by A. I. Zlato
She went home, booed all the way during her commute. She closed the door of her apartment, and collapsed. Even Lars’ attention could do nothing against the depression that overwhelmed her. And he was not even home.
What to do, gosh, what to do? Passing hands nervously, through her hair, she tried to think. Suddenly, the dark area in her brain whispered a response.
She had to see Paul.
Kandron, m. n.:
Classification: (Reign) Animal (Phylum) Vertebrate. (Class-order-family-type) Unknown (Species) Kandron. Origin: Unknown. Description: cf. Photo.
Lifestyle: This section need additional citations for verification.
Standard Dictionary
Chapter 35
: Pre-E.S. Era
The City echoed the shock. A new break in lifetimes of young humans ... history was repeating itself. Yet Paul had devoted all his energy to supporting the theories of Special Agent Baley, but nothing worked and it was unfortunately normal. 5th Hexa knew his time was not properly used, as it should have been dedicated to the study of the origins in order to break free from the Elders’ dream. Paul had decided otherwise. He was no longer listening to the Kandron. He immersed himself headlong into chimerical answers, while the right questions had not been asked. All this time ... the future would soon be locked, and 5th Hexa saw Paul move towards nothingness, and with it the humans, the City and the whole ... Space H… Paul had, however, been so close to the truth ... The Kandron thought it should not have suggested that he be part of the investigation. Yet it seemed like a good idea ... to involve him in the search for truth ... to shock him through the display of young dead human beings ... to bring him closer to his fate ... It was too late now to change that.
Nonetheless, 5th Hexa still wanted to believe it, as if stubbornness, this purely human characteristic, prevented it from seeing the obvious ... No, it was still possible, it was sure. Paul would come out of the vortex of the present ... he would see...
5th Hexa had understood, after the last meeting with the Spirit of the Multitude, what a mistake it had made with Paul. It neglected a fundamental component of human behaviour ... these beings preferred to deny reality rather than seeking the causes ... It then identified what it had to change its behaviour, so it could finally be a catalyst ... but Paul did not seek to chat with the animal and it could not put its plan into action. It knew from experience that it was useless to impose a conversation upon Paul if he was not the instigator. This scenario invariably ended with the human running away from the Kandron, and there was no time to lose. What to do ? To change the future ... Paul had to differ the beginning ... the Gateway had to differ Space E ... to save Spaces … to save Albana ...
The female Kandron had told 5th Hexa, The shadow of a Space that does not exist will destroy everything ... the Equilibrium is the beginning and the end ... the constancy of the circle is a non-evolution ... That were Albana’s words. So cryptic when it had said, these words echoed back into Edgard with a different tone. It seemed to the Kandron almost suddenly clear.
Space E. would destroy everything ... this Space whose beginning had no name and whose end does not exist ... it was that Space, obviously ... but why had Albana suggested that it was not Space E.? Only its shadow ... illusion as reality ... was that possible? What if Space E. were only a ... no, it could not be. If Albana’s first sentence remained uncertain, the second was clear. The Equilibrium was the beginning and the end ... the dream of the Elders ... It was Paul’s role. Albana had seen it ... before Edgard would encounter the human.
Or had she simply perceived the problem, the sequence of cause-consequence that eluded Kandrons today ... If only the female Kandron had been willing to talk, explain what it had seen ... but it was unable or unwilling. Memories of Albana were there, in the Spirit of the Multitude, easily accessible ... Edgard would only have needed to stretch its mind to discover them.
5th Hexa also declined to do so, fearing what it could unearth. Albana had not wanted to talk to the Kandron at the time, and it necessarily had its reasons. Edgard had to respect its wishes, even beyond death. That way, if they ever met again, if Edgard’s plan ever succeeded ... and if Albana were saved ... Edgard could look straight into the female Kandron’s eyes without a shred of guilt.
5th Hexa could not, or would not, access Albana’s memories, even if it was sometimes tempted. In addition, Albana’s last sentence still shocked the male Kandron ... The constancy of the circle ... the Circles of the Machine ... yes, but the circle? ... Edgard had never understood that sentence, it had never found out the evocation of a circle ... except maybe ... and what if Albana were actually talking about the Circle?
The trip into space ... a flight... a non-evolution… reverse linearity! That was it! The confirmation of what it had always known. The solution of the First and Last Element of the Circle would not change their linearity ... it was a non-evolution ... nothingness would always be their future ...
5th Hexa then made a decision it had always refused to make. The only possible solution for Spaces ... was Paul ... and the Gateway. In the Inter-Space, it knew that the creature had become fully aware of the problem and was working in the right direction. However, Paul… Edgard had no choice. Influence his subconscious mind ... it was the only way to truly achieve and show him what he did not want to hear. The Kandron silenced its own scruples. It made a decision. Slowly and unconsciously, 5th Hexa clung to a part of Paul’s brain to which it had connected before, and crept into his subconscious mind.
