A Paradox in Retrograde

by Faherty, John

  In the moments leading up to the containment failure, due to the stresses caused by the surge of power to its matrices, the processors strained to maintain cohesion. What happened next however was not overtly apparent to those who were there to witness, nor was it anticipated by the experiment's designers. It could only be described as a chain reaction. Up until the instantthat data core reached critical mass there were no external signsof an emergency of any kind. The computer banks continued to hum along as usual. However, as the live data streams representing the sum of his and his corresponding entangled thought patterns were dumped verbatim into its crystalline optic cores, they were somehow augmented by the presence there within of a living consciousness. Through this seemingly simple act of observation its multidimensional structure was manifest. Growing and expanding far beyond any of its predetermined parameters, ithad become something else, something far greater than the sum of its parts.

  In the face of the ensuing containment failures the shielded computer core continued unabated to map into its crystal matrix. In response to the instantaneous and exponential growth of the crystal structure it now began expanding at a frightening rate. The kinetic heat and radiation released by such unrestrained reaction caused the steel superstructure within which the experiment resided, to glow cherry red. Within minutes the remainder of which was brought down in a melting heap of slag. Having already consumed all the available power, there pulsating at its core a rotating halo of light persisted now independent of its structure. Those who had survived the melt down could barely believe what they had seen.

  When the smoke and fire had abated there within twisted ruins a glittering structure had grown crystal by crystal from the ashes. And though more slowly than it had originally done so, it still was growing. It had by then formed into a crude dome and shimmered in the reflected light. These men however would need for the time being, to be content with observing this new wonder from a distance. For these survivors could not go a foot closer as the radiation levels still read off the charts.

  Chapter 17

  Emerging from a drug induced haze; Landaus again found he was awake. Upon opening his eyes, the first thing that he saw there before him was an intense sphere of white light staring oppressively down at him. He made a feeble attempt to lift up his arms so to block the light, but they would not budge. The light shining down through the thin membrane of his eye lids was unavoidable. Slowly he was growing accustomed to it. There then he began to sense a seemingly unfamiliar setting forming before him. He was on a medical procedure table. It was then that the recollection of the dire nature of their plight had again begun to make itself plain to him. However the order to these events had remained for the moment, disjointed. Though still disoriented his instincts would call him to action. He would make a concerted effort to return immediately to his station and to his duty. He would have to get up from the table first. Xora however had just completed a delicate procedure on his wounded arm, and she was keeping a close eye on her patient. She was acutely aware of his fragile state; so as his body began to rise up, she was determined tohave none of it. With all the power she could muster, she threw herself atop his still restrained body. Somehow she managed to hold him down just long enough, for his senses to fully return. "Landaus you must stay still. Though these medical grafts do work quickly, they do require some time to work. You must keep still for the time being." Caught off guard by Xora's swift action, he was easily restrained. Resigned now to this temporary captivity he called out determined to have his answers. "Where are we, and who is piloting the ship? That's right, we are on a ship. How did I?" His voice trailed off in confusion. Xora sensing his heightened anxiety strove to sooth his mind.

  "Landaus, it is I Xora. You must please listen to me. You sustained a serious injury in the fighting. You lost a lot of blood, so to repair the damage; I had to administer a pain blocker. So that should account for your confusion. To answer your question, we are safe for the moment. Somehow you managed to place the ship in autopilot before you passed out. We've already escaped the atmosphere. Right now we're well on our way to Earth." He turned his head over his shoulder. From there he could see the aft view screen. There the glowing orb of Nibaru hung heavily; filling the entire screen. "Though I can feel that the ship is indeed racing away from it at tremendous speed, the planet seems to be resisting our escape."

  "Your eyes are playing tricks on you. Your other senses however are correct. The last time I checked we were on the correct trajectory and our acceleration is on par to shortly bring us to escape Nibaru’s gravity field." Her words had seemed to calm his frayed nerves for his composure had improved dramatically.Even his sense of humor had peeked from under the blanket offog.

  "How is it that you now know all of those fancy high tech terms?" "I told you Landaus, I'm a quick learner."

  "I'm sure glad that you are, for I think my wound would have killed me otherwise."

  "I can accept very little credit for it. I assure you that my basic nursing skills could not have saved you without the use of these medical machines."

  "Well if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to thank you just the same." "I don't mind at all, you are quite welcome."

  Confident now that he could be safely released she began to untie his bonds. "Now if I untie you, will you promise to behave yourself?"

  "I promise I will be careful. Well how's the rest of our crew holding up?" She looked around to observe the others. Though there was silence among them there had been no injuries. Turning back to Landaus she said.

  "Well I'm happy to report that though they are a bit shaken up perhaps, they are no worse for wear." Despite this somewhat somber news there upon Xora's face she wore a bright grin and a sparkle in her eyes. Landaus easily noted this expression on her face. Though he thought she was most likely unconscious to it. He could not help but to ask her about it. "Xora you seem to be enjoying all of this, aren't you?" Her face then grew flush with embarrassment. After all they had been through; she would not despite her embarrassment, shy away from a chance to express herself. "There was something I'd like to say Landaus. This has been and still is, one hell of an adventure. I've never felt this alive in all my life. I seriously doubt that after all this excitement that I will ever again be able to live so cloistered a life as I have until now."

