Can you appreciate now, why I roused you from you slumber? Gaia-le’el enquired, profound hope and anxiety emanating in equal measure from her essence.

She continued: This is the third such system I have nurtured upon this plane . . . though I do concede, it lays furthest out from the point of Original Causality.

Aslan-di’el looked on in delight, his senses ranging the length and breadth of the compact little star system. As he examined the structure of the masterpiece before him, he continued coaxing thousands upon thousands of eager responses from those life forms multiplying throughout the esoteric and biometric framework.

Eventually he tired of play, and sighed: It is a truly amazing feat, Sister. And rewarding. You have managed to foment a matrix conducive to harmony in all its fragile nuances. But if what you say is true, then its very nature may be in jeopardy.

It is, my Brother. I’m sure of it!

Ushering him closer, Gaia-le’el replayed the incident again in their minds, allowing Aslan-di’el to gauge the strength and character of the strange visitor who had chanced upon her work. She said: When I first encountered him traversing the mundane medium of hyper-space, I must admit I was misled. His essence burned with such fearful intensity, I was convinced it was Sachael-Za-Ad’hem himself come to pay his respects at long last! But I am unworthy. Unfit to darken his grace with my depleted condition. So I led him here, thinking to show him the results of my latest efforts. Hoping to prove my hands have not been idle.

But it wasn’t him?

Alas, no! She opened her cognizance wider and allowed her companion to savor the precise signature of the anomaly. Can you see why I was mistaken? His whal is so similar, he can only be a product of Sachael-Za-Ad’hem and another of our genus. But that’s a contradiction! Such a thing was never envisaged. Nor should it be possible. This aberration represents a huge risk!

And yet . . . he exists. And he displays ascendancy reminiscent of his most worthy progenitors, Aslan-di’el asserted with the clear-cut logic that made him so annoying at times like this.

Before his sister’s mood could darken, however, he added: Though I can appreciate why you hid yourself within fold space. You were surprised and frightened by the unexpected presence of a true power. For all that, I sense no overt malice within this entity. While it is evident he possesses a predisposition toward aggression, consider again how the strands responded to his skilled and tender caress. Savor the love and camaraderie in his invitation toward the life forms he so recently met. Revel in their enthusiastic rapport with him.

While Gaia-le’el appreciated her brother’s point, she still trembled with a degree of underlying doubt.

Aslan-di’el concluded: And don’t forget, Sister. Your sensory replay reveals some very positive aspects about his worth too. When he discovered the ethodesic tau grid, he curbed the urge to explore and maintained a respectful distance. His overt ruminations allowed you discern his appreciation for this gift, along with the fact he fully intends to conceal its existence from those who might taint its spirit. His first inclination is to use his strength to protect and nurture . . . while those in his care reach out to the stars to fulfill their destiny, as his mighty father envisaged.

Reluctantly, Gaia-le’el admitted: Yes! I remember now. I’ve been alone so long. I sometimes forget events would unfold about me . . . whether or not I partook. You don’t really think that time’s upon us, do you?

A feeling of open acceptance and fellowship flooded her soul.

Aslan-di’el replied: Upon us? No, I doubt that. As mighty as Sachael-Za-Ad’hem was, not even he could bring about such a maturation so quickly. However, I do think we stand at the dawning of a new age. Unification may be approaching faster than any of us ever imagined, and the fiery key to such an auspicious revelation has been revealed.

Then we have double the cause for celebration! Gaia-le’el added, quietly.

That reminded her of the reason she had summoned Aslan-di’el in the first place. Skimming the outer fringes of her closest friend’s aura, she was prompted to ask: Aslan, will any of the others bother to come do you think?

I hope so, Gaia. I hope so. Jophiel, Ocean, and Yao-teth have lived in seclusion for so long now, they’ve almost succumbed to eternal petrifaction. But fear not. They retain sufficient awareness to comprehend the call. Whether they actually heed it, is another matter.

And what of Olinda, and Gazad-riel?

Ah! Now they were keen to see the results of your handiwork. They still love the simple joy of discovering new things. I was hoping they would have been here by now. What say we travel the etho-net together to ascertain their whereabouts?

Accepting the invitation, Gaia-le’el followed Aslan-di’el across the threshold, and for the first time in millennia, felt her anticipation sharpened by a whetstone of hope.

*

Do you see what I mean, Vic? Victoria had rarely seen Andrew so animated.

