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Outside - The Reflection
:: 01-01-31 ::
Chapter 14: The Star-Filled Night
“What do you mean by ‘We will not assist’?” Dolann Kaalel asked. He and the other project leaders sat around the Beastslayer’s war room’s central table, the other project representatives in the row of seats behind them. Above the table was a holographic projection of a mothership-class vessel of one of the leading Unbound races in the Council.
“The Council will not intervene on your behalf in this situation.”
“Let me review the situation for you,” Kaalel said, trying to cover up his impatience. “The T-Mat destroyed our shipyard, as well as eight Bentusi Tradeships and half of our fleet, without provocation; there is an entity Outside that threatens the entire Universe; and we just found out that our species all came from an ancestral race who destroyed hundreds of civilizations across the galaxies. You are telling us that you will not help.”
“The T-Mat will be…censured for their actions. However, we see that our earlier cooperation was premature. You were willing to risk all by launching your ship without our consent. And…the T-Mat’s fear may not have been unjustified."
“As for your…findings on the Naggarok launchers…We are doing our own studies for verification,” the Council representative stated.
“What about the…thing that is Outside?” Kaalel demanded.
“There has been a vote on that matter. The Bound races are divided evenly into those who support you and those who are against you.”
“And the Unbound?”
“Only the Bentusi support you. It is not our responsibility to protect the Universe. We will not be Bound.”
Kaalel stood up. “You self-righteous-“
“Kaalel,” said Shanal Alo, who grabbed his arm and pulled him down. Kaalel still glared at the Council ship.
“The Council has decided and spoken.”
The hologram winked out.
“I really wanted to banish those arrogant Unbound ones and taken control of the Council myself, but we will not get anywhere by expressing those sentiments,” Shanal Alo said.
“They fear like we did, when the Devourer lived,” the Bentusi said. “They can see nothing beyond their fear and themselves.”
“The problem is that there happens to be an entire universe beyond themselves and their fear,” Kaalel said. “And we happen to be in it.”
“More of the Bound support us,” a Zaala stated. “Perhaps the knowledge of the common origin has given them hope of receiving equality in the Council. They see us as bringers of that knowledge.”
“Or they simply didn’t like us having something they did not. Now that they know about the situation, they do not care,” Thenar Soban added.
“Council’s approval or not, we must eventually stop the entity Outside,” Pukna Somtaaw said. “We need to send the ship back Outside. The Council can only punish us after the act.”
“Send the Beastslayer Outside…Let’s start preparing for it,” Kaalel sighed. He touched the ship’s intercom control on the war room table. “Tasiin Limandatt’sa, report to the war room immediately.” He sat back in his chair, waiting.
A minute later, Tasiin walked in. Kaalel bluntly stated, “Welcome to the war room. We are thinking of launching the Beastslayer.”
Tasiin sat down across from Dolann. Kaalel noticed the paleness of his skin, the sagging of his face. Tasiin seemed to be pushing himself too much, his mind trying to do too much, too long for his body to handle.
“You seem tired.”
“So do you,” Tasiin replied. There was a pause.
“We need to focus on the matter at hand,” said Shanal Alo. “Tasiin, we now know about the Naggarok. However, you said there were other journeys, other attacks Outside. Can you tell us about them? Perhaps there are details that can be useful.”
Tasiin replied, “I remember fragments, pieces. Virtually all had no idea what waited for them Outside. Those going there had little time to react. Most, including the Naggarok launchers, developed a fear of Outside and never returned. However, a few races tried to actually fight wars with Outside. They did invent a few things of interest.”
“What sort of interesting things?” Kaalel asked.
“Mainly mental defenses…Defenses against a telepathic attack. One physical defense was a specially adapted gravity well. What the gravity well does is make it harder for the entity to concentrate on the attacking ship.”
“We have been thinking of something similar,” Kaalel said.
“It has to be set up precisely for maximum effect. The computer analysis of the Beastslayer’s scans from Outside should help.”
