Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Thirteen: Disciples of Coedwig, Part Three

Planets appeared so peaceful from a certain perspective. Colourful spheres rotating on an axis and orbiting their solar companions with grace. E'blanche was a vibrant blue and white; chalky-white at its north pole where a contorted hexagon of ice maintained its presence. Ormeal, less than a tenth its size, and glazed in a subtle grey, kept a respectable distance. Beyond the Leonian homeworld, but in orbital conjunction, span the crimson L'oeil Sanglant, or Cronnelloer - as it was christened by the Calan. A violent gas giant, burdened with over a hundred moons, all tortured by the planet's dynamic magnetosphere. At the farthest point of the visible Canol system was Fyr, its own moons a reminder of a futile war that ended in recent memory.

The Professor's Anatatā Telescope had a very sensitive magnification setting. He recalled tinkering with it for the first time on the pastured slopes of Othello one crisp and cloudless night. It was like unlocking the secrets of the Universe; at every scale a new celestial marvel, each with their own evolution and devastating end. The reflecting chamber attached to a conjecture device that could transform indistinguishable objects into their most probable form. Scrolling through wavelengths created a moving tableau of light that showed a new face at every measurement.

Taking refuge in a domed balcony on the Leviathan cruiser had been a wise decision. Artificial lighting was removed; only the stars shone. A hushed vacuum surrounded him, and the silence had always been the astronomer's friend. Although the Baroness' words and accusations clanged in his mind, they had melted into the background by now. In his comfort zone, Kalet could breathe once more without choking on the stench of statecraft. Two days remained until their arrival on Castell; he wanted to enjoy the silence while it lasted. Before his daunting task began.

Rotating the telescope further along Fyr's projected orbit, the Professor increased the magnification once more to the system of Kingdom. Indistinct specks expanded into a red dwarf star and an assortment of yellow, green and brown rocks. Years of observation at the Academy had familiarised Kalet with the identities of these objects. He zoomed in on one in particular, slightly larger than the others, exuding an ebony and emerald glow. Regalis existed like any other planet; unremarkable to the average eye. But with everything that he knew, the Professor observed it with a newfound suspicion.

He wasn't quite sure what he was looking for; it was more of a determined gaze than anything substantial. As if King Swindlehurst would be stupid enough to advertise his machinations. At almost a light-year of distance, the artificial intelligence in the telescope was predicting a lot of shapes and forms in the vicinity with mixed results. Regalis' companion moon, Consorta, for instance, temporarily transformed into a gigantic facility. The craggy, crater-riddled surface became an artificial, polished facade. Curved edges became straight vertices. A mountain on its northern hemisphere metamorphosed into a sharp pyramid. When the Professor checked the emission spectra, metals were abundant in the area; titanium, iron and aluminium predominantly.

Resetting the telescope in confusion, he found the moon to be returned to its normal, natural form. Perhaps the AI was malfunctioning.

Something else that Kalet found strange was the distinct lack of activity. Kingdom had a rich, prolific community, containing a dozen urbanised planets that made up the Scorpius Chapter. Normally the planetary space would be heaving with spacecraft of all sizes - Scorpion technologists had a flair for Daedalian engineering - but not one appeared in the reflected image. Even stranger, a mesaure of the radiation showed a protuberance of gamma waves emitted from a dark spot nearby. Kalet confessed to himself that it could be the remnants of a faraway pulsar. However, he made a mental note to notify Llywydd Tywysydd.

It was a few minutes of systematic observation later before the strangest thing occurred. There was sudden burst of electromagnetic radiation, as if the very vacuum itself had acquired maximum albedo, causing the safety on the telescope to initate. It powered down instantly, the magnification mirrors inside no longer reflecting light. Dazed, Kalet shook a vigorous hand in front of his eyes, as if to test they still worked. To his great relief, there was no damage, only a harmless afterimage in his periphery.

As he went to dismantle the Anatatā Telescope and return the segments to his portable, a figure emerged from the hallway outside. They were but a shadow in the light of the Universe.

'There you are Professor!' As he impulsively clutched at the clothed area above his heart, he clumsily dropped the eyelens and it rolled across the carpet. 'Oh, I am sorry!' The unidentified visitor helpfully dropped to their knees over in the corner and retrieved it without delay, a genuine look of guilt on their face.

'I may only be sixty-seven, but there's a limit to the adrenaline a man can release,' Kalet said jokingly. The figure standing before him was a young woman of short stature, but with the air of an individual overburdened by premature wisdom. Her eyes were bright green and compassionate, behind transparent contact lenses.

'I do apologise,' she said, handing him the telescope with overt delicacy. 'The Mayor said you'd be here. Well, inhabiting one of the four-hundred balconies.'

'He knows me well.' There was a strange feeling of delight at the thought that Sir Elis was cognisant to his habits.

She held out a hand with a friendly smile. 'My name is Renée Truffaut, foreign secretary of the E'blanche government.' The Professor shook her hand reluctantly. 'I'm also acting as Sir Elis' conduit to the Leonian people back home.' She added this statement as if to appease Kalet's worries.

'Conduit?'

'Sir Elis appointed me to be the eyes and ears of the Leonis Chapter at the Gathering. So many views and so many deceptions, it's difficult for the people back home to get the right information. We intend to broadcast parts of the conference and set up referenda to regularly gauge the electorate consensus. That way we can stick to the recommendations of the people and be transparent in our political endeavours.'

Heart palpatations now at a reasonable level, Kalet managed to look impressed. 'This was Sir Elis' idea?'

'It's part of his new campaign to have complete democratic functionality.'

'Radical. And very trusting.'

'A servant of democracy acts as the constituents wish.'

'That's one methodology.' He dared not elaborate on his opinion. 'What brings you into my company? Don't tell me Elis finally wants a tutorial in stellar observation? Fifteen years of eyerolling at my hobby and he's finally caved.'

Truffaut was kind enough to laugh. 'Not quite, Professor. We're two Sylfaenydd-days away from Castell. He regrettably asks you to attend the arrival ceremony tomorrow in the main foyer along with the rest of the Leonian delegation.' Trained in the art of negotiation, the foreign secretary did not relent. 'He understands that you may despise him for this request, but he believes that your presence is necessary so as to conciliate the others politicians. The majority believe you are only here on behalf of the Calan; your presence at the arrival ceremony will give the alternate impression. Sir Elis insists that it will involve minor ingratiating and...arse-kissing.'

'His words?'

'To the letter.' Loyal followers flocked to Sir Elis like Ailerouges to their nests. To have so much inspiration seemed such a dangerous power to wield. 'Can he count on you to attend?'

If anyone else had asked, it would've been a definite negative. As it happened, the Professor accepted the invitation graciously. 'Will the Administrator be attending?'

'Oh, you may not have heard...' Truffaut lowered her voice as if her words were confidential. 'Apparently, the Administrator insisted on flying in Archard Incorporated's prototype, Interstellaire. The company director warned him that the spacecraft had not been properly tested for long haul. Not three days into the journey and the power failed. Stranded for a week at constant velocity in the direction of the Seven Suns system until a relief ship could intercept them.'

'That's a pretty definite no, then,' the Professor could hardly keep a straight face.

'I'd say so.' Although she remained professional in her behaviour, there was the obvious sign of amusement in her eyes. 'Sir Elis will be very grateful for your attendance, Professor. Enjoy your stargazing.'

For once, it seemed, the Universe had given Kalet something to laugh about.