His enthusiasm was in full flow: Isn’t it wonderful? The sheer panorama of the project being undertaken here is breathtaking. Out of this world! Pun intended! It . . . It’s. . .

Magnificent! Victoria finished his sentence for him: This is something you could commit to. And truly lose yourself in.

I know! If we didn’t have to deal with all that crap back home, I would come to this exact spot, set out a deckchair, slap on the lotion and kick back for a few centuries. Heaven!

Sparks erupted along the fringes of his astral corona, a sure sign his excitement was mounting: Listen to this! It’ll blow your mind.

Melding with his sister, Andrew sent out a far-spoken invitation. Within moments, the welcoming response of millions of sentient organisms thundered toward them, all of whom were eager to bask in the warmth of the illuminating sky-minds far above.

Even more tellingly, a startling number of those responses were remarkably coherent. Formed in the guise of directed queries, they seemed to issue from those creatures of a more advanced disposition.

They recognize me! Andrew exclaimed: See how heightened their perceptions are? I only touched them briefly on my previous visit. And yet they’ve remembered my signature.

So why aren’t they hiding? Victoria teased: The poor things probably thought they’d had a lucky escape last time. And now you’re traumatizing them all over again.

Victoria’s attempt to wind her brother up was wasted, lost as he was to the delights before him. Damn! He’s getting more and more like father every day!

Sending a bolt of static electricity snapping along the filaments of Andrew’s complexus, she complained: Hello! Earth calling Mister Pipe and Slippers! If you can’t be bothered to play along with your sister’s shenanigans anymore, I’m gonna start thinking you don’t love me.

Sincere and intimate affection washed over her as Andrew retorted: Ah, is my widdle sister getting all insecure? I’m your brother. Of course I wuv you. I don’t want to, of course, but it’s in the job description and forms a large part of the burden I am forced to bear. A particularly cumbersome and heavy one in my case, as I’m sure you’ll agree. After all, you’re an immortal wuss who’ll be there, plaguing my happiness for all eternity.

That’s more like it! Victoria jousted: Thank God I won’t have to seek a legal separation from you just yet then. But fair warning. When I do and we get down to the nitty-gritty, I’ll be seeking custody of the X-Box and anything else you’ve got hidden away!

Noooo! Andrew screamed in mock horror.

They both erupted into a fit of giggles. However, something she’d just said must have jogged Andrew’s memory, for he muttered. Hidden? Hey! That reminds me . . . Do you wanna see something else just as impressive?

As impressive as this? Victoria was unsure if her brother was being serious: No way!

Oh yeah? Manipulating the texture of subspace, Andrew started to peel back the weave of reality to expose the quantum travel network cunningly spread across a subsidiary level of the local galactic medium: What do you think of that then?

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Victoria was stunned. So stunned she couldn’t utter a single thought.

Nevertheless, her instincts had already taken over. Ranging for light years in all directions, she commenced an analytical assessment of the Jovian construct surrounding her.

Eventually, Victoria realized what it was she was looking: Bloody hell! Andrew, this is a massive and extremely sophisticated version of an X-Point web. Humanity has only just realized such conduits exist. Who assembled it?

Damned if I know, Vic! But whoever it was, they displayed a refinement and level of understanding I’ve only ever glimpsed within. . . ? Heads up!

They were interrupted by a power spike of unimaginable proportions.

Abruptly, a fourteen foot angelic apparition materialized before them, shining with a glory so bright, it threatened to rival the brilliance of the yellow-white main sequence star situated only ninety million miles away.

Father! They cried out.

Glad you could join us, Andrew declared. Sweeping his ethereal arms wide, he raved: Now you’ll see exactly what I meant! I’d like to have said I found it all by myself. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The twins waited to one side as the Overlord inspected the system from end to end.

Victoria could tell by the gold and silver electrum skittering through their father’s nexus that he fully understood the capacity of the enchanting vista just presented to him. Its very existence seemed to lift his heart and fill him with a profound sense of gratitude and pride. Odd? It’s as if he’s personally involved in some way?

Andrew continued: This is why we called you here. It’s a significant discovery and would be a marvelous aide to the outworking of our long-term strategy. But, as you can appreciate, mankind isn’t ready for it yet. We need your input to ensure such a bequest isn’t squandered.

A smile crept over the mental façade of the titan before them.

