neters

- before the first time -

- TO PRAISE A MILLION TIMES -

First and foremost I must give praise to the creator of all things; the great consciousness that goes by as many names as there are things in existence.

- DEDICATED TO - I give this book to the world by way of any and all people who have inspired, helped, and taught me in one way or another.

neters

- before the first time -

a novella by

Edward Uzzle

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher. Daathrekh Publishing P.O. Box 292685 Sacramento, CA 95829 Copyright © 2000 by Edward Uzzle For more Cifer-Ra - visit: www.daathrekh.com For more things NETERS – visit: www.neters.tv ISBN: 0-9664568-0-7 Cover design by Edward C Uzzle NETERS – before the first time – Based on the cifer-RA (High-Science-Entertainment), comic event originally published online under the title, The Infra-Project. All rights reserved, which includes the right to produce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Daathrekh Publishing and/or the author. Printed in the U.S.A.

Intro…

The sounds of life mirrored the stirrings of people, as the pale yellow rays of Aten (the sun) pierced the shadow of dawn. It was the beginnings of just another day. None suspected the awesomeness of things to come. Well, almost none. On the bottom of the world, in a shimmering lake teaming with activity, a brilliant scientist; a Monitor Of Life, or MOL, stood transfixed on the strange creatures that darted in and out of view.

For a moment, for just a second, she recognized the things that swam so rapidly about her as frogs. But upon closer inspection, they were very different from the amphibians she has known since childhood. They moved in unison, propelling themselves beneath the liquid surface like flesh-covered torpedoes.

“Look at them. They’re so fast, and aggressive too.” Her name is Mari’t. She is the best at what she does. Ever since

she was just a girl, she always knew she would be a MOL. Her father often complained as she brought home hordes of captive animals she would catch on the way home from school.

“Here, Mari’t. Use the silk, it’s big enough,” Hector demanded. “Be careful, you’re gonna fall in!” Hector is her assistant. He and Mari’t have worked together for over three cycles (years).

The two of them danced around the small boat; throwing the silk in the water in what for the most part, is a failed attempt at capturing the elusive creatures.

“We’ve got one! Look, it’s a big one too.” Mari’t snatched a plastic container from it’s housing bay, filled it with the brackish water, then helped Hector scoop the struggling critter into it’s new home.

“You look like you’re scared of it, Hector. It wont bite, at least I don’t think it will,” Mari’t said smiling. She is considered a beautiful

woman by most standards; petite but curvy figure, long woolly hair pulled back in a bushy ponytail, rich brown skin. Too cute to be doing what she does.

Changing the subject, Hector starts in with, “So what are you gonna call it?”

“I don’t know yet. It’s obviously … wait. Scratch that. It’s frog-like. The hind legs haven’t change much. They have three of them though. No front limbs-”

“Yeah, and what about that eye. It’s huge and all ugly and stuff.” Hector held the transparent container over his head, rolling the bloated frog-thing back and forth. “These things are all over the place. I'd say total species replacement.”

“Okay, but how? I mean are they the descendants of common buffalo-frogs, or are they something entirely new? I mean it’s hard to tell, Hector. This has been going on all over Nahsu (the world). I’m beginning not to recognize my on planet.”

“Yeah, but what’s even scarier, is that it’s not just lower life forms. I’ll bet everything up the food chain has been affected.” Hector is a pragmatic man. An olive colored skin, beak nose, and lose curls broadcast his Fertile Crescent origins.

“Huh. This gives new meaning to the old punctuated equilibrium thing,” Mari’t added half jokingly. “If our indicator species are showing mutations that are off the charts, then there’s no pretending here. This is big.”

Hector placed the container next to a rack of other boxes, cages, and jars filled with fantastic creatures. Eyeing the collection of writhing things, he announced, “It’s like the world is sick or something.”

Chapter 1 A purple skyline shimmered under a humid and cloudless

afternoon. The birds, or at least what used to be birds, had long since stop migrating. Choosing instead to nest along the crusty walls of the maze of towers of the abandoned southern-city. Industrial muck painted the tallest buildings, and the water was still undrinkable, yet these creatures regarded this man-made realm as home. Areo-cars darted hurriedly passed the leathery winged behemoths. Hue’man dominion was being challenged everywhere.

