by E. P. Wyck
Only one piece of furniture in the barren room. A desk with no drawers. They didn’t even have chairs. A state of the art holocommunication device sat in the middle of the desk.
‘Whoever is funding them has their priorities wrong. Get some chairs, ladies.’ Kali thought to herself.
Kali picked up the holocommunication device. She transferred all of the data to a storage chip and then sent an encrypted message to several contacts asking to meet at this location in three days.
A smile spread across her face as one by one they all agreed. “Too easy.” Kali said aloud, “Too easy.”
Kali placed a mine under each of the dead Seraphim and left.
Chapter 7
Kali watched Ryn walk outside and approach her sleek craft hovering at the end of his walk. He got in and said, “Good morning Kali.”
“Don’t you start that cheery stuff with me. Egil, take us to the Capitol building please.”
“Destination recognized. Prepare for takeoff and please enjoy the flight.” Responded the automation.
“I see you still use your manners when you speak to your car. Why not with anyone else?”
“I didn’t notice. I guess it is like talking to my father.”
Ryn watched out the window while they whizzed through the mountains. “Do you ever think you could let that wall down and use them with other people?”
“What wall?” She asked.
“The ‘I am Kali and my father died, so I have to take it out on everyone’ wall.”
“That isn’t even a real thing.”
“Of course it is. When was the last time you spent some quality time with someone?” He asked her.
Her mind recalled the dying Seraphim from late last night. “Yesterday, although it was late so technically today.”
“What did you do?” He inquired.
“Talked.”
“About?”
“Nothing really. Just some girl time.” She lied.
“See, people need that. Do you feel better after opening up with your friends?”
Kali did not think of them as friends, and she opened them up not the other way around. “Not exactly. They shared more with me. I don’t think they will want to talk again.”
“Why not?”
“Just got that feeling.”
“They probably feel like you didn’t reciprocate. They took a risk sharing with you, and you didn’t return the favor. I’d say that could be why they may not trust you as much now.” Ryn explained.
“You have no idea.” She smirked.
“You really should find at least one confidant. It doesn’t have to be me. But someone you can share what you’re going through with. A therapist may be a good option.”
She looked at him and said, “Did my mother put you up to this?” Kali searched his expressions looking for anything indicating he lied to her.
“No, why would you ask that?”
She stared a moment longer before she answered, “You don’t know how many times she tried to get me to go to one. I just don’t know what the point is. All they do is judge you and talk condescendingly at you.”
“Have you been?”
“Once. The guy was all, ‘How did that make you feeeeeel?’ and, ‘Why do you think that?’ Utterly obnoxious. Complete waste of time and good silver.”
“I see. Maybe you didn’t find the right one yet. There are all different sorts. They use various methods. Maybe you could try another sometime.”
“Ha!” She laughed, “Not happening.”
“Arriving at the Capitol building. Prepare for landing.” Announced the craft’s automation.
“Care to join me today?” Ryn asked.
“Nope. Just meet me here the same time as yesterday.”
“You sure? I think you’d like the work we’re doing.”
“I don’t want to. Am I going to have to push you out?” She said.
“Suit yourself. I’ll see you this evening.” Ryn said as he got out of the vehicle. She watched him stretch his still crooked wings and with a few quick flaps he flew over the stairs and landed by the entrance.
"Egil, allow manual controls." She said. The controls protruded from the dash. Kali gripped them and sped off, weaving erratically through traffic.
Chapter 8
Ryn walked into his lab, a small lab compared to some of the other divisions of SPEAR; however, they didn’t need as much room. Most of their equipment orbited the planet.
Several members of the team huddled around a holograph. “What are you looking at?” He asked.
“You startled me!” Lia said with a gasp. “We’re looking at Keon’s idea. It is quite brilliant.”
“Let me see if I can interpret this,” Ryn said. He examined the plans before speaking. “So if I understand this correctly, you want to use gravity projectors to starve a black hole?”
“Exactly!” Keon said. “I think if we can reroute the gravity pulling towards the singularity to push away instead then no matter can feed the black hole thus starving it and allowing entropy to happen”
“That is quite brilliant,” Ryn told him. “Do you think you can put this together for a presentation to the TriMax?”
“I thought that was your job, Dominus,” Keon said with an official tone.
“Ah, ah, ahh. Don’t try to get out of work. You came up with the idea, and you’re going to get credit for the idea. I am not stealing this moment from you,” Ryn said.
“As much as I appreciate that, I don’t exactly want to appear in front of the Triumvirate Maximus. They kind of scare me,” Keon admitted.
“Why? They’re just Seraphim.” Ryn asked.
“I totally agree,” said Nikon. “Especially Triumvir Kyneska.”
“If you’re saying that because of all the rumors about the gendercide…” Ryn paused scanning his team, “… then I suggest you re-evaluate your impression of her. She has been nothing short of supportive and encouraging during any of our interactions.”
