Eric Brown: Penumbra

Mackendrick said, “They were dying, these individuals, and the Ahloi cured them?”

“They were not dying, as such,” Carstairs replied. “We cured them of the many ills the flesh is heir to, diseases if they were diseased, or merely the blight of ageing. You see, nature has imposed cruel limitations upon the lifespans of its many races. In the terribly short spans they were allowed to live—often only long enough to reach adulthood and reproduce—they were unable to mature spiritually. They were like fireflies; just as they begin to apprehend the wider world they are cruelly snuffed out. Humans, too, are such a race. We need more time, extra years, in which to contemplate the truth of existence. The Ahloi refuse no one in their desire to propagate contemplation of the truth.”

“But if all races came here,” Bennett said, “then Ahloi-tennay would be overrun.”

Carstairs’ calm smile halted his objection. “But Josh, over the millennia, entire races have sought the ministrations of the Ahloi. Entire planets have passed through our portals, and been cured and informed of the truth, and returned to their own worlds to consider those truths. In time, of course, these individuals pass on, relinquish their physical forms, just as I will in years to come. The Ahloi have given them that most precious gift of all, that which normally cannot be gained: the gift of time.”

Ten Lee said, “It is the belief of my people that, although we do not have time to gain the truth in one life, we are reborn into others so that the quest for the truth can be continued. Like this, after many lives, we at last arrive and become at one with sunyata.”

Carstairs bowed his head. “Your way is valid and true,” he said. “But the Ahloi considered it a source of much misery and suffering, this endless cycle of rebirth. Our way is a short cut, if you like, a means of achieving what you call sunyata in one, albeit extended, lifetime. But each form is valid, Ten Lee. Follow your own path, if you wish. Or you may join with us.”

Into the silence that followed Carstairs’ words, Mackendrick said, “You refuse no one? You will take me?”

Hesitation showed on Ten Lee’s face. Then she stepped forward. “And me?”

Carstairs gestured at the group. “We will take you all, if that is what you wish.”

“You say ‘we’,” Mackendrick said. “You sound as if you belong to the Ahloi now, as if you’re a part of them?”

Carstairs nodded. “That is true. When you apprehend a universal truth, when you share something as fundamental as the Ahloi’s knowledge, then it is impossible not to become a part of what they are.”

“But they haven’t taken you over?” he asked.

Carstairs laughed at this. “You use the combative terms typical of the human race,” he said. “In essence, of course, they have taken me over, for it is a fact that I now believe what they believe, and what is being ‘taken over’ if not coming to believe in the truth as perceived by others? But I can assure you that it is an entirely passive and beneficial form of take-over. We share in the joy that contemplation affords, and if you wish to join us you are welcome.”

Mackendrick said, “When you have cured me, then must I remain here?”

“My friend,” Carstairs said with patience, “we make you do nothing. We show you the light, that is all. However, once you have perceived the way, then you will be unlikely to want to return to the life and the world you knew. It will seem shallow and superficial. The ways of materialism will hinder your concentration. In all likelihood you will wish to remain here, with us.”

Mackendrick nodded. “I am ready,” he said at last.

“Then, if you would like to return with me to the Chamber of Rebirth? Please,” he gestured to the others, “you are welcome to observe, or even join, the ritual.”

He moved back into the tunnel, soon disappearing into the darkness. Bennett looked about him one last time, at the great circular sea and the encompassing mountains, the statues of the legion of aliens long since passed from this world. Then he followed Carstairs, Rana still holding on to him as if in fear.

On the long walk back to the chamber, Bennett considered the words of Carstairs, the convert to this strange alien belief system. He supposed the crux of whether or not one believed in the way of the Ahloi was how one viewed their power of bringing the dead back to life. Did their ability necessarily mean that their belief system was correct?

He stopped himself there. What proof was there that the aliens could bring the dead back to life? He wondered if he was being materialistic and crass in his analysis of something so amazing as the promise of rebirth.

They climbed the steps, and they saw that now the chamber was bathed in torchlight. The obsidian walls reflected the bright orange flares of a hundred flaming brands. As they emerged into the chamber, Bennett halted and stared about him. The Ahloi stood in a great circle, their gaunt forms thrown into stark relief by the flickering torches held aloft by every other individual.

Those without torches stepped forward to form a smaller, tighter circle. Carstairs moved to the central stone. He was joined by two of the tall, stiffly articulated aliens. The Ahloi bent their knees and lowered their long heads as if to speak to him. Bennett heard a rapid series of clicks and whistles. Then another Ahloi came hurriedly into the chamber, moving with the spry articulation of an insect. The alien approached Carstairs, bent and hurriedly addressed the human.

Carstairs swung around, facing the corridor down which they had originally entered the chamber. He hurried back to Mackendrick and the others.

“You have been followed,” he said. “Already he has slain many Ahloi.”

They turned and stared. Bennett wondered what Carstairs was talking about. Who could have possibly followed them all this way?

Seconds later a figure emerged from the mouth of the opposite corridor. Bennett stared at the intruder, who paused on the threshold of the chamber. His face, in the light of the flames, was soaked in sweat and appeared just a little insane. He held a laser pistol in each hand and raised them as he took in the gathering.

Beside Bennett, Rana gasped. “Klien!”

Bennett recognised the security chief who had interviewed him in Calcutta four months ago, and knew then how Klien had managed to follow them here.

Carstairs stepped forward, arms raised in a gesture of reconciliation. “Klien?” he said. “Is it you, Klien? I never thought we would meet again.”

“We watched their ceremony of rebirth, Carstairs,” Klien said, his voice cracking, “and I couldn’t allow you to spread the word. So I killed you, and then these… these devils brought you back to life!” He gave a terrible laugh and shook his head. “I knew what I saw, but over the years I began to doubt. I almost convinced myself that I’d been tricked.”

it was no trick, Klien,” Carstairs interrupted. “The Ahloi possess the ability to heal the sick, bring the dead back to life.” He paused, then spread his arms. “Look at me, Klien. I live.”

“No!” Klien cried, raising a pistol and taking aim at Carstairs.

“Please!” Carstairs said. “Please, no violence. I beg you.”

“I will kill you first,” Klien cried, “and then dispose of the Ancients.” He looked around at the group of humans. “You have been deceived by the ways of the devil and you will repent at your leisure in hell.”

Bennett almost wept. How banal Klien’s punitive theology seemed in light of what he had heard from Carstairs. He would rather believe neither, in his ignorance and materialism, but if pressed he would have no hesitation in siding with Carstairs and his alien cohorts.