Mari’ts patience was wearing thin. She warned the pilot not to take the short cut; through the cluster of imposing towers that once served as the main communications district of Aru’mala.

“We’ll be there in a few, ma’am.” “That’s what you said fifteen minutes ago, pilot. I told you ...

these things don't scare. They stopped being afraid of us a long time ago.”

Huge glowing eyes spied the sleek metal craft as it knifed past them. Purple veins bulged from gray-black wings, as rows of daggers filled orange scaly beaks. The noise was terrible.

Trying to make small talk, “It’s hard to believe these things are real,” the pilot remarked. He was visibly nervous. Petro was from down north. His homeland, a place of mist and fog. He migrated from across the Great Bay in search of work. His pale skin, colbot eyes, and light colored hair, made him an oddity in Mari’ts sun-dipped world.

“Oh they’re real,” Mari’t snapped. “Rokks are a dangerous species. They’re smart, fast, and tough. And they eat flesh too.”

Over the years, Mari’t had managed to catalog most of the neo-breeds. Her datum was highly regarded by most in the scientific

community. There were always holdouts though. She simply dismissed them as stale minded and dull witted.

“So you headed up to that big conference … the one with that guy who can make it rain, um Dr. Kek?”

“That’s right. Mister know-it-all,” Mari’t mused. “He’s brilliant. I’ll give him that. I just hate everything he stands for.”

The small aero-car floated then banked as it closed in on the Great Hall of Edfu. All MOLS regard this place as holy ground. It’s a city built into the cliffs that overhang the western ocean. Walls of marble, and windows of transparent steel, house the greatest scientific minds in all of Aru’mala. Mari’t can’t stand it here.

“Go around that way, pilot,” Mari’t said pointing. “What way? You want I should slam into the cliffs-” “Trust me. I know my way around this place. Better than most in

fact.” The pilot remained silent. The woman who sat impatient and

grim faced, was all business. Red-yellow rocks gave way to three large hangers. Huge aero-craft of all make and design were slipping in and out of the neatly cut landing bays.

“Incredible. I never knew these were here.” “Most people don’t. Especially outsiders.” “Hey, now wait a minute. I got my papers two cycles (years) ago,”

the pilot quipped. “Okay, okay. Sorry about that. Petro … right?” “Yeah. And I’m a citizen of Aru’mala.” Mari’t didn’t have time to respond. A Pod of Retu-Guardsmen

had pulled along side she and Petro. They flew in their Sankofa areo-cars; sleek, silent, and deadly.

“Take the southern entrance, pilot,” a voiced hammered across the audio stream.

“Man … these guys don’t play around.” “Just follow their directions. Don’t make any sudden moves, and

you’ll make it in and out in one piece.” Mari’t was no stranger to the customs of The Retu-Guardsmen. They are the oldest police force on the continent, and with the coming of the neo-breeds; called Ids by the MOL community, they showed little patience for the weak of

heart. It took less than 30 nilos (seconds) for Mari’t to unpack her

belongings. She didn’t bother to look back. The anguished look on Petro’s face was enough. She almost felt sorry for him. The dark and chiseled features of the Retu-Guardsmen had him fumbling all over the place. This was no place for outsiders … that is to say, people from other lands.

The Temple of Edfu was at the heart of the burgeoning city of Ra’den. It sat 1000 het-meters north of the western gulf of Aru’mala. It was a rare sight to see anything but black, brown, and red faces this deep; and west, into the great continent. The blue-black giants from Northeast, and the miniature, copper colored people of the interior regions, greeted one another like family. Thin faced, narrow nosed, red-brown northerners smiled in anticipation, while from deep south, those of a muddy-yellow hue, gracile of stature, and eyes cast like almonds, came to join in the awesome discussions that were to take place. And then there were the people of Ra’den. The mighty ones who forged the kingdoms in the western sahel. Powerfully built and rugged, they wore their hair in kinky fros that looked like black suns atop their broad ebony faces.