“Yes, Dominus,” Nikon said.
“Keon, I expect a preliminary plan by the end of the day. I want to get this to them as soon as possible. I know it’ll take years before we can actually execute this, but we shouldn’t wait,” Ryn ordered.
“Understood, Dominus,” Keon answered.
“The rest of you help him out in any way he needs. I want this to be a team effort.” Ryn encouraged.
The members of the team nodded and agreed. Ryn turned and walked to his office. He didn’t expect to see Triumvir Genevieve seated at his desk. “Triumvir. This is an unexpected pleasure. How may I be of assistance this morning?”
“Where is my daughter?”
“I don’t know, Triumvir. She declined to join me here today. After she had dropped me off, she flew away in her personal craft.”
“I expect her to be with you at all times. You’re supposed to be her alibi Ryn. Some Seraphim were found dead this morning, and when the coroners went to move their bodies, they were killed in a blast from a hidden mine.”
“Oh, my. I had no idea,” Ryn said.
“You can imagine my surprise to find out she did not stay with your family last night. People are talking. Rumors are spreading.”
“I apologize Triumvir. I am sure you understand Kali can be quite,” he paused searching for the correct word, “independent.”
“Indeed. I do not fault you Ryn. I just need her to be at your side at all times from now on. I hope this won’t be too much of an inconvenience for you.”
“Not at all. I even have a spare suite she may use. Roomy closet and bath too. I’ll have it prepared for her to move in tonight. Will that be acceptable Triumvir?”
“Certainly. I am sure I can count on you for your discretion on this matter.” The Triumvir said.
“Triumvir, I won’t say a word.”
Triumvir Genevieve stood and quietly walked out of his office. Ryn exhaled a deep sigh of relief and slumped into his chair.
He drafted a message to his
entire team, and it said:
I would expect that the next time a Triumvir is waiting in my office that someone would inform me. Not only do I want to assist them as quickly as possible; I should not be startled by their presence.
Ryn sent the message and started sorting through his inbox. Nothing important, just the usual status updates. After sorting through his messages, he decided to check on the progress of the preliminary report from Keon.
Ryn left his office and walked back to Keon’s desk. “How is the report coming?”
“So far so good. I have made it a team effort. I have Jaxon gathering a list of supplies for the crew that will accompany the research team. Lia is putting together a timeline attempting to determine how long it would take us to get to the closest identified black hole.”
Keon continued, “I am working on determining how many projectors would be required to prevent any matter from entering the event horizon of the black hole. After that, I can attempt to determine how much time would be required to starve it into devolution.”
“Sounds like you’re making real progress. Do you have an idea of how long it may take?” Ryn asked.
“I guess it would be thousands of years to those who aren’t affected by the time shift near the black hole. However, for those close to the black hole it may only be a few years. I am still working out how severe the time shift would be. Especially as the mass of the singularity diminishes.” Keon explained.
“Excellent work Keon. I am sure it comes as no surprise to you that I am recommending you to be the advance party leader for this mission.”
“Are you for real?” Keon said with a smile spreading across his face.
“Yes. You’ve earned it. I’ve been monitoring you closely for years now. I know one day you may even eclipse me,” Ryn said.
“Not in a million years, Dominus. I’d never dream of it.”
“That is exactly why you will,” Ryn said and placed a hand on his shoulder, “You’re humble, and you work hard. You take the credit on this one. You deserve it.”
Keon smiled and said, “Thank you, Dominus.”
Ryn left him to get back to work. When he turned the corner to head to his office, Kali and a security guard walked through the main entrance.
“Dominus, we received very strict instructions to ensure she was delivered to you,” the guard said.
“Thank you. I’ve got it from here. Come with me, Kali.”
She rolled her eyes and sighed at the guard who still gripped her by the arm, “You can release me now!” The guard complied.
Kali headed to Ryn’s office and closed the door behind her. “This is all your fault,” she said, glaring at him.
“What is my fault?” Ryn asked.
“I thought I was babysitting you, but instead it looks like it is the other way around. I never asked for this!”
“I don’t know why you’re so upset. You should calm down.”
“Calm down? You’ve completely derailed all of my plans.”
“Plans to, what, kill people?”
Kali’s eyes squinted, “No…”
“Are you sure about that?” Ryn asked.
“What does it matter to you, anyway?”
“It matters because lives are at stake. Every day more Seraphim are slain out of some false conviction that we are somehow inherently more likely to fall in love and convince people to go to war. That is just asinine.”
“You’re calling the death of my father, asinine?”
“You’re absolutely right!” Ryn said. Kali charged him and gripped him by the neck. She attempted to lift him off the ground, but the size difference between them prevent, that.
“His death was not asinine. He should have never died. It was tragic and murder!”
“You’re missing the point. It was asinine for him even to be attacked. You are so quick to anger. So many people are the same way. Why do you think the gendercide propaganda is working?”