  "That's just silly; who would perform your duties as keeper of the books while you go about gallivanting? And don't forget you would have to give up your cliff side home. That would be a shame, besides I was hoping to perhaps come and visit you on occasion."

  She studied his words carefully and decided that this was some sort of veiled or ill-conceived flirtation. She pondered if this was perhaps a side effect of his medication. Either way she would take full advantage of his playful remarks.

  "Why Colonel, do you always cast insults while you're asking a girl out on a date? Gallivanting, is that what I would do? " A befuddled Landaus tried to answer as best he could as he turned three shades of red. "I'm sorry that was a poor choice of words. I suppose that anything beyond the crystal room would feel like gallivanting. And I don't have to tell you that the keeper of the books is an important position."

  "So you don't deny that you were asking me out on a date?" Maybe it was the side effects of his medication, but for whatever reason he spoke from his heart.

  "No, I do not deny it. I stand behind my ill-chosen words. When this is all over I would like very much for you to accompany me to dinner. "

  A broad smile came over her face as she responded to this sudden proposal. "As you may know the doctor patient relationship is a sacred one. This trust cannot be broken."

  "Alright then, after this is all over, you will definitely be fired." Both of them now wearing wide grins were staring into each other’s eyes when a loud alarm began to sound throughout the ships cabins. This time Xora did not try to stop him from rising.

  Still slightly groggy from the pain blocker he madehis way through the narrow walkway back into the cockpit. The
re he found Grunhuf keeping Landaus's captain chair warm for him. As Landaus came forward Grunhuf was pleased to be relieved of this duty and stood from the chair in time to respond to a hail of queries.

  "What's our status Grunhuf? Have you got a fix yet on what's causing those alarms?"

  "No on both counts Sir." Landaus by now had taken back his seat and had begun to visually scan through the sensor grid. "There, I've found it. Our long range sensors have picked up a radar return. That's what triggered the alarm." On the key board he increased the sensor magnification. There on the monitor it showed that three ships only moments ago had reached the outer atmosphere and now had plotted an intercept course with their ship. "It looks as if we have got only three ships on our tail. I suppose that's good news."

  "It's better than a hundred ships. What kind of lead do we have on them?" "Perhaps several hours if we are lucky, less if these ships are any faster than this one. I am confident we will have enough to raise defenses that will prevent these intruders from gaining a toe hold on Earth". As they had been preoccupied by the radar contacts they had not noticed that something truly strange had just happened. Xora back in the procedure room was cleaning up after herself when she turned towards the aft video screen. She could barely believe what her own eyes were now telling her. She was staring into the emptiness where Nibaru had occupied. It quite literally had vanished before her eyes, slipping off somewhere into the void.

  Xora called out to the others at the far end of the ship, "Landaus look out toward the aft view something indeed strange was going on." Landaus again and again checked the circuit and the switches to the video feed all seemed in order except what was not within the view screen. The great orb of Nibaru was gone as if it had been literally plucked from the universe. All thatwas left in its wake was a gravitational void and a trio of enemy warships. "I don't believe it. How can a planet just up and disappear? That cannot be possible."

  Xora who now stood among them in the cockpit triedto give an answer. "There are many myths and fables associated with the appearance and disappearance of celestial bodies. None of which until now had any basis in truth. We may have just been made witness to the germ of this story." Grunhuf rolled his eyes making little effort to hide how he felt about Xora's theories. Baring a strained expression upon his face, he rose to face her. Lashing out at Xora in frustration he said, "What sort of nonsense are you going on about. The planet disappears and you want to give us a lesson in the history of mythology, you can't be serious? What we need here now are real answers not lullabies and fairytales." An angry look contorted upon Xora's face as she moved to respond in kind. Landaus knew these people well enough so he was quick to notice that there was about to be a confrontation. Sensing that the stress there within the cockpit was building like a pressure cooker about to boil over, he pivoted his body between them to deflect her approach. He raised his hands up in a gesture as to capture both of their attentions and said, "Now both of you hold on just a minute. There's no room in here for these egos and this hostility. One of them has to leave the room." This seemed to grab their attention. "Grunhuf, Xora please if you wouldn't mind having a seat? Look this is for both of you. We all are under a great deal of stress. Situations such as these can make animosities arise and tempers flare. So as your captain I'm letting you know now that I will not tolerate any behavior that will jeopardize this mission. However because neither of you have had no such previous military training I'm prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. "Turning now to Grunhuf's he said, "Now Grunhuf my friend for what purpose could such rancor possibly serve. I assure you your condescending tone is wholly unnecessary. Never before in the history of the world have such events as these unfolded. It is my opinion then that it would be unwise therefore to leave any stone unturned in our search for the truth. Despite these questions which no doubt will linger on for some time, there are clear facts to which we can all agree. The planet has vanished. What it means right now, none of us know. There are however other more pressing issues at hand. Firstly we have these ships yet to contend with. We should be pouring all of our energies into actively pursuing a plan of action, instead of squabbling like children. Can we agree on that at least?" He looked at them knowing his words had struck home for they shared the same expressions of shame and resignation. Though he kept it to himself he took a wee bit of enjoyment of this. "Alright then let's get to work."

