Paradigm

by K. C. Carter

  Table of Contents

  First Page Blank

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Note From Author

  Preface

  Exhibit X

  Into Infinity

  Half and Half

  Preview - The North Star

  The North Star - Chapter One

  Contact

  PARADIGM

  K. C. CARTER

  Copyright © Killian C. Carter

  First published in Great Britain by Arcane Pages, in 2017

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

  Any person who makes any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable for criminal prosecution and civil claims and damages.

  The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

  Second edition 2017

  Published by Arcane Pages

  www.kccarter.com

  Author Letter

  Dear Reader,

  I’ve been a science fiction fan since birth. No, really. If I could have been born with a blaster in my hand, I would have. The various sci-fi libray books my father left lying around the house, throughout the years, fueled an inborn desire to imagine the world as it might be far into the future. The seeds of my writing career were planted a little later when my English teacher assigned our class a creative writing project: write about anything you want. I had so much fun with that assignment. In fact, some of the ideas I developed back then still live on in one of my current works in progress (watch this space). Needless to say, I fell in love with writing but, like everyone else, life took the front seat and shoved my dreams into a dark corner in the back. Recent developments in the publishing world changed all that. In 2016, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a few inspirational people. The lessons they taught me reshaped my life and my outlook for the future: a future with writing at its core.

  As PARADIGM is my first published work, you can imagine how nervous I am about you reading it. They say that letting people read your writing is like being naked in front of a group of strangers for the first time. I don’t know who “they” are, but for your sake, I hope they’re wrong. Joking aside, releasing one’s work to the world does make one feel exposed to a degree. After all, you are putting thoughts and ideas, that were built in the privacy of your own skull, out there for all to see and judge. I do hope you like what you see. If not, please be so kind as to let me know why. The only thing worse than having egg on your face is having egg on your face and no one telling you.

  If you enjoy PARADIGM, subscribe to my mailing list. That way, I can keep you posted about new releases, offers, and other comings and goings. I only send emails once or twice a month, so don’t worry about your inbox getting clogged. You can also stay up to date and read my blog at www.kccarter.com. The first full length novel in THE LOST STARCHIVES series will also be coming out later in 2017. You can find the first chapter–subject to change–at the end of this book.

  Until next time, all the best.

  Best wishes,

  Killian C. Carter

  Preface

  “Man has gone out to explore other worlds and other civilizations without having explored his own labyrinth of dark passages and secret chambers, and without finding what lies behind doorways that he himself has sealed.”

  ― Stanisław Lem, Solaris

  For thousands of years, humans have gazed longingly at the stars. Those twinkling sky-jewels have served as guides for many millennia and as inspiration for many more.

  Since the dawn of man, people have wondered if intelligent life exists beyond the skies of our beautiful little space rock. Is there a God? Is there life on Mars? Is there an advanced alien civilization out there somewhere among those glimmering lights? Are we simply all alone?

  What would really happen if sentient life forms did exist and, for some insane reason, they finally decided to pay our troubled little world a visit? Would they befriend us? Would they bring war? Who would win? Would they enslave mankind? Perhaps mankind would enslave them.

  If mankind doesn’t destroy itself first, we might find out. Until then, PARADIGM explores a few possibilities.

  Exhibit X

  Mrs. Zilmore loved the place. Every visit brought back fond memories of her youth. She looked around and absorbed the vast foyer of the Washington D.C. Natural History Museum with a deep breath. The stench of people mingled with the aroma of coffee and baked goods from the History Café across the hall. Underneath that, and barely detectable, was a trace of that familiar, nostalgic musk: the perfume of ancient things.

  The building was among the grandest still standing from the old world. It had served as a department for defense before the war, but it had since been converted into the world’s largest collection of historical artifacts. Each of its five wings represented a different historic period, from prehistoric to modern.

  There were few places Mrs. Zilmore would rather be. However, she still wasn’t convinced it was a good place for a middle-grade field trip, especially during the busy season. At least she had a surprise in store for the children. It was risky, but if things went according to plan, they were bound to be amazed. It was important for children to have a solid appreciation of history. How were they meant to know where they were going, if they didn’t first know where they were coming from? Besides, she couldn’t wait to see their faces when they saw what was in the secret room.

  It was a public holiday and the great hall churned like a stormy sea. Mrs. Zilmore double-checked her wrist communicator. Eight green lights pulsed to different beats; each one represented a tracking chip embedded in a student’s arm. It was a revolutionary invention that let parents and teachers know their children’s whereabouts at all times. The devices were designed to dissolve by the time children came of age, of course. Most people took the technology for granted, but Mrs. Zilmore was extremely grateful for it. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing a student. The Academy of Governance didn’t take such things lightly. Good people had lost their careers for less.

  “Shun, stop messing,” Miss Beazley, her assistant, squeaked from the back of the group.

  Shun was one of the more boisterous children in her class, but Mrs. Zilmore had a soft spot for the kid. She knew what it was like to have a father who served in the military and figured it could only have been harder for a young boy.

  “Okay kids, the other two groups have already taken space exploration and the dinosaur exhibit, which leaves us with the natural world.”

