Microstory 558: Spacetime Tear May Lead to A Planet in the Future

< > Table of Contents

Decades ago, visitors strolling through Peripeteia Park started noticing something strange. At first, it was just a feeling, like time was moving slightly differently around them. They could feel these waves—or ripples—crawling over their skin. Then the weather began to change dramatically, and incongruently with the rest of the area. It was like the park wasn’t really on the same planet as the rest of us, and scientists now more than ever believe this to be true. Recently, this tear in the spacetime continuum has begun to exhibit even more unusual properties. At first, it was just the music. People could hear melodies that no human on our planet ever created, and some of the instrumental sounds were not familiar to our history. Then things changed even more, and became even more bizarre than we could have predicted. Anyone who ventures too close to the rift will now experience an uncontrollable urge to sing the songs they hear, even without ever having heard the lyrics before. Despite its danger, the government never prevented anyone from entering Peripeteia Park, because they didn’t feel they had the right. Now, this has changed, because it seems to be infecting (for lack of a better word) people’s minds, and that is something that cannot be allowed. For now, only authorized scientists have been allowed anywhere near the park, and only with protection, and only under special orders for research. Rift research has now been given its own budget, so that it can be studied and understood. One scientist, who has had extensive time with the rift, believes that it leads to another planet, one where this music is commonplace. Furthermore, he or she believes this planet’s present time to be located somewhere in the future. His or her identity has not been revealed, but through a process of quantum entanglement, they believe that our two planets have somehow been connected to each other, and will be affected by each other’s paradigm shifts. Other scientists have expressed doubt in this possibility, pointing to their apprehension in the mystery scientist’s methods of deductive reasoning. Said mystery scientist has signed a record deal for his work, and will be releasing an album to the public with his findings sometime in the coming months.

Microstory 557: Tissue & Organ Replacement Prices Dropping

< > Table of Contents

A long time ago, scientists and health professionals realized that we were headed towards an unfortunate future when it came to organ health. About the only good thing that comes from anyone’s death is their ability to disseminate their organs and tissues to living patients in deep need of them. But this is not a sustainable method of trade. Unlike the exchange of labor, goods, services, and currency, organ donation inevitably leads to diminishing returns. As advances in science make people healthier, they’re less and less likely to be able to donate their organs after death, and the demand for these organs begin to greatly outnumber the supply. Similarly, we’re making cars and traffic safer, which is great for people on the roads, but not so great for people who rely on those deaths so that they may live. Nor do we want to live in a world where someone has to die in order for someone else to live. We want everybody to live, and if possible, we want them to live forever. So what can we do? Well, the very concept of organ transplantation carries with it significant issues. Humans didn’t evolve to share organs and tissues, or even blood. We are fortunate that it’s even possible in the first place, but no two people (twins notwithstanding) will ever be as compatible as we would like. So we’ve come up with a solution. Let’s cut out the middleman and just grow all the organs we need in a laboratory.

Stem cell research, genetic mapping, three-dimensional bioprinter development, cryopreservation, and other related fields can give us everything we need to provide the population with all the biological parts without the need to grow them in living beings. First, we need to know how to predict, isolate, and treat a given patient’s given disease. Then we need to know how to grow the organ that will need to be replaced in them. Then we just print that part, and store it in a tank, and implant it in their body as needed. Significant strides have been made in these respects. Just last year, the number of lab-grown implants surpassed the number of semicompatible transplantations, either through living donors, or deceased donors. The prices for these implants are dropping significantly month to month, and soon, securing a new organ will be as simple and trivial as purchasing a new land vehicle. In fact, some believe every citizen will one day invest in an organ chamber that keeps one, or possible two, extra copies of each of their own organs, developed by using the exact molecular structure found in their natural biological substrate. Some take it even further, promoting a future where entire replacement bodies are kept in these chambers. When our current body fails, for whatever reason, we’ll simply transfer our consciousness to the replacement substrate, and leave the old one behind entirely. That’s a future that may never come, but for now, we’re happy with just having a way to solve our organ crisis, and make life a little easier for everyone.

Microstory 556: Are Criminals Running The Core?

