Song of the Void

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Selendil’s figure appeared with a telltale flash of light as she completed the warp. As she looked around her destination, a small shudder ran through her. She hadn’t been entirely forthcoming about the reason why she didn’t want the others to come here. She ran her fingers along the wall and her nails left deep grooves in the material despite the lack of force applied. Part of that was because her power made such things easy, but a larger part was because the material was such low quality. The entire enormous facility at the core of the galaxy was built of similar materials, only held together by energy fields and the sheer amount of material used to build the thing in the first place.

The facility had been their first attempt at warp travel and it had done its job. For that, it had value as a relic of the past as well as a certain amount of symbolic value. However, as the first attempt, it was also the worst. It had been constructed at a time where the Dhar had barely discovered the Great Song and had only expanded to the closest galaxies nearby. They simply didn’t have access to all the more advanced materials they used later on. Much of it was the kind of stuff Yrala’s home galaxy already had access to, with the exception that these were phase space materials. The same held true for most of the systems in this enormous facility. Most of it could’ve been built by a civilization closer to the Illum in tech level than the Dhar at their height. The whole thing was impressive in size, but that was really the only impressive thing about it. Aside from the basic warp abilities the facility had given the Dhar of course.

So while it was true that others would not be able to survive in this place, Selendil was kind of glad the others were not here to see the place, as part of the reason they couldn’t survive was the Dhar’s shitty construction. It was perhaps a petty thought, but she wanted to maintain some of the mystique of the Dhar race. Especially right after showing the crew the technical marvel of Tal’Nachazzar. They had already seen that Selendil, and by extension the other Dhar, were not perfect as people and society. There was no need to disillusion them further by showing them the low-tech aspect of this facility.

‘On the other hand, they haven’t quite come to terms with the enormity of the universe and the Eternal Empire.’ She thought to herself as she moved towards the heart of the facility. Perhaps she was to blame. The ability to warp between galaxies made the universe feel smaller. The crew didn’t even quite realize how far they were from home at the moment. They were not even in the same supercluster of galaxies anymore, and the others had no idea. They had no idea because they had not asked. And the most likely reason they had not asked was because the idea didn’t even occur to them.

This had been shown by the rather idle statement of Amaterasu, where the ex-empress had wondered if there were that many Dhar AIs left. It was an understandable error to make considering that the number of surviving AIs in the galaxies they had visited was not that large. However, it also revealed a clear lack of understanding of just how many galaxies the Eternal Empire had ruled over at its height. Even if only one in twenty galaxies still had a working Dhar AI in it, that would still mean hundreds of thousands of surviving AIs. ‘You would think that the number of ships surrounding this galaxy would’ve given them some idea, but apparently not.’ After all, you wouldn’t be able to build a net of ships like that around a galaxy of this size with ships from a few thousand galaxies. The Dhar were warlike but their fleets were not any larger than what other races built. They simply controlled such a huge area that the number of ships added up.

It was a simple fact that even scientists like Nochehuatl had trouble dealing with numbers and odds at astronomic scales. Most minds could not conceptualize things at such huge scales. So when they visited a few dozen galaxies and found only a handful of Dhar AI, of course they would assume such AI would be rare. But just because something was rare, that didn’t mean they couldn’t come in large numbers. You simply needed a large enough pool to draw from.

Having no desire to walk through the entire facility, Selendil approached her destination with several teleports. She could feel the density of energy rise as she got closer to her destination. No one with any knowledge of how physics worked would accept a concept like liquid energy. They would think of some liquid substance with high energy density, but they would be wrong. The density of energy here was so high that it was quite literally dripping down the walls and forming rivulets down the hallways. A strange sight that you really wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else. It was no wonder this galaxy had birthed two separate species of energy beings.

Finally, she found what she was looking for. At the heart of the facility was a surprisingly old fashioned looking console connected to a chair. Like all Dhar systems, this one worked with psionic commands as well, so that wasn’t what the chair was for. The chair’s purpose was to allow a powerful psion to use their power to enhance the signal or command sent through the warp network from this location, to make sure it reached the desired destination. The more powerful the psion, the further the signal could be sent. She connected the data drive the crew had made and sat in the chair.

As she closed her eyes and reached out for the warp network, another idle thought came to her. Even with her current powers, it would take a long time for the signal to reach the most distant galaxies that the Dhar had visited. She could give the message a boost, but she wouldn't be able to deliver it everywhere at once. Maybe she too had underestimated the enormity of astronomic scale just a bit when she estimated how long it would take for the signal to finally arrive? Maybe she should prioritize certain areas…

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The sudden appearance of the Arkship above the Eriad homeworld might have caused some issues, so they decided to use the beacon Selendil had left behind hidden elsewhere just in case the inhabitants of this galaxy decided to start destroying them. They then sent advance warning of their arrival before they finally used Enduring Symphony to make the jump that took them the rest of the way. Their arrival still caused a stir, but a much smaller one than if they had not sent word ahead of them. At least this way there was no widespread panic and the resulting casualties.

