The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty

by Steve LeBel

  During this pause, he thought of the people on the planet who were going to lose the only home they’d ever known. The planet might look the same from far out in space, but the people moving there would see a world with none of the unique characteristics that marked their own. As he thought on this, he decided to do more.

  He would make this world the same in every way.

  * * *

  Over four days, Bernie made many trips between his two universes. He recreated feature after feature, including Billy’s meteor craters, volcanic islands, stacked-up continental plates, and even the ring around the world he created to stop the tsunami. Every detail was as perfect as he could make it. He had kept good notes, and they served him well.

  When he finished, he had a near-perfect duplicate of his original world. Only two differences. The new planet had no buildings. And, of course, the gaia on the new planet would not be born for millions of years. Otherwise, the lush green land and the plant-filled oceans were identical.

  The only thing needed now was Lenny’s portal. Then Alcandor could lead his people to the Promised Land.

  You Want Us To Go Where?

  Bernie found Alcandor working in his library. This time, when he materialized, Alcandor seemed to have been expecting him.

  “Great Protector, thank you for returning.” Alcandor lowered his gaze as he waited for the Protector to speak.

  “Alcandor, I have considered the evil that has invaded your world, and I have considered my promise to do what I can to keep you safe. There is one thing I can do.”

  “Please tell me.”

  “I can move you and your people to another world—a world hidden from the evil force. You will be safe there.”

  Alcandor stood for a long time. Finally, his voice quivering, he spoke. “You can do such a thing?”

  “Yes. I have already created the world. You will cross from this world to the new one through a special portal, which will be ready soon.”

  Alcandor gasped. “You created a world? A whole world? How is this possible?”

  “Well, it’s not really that hard. Your system is pretty simple. I just had to make a sun, three planets, and a moon. It was—” Bernie stopped when he saw Alcandor lost in thought. Then he realized he’d been careless. This was not the time to impress the locals with his creative powers. That would just confuse them.

  “When can you and your people be ready to go?”

  When Alcandor finally replied, it wasn’t an answer to Bernie’s question. Instead, he asked in a hushed voice, “You made a Sun? Truly, you made a Sun? You can do such a thing?”

  Bernie wasn’t sure how to get the conversation back on topic. Somewhat exasperated, he said, “Alcandor, stay with me here. When can you and your people be ready to go?” Bernie’s shimmer flared a bit, and red flecks could be seen in the gold glow.

  “I can’t make that decision. For something like that, the Senate and the Temple will both have to agree. We’ll have to talk with them.”

  “Then make this happen, and quickly.”

  “Great Protector, you ask the impossible. I’m the only one who has ever seen you. If I make such a request, no one will believe me. I need your help to convince them. We must talk to the Senate and the Temple together. Once they are convinced, they can convince the people.”

  “I have important things I must do and little time left. This is not an easy thing you ask of me,” said the god.

  “I’m sorry, but I see no other way.”

  “Tell me about these others,” said Bernie. “Who are they? What must I know of them?”

  Alcandor paused to collect his thoughts. “The Temple is led by Speaker Zardok. He’s a selfless man who dedicated his life to bringing all of us closer to the Sun. His devotion to the Sun is second to none. And when he speaks, the people listen. For several reasons, he and I do not get along well.”

  “What is the reason for this discord?”

  “In our land, Zardok is well-respected, and he speaks for the Sun and the Temple. I’ve developed a modest reputation as a seeker of knowledge. There are times my knowledge is at odds with the dogma and tenants of the Temple. I think such debate brings us wisdom and more knowledge, but Zardok believes it undermines the people’s faith in our Sun.”

  “I see. Is there anything else?”

  “Yes. But it’s personal.”

  “I would hear it and judge for myself.”

