A Paradox in Retrograde

by Faherty, John

  The story of “A Paradox in Retrograde” is set in a far distant future, on island city state Baldur. Balanced on the edge of a decimated world, Baldur is governed by the power of myth and dependent upon the latent technology of a previous lost civilization. An unfolding chain of events soon leads to a discovery of a coming catastrophe. They must deal with a mysterious discovery of strange objects, found among the remains of a crashed alien vessel high in the hills above the city. In the midst of this, a mysterious stranger named Ananda appears suddenly out of the sea. This stranger suffering from some deficit of memory knows little more than his name.

  Acknowledgements;

  Again a special thanks to my friends and family for all their support and understanding. Thanks

  A Paradox In Retrograde

  A Novel by John F. Faherty

  Copyright © 2014 John F.Faherty

  All rights reserved. Landaus Commander of the royal guard

  Chapter 1

  For years untold the fortress city of Baldur like a sentinel stood defiantly in the face of the relentless sea. Cast there upon the rocky fringes of an island that bore its name, against all odds its culture had survived. Its tenuous existence was no small miracle. For onto this barren rock by the force of will of its sturdy inhabitants, a toe hold had been well earned. Through their toil they had tamed a rugged wilderness, and in doing so they had brought forth a semblance of a nation. In days passed, they had been the rulers of the sea and their country served as a beacon of light in a dark age. In the fullness of time however this progress would run its course as their fortunes then had begun to succumb to pressures seemingly beyond their control. In little more than a century's time, disasters both economic and natural had caused a world wide network of trade to all but crumble. Though a mere shadow of its previous self, Baldur had fared better than most, for its people were resilient. These citizens of this island nation though accustomed to being tested, had not before found themselves so besieged and isolated. Held as it were to ransom by the unpredictable powers of nature, they had drawn unwittingly one step nearer the end of their long decline.

  Dominating the silhouette of the fortress city stood the imposing citadel ofBreideblic. Older than the city itself, it had served in days past as a nucleus for the fledgling city.

  For untold centuries it loomed over this rocky shore casting its gaze down toward the beckoning sea. Now from the vantage of Breideblic’s high promontory men clad against the weather there were stationed on lookout duty. Starring out beyond into the gray blanket of swirling skies, they watched for any ominous portents that were held there. For days on end they had paid close attention, carefully studying the gathering clouds as they rolled out from across the charcoal sea. These men having studied many a storm, had begun to form a consensus for a prediction. Now though it seemed obvious that a great storm had risen upon the ocean, there questions still remained. Chief among these seers' was an old man of unruly appearance named Manfred. With his long scraggily beard and locks he looked more the part of a hermit than a meteorologist. Though these portents rendered were more symbolic than scientific, his forecasts were more often than not correct. This record lent an air of respect to his predictions that few could match. So despite the simmering disapproval of some of the younger watchmen, he would be given the due respect of the final say. He looked around at those assembled and said, "For many a year have I looked out onto the sea. There to see those signs as would be revealed of impending doom, I have been charged. Today my pronouncement is such. I have seen signs and this is what they have told me." As he made his description his arms animated the scene, circling them in great arcs above his head. "From out across the iceberg laden sea, a frigid mass of lightning charged air soon will here make landfall. There it will combine with warm wet air rushing forth from the sun drenched lands to the south. It is my opinion that from this conflagration a great storm will emerge and wreak havoc on the land. For three days rain will fall and great surges of the sea will rise up to our very gates."

