THE GALAXYMBION ODYSSEY
CHAPTER 13: VELVET PANTHER 2770/2019

Lishtoo-Shan-Garra shifted uneasily, stood and clasped his hands behind his back. “There are facets of this situation you have not yet revealed, esteemed First.”

Anavar did not seem perturbed by his colleague’s assertion. “My dear friend, you served with Albas-ri Triumvirate for nearly three centuries. We only keep knives from the hands of children.”

Lishtoo smiled at Anavar’s invocation of an old tribal maxim from Talara’s ancient past. “Then there are some knives you retain; are we children?”

“Some of these knives we cannot set out, since we ourselves do not yet fully understand their sharpness and danger. We are as children also, learning more about this Temporal Crisis as we live through it. I will tell you what we do know, and please understand that this Triumvirate is now formed of three chronomorphs; we retain memories even though events have altered history.

“In the mythos of Kolda-ra a sect named the Alarni’i Mystics arose in time-frame -40142. Kolda-rian legend is unclear on exact sequences of events that far in the past; undoubtedly some details were lost, altered, embellished or extemporised with time. And that is even before later generations of Kolda-rian historians, linguists and archaeologists began deciphering the surviving hundred and seventeen volumes of Alarni’i Mystic scrolls. What we know for certain is that there followed a period of cultural expansion called ‘The Opening’ that lasted almost twenty thousand orbits.”

Amryk-Em-Kovy continued. “Concurrent with the appearance of the Alarni’i Mystics and ‘The Opening’ a Quelae starcruiser crashed on Kolda-ra, and certain Quelae knowledge became known to the Alarni’i. Most extraordinarily the mystics learnt that there were fifteen planets in the Kolta-Rai star system and even seemed to have an understanding of how stellar nurseries are born. As a result, they conceived the Suntear legend and wrote about the Godlife Kalek. Some of their ancient scrolls also talk of Nivas – pure energy spirits – residing in clouds, green or pink in colour and symbiotically connected with Kolda-rian individuals in a one-to-one ratio. Kendras, if you please.”

“You might not know what became of that Quelae starcruiser, what its name was, or why Niva incidents on Kolda-ra ceased to be witnessed and reported on Kolda-ra 22202 orbits ago. I am certain that you have all heard of the legend ‘Nightspear over Falda’.” Everyone nodded or otherwise indicated positive responses. “There were no further Niva-related incidents until 2770 when the Octaladonian Ambassador’s cruiser Aurora experienced a ‘visitation’ by two cloud entities as it descended through Kolda-ra’s atmosphere. According to the Alarni’i such visitations brought warnings of future dangers to avoid or actions that needed to be followed. Nivas, or symbiotic living spirits, of Kolda-rians acted quite separately from those individuals they were linked to. They were time-sentient and only became active following that Quelae starcruiser’s crash. I am sure that you, Faria Salddari, are familiar with these fanciful stories,” Kendras added.

“Of course, Triumvir Arion. What bearing can fanciful stories possibly have on our current predicament, or the work we are doing here at Monzarl Primary?”

“What bearing, indeed, lady Salddari, if we suppose that they are only fanciful stories? Your history shows an allegorical record of the Quelae vessel’s name and the fate of its crew and cargo, though substantial wreckage was never found. It is specifically mentioned by the Alarni’i, along with references to scrolls that documented the arrival and activities of the Quelae survivors and the fate of their vessel. Your historians and academics have ascribed this to some cataclysm that is thought to have occurred, and the fanciful nature of the mystic sect’s beliefs. How would you react if I told you that Nightspear not only crashed on Kolda-ra, it also caused the exact chain of events leading to the mystic sect, Nivas and astronomical awareness of the Kolta-rai system that was technically impossible for an archaic society?”

“There have been many theories along those lines, Triumvir Arion. I still do not see how they relate to our predicament.”

“Nonetheless they do; profoundly so, lady Salddari,” Anavar took up again. “That Quelae vessel was our Nightspear; your Nightspear. It caused that cultural expansion, ‘The Opening’, and the legends that followed. All ignited by a modern temporal cruiser with missing components; the devices Mirek just placed on this table, lady Salddari. At the time of Nightspear’s crash our Galaxymbion consisted of only five worlds; Albascade, Aldascan, Attel, Azzorda and Belpentora. By the time Quereldene had sufficient technology to even contemplate feasible interstellar exploration, Kolda-ra was already part of the Galaxymbion. Indeed, the Quelae were unaware of their crashed vessel until quite recently, and their archived accounts of what happened are still limited both by circumstance and by design.”

