Supergatory

By Patrick M. Robbins

In a distant corner of the cosmos, on an advanced planet known as Newel, a hero is created using super science.

This hero is named Gar-A and his destiny is driven by a freak occurrence with a black hole. He finds himself seemingly stranded on a distant planet called Earth, a strange place that exists in a parallel dimension away from his home world. Newelians look like humans, but this is where the similarities end. Made of an incredibly dense molecular structure, they are gifted with incredible strength and durability. Their superior mental capacities and half-millennium life span make them astonishingly powerful.

On Earth, Gar-A becomes known as Major Alpha, the premier costumed hero of his age. He follows his heart, and soon, he and his human wife, Kate, build a life and family together. Their son, Mik, lives a life most fanboys can only dream of in their four-color fantasies. Mik, considered a power-normal, dreams of glory as he strives to make the most of his small portion of Newelian abilities. A tragic first outing opens young Miks eyes to a series of revelations about his fathers legacy, as his dream of being a superhero becomes a twisted nightmare.

If he is to realize his fate, Mik must find the courage to escape the dark shadow of his father. As he makes new allies and enemies, he finds himself forced to pursue his own path toward a greater destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491740132

Patrick M. Robbins

Patrick M. Robbins, a proud Michigander, was raised in the state’s “thumb.” A graduate of Michigan State University, he has spent most of his career in the ad agency scene. Pat is married, has two children, and lives in the suburbs of Detroita

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Copyright © 2014 Patrick M. Robbins.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse LLC

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4012-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4014-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4013-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014913117

iUniverse rev. date: 08/29/2014

Contents

Chapter 1:   The Elevated Places

Chapter 2:   Taking Mass

Chapter 3:   Theosis

Chapter 4:   A Second Coming

Chapter 5:   Genesis

Chapter 6:   The Anti-Alpha

Chapter 7:   Acts

Chapter 8:   The First Circle of Hell

Chapter 9:   Lamentations

Chapter 10:   The New Trinity

Chapter 11:   Titus

Chapter 12:   The Pilgrimage

Chapter 13:   Revelations

Chapter 14:   Numbers

Chapter 15:   Exodus

Chapter 16:   The Victory

A Note to the Reader

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Dedication

To my dad, who introduced me to comic books and fed my imagination through reading. You’re my hero, and I miss you.

Introduction

You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes, even if it’s just in your own eyes.

—Walter M. Shirra Sr.

Chapter 1

The Elevated Places

The universe is vast, and as the folds of time and space unfurl, so do stories that challenge the mind and tantalize the imagination. This tale begins on one of those distant corners of the cosmos, on an advanced planet known as Newel. It was here that the costumed hero Major Alpha was born.

For those of you who are not from this world or who have been living under a rock for the last 70 years, not only is Major Alpha the premiere costumed hero, but he is also held up as the standard of that exotic calling. And although most know that he was in fact an alien born of Newel, a select few know all the details of how he came to be on Earth.

Newel is a planet much like ours. Newelians look like us. They eat, sleep, breathe, reproduce, and die like us. However, that is where the similarities end. Your average Newelian has roughly a 500-Earth-year life span. Their bodies are incredibly dense, molecularly speaking, giving them incredible strength and durability. Their minds are developed to such a degree that they are not only more technically advanced than us but have also developed a very interesting form of inverted psychokinesis. They are unable to move objects with their minds, but they can internalize this power to move themselves, making flying as easy as walking and adding to their already great physical speed and invulnerability.

Driven by science and advancement almost to obsession, the Newelians began an ambitious space program some hundred years earlier. Thousands of citizens were screened to receive the greatest of physical and mental attributes to create a new type of astronaut. From this genetic recombination they were able to bioengineer nine specimens. Infants in three sets of three were raised, trained, and chemically treated to be hearty enough to withstand the harsh vacuum of space for long periods with limited air and supplies.

The specimens were named with their surnames being the letter designation of their group. Group C was comprised of Bry-C, Ked-C, and a female Mia-C. (All three sets included a female to provide an appropriate cross section as well as the potential for breeding.)

The C group was bred to have slightly higher intellect at the cost of not having the greatest strength. As they reached accelerated adolescence, their intellects shone brightly, with top scores in astrophysics, stellar geography, and chemical/biological analysis. As mentioned, they did not have the maximum strength that most Newelians had, but due to their stronger mental prowess, they were able to fly greater distances without rest.

