Chapter Thirty
Kirk had no idea how he and Lu got there.
He had no recollection of the Securitat swooper coming to anywhere within the black hole where they could land. Nor leaving the swooper. But now he found himself standing in a large stone hall.
Enormous pillars ran into the shadowy distance in every direction. They were set out in such a way as to form perfect straight lines whichever direction you looked in. A steady, slow, swirling mist floated around their shins. The hall was not cold, and what stonework they could see appeared to be of terracotta shades.
“Are we here?” Kirk asked Lu.
“I assume so”
“You’d have thought they’d have sent out a welcoming party or some...”
Out of the shadows at the far end of the hall, they became aware of movement. At first Kirk wasn’t sure if it was the swirling mists playing tricks on his eyes. But slowly, eight distinct figures came clearly into view.
Lu reached down for her F.R.B. and found it was gone. The small gasp of concern made Kirk turn to see that she was missing her Kuiper Belt entirely and a quick look down confirmed that he was missing his too. The idea that this was wrong briefly flashed through his mind, since he was seeing Lu as he had always seen her. They had exchanged words as well, which as far as he knew was impossible without their F.R.B.s. They were in theory still clipped to their belts, which in turn were somewhere else. Before he could spend any time processing this puzzle, one of the Y’lem spoke.
“Welcome to Destinati.”
The voice seemed to be in his head, having by-passed his ears. Kirk would have suspected that Casio was at work, if he had any idea where his F.R.B. was.
Both he and Lu turned and faced the eight figures that now stood in a curve before them. One stepped forward and bowed slowly. Kirk and Lu exchanged quick glances then bowed in return.
Judged by the smiles that appeared on the wrinkled faces studying them, they had done the right thing.
As Kirk studied what he now assumed were the Y’lem, he noticed that while at first glance, they all appeared to be very similar, upon a little more studying, it was evident they were clearly all individuals and all looked very different. Perhaps most surprising was that one of them even appeared to be female. All wore faded and loose fitting orange robes and Kirk immediately began to study their faces in more detail. He wondered if George, the man responsible for the destruction of his car, was amongst them.
Kirk suddenly realized that all the Y’lem were looking at him. None seemed even remotely interested in Lu. Just him.
“We are honored by your presence, regent,” said the old woman before turning to Lu. And we are equally honored by your presence Admiral.”
Kirk turned and looked at Lu, who returned his confused expression.
“I... er... I think you have us confused with two other people,” Kirk replied. “This is Special Agent Lu Pillah of the Universal Securitat, and I’m... well, I guess I’m Special Agent Kirk Deighton of the same organization.”
The Y’lem simply smiled indulgently, as if to say they didn’t mind that Kirk was mistaken.
We trust you find this a suitable location for our meeting?” One of the other Y’lem said. “We did our best to meet what we felt would be appropriate preconception on your part.”
Kirk gave an exaggerated look around the hall and nodded as if this came up to his high expectations.
“Very impressive,” he said. “Just the kind of imposing, yet slightly indistinct place a couple of space cops, out to save the universe would go to meet the creators of the universe and receive instructions on how to complete their impossible quest. You guys really have done you homework.”
The eight beamed in delight. Several exchanged knowing looks and nods.
“Still, “ Kirk continued. “It’s a bit clichéd, don’t you think?”
“What do you mean?” asked the old woman, concern now evident on her face as well as the faces of the other Y’lem.
“Well, don’t get me wrong, it’s fine. You obviously put in a lot of work and did your research, so forget I spoke,” Kirk said.
“No, really, we want to know?” one of the other Y’lem stepped forward. “There is something wrong with this ... setting?”
“ No honestly, it’s fine. very traditional.”
“This is bad?” the Y’lem were now, as one, looking very worried.
“It’s perfectly acceptable,” Lu put in.
The Y’lem looked at Kirk again doubtfully and Lu shot his a warning stare.
“Honestly,” Kirk said. “It’s really nice. A little predictable, but you did a great job. That aged masonry look must have taken a long time to get right.”
One of the Y’lem near the back raised a hesitant hand, “That was me.”
“Good job, man!” Kirk said.
“But you find it somehow unsatisfactory?” the old woman asked..
“Well it’s just that I never understood why, when the guy... or girl...” he nodded self-consciously in Lu’s direction. “who’s about to go off and save the universe, always has to receive the final instructions from some superior being, who for all their advanced knowledge and technology, just happen to have on hand a spare, stony chamber that appears to have some sort of fog problem. I mean, really, do you guys hang out in a place like this when you don’t have guests?”
The Y’lem exchanged looks that ranged from embarrassed to confused.
“Well, no,” the old woman finally admitted.
“Then why do you think that giving us instructions in a place like this is going to be somehow better?”
“It’s just done that way,” one of the others offered.
“We just thought you’d like it better,” another said.
“Now look,” Kirk said. “Don’t think we don’t appreciate what you tried to do, but wouldn’t you be more comfortable in a environment that was a little more relaxed, had some seating perhaps?”
