Best HFY Stories: Prisoners Of Sol (Part 73)

[00:00:00]Earth Space Union's Alien Asset Files number one.

[00:00:05]Private Kapal.

[00:00:07]Loading prison research.text.

[00:00:13]The only way to restore our ability to teleport would be to figure out how the Illusions generate a negative energy.

[00:00:19]every day as the Brigands geared up to invade Jourlan and take it for themselves.

[00:00:26]He wanted teleportation in his back pocket.

[00:00:30]I hoped the human and Fikri the traitor would discover for themselves that not even superpower would let them take on a whole alien planet. That would make my escape easier.

[00:00:41]Uncovering the dimension hopper's secrets was a tall task, one that led me to turn to the mathematics that had predicted its existence.

[00:00:49]This concept had always been the solution to wormhole equations, which gave us the ability to alter space-time.

[00:00:56]For it to exist on its own, it would require the most extreme forces in the universe.

[00:01:00]The area where all physics and the corresponding numbers got crazy was, of course, black holes.

[00:01:06]Gravity pulling down to an infinitely small point, a singularity, where time ceased to function.

[00:01:14]Could that be a natural 5D gateway? If this levels of gravity allow an outside observer to exist outside space-time?

[00:01:21]A quantum disturbance in the singularity, almost like what humans call Hawking radiation on the event horizon, would push those infinities out there.

[00:01:31]The mathematical solution for white holes, the exact opposite of black holes, where time itself is reversed.

[00:01:39]I finished scribbling in chalk on the wall.

[00:01:41]And time can only be reversed by negative energy. White holes expel exotic matter. Space would flow outward faster than it flows in.

[00:01:51]Punching new universes from the deletion of ours. Infinity.

[00:01:55]If the Illusions harvested negative energy, they had to send a ship for a singularity, have it survive, then build a portal over it in the mirror universe to bring it back.

[00:02:05]Wait, what?

[00:02:06]Dawson exclaimed, brown eyes utterly lost.

[00:02:10]I have no idea what the [ __ ] you're on about.

[00:02:14]I dusted my paws off, tapping my chin.

[00:02:16]It doesn't help us much if I'm right. I can't just fly through a black hole and emerge to scoop up some negative energy while it's causing a big bang. I don't know how to explain it.

[00:02:27]Well, I don't know. Maybe try.

[00:02:30]Reg hissed from the opposing cell.

[00:02:33]Matter flows inward and time freezes at that one infinitely small point, right?

[00:02:41]I drew a diagram of a funnel on the wall, drawing a Vaskar style harpoon arrow to point. The math says there could be an opposite. It would reverse everything, right? And time would freeze and matter would flow outward after that infinity.

[00:02:57]White holes would then not exist after that single expansion, but they leave the ingredients of a new universe from ours.

[00:03:05]Dawson squinted, adjusting the makeshift leg cast I fashioned for him.

[00:03:10]Hold on. You're saying black holes eat matter, then spit it out in another universe? Exactly. That infinity has to go somewhere, but the disturbance can only loop back to the start.

[00:03:22]It goes in reverse like integer overflow in a computer. That negative energy holds open a wormhole and physics are equally wonky with a negative infinity that's moving through.

[00:03:34]Prison has gotten to Kapal. He's lost it. Jetty squawked.

[00:03:39]Where else can negative energy exist in nature except for the beginning, the reverse of entropy? I just don't know how the Illusions ever gained access to it.

[00:03:51]Reg tilted his head. Integer overflows?

[00:03:54]Like computers?

[00:03:56]Yeah. Well, if the nature of our reality always mathematics is to express infinite energy in such a way, it doesn't necessarily mean anything other than the properties of singularities breaking physics.

[00:04:11]So, going faster than light will create infinite energy and break the universe and its physics through integer overflow?

[00:04:18]That's why the Illusions needed negative energy translation barrier?

[00:04:22]Yes. In the case of the attack on Soul, it's why the universe would have likely imploded into a singularity wormhole.

[00:04:29]Oh, uh speaking of which, this would all mean pairing our space-time from the fifth dimension would be looking at a singularity.

[00:04:38]It's not just all time, it's infinite time and space.

[00:04:43]Time does not flow in transit. It's a relative eternity. That's what breaks organic minds. It's all existence all at once.

[00:04:52]The mark and we handle it? Dawson demanded. I don't know. To put it in computer terms, it's a DDoS attack on the mind. Too many information packets, therefore none can get through. It clogs like an artery.

[00:05:06]Perhaps human brains have learned to process time like outside observers.

[00:05:10]How would that even work?

[00:05:12]Well, you'd prune the data that's unintelligible, an ability we haven't developed. What isn't muck might be usable, so your brain hangs on to it.