The alabaster walls of Edfu reflected the red-yellow rock of the cliffs. Huge rectangular windows poured columns of sun unto the marble walkways that led to the great auditoriums. MOLs and Retu-Guardsmen shuffled passed one another in silence.

“Mari’t Alamani,” a calm voice blew from across the aisles. “Oh, and hello, Askari Unpa,” Mari’t returned - a smile slid

across her face. Askari Unpa was an up-and-comer in the MOL community. He

was one of those men who garnered respect mixed with pangs of envy. His family was of northeast extraction. The valley. Deep red skin, narrow features, and slanted eyes dominated his handsome face. He was a soldier, tall, athletic, and disciplined. Some say he could have written his own ticket; select any position he wanted within the ranks of the Retu-Guardsmen. Instead he elected to work directly with Kek Sol’m. It was this decision that put the final spike in the coffin of he and Mari’ts relationship.

“I’m surprised you’re here. What with how you can’t stand to be in the same space with Master Kek,” Askari said.

“Master Kek. Now that’s funny. You people worship him like he’s some kind of neter or something.”

A broad smile formed across Askari’s red-brown face. “No, we don’t. But most are appreciative for all he has done.”

“And what exactly has he done, Askari? I mean really. What does he do in those Asili (genetic) labs? He still has to answer to the proper authorities you know.”

“What has he done … are you for real? I mean what has he not done for our people?”

“Yes. I am for real. He’s not what you think he is, Askari. That man; if that’s what you want to call him, has an agenda. I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

“Oh stop, Mari’t. You need to learn to trust people.” “You mean trust him,” Mari’t snapped back. “I’ll never put my

trust in him-” “Hey, people.” Hector came swaggering up. He didn’t care too

much for Askari Unpa. And he took great pleasure in sitting with Mari’t in her customary arguments with the imposing scientist.

“Just forget it, Askari. I’m in no mood to fight with you today. The sooner I’m out of here, the better. Come on, Hector.” Mari’t grabbed Hector by the hand, almost dragging him towards the entrance of the auditorium. Askari said nothing. He simply watched Mari’t stomp away; admiring the view of her Aru’malan heritage.

The best minds of Aru’mala sat in neatly packed rows inside the Great Hall. Minds that had studied the smallest of particles, to the largest of celestial super-constructs, sat entranced at the diminutive man who stood on the raised tier. Master Kek Sol’m. Inventor of most of the technologies that pampered and spoiled the Aru’malan population. He was head of the MOL community, and the inventor of SCF … Solar-Cellular-Fusion. Mari’t couldn’t stand him.

“Look at him, Hector,” Mari’t whispered. “He is so full of himself. I’m surprised he was able to get that big head of his through the door.”

“Come on, Mari’t. I mean he did basically create an entire

discipline by himself.” “Oh wow … not you too,” Mari’t snapped back. “I wouldn’t call

what he’s doing a discipline. I think it goes against Ma’at to be doing what he does.”

“Solar-Cellular-Fusion is probably one of the greatest breakthroughs in hue’man history. I mean to be able to generate matter, energy, and even new life-forms is nothing to bock at, Mari’t.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he has something to do with what’s been happening in the world.”

“Now wait a minute, Mari’t. You’re not saying-” “Wait, Hector. Here he comes. I hope he trips and falls on his

face.” Kek Sol’m walked purposefully to the center of the main tier: it

sat raised and bathed in light. He motioned for the cheers to stop and dramatically looked skyward as if in pain.

“Oh my god, this guy is -” “Mari’t, come on. I want to hear what he’s going to say.” “We have looked at the changes that continue to spread across

Nahsu. None of our disciplines have prepared us for what is happening. Using great Husia (insight), we have merged our minds to solve this riddle. And solve it we shall.”

The crowd cheered. Hector couldn’t help but laugh at how mean Mari’t was being. She sat like a spoiled child. Arms folded, she remained motionless as the rest of the MOL community clapped as if they were in a concert.

“Okay, so far he hasn’t said anything profound. Look at these people, they act as if he’s actually doing something other than talking.”