< > Table of Contents

Conspiracy theory blog, tabloid, crackpot salon. That’s what they call this publication. And you know what? They may be right. Everything I’ve said here, every time I’ve tried to open your eyes, it may be just all a big pile of nonsense. But what if it isn’t? What if even a small part of the claims I’ve made are true? What would you do then? Would you act, or just accept the status quo. Because the status quo might not be what you think it is. If you’re afraid of the solar system’s leadership as it’s known by the public, imagine what you’ll feel if you find undeniable proof that this leadership is actually full of criminals. Now, hear me out. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve received some evidence that this is at least partially true. And it would make some level of sense, because the government as we know it doesn’t really seem to exist at all.

Centuries ago, when our ancestor began mapping out our new civilization, one thing they wanted to accomplish was a society that quite literally ran itself. If you set up so much regulation, and so many guidelines, and you indoctrinate the entire population to agreeing with you, you don’t need to do anything to keep it that way. If you break the rules, the law is clear on what happens to you. If you’re dangerous enough, you’re thrown into a solitary tower. If you’re better off leaving, you’re shipped off to an exile planet. If it’s just a minor infraction, you’re taught to curb your behavior. No one has to sit there and decide what happens to you, because we already know. But what if that’s not enough? What if our ancestors realized that this kind of infallible society simply was not logistically possible? We now live with hundreds of billions of people across dozens of planets. The chances that our system works perfectly may be higher than you might find on, say Earth, but still can’t be 100%. Nothing is 100%. Something always gets through.

I personally believe that true automation cannot be achieved, and that you always have to have some kind of oversight. So the question at that point is, who belongs to this oversight? You might assume respected leaders in their fields, or a shadow government of people without any records, or perhaps the Martians just enforce their laws in secret. It probably wouldn’t even occur to you to even consider that it might be criminals. Afterall, that’s insane. But is it? Maybe the fact that they wouldn’t even come to mind is exactly what makes them perfect for the job. Throughout history, on multiple planets, criminals have proved to respectively have a phenomenal grasp of how things work. They’re able to get away with their crimes, because they’ve learned to exploit the system’s vulnerabilities. Who better to shore up our vulnerabilities here than those who were born with the natural inclinations towards using them to their advantage? We don’t really know what prison towers look like. Perhaps they’re luxurious paradises, with everything a resident might need. They’re treated well, able to satisfy their urges through controlled virtual reality, and occasionally asked how to run the galaxy. Doesn’t sound so crazy now, does it? I’m not saying that all of this is true. All I want you to do is think...could it be? What are we missing? What are they keeping from us?

The Advancement of Mateo Matic: July 7, 2122

« < » > Table of Contents

Last year, Leona and Horace tried to work out their problems between each other, but they weren’t able to get very much done. Neither one of them wanted to do this, and it was just too weird and stressful. After a few attempts, they decided that they would be better off sleeping on it, and trying again in the morning. Horace would have to wait an entire year for her to return to the timeline, but during that time, he would have no no memory of their expiation, so he just went about his business with the others. At midnight, upon Leona’s return, he walked all the way back to their old camp, and got some sleep in the dilapidated shelter next to hers.

Leona woke him up when it was almost lunchtime. They grabbed some weapons, and headed out to hunt. Having something to do while they were trying to talk should help them feel more comfortable. Again, though, neither one wanted to start off the discussion. Finally, Horace just had to suck it up and take the reigns. “I feel like I have this advantage over you that makes it unfair in any conversation or fight we might have with each other.”

Leona made this face like she was unimpressed with some feat he had just performed for her. “And what might that be?”

“I know you far better than you know me. I remember being married to you, and even though that was a different you, it was still you.” Then he started rambling, “it was still the same beautiful, kind, sassy Leona that we all know and love today. Not that I’m in love with you. I really am over that, don’t get me wrong. Serkan was my one and only. It’s just that, no matter what timeline you’re in, you’re still basically the same person, and I know that, and I know what buttons to push, and it gives me an advantage, like I said.” He sounded like an idiot.

“Well, if I’m always the same person whenever we enter a new timeline, then does the same go for you?”

“What?”

“Well, we’ve been through two timelines where you’re a psychotic murderer, so does that mean that’s what you are now?”

He didn’t really think this through. Apparently, having the night to prepare for it hadn’t helped at all. In fact, it may have made it worse. “Well, no, that’s different.”

“How so?”