  The ship after having completed the jump across space had been captured into the orbital tide of the Earth. While still moving at tremendous speed, dozens of retro rockets fired simultaneously as the ships attitude was automatically adjusted for atmospheric insertion. As a result the mighty ship's velocity had begun to slow considerably. Through five inches of shock impervious crystal the awestruck crew watched from the cockpit as the blackness of space was illuminated by the shining orb of the Earth. It cast its glow on them seemingly filling every inch of the cramped space within. They seemed to hover there mesmerized, basking in its light for what seemed an interminable time. For them the streams of white cloud and azure shining sea passing by below must have been the most beautiful site they had ever seen. Then the ship having lost some its momentum as it collided with the atmosphere began to slip slowly downward. The color of the atmosphere quickly changed from a cool blue to cherry red as the friction of their descent seemed now to set the atmosphere ablaze. From below the ship could be observed now with thenaked eye as a streaking shaft of light and smoke. Now as they drew nearer to the ground those aboard could see details forming below. Against the silver veil of sky the sinuous pillar of alabaster that was Breideblic rose abruptly in contrast. Rising high from its craggy hillock it served as a beacon to both friendand foe.

  The ship then began the process of reconfiguring its orientation to one required for a landing. With great sound and fury the descending ship had made its presence known as a setof sonic booms crashed across the sky. With its return now evident to those below, a crowd began to assemble in the large field adjacent the walls of the temple complex. There the throng stood by and watched in awe as the mighty engines slowly and gracefully lowered the ship down to a three point landing.

  Back at the temple, within the inner sanctum of the crystal room Ananda had once again reawakened its primal energies. There coursing through its matrix, a surge of energy manifest in a frightening display of light and sound. Great ribbons of plasma arched across its width and length. There the crystals resonating at distinct frequency rung out like a million church bells. Within this maelstrom two glowing spheres of energy materialized. Slowly from the ether their forms were becoming more and more distinct. The intensity of show of light and sound rose to a crescendo. Then as suddenly as it had begun it had stopped. A moment later as the crystals within still glowed in a glossy shade of amber. There about the floor the two figures for the moment lay motionless. From unconsciousness they were now drawn by the furious noise of the returning rocket that seemed to shake air from their lungs. Its telltale sound was the subject of their first thought as at roughly the same time the two men awoke. They sat up and took note of each other. For a moment they just stared at each other. For the first time in a long time their memories had returned intact. "It has been a long time my brother. I am happy to see you whole again and safe."

  "Only for the moment I'm afraid my dear Amida. I fear already we are being called to action. Hector made an uneasy attempt to stand and soon found his footing He reached out his hand in assistance to his brother. Amida soon was on his feet. Together they walked down the corridor and out into the early morning air. They looked up in time to see the rocket's gracefuldescent. As they stared in wonder, Amida drew again life givingbreath into his lungs for the first time in millennia.

  By now the medical devices that had been used to treat Landaus's injuries had done their work. His blood cells had been cloned, replicated and replaced. All that was left of his injury were the biodegradable sutures. "All engines stop." He declared as he powered down the thrusters. They wer
e glad to be home once again safe on the Earth. Grunhuf still strapped to his seat looked out upon the rising sun as he had not before seen. "Never before have I been so glad to see the new day."

  "Come now Grunhuf there is little time to waste."

  "Yes Captain."

  "That's Colonel."

  "Not until we step down from this ladder."

  A great cheer arose from the crowd as the first of the crew touched onto terra firma. Ibsen being first down the ladder was initially confused by the cheers and fanfare that they received there. "Father, I do not understand why they are bidding us this welcome? The last time we were here we were desperate to escape with our lives."

  "I suspect something has changed here. I assume we will find out exactly what that is very shortly."

  A contingency of the guard approached and bowed their heads in supplication.

  "Be at ease men. Now tell me what has happened sinceI've been gone." The sergeant major first offered his apology. "Please excuse us Colonel for we have just been delivered from some kind of collective spell under which our duties and allegiances had been neglected. Forgive us colonel and we will make it right."

  "Rise up, all of you, and listen. None here including ourselves have been immune to the siren song. Let this be the last discussion on that matter. It is all of our fates however that we shall join once more in battle. Even now three ships of our enemy shall soon be upon us. If we act now, together we shall defeat them." A cheer again rose from their ranks. Landaus walked to the sergeant and put his hand on his shoulder. "Have the guard gather their swords and muskets and any extra they may have and distribute them to any citizen who may volunteer. We shall defend this citadel one last time or die in the attempt. Gather together the small cannon and array them along the high wall toward these approaches. Instruct the fusiliers to begin their volley the moment their ships have landed. Ok, do you understand your orders? The sergeant gave him a wide grin and saluted. "Yes sir."