As their development reached maturity, each of the Cs began to exhibit depression, melancholy, and a lack of interest in almost all pursuits. The recommendation was made to try to correct this with medication. This would prove to be an insufficient remedy, as shown by their first test mission.

The test mission was simple; each C member was tasked to travel to one of Newel’s three moons, camp overnight, and return with core samples of each moon’s crust. Newel’s three moons—Tarbus, Estom, and Mydret—were relatively equidistant from Newel, and each contained unique rock formations of various elements that drifted constantly, changing the geography and often making newer elements surface. This made core samples from the moons very helpful in deducing the origins of the relatively small solar system that Newel inhabited. It was also hoped that core samples would shed light on the slight position drift each of the moons had experienced in the past few decades.

Departure day came, and each of the Cs was outfitted in a formfitting white jumpsuit with blue sleeves that looped around their thumbs and matching blue boots. Emblazoned on the left shoulder of each uniform was a prominent insignia of a horizon starburst with a Newelian letter C centered over it. Blue-tinted goggles protected their eyes from errant dust particles while accelerating in and out of atmospheres.

This mission would be the first time that the Cs would be separated. Up until now, the C group had spent every waking moment together. They were housed together, ate together, studied together, and worked out together in the same training arena. As the group were monitored through the first day of the trip, scientists noticed Ked-C diverting from his arranged flight path and heading on an intercept course toward Mia-C. Attempts to radio Ked to ask why he had deviated were met with panicked and paranoid ranting.

Someone is out here trying to get me, and I have to make sure that Mia is safe!

The monitoring scientists could find no sign of any being or craft in Ked’s vicinity and deduced from his vital readings that this was some form of panic attack. Unfortunately, in this panic, Ked forgot how to properly control his breathing to make efficient use of his considerable air supply, which fit in three highly compressed containers on the back of his belt. All three groups were trained to take breaths periodically through a clear plastic mask that hung from their belts and to rely on their natural ability to camel air for up to five Earth hours.

Despite pleas from Newel’s mission scientists, Ked had used half his air only one-quarter of the way to Mia’s location. It wasn’t long after when he went radio silent and the monitoring devices in his uniform registered his heart bursting and his body drifting into the frigid abyss.

In hindsight, mission scientists mistakenly informed Mia-C and Bry-C of their brother’s demise and that it was then more critical that they perform their tasks to the utmost degree. This sent the remaining Cs in opposite directions of thinking. Mia, who had just landed on Mydret’s surface, immediately dropped her gear and returned to Newel. She entered an extended mourning period for Ked and did not leave her quarters nor speak for some time.

Bry-C took the news better but felt the weight of the mission was on his shoulders alone. He took core samples from Tarbus in half the time allotted, calmly calculated and reassessed his oxygen needs, and headed to the moon of Estom, which his brother was unable to reach. Once there, he took samples in record time, and with minimal air reserves, he headed to Mydret, following the homing beacon in Mia’s gear that had been abandoned there.

Bry landed on Mydret with barely a gasp of breath to spare and quickly located Mia’s supplies, which contained two spare oxygen capsules as well as her core sample equipment and containers. After a few refreshing breaths, he quickly took the samples needed from the moon’s crust, packed up all his gear and the samples, and lifted off for home.

His exuberance and relief at completing not only his mission but also those of his siblings made him relax his caution. Upon his reentry to Newel, the additional weight of the core samples, coupled with his own exhaustion from an extended trip that he had not trained for, caused him to be overcome by Newel’s gravity. Bry crashed into one of Newel’s science capitol centers, creating a quarter-mile crater, killing him along with dozens of others.

Bry’s body was kept for study, and the core samples were recovered thanks in part to their sturdy containers; however, the C group was considered a substantial failure. The development of the C group showed flaws in the breeding, where overstimulation of the brain to increase intelligence also caused debilitating personality and psychological afflictions.

The B group was next to be tested. Developed for increased density and strength, the B group had the weaker intellect of the three groups. The B group consisted of Tan-B, Lar-B, and a female, Fen-B. They differed little in appearance from the C group, with the exception of their larger proportions. All had closely cropped dark hair and hazel eyes. They were clothed in similar outfits as the C group, except with red accents as opposed to blue, and the same horizon starburst centered over the Newelian letter B adorned their left shoulder. The B group was given an important task for their first mission. An asteroid field had been detected on the outer curtain of the Newel solar system. The Bs were to fly to three separate quadrants of space and intercept various clusters of asteroids. Once there, they were to determine the asteroids’ trajectory potential for impact with Newel, and if impact was possible, they were to physically change their paths away from home. A secondary directive was given for them to collect samples of each meteor they encounter.