“Well, in those two realities, I had the ability to go back in time and relive each day. Even when and once you knew this about me, you could never really grasp what that meant. Sure, you can imagine the fun I had, like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, but it could be so much darker than that. It gives you the opportunity to test your curiosities. Have you ever wondered what it felt like to set someone on fire? The movies don’t do it justice, because it’s always either a stunt double with their clothes on fire, or computer graphics. To see a human’s skin boil, and to smell their burning flesh, that’s not something you could ever understand. Now I’m not saying everyone would try those kinds of things if they had the option, but you have to realize how easy it was for me and Ulinthra to feed off each other.

“Have you ever read or watched a story about two serial killers working together?” he continued. “How does that happen? First, how do they meet; then, how do they find out that the other one either does, or wants to, kill people? Well, usually it starts off slow. One will study the other’s reaction to violence on television. If one’s a male, the other will notice him experiencing an erection when a cheetah takes down a gazelle. They’ll start having hypothetical conversations about what they would do to Hitler if they ever met him. Then these hypotheticals start getting closer and closer to home: still-living celebrities, people they’re both aware of, people they both know personally. Then the conversations stop being so hypothetical, and more anecdotal. They’ll talk about their fantasies, or that one time they killed the neighbor’s cat. Eventually, just like with any two people in a relationship, they’ll figure out what they have in common. They’ll finally be able to talk to each other freely, and decide how they can work together to satisfy their urges.”

“That’s probably the most twisted thing I’ve ever heard anyone say,” Leona said to him. “That’s saying a lot, because I’ve met The Cleanser...and the original Rogue.” They had walked in a big circle, and were back at the beach, so they sat down to rest.

“It is, yes. I tell you of this so that you’ll know where I’m coming from when I tell you that Ulinthra and I, in that first timeline, we didn’t have to go through that. The first thing she did when we met was stab me in the throat, and let me watch her kill her father before I died. We both knew that we shared the rewind ability, and we both knew that neither of us could use our killings against each other, as long as we never did anything on Round Two. So if we said something weirder than ever before, it didn’t matter. We didn’t care what the other one thought, and we couldn’t be stopped. So when she proposed we set someone on fire, I just went along with it. If you think that’s bad, wait until you hear how we did it. Most arsonist killers use an accelerant, but we didn’t. We just held the flame on our victim’s arm until it caught on fire itself. It burned like a campfire, and he took longer to die. Yes, I can see your face, this was a terrible thing she roped me into doing, and it might be my biggest regret from that timeline.”

“Horace...”

“Honestly, my first thought once my daughter sent my mind back into my younger body was that I was free even from even the cosmic consequences of that day. Now, not even Ulinthra knew that that ever happened. I got so distracted by you and Mateo, so I didn’t keep that much of an eye on her, but I imagine she ultimately did it on her own. Which is why it was even better when the timeline reset again, and I spent decades having zero memory of it. Even when Nerakali forced those memories back on me, I still felt better, because now I knew even Ulinthra wouldn’t do it this time. I was so far removed from my past mistakes, which is something most people can’t enjoy.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“I’m telling you this because, even though you only remember that second reality, it was. Still. You. And you deserve my apology. When I explained to Mateo what my whole deal was; why I was trying to kill him, he said something to me that has since stuck. He said that you fell in love with a man who was not a killer. But that that man didn’t exist. He told me that you were never in love with me, but with a lie. Like I said, I have the rare opportunity to apologize for a past life. I proposed to you under false pretenses, and I’m sorry. You deserved better, which is why Mateo and I don’t hate each other any more. Once he said that to me, once he explained how wrong I was in my position, I realized that you being with him instead of me is the best possible outcome. I’m not evil in this reality after Nerakali blended my brain because of Serkan, but also because of you two. I just want you to know that.” He paused, not sure if he was truly done with this presentation. Fortunately, neither was she. “I’m glad you can’t remember the first timeline. It would taint your relationship with Mateo.”

She was taken aback. “Well, that’s not entirely true.”

What did she mean by that? “What do you mean?”

“I can remember that timeline. I remember being married to you.”

“What?”

“Nerakali gave me those memories, like she did with you. I remember everything. Horace, that version of me never knew what you were. She died in the car crash before she found out. A part of me...” She hesitated.

Horace chose not to say anything, worried any interruption in her thought process would cause her to hide the truth, and void this expiation they were on.

