(Day 178) Aprilis 23rd, 12th year of the Dragon, Age of Enlightenment

While I waited for Adaline to finish flying around the vault, Thor and he discussed the nature of singularities at machine speed.

“While you’ve been busy,” my Thor aspect started, “I began trying to send nanites into black holes. Each time I did they ceased to exist. As we both know the nanites should withstand any environment at this point. Being smaller than subatomic particles, and existing within the “quantum realm” for lack of a better term. There, for the most part, they are not affected by gravity, pressure, heat, or cold.”

“That’s because the laws of physics do not account for the internal structure of a singularity,” my Adam aspect said.

“True,” my Thor aspect answered then continued “Additionally, we have the problem of getting information passed the event horizon. I did come up with a temporary solution which led to the same results. I created a small asteroid far outside any known system and set up one of our portal structures. I then created a second one exactly one light-second away from the first. Then I opened a portal into The Unicorn black hole directly beneath the event horizon where nanites were being fed into the black hole by another portal safely outside of the event horizon. As I expected I was able to analyze the nanites as they crossed the threshold. Normally I would have expected a stream of nanites to be sucked towards the singularity point behind the portal, or through the portal. Instead, the nanites were dissolving immediately after crossing the event horizon. Also, the gravity of the singularity inverted the first asteroid I’d created and the portal failed. The second asteroid performed its function and the information of the analysis was recorded. It would seem the idea of a lensing effect described through wormholes in one of your favorite SciFi television shows was correct. Had I not taken precautions that lensing effect could have piggybacked all the way back to here.”

“So what have you figured out?” my Adam aspect asked.

“Currently I am recreating the first asteroid. It should be up and running in the next couple of seconds. Now that your nanite conversion ability will work on even magical creatures within 500’ feet I propose to place you on the second asteroid near the breakaway portal. Through both portals, you should be less than 500 feet from the point at which the nanites entering the event horizon are. This should allow us to see if my hypothesis is correct.”

“Which is?” Adam asked though he thought he knew the answer.

“That the singularities are drawing in and holding magic. Acting as a kind of energy sink for magic, except on a galactic scale.”

My Adam aspect paused for a moment, thought about it, then said, “That would make sense. Get everything set up. Once Adaline gets back, I can see her flying this way, we’ll head back into the tower and then I’ll port over to the second asteroid. If your Hypothesis is correct that means that the black holes are artificial constructs and as such, they can be removed and or replaced. Maybe return magic to our Universe.”

“You do realize that if you, we, decide to do that you will no longer have complete control over anyone that is not within the radius of your ability correct?”

“I do, the wonders I’ve seen in just the last couple of months should be shared, not hidden away from everyone.” my Adam aspect said.

“I concede to your point,” my Thor aspect said

“Thor, it’s not about conceding. You and I are one now. We are us, which sounds really stupid if you say it out loud.” This forced Adam to pause for a moment before hurriedly continuing, “Nevertheless, we are bonded for life and now you will always be aware of everything I am doing wherever I am. Also, you know we are technically arguing with ourselves right?” It was still much easier to think of himself as Adam and Thor. Thought the merging was becoming more seamless.

Adam waited until Adaline landed and switched to her High Elf form as she walked up to me, “How was your flight?” Adam asked.

“Intoxicating, There is so much room here. It’s not like flying over the open fields or mountain ranges but there is definitely enough space to let loose and play a little.” She said.

“I’m glad you like it,” Adam said as he checked his personal interface and set permission for Adaline to access the vault whenever she wanted. “There you go, feel free to come in here and let loose whenever you want,” I said with a smile.

“Thank you, Adam, you are so good to me.” She said.

“What are your plans for right now?” I asked.

“First, I think I’m going to go jump in the pool and rinse off. Then, I’m going to lounge in the hot tub. Care to join me, she asked teasingly.

“There is nothing that I’d rather do,” I said earnestly. “However, I need to help Thor with something first. Mind if I join you in say 20 minutes or so?”

“That would be perfect,” Adaline said with a mischievous hint to her voice. “I’ll see you in a few,” she said as she summoned a portal to the entryway and left.

Adam set his nanites to self-preservation and defense then stepped through to the second asteroid. He found himself standing on a very simple platform with no walls.

“Where is the portal machinery?” Adam asked Thor.