“Are we re-creating Nightspear for reasons other than to merely ensure history is preserved?” Lishtoo-Shan-Garra enquired. “As Faria already indicated, it was previously unclear how The Monzarl Project could be linked with ancient Kolda-rian mysteries and sects, or an apparent time cruiser with missing temporal Neuromesh components turning up in that world’s ancient history.”

“When Mirek borrows the Neuromesh to return to this time in Carrier 4, a sequential barrier will open up. A bridge between 2796 and 2770. Although that bridge collapses it ignites a new sequential decay that will engulf Nightspear and part of the atmosphere of the ice-giant planet ‘Falda’. The Quelae cruiser and material from Falda will both impact on Kolda-ra’s surface. That event caused unusual gravitational and electromagnetic disturbances that were noted by Albas-ri astronomers.

“Our world’s Triumvirate of that time despatched several deep space vessels to the Kolta-rai system during those key millennia. The wreckage was eventually removed around orbit minus 19492 Kolda-ra time and the surviving Quelae artefacts repatriated to Quereldene. There were twenty-seven Alarni’i scrolls which specifically alluded to Nightspear and Falda, revealing in remarkable detail Nightspear’s identity and how Nivas were born. Those twenty-seven Alarni’i scrolls were removed to The Vault on Kolda-ra, under Triumvirate seal. A chapter in the Temporal Crisis was prevented from altering history too much, and for twenty millennia Kolda-ra then proceeded along its original evolutionary path without the Alarni’I, just with an interesting mystery unresolved.

"Falda has green, cloud-borne ergoforms called Nivas; these beings are supremely sentient and are closely related to Weethis and The Brethren. They communicate with a cosmic life-force they call Kalek, which would appear to be the same phenomenon as The Brethren’s ‘Web of Kalmek’. Weethis has informed us that The Brethren is one of five offshoots from a root ancestor called Letungexeva. Initially that viral ergoform was seeded sparingly across the galaxy at key locations. Very few of them survived. Faldan ergoforms evolved to sentience; two colonies of them later travelled and diversified, becoming Rinx and Brethren.” Anavar rested and Amryk-Em-Kovy took over again.

“Piecing this anomaly together was greatly assisted by analysing Nightspear’s wreckage. Faldans, finding themselves forcibly divorced from their species by this incident, tried to merge with the Quelae. That proved impossible, so they merged with the endemic civilisation on Kolda-ra. Alarni’i were most compatible, due to their mystic mentality. Faldans then evolved in symbiosis with Kolda-rians and a new generation of Nivas were born.”

“Are we to understand that Nightspear’s wreckage and those scrolls actually still exist somewhere?” Faria enquired.

Kendras Arion took up the narrative again. “Indeed. The Albas-ri fleets initially brought everything back to Albascade where it remained until Kolda-ra and then Quereldene became Galaxymbion members. The Triumvirates of both worlds were approached upon their world’s Ascensions to Cadence; they agreed to receive all artefacts back. Alarni’i scrolls were returned to the Kolda-rian Triumvirate’s Vault archive in Roshlamo province. Remains of Nightspear were rehoused on Quereldene, in subterranean caverns of their Triumvirate.”

“Extraordinary,” Veloriss-Tanvil-Sar exclaimed. “Then these recent events, these cause and effect mysteries, are inextricably connected with ancient Kolda-rian mysticism.”

By this time Lishtoo-Shan-Garra had returned to his seat. So far quite silent he asked a very direct question. “I was of your Triangulus for three centuries, Anavar, yet I knew none of this. How can such knowledge be withheld from a Triumvir?”

“What would you have done, my friend?” was all that Anavar said.

Amryk-Em-Kovy stood and faced Weethis. “Come forward, Brethren friend. We need your thoughts.”

A blue sparkle of serpentine energy floated forward gracefully and broadcast telepathically to everyone. “Gentle beings, this one is Weethis, and my Brethren also has a Triumvirate of sorts. We contemplate the Web of Kalmek in order to better understand all existence within the Macrocosm. To us Kalmek is twofold; one part is substance and one part is mind – just as each of you. Kalmek’s corporeal being is what you term ‘Cosmos’ and you study it well. Kalmek’s mind is of the fifth dimension, beyond its four corporeal dimensions of time and space; pure universal consciousness. It has its own existence independent of the corporeal, just like Nivas.

“By this time frame you of the Galaxymbion have become aware that this star community which you call ‘Galaxy’ is suffering from a cancer. You do not yet fully comprehend this failure, though a few of your Triumvirs are close to seeing all things clearly. The sickness which you call Temporal Crisis is in reality only a symptom; time is collapsing, losing its cohesion at micro-photon level. The cause of this decay is in the fifth dimension. This galaxy, and others such as our neighbour Andromeda, are strewn and infested with chaotic thoughts. The populated worlds you call UNCLASSIFIED or HOSTILE.

