◇◆◇

- - -

【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 2: Return of the Crystal Guardians

- - -

◇◆◇

〚『~』〛

【VAF】Chapter║: 40 ─ Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Realm

〚『~』〛

◇◆◇

When the Crystalorb Fleet arrived in the Crystalorb System Naole and Aurora returned to the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket. The 18 Velrovian adults and 15 Velrovian youths along with Atola and Bruce joined Naole and Aurora aboard the Indigo Class Baby Ship that travelled to the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket. The rest of the crew of the AFS Nala D2586L remained in long term stasis on the Entig Republic's Nilrig colony.

The remaining Crystalorb Fleet immediately began work on the Crystalorb System; installing the primary infrastructure necessary to facilitate Crystalorb's return. The Crystalorb Fleet would install initial systems of Crystalorb's Defence infrastructure. Crystalorb-IDR; the 5500km diameter moon of the Gas Giant in the Crystalorb System became the primary focus of Crystalorb's activities. Crystalorb-IDR 〘or CIDR〙 stands for; Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Realm.

The fact that Crystalorb-IDR has 80% of the base minerals needed by Crystalorb made it crucial that work on the moon take precedence. The Crystalorb-IDR is solid, with a solid core, and has no molten rock; making the moon ideal for the transformation its surface into a 250m thick Black Crystal. Crystalorb had plans to consume the entire mass of Crystalorb-IDR over the next generations Crystalorb harvests Crystalorb-IDR to build StarShips.

◇◆◇

It had been 50 days since the Crystalorb Fleet arrived in the Crystalorb System for those in normal space, but 1145 days had passed for those in the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket. Naole had served his sentence of 30 days solitary confinement, and he was now preparing to ascend to his permanent position as a member of the Crystalorb Knowledge Council.

Knoras are highly regarded amongst Crystalans, and their influence rivals even that of the members of the Council of Elders. Because of the extraordinary authority granted to the Crystalorb Knowledge Council Crystalorb Law demanded that all candidates for the Knowledge Council be nominated by a Knora, and then elected by the Crystalorb General Council.

The process of selecting a Knora is similar to the process of appointing a Supreme Court justice amongst the 5 Human Federations. It took 1000 days for Naole to move through the confirmation process, and for the General Council to finally elect Naole to the Knowledge Council. During the confirmation hearings Naole's Knowledge was tested, but the focus of the committees of the General Council was on Naole's understanding of Crystalorb's values.

As expected Naole proved to be one of the most advanced minds in Crystalorb; a mind so advanced it could not be accurately measured, a mind intrinsically connected to the Spirit Stone. True to form Naole displayed a unique understanding of Crystalorb's values, leaving even his detractors convinced that there is no better candidate for the vacant seat on the Crystalorb Knowledge Council.

◇◆◇

After 15 days of service on the Crystalorb Knowledge Council Naole’s voice was now firmly part of the Crystalorb Knowledge Council. The 850 year old Master Hilan Invited Naole to join him as he gave his weekly report to the Crystalorb Council of Elders. Master Hilan is the eldest Knora; and as such is responsible for speaking for the Crystalorb Knowledge Council.

Lord Utel invites Master Hilan to speak.

Eld-Utel : " Let’s hear from the Knowledge Council!” He looks at Master Hilan “Guardian Hilan step forward and Speak!"

Hilan : " Honoured Elders; I’m pleased to report to you that the Knowledge Council and the Guardian Council have reached a compromise on the timeline for the return of Crystalorb to normal space."

Eld-Utel : " Good to hear that Crystalorb’s Guardians have reached consensus!"

Hilan : " The timeline has been settled at 22.9 years, that is; One year in normal space. The return of Crystalorb to normal space will require that we bring all Crystalans out of stasis.”

Eld-Utel : " All of them?"

Hilan : " All Crystalans my lord! We need them to help with all the work that must be carried out. We have more energy reserves now, and Crystalorb can support a larger Crystalan population!” He looks at Naole “Furthermore the Crystalans in stasis may have practical capabilities that current generations of Crystalans are entirely without."

Eld-Utel : " What sort of capabilities?"

Hilan : " Naole believes that the current generations of Crystalans are not equipped for the strategic requirements of normal space."

Eld-Utel : " How do you mean?"

Hilan : " Naole?"

Guardian Naole steps forward to speak.