  “Very well. Many years ago, we were in love with the same woman. Her name was Vianna, a free spirit who charmed everyone with her intelligence and her beauty. She loved the Sun, as we all do. Almost as much, she loved the pursuit of knowledge and the thrill of discovery. Zardok and I both fell in love with her. Zardok loved her for her devotion to the Sun. I loved her thirst for knowledge. We each sought her hand. Finally, she chose Zardok. In truth, he’s an honorable man, and she made her choice freely.

  “I had proposed a great expedition to seek knowledge of our Sun. The Senate approved the expedition but would not let me lead it. Instead, they chose Vianna. The expedition was lost. No one ever returned. Zardok was heart-broken, and he’s never forgiven me for my hand in it.” Alcandor’s voice trailed off as he added, “Nor have I ever forgiven myself…”

  “I understand,” said Bernie. Unsure of what to do with the feelings he had exposed, he merely said, “Thank you for telling me.”

  Bernie waited a few more seconds and then said, “What can you tell me about the Senate?”

  “The Senate is made up of 500 elected representatives, called senators, from all over the country. They come here, to represent the interests of their district. The Senate elects a leader, who then appoints twelve ministers to perform the various tasks of governing. The Senate is led by Lord Gondal, an able leader who has held the position a long time. And, of course, any lord or lady who wants to attend has the right to vote with the senators.”

  “Who are the lords and ladies?”

  “They are the oldest of our people. There are 117 of us now. Zardok, Gondal, and I are three of the lords. It’s an honorary title given to the oldest of our people; no one remembers when we were born.

  “How do you suggest we approach the Senate and the Temple?”

  “For the Temple, the only one we need to talk with is Zardok,” said Alcandor. “Whatever he decides will be law throughout the Temple. We should talk with him first. The Senate is more complicated because there are more people with less power. If we can win Zardok’s support, it will be easier to convince the Senate.”

  “That makes sense. When can you arrange to meet with Zardok? It should be in a place where we can talk privately.”

  “I can try to arrange something in two days. We should go to him, I think. Zardok does not trust my science and if we met here, he might think you are some sort of trick.”

  Bernie couldn’t stifle a small laugh. “Well, if he thinks I’m a trick, it won’t be hard to convince him I’m anything but.”

  “Great Protector, how shall I let you know? Is there a way we can communicate?”

  Bernie looked around the room. He saw a large rock Alcandor was using as a paperweight. He pointed to it and said, “If you need to speak with me, take that rock and move it to the other corner of your desk. I will know, and I will come to you when I am able.”

  “Your powers are amazing, Great Protector.”

  Bernie smiled. It wasn’t much of a trick. All he had to do was stop by and see if the rock had been moved. If it had, then he looked for Alcandor. If it hadn’t, then he would do a fast forward with the time lever until he arrived at the time when Alcandor did move the rock. Alcandor was a bright guy, but he would never understand this stuff. Better keep it simple: if you want your god, move the rock.

  Meeting with Zardok

  Bernie suppressed his shimmer and stayed incorporeal as he followed Alcandor through the Temple’s long corridors. Three times, they met workers clearing away broken stones and shoring up walls against further damage. After several unavoida
ble detours, they arrived at a small waiting room, where a priest stood next to a large set of doors. As the priest recognized Alcandor, he bowed his head slightly.

  “Welcome, Lord Alcandor. Speaker Zardok is expecting you. Please go in.”

  Alcandor acknowledged him with a slight bow of his own head.

  * * *

  The chamber beyond was large. The man at the far end of the room stood as Alcandor entered the room and walked forward to greet him.

  “Alcandor, you said you had urgent news. Have you found this Protector of yours?” Zardok asked, in a mocking tone.

  “Actually, Zardok, I’ve done exactly that.”

  “Surely, you jest. You know I give no credence to such theories. It is not necessary to hypothesize a new god to explain what has been happening to us.”

  “Perhaps we can avoid our usual debate, if I just introduce you to the Great Protector and let him speak for himself.”

  Zardok shook his head, but said, “Please do.”

  “We should stand over here,” suggested Alcandor. “He’s quite large.”

