The Third Craft

by James Harris

  “It began with the global attempt to perfect the human body so it would live practically forever. Humans were petrified of dying. We humans were designed to die; it was genetically preordained. But in olden times they refused to accept that, even though the evidence was obvious. Our bodies and our minds are finite in nature. All living creatures have finite lives and a life-cycle rhythm. It’s the cycle of life: We live and we die. They understood it, but they believed mankind to be better than that … that we could beat death. The madness was the end result of an attempt to redesign our genetic makeup. They believed that by constantly tweaking the genes of successive humans, they could evolve into immortal beings.

  “At first it worked. Humans were living longer and longer. One hundred, two hundred, three hundred years became realistic life expectancies. But that wasn’t long enough. The search for genetic perfection reached a fever pitch. It came to the point where ordinary human life was devalued – only perfect humans were replicated while those who were considered to be flawed were not reproduced. Flawed humans were banned from mating under penalty of death. Three months after conception, the embryos were evaluated for genetic traits. They were terminated if sub-optimal. It was a race to defeat time and, ultimately, death itself.”

  “Good. Go on.”

  “Eventually, over time, children were born genetically indistinguishable from each other. As generations passed, a homogenization process occurred, leaving people with fewer and fewer individual or unique characteristics. This genetic meddling gave birth to a kind of super-humanity with extraordinary powers, and there seemed to be no limit to their life spans. They believed themselves to be godlike.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “It didn’t last. They began to die off. Mainstream society regressed into a state of apathy and gradually, over the years, began to deteriorate. The most significant examples of these highly developed humans were those we now refer to as the Ancients. They were the apex of the strain of genetically perfected humans. These super-humans were extraordinarily evolved. They had developed phenomenal powers over the eons. Unless they fell prey to a mind or body virus – and the virus would have to be a new super-strain – they were immortal. Mankind had beaten death. Or so it seemed.

  “The Ancients eventually became very sedate beings. Life offered no challenge for them, no mystery, no learning or experimentation, no urgency. Physical exertion, even movement itself, had become pointless. Their artificial bio-mechanical bodies kept them alive well past the point of caring. Their genetically perfect biological bodies had been genetically programmed to become slow burners of energy. Their hearts were barely beating, and the blood moved through their veins just fast enough that it wouldn’t clot.

  “To ordinary people, they would appear motionless. Some Ancients would assume horizontal positions on special beds with bio-mechanisms that rotated their thin papery bodies to prevent bruising and coagulation. Others would stand erect like polished statues. Their intellect and understanding of the universe was beyond traditional human comprehension. It is believed that the Ancients had mastered a form of mantra that allowed them to defeat time itself and walk the planet at will while other humans about them seemed frozen. They didn’t eat solid food, but drank only a broth of nutrients to sustain life. Technically their bodies were healthy, but eventually they began to resemble ancient mummies as their distain for humanity and the human lifestyle grew and grew. One would swear they were made out of stone and not alive at all.

  “But they could die and they did die,” Kor finished, jumping forward along the historical timeline. “Almost all of the Ancients had perished by the time the sun began to go supernova.”

  “Yes, Kor. They became, for all their formidable powers, immobile creatures, almost living statues, and were susceptible to natural dangers. In regions where the sun’s horrific heat was melting the very earth itself, the Ancients perished. Even their super bio-mechanical bodies could not prevent the deadly onslaught of the sun as it grew monstrous.”

  Kor was growing tired of the review lesson. “And centuries later, my family, the House of Narok, survived to become a powerful House.”

  “Yes, eventually. Your House and a few others, but yours became the ultimate power here on Sargon. The others collapsed because of the deadly climate changes that began at the equator and moved toward the north and south poles.”

  “We rule over all others, including the Ancients. Asunda, did you know that we have some of the few remaining Ancients here at the palace?”

  “Yes, Kor.” Asunda studied the young man silently.

  “They do nothing but stand and stare like statues. It’s unnerving. I’ve tried to talk to them, but they don’t respond to me. As a child I visited them. Even lately I have stolen down to the lower levels of the palace and have tried to communicate, but to no avail. Have you ever talked to them?”

  “I have communicated with some.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes, Highness. Don’t forget, my Mind Gift is strong and older than yours. I took it upon myself to reach into their minds and make a supreme effort to try to communicate. I thought I might learn something that could assist us in our dilemma.”

  “What did you learn? What secrets did they have?” Kor asked anxiously.

  “None that I could garner. Sadly, their minds seemed strangely barren: polished and brilliant like these floors, but unable to properly engage the world around them.”

  “But they are alive?”

  “Very much so. They live and breathe. And think. They are great thinkers, Kor.”

  “Thinkers, yes, but not doers. They’re like statues. They never move. What kind of existence is that?”

  “Perfection, Highness. They feel that they have achieved perfection. It is perhaps an illusion of a godlike state akin to madness. I’m sure of it. But then again, what is madness for some is sanity for others.”

  “How can they bear to live like that?”

  “They don’t know or aspire to know any other existence. They see it as a perfectly reasonable state of being. For them it’s a level of being to aspire to. They’ve become one with the cosmos. Their natural brains and their egos are locked into a spiral dance of wit. Both are deluding the host and projecting the appearance of normality. It is the ultimate in self-delusional existence.”