Newel’s science council was concerned that the distance for them to travel may be too far, having just witnessed the shortcomings of the C group. The scientists who developed the Bs assured them that they were bred for greater endurance and could go even farther on less oxygen and supplies than the C group did.

Mission day came, and the B group had been briefed and rebriefed to make sure they were certain of their responsibilities and objectives. Each lifted off and headed in a different direction of space as planned. Tan, the strongest of the three, encountered the first of the meteor shower offerings. He carefully measured and calculated trajectories and used his great strength to move the potentially threatening projectiles. With each meteor he threw, he was sure to break off a small piece and place it into a sample container for study.

Lar and Fen cheered for him through their communicators and expressed pride for the early success of the group. At his location, Tan began to experience a heavier volume of meteors and debris. As he took a puff of air from his oxygen mask, his massive chest swelled with pride.

He barely placed his mask back into his belt pouch when a basketball-sized meteor crashed into the back of his head and exploded. Tan exhaled a deep yelp that was lost to the soundless vacuum of space. His face flushed with anger, and he began wildly smashing asteroids with his fists. Each rock that was pulverized with his clenched mitts split into a dozen pieces and ping-ponged off others, changing their course and speed.

The scientists who were monitoring his activity via his uniform’s sensors ordered him to calm himself, but their heeding came too late. As his anger began to lapse, he threw one last space rock into a collision course with a larger asteroid. Unbeknownst to Tan, the larger asteroid was filled with some form of hydrogen-methane gas. The asteroids’ collision sparked off a massive detonation that engulfed Tan and punctured his oxygen capsules, increasing the explosion’s yield. On Newel, the monitoring scientists’ instruments read flat. Tan had perished in the blast.

A tear escaped Fen’s eye and immediately froze and flaked from her cheek into the icy void. She had grown very close to Tan during their upbringing and often warned him about his temper. Fen successfully reached her destination in space, and the marvel of the sea of rocks that floated in waves temporarily blocked her anguish. She moved quickly but cautiously, analyzing and correcting the courses of debris that may pose a threat. She carefully collected, stored, and labeled specimens from each asteroid she intercepted.

Things were going well until she noticed the wave of debris change course and begin rolling and flowing in a tight formation toward a blank spot in space, totally devoid of stars. Fen followed the rock flow as it pooled tighter and picked up speed. She then began to feel something pulling her. She turned and exerted herself in the opposite direction but barely moved.

She panicked, believing that maybe she had lost the ability to fly, but before she could rationalize her fears, the debris field began pushing her backward with increasing speed. Fen began to spin, and the pull of the vacant spot in space increased, and she felt as if she were being stretched from the pulling force that steadily increased her acceleration.

There was little time to signal the scientists back on Newel as she disappeared without a sound into the inky darkness. The monitoring scientists had almost no data with which to speculate. She was there one minute and gone the next. Disappointingly, Fen-B was classified lost in space, with little information regarding what had gone wrong.

History seemed to repeat itself as the scientists responsible for the B group hung all their hopes on Lar-B. Lar had heard little from Fen before she disappeared, and the last signal from her uniform sensors and her communicator stopped with an abrupt garble that was followed by hollow static as she entered the event horizon.

Lar focused as he reached his destination. The asteroid field he was assigned to was dense and moving in a more chaotic fashion than Fen’s. Lar diligently began assessing the flight paths of the larger asteroids and calculated new paths for those that threatened Newel. The incandescent flares given off by the smaller meteors as they burned up in Newel’s distant atmosphere easily distracted Lar. He filled his sample containers with fervor as he moved the last of the more threatening asteroids into safer orbits around Newel.