“You make me feel so old.” Pharaa’s hologram stated with a sigh as they had explained the reason for their arrival. “I’ve lost the desire for such adventures, and I’m too tied down with my various duties, so I cannot go. However, Yrala is free to go if she so chooses.” She responded, not paying attention to the fact that Selendil’s ship had at least two beings much older than her on board, and that was without counting the AI.

“It’s alright. We are still hoping a decent number of your people would be willing to take that leap.” Selendil explained. That’s why Yrala had gone to contact some of the people she knew as soon as they had arrived. Many of them were old friends and crew members, while others were extended family.

“Well, you’ve certainly caught their attention with that huge ship of yours, so I’m sure there will be some eager people willing to take you up on your offer. Besides, the recordings of you dealing with the interviews back then were released some time ago and you’ve become quite popular in many circles. Our people quite like it when someone sticks it to the politicians.” Pharaa admitted with a smile. She wasn’t too fond of the fact that she was one of those politicians and had been publicly embarrassed, but she was much better off than most that took part.

“Mother, I’d like to be one of those that go.” They heard a male voice speak on the other side of the communications channel they were using. Some of them recognized the voice belonging to Haahun, Yrala’s brother.

“Are you sure honey? It sounds like a rather dangerous journey.” Pharaa asked while looking at someone off the screen.

“We’d be happy to have him actually. We can even drop a beacon here so that he can return on occasion. Assuming warping still works as it’s supposed to across universes, which isn’t a given. We would’ve had to inquire after his services anyway. We need a body built for a magical item.” Selendil said with a playful voice.

“A what now?” Pharaa asked with an incredulous look.

“Oh, I’m sure! Count me in!” Haahun shouted off the screen again. The bare mention of a magical item had caught his attention.

Pharaa gave a deep sigh of surrender and looked towards Selendil. “Fine. Just be aware that you've got my kids in your hands now, so you better bring them back, you hear? Also, there are a few members of the Prime species on our world that were looking to join you, and I'm quite sure that hasn't changed just because you're exploring universes instead of galaxies now." She added the last part with a little less strict tone.

"Well, I'd like to reassure you, but we're going to another universe. I have no idea what awaits us. I'll try my best." Selendil shrugged. "So why are the Primes looking for me?"

“They heard about what happened with the Ancients. Many of the Primes are quite adventurous by nature actually. The odd way in which they seem to be made of almost entirely separate species seems to enhance certain qualities in certain types of Primes. It’s no wonder that some of them would be quite adventurous while some would be extremely careful. They made for pretty good explorers while the galaxy was still mostly uncharted.” Pharaa explained.

“Fine. We’ll keep an eye on them, but we do need some crew at the moment. Some dedicated scouts and explorers sound useful.” Selendil acquiesced.

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"So I have an idea," Selendil said to Dee as they were seated in the cafeteria, chowing down on the most recent offerings of the beleaguered chefs. The two gluttons really put a burden on the poor kitchen staff. The only good thing was that the two didn’t really need large portion sizes. They simply liked them.

“That sounds ominous.” Dee joked. Most of Selendil’s ideas actually worked as far as Dee was aware.

“It shouldn’t be really. I just thought of a potential way we can easily get more Guardians interested in becoming part of the crew. We really do need as many of them as possible. They might not be the only ones with skills with plants, but they do make the hydroponics work much better.” Selendil laid the foundation for her suggestion.

“Ok. You’ve got my attention. I’m guessing I’m involved somehow, seeing as you’re pitching the idea to me instead of Lilly or Amaterasu.” Dee wasn’t stupid enough not to notice the implications.

“Well, I was wondering if you had any magical plants on you? Since this galaxy is drained of magic, then what better way to get the Guardians interested than giving them a taste of some of the plants they could run into?" Selendil revealed the core of her idea. The Guardians were rather obsessed with such things after all.

"Uh, yeah, sure," Dee said before making a grimace and scratching her cheek. “There is a slight problem with that, however. I have a mountain if you recall.”

“I’m actively trying to forget.” Selendil retorted instantly.

“Yes, well, the problem is that all those plants are inside the mountain. Plants aren’t really my thing and I had friends who were into such things in case I actually needed something. However, the previous owner of the mountain did amass a decent collection of the kinds of plants you have in mind and my friends foisted some on me as well. They’re all inside the mountain." Dee understood Selendil's pain and sympathized. She also wanted someone to share the same pain she had to go through when dealing with the mountain.