  “So the Ancients believe what their brains are telling them?”

  “Exactly. Their brains are telling them that this is a state of normality and sanity when, in fact, the opposite is true. It’s a state of insanity.”

  “But why did they let this happen? I mean, if they were so smart, why couldn’t they see this coming?”

  “They didn’t know any better. They followed the logic of their own minds. It seems their Beings may have fled their bodies.”

  “Total abandonment? Why do you say that?”

  “The Ancients that I visited had no discernible Signatures. Their Beings must have finally drifted to another place. A mad body is no place to dwell.”

  “Is it possible that their Signatures are hidden? I mean something we don’t understand. Where would their Beings go?”

  “They could go anywhere. The universe is vast. But typically they assimilate into the spatial proximity of the human closest to their last mortal position.”

  “I wonder why, Master? A Being can go anywhere and be anything. Why stay here? This planet is doomed.”

  “True enough. I’m sure many Beings have drifted to other places. Places unknown but probably nearby in the …” Asunda looked up at the doorway. He pursed his lips and shook his head. “There’s a serious problem.”

  As if on cue, the door opened and Kor’s father, the king, entered. “We have another breach. Asunda. You and Kor must come with me now.”

  CHAPTER21

  Both youths sprang up and followed without a word. A breach meant deadly solar radiation was leaking into a city.

  “Father, where is the breach?”

  “Not here. Yet.
It’s in the old industrial section of Able City where that city’s radiation shield generators are located. They’ve been sabotaged.”

  “But the palace is safe?” Kor asked.

  “For now.”

  “How many lost in Able City?” Asunda asked.

  “Fifty thousand dead; as many more missing and presumed dead. The con tubes are polluted …”

  “What of Able City’s lords and ladies, the mayor, the staff?” Asunda asked, trying not to appear shaken.

  “Gone. Perished, I presume. There has been little contact.”

  “The Abishot again, Father?” Kor’s eyes narrowed.

  “Who else? These monsters care nothing about the pain and suffering of innocent civilians.”

  “We are attached to Able City through our con tube. Is the palace in jeopardy?”

  “The radiation hasn’t penetrated our biosphere, so we should be safe here. We have doubled the guard and inspected all of our equipment. There’s no sign of sabotage.”

  “Father, where are we going? You just said we were safe.”

  “Not here. Not in this sector. You may be in danger if you stay here. Their assassins are everywhere and an opportunity to kill a young prince would be too good to refuse.”

  “Why me, Father? Wouldn’t you, as king, be the likely target?”

  “I’m an old man, Kor. If the elimination of the Monarch is part of the plan, then the heir to my throne is also a prime target. If I am killed, you take my place. But if you are killed, our lineage ceases. The training room is your last known position, Kor. We must move you to a new location. Besides, I have told you before, you pose far more of a threat to them than I do. You have the Gift.”

  “It is true, Highness, your son grows more powerful each day. Soon he will be able to practice the Mind Gift with ease. He’ll have the skill of ten normal men.”

  The king thrust his arm out, blocking Asunda’s way. He seemed agitated. “With your guidance! Who knows what this puppy could do with such power!”

  Asunda smiled and bowed his head slightly. “It goes without saying, Majesty.” He glanced mockingly over to Kor who glared back at him.

  They hurried down the lustrous hall, their soft footwear noiselessly padding down on the surface. The king stopped and gestured toward an unmarked bluish-white door. “Here. Use the Ruby Room for now. There are guards at all the corridor entrances. Kor, listen to Asunda, please. You will need his wisdom for the journey ahead.”

  “Journey?” Kor said, feigning ignorance. He was teasing his father. “What journey?”

  The man threw his hands in the air in frustration. The computer interpreted the king’s gesture as a command to open the door. It recognized his Signature and had overheard his intention to use the Ruby Room. The door slid open, revealing a room brimming with containers of dazzling scarlet gems.

  “Kor, we’ll talk about your journey another time. It is not for some time yet, but you must prepare. Asunda will help you.”

  “Asunda, you knew of this journey and didn’t tell me?” Kor teased. “I’m hurt.”

  Asunda looked from one Narok to the other in mock distress. “Majesties, you squeeze me between the two of you. I serve the Realm. You must guide me as to how best to serve the Family.”

  The king spoke. “Kor, I forbid you from scolding Asunda. He is your teacher and your loyal friend. He was sworn to secrecy on this matter.”

  “But why, Father?” Kor mocked him and had already tired of the game.

  “There is much intrigue in the land these days. I have requested that Asunda work with you to help you obtain the levels of mental and metaphysical skill that you will need for this journey. If you are able to achieve those levels, you will be told the plan. Otherwise it is best that you be kept in the dark. It’s for your own safety.”

  “He treats me as a child,” Kor grumbled to himself.

  The king ushered the pair inside the Ruby Room. A palace guard rushed toward the king with an urgent gesture. He turned wordlessly and followed the guard. The door whispered shut behind them, and in a flash the two youths were left alone.

