Spheria by Cody Leet

Author:Cody Leet [Leet, Cody]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Sci-fi Novel
Publisher: No Trees Harmed, LLC
Published: 2016-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22 - In Our Image

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Sa∙ma walked to the edge of the Council Chamber and peered out through the vertical columns. In the distance, he could see the red bubble rising past the edge of the Rift, starting its slow ascent toward the Source shining above it.

“It’s past,” he said, facing the others in the chamber.

Gathered in a circle were the eight Leaders, the totality of the six-legged caste. By name, they were Wu∙sa, Yo∙sa, Me∙sa, Ju∙sa, Ki∙sa, Co∙sa, Pi∙sa, and Vu∙sa. They looked concerned hearing Sa∙ma’s news.

“This is the fourth red bubble in a row,” said Co∙sa.

“The river is getting too close to the Colony,” said Me∙sa. “When this bubble joins the Source, the river will widen again and consume several of our hives.”

“We need to move the Colony,” said Wu∙sa and Pi∙sa, in unison.

“Yes, we need to move it,” agreed Vu∙sa.

“But we haven’t had to move for eighty seasons,” objected Ki∙sa. “Red bubbles are rare.”

“Then why have we had four of them in a row?” asked Co∙sa.

“The gods are angry,” declared Me∙sa.

“Sa∙ma,” intoned Ju∙sa. He searched the columns, fixing on the Lumen Master, who stood motionless observing them. “Can you tell us why the gods are angry?”

“I can’t,” he replied. “There could be many reasons, which all remain a mystery to us, even to me. I may have many insights into the workings of nature, but I can’t speak with the gods.” He dared not reveal his encounters with the gods Pi∙ro or Ju∙ro, lest the Council try to force him to attempt something that was beyond his powers.

“Regardless, speaking with the gods or not, we still have to address the immediate problem,” said Wu∙sa. “We have to move. We can try to find out what we did wrong later, but we’re going to lose dwellings at dawn tomorrow.”

Le∙ma’s insightful words popped into Sa∙ma’s mind. I bet, with some creative persuasion, the Council could bend the rules as well. He thought back to the solution Ju∙ro had given him. But could he convince the Council it was his idea?

“There might be another way,” he said. He pretended to think hard. “No, there definitely is another way.”

“Do tell,” said Co∙sa.

“I know how we can stop the expansion of the river permanently,” answered Sa∙ma. “We can use blue stone to make a wall. The red stone of the river won't cross that boundary. The Colony can stay here forever after that.”

A hum rose as the Leaders began discussing this piece of information. Finally, Ju∙sa turned to Sa∙ma and asked, “Never has such a thing been built. You're a great architect, but you can’t perform magic.”

“It’s not magic. It’s creative manipulation of the rules. I can do it. I can instruct the Workers right now, and before dawn, we’ll have it done and the Colony will be saved.

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