“Well…the hydroponics are large enough on Tal’Nachazzar that you wouldn’t need too much spatial expansion percentage-wise to plop the mountain down permanently. It would require a bit of work, but it’s doable. You mentioned before that the mountain is magical. Maybe that magic can have positive effects on the hydroponics. Another way to lure the Guardians. I would never be able to enter that part of the ship again, but Nox and Clolarion have banned me from the area anyway.” Selendil mused.

“Uh, that might be an issue. Not the plan itself. That will definitely work. Just that…well you remember how the mountain tried to hit on your previous ship, right? Well, this time the Arkship is actually large and it’s not just a bit of spatial trickery. We both know what’s going to happen.” Dee pointed out.

“Sounds like a Clolarion problem to me. I’m banned from the hydroponics, so whatever happens there is his problem. He wanted to be the AI of the ship, so…” Selendil waved the concern away.

“You know what? I think I like the sound of that. It does sound like a Clolarion problem.” Dee quite happily agreed as they silently gave their farewells to the AI.

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Haven had announced their arrival beforehand, but the sudden appearance of the Arkship still cause a stir. The presence of several ships that looked a lot like the Enduring Symphony as escorts attached to the docking clamps specially designed for such vessels along the edge of the Arkship didn't exactly help matters. The surroundings of Haven had grown rather busy with ships anyway. The word that Haven was a safe zone from the Shaer had spread, even if this entire section of the galaxy was currently left unmolested by the threatening species.

Several of the officers took this opportunity to reach for their governments and associates for potential crew. “What are you going to do?” Dee asked Selendil.

"I think I'm going to go make an offer that can't be refused," Selendil replied cryptically.

“That sounds like fun. Suspicious but fun. Mind if I join you?” Dee asked.

“Not at all. This shouldn’t take too long.” Selendil agreed. The two soon found themselves in one of the remote sections of the Haven station. Selendil had visited this place once before, but it was entirely new for Dee. It wasn’t exactly a hot tourist spot either.

They were met by a group of red and green gelatinous beings that Selendil knew as the Zlorth. This time they reacted with a bit more sharpness compared to last time. “Huh. I didn’t know this place had intelligent slimes.”

Selendil looked at her a bit weird. “We have some on our crew.” She pointed out.

“Really? I honestly didn’t even notice.” Dee was shocked herself.

“Might be because they work in sanitation. I don’t suppose you spend a lot of time in that area.” Selendil shrugged.

“Halt! What are you doing here?” One of the guards demanded.

“I’m here to make an offer to your king. Incidentally, I’m the one who provided the answer to your problem with procreation back then.” Selendil explained.

The Zlorth had a lot more positive reaction at that and happily escorted them to the large purple blob that was their monarch. “Ah. If it isn’t the trader that gave us hope. What brings you here this time?” The king asked.

“Before that, a question. Has the solution still worked?” Selendil asked to make sure.

“Yes. It’s not the most practical solution, but it works most of the time. We can now increase our numbers, even if the problem hasn’t entirely disappeared.” The king replied without hesitation.

“And I assume that you’ve tried to find some world or worlds to settle down on, but haven’t had all that much luck judging by the fact that you’re still here.” Selendil continued.

“That is true. You sound as if you have a way to resolve that issue as well.” The king stated and leaned its large and bulbous form closer.

“In a way perhaps. You may have heard of a large ship appearing next to the station not too long ago. That ship is mine.” Selendil came right out and stated.

“That…should surprise me, but for some reason doesn’t. We have done some research, and the people that went along with you have sent reports. Keeper.” The king nodded respectfully.

"Well, that makes things easier. Have they told you about the plan to travel to other universes?" She asked.

"They have. I think I see where this is going. A big ship like that needs more crew. And who knows what one could find in another universe. Perhaps even a permanent fix to our malady." The king seemed to have given the idea some thought beforehand. "However, I doubt you will be able or willing to take all our people, nor would we put all our people into one place like that without any guarantee of results. One mistake on your part and our entire species would be wiped away.”

“Very true. So I’m offering something else as well. We visited a galaxy not too long ago. The galaxy is a low ranking one with very little to make it worth anyone’s time. It also doesn’t have a huge number of the paradise planets that this galaxy has. However, you don’t need a large number of planets or advanced resources that you can’t even use for tens of thousands of years. What you need is a quiet place to re-build in peace and increase your numbers. I would imagine a galaxy where there’s barely any intelligent life would fit that category.” Selendil made her pitch.

“So. In exchange for crew, a basically barren galaxy for our use?” The king asked, intrigued.

"There are some primitive species around, but nothing you can't deal with. And should our travels bring us to a more suitable place for your people…well, it shouldn't be too hard to arrange relocation. We might not want your entire species on our ship permanently, but we can have them on board for a short time easily." Selendil was quite pleased with herself and for a good reason. She really had made an offer the other party would find difficult to refuse.