the RASORVE and the chancellor of private rehabilitation organisations. I was to move to the moon as soon as possible and was to start my project there itself. There the whole Hexagon Scientist squad and the RASORVE development squad, along with all the selected and preferred private institutions, would help me with my project (chiefly the T.W. Corporation). What was the project? The virtual sequential collaboration of the Krikos' construction according to Flex's records. I placed my identity bracelet over the scanner and placed my signatures.
“And I am done, your highness."
"Very well then. Dr Daniels. Do you know why you are here?"
"For the contract your highness."
"Oh no! The Hexagon chairman could have given that. But I invited you personally here for a special purpose. Please, Mr Tween. After you,” said the Second Speaker as he got up from his chair, followed by Mr Twagmire. I got up too, and though I was very curious, I hid my feelings and chose to go with the flow of things. I followed them and saw yet another door in the shadowed part of the hall. It was the strangest kind of an idiosyncrasy in the room. He opened it and moved ahead. Mr Twagmire and I followed. There fell an instant darkness followed by glittering of alternating colours of light beams Then came the sight I could have never imagined. There was a glass pane across which there was an insanely huge object which seemed like an aircraft.
"Here it is Dr Daniels. The T.W. corp. has helped us to build the first H.T. capable Rimor. It is equipped with advanced combat tech and manoeuvre capabilities. It shall be the foremost pillar of the Krikos Initiative."
"What do you call it?” a question without much prevalent sense came out of my mouth.
“Well ... to honour the founders of the RASORVE project... His Majesty Mu-Wen suggested to call it The Epilion."
Suddenly, a man dressed as a royal messenger came running to Lunarte. He gave him a tab case and Lunarte read it and got a little alarmed.
“I apologise but I have very less time here. Mr Twagmire would run you through the rest of the things. And before going, please leave a copy of the Flex's Notes at the reception on the 189th floor. And by copy… I mean the Last One. I may leave now. Good morrow gentlemen."
“Good morrow your highness,” I said, as I again gave the royal salute.
After concluding the conversation, Lunarte left the room.
"It's a beauty, isn't it?” Twagmire said.
"Yes, indeed Sir."
"Thanks to you and your dead mate there ... hell, it is. You want to look at it a bit closer?" Mr Twagmire said.
"Sure, I want to."
"Come along."
He went to the corner of the glass pane and configured the virtual screen onto it. He typed the security code onto it. There came a loud buzz, and on observing my surroundings, I found that a large entrance just presented itself out of nowhere towards my right. I went inside and saw the thing closely. It was definitely a one of a kind. He even showed me the interiors and told me that we were supposed to leave in that very aircraft for the moon in a few days. After a few hours of conversation and discussions of our own set of views, we retired to our own headings. I, towards the 189th floor, and he, towards the central Hall. It was a short yet tiring trip. Tiring the mind to a great extent. Yet everything went very well... even better than planned. I came back home and rested for a few days, keeping myself away from the looks of the Book. But I had still only read a little more than just half of it. If half of it had this much to offer, what secrets would the other half unfold? In a few days, I would leave for the moon in the Epilion with Mr Twagmire. Yet I was occupied with a greater concern. The quote "Half knowledge is worse than none" was encircling my mind. I was starting to regret my actions. Then there was the quote "Don't confound Urge with need," that Flex had written. All that made me worried as to what was the book going to offer me more? As to what was fate going to offer me more?
Into The Dimension:
Episode 17-
Infringium, The 14th district.
“H
e is up sir… and he insists on going back to work... And Raymor has given no heads up on the Krikos. He said it is “Still”” Lina said.
“I am coming to the Infirmary. Keep Nahcas down no matter what. He has overexerted his mind as it is,” Krawn said.
“Sir… this is Sachyon… It is urgent… I need a display. I need to show you what I have seen and found. Please, Sir… I need to do this in the needy hour,” Nahcas said in the Holocron beacon.
“But I will supervise it and you will follow MY orders… if I say stop then STOP… We still have to find our lost comrades… those which can be found. And I don’t want you to be one of them,” Krawn said.
♦♦♦
The Hypothetical Observer. In front of him floated a huge celestial mass larger than any other. Ring-Tubes around the geographical meridians both vertical and horizontal. The intersections of the rings forming the District 1 Eutopia and District 13 Sayofringium. Each district larger than Annaeax itself. Such a huge mass, whose thrust tubes could themselves destroy a whole p
lanet, not to mention the ballistics all around it. Even Galacta would have been overwhelmed at the sight of that mobile star-eater. But why was it here?
A small gate slid open on the horizontal ring. A large ship, though seeming like a small dot or even lesser on the Krikos background, thrust out of the gate and drifted towards a Stillite landing hub.
♦♦♦
“I saw it… in his memory... They are called Slates… They are like the Sentinels of the Stillites who oppose the Eutopium. I didn’t find anything about their origins on Annaeax but what I did find was their plans… Some ‘Infringium’ initiative. It encloses something about some substance called Ceremenium. Even I have never heard of it, though I found a mention in a Lattice enclosure. It is one of the records of the Great Old Dr Flexkon Dustener. He had written something like that in the original blueprints. Both the words Ceremenium and Infringium were in records, but no popular mention was there and also there was nothing mentioned related to any SUBSTANCE or anything close to what I saw. This substance… whatever it is… according to Mordore’s memories… it is nuclear. He has seen piles of it on the Planet Surface. I also saw some kind of machines moving up to the Alpha Helios, more like the extraction devices on Krikos. A guy named Feretuma Sendei has ordered them to take the pile and deliver it to the Krikos. It seems like you were right… there are traitors aboard. And about Castino… I saw him. This guy had chatted numerous times with Castino on a Holocron Projector, as well as a video terminal. But there were three more people with him… I still don’t know who because their faces were darkened by many shadows. They never spoke. Only once… one of them did. But I have no matches for voice since it seems like he spoke through a machine. Krikos is not here to attack. From what I comprehend… it is here… to be TAKEN,” Nahcas said to Krawn.
“Yeah… their not attacking seemed fishy to me. By now… even Annaeax should have been obliterated and our worst fears would have been true. But it seems that this is way worse than our worst fears, isn’t it now? Whatever we thought we knew… We don’t. It seems like not-knowing hinders action. If we don’t act, then something ominous shall happen. For now, our aim is to stop the Infringium, whatever the hell it is. Stop the trade between the Krikos and the Stillites. We shall come to the rescue of our comrades just a little later. Wait Kridious, Rush and Prabarus. We shall come to you. But a greater trouble has psyched us for now. Let us towards the Central station” Krawn said.