“Mari’t you need help,” Hector said laughing. “Many of you are too young to remember that there was a time

when hue’mans were the rulers of Nahsu. There was a time when monsters did not emerge from the depths of hell, challenging us for dominion. There was a time when we as a species, did not have to abandon what we created; whole cities, in hopes of avoiding contact and conflict with life-forms unlike any that had been seen before.”

Kek moved slowly across the stage. His frail body nearly swallowed up by the vastness of the auditorium.

“And so what are you going to do about it?” Mari’t asked in stark defiance.

Askari Unpa sat motionless in the front row of MOLS. He didn’t even bother to turn around.

“We will do what we always do, dear Mari’t. We will survive.” Kek Sol’m was a master opportunist. He took every challenge, every assault, and made it work in his favor. The crowd cheered at his almost immediate comeback.

Hector slunk down in his seat, “Would you please stop it. That’s why the community handles you with kid gloves, Mari’t.”

“Oh, so you had to go there. Okay,” Mari’t said standing. “No wait, Mari’t. I didn’t mean it like that.” Mari’t stormed past the cheering crowd. With each passing step,

she felt more and more insignificant in their presence. These were once her colleagues she thought. Now they looked and acted like strangers. Upon reaching the Grand entrance, she flashed her pic-card, then hurried outside to a burst of sunshine and crisp air. Taking in deep breaths, her mind began to clear, and her anger faded.

“I’m sure Kek has something to do with why the world is out of sink with itself,” she said to herself. “Or he at least knows what’s going on,” she continued, not caring as the occasional passersby gave her a puzzled look.

Mari’t worked her way passed the busy Aero-port ramp attendants, and darted towards a row of waiting lifts that sat crane-like in a neat row at the edge of the rock hewn curb. She decided to leave most of her belongings behind; after all, she did work here. Lost in thought, she boarded the first aero-lift, causing it to bounce and wobble. Overhead, a huge cloud-tiger floated by. Great stripped jelly-like tendrils waved majestically back and forth, as the monster gracefully road the airwaves. It’s tremendous bulk; over 100 tons, poured an enormous shadow onto the hanger bays below.

Chapter 2 “It was a shame to see you leave like that, Mari’t. I was hoping

that one day we would be able to work together. I’m very much interested in your findings.”

“I’m sure you are,” Mari’t returned. The visi-phone held Dr. Kek’s image in a pale yellow light. His

large eyes beamed from the flat screen, “Yes. I am indeed. You are a brilliant MOL. It’s almost funny-

“What is?” Mari’t asked, her natural curiosity getting the better of her.

“I am one of the few people on the planet that can actually understand your work … appreciate your research, and you guard it from me as if-

“As if I believe you have something to do with what is going on,” Mari’t finished. “I’ll never share what I’ve found with you.” Mari’t leaned back in her chair. A look of total satisfaction on her face.

Master Kek Sol’m was not amused. He sat motionless, a slight frown forming … “Then perhaps you are not as intelligent as I hoped. Seems you have an almost irrational problem with me, Mari’t.”

Mari’t didn’t respond. “Perhaps I should visit you at your het (house). I’m sure we can

come to an agreement of sorts,” Kek continued. “You will do nothing of the kind,” Mari’t snapped back. “I will

contact the MOL counsel … advise them of this conversation-” “I control the MOL counsel,” Dr. Kek bellowed, slamming his fist

on his desk. The charade was over. An almost unnatural scowl flashed across his face.

“Amazing. So this is how Master Kek Sol’m reacts when he does not get his way,” Mari’t returned. “You control the MOL counsel. You control the SCF division … but you don’t control me.”

“Then perhaps that is the problem-” The diminutive scientist stopped in mid-sentence, his attentions

directed elsewhere. Mari’t retracted the lens on her visi-phone. A larger view of Dr. Kek’s office shimmered into focus. Askari Unpa was in the office with him. Though she couldn’t hear what they were saying; Dr. Kek cut the sound, she watched; amused at how animated the younger man was. As Askari left the cramped space, a grim faced Kek stared incredulously into the visi-phone.

