Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Two: The Immortal Gardeners, Part Two

Tarddiwyd â thân Tanwen. Estynwyd â gwefr Enaid.

The epigraph traversed the circumference of Sylfaenydd. A song, an emotion and a collective thought. Members of the Ystyrtwr, the eminent representatives of the Calan, accepted their invitations. From several locations across the planet's surface they repeated the intonations, until their corporeal forms migrated through the web like thoughts themselves. Caliginous shapes assembled within the chamber of Hafan. Amorphous at first, until the melody strengthened and the shapes solidified. Gathering in a semi-circle, the four wise disciples awaited their guide.

Llywydd Cyson Tywysydd, leader of the Calan, anticipated their arrival. The chamber was prepared; a solitary Coeden, vigorous and untouched sprouted from the floor, its branches a deep midnight blue. The surrounding environment projected a population of stars in a vast Universe; the Ystyrtwr occupied the space as celestial ghosts. An Alawcloch maintained the apparition, energy poured from its melody, feeding the Coeden and the illusions it conjured. Tywysydd, elegant and inscrutable, stood adjacent, directing its power and guiding every particle. They paused to receive the company of Calan. The Alaw sustained the stream of energy; the illusion unbroken.

Hael Cyfathreb was among the spectral entourage. Considerate and perspicacious, and with a long history of Human interaction, they had requested this particular conference. Analysing the quantum code, Tywysydd discovered they were teleporting from Safn, headquarters of the interplanetary communication network. A method of conversing where the Calan could not.

There was Cysgod Tywysydd, the principal of Penbryn, second conglomeration of the Calan. Diplomatic in all their endeavours and an important figure in the Ystyrtwr. A mere shadow of Cyson's authority, nevertheless Cysgod helped to alleviate responsibility.

Teleporting from the distant crevices of Tanefail, where the Saeru invented and constructed the seeds with which Calan explored the galaxy, Pendant Cynorthwy was performing a hundred duties at once. Requests for instructions were swept away by the recommendations of simple objectives, and yet Cynorthwy kept all their attention on the conference at Hafan.

Finally, the company was complete by Medrus Iachawr, director of Cylch Cymodi, administers of natural constitution. They spearheaded research on afflictions - both physical and psychological - within Pedairastud. Masters of the natural processes of life, Iachawr's input was essential. The Llywydd noted that they had not encountered one another in over a hundred orbits, immersive as their occupations were.

Let us begin.

The Ystyrtwr attended scrupulously. The Universe surrounding them swivelled and dilated. Planetary systems glided past, taking their stars and orbiting bodies with them. Under the directive of Tywysydd, the Coeden focused on a single system, indistinct from the others. Although signals exchanged from the Calan to the internal matrix indicated it as the Alpha system - home to the Virgo Chapter.

The Ystyrtwr has been convened on behalf of Hael Cyfathreb. An epidemic is emerging in the Alpha system; the dimensions of which we cannot ignore. As our Cymydog will explain, the nature of the epidemic has reached the potential to threaten other Chapters of Humanity, and indeed several other species. In consequence, I have declared that the extinguishing of this emergency is of Calan priority, and supercedes the Calan Recall Act.

Various quantities of energy fluctuated throughout the group. The majority from Cynorthwy. The Llywydd was unable to gauge the consensus of thought.

This is an opportunity to offer disagreement. Declarations of equal proportions have been suggested to the Ystyrtwr over preceding rotations. Some have progressed. Some have not. What transpires is not solely my decision.