“A part of me,” she repeated, “feels this deep love for you. That’s why, even though the three of us are cool in this reality, I’ve avoided you when possible. When I look at you for long enough, I can see is how the starlit ocean danced in your eyes on that romantic night we spent in Ocean City.”

“When we coincidentally proposed to each other. My God, you’re telling the truth. You remember.”

“Of course I’m telling the truth.”

“Did you tell Mateo about this?”

“No.”

“Did you tell anyone?”

“No.”

“Will you ever tell him?”

“No.”

“Would you have ever told me if we weren’t forced to do this expiation?”

“No.”

They reserved a few minutes for silence. At first they watched the ocean again together, then it reminded both of them of that night when they proposed, so they turned and stared into the jungle at different angles.

“Do you think that’s it?” Leona asked once the right amount of time had passed.

“Do I think we’ve completed the expiation? I dunno, it’s kind of vague. I mean, with the others, it was build a shelter, or teach a lesson. Those had pretty clear endgames. Could we ever really know if we’ve talked to each other enough?”

“No, I suppose not. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe this doesn’t end after three days. Maybe we’re meant to keep working on each other, which is how human relationships always work. There’s never a goal...at least there’s not supposed to be.”

“No, I suppose you’re right. Maybe all we have to do is prove that we’re willing to keep trying to improve ourselves.”

They looked around, both presumably having this thought that Arcadia was about to teleport in and tell them if they’re on the right track. She never showed up, so they just enjoyed another silence between them.

Horace broke the ice this time. “I do think that maybe that’s enough for today, though.”

She was keen on agreeing with this, “yes, I’m not ready to continue. I’m gonna go...find something to eat.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna go fish.” He stopped, not knowing what she had had in mind. “Unless you wanna fish instead. ‘Cause I could—”

“No,” Leona assured him, holding up her bow and quiver. “I got my bow. I want to try out what I learned from Vearden a few days ago.”

“Okay, cool.” He pretend for a second that they were normal people who could engage in playful banter, “don’t go too far, be careful.”

She didn’t respond as she walked away and disappeared behind the trees.

Horace took out the fishing line and headed for the beach. Before he got there, he dropped to knees, and then to his side. What he had just done had exhausted him far more than he had realized. He would take a nap first, and he would just do it right here.

« < » > Table of Contents

Voyage to Saga: Base Reality (Part XII)

« < » > Entire Story

“People keep saying that, what exactly does that mean?” Vearden asked. All these little nicknames that people who could manipulate time give to themselves. They seemed so...self-serving. Who does that? “Do you run a school district, or something?”

“No, nothing so reputable,” the Superintendent responded. “Superintendent, not as in a leader; superintendent, as in I fix things. I don’t run these universes, I just make sure they run themselves.” He held his hand up pseudo-defensively. “But please, you may call me Gaius. It’s not my real name, I just like it.”

“Very well. And this is.....base reality? What exactly does that mean?”

It didn’t seem like Gaius had a good answer for that one. He paused for a second. “I don’t wanna say anything that’s going to make you feel unimportant, but let’s just say that your universe sprouted from mine, and relies on mine’s continued existence in order to exist itself.”

No good response. “O...kay.”

“Now. Ya’ll ready for this?”

“That sounds like a reference,” Vearden said.

Gaius smiled again. Then he lifted a normal black pen and clicked it once. Suddenly, Vearden knew what he was talking about. That was a lyric from a pop song. Why was he not able to remember that upon first hearing it? He shook it off as Gaius was continuing on with his introduction. “Tell me—and remember that I know the truth, because I know literally everything about you—have you ever heard of a deus ex machina?”

“Yeah,” Vearden answered honestly. “It’s when there’s no logical reason for something to happen in a story, but the writer just decided it would.”

“That’s right. It’s not a good thing. Critics frown upon it. I am no different, but I have recently found myself using them. Now, what I’ve done here is an interesting case. I didn’t actually require a deus ex machina, but what I did require was a series bridges. I needed connections between the universes in my domain, and fortunately, you’re genetically predisposed to that sort of thing. I needed you to establish your presence in these realities so that I could more easily enter them whenever I need to. And in order for this to work, you needed to have a profound effect on the narrative, rather than just sitting back and watching.”

“Can’t The Shepherd do that? She’s the one who brought me here.”