The scientists at home had trouble masking their pride as Lar started home. Lar picked up speed, excited to return home to an appreciative crowd. In his haste, he noticed a larger asteroid on a questionable path. He sighed and took a refreshing inhale from his respirator and made a straight shot toward the tumbling boulder. Over his communicator, he heard the scientists boasting of the celebratory meal that awaited him. Lar was bursting with self-gratification, so much so that he overlooked his normal calculations for changing the asteroid’s destination. Instead, he added a burst of speed and collided with the rock head-on. It was much heavier than he anticipated, and it moved ever so slightly into the opposite direction. On its course correction, the asteroid hooked his garment. The sheer mass and speed of the massive rock tore the durable fabric of his cape, which remained snagged, silently flapping like a flag as the asteroid headed very slowly into the distance.

Lar turned and darted for home with a prideful smile on his lips. He arrived to a hoard of cheering science officers, technicians, and devoted citizenry. He delivered his asteroid samples and the memory capsule from his uniform, which recorded his bioreadings and stellar positioning on his mission. The B group was considered a partial success, especially when compared to the C group, which bore no fruit whatsoever. The scientists of the A group were now feeling increased pressure to produce equal, if not better, results compared to their peers, as a competitive attitude had always plagued the three teams of scientists involved in the project.

A few weeks went by, and Lar was given another mission. He was to fly into orbit and place six geosynchronous telescope satellites around Newel. These telescopes would be used for research and early-warning detection of encroaching astral bodies, such as the asteroid shower that nearly rained down on Newel. Lar completed the assignment within expected tolerances, and the satellites were online and scanning the Newelian solar system within the week.

Another success for Lar-B and the B group was on the lips of everyone on Newel. There was talk of the science chancellor—Newel’s top political and ruling position—awarding the B group with a larger project and appointment as part of the chancellor’s highly esteemed consultation committee.

The A group scientists were discouraged but not ready to give up. It was true that the breeding plan and gestation period of their A group had taken considerably longer than C and B; however, the A group of scientists were comprised of some of the most diligent and respected that Newel had to offer. Even with that being said, the A group science team was often accused of overplanning and being too cautious, a claim that the A scientists thought was preposterous since science was the pursuit of accurate and positive results, not just results.

The telescoping satellite ring around the planet was functioning flawlessly, and teams of scientists were utilizing them for a variety of studies. During one of these observation sessions, a warning chime drew those in the receiving observatory to a large encroaching body heading toward Newel. Zooming the satellites’ powerful lenses to the coordinates, they were alerted to a large asteroid tumbling toward Newel on a collision course. The severity of the issue was compounded by another disturbing discovery. Using the satellites to focus in even closer brought a shocking sight into view. From the corner of the spinning space mass hung a piece of bright-red fabric, billowing and spinning in the void as the rock spun along its path. This fabric was clearly Lar’s missing cape and proved that the B group was not the thorough success as first believed.

The science chancellor was dismayed by this revelation and even more so that the second attempt at creating a successful cosmographer and a powerful face for the Newelian race had failed. He quickly ruled that all spec data on the breeding and enhancement used in the creation of both C and B groups be turned over to the A group scientists to help speed up and increase their chances for success.

Data was combed through, filtered, and speculated, and a theoretical discussion was engaged. It was decided that to increase the possibility of success, a different combination of genetic traits would be separately fed into the three gestation wombs. By tweaking the DNA to create an acceleration of development to maturity, the A group would be born fully developed adults and educated via virtual reality and subliminal implantation, which gave them superior problem-solving intuition. They would be housed separately and physically trained at different times and different locations, to avoid the overdeveloped attachment to one another that had plagued the other groups.

The A scientists once criticized for their prolonged preparation and lengthy research before taking each step was now held up as the model for future experiments. The gestation and growth period finally ended, and anxious scientists and government officials gathered at each of the three separate birthing stations. Audible gasps were heard as each emerged from their biotech wombs, paragons of physical perfection. Their encephalo-scholastic programming was so complete that each politely greeted the onlookers that surrounded them, despite their look of overwhelmed confusion. Monitors at each birthing site were tuned to broadcast the activities of the other two.

Station 1, which had opened first, was a buzz of activity as a din was created by rapid-fire questions, conjectures, and the theoretical capability of the first specimen, named Jek-A. Jek looked much like the male specimens of both B and C groups—tall, broad, thick with muscle, dark hair, and dark eyes. Nearly simultaneously, station 2 mirrored the excited fervor as a female, Lin-A, emerged from her technowomb. Clearly bred from a similar DNA as Jek, Lin’s big dark eyes caught the attention of every man in the room as she tousled her shortly cropped brunette locks. Both were adorned in the same uniforms as the B and C groups, but theirs were colored in a vivid green.

