Dreamfield Chapter 3
The Resistance to the Anti-Cultural Lucian empire wants to know what Kavel's plan is, and receive information of a disturbing plan.
Kavel had created a simulation of the temple that once existed in the valley of Horinth before the empress of Lucia had ordered its destruction. He used a device of his own invention to cause varying levels of pain without damaging tissues, while recording his stress levels. He adapted his ritual on the practices of the ancient temple dwellers. The temple had had an air of peace like nothing else Kavel had experienced. He imagined its dwellers must have experienced so much peace.
If the thought of Nyara, the girl he just met, would enter his mind and would elicit a feeling of regret, of wondering if things had been different, he’d remember to return to focusing on his breath. Would it have been different if he simply had been more clear about what he had wanted with Seralina? Kavel considered. Would she have succumbed to the same fate as Alazea? Would Nyara…? Again, the pain rituals would return his mind back to his breathing and back to what would relax him.
He was called to Catalai on the dark side of Lucia for a meeting with the resistance so that he could relate his plan.
The journey to the planet Lucia in his Voyager ship was routine. Kavel could feel a small drop in temperature as he approached the portal. Through his view screen, he could see no other lights than the stars beyond. None of his equipment could detect any kind of activity; he had to rely fully on the secret navigational information provided to him. He had to enter a passcode on his communications device, and a portal opened, and a tractor beam dragged his ship inside a tunnel that was black as death. The outer portal closed before the inner opened.
Kavel had to have all of his lights darkened as he entered. When the inner portal opened, the illumination of the city hurt his eyes for a moment. A simulated sky was full of clouds and sunlight. Buildings emanated light of every colour as well as animated ad displays. It was an exercise in overstimulation.
As Kavel exited his ship, he could hear the plethora of announcements that often played. They typically indicated the passing of a new law, the opening of a new shop or anything else that might be of interest to the inhabitants and visitors.
He entered the building into a long hallway. At the end of the hallway was a room with several Lucians at its centre. As he looked around, he could see Rynar and Seralina, as as Byroki, who had cheered for him saving Hapsia, were also present. Kavel approached a podium at the centre of the room, surrounded by the Resistance.
The Lucian at the centre of the room, whom Kavel recognized as Arjan, said, “It has come to our attention that you intend to implement a plan to invite key members of the Republic into Dreamfield in order to influence their minds. Do you have any idea of the danger you could unleash onto the free planets by exposing our enemies to technology as powerful as Dreamfield?”
“You ask in ignorance of what Dreamfield can do, what I can do while at its helm.”
“You don’t know these people like I do. Chancellor Grond, Administer Logra, Empress Sunri: they would easily see this as an opportunity to strategize your downfall, to seize Dreamfield and to control the reality of every single inhabitant of the galaxy.”
Kavel smiled, “But, I implemented safety features to prevent that.”
“Oh,” Arjan raised his eyebrows, “you’ve implemented safety features. I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong then.”
“And I’m sure that doing nothing will work out just fine, as well. You would know, since it’s something you specialize in.”
Arjan stood up with a steady, deliberate motion. “I’ll have you know, that we have conducted one of the most comprehensive reconnaissance missions in the galaxy. We have mainframes filled with the data we have on the current administration.”
“Yes, yes, and I’m sure you’ll put that data to good use very soon.” Kavel made an exaggerated yawn as he spoke. “Your methods are dull and predictable. It’s about time, the Republic was struck with something it could not anticipate.”
“But how did you convince the Lucians without raising their suspicions, Kavel?” said Seralina, who held several files in her hand, no doubt considering how she would translate them.
Kavel smiled again, “It was very simple. I have a man on the inside.”
“The internal resistance?”
“Yes. He coordinated the whole thing, even said I was involved with the project, and that once they were done, I would create a Dreamfield for the Lucians. I set up a deal by which the Lucians can take me to work for them after this habitation period is finished.”
Everyone gasped at what Kavel said. Kavel pondered for a moment.
“I can understand the concern, but this is a win-win situation. I have already destroyed source materials for Dreamfield, and have already implemented a plan to deceive the Lucians and flee. They will end up with nothing in the end.”
Arjan asked Kavel, “How do you know the Lucians won’t implement a plan to influence you in the end?”
“Ah, I’ve prepared for that contingency, as well. For all the other inhabitants, I’ve aggregated personality assessments, and have generated an algorithm by which the strength of an individual’s will corresponds to his disposition.”
“I don’t like that you’ve kept this plan a secret from us, until the launch, “ said Arjan.
“I don’t like any of this!” Said Rynar, “this plan is extremely reckless! There are way too many things that can go wrong. You can’t allow him to go through with this!”
“We don’t have any choice but to appeal to Kavel,” said Arjan. “He’s already set his plan into motion and we have no legal authority to stop him.”
“Blast legalities! Kavel is going to get all of us killed.”
“Will you not reconsider? Scrap your plan and we work together on another solution?” Said Rynar.
“I won’t,” said Kavel, “I promise you, this plan will work.”
“We’re not so convinced,” said Arjan, “however, if you insist on carrying forth your plan, we must insist that Rynar supervise your every step and report back to us.”
“What? No! I’m not going to be micromanaged!”
“It’s either that, or we report you to Hapsian authorities, and you’ve seen where their loyalties lie. I’m sure you’ve observed it with the supernova.”
“This is not fair.”
“Don’t worry Kavel,” said Rynar, “I’ll treat you as fairly as I can. It’s not as if this were my preference either.”
Kavel buried his head in his hands.
“On another note,” said Arjan, “we have received intel that the Lucians are planning something major, but could not receive details on it. Seralina, we’d like to send you in to find out what you can. How are you in the Sedonian language? I plan on sending you to the region of Sedonia, where some of the Lucians are encamped to find out what their plan is. All we know is that they’re planning something ominous for Hapsia.”
“You’re going to have to find someone else,” said Rynar, “Do you want our children to be orphans?”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Rynar. I have to do this, don’t you see, I have to do this for the sake of the children? Even if they lose us, it will be worth it if they don’t lose their lives or their freedoms. I think if you really give my position real thought, you’ll see that I’m right.”
“We hardly ever see the children as it is. Will it be worth them not knowing their parents? We’re their connection to their past, to their history.”
“You can take Nyara, possibly Jorg, as well, to Dreamfield, to keep an eye on Kavel. It should be safe for younger people shouldn’t it?”
“Well, I added more safety features, but…”
“There it’s settled.”
“It is not settled! Sarina and Drav still barely see us. What are they going to think of our work on the resistance when they grow up?” said Rynar
“They will understand. They will appreciate all that we’ve saved for them.”
“I’m not so sure,” said Rynar.
Seralina placed her hand on Rynar’s shoulder and walked away to prepare for her assignment.
“I really hate when she does that,” said Rynar. Kavel had to agree with him in his mind. What was she thinking? It was bad enough to have Rynar in Dreamfield with him poking around in his plan. Having Nyara would be dreadful. Kavel looked to the next few weeks considering, What will happen with having to interact with Nyara on a regular basis in my environment?