“Well, she can only get me halfway. Yes, she can open windows to other universes, but she can’t establish herself in them. She can barely cross the threshold. That’s why you never actually saw her in one of them with you.”

“But she—”

He cut Vearden off, “went into that last reality? Yes, now she’ll be able to go to any universe that you have created bridges for, as will your wife and the scientist, or anyone else, really. You see what I’m going for here? Vearden, you’re a doorwalker. For a period of time, you were the doorwalker. You just created the Gretchen and Danuta team. They’re going to be very important to me down the line.”

“I see. Almost.”

“Close enough.”

“So can you give Saga back to me now?”

“I could, but I still need your help with a few things.”

“What might that be?”

He opened his arms to present his surrounds. They weren’t all that appealing. His apartment wasn’t too small, but it was dirty and old; not the best place to live. “I’m not lovin’ where I am in my life. I don’t expect a mansion, or anything, but I could do with a few upgrades. You can help me with that. I’m even more powerless than the Shepherd. I can’t usually personally experience anything but linear time. You’re my loophole.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“Just go back in time and make a few changes.”

“Then I get Saga?”

“That’s right, Vearden, you get Saga. Jesus.”

“No, I don’t need him. I just need her.”

“Ha-ha.”

“What do I do?”

“First, don’t be afraid. We need to form a bond.” Gaius stepped closer and pressed his lips against Vearden’s, while holding him in a tight embrace. After a few seconds, he released and stepped away.

“What are you, a crossroads demon?”

“It’s either that, or you drill into my skull and touch my brain with your finger.”

“Is that true?”

He shrugged ambiguously. “Maybe.” He nodded towards the closet door Vearden had just come out of. “Open the door, and my mind will navigate to the proper point in space and time.”

Vearden did as he was asked. The doorway turned into a portal to reveal a child’s playground on the other side of a chain link fence. A young girl, and a young boy, were wandering around near the portal, which the girl ignored. It was unclear if the boy could see into the room, but he could definitely sense their presence. He started examining the edges of the portal, trying to understand it.

Gaius watched the boy intently. “I become my own inspiration.” He then redirected his attention to Vearden. “Close it.”

Immediately after Vearden shut the door, it transformed into a different door. In fact, they were standing in a totally different room, which looked like it was in a different apartment. It was much nicer. They had just altered history. “Is that it?” he asked.

Gaius thought for a moment. “Not quite. Open it again.”

Now they were looking at a teenager standing in the hallway of a school. The teen could definitely see them. He eyed them both carefully. Gaius leaned forward and said, “leave her alone.”

“Who?” the teen asked.

“You know.”

“Okay.”

Vearden closed the door again. It didn’t change. “That was you, right? I mean, he looked exactly like you. He didn’t seem that surprised to be seeing an older version of himself.”

“I would never be surprised by something like that. Rule Number Zero, act like ya been there. Again.”

Vearden opened the door. The same teen was there once more, but he looked a few years older. He was standing on what appeared to be a farm, gently petting a cow. Young Gaius, or whatever his name was, waved at them from the other side of the portal. Older Gaius gave further instructions. “You need to find a clever way of getting out of this. This is all well and good, but something is about to happen, and you need to be back home when it does. When it happens, you’ll know, and it is where you go next that you’ll truly find yourself.”

“How am I supposed to—” young Gaius asked.

“Make it seem like their idea. Make yourself...look...not well. Use the only skill you and I have.”

Young Gaius nodded understandingly. “I have a few ideas.”

Vearden closed the door, and it transformed dramatically this time. They were standing in a prison cell.

“Ssshhhit!” Gaius cried. “That idiot. Again.”

Vearden didn’t want to be in here any more than Gaius did, so he gladly took the handle. It didn’t budge.

“Oh my God. Of course. Why wouldn’t it be locked, I’m a criminal!” Gaius started scratching at a tattoo on his shoulder that hadn’t been there before. “Okay, I think this can work if we time it right.” He started banging on the door and screaming to the guards. “Hey, boss! Help! Help!”

“Open eleven!” the nearest guard commanded.

Gaius had his own command. “Now!”

Vearden pulled at the pocket door just as the buzzer rang out, releasing it from the locks. They were once again standing before the farm, but it was now nighttime, and the younger Gaius was searching for something.