“Their billions of discordant or worse, evil, voices clash and jar relentlessly against Kalmek’s order, eroding cosmic sense and cohesion. Ever since those primitive sub-minds evolved, their belligerence and stupidity have been a constant threat to their own IN-WORLDS and the reality of the OUT-WORLD. In short, their foolishness, selfishness and aggression are magnifying and multiplying this cosmic collapse.”

“That being so,” Sarthena of Attel observed, “we must not just repair time. We must cure the disease itself.”

“Indeed,” Weethis commented. “Lishtoo-Shan-Garra was not informed because he is strongly opposed to Temporal incursions whether accidental or deliberate; to have such a powerful and important mind in conflict with its own Triangulus partners would have been disruptive in the space-time continuum. When it recently became necessary for his Triangulus to respond to this crisis he was re-assigned to Monzarl.”

“Correct me if I am wrong,” Veloriss-Tanvil-Sar pondered aloud. “By curing the disease do we mean extermination of discordant sub-species?”

“Absolutely not,” Amryk-Em-Kovy quickly answered. “We cannot descend to the savagery or insanity of the disease itself. This Triumvirate is formulating a multilayer strategem in unison with all Triumvirates and The Brethren. We will perpetrate no violence or destruction anywhere.”

“What will you do? Everyone here – including Brethren – knows that sub-species are notoriously resistant to civilisation. You can’t just ask morons to politely ‘stop it’ and grow up; their reply will be mindless aggression,” Sarthena continued.

“Even more reason why we cannot use military force or threat against the ignorant and warlike; it will just accelerate their cancerous influence. A plan is progressing and from this moment forward, Sarthena and Veloriss, your work on Super Citadels will separate from The Monzarl Project and continue as part of that plan. It is called Velvet Panther. Ula Longarchive, you will command Velvet Panther’s progress on Monzarl. Keep an open mind about everything; as we learn more of this Temporal Crisis details of Super Citadel development may have to be adapted to make our plan successful. Does anyone have some specific questions?” Amryk-Em-Kovy added. He looked tired, probably from the enormous responsibility of solving a galaxy on a precipice.

“I am guessing that this plan will have to be monumental; Triumvirates will not be able to do everything themselves. Presumably all decisions will be layered through every member world’s Corpus and Congress?”

“Yes, that is a necessity, Lady Salddari. The Galaxymbion must be unified in its actions; bickering sub-species have inflamed this Crisis by being deplorably short-sighted. If we are to solve it we cannot be part of that problem. All levels of Interworld citizenry will be involved. Any other questions?”

“Exactly when will consultations with planetary authorities begin?” Veloriss-Tanvil-Sar asked.

“They already have by necessity. Time, both historic and future, has de-stabilised. The events surrounding Mirek Taro, Rilmuta Skane, Kolda-ra, Carrier 4 from Belvandara and the future destruction of a planet called Shazander have caused almost unfathomable shifts; planetary archives and people’s life memories are already drastically restructuring. Cosmic history is re-writing itself in chaotic, unpredictable ways. Aurora, Ambassador Uexin Gurss’s starship, returned to Octaladon from Kolda-ra recently and was attacked by a small Glane fleet. In the ensuing battle Aurora was pushed backwards through time and a considerable distance away from home. It was rescued by the Caldians on a lifeless world a few Lumors from Caldia. It is now a museum of Octaladonian culture in Caldia’s capital city.

“Such galactic pockets of de-stabilisation are increasing in frequency and magnitude; we cannot afford unreasonable delays so please do not tolerate them yourselves. At present there is a zero-point five aberration in linear time; at current climbing increments this galaxy can only sustain life and cosmic structural integrity for another sixty orbits, maximum.”

“I am puzzled by something,” Faria stated. “The Glane incursion that recently occurred on Kolda-ra involved Glanes who appeared to have assistance from their descendants around five centuries in the future. How can Glanes survive all these fractures and imbalances?”

Flaze floated forward and broadcast to everyone in answer. “A very astute question, Lady Salddari. It is difficult to see into the future that far with any clarity, and The Brethren have applied themselves to this very question for some time. Kalmek provides no precise solution. Velvet Panther, however, is not merely an answer to catastrophe; it also maps galactic psychological distributions along all known and predicted time fractures. As far as we can determine, those future Glanes exist in an isolated pocket of the galactic plane. It is possible their chaotic, evil thought patterns make the fractured future universe a suitable environment for them. They apparently learn to manipulate temporal decay to assist Syhe Alderhin and her accomplices in by-passing Kolda-rian defences. We have a hypothesis that at some point Glanes diverge down two paths; Clan of Green Earth embraces Kalmek and pacifism, whilst the other clans arrive at a sinister accord with the Time Guardians.”