  After some minor debate mostly surrounding the subjects of timing and duration, the watchmen buffeted there by the winds, each in turn cast their silent ballot with a simple nod of the head. All there seemed to be of one mind. Only then were they prepared to reveal their judgments. The time for a decision was upon them. Manfred now would make the final pronouncement. He turned and with his tattered tunic furling in the wind, he nodded his grizzled head as he passed the message to the signalman. With that the signalman flashed a coded message to the look outs with the light of his lantern. The signalmen on the receiving end awaiting this message, watched as the distant lantern lighttold the story. This simple action set off a neatly choreographed chain of events as a plan that had played out many times before, was again set into motion. All along the tower in unison the signal fires were lit to alert those below to the danger. Every man woman and child within the city of Baldur would soon know. The word went out; in the coming hours a great long duration storm would make landfall. Through their public address system such as it was, the populace listened for instruction. On hundreds of poles strung precariously throughout the city from simple metal speaker boxes, a tinny sounding voice crackled its incoherent warning. Though they dutifully listened to this sound scratching at the air most already knew from childhood what plan the message held. For there were would be few options; they should either take their chances trying to find shelter at higher ground or ride it out within the walls of the citadel. Now as in times past, most would seek to ride out the storm within the safety of the high stone works. Not long after the announcement then people had begun to gather there safe. There was more than ample room among the public spaces to accommodate all that might need it.

  As the hours past by, from their vantage the watchmen continued to observe the developing storm. Manfred's skill at observation was once again confirmed, for even a child now could easily predict what was coming. He watched as a great wall of black and grey cloud engulfed the horizon. The very air seemed to seethe with an electric aura as the charged air lapped around them. Despite the threat of static shock and of the wind that sang a mocking chorus of ghostly noise stood their ground they stood their ground. The wind mocked them with sounds of eerie laughter that seemed to whistle through every jagged surface along the leading edge of the rock face. Manfred took these too as signs. After having gathered these signs he began to piece together from them a new prediction. He could feel though they could not yet see it that onto these fragile islands that ringed the wild continent beyond, a great cyclone was approaching. With its crown of encircling winds it would bare down uncontested. With a key suspended from a string around his neck he opened the rusted metal box that was set there into the wall. There resting within was an old two piece communications device. He placed one end near his ear and tapped the signal button several times until a faint tone rang in his ear. The voice of a guard answering from the other end of the line disrupted the tone. "Guard station, how can I help you?" The old man in a deep and serious voice said, "Guard, this is Manfred, connect me to Colonel Landaus, we have an emergency on our hands."

  Like his father and grandfather before him, as the commander of the royal guard Colonel Landaus was by duty charged with the protection of the ancient fortress and by extension all of its inhabitants. Though a man of middle age, he was still in possession of most of his youthful strengths. A man of steadfast nature, he was a natural leader. In possession of a wealth of experience and intellect he was by far the best suited for his position. He would in the coming days prove this to be true.

  With the level of potential danger increasing by the moment he would personally oversee the operations. With a clip board in hand Colonel Landaus made his presence kn
own as he walked there among the refugees and guardsmen. He steppedsharply casting there a striking figure. He prided himself on the image that he projected, as a reflection of his own discipline. So as he presided over the evacuation he would strive to serve as an example to his own men. There However was no need to lean on such appearances nor was it required; for he held the unwavering though perhaps unspoken respect of his men and the citizenry. Though the guard wore a more practical uniform, the one the Colonel was wearing was perhaps more regal. It consisted of a crisp white linen shirt and a royal blue jacket trimmed in crimson and gold; His trousers were crimson trimmed in blue. On his feet he wore a set of brightly polished black leather boots. Upon his head, covering his long black and grey locks he wore a wide brimmed officers cap that matched the jacket. At his side he wore a pistol and a saber. Today however he would have little use for the weapons, but as commander he knew all eyes would be on him. It would be to him that would be looked upon to organize the batting down of the many hatches as well as a thousand other unseen things.