The human was having a sleep filled with prophetic nightmares relaying a message he would not listen to. He saw Time ... but did not want anything to do with it. The Kandron would give him more pragmatic visions, more familiar and reassuring images ... the real answers stressed him out so much.
5th Hexa slipped into the dream, first as an observer. It felt the spirit of the human twist of fear and anxiety before the images he had to see. Paul saw the City burning, as it would soon be if he did not do something. He also conceptualised the dream of the Elders, but did not understand the trap, or did not want to understand.
Many concepts would be jostled, and many others would disappear if he understood it ... There lay the Kandron’s mistake. It had thought that Paul would accept the inevitable, would understand the causes and consequences ... but his brain, on the contrary, became introverted... it was better to deny reality than see the causes ...
In the dream, 5th Hexa saw children dancing around a kind of black spot, which radiated raw fear. Children in circle ... It then emphasized the concept of circle in Paul’s dream. He had to understand that here was the key ... ... the circle… the centre ... the intrinsic non-evolution ... The image strongly imprinted in its friend’s mind. 5th Hexa stopped and watched the human’s dream in progress, and focused on the geometric shape ... it had succeeded. It then exited the human’s brain quietly, uncomfortable. It had always promised itself if would not violate the spirit of its human.
It had always wanted a balanced relationship — a sincere and, above all, honest rapport with him, without abusing its superior abilities. It had to violate this principle, on behalf of the human adage, which suggested that the end justifies the means ... Was that really the case? The Kandron’s conscience tortured it for a long time. The cold night froze its body, as did its remorse. Had it done the right thing? Even if Paul followed its instructions, would that be a sufficient justification for its action?
The Spirit of the Multitude forced itself upon the Kandron, interrupting the latter’s monologue. A new meeting ... the agenda revolved around getting closer to the crossroads. Solutions were so uncertain ... and nothingness so close ... 5th Hexa merged its pearl of consciousness, taking care to cast aside its memories about the intrusion into Paul’s mind.
The Spirit did not need to know ... just as it did not need to know what the Kandron and Faress had concocted with the Gateway. It was strange, how the course of events prompted Edgard to intervene in subconscious minds ... an
d above all, that it wanted to hide things absolutely from the S.M. What if someone or something were at work in its own mind? It never had needed to hide anything from fellow Kandrons... why now? Why memories related to the unconscious? ... It was making plans, it encouraged, it orientated ... but what plans was it part of?
It resisted the temptation to speculate. It was now the representative of the Hexagon. The discussion started immediately.
“The hybrid will do what is expected of him. We will be able to leave this planet”, said the First and Last Element of the Circle, the Kandron that humans called Eutrope. “I taught him the language spoken here, and I helped him integrate into the society. He owes me.”
“Gratitude is not a human quality.”
“I will force him, if necessary.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'm closer to success than you are, 5th Hexa.”
“We must give my human partner time to find a way to differ the beginning; it is not yet too late.”
“The hybrid’s solution is the second option, but your friend is taking too long. You have to guide him.”
“No, I must be his catalyst.”
“What is the difference?”
“Guiding means influencing, and influencing means action. The catalyst remains passive.”
5th Hexa was disgusted at itself. It had lied to the Circle, and thus, to the Spirit of the Multitude. It had not remained passive as a catalyst had to be ... it had acted by stealth. Lurking in the shadows, it had accentuated part of Paul’s dream, to bring him in the right direction. And now, to keep the facts hidden, it had to lie ...
“Are you sure of what you are saying, 5th Hexa?”
“Are you doubting my word?”
“The Spirit of the Multitude is detecting holes in your memory ... small but real. What have you done?”
Its reluctance to lie had drawn attention. This moment had to happen.
“What I had to do. 5th Hexa replied.”
“The Hexagon will decide ...Let’s leave that aside. For now.”
It was both frightened and relieved. Afraid of what the Hexagon might decide against it, in light of its actions, and relieved not to have to carry a secret. This was contrary to the Spirit of the Multitude, this ancient wisdom that contained the collective memory and individual memories. The time would come when the Hexagon would decide ... and Faress belonged to the Hexagon.
“Do you still believe in this human, Paul? However, let me remind you that continually throwing pebbles into the river does not divert its course. Place a rock in the right place, and you reach your goal.”
“Exactly.”
“We must also continue to influence the Gateway. Space E. is growing.”
“The first element of the Hexagon had said 'the shadow of a Space that does not exist will destroy everything.'”
“What do you mean?”
“Perhaps …”
“No. What is already cannot be questioned. The illusion is found only in your mind.”
“However ...”
“You choose greatness, I choose survival. I am the Circle.”
“Why do you say that?”
“The hybrid and the shuttle constitute a realistic solution, compared to what you project with the human of the City, with the Gateway. The rock may deviate the course of the water, and the Space, on the other hand, may be differed ... but will there still time?”
“Both possibilities may be maintained until the end.”
“Choosing is an action that affects the solution.”
“Choosing cannot mean condemning this Space!”
“This is not about condemning it, just not wasting energy trying to save it.”