“Do you remember anything else?” asked Shanal Alo.
“It is vague…but the defenses did little. The entity that is Outside is too powerful.”
“There is another issue,” Kaalel said. “The Galactic Council disapproves of us. The Bound races are evenly divided over the Beastslayer, but the Unbound races will not help us. It is possible we not be attacked by many races before the launch.”
“Or the entire Galaxy could be consumed with war at this rate,” Thenar Soban added darkly.
“The situation is bad. The Turanic Raiders and Imperials are shouting that we have broken every law of the Council and the T-Mat will not be stopped other than a ‘censure.’ Even the Daiamid is considering dismantling the Beastslayer…How is that an Imperial made peace with us here and that half of my own kiith is against us?”
“Compared to Outside, though, the Council is little threat,” Tasiin said. “We have the fleets to defend ourselves against the other races. The entity living Outside, however, could instantly destroy them. Other than an emergency plan for an escape, we should focus on Outside.”
“I agree with Tasiin. The Council could burn like Kharak, for all I care. If we defeat the Outside entity, then I do not think the Council will punish us severely. If we lose…then the Council might not matter,” Pukna Somtaaw said.
“You said Outside talked to you. If a direct assault will fail, can you negotiate with it?” Shanal Alo asked. “Can you convince it to leave us alone?”
“Perhaps. But it is convinced we will kill it. It might have a larger chance of success than attacking, but not enough.”
“Then injure it,” Shanal said. “Can you injure it enough to give it second thoughts?”
Tasiin closed his eyes in thought. “No. No, that would not work. It would only make it more determined. It would not listen to us at all. Then we would be doomed.”
“Is there any hope?” Kaalel asked.
“Little.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us that might be useful? Any possibilities?”
“No. I do not remember anything of much use.“
“Then we can discuss this later, with new ideas. Get some rest, Tasiin.”
“We should-“ Tasiin began.
“Rest.”
Tasiin stood up to leave. As he walked, he stumbled in tiredness, but was obviously trying to think. He was making plans and calculations while nearly asleep. There was something painful about watching it.
When he was gone, the Bentusi spoke. “He must become Unbound soon. His Bound body can not hold him.”
“That is what is hurting him?” Kaalel asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“But being Unbound requires being linked to a ship.”
“Correct.”
“And he will need to be on the Beastslayer to control the trans-hyperdrive and to act as a representative when we send it Outside. So, we need to give him this ship,” Kaalel reasoned.
“Yes. There is no other way. We must give him the ship…or lose him forever,” the Bentusi said.
“We could link him at the bridge. We can still watch over the ship from the war room,” Shanal Alo said.
“We will provide the materials and instructions. He must go Outside.”
“Then, begin preparations. I only wish this didn’t mean sacrificing the ship,” Kaalel said.
“Better than sacrificing the Universe,” Shanal Alo replied.
*****
“Kiith-sa.”
Tasiin could not pretend to be resting. Equations vibrantly stretched across his awareness, multiple thoughts filling his mind like songs. He never felt more alive…but it was only painful.
“Tasiin,” Datlai said softly.
He looked at her.
“Follow me,” Datlai said.
Tasiin stood up, but as he did it he felt trapped in his own body. It was too confining, too small, too binding. His mind needed to grow, but it had no room.
Datlai led him along, through the corridors of the Beastslayer. Many were unfamiliar, Tasiin having spent most of his time in engineering, the bridge, the war room, or the room granted to his kiith. At last, they arrived at a small chamber. The room was filled with holographic stars.
“What are you doing?” asked Tasiin.
“Giving you a final glimpse of Bound life,” Datlai replied. “What would be more appropriate than your new home?”
Already he felt claustrophobia. “I sincerely hope you do not mean this room,” Tasiin said.