“You would prefer to take council with us in our natural environment? Where we confer when alone?”
“There ya go.” Kirk Grinned. “Wouldn’t that be more pleasant all around?”
The Y’lem exchanged looks again, then nodded.”
Very well,” the old woman smiled as she snapped her fingers.
“This is where you gather?” Lu asked in amazement. “When you’re alone?”
The old woman nodded with a smile.
“I like it!” Kirk proclaimed as he strode across the room and pulled up a stool at the bar. He sat down then spun around and took in the full impact of the room. It was like a small cottage pub he’d been to while out for a day in the country back on Earth. Solid dark oak beams laced the walls and ceiling. A small fire cracked merrily in a stone fireplace. The walls were covered with various pieces of rustic metal work and standing on the mantle above the fire was a large photograph of the assembled Y’lem, standing beside a river, all wearing waders and wielding fishing tackle. Above the photograph was a large mounted fish Kirk was sure wasn’t from Earth. He was equally sure that he would never like to meet one alive and wasn’t certain he liked being in the same room as a dead one.
As Kirk settled in and studied the room, the Y’lem began to settle in as well. It was clear they all had their favorite seats as they moved to these positions with little trouble and each let the other through, knowing where they were headed.
Kirk turned to the nearest Y’lem, who was sliding onto a stool beside him. “Well, you seem to know who we are, now how about some introductions?”
The Y’lem, beside him looked embarrassed.
“How rude.” he said. “Allow me to assist in that. My name is Bh’Rnn,” he said with a slight bow is his head.
Kirk returned the nod and then watched as Bh’Rnn began to point o
ut and name his colleagues.
“Down at the other end of the bar, drinking the banana daiquiri Pr’Hct. Behind the bar is Ah’Dms.”
With a smile, Ah’Dms placed a pint of beer in front of Kirk.
“Over in the corner, feeding her pet is Mah’Kfree.”
Kirk looked over and watched as the old woman tossed peanuts into a glass tank. Inside a small lizard was excitedly catching the treats and occasionally letting loose a small belch of fire.
“Over here, with the lemon and cherries is See’Clk,” said BhRnn. “He has quite a thing for satellites.”
Kirk looked over and watched as the old man identified as See’Clk carefully balanced a spinning lemon on the end of his finger, then carefully set several maraschino cherries in orbit around the lemon.
“That chap with his head in the Jukebox is Ah’Smoff,” Bh’Rnn said. “Always tinkering with that thing. Says he’ll have it fully automated one day. Makes a couple of us nervous. The last thing we want is it playing any song it likes and developing some kind of personal taste. He says it will programmed only to play the songs we want.”
“Sitting by the fire, puffing away on his favorite pipe is Tl’Keen, and sitting across from him, with his latest set of plans for some rocket ship, submersible contraption or whatever it is, is Vh’Nhh.
Kirk sipped his beer and looked around at the Y’lem again. He often thought that even the greatest problems could be resolved over a pint of beer in a cozy pub somewhere. It was quite reassuring to find that greater intelligence than his appeared to agree.
“I was under the impression that time was a factor here,” Lu said. “I don’t want to be rude, but I think it would be better if we knew what Kirk needs to do and then be allowed to get on with that.”
“Well, you are correct, and you are wrong,” replied Vh’Nhh looking up from his blueprints. “Time doesn’t exist here. None of the five dimensions do. Time will only continue to be a factor when you leave.”
“However, your point is valid,” said Tl’Keen wiggling his hairy toes in front of the fire. “The sooner you’re told what you must hear, the sooner you can begin your quest.”
“One of our order has disappeared, and it is important that you find him and free him,” Mah’Kfree said, looking up from her lizard.
“Okay,” said Kirk, swallowing another gulp of the beer. “Several questions pop into mind. If you guys are so powerful, I mean, you did create the universe and all, why do you need me to go get you colleague?”
The Y’lem look uneasy.
“You see, the situation is not as clear cut as you might think,” answered Bh’Rnn. “We haven’t created the universe as yet... in the way that you think we have... so to speak.”
“Well, before we dropped through your black hole, I was pretty sure I came from an existing universe, so perhaps you need to explain that to me.”
“Are you aware that the universe is made up of five dimensions?” asked Ah’Dms.
“Lu told me something about the three spacial, plus time, and then said something about potential?”
“Very good,” said Pr’Cht nodding. “You should also know that time is not linear as you understand it. Beings such as ourselves can travel forwards, backwards, and sideways in time if we desire. In fact it’s the only way we can travel to all the places we need to in order to create the worlds and species we do. What we need to do tomorrow, may well have to wait until we can come back to it next year, or we may well have done it last week.”
“Stop,” said Kirk. “You’re making my head spin. This is what I get so far. You guys are missing one of your own. Because you can travel in time, there are things that you might need to do at a certain point in time. But to do everything you need to move in time to do it. Is that right?”
“Excellent,” said BhRnn, beaming.
“And I’m taking a wild leap here, but the Y’lem missing...”
“His name is Hg’Wlz,” Ah’Dms offered.