“It seems that I am needed elsewhere, Mari’t. Our conversation is merely suspended, we are not done by a long shot.”

“As far as I’m concerned … we are,” Mari’t shot back. “Very well then,” Kek returned. “Closing transmission.” Mari’t sat clutching her files. They were stored on a series of

draks that sat neatly within their flexible containers. Her mind was racing.

“This is a lifetime’s work. There is no way I’ll ever submit my findings to that monster,” Mari’t whispered. She stood and poured a catch of water into the large circular pod of plants that grew around her window.

“My files aren’t safe here,” she said to the bushel of green and purple flowers that decorated her living quarters. These days her plants were all she had. “What would he do with the information that I have gathered over the cycles (years)? How would he use the fact that our world makes a different sound? What would he do about the noise,” Mari’t asked herself rhetorically. “How would someone like him deal with the strange hum that permeates nearly every system experiencing Total Species Replacement?” Mari’t whispered to the leaves.

***

Mari’t walked past the large gathering of folks held up next to

one of the sanitation centers in the heart of Ra’den. The workers were on strike. It had been six months since the government announced that it was transferring the Sanitation Division of Labor over to the Retu Guardsmen Civil Department.

“What do the police know about sanitation?” a tall dark skinned man asked. He held the rectangular barker close to his mouth and continued, “Why do you think the authorities … people who are charged with our protection, want to get their hands on your garbage…”

Mari’t couldn’t help but stare. Several hundred people where gathered around the truncated structure that once housed over 500 workers; flags and signs waiving feverishly. They clung to every word the ruggedly handsome agitator said. He looked to be of western Aru’malan stock. He had the same broad features, strong cheekbones, and the same trademark kinky mat of hair crowning his chiseled dusky face.

“Don’t be blind brothers and sisters. This is about a crippled government spying on it’s own people. This is about someone at the top … or in the center, wanting to know all of your business,” the agitator; the only name Mari’t could think of, said to the mass of people who stood up and along the stairs of the Sanitation facility.

Mari’t had to tear herself away from the scene. She continued her walk, pushing past the swelling crowds. She loved the city in the early evening. She mostly enjoyed the smells that soaked the market. Foods from all over the Aru’malan continent where on display. Mostly vegetarian dishes. Most Aru’malans didn’t eat land flesh. But over the past few cycles, Mari’t began to notice a change in the markets. More and more animal flesh was being hocked. Some of the merchants; usually those from down North, or from across the Gulf, sold meat.

“And what is this?” Mari’t asked, noticing the wind worn face of the shopkeeper.

“It is a delicate meat. Reserved for a seasoned pallet,” the middle-aged man returned. His body was mostly covered from head to toe. He wore a blue turban, and what looked to Mari’t, like yards of silk wrapped about his body.

“I’ll bet. What kind of meat it is?” A sly grin complimented olive brown skin, “It’s from a wondrous

animal. Its fur was of a golden color. I believe it was female. I’m not sure-”

“You mean it’s Neo-Breed flesh then,” Mari’t shot back, not really caring one way or the other.

“Dear girl, most things sold here are Neo-Breed flesh these days.” He had a point. Neo-Breeds; a term MOLs used to classify the

various ids (mutations), were pouring into nearly every known environment. These days, they were just about as abundant as the native species. In some cases, they were replacing indigenous life forms out right.

“Okay … so does that mean this is fit to eat? I know something of your land and people. Are you allowed to sell this kind of meat in your country?”

The merchant stroked his sandy beard. Mari’t couldn’t help but think of Hector. Hector could always get the truth out of his fellow Fertile Crescent brethren.

“I’ll give you a good price. Come on now, have a taste.” The heavily draped man snapped his fingers, and a young woman came running from behind a stand of canned food items. She quickly grabbed a knife, and began cutting thin pieces of the greenish meat from what looked like the back of a three legged miniature horse.

Mari’t was astonished. The creature that lay dead and partially butchered was unlike anything she had seen or cataloged.

“I know you ain’t going to eat that,” a low almost melodic voice interrupted.