[00:05:21]The precog is just like an AI's data imputation, filling in the missing bits through guesswork. You draw connections with your current timeline and lived experience. How clear the visions are, it's solely based on how much usable data you have.

[00:05:35]That's just Are you an actual genius?

[00:05:39]And they wasted you in infantry?

[00:05:41]Let's not get carried away. I'm simply a guy who wanted to teach history.

[00:05:46][ __ ] It's all just a useless theory. I can't get through a black hole to harvest it, like I said, so we're [ __ ] out of luck in getting more negative energy. And without that, how can I give us the ability to teleport?

[00:06:00]I'll suggest that you figure something out.

[00:06:04]An amused human voice said.

[00:06:07]I squinted in confusion as Jack off Rakavina strolled through the prison walkway, pacing between the cells with a shrewd glint in his eyes.

[00:06:16]Shouldn't he have been away from this facility if he was spearheading the raid on Jourlan?

[00:06:21]The dimension hopper surveyed me like a cut of meat while clasping both arms behind his back.

[00:06:26]I scrambled to think of a way to appease him, even if it was a false hope given the technology I had at my disposal.

[00:06:34]However, my desire to placate the Brigand fizzled out when I saw the human video conferencing on a tablet with Fikri.

[00:06:41]The traitor's android must have been reviewing my work to see if there was any credibility to my findings.

[00:06:47]Jack off didn't want me to [ __ ] him, so he ran everything through his robot ally.

[00:06:52]The inorganic Vaskar was gone, however, eager to pillage through Jourlan and bend my people to its will.

[00:06:58]I scowled at the metal face in the screen, biting my lower lip hard.

[00:07:03]If I ever get out of here, I will hunt Fikri down and make it pay for its short-sighted, cruel choices.

[00:07:08]We had a plan, but it was more than happy to sell us out. All it does is hate organics, and if Jack off's really not a blind murderer, he's going to regret having it on his roster.

[00:07:19]Kapal has some useful insights to contribute. There is a reason I deem this creator to have some processing capacity, so I calculate he would have the best odds of any organic. Fikri stated. You should keep him around.

[00:07:34]Jack off arched an eyebrow.

[00:07:37]Long as progress keeps being made.

[00:07:39]Remember to sow some lawlessness and disorder on Jourlan. I'm trusting you to lead in that department.

[00:07:45]There is no course of action that would be more of a delight to my processor.

[00:07:50]You are less enfeebling than the rest of your species. Ah, I quite agree, Fikri.

[00:07:55]I'll be in touch.

[00:07:57]He smiled and waved a few fingers at the android before snapping his head up towards us.

[00:08:03]I thought you'd like to hear what your old travel buddy is up to.

[00:08:11]score.

[00:08:13]That android just wants the blood of its creators. Reg stated.

[00:08:18]I always said Fikri couldn't be trusted, and I must implore you to consider the same thing. You don't want a cutthroat robot to make things messy. If not for fear of it killing your crew while they sleep, for the sole reason the local population will resist more if your invasion is messy.

[00:08:34]Oh, darlings, that's the point.

[00:08:37]I wanted you to see the events on Jourlan. I wouldn't want you to be left out.

[00:08:41]Home is sweet home, Kapal?

[00:08:44]I scratched behind my ears. The space gate is my home as far as I'm concerned.

[00:08:49]I've already lost the people who made me want to be a part of their community.

[00:08:53]That would be the other humans who you're so quick to forget.

[00:08:59]What exactly would you have me do about the Illusions picking us up and plopping us back in Soul? I see an opportunity. I want you and your brilliant mind to watch because you you might get it.

[00:09:12]I craned my neck at the tablet as a scowling Dawson watched from the floor and spitting Jack off's direction.

[00:09:19]My human friend seemed horrified by the Amadra spaceships descending on Jourlan, whose defenses and protective fleet had been stripped away by the ESU's invasion.

[00:09:27]This was the second incursion in the span of a few years. Under the human occupation, the Vaskar hadn't been permitted to build our forces back up.

[00:09:36]The dimension hoppers were law and order, our protection against Mikri's people.

[00:09:41]That's the saving grace of Jack off attacking, that the rest of the robots like Fikri don't have time to finish wiping us out.

[00:09:48]The Brigands protecting us would mean we might still survive even if the machines decide there's no reason to keep us around.

[00:09:55]I can't say how much longer the network will hold back.

[00:10:00]Storm gods, I miss the humans. Life in Keelam was better when they were around.

[00:10:05]We had known an unparalleled peace, and just as representative Raj had said, they were working toward mending the old wounds.

[00:10:12]I forced myself to focus on the footage Jack offered receiving from the ground where the brigands were looting the newly rebuilt city around the old royal palace.

