Aspiria Rising

by Douglas Barton

  Dominy slapped his face. Focus! Salt: NaCl. He just had to combine sodium, the malleable metal, with chlorine, the noxious yellow gas. The two highly unstable elements, when combined, would form the benign crystal compound, salt. Genna, working side by side with Sergian? He shivered to erase the image and sprang into action. He glanced at Pandor. Don’t freeze. Their old friend’s hands were a blur. I’m falling behind.

  Dominy’s mind seized for a moment and on a very basic procedure. He had to catch up. His right hand shaking, he sliced off a slab of the soft metal and placed it in a beaker while, with his left hand, he twisted the valve on the gas canister to blast the sodium with chlorine. Faster. The valve stuck. Too tight! He used his right hand to assist—it didn’t help. Harder. The valve released.

  His hand slipped and struck the beaker. The sodium chunk tumbled out. Dominy dove for it, but it bounced off his fingertips. Helplessly, he watched it plop into his equipment washbasin.

  His experiment exploded, spewing flames everywhere. Sodium combined with the cleaning liquid—a disaster. His body slammed backward and his ears rang.

  What happened? Dominy held his limp right arm close to his ribs. He pressed the fingers of his left hand against the side of his throbbing head.

  Rohan yelled from afar. “Provisioner! Have him checked at the infirmary.” An Armband grabbed Dominy’s robe at the shoulder and pulled him out of the building.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Dominy supported his injured right arm with his left hand and pressed the down elevator button with his elbow. “What a joke.”

  Genna mimicked Sergian’s deep, raspy voice. “The judge’s decision, based on efficiency and creativity, declares Pandor the winner of the Chemical Elements Games.”

  Dominy shook his head. “Did you see Matham before he left?”

  “We were both with Sergian for a second. Matham whispered something about a message, but I never saw him again.”

  Dominy couldn’t fathom why anyone would make that final decision, to end it. But Matham would never see another Aspirian scientific breakthrough, never hear another Aspirian symphony, never experience the Midway. The math genius would never again compete in Mathematical Proofs. Dominy hooked his fingers around Genna’s. “Do you know Sergian’s plans for you?”

  “No, I hope we find out now.” The elevator door opened and they stepped inside. They traveled down three floors. “Let’s hurry. They’re scheduled to be here in ten minutes.”

  They hustled out of the elevator and into the control room of Aspiria’s small particle accelerator. Genna pulled out a miniature radio transmitter and microphone. “Ancient, but I didn’t have any other options.” She taped the microphone underneath a cabinet supporting the main instrument console.

  Dominy pointed at a glass window that separated the control room from the particle accelerator. “We hide in there. First, let’s test our plan. I’ll go in and yell. Let me know if you can hear me.”

  He went around to a side door and stood face to face with Genna, only the glass between them. He mouthed a kiss, turned around, his back to her, and yelled, “I love you!” He spun back and waved her in. “Anything?”

  “Nope.”

  “Darn.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’ll tell you later.”

  They maneuvered around electrical panels. Dominy loved it here. Sure, the cool temperature was nice, but this was where high-energy particle collisions simulated the conditions that occurred in the moments after the creation of the universe. He patted the massive magnets used to bend the accelerator’s particle beam and the radio-frequency oscillators that accelerated it to over 99.9999% of the speed of light. They hid behind the copper tubing that guided the beam to its target. “We need a clear line of sight to the control room without being detected. Their facial reactions might be more important than their words.”

  Genna nodded. “But they catch us, we’re goners.” Her hand trembled as she pulled two ear pieces out of her robe pocket and handed him one. “We’ll hear better with these.”

  Talia entered the control room with a Provisioner. They stepped up to the control panel on the opposite side the viewing window. Talia turned to the Provisioner. “Increase the accelerator’s beam strength.” The expansive window, superimposed with a readout, displayed two iridescent lines, red and green, tracking separately in circles.

  “Master, the protons have reached maximum velocity, but we’ve got a problem with convergence.”

  Talia manipulated the controls and the two lines, the protons, drew closer and merged.