Station 3, however, is where the real excitement would be. The birthing chamber lurched forward and opened with an ominous hiss as gases escaped and pure oxygen mixed with the outer atmosphere of the station. When Gar-A stepped out, a wave of sweeping silence trailed into gasps of surprise. Having viewed the other births either personally or via telescreen, the onlookers were anxiously anticipating another male that would resemble Jek. Imagine their surprise when a fair-haired, green-eyed titan emerged. Gar’s physical dimensions seemed larger than current and previous specimens, and unlike all the rest, his face was not one of confusion or surprise but had a warm and friendly grin.

The chief science officer cleared his throat in a vain attempt to get the attention of the crowd. Citizens, please! His voice was loud and crisp but barely pierced the din of the awestruck mob. My fellow Newelians! His shout was laced with a commanding authority that snapped heads toward his position, now elevated on an equipment case. Once he had the attention of the full room, he continued. Ahem, you will note that subject 3-A, or as my technicians have named him, Gar-A, is a slight aberration from our other specimens. This, my friends, is no accident.

The CSO moved to a bank of monitors where a sea of equations and diagrams flooded the screens. As you know, the experiments that bear the most fruit are those that have a control group and a variable. The variable, my friends, is Gar-A. He was a pet project of mine. I scrutinized our birthing center databases, running filters and screening for the strongest biological traits and beneficial attributes, which culminated in this specimen.

The other two A subjects stood nearly frozen, absorbing in their surroundings and what they were hearing, almost overwhelmed by their births and the sudden influx of sensory input. Gar-A, however, stepped forward confidently and grinned warmly at the crowd. Greetings, fellow Newelians.

The crowd half gasped and roared with applause and returned sentiments of greeting to their unique new son. Jek and Lin stepped forward and assumed secondary positions behind Gar. Each grinned sheepishly as they also felt pride for their brother but knew in their hearts that their positions behind Gar may be permanent in more than the literal sense.

The birth of the A group was also the birth of scientific renaissance for Newel. Ocean currents were studied with aid of buoys and measuring equipment set up on the surface and ocean floor by the A-trio. The arctic poles of Newel, difficult to reach and with conditions more difficult to endure (as Newel’s circumference was easily ten times that of Earth), were easily accessible to the near-invulnerable A group, particularly Gar. The depths of Newel’s fault lines were explored and plumbed to harness geothermal energy and to help better understand Newel’s tectonic arrangement and movement. This all took place in a single Newelian year.

This boon of exploration and achievement was celebrated planet-wide as the various science academies met more and more frequently to argue the next scientific pursuit that would be fulfilled by the A group. The science chancellor did his best to officiate these debates, but the passion for discovery and promise of success became too much for the usually mild and thoughtful scientists.

Jek-A and Lin-A often participated in these discussions, offering insight and input on what they were capable of doing and contributing and even postulating their own theories for potential research. Gar-A, however, always stood quiet and rigid at the back of the room. He would answer questions when asked but never leaned toward one field of study or another, but he was always standing, at the ready, to take on the next challenge.

Gar’s lack of participation did not go unnoticed by the science chancellor, who clearly had his fill of the debate that was starting to turn personal between the eager scientists. Gar, tell us your thoughts. The chancellor’s voice boomed, and even the smaller side conversations ceased as everyone looked up at the flaxen-haired goliath.

Esteemed researchers, please do not take my reserved presence as any form of negative reaction to your debate. My silence is that of confusion. Lin-A and Jek-A glanced at each other, impressed by their brother’s humble admission and ease with which he engaged the large group of superiors. Gar’s slightly dramatic pause ended.

"Why is it a question of which of your noble research endeavors will be completed next, but of when we will pursue them? More specifically the order we conduct them in and what experiments lend to the goals of the others."

The council sat quietly. Many of them exchanged the same inquisitive look that Lin and Jek shone at Gar. Finally the silence was broken by one of the senior scientists.

Gar, your contributions to our research have truly been of the highest merit, so please do not find disrespect in my asking, how could the three of you, even with the might and intellect of your caliber, possibly carry out the sheer number of experiments and research that all of us are proposing?

Gar grinned, and although his intent may have been to express his congenial nature, the effect on the senior science officer was anything but.

Sir, I could never find disrespect in these hallowed halls or from minds as advanced as those gathered here.