  As they moved back, Bernie positioned himself as before, hovering cross-legged in the center of the room. He went through his checklist: beard, long gray hair, white robe, muted golden shimmer, reverberating voice. All set. Now, slowly become visible.

  If Bernie was going for shock and awe, it clearly worked. Zardok stood speechless, staring at the godly figure before him. Moments later, the high priest seemed to have a ‘weak-knee’ moment. Alcandor grabbed a nearby chair and guided the speaker onto the seat only to discover Zardok had been trying to get on his knees.

  “Just sit, Zardok. The Protector doesn’t expect us to kneel before him. In fact, you’re going to find him different from anything you may have imagined.”

  “I never imagined him at all,” croaked Zardok.

  Bernie was overwhelmed by this display. He was just ‘Bernie’ at home, at school, and at work. Here, he was so much more. Being a god is a rush, he thought. Composing himself, he looked directly at Zardok.

  “Zardok, I come with terrible news. Your world is in grave danger. Although I’ve tried to protect you, the evil forces are very strong. I no longer believe I can keep you safe.”

  Zardok gave the Protector a quizzical look. “The Sun will keep us safe. He has protected us since the beginning of time. He will continue to do so.”

  Bernie shook his head. “The evil I speak of is more powerful than your Sun, Zardok.”

  “That is not possible. Nothing is more powerful than the Sun,” Zardok said with confidence. Straightening in his chair, Zardok asked, “Did the Sun send you to talk with me?”

  “No.”

  “Then where do you come from? What are you doing here?”

  “I have always been here, Zardok. I was here before your world. I was here before your Sun. I have always been here. I will always be here.”

  “How can this be true? Nothing is greater than the Sun. Nothing existed before He did.”

  Bernie, sensing the conversation heading in the wrong direction, tried to get back on topic. “Zardok, you know what has been happening to your world. You know things are getting worse. The only safe place for you and your people is on another world.”

  “What? The Sun will protect us. We have no need for another world. This is our world.”

  “Please, Zardok,” said Alcandor. “Listen to Him. I believe He offers us our only hope.”

  “I have never heard of another world. Where is it? What is it like?” Zardok struggled to regain his composure.

  “The new world is much like this one. It has a sun, a night sun, and two tiny suns,” said Bernie, trying to use terms Zardok would understand.

  “Another world with another Sun? How can there be another Sun? Surely it must be a false-Sun.”

  “No. It’s just like the Sun you have now,” Bernie said reasonably.

  “That is not possible. How can you claim such a thing?” asked Zardok, his voice rising.

  Bernie shrugged and said, “I know because I made it.”

  “You made a Sun?” Zardok asked with disbelief all over his face. “There is only one Sun.”

  “No, there are lots of suns. I’ve made quite a few, actually.”

  Zardok stood and glared at Bernie. “You are a deceiver and a blasphemer! Your words are false beyond doubt. In the name of the Sun, I cast you out. Take your minion with you. I will hear no more of this!” Zardok shouted.

  “Well, that didn’t go very well,” Bernie said to Alcandor.

  * * *

  And neither did the next eight times Bernie tried to redo the meeting. He used his time lever to return to the start of the meeting. Although he tried different approaches and different arguments, it still ended up the same.

  Zardok believed in the Sun. He didn’t believe in Bernie.

  A Dead End

  Bernie materialized in the study and advanced time to when Alcandor returned from their meeting with Zardok. It was early evening, and Alcandor had been thinking about the failed meeting for the hour it took him to walk home. Bernie, on the other hand, was still fuming over the eight failed meetings which, for him, had happened just moments ago.

  “I’m sorry, Great Protector. I’d hoped he would show more wisdom.”

  “Maybe meeting with the Senate will go better.”

  “Even if the Senate is in complete agreement, the split between the two will mean many people will not leave.”

  “Oh, Chaos! This whole thing makes me so mad I could just spit,” Bernie growled.

