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*Harmony*
A balance it is said, between everything that affects our lives, that allows us to live, to breathe, to feel, to touch, to see, to hear, to appreciate, to love, to hate, to dislike, to want, to need, to seek, whatever our physical appearance, our colour, our race , our creed, our hopes, our ambitions, our inward, or outward anger, rage, whatever; maintaining a balance that allows us to co-exist with others.
The race that had no physical form, but existed in an aura, which could be seen when they chose, were called the Riak. They were, all knowing, all seeing and it is said, they had extra sensory perception, allowing them, to see events before they happened.
They could also, instantly restore harmony, to any city, or craft. Why they were so much in demand as visitors, guests and diplomats. They spoke any language, understood cultures and beliefs, going back centuries.
Treated with the greatest of respect, for the power they had, but seldom used for their own gain, they did not dominate, nor were they interested in ruling or governing. A Riak was a welcome relaxation.
Some were older than others and almost all large craft had one or two as guests. They stayed only for short periods and then moved on, exchanging some time with others. Raptor’s Riak or Rat as Nathan called him had been with Raptor some years and seemed to have no intentions of moving on.
Nathan enjoyed his moments alone with Rat, he had nicknamed him Rat because he appeared from nowhere on occasion, just as Nathan said the Rats on some of the colonies did ! A fresh [day], if you can call it that, started with Nathan waking, to find Tan had left. The first task of the day? He ordered his tea and toast!
By the time he had used the waste and cleansing units, he felt much better and sat down drinking his tea, munching the toast, looking at the screen, showing general items of interest news and such, from GENIUS (Galactic Network Information User Services) or GNET as it was commonly called. His attention was drawn to some recent events on Psemon.
Most planets are used to visitors, whoever they are, or wherever they come from. There are what we would call immigration controls, but that’s mainly for weapons and other things, such as drugs or illegals, which we will go into at some future date.
For the moment, lets say things haven’t changed too much, based on the theory, that a planet or colony can only support so much with its resources. A balance needs to be maintained, so its founders get to take priority, to live and exist on the planet over all others.
Some planets are virtual transfer points, with short stays only allowed between planets or systems. This helped spread gambling, which still exists, although evolved. You can still find places to play slot machines and casino’s old Earth style formats !
They also provide whorehouses and such, Palacial Hiska’s (Large hotel like buildings with luxurious pools and fountains of soft blue sparkling waters) Rat made his appearance some moments later, “You’ve seen the news then” “Rat ! I wondered how long before you showed up !, you knew didn’t you ?”
‘Your little trip with the Zimp ? It was unfortunate that you ran into that hotspot. That meant Raptor had no choice but to back off and wait. Giving you time to go and collect the Princess. Call it destiny, whatever you want but sometimes things happen for a reason. In this case, the promise you made to her father. Unfortunately the usurper, was running out of patience. Sooner or later, Cistera would be dead.
If we make promises Nathan, we should keep them. Perhaps you had forgotten the date, but I had not! Recent events made me even more aware, that you needed to be somewhere else; quickly, The moment you two ended up together, I sensed a high degree of harmony between you.
Despite differences and some most stimulating, interactions, between the three of you.’ He paused to grin.‘Which is good, I might add, the joining was already foretold. Though some, may rejoice at that, that will cost you long term. Others will see you as an interloper and not worthy of the title of Ka Absolute, which may have unexpected conclusions.”
Was he smirking again ! “ I have to say Nathan, you don’t go one parsec into trouble. You have to go the full 10 parsecs to get full value! She certainly has a loaded personality, that inbuilt bio weapon , came as a bit of a shock to you !
Her father if you remember, when he appeared on the screen was wearing a cloak with a hood? I can recall you remarking about it ? It covered the same gem array Cistera has.” “Of course, but how active was it, could she have killed me used it?”
“I feel you should listen to her more often Nathan, she couldn’t ! Once the bio signature and changes occurred, you were her partner. The one joined to her. They can’t kill their partners’ he paused, ‘No matter how much she may have wanted to kill you and believe me, I sensed when I made contact, searched her memories, I found moments of such rage she could have, without, in my opinion any mercy, killed you !’
“Can she remove the bio signature or change it back ?” “No! Once chemically imprinted, its not reversible. You’re joined until she dies.” “No wonder Tan is still mad at me.” “Whose fault is that ? Trouble with self aware biotics is just that, but your modifications, to Tan has caused incredible changes.
Even I, acknowledge her as Human(a) not a Bio Morphic entity. Her emotive Nemron circuits are emulating ‘jealousy’ It’s causing conflict in her programming.” “I have noticed ! I do love Tan and it is her I feel most close to. Why do I sense this is going to change! That I’m attracted more and more to Cistera.”
“Its no trickery or created by anything, other than the link between you. The bond, will get stronger between you. Unless, you convince Tan, she has to accept it you only have two choices, restructure her programming, if you can and if she will let you, or terminate her.’
‘I could never do either, I love her far too much to hurt her, that much. Like you said, she isn’t sentient anymore, she is far more Human(a) than I could ever have imagined.” “Just don’t let your sexual enjoyment of her and her diverse abilities, to enhance your fantasies, cloud your reality !” Rat was keen to have Nathan understand, recent events were not of his own doing.g
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