  Dominy shivered. At least his arm felt better in the cold. He crossed his arms, placing his hands under opposite armpits, warding off the chill of the underground room. Genna did the same. “Hey, we should combine efforts, right?”

  She pointed at Talia. “Focus.”

  A monitor displayed the collected data of the last collision. The control room door opened and the Provisioner announced in a loud voice, “Master Talia, head of council to see you.”

  Sergian’s eyes darted around the control room. “Research update.”

  Talia motioned to the readout monitor. “There it is. I’d been using the wrong proton.” She held up her notepad. “Just awaiting peer review.”

  Sergian eyed the monitor and threw up his arms. “What in Aspiria?”

  “It’s gone now, but I discovered another one. Another element. I’m calling it talium. It’s only fair. I did the preponderance of work.”

  “Another element with a half-life of a nanosecond?” The head of council’s face was a calm, confident mask, but the throbbing vein in his temple suggested otherwise. “We need tradables.”

  “My brain mapping is still two years away.”

  Sergian huffed. “Any updates on HTS from your student?”

  “Seemingly such a simple problem.” Talia shook her head. “He thinks he can solve it.”

  Dominy patted his pocket, feeling the thick wad of papers through his robe.

  “I have seen his preliminary notes. They’re solid.”

  “You’re head of the Research Committee.” Sergian slurred the words. “Get it from him.”

  Talia pointed at the massive beam bending magnets. “HTS would replace those relics…”

  Sergian and the Provisioner glanced in the direction of the two outsiders. The Provisioner did a double-take. Dominy ducked. “Oh, Divinity! But I don’t think he saw me.”

  “And HTS could also replace your powered walkway. No more linear induction charging. It should be an efficient and creative solution.”

  Sergian jabbed a finger at her. “Get it from him!”

  She didn’t budge. “He’s still working on it and anyway I—”

  Sergian waved her off. “It’s the final piece to the fusion reactor. Are you putting individual needs above the galaxy’s? We’ve made certain promises, obligations to the Commonwealth.”

  “We? You made those agreements.”

  Sergian clenched his fists, his cheeks colored with rage. He exhaled and relaxed his hands. “Perhaps you’ll be more understanding of our needs after I tell you some good news. Everlen approved your peace mission request.”

  Talia jumped and her large body lifted at least two centimeters off the floor. “The old man’s still in charge?”

  “He’s not below threshold, yet.” Sergian raised his shoulders. “I can’t stop you. The Commonwealth sent a request, and your profile matches the criteria.”

  “You don’t look pleased.” She squinted at him. “Ah, you think it’ll give me the advantage for the guardianship, don’t you.”

  “You’ll need more than that.” Sergian grinned. “Speaking of the guardianship, I heard the funniest rumor. Your boy has his sights on competing against me.”

  Talia laughed. “In your dreams. I’ve been preparing for this all my life.” Talia and the Provisioner followed Sergian out the control room door.

  “All clear.” Dominy and Genna pulled out their earpieces. He dropped
his and started to bend down. He snapped to attention. A hideous face, squashed up against the window, stared at them. The Provisioner pressed the fattened tip of his forefinger against the glass.

  Dominy pulled Genna behind the magnets. His heart thundered in his chest. “No! He has seen us! We are goners!”

  Genna’s face turned ashen. She swiveled her head as if searching for a secret exit. She stopped, stripped off her robe and threw it over the copper tubing. “Take off your robe!”

  He stood frozen.

  “Now!” She kicked him in the shin.

  He stripped down.

  She dove on him, dropping him to the ground, wrapping his arms around her torso, snaking her thighs around his legs and writhing.

  And moaning.

  Dominy opened his eyes. Talia and Sergian stared down at them. He whispered to Genna. “We’ve got company.”

  Genna twisted her head and looked up. “Oh, sorry, Masters, we were just looking for some privacy. She pointed at the windowed wall. “It’s soundproofed. Anyway, we thought the small accelerator had been abandoned.”

  My earpiece! Dominy grasped Genna tighter and rolled over, his back covering the implicating evidence. He stared straight up. “Yes, sorry, Masters. It’s my fault, sometimes I can’t control myself. Emotionally.”

