//------------------------------// // Deal // Story: Edge of Time- The lost world // by Assimilated Wolf //------------------------------// On the way back to their quarters, Sivath and Thunder were “escort” by the Chief Security Theta. Theta is a brown bat zegasus – half batpony half Zebra. He is in charge of all the security details aboard the ship. Normally, he will just order some redshirts to escort their “guests”, but this time he is under Inspector’s direct order to take the Flares back to their quarter. Geodesic is only a 200-meter-long ship with five decks, so it doesn’t take them too much time arriving at their quarter. Just before Sivath steps in, Theta whispered in his ear:” Sorry, sir... We don't believe that you are guilty but we have our orders...” “I know.” Sivath Sighs. “Sorry, but don't worry, everything’s gonna be fine.” Theta looks down to avoid Sivath’s eyes.” Computer, lock the door, and set up a level 1 security field.” “Affirmative.” Computer replies with an emotionless mechanical voice. Locked inside, Thunder sits on the bed, complaining about their mistreatment:” How could they do that to us! So that’s how they do things in the institute now huh? Just accuse someone for no reason and lock them up? ......” Sivath, on the other hand, acts more calmly. He takes a deep breath, sits down at his desk, and presses the big Power button trying to start his computer. He wants to find out what is going on, why suddenly the inspectors turn against him. “Access Denied” “Authorization Code Sivath Flare 79-Alpha-1-Omega-Lamda” Sivath tries again. “This Authorization Code is no longer effective.” Again, the computer is not starting. Thunder stands up, walking around anxiously:” How? I can't believe it... They can't just remove your access code. Who gave them the authority to do that? And the captain... he just lets them... This is nonsense...” Sivath shrugs. He does not know why he is accused and he certainly feels uncomfortable not knowing what is going on. He has nothing to say. At least there is nothing necessary to say under this circumstance. The cyborg decides not to waste his energy. He gets on the bed, laying down, and quietly listening to his loved one complaining. Days passed. No one came to visit. Sivath and Thunder have been locked up for so long that even the cyborg lost track of the time. It’s boring locked up in a room with no computer access, no entertainment. Only the food replicator is still working, so they would not starve to death. Everything stays the same as days ago, except for the stars outside. The stars move fast across the dark empty space. The door finally opens the day when stars become familiar with Sivath. Looking at the stars he can tell that ship arrives at the central campus of the Institute. Two police officers come in. They tell Sivath to come with them. It is virtual night time in the Institute. Most lights are turned off. Stars reflected on the ceramic tiles shines like diamonds. Sivath walking on the street with two laser rifles pointing at his head is in no good mood enjoying this peaceful view on campus. Through layers and layers of security nets, Sivath is taken to an interrogation room in the police bureau. It is a bright room, with one rectangular table in the middle and two chairs at the opposite ends. The white walls in the room are glowing, filling every centimeter of the room with light. The room is so bright compared to the dark corridor outside, that not until the two officers press him down on a chair and walk out, Sivath notices that on the opposite side of the table, there sits Cooper, the black deer. “Name?” Cooper asks as if he doesn’t know him, but this is just the procedure. “You seriously asking?” “Yes.” Cooper stares as his tablet, writing something on it. He does not even bother looking up at Sivath’s face when he speaks. “As you wish.” Sivath is a bit angry about his attitude.” I am Sivath Flare, Institute designation 083105118097116104. Chair of the Department of Psychohistory. I have committed no crime and it is illegal to imprison me for over 24 hours without any solid evidence. I demand that you release me immediately.” Cooper looks up into his eyes:” Mr. Flare, please calm down. We just need you to corporate.” “Corporate for... what? I ...” Cooper interrupts him: “You are the Professor of Psychohistory and you should know that better than any others. With our population size and technology, no... for the lack of a better word, harmony, would not have been possible without your department. We are both trying to prevent chaos from happening.” “I understand that. But there have been no signs of imminent chaotic factors in any calculation...” Sivath still does not know what Cooper is plotting. “That Computer core your ship recovered from deep space is our imminent chaos factor. The information will throw the public's mind off...”Cooper explains.” Look, we have all seen what people react to the new discovery you made. They just can’t accept it. More and more questions will be raised by this discovery. How is our Equestria founded, did we have wars between ponies and locals, why ponies are the majority not locals like wolfs and caitians. Some conspiracy theorists may even question the government, even trying to overthrow it.” Sivath now realizes that he is framed for the “greater good”, but he disagrees with Cooper:” I am aware of the potential impact on our society. However, revealing it to the public will actually result in a better outcome. Masking the truth cannot keep the people in peace. By my calculation, there is only a 5.7 percent possibility that telling our people the fact that the dominant 3 species are outsiders will cause regional disruptive events. The possibility of civil war is less than 0.02 parts per million. However, if someone discovered that the government covers it, there will be 20 percent possibility that the government will be overthrown and this United Nation will be no more.” “Look, Borg. We have lived peaceful lives for centuries. We don't want anything to happen to this union. But things are changing now... No one ever admits the tiny variances in our historical data that fuel your calculations... But no, chaos cannot happen, not in our generation. As long as we are still here, we do not wish to risk anything. Your 5 percent chance is simply not low enough.“ Cooper stands up and clops on the table, getting quite emotional. “So that’s why we will hide this discovery of yours from the public!” “With all due respect, sir, I work for the United Nation of Equestria, not anyone's own interest. So should you. It is my duty to study the past and predict the future and act correspondently, and it is your duty, the government's duty to do your best, dealing with any outcome.” Sivath strikes back. Cooper will not listen:” Borg. I'm not here for your lecture. Sadly someone always has to sacrifice for history... So here is the deal. We will renounce your degree of psychohistory and you shall never talk about your fancy discovery again. In return, we shall provide you a job at the government's logistics department and offer you 10,000 National Antimatter Credits per month.” “That’s a quite generous offer…” “So, you accept?” Sivath is annoyed by Cooper’s bribe:” No! This is unacceptable! You cannot just….” “Then there is no deal.” Cooper doesn’t want to waste too much effort on the stubborn cyborg. He tabs a button on the table. The door opens. Two ponies in black walk in. One carries a toolbox, and another holds a pistol. They shoot at Sivath and disables him. Sivath struggles but can't really move his body. One of them place the box on the table and opens it. He pulls out a file and places it in front of Sivath. The other one holds Sivath's hoof and presses a hoofprint on the file.