  “The natural world exhibit sucks, Mrs. Zilmore,” Shun piped up. “Can’t we at least check out the holodrome tour? It’s got all sorts of cool stuff from before the war.”

  “I’m afraid it’s been booked out, Shun. Maybe next time. Okay, this way.”

  She led them through a series of doorways and passages until they came to the natural world exhibit. The immense sign above the arched entrance was a tangle of branches and vines twisted into words: The Natural World. Beyond, people milled about and hovered between the various displays. Shun and some of the other children grumbled along the way, but they had no idea what their “boring old teacher” really had in store. She couldn’t blame them. The natural world wasn’t the most popular attraction.That worked to her advantage because it was a quieter part of the museum, even on busy days, and her plan required a dash of furtiveness. When she was happy the area was particularly clear of traffic, she made her move.

  “Follow me, children. And stay close,” she said, bypassing the entrance to ‘The Natural World’ and entering a poorly lit side corridor instead. The children chirped with sudden excite
ment and Miss Beazley choked in horror. She joined Mrs. Zilmore at the front of the group.

  “Mrs. Zilmore, wherever are you taking us?” Her voice was like a strip of rubber being dragged across a wet piece of glass.

  “There is something I’d like the children to see.”

  “But the instructions–”

  “I know the instructions, Miss Beazley. I wrote half of them. Don’t they mention something about the teacher’s assistant staying at the back of the group? I wouldn’t want you getting in trouble for letting a student go missing.”

  Miss Beazley retreated back to her post, her head bowed low. It was a bit harsh, perhaps, but Mrs. Zilmore couldn’t risk a commotion. She wasn’t sure what would happen if they were discovered, and she wasn’t interested in finding out. The corridor descended gently for quite some time before ending abruptly at a locked door. The children whispered and chattered the entire way, but on reaching the end of the passage they fell silent. The door was big and solid. It was the color of wasps and had a large sign across the middle that said:

  EXHIBIT X

  STAFF ONLY

  NO PUBLIC ACCESS

  TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED

  To most, it would have been one of those doors that screamed: Keep out!

  To Mrs. Zilmore, it was one of those doors that beckoned the curious and begged to be opened. Miss Beazley was obviously numbered among the former.

  “We really shouldn’t be here, Mrs. Zilmore.”

  “Relax Miss Beazley. We won’t be long.”

  She took a set of keys from her handbag. Nervous and enthusiastic whispers erupted from the group.

  “Mrs. Zilmore!” Miss Beazley urged.

  “Hush!” She fumbled with the keys undeterred.

  Again, silent anticipation gripped the children. Silent fear strangled further objections from Miss Beazley.

  “Aha.” She found the correct key. It turned with a loud click, and the door swung open ever so slowly, swallowing what meager light the corridor’s lamps had provided

  Shun watched with bated breath as Mrs. Zilmore stepped through the black void. Mrs. Zilmore was always the archaic dusty old sort, but she suddenly seemed different. By the dim light of the hallway Shun could see her groping for something on the wall.

  “There it is.” The old woman’s voice broke the silence and gave some in the group a fright.

  An electric hum sounded from the darkness beyond.

  “Come in, come in,” she beckoned with a wave.

  Shun pushed to the front of the group. The other kids were only too happy to let him. They may have been scared, but there was no way he was going to miss out. He heard them half falling over each other as they followed him into the dark. His bones vibrated as the humming grew louder. It stopped.

  Light exploded from above. His hand shot up as white and yellow blotches flooded his eyes. Closing them made little difference. He squinted hard and blinked repeatedly. When the fuzziness eventually cleared, his jaw dropped.

  “Welcome to the world’s greatest collection of preserved historical wild animals.” Mrs. Zilmore spread her arms like a stage performer.

  As one, the children exhaled in awe. They stood on a platform at the edge of a room so cavernous its edges faded into obscurity. It was like an enormous secret chamber. Below the platform, dusty glass cases of varying sizes stretched out like a shattered sea before them. Shun couldn’t quite believe it yet shuddered with excitement. There were very few animals left, and all the wild ones had died out long before the war broke out.

  Mrs. Zilmore descended a set of metal steps and headed towards a row of a dozen glass displays arranged in a semi-circle. The group followed. Even Miss Beazley gazed about with unbridled amazement.

  Every case was a different size. Some were tall and narrow, some were squat and wide, and others were a combination of different shapes. All were made of reverso-glass, which concealed their contents. The case closest to them was taller than all but two others in the immediate area. It towered over them like a small bus turned on its side.

  “Behold.” Mrs. Zilmore flicked a switch on the side of the case.

  A light flashed on and off a few times, flicking ominous half shadows across the group. The flashing stopped. There were gasps and screams, and half the group cowered back in fear. A tall brown creature, standing on its hind quarters, filled every inch of the case. Long black claws protruded from the ends of its limbs and its lips were pulled back in a snarl, revealing stained fangs. It had the appearance of a monster. Shun didn’t move. He was simply stunned. Mrs. Zilmore calmed those who were scared and assured them that the “monster” was dead and was unable to eat anyone.