  “Okay, okay.” She tapped his back. “I think they’re gone.”

  He pulled her in tighter with his good arm. “Can never be too careful.”

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Dominy’s team held hands to form a chain. They burst through the players’ tunnel and followed the trail of pulsing blue lights. An energy force seemed to envelop them, isolating them from the throng of spectators. Team Neuron 8 faced Dendrites 8, Rohan’s team, each having won sixteen straight games. Besides Rohan, Dominy knew another of the orange team members, a newly promoted Third and a substitute selection, Pandor.

  Team Neuron 8 took their starting positions on the back row. A win meant Dominy would advance to become a Third and the cause to save the Meritocracy would remain alive.

  The horn blasted. Players from both sides charged ahead, the field flashing blue and orange.

  Dominy led most of his team driving straight up the middle columns. Nalton joined Cal flanking outside in the G column.

  Dominy zoomed in on Rohan’s team blasting up the other end of the field. The master’s team played with a speed Dominy couldn’t comprehend, as no practice had readied him for it. Pandor flew up the outside H column.

  He’s on fire. “Cal, shallower angle to flank Pandor, try fifteen percent.” This could be over fast. “Quicker!” Dominy glanced at his team’s stats. Their space taken and answer rates both nudged higher. Pandor’s sprint continued. “Shallower, Cal. There, that’s the right line—yes, go!”

  Dominy opened individual channels. “Genna, Vee, prepare to ring fence at row eight. Nalton, you’re losing contact with Cal. Support him.”

  The spectators rose as one. Their stomping feet vibrated Dominy to his core.

  Pandor cut back inside toward the G column, picking up a teammate.

  “Go with him, Cal, but stay to the outside. He’s got a blocker to the inside.” Dominy checked Genna’s status. She drove the C column, nearing the sixth row. “Free run until the eighth row, go, Genna!” He continued answering his own questions, driving nearly parallel to Genna in the D column.

  “Cal, Pandor’s on our seventh row. You’re losing him! Nalton, support, get in the game!”

  The horn sounded for half-break. Dominy glanced at the overhead Cubevision, and the game statistics scrolled:

  Dendrites 8

  Players remaining: 8 Questions answered correctly: 94% Space controlled: 38%

  Neuron 8

  Players remaining: 8 Questions answered correctly: 94% Space controlled: 32%

  Dominy gathered them in the staging area. “Sorry, I have no motivational speech today. We’ve played a near-perfect half. You all know what needs to be done. He stared at Cal. “Pandor’s on a breakaway. We must stop him or it’s over.”

  Cal shook his head. “I know we do, I just don’t—”

  Nalton stepped up. “Their whole team’s playing speed-of-light fast.” The other Alliance members nodded in agreement.

  I’m losing them. Dominy glanced at Vernan standing in the back. The old Third rubbed his arm. Dominy cocked his head. “Vee, you’ve lived here all your life. I need you to talk to the team, talk to me.”

  Vernan stepped up. “Permission to speak freely, Cap?”

  “Of course.”

  “You are wrong.” Vernan rolled his up sleeve ten centimeters. “This isn’t about…” And ten more centimeters. “The finals…”

  The outsiders stared down at his black and blue, puss-filled forearm and cringed.

  “No!” Nalton cried.

  “This is about our life. I am old enough to see the changes, the destruction. We don’t win and Dominy doesn’t become a Third in time.” Vernan ran his finger over the gnarled M rising from his skin and bowed his head. “Things have changed so much, I now wonder if I even earned my level. I may never know.” He pointed at Dominy. “He’s our chance.”

  The horn sounded and the second half was on. Nalton stood still. Dominy zoomed in on him. His old friend’s face was puffy and red. Dominy switched on his channel. He missed an easy four-by-two division problem. For Nalton, Vernan’s speech backfired. Dominy raised his eyes to meet the confident gaze of the opposing captain, Rohan, closing in. We’re in trouble.

  Cal must’ve seen Nalton stationary because he screamed, “Nalton! Get your head in the game. I need you.”

  Dominy changed channels. “Cal, you’re not captain, mind your channel and keep driving to G.”