Mari’t turned with a start. She couldn’t help but smile. There he stood. The agitator.

“And what business is it of yours if I do?” “I’m just trying to watch out for you … wouldn’t want you to get

sick,” a perfect grin pierced a smooth dark face. He was thinner than Mari’t had pictured, but he had the most penetrating eyes she had ever seen on a man.

“No … I wasn’t going to touch it. It’s just that I have never seen anything like it before. I mean look at it … three legs, and … oh, I’m sorry. I get carried away sometimes.”

“No that’s okay … I’m Artis. Artis Mu,” he responded, extending his hand.

Mari’t was almost shy in his presence. He stood a foot taller than

her. And he looked so serious, even when he smiled. “Mari’t Anlamani.” “That’s a beautiful name. Listen,” he started in, “I know a place

where they serve the best of our food-” “What do you mean, our food?” Mari’t asked, intrigued at the

same time. “Aru’malan food,” Artis returned, a puzzled look on his face. “Oh, I guess…” “Come with me … it would be an honor to spend time with you.” “Wow … now how can I refuse that kind of invitation,” Mari’t

said smiling.

*** Mari’t was captivated by this man. He was intelligent, could carry

on a conversation about any subject, and she could feel the passion in his voice when they spoke of Aru’mala, or Nahsu. He ate fast, laughed hard, and seemed to know most of the Street Tribes that menaced the stuffy northerners.

Artis couldn’t take his eyes off of the woman who sat before him. She was beautiful on so many levels. She had charm, knowledge, and she knew how to be strong without being harsh. She was a powerful woman if ever he saw one.

“So you are a MOL?” Artis asked. “Yes I am. Been one for almost 10 cycles (years).” “Okay … I’m going to ask you something. Don’t get upset …

okay?” Mari’t was intrigued, “What, I mean ask me anything.” “Why are you helping that little big head freak destroy Nahsu?” Mari’t was in shock. She couldn’t believe what Artis had just

asked her. She could only sit - for what seemed like an eternity… “Okay, I apologize. Maybe I shouldn’t have come off like that.

Lets talk about something else.” “No! I mean it’s okay. You’re just the first person I’ve talked to,

who don’t worship Kek Sol’m. Do you know how long I’ve had to bite my tongue when ever his ren (name) is mentioned,” Mari’t was

beginning to feel very relaxed with Artis. “Oh … good. I was beginning to think I’d hurt your feeling or

something.” Mari’t let out a big laugh. The more she laughed, the funnier

Artis looked at her. The funnier and longer Artis looked at her, the harder she laughed.

“Heh … I wasn’t trying to be funny or anything, but still, I’m glad I can make you laugh,” Artis added, starting to chuckle himself.

“No … it’s just, it’s just that most people get on me about ridding that man. I can’t stand him. And when you thought you hurt my feelings,” Mari’t started laughing again. Artis joined her.

“Okay, okay. Then what’s the deal with Dr. Sol’m. I’ve been studying this guy for the longest. Sure … he got his Sebek-on (left brain), but he’s up to no good. I haven’t figured it out yet, but he’s bad news,” Artis added, the seriousness still in his face; though soften up by he and Mari’t’s laughter.

Mari’t couldn’t help but gaze into Artis’ eyes. She could have kissed him right then and there. I can’t believe this, who is this man? I feel as though I’ve known him all my life.

The two of them carried on for hours. They talked about the seemly unnatural changes developing all over the planet. They debated on whether or not the political system was corrupt. They challenged one another on their beliefs. Mari’t nearly laughed out of her seat when Artis told her he was a Peace-keeper (police). He was currently on leave; under investigation for helping the Street-tribes destroy an artificial damn constructed by one of the many encroaching companies out of the Fertile Crescent.

Dusk was fast approaching as the gold-blue rays of Aten (sun) conceded to smooth black. The night-lights at the market flickered then beamed.

“Oh … it’s getting late. And as much as I hate to say it, I do have to report in tomorrow,” Mari’t said.