Kali released him and stood toe to toe looking up at him, “You may have a point, but don’t ever talk about him like that! You have no right.”
“I wasn’t even talking about him. I was talking about the gendercide fanatics. How can people be convinced that it is ok to kill someone because of that propaganda?” Ryn paused before he went on, “You are giving them fuel for that fire.”
“How?”
“By attacking them, whether or not they blame you, in their minds, they’re justified to continue attacking more male Seraphim.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to believe me. Do you watch the news? They don’t report on your killing spree. Even though your reputation is spreading among the fanatics the news reports the deaths as retribution. Nobody takes credit for it, but nobody gives you credit either.”
“For female Seraphim undecided about the gendercide they may start to believe that they should join the gendercide because people are killing females too. Is that what you’re getting at?” Kali asked.
“Yes, you’re starting to get it. You can’t just murder at will and expect there to be no consequences.”
“They murdered my father, and there have been no consequences for them!”
“You killed them, on the spot. I’d say that is a pretty significant consequence. Wouldn’t you?”
“I guess.”
“Why don’t you try it my way for a while. Your mother, regardless of how you feel about her, loves you and wants you clear from harm. She told me you are to stay with my family for now. I have a guest suite you may use.”
“I like my own place. I don’t want to.”
“I don’t think Triumvir Genevieve is going to give you much choice. As her child, you’re free to willfully disobey her as much as you like, but I don’t really have that luxury.”
“Fine. I suppose we have to stay together from here on out?”
“Yes. We will go to your place after work, and you can pack some things to bring with you. You will really only need your clothes, we have everything else you’ll need.”
“I want to bring some other stuff too.”
“What stuff?”
“Some keepsakes, weapons, the usual.”
“I don’t know that weapons fall under ‘the usual’ in that context,” Ryn smirked.
“Maybe not to you…” Kali said with a raised eyebrow.
“I think we will get along fine. Trust me. I don’t have anything to gain by making an enemy of you.”
“I don’t know about that. We will see,” Kali said before she sat down and prepared to spend the day in boredom.
Chapter 9
“Kali,” Ryn said. “Kali,” he said louder.
She startled awake and said, “Huh?”
“You were sleeping. It is time to go.”
“Oh, was I really? How long have I been out?” she mumbled.
“Only like six hours,” Ryn told her.
“Six hours!” She sprang up and looked at the time. “Oh my, it has been that long. I am sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I think with your usual schedule you needed the sleep. Probably still take you a few days to get adjusted to a normal day with me.”
“Not looking forward to that.”
“Why not?”
“I have a feeling tonight I won’t sleep, and tomorrow I’ll be ready to fall asleep again.”
“Don’t worry about it. Tomorrow I’ll keep you busy.”
“You know my mother didn’t send me here to work for you, right?”
“We’ll see about that. I know the team could use an extra set of hands right now, and I think you’d fit in. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, we still have to go to my place, right?” Kali asked.
“I didn’t forget. I take it ‘Egil’ knows the way?”
“Yes.”
The two of them left the office, took the lift to the lobby, then entered Kali’s vehicle. “Egil, take me home please.”
“Destination recognized. Please
prepare for takeoff. Enjoy the trip.” The craft’s automation responded before roaring off.
“Do you want me to come in and help you pack?” Ryn asked.
“Not exactly.”
“I don’t mind, really.”
“It isn’t that I don’t want to inconvenience you so much as I don’t want you in my place,” Kali told Ryn.
“I am not sure if I should be offended or, I don’t know what.”
“Don’t be offended. I don’t let anybody in.”
“See, there is that wall we’ve been talking about.”
Kali rolled her eyes and said, “Don’t bring that up again.”
“I understand it devastated you to lose your father. I can’t imagine what that must be like for you. However, you need to deal with his death and move on. Moving on doesn’t mean letting go, or forgetting.”
“What does it mean then?”
“When someone we love dies we have to honor them by going on. Living our lives to the fullest. We cannot just waste away in infinite melancholy.”
“Why not?”
“Because there is more to life than that. Your father taught you. He raised you. He loved you. He would want more for you than that. I know, because I want more for my family.”
“Like what?”
“I want my son to get out on his own. He is almost to his first century, and I think it would be good for him to spread his wings a little. Get a job, a new place. Start earning a reputation of his own. He can’t depend on me forever.”
“I didn’t want to depend on my father forever. I just expected he’d be around forever. I didn’t think I’d lose him.” Kali said.
“You know even though he is no longer alive the memories you have of him will live with you forever. Cherish those. I think the only reason you don’t live with Triumvir Genevieve anymore is that you aren’t on good terms.”
“How does that help me?” Kali said while looking hurt.
“It means you remember the times you spent with him, but you take the lessons he taught you and live your life.”
“That is an interesting take on it, I guess.”
“Arriving at destination. Prepare for landing,” the automation announced.
“Wait here, I will be back,” Kali said.