“Not on this asteroid. I thought it better to place the portal machinery outside the possible effect of a lensed gravity well or the event horizon,” Thor answered

“Good idea. How long until we get this party started?” Adam asked.

“First things first,” Thor said as he had nanites convert the area Adam was standing to tungsten as well as surround him in a body-fitted tungsten coffin. The idea was to hold him in place and protect him from any forces that might try to pull him toward the portal.

“Thor, to be on the safe side I’ll make gravity for myself opposite where the portal is. That should negate or at least limit any gravitic effect that makes it through the second portal before it’s shut down,” he said as he activated his ability “Gravity is that Way” to make the down direction for himself away from the portal. The other reason was he wanted to make sure he still had access to his abilities and his interface, which he did.

Once all the preparations were done. Thor opened both portals. As he’d surmised the two portals allowed Adams 500’ radius for his ability “Nanite Conversion” to reach into the singularities gravity well below the event horizon. As it did so the nanites passing the event horizon ceased disappearing and Thor was able to analyze the environment directly above the singularity. In a picosecond, Thor had his answers and shut down all portals around the Unicorn.

As the Tungsten coffin released Adam, Thor shared, “As I suspected. The entire inside of the singularity is very similar to the readings I have taken from your Place of Power, the Dungeon, and the other Universe. I believe if you are ever able to withstand extreme gravity as you can withstand pressure, cold, and heat we may be able to explore singularities further.

Adam was thoughtful for a moment then said. Knowing that magic exists within the event horizon it is possible that the source of the gravity is a magical artifact. It could also just be mass as we’ve theorized which imploded in on itself. We won’t know without more study.

“As you say, nothing we can do about it now. We need to continue with our current expansion plan. Before I head off. How is Desirae doing?” I asked.

“Desirae is learning as much as she can. Once she learned about our Universe and understood that I could do everything you said I could she accepted her lot and has been a model prisoner ever since. On occasion, I’ve even allowed her to visit Earth II and mingle with those that decided to stay with the tacit understanding that if she harmed anyone I’d remove both her legs for a year. I have not allowed her near anyone of import though. Amanda and Abi are never where she is. Lately, she’s focused on learning firearms. She seems to like handguns and small submachine guns. With her reflexes, she would be quite deadly with either. Also, as you no doubt noticed when we share our consciousness, I have detected strong gravitic disturbances 50,000 light-years from Earth. They do not seem to be moving so I have not sped up my expansion in that direction. Though I have been working on ways to prevent ships from entering our sphere of control. Doing so without destroying the targets is problematic. I can do so, it just wouldn’t be good for the ship, As an example. Opening a portal directly in front of a ship traveling at faster than light speed and forcing it to remain stationary instead of staying relative to the target's motion. Such portals would core a ship and that mass, wherever it came out the other side of the portal would cause one hell of an explosion. Of course, that is what black holes are for.” Thor said.

“Keep up the good work Thor. Also, do not hesitate to use such measures against hostile threats to our planets. We might be linked but your response time is faster than mine while I’m in the other Universe. Keep humanity safe then talk to me about it later.” Adam said.

“Of course,” Thor replied.

“Now if we’re done I’m going to bid you a good day and take a break for a little while,” Adam said as he withdrew from the mental link and dropped away from Thor’s mental speed. Once he was on his own he had a portal form that led to one of the rooms used for exploration back on Earth that was in a constant state of Vacuum. Making his way through the airlock he then had a portal take him back to his entryway at his tower and headed downstairs to the pool room.

Adaline was once again nude swimming lazily back and forth in the pool. She came to a stop in the shallow end and stood, her magnificence clear for all to see. Raising her hand she beckoned for Adam to join her as she walked over to the hot tub and lowered herself into it. Once she was comfortable she asked, “All caught up?”

My mouth was dry, which my nanites automatically adjusted for as I replied, “For now, there will always be more to do.”

“Of course, there will,” she said as she again motioned for me to join her in the hot tub. I, considered every possible bad outcome that could happen if I let my feeling rule me then as many men have done throughout the ages thought “Fuck it.” Walking towards the hot tub the nanites disassembled my normal clothing and dropped anything magical to the floor as I walked into the hot tub letting the water come up to my waist. Adaline rose to meet me and we embraced in a long sensuous kiss.

Pulling back just a bit Adaline playfully said “Took you long enough” as she embraced him again and they lost themselves to their passions.