  There as the gale winds raged outside, they began the difficult task of ensuring that all that need be were not only present and accounted for within the great hall, but also warm and well fed. Preparations had been made for central aid stationfrom where their limited resources could be put to the best practical use. As each hour past however the storms grew in intensity. And so then numbers of those seeking shelter began to quickly swell into the hundreds. The first reception station soon became overwhelmed so Landaus gave orders to the guard and to the available volunteers that they should create additional stations to address any needs that may arise. It took some time but Tables, chairs, cots and blankets were made ready. As evening approached the lights were turned up and the boilers were stoked. Soon the great hall was as bright and warm as any home in Baldur. They even managed to set up a mobile kitchen. After a while food was made ready and a line formed as hot soup and bread were served. Despite the weather, there about the cavernous great hall was present an atmosphere of comfortable camaraderie. People talked and children played games among the makeshift barracks. After they had served this meal things in the hall seemed to settle down some as the fevered pitch of the day had reached equilibrium.

  As the controlled chaos buzzed about within the hall, Landaus from a corner stood conspicuously like a conductor presiding over a student orchestra. Despite the vying priorities he managed to maintain his composure. He did not let on to his men just how tired he really was. He could not recall the last time he had sat down. He secretly wished to sneak away from here to his office and catch a nap. Even a brief one might recharge his batteries. He tried to ignore his aching feet as they screeched for their lives to come out from under his hard shoe leather. He leaned back against one of the hard marble columns that sprung up from the floor like trees to hold up the roof, and for a moment he closed his eyes. There stone was cool against his skin and soon his head dropped down as he fell into the shallowest sleep. It did not last long however for it was just about then that the familiar cadence of boot leather on stone entered into his mind. His eyes opened suddenly to find there Sergeant Goethe standing rather uncomfortably before him. Still holding a death grip onto his clip board, Landaus met eyes with him. The sergeant clicked his heels, and saluted in response. For an uncomfortable moment he stood there quietly. "Can I help you Goethe."

  "Oh yes I'm sorry Colonel."

  "Go on then" Landaus blurted

  "Sir I have an updated report." Landaus attention to the goings on relented as he turned to give the sergeant his full share. "Yes sergeant, what is the good news?"

  "I have completed my rounds and I can say with good authority, that most if not all on this list are present and accounted for." As if sensing something odd in his demeanor Landaus asked, "OK sergeant what's the bad news?" At first the sergeant was hesitant. Then he thought it best that he should not hesitate. "Well there is one thing. It'sprobably nothing, but it involves your son Ibsen."

  He watched as the good natured expression drained from the Colonel's face. He closed his eyes and his expression was replaced by one more somber. Landaus waited a moment and then spoke, careful not to take it out his own problems on the men.

  "Well out with it man. What has he gotten into now?" "Yes Sir, well as I was checking to ensure that all the children were accounted for, upon the final reckoning one name was absent from the roles."

  "Please Sergeant don't beat around the bush. It was Ibsen wasn't it?"

  "Yes Sir, I'm sorry I did a thorough search he's no where to be found." "I know you did sergeant. I don't want you to give this another moments thought. This is my problem and responsibility. However I'm going to need you to look after this place for a while. I have to go find Ibsen." He handed the sergeant some reports and the clip board he had been holding and abruptly excused himself.

  A wave of fatherly guilt came over Landaus as the fact that he had in the midst of a crisis forgotten completely about his only child. "What kind of father are you Colonel?" He derisively asked of himself. "Mariana was right about you Landaus, you are a bastard." It was not his nature to dwell on things too long however. Even as he lambasted himself, he was already on the move. He wasted little time and was soon briskly moving down the hallway. He stopped momentarily at his office. He knelt down before an old foot locker that he kept there for just such emergencies. For a few moments he searched its contents looking a few items that he deemed essential. Among these were a pair of olive drab green ponchos, some rope bottled water, and a high intensity flash light. After gathering these items together, he hurriedly packed his supplies, checked again his side arm, and put on his poncho. He passed through the massive arched doorway of the great hall pushing open the heavy steel plated oak timber doors. Then he stepped out into the howling wind. The set of guards were surprised to see the Colonel. He was quick to order them at ease. They hurriedly saluted and he moved on. It was generally a short walk from his office around to the guard house stable. However with the lateral wind hampering his every movement it seemed to take him much longer.