“Oh, hey, a goat got loose. Would you be able to find him?”

“Dude,” the older Gaius said to his younger self. “Not that idea. You take it way too far. Just keep it simple.”

Young Gaius peers into the prison cell. “Yikes, okay, got it.”

Vearden closed the door, and they were now standing in a house.

“Hmm,” Gaius said to himself. “All right, I know what to do.” He prepared himself mentally, then nodded. “Go.”

The Gaius on the other side was probably negligibly younger than the older one. It was like they were just looking into a mirror, because it was the exact same house, with no change in furniture. “What now?” a frustrated younger Gaius asked, almost rhetorically. “What did I do wrong this time?”

“Don’t argue with them. I know it sucks, and I won’t lie, the television service in the new place is probably going to be the worst you’ve experienced in recent times. You have to tough it out, though. Your relationship with your parents is more important, and it’s a better house, so just agree to it.”

“Fine!” the younger Gaius reached in through the portal with an attitude and slammed the door shut himself.

“I didn’t he could do that.”

“He’s operating on a lot of energy right now.”

Vearden finally looked around. They were standing in yet another place. This was indeed superior to the previous one. It had two floors.

Gaius took a deep breath and muttered, “car.” He then spoke to Vearden, “you can take my old car, but you’re gonna have to get me a new one. Well...a new old one.”

“Is this the last job?”

“Second to last one. I promise. With this one, you won’t be seeing a younger version of me. I’ve never met the person who lives there. I just want her car.”

Vearden hesitated.

“I’m going to buy it, not steal it. Calm down and open the portal.”

He obliged, revealing a dining room table covered in documents. Gaius reached in a took a set of car keys. “Close it up real quick.”

“You said you weren’t going to steal it.”

“I’m not, I’m just hiding her keys so she agrees to sell it to me. Oh, don’t give me that look. She’s not allowed to drive anymore anyway.”

“How would hiding her keys make all that happen?”

“You stick to what you know, and I’ll stick to manipulating reality to create my own future? Kthx, byeee.”

“Who is this woman?”

“None of your business. Close the door, and then open it again. Or do you not want to get Saga back?”

Knowing he had no choice, Vearden closed the door for a second, then reopened it. They were now in a bedroom that had the same architecture as the dining room. Gaius reached through and dropped the keys into a purse.”

“That’s it?” Vearden asked as he closed the door for yet another time. “I’m free?”

Gaius picked up a piece of paper and started scribbling something on it. He then handed it to Vearden. “Go to this listing and request to take a look at the car they’re selling. Then buy it, no matter the condition. The car will take you to Saga.”

“Can’t you just—?”

“Vearden, I need the car to be at a certain place at a certain time so it can be used for something important. If it makes you feel any better, if you don’t do this, Mateo dies.”

Vearden nearly gulped at this.

“Buy the car, drive to Saga, and leave the car exactly where it is when she appears. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“Here, take my old phone so you can call the sellers.”

“No,” Vearden said. He was remembering what the insane doctor who had given him a lobotomy once said. There was a moment when he was different, like he had changed into someone else, and it was then when he warned Vearden to accept only the car and Saga from the Superintendent. “I don’t want the phone.”

Gaius studied his face for a good long while. He then put the phone in his pocket, coming back with the pen from before. “I’ll make the change.” He clicked the pen. “Now go forth.”

Vearden completed his final tasks, ultimately buying a piece of crap old Toyota Camry from a lovely couple. As he was driving it down the road, the scene changed, and he found himself in the middle of a jungle. Gaius, the Superintendent hadn’t lied. There she was, waiting for him with that beautiful crooked smile. He jumped out of the car and tackled her into a bear hug.

She laughed.

“Oh, Saga, how I’ve missed you. It’s been years for me. The Pentagon thing probably only felt like yesterday to you.”

“Actually, no,” Saga said in her sweet and comforting voice. “I feel a deep sense of emptiness. I don’t remember being anywhere, but I know I wasn’t here, and I know I’ve missed a lot.”

He hugged her again. “Then let’s go find a way back home, and get you caught up.”