“Then we will have to finish this conversation at a another time. And soon I hope.” Artis was direct and confident. He stood first then helped Mari’t with her chair. He then scribbled his name and code on a plasti-sheet, and handed it to a smiling Mari’t. He couldn’t help

but admire her beauty. She looked to be a blend of western and southern heritage. Her huge curly afro had a tint of brown, her golden-red complexion glowed under the manmade ambers. And then there was that sexy gap between her big pretty teeth.

“Oh we will definitely finish our talk, Mr. Artis Mu.” *** By the time Mari’t made it home, she was too excited to bed-

down. Too happy to care about the fact that both of the main windows that dominated her living quarters were slightly ajar. She felt light, almost dizzy. She couldn’t help but think of Artis. She imagined the two of them in various situations, and in different places. She thought about how he felt it necessary to walk her to the lifts outside the market. She even noted how he had no fear of the ever-growing Street-tribes; roving gangs of militants and political dissidents who roamed the Capital city.

Cup of black tea in hand, Mari’t sat on her fluff and patched into her visi-phone. Images of herds of Suaraderms; huge egg laying mammals, nearly ten stories tall and resembling a cross between an elephant and a dolphin, were being forced deeper into the bush by the Retu-Guardsmen. She flipped the frequency again. More neo-breeds. In the Southern regions, the Guardsmen were at war with the Boers; giant insect-like critters, hell bend on capturing as much territory as possible.

“Back to reality,” Mari’t whispered to herself.

Chapter 3 The Great Hall of Edfuopolis was bursting at the seams.

Everybody was there. The entire MOL community, the Supreme Captain of the Retu-Guardsmen, even the King and Queen were in attendance. The Wind-channelers (media), had their visi-streamers all over the place. You couldn’t sneeze without it being filmed and recorded.

Mar’it sat with the other senior members of the MOL community. She wore the traditional white unif that was required on days like this. A murmur of excitement echoed across the immense chamber. All were in anticipation of Master Kek Sol’m. Early last evening, an urgent datum flashed across all visi-streams. It was a halo of Master Kek Sol’m, a row of his favorite MOLs, and a stern faced Askari Unpa. They sat in front of several large monitor streams; images of double helixes danced about the shimmering screens. To Mari’t astonishment, the rolling caption read – Master Kek Sol’m discovers a planetary audio-infection.

Mari’t was barely able to contain herself. For whatever reason, she was anxious. Nervous small talk with MOLs she didn’t respect would have to suffice until the so-called big announcement, she thought.

Hector was sitting in the middle-right of the auditorium. He didn’t want to take any chances by sitting with Mari’t. There were just too many MOLs present; being from the Fertile Crescent, Hector was still considered and outsider, and he felt he still had a lot to prove. Mari’t’s outbursts were legendary, and upset a lot of folk. Askari Unpa was busy casting the visi-screens. It took him next to no time to balance the giant monitors; their huge silvery windows buzzing, as he programmed them to face the anticipating crowd.

Master Kek Sol’m walked from the lab-chambers in the rear of

the auditorium; all auditoriums had labs, to the middle of the central conference stage. Immense sheets of super-thin plastic shimmered, then popped to life. A billion stars shown across each screen, with a vivid image of Nahsu (the world), displayed in the middle.

“Our planet is under siege. Not by men or women, but by a disharmony of vibrations,” Master Kek announced.

Mari’t sat straight in her chair; her mouth agape. Master Kek continued, “The reality domain we live in, is

governed by waves. These waves or oscillations manifest all that we see. Our world has switched frequencies-”

“Now wait a minute,” Mari’t said under her breath. “I can’t believe this … this is a dream.” How does he know?

The diminutive Kek Sol’m pointed the small remote he was holding at the central monitor. Simultaneously, all panels streamed the same image. First nahsu (the world), then the frames shifted focus - zeroing in on the gulf of Aru’mala. The great Uru desert sat below and north, the forest-cities were situated to the east or left of the shimmering visage; further left of the interior kingdoms; and barely visible, were the temple-cities of the river valley. Ra’den sat blinking – sitting just west of the southward sweep of the L-shaped gulf region.

The community of MOLs sat transfixed.