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Outside - The Reflection
:: 01-01-31 ::
Chapter 5: Bentusi
We sense a presence here, the Bentusi thought.
Not Bound nor Unbound. Something older.
Not from space nor hyperspace. Something from somewhere else. Something from Outside.
An echo of the Devourer.
It searches for someone - The other one can be beyond Unbound.
"Do not leave us," they said to Tasiin.
*****
"Do not leave us," Datlai pleaded to Tasiin.
The door beckoned - a way out of the confusion. The Galaxy burned around him, the stars tumbled out of the sky into nonexistence.
Outside, everything would be simpler. No galaxies or stars to fall; no one except himself.
The door beckoned.
But Datlai was tugging on his hand, pulling him back from the brink. He tried to take a step forward. Datlai's grip tightened as he did, preventing him from going anywhere.
The door beckoned.
"Please," Datlai said.
*****
The Bentusi were merely observers now. Tasiin had accommodated their command into his Bound state of unrest in rest. Instead of coming across as an intimidating order that it was, the persona in his dream plead - using the request to represent what was going on in Tasiin's mind.
We have no control here, they thought, taking care to hide the soliloquy from Tasiin. We can touch but not change.
*****
Tasiin was unable to decide. He closed his eyes, tried to ignore the door and Datlai both. Since when do I make such decisions? Tasiin thought. Sacrifice myself for Datlai's sake, or sacrifice Datlai for my own sake?
Why, gods, do you make me choose what to save? Why do you torment me?
"We never lose our connection with the past, even when we try," Datlai mused. "Think back to before the Burning, before the realization. You remember - and you hope for it to come again, although you won't admit it. Would you sacrifice that?"
Tasiin began shaking, then sobbing, finally falling to his knees and collapsing in despair. Why do you continue this? I don't want to be like this!
"No," he said, his voice unclear from the emotion.
"No, I can not leave."
*****
Use your knowledge to keep Outside away, the Bentusi thought.
*****
"Lock the door," Datlai said.
Tasiin despaired further. How much did the Universe expect of him?
"I can't. Don't you understand? I can't handle this!...You are asking for too much...I am not even sure I want to be here. I want..." Tasiin trailed off and did not continue.
Datlai looked at him, analyzing him.
"Then I will not ask it of you. But don't leave."
*****
We asked him repeatedly to keep Outside away, but only once did the persona ask.
He is beyond our control.
We have never experienced this before.
We do not know what to do.
*****
Tasiin floated up to consciousness again. Although he was still sore and bandaged, he forced himself out of bed.
The Beastslayer's trans-hyperdrive must be completed. It must, soon. He thought about the dream, about leaving the Universe without any defense, without the Beastslayer.
He shuddered.
Tasiin called the lab over the station's message system.
"Tasiin Limandatt," a Taiidan said. "Will you be here today?"
"Yes. Have you made any progress with the entry waveform equation for trans-hyperspace?"
The Taiidan bowed, ashamed. "We are still trying to understand your solution for hyperspace. We have no idea where to even start with trans-hyperspace."
Tasiin forced himself not to say anything, not to sigh, but he could feel his face fall in disappointment. In truth, he was struggling with some parts of trans-hyperspace, but an inspiration should help.
"Have all data concerning the Naggarok's hyperdrive prepared when I arrive."
The Taiidan bowed again and set out.
*****
"Advanced mimic mode fully operational. Approaching target."
The Turanic Raider corvette approached, disguised holographically as a Hiigaran heavy corvette. It was specifically designed to evade Galactic Shipyard 0's sensor array, to slip in close, and then to transmit to the fleet nearing in hyperspace.
"Visual confirmation confirmed. Relaying enemy fleet telemetry."
"Telemetry received," the warfleet leader stated.
"Detecting Hiigaran ships on intercept vectors."
"The Bentusi may have detected you. Retreat at maximum speed," the war leader ordered.
"Retreat confirmed. Evasive mode set. Returning to hyperspace jump point."
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