“So,” Ula Longarchive interjected, “as I understand everything we have discussed, and the five of you have illuminated such astonishing matters for us, our galaxy is in abject peril. As part of The Tandelion Solution Monzarl must deliver Kulnidaro, Maidenquest, Nightspear and eight thousand nine hundred Super Citadels. All in the shortest time possible. I am quite certain that all five of you are fully cognisant of what you ask us. We have completed five Super Citadels in two decorbs, which in itself is an amazing feat of engineering, especially given the monumental scale and pioneering technologies specified.

“Even if we extended the Monzarl Project to all fifty dockyards, thus churning out two hundred and fifty Super Citadels every two decorbs, we could never accomplish output of eight thousand Andromedas in less than seven-point one two orbits. Trust me, each of you; I have worked as a senior engineer on Monzarl for more than five decades and I know the production possibilities. We are already working flat out with more than a million virtuoso engineers and three million virtuoso scientists now drafted in from the whole Galaxymbion. If we keep your project as a secret mission of Primary Dockyard, as you direct us, it will take three hundred and fifty-six orbits, by which time this galaxy will have become a chaotic cosmic wasteland and playground for mindless hostiles like those Glane and Ledaran warmonger cretins. Perhaps you can advise us how to address this divergence?”

“Of course, Scientist Exemplar Dame Longarchive,” Anavar stated, most congenially using Ula’s full honorific title. “Your first order of construction is to complete Kulnidaro. Primary Dockyard has a maximum of three orbits to accomplish that. Sequentially your second priority is to deliver Nightspear and Maidenquest within five decorbs.

“The Triumvirates of all one hundred and twenty Galaxymbion worlds are aware of this Temporal Crisis and its severe implications; the two tiers of nexus members – forty-eight planets - have already started manufacturing neutral internal components and support struts for your Super Citadels. They will deliver them to their nearest ASCENSION or CADENCE neighbours, where those components will be shell-matrixed and freighted to Monzarl. This will relieve your workload considerably so that you can focus resources on shells and major sensitive elements.

“Do not forget that there are seventy-one other Galaxymbion planets in the presiding echelon; they will fabricate and deliver to your facility all other sensitive mechanisms and interlocking partition segments, fully shell-matrixed, along with the neutral components they receive from Nexus members. Monzarl will only need to handle end-to-end construction of extremely sensitive technology – temporal propulsion systems, for example - then oversee assembly. You have total authority from The Interworld Triumvirate Unison to commandeer fifteen secondary dockyards here for your assembly targets.”

“That is outstanding, First Triumvir,” Lishtoo-Shan-Garra commented. “We could complete all eight thousand nine hundred Super Citadels within a single orbit, at a rate of nine hundred per decorb.” He glanced at Ula Longarchive, who nodded her agreement with this assessment.

“That total will have to increase to twelve thousand, Lishtoo-Shan-Garra, since we must provide enhanced evacuation capability to Secondary Nexus worlds also. The Tandelion Solution only needs about a hundred Super Citadels to handle the Velvet Panther initiative. I trust such a quantity will be feasible within the next decorb, as you rotate construction rosters resourcefully.”

“So, are these twelve thousand Andromedas both for Velvet Panther and to enable The Galaxymbion to withdraw its citizens from this galaxy, should Velvet Panther fail? Where will we be travelling to? Andromeda itself?”

Amryk-Em-Kovy sat down again. “Yes, to your first question and no to your second, Sarthena of Attel. Unfortunately, Andromeda Galaxy is experiencing the same degradation as our own, given data obtained by Carrier 4. Foreseeably no galaxy is a safe haven.”

“Then our destination is intergalactic space, as far as possible from galactic inhabitation? What can we do, marooned in the deep intergalactic cold and barrenness?”

“One headache at a time, Veloriss. Viceroy, Scientist Exemplar, Lady Salddari, Sarthena, we are almost concluded here. Only one essential matter remains unspoken. Monzarl will receive regular supplies of components from all corners of the Galaxymbion. This will draw attention from hostile opportunists and active adversaries. There is also a stark possibility that without warning a sequential breakdown could arise in Monzarl’s vicinity. Guaranteed safe completion of The Monzarl Project and Velvet Panther is paramount.

