Peter Hamilton - The Temporal Void

Edeard kept ahead of them easily enough. He'd only headed up because there was nowhere else for him to go. A squad was guarding the cliff face with the cave mouth. He'd never be able to climb to it and escape. Salrana must have told Owain about the cave, about the travel tunnels… everything. So up he went. The terrain wasn't exactly tough, the trees were few and far between above the pavilion. Grass was ankle high. Small streams trickled down the steep slope. Eventually, even the trees were behind him. Now there was just grass and boulders. He could see the summit already.

And that's when I have to decide.

'I could imprison them, he told his small ethereal court of advisers. 'The city can create rooms without doors or windows. They would have food.

'I think death would be more merciful, his father said.

'Remember what happened to poor Argian when you did that to him, and that was only for a couple of days.

'He's right, Dinlay said. 'Locking them up is just for the benefit of your conscience. They have to be wiped out. We know how ruthless they are now. If you don't remove them altogether they will come back again and again. How many times do you want this to happen to the city?

'Once was too much, Edeard said. 'But to kill so many…

'The Lady will understand, Kristabel assured him.

'They half expect it, Dinlay said. 'That's why we are where we are. He gestured at the groups of men making their way up the slope. At best, the lead squad was twenty minutes behind.

'I'm not so sure I can get past them all, Edeard said. 'Owain seems resolute.

'Of course he does, Kristabel said. 'He knows you are the only thing left between him and absolute power.

'Perhaps if I retreat out to the provinces, form a legitimate opposition.

'A revolution? his mother asked. 'It would take years, if not decades. How many would die in that struggle. No, if this is to be done it must be done swiftly. That will keep the bloodshed to a minimum. Every day you hesitate sees him consolidate his authority still further.

'You sound so certain.

She smiled, nebula-light shining through her diffuse silhouette. 'You don't grow up in Makkathran without knowing all about politics.

'You are from Makkathran?

'Yes. The fifth daughter of the fourth son of the family Herusis. But that was many years ago. My sisters and brothers will have even less status now.

'Herusis? Edeard paused, trying to recall what he knew of that family. A wealthy trading enterprise with large land holdings on the Iguru and a small fleet of ships. 'Isn't Finitan a Herusis?

'Yes. One of my great uncles.

'Finitan is my relative?

'Yes.

'I wonder if he knew?

'He probably suspected. Akeem certainly did.

'But… Mother, why did you leave?

'I was engaged to a lout of a Kirkmal, it was arranged between our families. I didn't want to go through with the wedding. I wanted my life on my terms, even if it meant giving up the money.

'That's where he gets his stubbornness from, Kristabel said.

'I'm not— he gave a wan smile. Even now she could tease him.

He covered the final slope quickly. The summit was mainly boulders and loose stone, with tufts of wiry grass growing out of cracks between pebbles. A gentle breeze was blowing in from the sea.

Edeard stood there, and turned a complete circle until he was facing Makkathran. The city's orange lights cast a strong glow into the air above the streets and canals. He could just make out the jagged outline of the towers. The first time he'd seen the city it had been so compelling, as if he was finally coming home. That yearning was still there, but the grief was a stronger force. He could barely bring himself to look at it.

I have to decide .

Everything he'd ever wanted or asked for had been contained inside the crystal wall, as had everything he'd ever feared.

'I don't think I can go back, he confessed to the souls. 'I think Owain and the others are right. I'm not strong enough.

'You have the strength, Son, his father said.

'I don't. The suffering I would bring is unthinkable.

'You only have to take away the leaders, Dinlay said. 'Owain and his cronies.

'That might have worked at the start, but not now. Everything has changed. The guns are out there in the open. Hundreds of people are flocking to join him.

'Hundreds more resisted him, and died. Don't they deserve justice? You know you have support. Think of the election results.

Edeard knelt on the ground, still looking at Makkathran. 'I can't do this. It's over.

'We understand, Kristabel said. 'This is what makes you, you. This is what I loved.

'We'll be together, he promised her. His farsight sensed the first squad reaching the final slope up to the summit. All of them were readying their rapid-fire guns. 'We will reach the Heart and live there for eternity.

'Together, Kristabel agreed.

Edeard drew in a deep breath. He looked out one last time across the Iguru Plain, his thoughts serene as he stopped shielding himself. Makkathran's thoughts brushed against his mind, as slow and content as always. Dreaming in another realm.

'Thank you for all your help, he told it, and poured his gratitude out to the city.

For the first time he sensed a change. The giant mind began to quicken. Stronger, more concise thoughts began to rise, like some massive creature coming up from the depths of the sea. Makkathran was waking.

Edeard swayed back, astounded by the reaction he'd kindled. He'd tried innumerable times to make himself understood to the city, never receiving any reply. It did his bidding for simple things like altering the buildings, or sending him along the travel tunnels. But he'd assumed any true connection was beyond him.

'You heard me, he longtalked in astonishment.

The answer was still slow, measured and considered as he expected it to be. Solemn: as was fitting for such a magnificent creation. 'I felt sorrow, Makkathran said. 'You are in pain. I have not felt pain like that for such a time.

'I… I have lost. That was the pain you felt. I apologize. I didn't mean to disturb you. I simply wished to thank you for all you've done.

'Loss? I remember loss. Once there were many, now I am alone.

'There were others like you? Edeard asked.

'Once. No more. Not even here. To revisit that time would be useless.

'I'm sorry. I didn't know. Can I help? I'm about to go to the Heart of the Void. Will your kind be there?

'No. None would submit to absorption. That is not what we are.

'What are you?

'The failed past.

'You haven't failed us. You gave us shelter, refuge.

'I am glad. Do you accept the Void's purpose? Is that why you go to its Heart?

'What purpose?

'To become one with this universe. It seeks all rationality.

'That's… No. I go because I have lost my life.

'How can you lose your life in the Void?

He gave Kristabel and the others a puzzled look, very conscious of the armed men slinking up the slope towards him. 'I don't understand.

Something like a gust of emotion swept out of the city. Reluctance. Acceptance. Pity . 'The Void allows you to find your perfect life, Makkathran said. 'It is the way it brings you to fulfilment, to reach your personal evolution and achieve contentment with what you are.

'What do you mean? Edeard started to harden his shield again as he heard a number of safety catches clicked off.

'All of those who come from outside strive for this state, that is why the Void welcomes them. This universe had no other purpose, not now. That is its beauty for those inside, and tragedy for those without, for they will ultimately pay the price.

'I can't achieve a perfect life. My life is over.

'Reach into the Void. Search out where you wish to be, and begin again. It is simple. Once you adapt to the Void it provides you with whatever you want. Every species that ever arrived here was drawn into that evolution. You will be no different, I suspect. There is no harm in that. I wish you well on your journey.