The city doesn't know what to do. It's the strangest thing: they're like zombies; standing aimlessly, waiting for some kind of stimulus. Everything has stopped. Except for 'us'. 'We' being those who didn't rely on the mandates of Pephistofar to determine morality, and the methods of its enforcement.
Is this still Ada?
"I'm proud of you," Naeyr says. "Come here, I want you to tell me something."
I turn away from the dark streets. She's easy to make out from the dark shadow of the grand chamber of the courts, the place that used to house Pephistofar. Reason being that her body has a bluish-cyan glow. Its not overwhelming, like florescent lights. But its there. She's authentic. An Alien with peculiar 'capabilities'.
Ellia and I trudge through the debris. Through stone and glass, wire and the plastic husks of destroyed electronics. In the far back of the grand court chamber is a curtain. Behind the curtain is a screen. Behind that screen is dark, mirror-y glass. Beyond that is something dreadfully familiar.
A Star Apparatus. But unlike one I've ever known before. It's gigantic. Its mammothian gears churn like clockwork, and the gyros continue to rotate, while the spheres of each concentric ring continue their courses.
One of Jaime's memories floats to the fore of my mind:
'The Star Apparatus predicts the celestial movement of plants across the galaxy according to their orbits, and other heavenly bodies per their trajectories. That's really it. It consists of a bunch of gears and crystal spheres on concentric rings.
Oh.
Also constellations and Zodiacal stuff.'
I approach. Its no ordinary Star Apparatus. What was this one, and why did Pephistofar need to protect it?
"I have a feeling there's more to this than meets the eye," Naeyr says.
"Obviously," Ellia chimes in. "Because if she was protecting this thing —"
"I mean about the origin of these 'greater' Star Apparatuses. My intuition tells me that this isn't human handy work," Naeyr says.
"That it's alien?" Ellia asks.
"It doesn't keep track of stars and zodiacs," I say.
"How do you know?" Ellia puts her hands on her hips and steps forward. Steps past me. Steps up to the Apparatus.
"Because the Mhakil constellation isn't on it. Neither is Ninbus, Em-Gaiea's supposed 'sister planet'. The nature of this thing —"
One of the rings light up. A bright electric surge races to one of the great spheres from both directions. The sphere itself lit up as if burning hot. It smolders, it groans, it screeches. Finally it bursts, and the ring collapses. The gyro grinds to a halt.
"So these things have something to do with the gods…" Naeyr crosses her arms. "Nine rings left."
"We should destroy it," Ellia proposes.
"It'll take care of itself. In the mean time, Aluric, you should see my brother."
"You have a lot of brothers."
"'Him who imparts all Intent'."
'Indanne.'
"With all due respect, I'll stay here. Where I'm needed."
Or so I had thought I am needed.
Days turn into weeks. I had found a place with Ellia, an apartment. She worked with Naeyr daily to foster social reform based, not on mandates and decrees, but the benefit of society at large. Social Ethics. Things that should happen without saying. Why does common sense need to be put down in writing?
As for me. I was hardly content during those days. I couldn't explain why. The reign of Pephistofar's Law had ended. Soon enough there was a greater degree of peace. Without her, senseless slaughter remained senseless. People were beginning to reason with one another. Barriers were broken down. Boundaries were redefined. Communication now embraced freedom of thought.
And I?
I had no reason for being in Ada. I was of no use. I had no function.
Why am I here? What am I supposed to do with my life? I can't go back to being Jaime. And I refuse to become complacent; self-satisfaction is the white man's curse.
I had nothing. Except for Ellia's love and affection. Though she adored me, I couldn't make myself content with that.
I saddled up a horse, one that was left over from the arena. Ellia was working late with Naeyr that night. Naeyr, who spent her time overseeing the trials of the judicial courts. That they were based on adequate reasoning and deduction, evidence and supporting testimony.
That things were actually 'fair'.
I mounted the horse. We passed through the Judicial District.
Before long, Ada had fallen behind the horizon.
Addendum:
Edicts.
What occurred shorty after Pephistofar's Death;
Concerning Ellia and Naeyr as they remained in Ada.
Edicts Page 6