“Our seventh participant has remained cloaked, hooded and silent throughout this meeting. Each of you has wondered who our friend is. Allow me to present to you Mezal Voy Torondis of Bireldene 6; perhaps the finest temporal physicist alive today, no disrespect intended to you, Lady Faria Salddari.”

“No, of course not. I am thoroughly familiar with The Mezoy’s legendary accomplishments in causality field mechanics.”

The seventh figure took two steps forward, lowering his hood, and smiled graciously at Faria. “Thank you, lady. Your reputation in our field is also considerable. I am a humble admirer of your publications on the subject of quantum displacement. You are all quite aware that I made a silly error of judgement four decades ago. The Galaxymbion High Council was typically magnanimous when it punished me; I was assigned to a deep space research facility to investigate temporal anomalies long before this collapse became apparent. There, in the TAKRA quadrant, I began researching into our Galaxy’s predicament some twenty-nine orbits ago, with a small team of illustrious assistants from Ekria. TAKRA is quite sparsely populated, an almost dead quadrant, and Ekria is the only Galaxymbion world for several sectors. There are very few distractions.

“To state it bluntly, I have become something of a specialist on the Temporal Crisis and have been pivotal in developing technologies to cope with it. I am here for two reasons; to upgrade the Monziri automated defence grids and outer defence perimeters and to assist with Kulnidaro’s modified tachyon drive. After that I will take a team of technicians to install similar upgrades for Landrios, Azzorda, Dreena, Novaska and Saara 2.”

“Monziri Superlative Powermesh can cope with anything,” Ula Longarchive pointed out, sounding a little upset that anyone might think there was an inadequacy in her world’s defences. “Besides, you are banned from access to any space vessels without supervision and have been blocked from universal command protocols. Furthermore, your modified tachyon drive is dangerously unpredictable, has never successfully been tested with crew-operated spacecraft and has been outlawed by the Galaxymbion High Council.”

“Blocks and bans which have now been lifted by The Interworld Triumvirate Unison, Scientist Exemplar. I know it will be difficult for many of you to trust me after my headstrong folly, but I have had four decades to contemplate my actions. As I indicated earlier, TAKRA quadrant is remote with few distractions and almost no populated worlds. We’ve been able to perfect and test a tachyon drive there that is safe, reliable and exceeds our expectations. And I am far too old now to rush off at a tangent on some impulsive escapade. I am aware of your defense system specifications, Miss Ula Longarchive; second to none when dealing with matter-energy disturbances. Fine with spatial infractions. Quite inadequate with threats of a temporal nature.”

“Well, we must conclude now,” Anavar announced. “Apologies for ending this meeting abruptly, since we have duties that will not wait. Please see Commodore Zelispra before returning to your own affairs; she has encoded directives and instructions for each of you.”

Lishtoo-Shan-Garra, his delegation and The Mezoy made courteous goodbyes to The Triumvirate, Mirek, and the two glowsnakes, and left. When the Inner Sanctum Chamber doors had closed and sealed, Mirek turned to face Kendras Arion.

“Second, if I may ask, why did we not tell them more of Serendipity, the Shazanderns, Morlek and Notesounder? They would have immediately understood Nightspear’s significance, given its fullest flight record. Our summit could have concluded earlier.”

“Mirek, your friend Notesounder made a valiant sacrifice that saved thousands of lives on Nightspear and the Kolda-rian surface. If such information was known to anyone working on the Monzarl Project and Velvet Panther it could jeopardise everything. Similarly, the presence of your Shazandern friends and a Monodeman arachnoform anywhere near Kolda-ra in its cultural infancy could have serious negative impact. We cannot risk further contamination of the cosmic timelines. This Triumvirate will deal with Serendipity, Morlek and the Shazanderns as appropriate. We know they are as safe as possible; Nightspear’s flight record shows that. Nimbledream and Nightspear’s crew were entirely correct to send them away from Kolda-ra. Sixteen sub-nucleonic suspension bays are missing from Nightspear. Serendipity is out there somewhere. Do not worry, my friend, since you have other tasks ahead of you.”

“As you wish, Second, and thank you for that explanation.” Mirek turned away and walked over to Weethis and Flaze. “I am ready.” A blue energy portal opened and Mirek entered it and was gone. The portal closed.

Anavar approached Weethis and Flaze, followed by his Second and Third. “Brethren, it is time. Is Rilmuta Skane ready to carry out Velvet Panther’s next phase?”

“This is so,” Flaze broadcast. “He knows what must be done. We leave now, noble Triumvirate; we have much work to do ourselves back on Kytonia.” The glowsnakes winked out of existence in blue flashes.

Anavar drew his hood up, followed by the second and third. “We must also leave now. I have informed our Arcturus to return to Albascade without us.”

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