10 Minute Tales

Mar 23 - The Unspoken

Space was still as expansive as the promotional material had said it would be some centuries ago, but at least humanity had populated one small corner. Titanic structures, monoliths of steel and solar panels, orbited most major bodies in the solar system - and a couple had even departed on a one-way cruise to other stars. Keve sighed as he stared out of a window, staring at the blue planet below. Neptune primarily consisted of methane - as valuable as it was odorous, the people aboard the station Nautilus were charged with extracting as much as they could, so other shuttles could refuel and continue with their interplanetary journey. Keve, however, was there for another purpose entirely. He was a member of the Unspoken, a very elusive caste of humans that were privy to the secret of true magic. He had to work to keep the technology from exploding; even the technicians of the station had no true knowledge, that their machinations would destroy itself within half of a Terran year. He sighed. Such a burden weighed heavy.

"Keve." a voice announced, catching him off-guard. The sound of the robotic intelligence aboard the station always surprised him. "Your presence has been requested by the Host."

"The Host?" Keve asked, surprised. "You mean the boss of the station?"

"Indeed. He has request you ascend to the top deck as soon as you are able."

"I'd best get going, then." He hurried into a brisk jog, heading for the central elevator. There was no natural gravity on the station; the rapid spin forced a semblance, though at the cost of constantly walking uphill. Keve had been on the station long enough to be used to it, but terrestrial visitors weren't so lucky. He got into an elevator quickly and pressed the top deck button. A bell chimed as the doors slid shut; a panel soon lit up, showing the Host's face.

"Keve?" he asked, his voice betraying his age. "You're alone. Good. Authorising your ascent." The elevator surged slightly as his ride began. This sudden call unsettled him slightly. The Host was not one for trivialities; his summons had to have a purpose. What could it be? He had worked hard enough, he hadn't caused any problems in the technology and the one time his power had overwhelmed him, he had been sure to wipe the footage. What could it have been? He was so absorbed in these thoughts that he didn't notice he had travelled the majority of the station's body, to arrive at the top deck. The door hissed open, catching him off-guard, and he hesitantly entered. The luxurious reception spoke leagues of the station's supposed success; there was even a working fountain! He watched it for a while, the energy in the fluid motion calling to him, to the part deep within him that accessed the energies of the universe. He breathed deeply, trying to control himself. Letting his magic burst here would be a terrible idea.

"Excuse me, technician Keve." the robotic receptionist called to him. "Mister Huang is ready to see you now."