The senior scientist sat easier in his seat, flattered and intrigued by what Gar had to say.

My suggestion is being misunderstood and for that I apologize. I propose that we carefully schedule and arrange your endeavors into a co-beneficial timetable as to maximize the outcome and output of all those involved. As for my siblings and I being the sole instruments for initiating your work, I agree. We will not be up to fulfilling all the tasks proposed here.

Lin looked cross and turned to Jek to speak. Jek quickly gestured politely that they just listen as Gar continued.

We will have our remaining cousins from the C and B sets aid us.

A mild murmur crested into a full-blown cacophony of questions, objections, and frustrations. Again the science chancellor rose, but this time with such effort that his robes billowed. His hand slammed onto the large table with force, and every member fell silent and hung their heads.

As purveyors and pursuers of knowledge, we do great disservice to our cause and culture with this lack of patience.

Quiet apologies flowed like a wave across the table until the chancellor raised his hand and nodded his acceptance of the group’s remorse.

Gar, please continue. I must say, that you have piqued my curiosity with your plan.

Gar bowed his head thankfully to the chancellor.

Thank you, sir. My strategy is thus: I know our cousins, in the initial genetic groups, have not necessarily reached the level of achievement that was planned. However, under the leadership of my siblings and I, they can be useful arms of our scientific body.

Again whispers and murmurs were heard, but this time in agreement and support. One council member, clearly young and a junior in the organization, spoke out against Gar’s idea.

Your description of both the B and C groups’ performance and relation to you and yours is woefully inaccurate, Gar-A.

Gar smiled, but his eyebrows flexed downward as the junior councilman known as Ky went on.

The B and C groups not only failed to achieve any of the potential promised in early appraisals during their genetic sorting, but referring to them as cousins or any kin of yours is ludicrous. You are no more related to them or your gestation group than I am to this table.

Gar unfolded his arms and began slowly walking toward Ky. As he approached, his greater size became more apparent. Easily two heads taller than Ky and easily outweighing him by double or more, his massive fists were easily the diameter or Ky’s head. Ky turned and backed away very slightly, and his Adam’s apple telegraphed his anxious gulp. Gar reached Ky and placed his enormous mitt on his shoulder.

Sir, your place at this table is unquestioned, as is your connection to your fellow Newelian scientists. Is not Newel a table in which we all sit? My familial metaphor used to describe my fellow gestation mates may have been one that is poetic, but are we not connected? Is not every one of us a son or daughter of Newel? You may not like my romanticism about the connections we have to one another, but that connection does exist, and it is my fondest wish to strengthen it via the advancement of our knowledge using every resource available.

Ky sat as every member of the science council rose and burst into applause. Lin and Jek also rose and grinned with pride. Jek turned to Lin.

Our brother is quite the politician, is he not?

Lin looked away briefly and then turned back to Jek. Yes, he really is something. Lin’s mind raced. She hated referring to Gar as a brother. Their genetic coding was purposely designed to be divergent for the possibility of future mating and procreation.

Is that what I want? Lin thought.

She didn’t feel that way about Jek, whom she proudly proclaimed a sibling and confidant. These thoughts and feelings overwhelmed Lin, and she was more than happy to push them to the back of her mind.

As the clapping and cheering subsided, the chancellor gained control over the council meeting again.

Gar, tell us, what do you recommend as our first course of action?

Gar turned on his heel like a soldier at attention. His voice was soft with respect but still firm with dedication. Sir, our first steps, as always, must be those of preparation. Without the aid of my extended family, the undertaking of all your great plans will be nearly impossible. Therefore I propose that Lin-A seek out and escort Mia-C to our medical campus at our south pole, and hopefully with the aid of counseling and pharmaceutical treatment we can add her to our number within the coming months.

Lin-A stood up to show her readiness and agreement with Gar’s plan. Gar and Lin exchanged nods of solidarity before Gar continued.

Next Jek-A will meet with Lar-B and bring him up to speed with our plan.

Again whispers began to seep into the air, and their dissenting tones could not go unnoticed. Chief among those in disagreement was again Ky. Gar stopped but did not have to ask what the apprehension was about.

Again, noble scientists, I am aware of your apprehension in using the remaining C and B teams in this endeavor. However, I swear to you that under the direct guidance of myself and my siblings, they will prevail and validate your efforts in their creation.

