A Chapter 8 Preparations(3)

  14th, Blue, 2043. 12:42AM.

  As I made my way down the stairs, my mind couldn't help but turn inwards unto itself, just like the many times I found myself alone. I considered the fact that no one was following a good sign. It meant that I had managed to convince the people at the table. Though, even if a few hadn't been convinced, the proposal to explore would have still passed. Ravena and that Chief would have most definitely agreed with me, making it a 3:2 majority vote.

  What I was certain of though, was the fact that all the people at the table lacked an understanding of the universe. They hadn't peeked into its secrets like I had, or they would have become enlightened for it. I wasn't the most knowledgeable, nor the cleverest in the world, but I was still genius enough to have discovered the trend. Many others, names of whom I had heard of, had also discovered the glaring secret. It was blatantly being shoved into our faces and yet, very few understood, or had even managed to discover it.

  The space around me, all over the entire universe was teeming with two distinct energy types, atomic, and spiritual. I believed atomic to be the native intrinsic energy of the universe, while the spiritual energy was foreign, something whose origins had yet to be determined. The mathematical models already proved that the universe could exist on its own without it, and all the formulas had failed to understand how it had come to be, leading many, myself included, to believe that it was an external force, a higher dimensional energy, or particle that had bled over into our reality.

  When that had happened, the world had evolved, with the fauna and flora taking it in eagerly to evolve and become higher beings. But we humans got the short end of the stick. The energy was ubiquitous, it's particles even existing not just around us, but also through us at certain wavelength frequencies, yet, they hadn't influenced us in any way! Nor, could we manipulate them! It was as if some higher law, or being had decided to shun us from ever enjoying their benefits!

  I wrapped my coat tighter around myself as I felt the creeping cold of the night. Even within the building, it was prevalent. I considered going to bed early, but there was something that needed my attention, coupled with the needed preparations, I could sleep later on in the morning.

  Once again, after noticing the fact that the hallway was silent, my eyes traveled outside the glass, falling onto the glowing streets below, where I was certain, the cacophony of the celebrations were underway. Many a time, I had envied the simple minded ones. They could enjoy everything without having to think too deeply about things, but I, and some others, had been cursed with wisdom. We could make connections when provided with just bare bone information, reaching conclusions into the workings of things and our place in all of that machinery.

  The universe was a cruel dark forest, a belief many others carried with me. Everyone had atleast noticed the fact that the longer a beast lived, the stronger it became, provided it hadn't found and consumed spiritual treasures, thereby expediting its evolution. Some had thought that it was the end, but I, and a few others knew better. The evolution limits had been shattered entirely. The war had been worn simply because a beast that had surpassed the first threshold hadn't appeared on our continent, yet. Though, I had concerns with those tree worshippers in the north. They were a threat that needed to be eliminated in due time. Unless spiritual energy circuits became prevalent, I didn't even want to consider the repercussions of taking on such a beast.

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  Anyway, I had gotten off track for a moment there. What I was thinking about was simply the fact that spiritual energy was resetting the laws of the universe, especially those between predator and prey. We humans have just worn a battle, not the war! Even if we develop spiritual energy circuit technology to the highest level, as long as we ourselves can't evolve our species through spiritual energy, we would still be at the bottom of the universal power pyramid. The oceans are teaming with over 10 times the beasts on land. If one of them evolves enough intelligence to want a piece of the land, then we could be in for a massive heap of trouble. Milena, Mpale, Mpologoma, and my Dugavu state had large swathes of coastline, making it so that almost the entirety of our spending went into monitoring the oceans, making certain that things truly threatening, never made it deep into our lands. So far, along the southern coastline of my state alone, over 20 different sea beasts at the first threshold had been spotted over the course of five years! That had already made me certain that even stronger things existed in the depths, simply lacking the motivation to stake their claim on land.

  All those reasons were why I was searching for a solution to our problem. What made us different from the beasts and the plants? Why couldn't we absorb spiritual energy to catalyze our own evolutionary speed? Were we a flawed species? I dug my fingers into my palms with enough force to feel discomfort, before unclenching them a moment later, releasing a sigh of frustration.

  There should have been something, a piece of data, a certain something that I had overlooked! Yet, I still couldn't figure it out! What was I lacking?! We had the same genetic make up as the beasts and the plants? There was no overt rejection of spiritual energy that I could detect! So why couldn't we absorb it to strengthen ourselves like them?! What were we lacking?!

  "Mr. Luthor! Thank the stars I managed to catch up with you!"

  Upon hearing that voice, I held back a grimace, pushing my frustrations deep within. It seems my walk had been too slow because of my thoughts. The man was the last person I wanted to see.

  "Muntu, shouldn't you have been enjoying the celebrations with your family?" I asked after turning around and gazing at the bald headed thin man with the piercing eyes. His expression wasn't good, meaning, I was in for it.

  "I was, until I heard that you had attended the meeting without me! I am your second in command, the person who really runs this state! And as I am aware, your impulsive nature must have reared its ugly head again. Am I right?" he asked as he took steps to stand just beside me as I pressed upon the button for the elevator.

  "There was nothing of that sort. We were just discussing the falling star, coupled with some long term cooperations that I am sure would have made their way to your desk in the morning." I said while adjusting my collar with a familiar nervousness.

  "I don't believe you." he said plainly, his brown eyes boring into me. Where the hell was the damn elevator?! Why was it taking so long?!

  "I just got off a casual conversation with a friend, and they said that you were planning a trip to the other continent?"

  "... Yes."

  "And why did you make such a decision without first informing me? Surely I was just a call away. Dugavu's budget is already stretched thin and you just added another burden?! What did you promise?! To fund the entire exploration! Do you have any idea of how this is going to be achieved when we don't have enough funds?!"

  I could have sworn the man's spittle was flying everywhere, and if he had had hair, it would have been pulled out strand by strand.

  "There are ways to mitigate it, like exporting some rice."

  "And where is this rice? Has it matured?" he asked with a skeptical gleam in his eyes. Though, he didn't dismiss my suggestion outright, knowing that I might deliver.

  "A technology is being tested to speed up the growth of plants. The results have been satisfying so far. As early as tomorrow, it will be scaled up, and within just a few days, you will have enough rice to export." I revealed with a small smile tugging at my lips, while he entered a thoughtful stance.

  "I will need to take a look at this so-called project of yours, to see for myself whether such a miracle truly is possible."

  "Come on man, have I ever lied to you?" I tried putting my hand over his shoulder only for his glare alone to compel me into withdrawing it.

  "I will see you tomorrow." Eventually, he stalked off, satisfied, while I released a heavy sigh. Dealing with him was a pain, but he was needed. Though I was a genius, I tended to misuse a lot of funds, and someone like him was needed to rein me in sometimes. It was a fair deal.