The Web and the Stars by Brian Herbert

Author:Brian Herbert [Herbert, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Space Opera
Google: wCggHwAACAAJ
Amazon: 1594142173
Publisher: WordFire Press
Published: 2007-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-Nine

If you consider any question and its apparent answer, you will come to realize that you still have a lot more to think about. Profundity is only a function of the power of the mind.

—The Tulyan Conundrum

The Tulyan Starcloud was a planetary system at the edge of the galaxy, surrounded by weak suns. Concealed from them by mists during their previous stay in the orbiting Visitor’s Center, Dux and Acey had only imagined what was down there, based on descriptions provided by the staff of the spacetel. But those words had been grossly inadequate for the wonders they beheld now as they returned from deep space, not coming close to what they were meant to describe.

The beauty made Dux gasp and stare in speechless wonder. It was an otherworldly place that no one could tell him and his cousin about; they had to see and experience it for themselves.

While Tulyan handlers took control of the podship herd, Eshaz said he would take the boys and Tesh on a tour around the starcloud. Tesh had refused to give up control of her podship, and had instead sealed the sectoid chamber in the way of her people and left the pod tethered to other vessels, floating in secure space, protected by the powerful energy shield of the strongest Tulyan mindlink ever conceived. Eshaz explained to his guests that Parviis had previously penetrated their security system, but that would not happen again. Every Tulyan on the starcloud was focused on this important assignment, and had created the most dense and unbreakable telepathic field in their history. It should be more than enough, Eshaz promised.

Following Eshaz onto a wingless, pencil-shaped vessel, Dux noticed a circle design etched into the hull, which the Tulyan said was the sacred sigil of his people. After seating his guests in the cabin,

Eshaz activated the computerized pilot system, and the small ship took off. It made hardly any noise as it flew. Presently, they were flying between the three planets in the unusual solar system.

The legendary starcloud was unlike any place Dux and Acey had seen before, in all the travels they had made around the galaxy, on their vagabond adventures. The Tulyan lands over which they flew were pristine, a fairy tale realm of lovely meadows, sapphire-blue lakes, tall forests, and craggy, snow-clad mountains.

“Each night the skies are filled with comets and meteor showers,” Eshaz said, “a truly remarkable ethereal display. Some of the heavenly travelers can be seen in the daytime as well, moving and flashing across the milky white backdrop of the starcloud.”

“Sounds eerily beautiful,” Dux said.

“It has that quality,” the big Tulyan agreed. “We have a defensive system called the Tulyan mindlink, and it is said that some of our most powerful Elders actually hitch telepathic rides on comets and meteors, and ride them into space.”

“Wow,” Acey said. “Wish I could do that.”

“You’re probably not smart enough, cousin,” Dux said. “And neither am I.”

“Nor I,” Eshaz said. “This universe is full of wondrous things you can never do, no matter how long your life is.

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