Yes! I remember now. The Overlord was in a wistful mood: Well done. Very well done indeed! You’ve uncovered something more important than you realize and . . .?

Victoria detected the feather-light caress of a telepathic probe as it fluttered across them. Though he didn’t let on, she was aware her father sensed it too, for it probed his anima using a bandwidth somewhat familiar to his existing intimate mode . . . though certain facets of its nature were far more complex and reeked of antiquity.

Beside her, Andrew hissed: Sis! Did you feel that? It’s back! The creature that led me here. But why would it reach out to dad first?

The Overlord must have heard the exchange: Andrew. Victoria. May I ask for your forbearance? I’ll explain later why this discovery is so vital. But first, I need to reacquaint myself with some old . . . friends.

Comprehension flared throughout Andrew’s nexus. Turning to his sister, he quickly opened a gateway, and said: C’mon, Vic! Let’s haul ass back to Moon Base. I’ll help you excise the new fragments we need from the crystal. The sooner we get the Kalliste project back online, the better. I’ll update you about . . . all this on the way!

Victoria lingered at the hyperspatial crossover, comparing the traits and auras of both her father and brother. Yes . . . they’re getting more and more alike every day. Of course, that’s not a bad thing, especially if Andrew has to take over when. . . .

She let the thought fade, and followed Andrew into the gray limbo of neverwhere.

*

The gentle background buzz of the interstellar milieu returned.

As he waited, Adam let the extent of his awareness range out across the treasure that was the Veritasu System. It was a truly magnificent accomplishment, worthy of her finest deeds. Immersing himself within the neural link, he soon became lost in contemplation. It’s been such a long time. And gratifying too, to discover not all of them have been idle.

At last, Adam succumbed to temptation.

Attuning his complexus, he generated a chord of stunning finesse and raw power, and channeled the stimulus of its pitch along one of the stronger ethereal stands issuing from the parent star. As the strand encountered each burgeoning world, their electromagnetic fields charged, blooming with peacock feathered tendrils of exuberance. Billions of soul-minds reacted, calling out in ecstasy and filling the ether with song. So haunting, so melodic was its theme, that for the first time in a long, long while, Adam was reminded of home.

Oh that is good! He thought. Better than good. If only my brothers and sisters could be persuaded to end their self imposed exile, they’d be such a help. Especially to Andrew as he comes to shoulder my obligation.

Scrutinizing the X-Point web more closely, Adam discerned the faint traces of the intrusion that had alerted him to their presence. Although its originator was still too shy to approach, she had left the leading node of her probe peeping through the fabric between real and fold space. Ah-ha! I see what you’re up to.

Turning toward it, he softened his countenance and adopted a mental overlay he hadn’t used in an age. Once transposed, he extended the mildest of invitations: Aren’t you going to say ‘hello’ to an old friend who has missed your counsel as the ages passed?

Gradually, the reality layers curled open.

Five very powerful but anxious entities peered out. Their radiances remained dull, muted in fearful apprehension at the proximity of the onetime Destroyer.

Following suit, Adam suppressed his own majesty and enfolded them within astral wings of solace: Yes, it is I, Sachael-Za-Ad’hem. Avenger no more, but servant of those who now stand at the cusp of ascension to the path of Unification.

So it’s true then? Gazad-riel spoke first: You did it? You actually did it! We didn’t believe Aslan-di’el or Gaia-le’el when they informed us of their discovery. We thought them given to flights of fancy. But now we see the veracity of their assertions. . .

Her voice faltered as her attention skipped from planet to planet in evident glee. Behind her, Ocean-az’el and Olinda were likewise enraptured.

Sachael-Za-Ad’hem left them enjoying themselves and addressed Aslan-di’el and Gaia-le’el instead: I take it this is the first time they have ever beheld your artistry?

Flaring mildly, Aslan-di’el replied: As much as I’d like to take the credit, this is all Gaia’s doing. I’ve managed to bring one such system to maturity. But this is her third! And in answer to your question, Ad’hem, yes! It’s the first time we’ve managed to get them all together. A miracle in itself.

What a pity. Sachael-Za-Ad’hem’s disappointment was evident: So much more could have been achieved by working together in unity.

As we have determined, Gaia-le’el responded at last, projecting the twin images of Andrew and Victoria into the void: Ad’hem, we have all marked the potency of your offspring. When I stumbled upon your son, I thought I was in your presence. How is such a thing possible?