  “There hasn’t been one alive in over a hundred years. Even if it were living, this glass is unbreakable.” She tapped it with her knuckles. “Now, does anyone know what it is?”

  Brona had squeezed to the front next to Shun. She was a know-it-all whose hand went up every time she so much as sniffed a question. Mrs. Zilmore chose someone else’s hand much to Brona’s blatant disappointment.

  “Is it a boar?”

  “Good guess, Freid. Boars were also mammals, but hey were much smaller creatures. Anyone else?”

  Brona’s hand shot up again.

  “Saira. What is it?”

  Brona moaned again.

  “I think it’s a bear, Mrs. Zilmore.”

  “That is correct, Saira. Well done. I don’t suppose any of you know what kind of bear?”

  “It’s a grizzly,” Shun said absently without taking his eyes off the magnificent beast.

  He was fascinated with things from the old world and read every scrap of information he could get his hands on, and scraps they were. He did this in secret, of course, for his father strongly disapproved of anything from before the war.

  “Very good, Shun. Please raise your hand when you want to answer.”

  “Okay.” He said, barely hearing her.

  “The grizzly bear was once a common beast on Earth. They even roamed the land around here before the city was built. Does anyone know what the grizzly bear ate?”

  Shun almost got punched in the side of the head when Brona’s hand went up again. He sidestepped, putting himself at a safe distance. Once again, Mrs. Zilmore pointed to another student.

  “Honey?”

  “Yes, Jan. Honey was part of the grizzly bear’s diet. Well done.”

  Brona’s hand stayed in the air. She started waving it desperately, but Mrs. Zilmore either didn’t see her or ignored her.

  “They also fed on berries, vegetation, and fish,” the old woman added.

  Almost everyone gasped. Most of them had never seen a real fish before. Shun read somewhere that people once kept them as pets, and he often wondered if it was true. The archives weren’t always accurate, and anyone he asked about it either pretended not to know or didn’t care. People didn’t like to talk about the old world. He didn’t know why because it sure was filled with many interesting things.

  “Simon, I missed your hand earlier. What happened to the grizzly bear?”

  Even from a distance, Shun could feel that Brona was going to pop with frustration.

  “They became extinct?” Simon didn’t sound too sure of himself.

  “That’s right. Thank you, Simon. In fact, all the animals in this vault are long extinct. That’s why they called it Exhibit X. The museum owners think it’s a clever play on words. Any more questions before we move on to the next display?”

  Brona’s hand went down. She never had questions. Only answers.

  Shun looked around and saw that Saira had her hand up again.

  “You have a question Saira?”

  “Is it really… real, Mrs. Zilmore?”

  “Yes. These are all real, Saira. They are obviously dead now, but they were alive many years ago. The curator is a good friend of mine. She went to a great deal of trouble to collect only authentic specimens. Many people today don’t believe most of these animals ever existed.
When it opens to the public, this exhibit will change that.” She flipped a switch and the bear was replaced by a reflection of the group’s wide-eyed faces.

  “Shall we move along?”

  The group followed Mrs. Zilmore, all eyes fixed intently on the next case. It wasn’t as tall as the one with the bear in it but it was much wider. Shun wondered what secrets it hid. The light came on.

  “Woah!” Shun’s wasn’t the only mouth that fell open. He couldn’t help himself.

  “Are those lions?” Someone asked.

  Shun could hear Brona’s teeth grinding.

  “They are lions Lara, well done. Do you know which one is the male lion?”

  “Is it the one with the beard?”

  “That’s right. The beard is called a mane.”

  “A mane…” Lara’s voice glowed with wonder.

  Mrs. Zilmore continued asking questions, and Brona continued raising her hand and being ignored, but Shun was too lost in thought to take any real notice. He had read about bears and lions. He had even seen a picture of a bear once, but never had he seen a lion. They were graceful like the house cats he once saw pictures of, only these were much more majestic. Their eyes were bright and full of pride, their powerful chests puffed out with defiance. Sadness suddenly overcame him, and he felt a tear bubbling in the corner of his eye. He wished such grand beasts had never disappeared from the world. He couldn’t wait to tell his mother, even if she wouldn’t believe him. He decided it best not to tell his father, though, since he would only disapprove. Then he realized it was better to keep quiet altogether just in case Mrs. Zilmore got in trouble.

  The lions vanished. It took him a moment to realize Mrs. Zilmore had killed the light and was on her way to the third glass case, the others in tow. Shun was about to join them when he noticed a case standing across the room tucked away among a pile of boxes. A sheet was half-draped over it. He wondered what it hid.

  He slipped off to one side while the others were distracted by the third case. He tiptoed into the shadows of the box pile; the half covered case loomed over him like something evil. His hand reached out for the gray sheet. A breeze rustled the fabric and he pulled away. He looked over his shoulder to make sure the group was preoccupied with whatever animal Mrs. Zilmore was talking about. He returned to the mysterious case, took a deep breath, and reached out for the sheet. He pulled it off. There was nothing there save for a pane of reverso-glass with his reflection on it. There was a light switch. A voice in his head told him not to do it. The voice sounded just like his father. He ignored it.