Naole : " 12 months Standard Earth Time is not nearly enough time to prepare the current generations of Crystalans for the realities of war."

Eld-Utel : " What sort of realities are you talking about?"

Naole : " The Crystalans in stasis come from an era of constant conflict, and as such are all too aware of the painful realities of protracted war. The current generations of Crystalans have been in a relatively peaceful state for 3503 years. War is an abstract concept to the current generations of Crystalans, but the Crystalans in stasis know all too well about the true horrors of war; the brutal nature of war with an unrelenting enemy."

Eld-Utel : " We are not ignorant of our history, and the reality of what awaits us when we return to normal space!"

Naole : " During our brief campaign against the Circlean I had an opportunity to observe the current generations of Crystalans under battle conditions, and I must confess that the experience did not leave me brimming with confidence."

Eld-Utel : " Whatever do you mean?"

Naole : " Crystalans are well-versed in warfare! It is not something we would readily admit to, but it’s true. The current generations of Crystalans are more timid; lacking the aggression factor that was once so pervasive with previous generations of Crystalans. 3503 years of peace has tempered the once potentially destructive angry fires of the Crystalan psyche; the Crystalan rage."

Hilan : " While the current generations of Crystalans have become more sophisticated, it is the more primal qualities that will become necessary to survive."

Eld-Utel : " So you agree with Naole?"

Hilan : " We cannot afford to ignore the obvious my Lord! A violent enemy necessitates a violent response!"

Eld-Utel : " Aurora; as the ranking Guardian in Crystalorb it falls to you to speak for the Guardian Council! What do you think?"

Aurora : " On this matter I must respectfully disagree with my Father and my Husband. As a protector of Crystalorb I must guard against any actions that my destabilize Crystalorb. Indeed with residual amounts of Negative Psionic Energy still flowing through the Spirit Stone’s energy grid system there could be unforeseen problems."

Eld-Utel : " You think that the primal nature of some of those in stasis may result in problems?"

Aurora : " It is true that our antecedents were distinctly more aggressive than we are! We simply do not know how they will react to the presence of Negative Psionic Energy. As a Guardian of Crystalorb; it is my duty to advice extreme caution."

Hilan : " We appreciate Aurora’s concerns, but it is worth noting that they have already been exposed to the residual amounts of Negative Psionic Energy flowing through the Spirit Stone’s energy grid! In fact we have all been exposed to the residual amounts of Negative Psionic Energy. The Spirit Stone has carefully managed the energy integration process, and this has prevented obstructive consequences. There is therefore no reason to believe that the Spirit Stone will not be equal to the task once all Crystalans are out of stasis."

Eld-Utel : " Bear in mind learned Knora that the Spirit Stone is not perfect; it can make mistakes."

Hilan : " We are not unaware of this fact my Lord! However our confidence is based on the evidence at hand"

Eld-Utel : " Nevertheless we must proceed with care!” he take a moment to consult with the rest of the Council of Elders “It is therefore the decision of this Council that only 2% of the Crystalans in stasis be revived for every year we spend in this Inter-Dimensional Pocket; leaving the rest to be revived upon Crystalorb’s return to normal space.” he takes a moment “This is the decision of the Crystalorb Council of Elders!”

Hilan : “ On your Command!”

Naole : “ On your Command!”

In the end the Crystalorb Council of Elders had found the arguments brought forward by the Guardian Council more compelling.

◇◆◇

Following the briefing Naole, Aurora and Hilan get on the high speed transit system to return to the Guardian Residences. As the journey begins there is a tense moment between Aurora and Hilan over their differing positions. Hilan considers Aurora’s position apprehensive, not progressive, but Aurora and Hilan are often on opposite sides of issues, and the tensions between them usually subside in a few hours.

Aurora is visibly concerned that Naole might be disappointed with her for standing against him at the Council Chambers. As she tries to read Naole’s thoughts she is instantly repelled by the tremendous traffic of Naole’s thoughts

Aurora : “ Wow! That’s intense!”

Hilan : “ What’s wrong?”

Aurora : “ He’s shut me out!” she takes Naole’s hand “Let me in!”

Naole : “ Sorry dear!” his eyes focus in on Aurora “Reconfiguring!”

Hilan : “ How can you maintain your sanity with so much traffic in your mind?”

Naole : “ It’s not easy!”