“I will not give up!”
“We know it. We just want you to also work for the Circle’s solution.”
“All my time must be devoted to Paul.”
“No. And you know it.”
“Yes, but I cannot do otherwise.”
“You do not want.”
“I will do my best.”
- « Let’s recap », said the Circle. « I taught the hybrid Space H.’s language. Now that he can communicate, he will participate in the construction project to get things done.”
“How can you tell?”
“What else could he do?”
“One’s logic is not superior to another’s.”
“So what?”
“Why wouldn’t he try to return to his Space? And even if he decides to take part in the construction project, how would that help us?”
“He will find a way to convince humans to take us along.”
“The Circle’s solution was not so obvious, after all.”
“Nothing is sure.”
“No, nothing is sure.”
“The Spirit of the Multitude knew, but those memories are lost.”
“We cannot get them back.”
“We never tried”.
“What do you suggest? Reverse our linearity, return to nothingness, and hopefully come out a second time with the lost memory?”
“Of course, not. We decided that its memories were lost. They may just be misplaced. We rebounded in Time. Memory pieces may have simply switched custodians.”
“Who knows?”
“Who knows without being able to?”
“A third possibility.”
“You are clinging to your past; you definitely want to find hypothetical memories in the hope they help you find a solution! Memories are only pictures of what we already did. We need to think differently.”
“Differ the beginning.”
“Yes.”” It's decided. The First and Last Element of the Circle will continue to work on the hybrid, but the solution proposed by 5th Hexa is also maintained.”
It had obtained a reprieve. For how long?
“However ...”
It shivered. What else could be added?
“I, 7th Hepta, think we should seek the lost memories.”
“Servants?”
“They were there from the beginning, perhaps they will ...”
“The Machine also thinks they have some intentions; both are of the same nature. They do not interest us.”
“Memories can.”
“We already have two solutions. The Spirit of the Multitude declines this proposal.”
5th Hexa vaguely wondered why, of all the Kandrons present, 7th Hepta was the only one that insisted on recovering the lost memory. Servants ... how could they help? By their nature, they were the very non-evolution ... Were Kandrons really so different? The meeting ended on these findings. Both plans would be pursued in parallel, and no one would seek the lost memory of the Spirit of the Multitude. Everything seemed perfect ... except that 5th Hexa had the unpleasant sensation of being in competition with the Circle. The first one to reach a satisfactory outcome would decide the fate of the entire species ... and the Circle was determined to win.
5th Hexa thought sadly about the number of days that separated them from the point of no return. They all knew the when and the how ... but such knowledge would be of no use to them. The meeting ended. Another one was expecting Edgard.
It snorted before embarking on a discussion with the Hexagon. The Hexagon ... it would have to answer for its actions. Faress, Caspar, Danael, Beryle and ... Atemys surrounded its mind. The structure was complete, consisting of six elements, which connected via a powerful bond. No facet of its conscience could not remain hidden from its brothers and sisters ... its mind was one with them.
Faress spoke.
“I'll go first ... but I ask you first to close your mind to the Spirit of the Multitude. This meeting only concerns the Hexagon.”
“We are here for a similar act! The Spirit will quickly find out this gap in the collective memory, unless ... unless we are all associated to it.
“The Hexagon, first and foremost.”
“The Hexagon, first and foremost.”
“The Hexagon, first and foremost.”
“Th
e Hexagon, first and foremost.”
“The Hexagon, first and foremost.”
“Yes ... the Hexagon, first and foremost.”
When the Spirit of the Multitude was removed from their common consciousness, Faress said.
“We chose the Hexagon as much as it chose us. We linked our mind to a human that the Spirit of the Multitude had chosen for us. We are the Hexagon. We are bound to humans and their City.”
“I feel their pain.”
“I feel their suffering.”
“I understand their anger.”
“I hear their fear.”
“I am also the City.”
“We agree. 5th Hexa asked for my help, and I said yes.”
“Of course”, said the other five Kandrons at the same time.
“I have to support my brother.”
“Of course”, said all gathered.
“If 5th Hexa believes in its solution, I have to help.”
“Yes … “
“It asked me to unite my mind to its own, to generate an unconscious thought in a Gateway’s mind so that the latter could contact the Kandrons ... to encourage the Gateway to differ Space E.”
“I decided that the Spirit of the Multitude did not need to know.”
“Tell us why.”
Edgard opened its mind as widely as possible and presented its doubts, its questions, its convictions and its beliefs ... the Hexagon could peek into 5th Hexa’s mind.
“We understand why Faress helped you; that was its duty. We see why you made the decision to hide your action ... but we do not agree. What about the other hole in your memory frame, what is it?”
“I acted on Paul's subconscious mind so that he takes the right direction.”
“You had not only hidden parts of your memory, but you also lied to the Spirit of the Multitude ... do you understand how serious that is?”
“I realise what I did, and I'm uncomfortable.”
“Of course, you are! But now that you've told us, we find ourselves accomplices!”