  They stared at the blank doorway, so tightly shut that its seam was invisible to the naked eye. The king’s actions were not uncommon. Kor began to meander about the room. “I rarely come in here,” he said, gesturing toward the containers overflowing with highly polished gems. He reached down and gathered up a handful of the glittering red gemstones. Even in the room’s dull light, they possessed a magnificent fiery glow. “These are beautiful,” he said softly, admiring how they glinted in the palm his hand.

  “Indeed. They are barter for us to use once we have reached the new world. These gems are galactic currency.”

  “Is this journey imminent? Is it what all this mystery is about? Am I going on a reconnaissance mission?”

  “Possibly.” Asunda’s eyes narrowed.

  “Will I travel on a scout ship in search of a new world?” Kor grinned, taking his eye off the gems and searching Asunda’s face.

  “Possibly. You’ve already guessed haven’t you? Not the best kept secret after all.”

  “I have my palace spies, too,” Kor said proudly and then with a sudden voice of concern he added, “Is the End near, Asunda?”

  “Nearer than we had thought, Kor.” He lowered his voice. “We cannot wait much longer. Our bio-shields are not capable of withstanding the intense heat.”

  “How long will they last?”

  “Unknown.”

  “Guess.”

  “The planet will certainly vaporize within a hundred years. Our shields will collapse well before that.”

  “A hundred years! But that doesn’t give us enough time to scout a suitable new planet and return.”

  “Nor does it give us enough time to evacuate the entire population. Our resources have been diminished. The House Wars have taken their toll. Our fleet was crippled in the last round of war with the Abishot. We cannot build enough ships fast enough. To make matters worse, the transitioning equipment required for the journey is in short supply. There isn’t enough time to manufacture new equipment to transition the whole population for the journey.”

  Kor’s eyes narrowed. He thumbed several jewels as he thought this through. “What evacuation numbers are we talking about?” He was trying to sound mature, almost indifferent.

  “The king’s advisors have told the council that 5 percent of the population of Narok can be saved. The House of Abishot, on the other hand, has no chance of survival. They have no resources left after the war purge, and without our intervention they will all perish.”

  “What! Five percent? That’s madness. That means almost everyone will die!”

  Asunda stared at the prince and nodded.

  “I didn’t realize how hopeless the situation was,” Kor said. “I didn’t realize,” he mumbled.

  “You will be safe. The entire royal family and the court of the House of Narok will be saved, of course.”

  “Yes … Of course.” Kor looked up at Asunda. “What of Stell? Look at what a fine mess he has got himself into. They’re all going to die, these Abishot. Even he, now that he lives among them. What a fool!”

  “Ahem. Not so fast, Majesty. Your father has arranged for Stell to command one of the Alpha-series scout ships …”

  “Stell? Are you crazy?”

  “It was your father’s wish.”

  “Why would we EVER put Stell in charge of a mission spacecraft when his sole ambition is the destruction of our House?’

  “Ask your father.”

  “I will. Count on it.”

  “In addition, a galactic cruiser will house a limited few of the Abishot people. Enough to preserve their culture.”

  “Culture? How can you call those people a culture? Look at how their lies have poisoned my brother and turned him against me. I hate them all.”

  “Are you suggesting we let them all die?”

  “But they attacked us and now we talk about saving them? The very same people
that would kill us in a heartbeat?”

  “Kor, we are talking about preserving some small part of a race. You know that not all the Abishot are aggressive.”

  “They are a savage race. They are lazy, murdering thieves.”

  “Kor, you are blaming all for the acts of a few.”

  “Asunda, if the majority protects the few, they are complicit. They are as guilty as the perpetrators.”

  “You would have them all die?”

  “They got themselves into this mess. It is justice that murderers die.”

  “If we don’t show mercy, are we not equally barbaric?”

  “They started it, Asunda. They kill our people and steal their possessions.”

  “You talk tough, little stallion, but the truth is that you are a good-hearted person. You would never cause harm if it could be helped. You would fight to save part of your brother’s house.”

  “He’s not my brother.”

  “You could not condemn an entire race to die. I know you better than you know yourself.”

  “The king has asked the House of Abishot to select five thousand of their people to join us for the evacuation.”

  “The rest die?”

  “Yes. But think of it: In saving the five thousand Abishot people, we will be sacrificing an equal number of our own. We have finite resources. Five thousand of our own people will give up their places in order to save the Abishot, our sworn enemy. I think the gesture is quite noble, myself.”

  “Noble. My father is a noble man. I am torn, Asunda. On the one hand I wish all of them dead, and on the other, I wish no ill will toward anyone.”

  “It’s a thankless and tough choice, Kor. Who shall live and who shall not. Abishot critics will howl about how few of them are saved and ours will be incensed by our substituting Abishot in place of Narok. It takes a noble and wise man to decide.”

  Kor was silent. He let a handful of the blood-red jewels slip between his fingers and clatter back into a bin. The blood-red color seemed suddenly symbolic. He was grateful that his father had made the choice for them all.

  He looked up with a concentrated frown. “Asunda, there are no inhabitable planets within a hundred years of Sargon. How will we know where to go?”