[00:10:21]I could see a mechanical Vaskar charging off the ship to chase after civilians.

[00:10:25]His glowing with glee.

[00:10:27]Fikray.

[00:10:28]A sigh has swirled upward and out from my nostrils, reminding me how easily it could have gone through with choking me to death when the Illusions attacked.

[00:10:37]Other pirates were robbing or just shooting people on the streets, stripping them of valuables.

[00:10:42]I glimpsed a regal figure prowling behind them in flamboyant attire, and that was the part that got my gears turning.

[00:10:49]It was Prince Laremac proclaiming his return, demanding that the people surrender to his army and pay up to finance his reclamation of his rightful lifestyle atop the throne.

[00:10:59]He was broadcasting the announcement over television channels, by the looks of it, and speaking as if his subjects should be excited.

[00:11:07]Laremac the Insane was not missed by the populace, which is why so many had grown partial to the humans.

[00:11:13]Individual freedoms had been at an all-time high. Young people weren't conscripted into this unending war the way I was, and we were making scientific progress alongside the Alliance aliens that had washed their paws of us.

[00:11:25]It was then that I understood why Jack offered kept the prince around and let him believe that he was calling the shots.

[00:11:31]Laremac was unpopular, so the human would love a human riding in and saving the day.

[00:11:37]"I see," I murmured. "You raid Joralan, Laremac takes the blame."

[00:11:44]Jack offered beamed. The scruff in his beard stretching with the curvature of his plump lips.

[00:11:50]"All right, end the show, throw a few spaceships around, then feed this ass clown to the people.

[00:11:55]I'll remind them how much better life was under humanity, and they'll welcome me.

[00:11:59]I promise to get the brigands under control and keep them safe from anyone else.

[00:12:03]They will welcome me, revere me.

[00:12:07]Because of course, one human couldn't take a planet alone," Dawson spat, loathing in his voice. "They have to put you in charge willingly."

[00:12:15]"I'm not so sure about this," I hesitated, before deciding it might deter him from taking advantage of my people.

[00:12:22]What happens if the Illusions find out a human is in charge of Joralan?"

[00:12:27]The brigand scoffed. "I'll figure out one thing about them, Grace. They don't care what goes on in Keelam. They have removed all the ESU soldiers from Joralan. They're not watching it anymore. They don't give a [ __ ] about the Vaskar or anyone else in. So, what's to say it's any different now?"

[00:12:43]"They sound a lot like you," Jetty squawked. "This is what powerful people always do. You make others jump to your wishes. It's why I spent so much time fearing humanity. You are a monster."

[00:12:54]"I'm just giving the people of Joralan what they want. If they didn't desire me deep down, well then, this wouldn't work.

[00:13:00]I am a genuine improvement over Laremac, and they'll have good lives.

[00:13:04]No fear of execution, just a ruler they adore who came from an exiled species when they needed him most. The last human. I'll be special, truly a god among men."

[00:13:15]I shot a look at Dawson, not wanting him to draw Jack's wrath.

[00:13:19]"We'll never be gods the way the Illusions are, not if we don't figure this technology out. I guess at the end of the day that's what matters. I just want my people to live peaceful lives, no more fear of outside entities.

[00:13:31]Tell me you will protect them."

[00:13:34]"I'll be invested in ensuring their safety and contentment. I won't mess up a good thing.

[00:13:39]We can find a way to do business, so long as you can get what you want. I'll let you barter for some kind of freedom, a respected position in society, a teacher. You wanted to be a teacher, didn't you?"

[00:13:51]I sucked in a sharp breath. "Of course I did, but life took me on a different path. The work I'm doing now is important and fulfilling."

[00:13:59]"I'm just saying, there are rewards at the end of the tunnel. I'll be able to satisfy any dream you might have.

[00:14:05]This will be a good thing.

[00:14:07]Someone has to fill the power vacuum the ESU left, so it might as well be a human. It might as well be me."

[00:14:15]Jack offered turned tail and departed from the prison block, his eyes glued to his tablet.

[00:14:20]Joralan's footage was enthralling the human with the promise that his plan was almost complete.

[00:14:25]I flopped down in a day's silence, sitting beside scribbled equations on the wall.

[00:14:31]I couldn't think of a way out of this mess, other than gaining his trust enough to get access to our limited supply of negative energy.

[00:14:37]After all, figuring out that it came from white holes wasn't going to help me harvest it.

[00:14:44]There was no solution, no mirroring the Illusions.

[00:14:47]As delightful as it was to understand the concepts, it was a dead end for all practical applications of them.

[00:14:54]Defeated and regretting that I ever stepped into a leadership role for our ragtag group, I considered giving up on researching the portals.