Hilan : “ By the source! Such Power!” he too is repelled by the tremendous interchange of Naole’s mind “You really are more than Crystalan aren’t you?”

Aurora : “ There!” finally managing to telepathically enter Naole’s mind “For a while there I thought you were upset with me? However you don’t seem to be concerned about the declaration of the Council of Elders.”

Hilan : “ Why ever not? We lost!”

Naole : “ Why would I be upset with you? You were merely doing what you believed to be correct. Even if the position of the Guardian Council is entirely invalid!” his eyes shift from Aurora to Hilan “I’ve run simulations of scenarios, and I’ve concluded that the declaration of the Council of Elders is a victory for our position; because by agreeing to revive 2% of the Crystalans in stasis for every year we spend in this Inter-Dimensional Pocket they’ve put in place the potential to invalidate the limitation placed on the number that can be revived.”

Hilan : “ Of course! Once we revive the first 2% it will invalidate the arguments of the Guardian Council; thereby paving the way for full revival of all Crystalans in stasis.”

Naole : “ Exactly!”

Hilan : “ You knew that they would take this position didn’t you?”

Naole : “ I calculated this result! Envisioned this possibility!”

Hilan : “ How did you know that they would react the way they did?”

Naole : “ Even 3500 years later the Council of Elders is still essentially a political institution and politicians can be accurately predicted to behave in a particular way.”

Aurora : “ You underestimate the Council of Elders dear husband! They may surprise you!”

Naole : “ The Council of Elders will capitulate to public pressure!”

Hilan : “If there is no risk to Crystalorb, then prolonging the stasis of Crystalans becomes a form of imprisonment, and Crystalans will not tolerate injustice! Even if it’s only perceived injustice!”

Aurora : “ Sometimes the influence wielded by the Knowledge Council makes me uneasy!”

Hilan : “ The Guardian Council would prefer that they held the influence!”

Naole : “ I like the balance! In the past it was only the Crystalorb General Council, the Council of Elders and the Guardian Council; that’s two political institution and one security institution. The addition of the Knowledge Council has made things more equitable.”

Aurora and Hilan began to realise that Naole had a different perspective, and that Naole did not care to be part of any Crystalan turf conflicts. Naole’s sole interest was in getting the job done and making progress. Aurora and Hilan began to understand that Naole’s attention was firmly focused on Crystalorb’s true enemy; The Migon Federation.

◇◆◇

The Crystalorb Council of Elders were anxious about the prospect of being overrun by generations of Crystalans that were more than ten generations behind the active Crystalan generations. To address this particular problem the Crystalorb Council of Elders surreptitiously reinstituted the population expansion protocol that had been abandoned 3600 years earlier.

Bio-Organic Crystalline Bio-Nanomachines would force the embryos split twice resulting in four perfectly viable foetuses once implanted. Approximately 20% of the babies would be born with Gold Chest Crystals. The Council of Elders give the green light to start full implementation, and Crystalorb would implant 600000000 Crystalan women from the active Crystalan generations with their embryos with the distinct difference that the babies are born with Bio-Organic Crystalline Bio-Nanomachines.

The embryo is created by fertilizing the Crystalan woman's egg with the male's sperm, or in the case of single women and lesbians their chosen donor sperm, and then inject the resulting embryo with Bio-Organic Crystalline Bio-Nanomachines which cause each embryo to replicate into four identical embryos. The four Babies are genetic offspring of their parents, but they contain additional genetic material that comes from the Bio-Organic Crystalline Bio-Nanomachines.

Once the babies are born they’re kept in the Containment capsules for 18 years, and this will allow them to develop to adulthood without the need for active parents. While they are in development they are able to interact with other Crystalans through Crystalorb's virtual environment, and it's through this that the Spirit Stone can act as parent to them until they are old enough to learn the true nature of the Spirit Stone. Once they emerge they can seek out their true parents and relatives and join the family as adult members. This will allow the population of current Crystalan generations to expand more rapidly than would otherwise be possible.

The program was intended to run for ten years; producing 4.2 Billion Crystalan babies of current Crystalan generations. The program would expand the Crystalan population to 14.704 Billion Crystalans by the time Crystalorb returns to normal space. The Council of Elders knew that continuing the program for more than ten years would increase the numbers of ancient Crystalans, and because the females of the ancient Crystalans were significantly more fertile their numbers would rise exponentially.

◇◆◇