Datlai smiled and placed a hand on his face. Tasiin felt happiness and sadness at once - the sensation reminded him of his Bound body, but his over-Unbound mind shifted its entire attention to the touch, making it seem impossibly vivid.
“The stars,” Datlai replied. She sat down on the floor. Tasiin followed, despite the hardness of the floor.
“Do you remember when we did this on Kharak? We were barely adults back then.”
Tasiin remembered clearly. It was several years before the Sleeping, the Gold List of journeyers to Hiigara still being completed. It was a time of innocence for both.
“We used to identify the stars and our kiith’s constellations,” Tasiin remembered. The memory started to distract his attention from his pain. “I told you about what astronomers knew about each star. You would always find one that I did not know, just at the verge of visibility.”
“I have good eyesight.”
“And there was the time you saw the moon of Khalten.”
“I have very good eyesight.”
“Datlai, it was forty times the distance from our star as Kharak and the size of an asteroid.”
Datlai had a knowing grin. “Soon, the Scaffold would rise with the Mothership inside. You would dream about being on it and traveling to the stars.”
“You would tease the people up there and I would say-“
“’Datlai, stop mocking the poor people,’” she said. “We would talk about the Mothership, star travel, the scientists…
“’Tasiin, how can one understand something so distant?’ It was always a playful question.”
“You would tell me about theories, your own calculations.” Her smile turned into an expression of admiration. “Even then, Tasiin, you speculated about trans-hyperdrive. Once you even wondered if it was possible to go beyond all spaces.”
“If only I knew what I was wishing for,” Tasiin said. Suddenly, Datlai embraced him. It was too much for him. He began to sob. “Why did I leave this…you?” Datlai seemed stunned. “I should not have - why?” His mind was filled with multiple thoughts, all mourning for losing the past. “What did I do to you?”
Datlai pulled Tasiin even closer. “Tasiin, you never lose your connection with the past. But don’t lose yourself in sadness. You felt that no one listened to you. You even were right - the larger, more powerful kiithid ignored your work, even though the Bentusi would later be surprised with it. As for me…you were looking for yourself. You went soul-searching. You needed time to be alone. How can I blame you for following our kiith’s spirit?” Datlai added, “My kiith-sa.”
Tasiin said, “I admire your ability to remain this calm. I can surprise the Bentusi, but I can’t keep myself from…”
“I…I have not been as calm as you think. Ever since you attacked yourself during that dream, I have not been able to sleep. While you dream nightmares, I worry about you.”
“Datlai, I don’t want you to do that-“
“Tasiin, I don’t want you to be troubled. But I cannot decide that.” Both of their eyes glistened. Datlai’s head bowed down, resting on Tasiin. He was surprised that for once he was glad he was Bound. “Tasiin, Dillat was a good friend, but you…I loved you…as I do know.”
“I…you are my friend…”
“Tasiin, I know you. Your friendship is love. The fact that you are here with me, talking about this when days ago you isolated yourself completely is proof.”
He did not answer, but she expected none. Tasiin had never felt so alive, although he did not know what to say or do.
“Tasiin.”
“Yes?”
“What is that star?” Datlai asked, pointing near a bright, yellow star. Tasiin could barely discern it.
“Isn’t this a computer generated hologram?”
“No. This represents what is outside of the ship.”
“But we are thousands of light years from Kharak and Hiigara. How would I know what it is?”
“Tasiin, you never did understand the question. I know you do not recognize it. Make a story up about it.”
Tasiin did not feel the pain of his body, or the confinement of it. Datlai listened intently as he strung together a story about a white dwarf orbiting the star, near the home of a race that settled there, descendants of the Naggarok launchers. When he was done, Datlai then asked about another star and again listened. Tasiin then pointed out a fast glow to Datlai, who then created a tale about it. The narratives began to involve many stars; whole constellations were invented by them. When the stories began to involve the entire sky, they began to laugh at themselves.
Tasiin was glad he had sacrificed a few hours of life he could have been Unbound in.
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