Everyone had gathered around Sachael-Za-Ad’hem to listen, eager to discover the truth behind the miracle presented by the twins’ existence.

Radiating cherished memories of pained separation and lost love, Sachael-Za-Ad’hem declared: We have much to discuss, Brothers and Sisters! And believe me, the miracle of their birth is the least of it. I’ve always looked upon them as a gift. An affirmation that I was on the path toward redemption. That belief has kept me focused over the ages and brought great rewards . . . as well as heartache. Always, there was doubt in my heart. But not anymore. Not after I personally witnessed my dearest friend, Sariel-Jeh’oel, re-ascend in glory!

Shock radiated throughout the group.

Forestalling their questions, Sachael-Za-Ad’hem opened his mind wide and shared the entire episode through, from beginning to end. Allowing them to experience the moment of Sariel-Jeh’oel’s triumph, moved them all to an incredulous silence.

Sachael-Za-Ad’hem whispered: Don’t you remember Heimdhariel’s words?

. . . ‘In your disgraced condition, you are forbidden to interact with those who are untainted. You are forbidden to reveal this judgment to any whose origin is not of the Host. Only the truly penitent may one day hope to achieve consolation. Go now and reflect on the actions that led to your just proscription’. . .

Sariel-Jeh’oel led the way again. He showed it is possible to achieve consolation. And to get home!

Hope bloomed afresh in their hearts, spawning predictable questions.

In truth?

Even for ones such as us?

But we sought a self-imposed isolation? Would that be forgiven?

Can it be?

Then all is not lost!

Quieting their urgency, Sachael-Za-Ad’hem concluded: As I said. We have much to discuss. Come! Join me once more, this time at the site of Sariel-Jeh’oel’s ultimate victory. I cannot think of a more fitting place to begin addressing your issues as we determine our futures. Or that of this realm’s ascendancy!

He turned to activate the nearest ethodesic oculus, and waited at the threshold, holding it open for any who had the fortitude to proceed.

One by one, the small group of Fallen angels accepted the challenge.

Though heartened, he knew this was but the first of many hurdles. Now all I have to do is convince them to continue on without me. I remember how reticent they can be. Having to contemplate an ‘anomaly’ as their leader is bound to throw them . . . especially as they’ll be the ones guiding him to begin with!

*

As the slipstream generated by their exodus slowly swirled to a stop, another, as yet undiscovered layer of lower space cracked open.

The entity within stayed hidden; content to watch and wait while it contemplated its next gambit.

In due course, it judged it safe to act. Hardly daring to move, it reached through into the medium of normal space and tasted the echoes still freshly resonating along the arcane eddies left by the solar winds.

Its palate was unsettled.

The watcher had not ventured into this region of the universe since the time of Choice and Division, eons ago. It had only journeyed here then, thinking to spy on those who had decided to accept folly as their lot, and to chide them for their weakness of character.

At that time, nothing of worth looked to have been accomplished, and the entity had rapidly tired of deriding those who should know better. Drifting away on intergalactic tides, it had undertaken its own form of penance: admitting its own part in the downfall and stewing in the bitter juices of its own regret.

The ebb and flow of those currents had, inevitably, brought it back this way again. And what a homecoming it had been. Gaia-le’el has brightened, gaining a degree of absolution from her own self imposed segregation. Who would have guessed? Her private penance has produced fruit after all. Imagine that! Preparing entire systems for higher life forms . . . if that’s what you could ever call those vermin.

And now she has help!

The entity reflected for a while on those powers that had conjoined with Gaia-le’el in mutual support. They were possessed of remarkable vigor. Especially the principal!

Something about their leader brought back hints of a long forgotten existence.

No! Shrinking back in fright, the entity flared, almost exposing its presence.

I remember now. It’s him . . . The Avenger! The Destroyer! But it’s been . . . How could he have achieved so much? The boundary of realization has almost been fulfilled!

Sealing the gap behind itself, the entity raced from the scene in a panic, overwhelming dismay now dominating its natural tendency for stealth. Do I tell the others? Should I tell the others? They’ll want to . . . need to know what happen, assuredly? But do I have to be the one that does it? We venture this way so rarely, we’ve become complacent as to what might be transpiring here.

Dithering, the entity finally made a choice.

I’ll wait! They’ll only blame me for the bad news anyway, so I might as well find out what else has been going on in our absence before I submit myself to their ire.