“Hg... H... Your friend. I’m guessing that he has to start something pretty big soon, and this is why you guys need him back. Right?”
Pr’Cht raised his glass in salute and almost lost his half banana garnish. “I can see you’re just the man for the job. Sharp as a tack.”
“Yes.” Ah’Dms smiled. “Unless Hg’Wlz is free to plant the seed, in eight days time, all will be lost.”
“Actually its three days,” Ah’Smoff’s voice echoed from the jukebox. “It was eight days when we discovered he was missing.”
“What’s this the seed of? What planet is so important that you need me...” Kirk trailed off as realization dawned. “It’s Earth isn’t it.”
The Y’lem laughed.
“No, no!” Tl’Keen chuckled. “I did that next week. What Hg’Wlz needs to have done in three days is create the universe.”
“What?” Lu and Kirk shouted in unison.
“Yes.” Mah’Kfree nodded. “We have maintained the entire Universe in a state of potential for millennia, but unless it’s created in the other four dimensions, all will cease to be.”
“It isn’t that bad,” added An’Smoff from inside the jukebox. We’ll still exist and we can start again. We learned an awful lot and can probably get the universe to this stage in half the time if we had to do it again. I even have one or two ideas for automating certain tasks.”
“But is seems such a waste,” said Vh’Nhh.
“There would be some things that we would never get the same again. Take your world for example. Do you really think we could create a duck-billed platypus again if we tried? Or Twinkies. That kind of accident doesn’t turn out so well every time. Now, multiply that by the thousands of galaxies in the universe and you can begin to understand why we don’t wish to see it all lost.”
“Hang on,” said a slightly confused Kirk.
“You’re telling me that the universe has existed, to this moment, as a giant ‘What If’?”
“Essentially, yes” said Bh’Rnn.
Kirk drained his glass and stared into the flames of the fire as he tried to get a handle on what he’d just learned.
“So why do you need me?”
“Because,” answered Pr’Cht.
“Why can’t one of you just go and create the Universe?”
“Because Hg’Wlz is the one who created the universe.” said Ah’Dms.
“But he hasn’t done it yet? So one of you could do it instead.”
“But Hg’Wlz did it, does it, and will do it.” said Mah’Kfree.
Kirk shook his head in confusion. “If you guys are so powerful,” he asked, “why don’t you go get your friend back?”
“Because that’s what you do,” said Tl’Keen.
“Haven’t you been paying attention?” asked See’Clk.
“We know that Hg’Wlz is currently on Prio. You must go there and free him. And you must do it in less than three days, or all will be lost for you and the universe you know.”
“One more thing we must tell you before you leave, though this is for Lu Pillah,” Bh’Rnn said.
Lu looked surprised.
“You want me to leave?” asked Kirk.
She shook her head. “I don’t have any secrets from you, and if this relates to the mission, it’s probably best that you hear.”
“Very well,” said Pr’Cht. “Be warned Lu Pillah. Do not face the assassin. If you confront the one know as Restive Pro on Prio, she will defeat you.”
“Now you must begin your journey,” Ah’Dms said. “Rest now and travel well.”
Kirk’s eyes snapped open and he looked at the pensive face of Lu.
“You remembered it all?” she asked.
Kirk nodded solemnly.
“Even the last warning?”
He nodded again.
/> “I wont run from her.”
Kirk didn’t know what to say, so he kept quiet.
Chapter Thirty-One
Dawn on Sevres Prime was one of the sights that people across the galaxy swore they would have to see before they died. As the early sun crested the horizon and its first rays hit the leaves of the giant Huron trees, the streets below were flooded with a warm spectrum of colors. Looking up was like seeing an impressionist artist’s stained glass window.
Plaach and Toast however, were not in the least bit interested in the beauty surrounding them. Their agendas were distinctly different now.
Plaach was set on getting as far away from Toast as he could. For some time prior to recent events, Plaach had been having serious doubts about his career as a criminal. He had tried hard to be good at it, but ultimately he discovered that deep down he was a decent person. Worse still, he had a very active tendency to try and do the right thing. Even if it cost him personally. When they had arrived on Titan a few months back, Plaach had made a commitment to try harder at his chosen profession.
But the incident outside the Kenturkee Fried Chicken franchise, and the subsequent chain of events, had pretty much convinced him that he should consider a new line of work. Now the only thing that stood in his way was Toast. The sooner he managed to forge a different path from his onetime partner, the better he would feel.
Toast on the other hand had one objective that consumed him. Revenge.
After the embarrassing take down by the little female alien on Titan, he had felt honor-bound to track her and her useless companion, and teach them a lesson. He was aware Plaach didn’t really want to do this. But only in the same way a man, laboring hard and intent on his work, is aware of a fly buzzing around his head.
However, after their most recent encounter, Toast had decided that he would kill them both. The female had managed to get the drop on him again. And her useless companion had proven to have one special ability he would not soon forget. Though the reason for this was that Toast was still pulling pieces of that attack from his now matted fur.
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