  He could hear the groaning of the twisting timbers of the old stable as he approached. The building was at least a century old, built of the sturdy indigenous hard woods that have become rare of late. He was confident in its strength though upon entering the stables barn he could sense the growing unease amongst the creatures sheltered there. The noise of the frightened animals in and of itself was enough to incite fear. There he found the head keeper trying his best to calm the beasts while attending to his duties. He was busy spreading hay about the ground below the nervous animals. "How are they tonight Charlie?" Landaus had known old Charlie all of his life. When Landaus was a boy Charlie had been a cavalry lieutenant. Charlie had lost a leg to an injury acquired during a skirmish with pirates some twenty five years. He retired from active service but stayed on to care for the animals. He had been a good friend of his father and had spent many a late night in their home. Charlie now was as close to him as anyone on the island.

  The old keeper turned about and was surprised to see the Colonel. "Landaus, well they can't understand that they are safe here as we do. They'll calm down eventually. I know that's not what you're here for. Am I right?" He searched his face for the truth. "Then tell me to what do I deserve the honor?"

  "Well Charlie I'll tell you. It's that boy of mine. He's gone off somewhere and I need to find him. I know it's against the rules, but I was hoping I could borrow old Brownie?" The grizzled old keeper scratched his white beard and said. "As I recall those are your rules. How do you pretend to make rules that you yourself do not follow? Don't answer that. It's not my place, and besides sometimes rules are meant to be broken. You can use any animal you choose. Though can I ask you, why Brownie?"

  "She's a brave old horse. I know she can be trusted." "That's good enough for me."

  Together at the old timer's pace they made their way around to brownie's stall. He slowly opened the gate and ran his hand over her ma
ne. She was a beautiful beast and her large deep brown eyes looked on them with recognition. She somehow was not affected as the other beasts had been. To the contrary she seemed excited to see Landaus as this meant they would be traveling. She uttered some pleasant noises that indicated her good mood. Landaus petted her deep chocolate colored coat as Charlie made ready the saddle. Charlie looked up to Landaus and said, "Now you could do an old man a favor and don't be so hard on young Ibsen when you do find him. I seem to remember another young lad who didn't always do as he was told. Look how well he turned out."

  "I suppose your talking about me?"

  "Who else would I be talking about?"

  The pair of them shared a laugh. Landaus then said with a subtle smile,

  "I'll try to remember." "There is one other thing you should remember. It can't be easy on a boy so young to be living without his mother and to have a military man as a father." Again that somber expression came over Landaus' face as those emotions he had done so well in suppressing again rose to the surface. Noticing this Charlie redirected him by handing him the reins. "Landaus you're doingthe best you can with the boy. It can't be easy." While Charlie was speaking he continued to prepare Brownie for the journey. Landaus sat back quietly listening to and pondering Charlie's words while observing the great patience and care he took with the animals. After a few moments she was saddled up and ready to ride. Charlie ushered her from the stall. Though Landaus often had trouble discerning such subtlety he knew however that there was a lesson to be learned. "Thanks for everything." said Landaus as he stepped up and unto the saddle. He then led the horse out toward the barn gate. "Don't mention it. Oh you will be careful out there. Won't you Colonel?"

  "I will, and don't worry about Brownie. I'll bring her home in one piece I promise." Charlie lifted up the bar that held the two barn doors together. Just as he did the wind jarred them quickly open. This sudden movement startled brownie but Landaus was quickly able to calm her. With a gentle nudge of his heal he was able to persuade her onwards. After a moment she was cutting through the wind at full speed. Landaus leaned in tight to brownies neck as the wind and rain were seemingly coming at them from every which direction. She instinctively stopped before the citadel gates where stationed guards had put up a road block. The startled guards were surprised to see their colonel out in such a storm. They stood silent as he strained to give the order over the roaring sound of the storm. "Open those gates. If all goes well I shall be back shortly. Keep a watch on this gate and be ready for my return. Do you understand me?"