« < » > Entire Story

Microstory 555: Battleship Participating in War Games Goes Missing

< > Table of Contents

Centuries ago, when our ancestors came together to build this new solar system for us, they had a few things in mind. First, they didn’t want any money. When you have the ability to alter gravity, manipulate matter, and have an endless supply of energy, inequality simply doesn’t make any sense. If you’re a citizen, and you contribute positively to society, then you have the right to anything you need to live a satisfying life. Another thing we wanted when we came together was peace. Most of our predecessor cultures had already achieved world peace, and few of us had any problem with each other, but still, it needed to be said. We all had to agree to solve problems nonviolently, and to make sure everyone felt like they were in a safe environment. These goals of peace and prosperity have worked well for us. The Core is running smoothly, pretty much on its own, and most of us wouldn’t have it any other way. Of course, that’s us, and we all know that we are not alone in this universe.

Our third major goal has always been to be prepared for absolutely any scenario that might suddenly come about. The Martians spent centuries working on their law system to account for even the most absurd possibilities. We have an entire planet dedicated to studying illegal scientific experiments...so that we’ll know how to deal with them if someone else happens to invent them. So it only makes sense that, through all of this, we’ve maintained a healthy military contingency. Historically, the Eridani have been our most respected and experienced military professionals, so we have conceded to their expertise. A wholly volunteer military branch of the government has continued to study and train, all for a reality where someone may attack. As part of this unfortunate aspect of our society, the military has designed periodic events known as war games. Friendly combatants gather in a star system far from The Core, and begin running scenarios against each other, testing our defenses, and teaching maneuvers in a more practical setting. During one of these recent “games” a training battleship called The Sudifroe went missing. Simulated “enemy” ships were monitoring its approach from the second moon of Wilnayko when it suddenly disappeared. It did not explode, or simply drop into a simplex dimension. It vanished, leaving no trace as to its path away from the battlefield. It has been missing ever since. Anyone with any knowledge regarding the current whereabouts of the Sudifroe is being asked to contact an authoritative body immediately.

Microstory 554: Telescope Reveals Most Planets Aren’t Flat

< > Table of Contents

Double rough scientist and enterprise leader, Golzar Germano has made one of the most important discoveries in recent history. When Germano was a child, he dreamed of being whatever he wanted to be, and rarely listened to what others told him. His parents were at a loss as to how to discipline their son. It seemed that, no matter what they said, he would always do the opposite. They eventually learned how this worked, and figured out a way to get him to fall in line by demanding he do the opposite, and letting him “defy” them. Upon growing up, Germano began to understand his own personality better, and decided to use his contrary attitude to his advantage. When he came of age, he went through the normal testing phases, and was told that he was a natural-born Warrior. This was unsatisfactory, what with him being a complete pacifist and all. Once again, he chose to go against the grain, and rough into a different suit. As a Creator, he studied all of the natural sciences, but found himself particularly fond of astrophysics. After a few years of working in his field, he had become bored with his life. He had only attained Mariner rank, and had very little interest in pursuing it further. He has had this to say about his decision to rough into a second suit, “I’ve never wanted to be like everyone else. Nor have I wanted to be special. I chose to not follow my suit, nor even try to trump into a higher rank of the suit I chose. Nor did I think I would be well equipped to handle the life of a double packer, which a lot of people assume I’m going for. Being a jack of all trades sounds nice, but it’s not for me. I have a wide range of interests, but that does not include all of them. I just want to be me.”

With his experience as a scientist, and now as a Leader, Germano went on to form his own company. He gathered the best scientists and support staff from all over the system. In fact, no one under the rank of Karek was allowed anywhere near his laboratories. He instructed his Creators to develop the most marketable inventions for his Providers to sell, and eventually, Majorwood Industries was one of the top names in electronics. His true passion, however, was still astrophysics. These inventions were really only tools used to gather enough capital to accomplish something else. He wanted to build a space telescope. Not only that, but he wanted to build the best telescope in the system. He called it TALON. Many of TALON’s predecessors were capable of determining the features of distant stars, but none was able to grasp the details of any orbiting planets. So far, the only exoplanets cataloged are not flat; they are spherical, news that will shock all physicists. Only around a hundred planets have so far been observed in the last few months, but Germano, and Majorwood, are confident enough to announce the fact that most, if not all other, planets are, in fact, spherical. The next question to answer now...is why? Why are we different? How did our flat planets come to be? After that, Golzar Germano has another question...how do we go to these fantastical round planets, and what would it be like to stand on them?