  Bernie noticed the shocked look on Alcandor’s face. He blurted out, “Well, you know, I just get upset sometimes. I try hard to help, but no one wants to listen.”

  Alcandor didn’t seem to be listening. He was staring behind Bernie. A number of his books had jumped off their shelves and were leaping about the floor like fish on dry land.

  Looking in the direction of Alcandor’s gaze, Bernie said, “Oh, sorry.” The books came to rest.

  “Great Protector, what’s happening here?”

  “Oh, nothing. It’s too hard to explain,” Bernie murmured, forgetting to put the echo in his voice.

  “Alcandor, let’s call it a day. I need to think about this. Please give it some thought. We’ll talk again soon, okay?”

  Alcandor bowed his head and said, “Yes, of course, Great Protector.”

  Bernie winced. “And that’s another thing. I don’t feel much like a Great Protector. Maybe you should just call me Bernie. That’s my name.”

  “Ber-Nee? Lord Ber-Nee?”

  “No, just Bernie.”

  “Very well, my Lord. I shall address you as Bernie. But I suggest we call you ‘Great Protector’ in public,” he said. “It will be easier for people to understand.”

  “Good night, Alcandor.”

  “Good night, Gr— Bernie.”

  Lenny Gets Upset

  “So this Zardok won’t agree to anyone leaving the planet?” Lenny asked.

  “No. He practically threw me out of his office,” Bernie admitted. He immediately regretted his words. Lenny had criticized him more than once for not behaving like a professional builder and doing what needed to be done. Bernie braced for the tirade he knew was coming.

  “Then just get rid of him,” Lenny said through gritted teeth. “When he’s gone, the others will do what you want. I suggest finding a good public place and turning him into a pillar of fire. That will get everyone’s attention.”

  “I can’t do that, Lenny.” Bernie’s shimmer radiated with the seldom-seen colors of firm resolve.

  “Well, you’d better figure out how to do it, or you’re going to get fired,” Lenny said in an infuriated tone.

  “Come on, Lenny. You’re being too hard on him,” Suzie said, not for the first time.

  “No, I’m not,” growled Lenny. “He’s throwing his life away for no good reason! He should have cleared off that whole planet and started something new weeks ago. Instead, he’s letting ti
me run out, and it’s going to be for nothing.”

  “Alcandor and his people aren’t nothing, Lenny. They’re as real as you or I,” Bernie insisted.

  “No, they’re not! They’re just created beings. They don’t matter! What matters is keeping your job.” Lenny was angrier than Bernie had ever seen him.

  Then, without warning, Lenny picked up his tray and moved to another table. The only other sound was Sissy’s clucking as he moved away.

  What’s He Like?

  Alcandor tossed and turned all night. His thoughts were dominated by his experience with the Great Protector. He had many questions.

  Alcandor’s logical mind pieced together what he knew. First of all, he thought, He’s incredibly powerful. The things He’s done to save our world make that clear. Anyone who can stop giant waves, put out forest fires, stop hurricanes, change the color of the night sun, is more than just powerful.

  But He’s not all-powerful. He can’t undo things that have already happened. He can’t make Zardok do something he doesn’t want to do. He thought He could convince Zardok to go to the new world, but He was wrong, which means He can’t tell the future. He’s willing to fight on our side against the evil forces, but He isn’t sure He can stop the evil, which means the evil may be more powerful than the Protector.

  I can’t believe He said He made a Sun for the new world. Is it possible He’s more powerful than our Sun? And even if He’s more powerful, why hasn’t He talked about seeking help from our Sun? Surely the Sun would be a great ally in this fight. It’s as if He doesn’t think the Sun can help Him against the evil forces.

  And why does the Protector have a name? That’s another mystery. Why would anyone need a name, unless there were more than one of them? And if there are more Protectors, why haven’t we heard about them? Surely there would be many unexplained events if other gods were living on our world. If he doesn’t live here, then where does he live exactly? Does he just float around in the sky?