  “Sorry, Cap. I’m in jeopardy. Pandor’s trying to ring me.”

  “Check.” Orange tracks lit Dominy’s eyepiece, heading toward Cal. “And two more opps heading for you! I miscalculated their support players. Hold on.” He opened up Nalton’s channel at the same time. “Your situation? Cal’s in trouble.” Dominy croaked out the words, his voice tinged in desperation.

  “Check, Cap,” Nalton said, “I’m back and rolling now. I’ve sealed columns—”

  Cal interrupted. “Cap, getting overwhelmed. Can’t answer fast enough—no time.”

  “I’ll get to him!” Nalton shouted.

  Dominy surveyed the field. “No, you won’t make it in time. Split! Split the questions.”

  “Don’t understand.”

  “Nalton, continue answering your questions, driving toward G and take on some of Cal’s.” Dominy predicted Nalton’s chance of survival was thirty percent. It was their only chance.

  Dominy answered his own question and moved up a row toward Rohan. He spotted a blue dot in his eyepiece. Cal was moving. “Cal, update?”

  A chime rang and the players were forced to stop.

  Cal raised his big fist. “Opposition eliminated. I’m back! Center secured.”

  “Check,” Dominy said. Pandor eliminated! “When play resumes, advance to higher level.”

  “Got it, Cap, I’m fired up to do damage.”

  Dominy turned his attention to Nalton. His blue dot had stagnated. “What’s up?”

  “Not me. Sorry, Cap. I’m out.”

  Dominy grimaced and took a deep breath. Both Pandor and Nalton, blocked by lit squares, were unable to make a move. They were out of the game.

  Nalton hobbled toward the sideline, listing side to side, his hands covering his face.

  Pandor shuffled over to Rohan. The captain whispered something. Pandor chased Nalton down and shadowed Nalton’s every move, faking a limp and shaking his arms spastically. Their nemesis pointed at Nalton, his face contorted into a perverse smile. “A victim. Indubitably.”

  Genna sobbed.

  Cal wiped his eyes and sprinted over to Pandor as Nalton staggered to the sidelines. Cal wrapped his left arm tight around Pandor as if congratulating him.

  Dominy zoomed in on the sideli
ne action.

  Cal kissed his right forearm, moved in tighter, his robe shielding him from the audience’s view and, from a distance of ten or so centimeters, slammed his right fist into Pandor’s solar plexus. Pandor’s legs buckled, he collapsed to his knees, turned toward the spectators and vomited.

  The audience in the first row gasped in horror. A few left, others wiped away the spackled mess.

  Cal strutted past Dominy and shrugged. “I just congratulated him and he got sick with emotion.”

  The chime rang and the game quickly resumed. Cal charged up the E column like a worm-brain possessed by a guardian, answering question after question the instant they were asked. The thought-zone. Cal was in deep.

  Cal was avenging Nalton’s sacrifice! Dominy immediately mounted his offense. “All blue, sweep left!” Cal continued his assault, and Dominy sent the remains of his entire team wide with Cal to feign a blitz attack. Orange would have to follow because Cal was sucking up space like a vacuum.

  “Twenty-two raised to the fourth?”

  “Two hundred thirty-four thousand two hundred fifty-six!” If Cal can do it, so can I. While his team swept left, Dominy drove the center in a breakout move. Rohan responded. Dominy realized Rohan alone would have to stop him, as both of the captains’ teams were bottled up far to the west.

  Dominy fired numbers out in a flash-rain of answers, leaving a trail of blue lights behind. Rohan, likewise, raced up the middle column, heading for the center.

  Dominy and Rohan each had only one escape square remaining. All the other players on both teams were just about out of space. The first captain to answer the next question would win.

  “Greatest prime number under two thousand, three hundred and tw—”

  “Two thousand three hundred eleven!” Dominy shouted.

  “—enty.” By the time the final question had been asked, the players and spectators stood motionless, hushed and awestruck.

  Rohan’s face was gray, the life evaporated from him. Both captains knew at the same moment: game over. Dominy stepped on the escape square. The stadium exploded with cheers and bursts of strobing blue lights. The Cubevision emblazoned a flashing message: Neuron 8.