A scientist stepped forward from the more crowded standing-room area at the back of the meeting theater. Many recognized him immediately as the lead scientist and technician of the C group. Whispers hushed as he spoke up.

I will aid you, noble Gar-A! You all know me. I am Bon, and I once sat at the table of the esteemed.

He gestured to the table before them. Many nodded, while some looked away.

It was my genetic design and fabrication that created the C group. I will gladly lend my expertise in treating the sorrowed Mia-C to add her to your cause.

Gar slowly approached the aged scientist with a gentleness that belied his frame. He rested his massive hands on the shoulders of the clearly nervous researcher.

Sir, you are both friend and scholar, and I gladly welcome your efforts. Thank you.

Yet another scientist stepped forward from the rear of the crowded theater.

I too wish to help!

Gar spun to see where the voice came from and smiled when he locked eyes with the bold scientist.

I am Cag, and I conceptualized and manufactured the DNA for the B group.

Gar bowed a welcome, and his voice boomed.

Welcome, Cag, scholar and friend, your help is also most welcome.

Cag nodded and seemed happy to have the floor of the science council once again.

I will aid you in helping direct Lar-B to the most efficient course of action to aid you.

Cag was once a senior researcher like Bon, who fell into disfavor after the lack of success with their breed groups.

Gar was clearly exuberant. It was the most emotion he had shown since his creation and easily the most he had spoken. Everyone was clearly impressed to the point of shock, and if they weren’t, they were about to be.

Ky spoke up again with venom.

Tell us, Gar-A, what of you? What will you be doing while your counterparts are entrenched in labor?

Gar acted as if he had not heard the young scientist’s barbed interrogative. Instead he turned gratefully to the scientists who came forward in aid.

Bon and Cag, your gracious offers could not timelier, but I fear I will need more from you than just what you propose. Master Scientist Ky, your research deals heavily with the gravitational anomaly that exists on the border of your solar system, correct?

Ky perked up at the mention of his favorite topic and answered excitedly.

Yes it is, Gar-A.

Gar’s face twisted into a mask of seriousness.

My first personal task is twofold. First, I will fly into the gravitational singularity and plant a research probe. For I believe it is the cause of our lunar drift as well as the phenomena that is pulling the various extraplanetary objects and debris into Newel’s orbit. We’ve all seen this, not to mention the effects on our ocean currents, which have created a disruption in our seasons and ecosystem.

The scientists roared in shock, as the task was sure to be lethal. Gar did not allow the fervor to build and overtake the conversation as it had many times earlier. He spoke again, this time very loudly and profoundly.

My second task will be to liberate Fen-C from said anomaly.

Again voices boomed in protest and in gasps of shock. This time, however, the science chancellor spoke up.

Gar-A, your motives are truly well intentioned and their benevolence to our causes is of no doubt, but surely you know the dangers and futility of your proposed task.

Gar turned to the science chancellor and spoke in a softer tone out of respect for their sage leader.

Sir, I have thoroughly reviewed Ky’s theories, postulates, and equations regarding the gravitational phenomenon that plagues the outer system.

Ky looked shocked, as he had been sure up to this point that Gar-A disliked him.

Gar continued.

I believe that if the probe is only able to function for seconds, to minutes, that the information gleaned from the probe will give us countless amounts of data. As for Fen-C, I believe that there is a possibility of her still being alive.

Irritatingly the murmurs and whispers began again, buzzing like insects.

SILENCE! the chancellor shouted. The room fell deathly silent. Explain your thinking, Gar-A.

Thank you, sir. My theory is based on Ky’s work. I believe the gravity well created by this singularity is so strong, so intense, that not even time cannot escape. I postulate that Fen-C is possibly stuck, frozen in time, caught between the seconds of her immersion into the void. My plan is to enter the black hole at my top speed and, after depositing the probe, pluck Fen free and with our combined strengths escape.

The chancellor stroked his beard and sat back in his chair, enveloped in thought. Even the mass of minds that comprised the council sat quiet and still. The chancellor sat forward with his hands folded pensively.

Suppose your theory is incorrect, Gar? And Fen is lost to us?

Gar wasted no time in responding. If that is true, sir, nothing is lost. The data from the probe and the potential recovery of Fen’s remains would still make this a positive endeavor.

The chancellor expelled a labored exhalation. But what of the potential loss of you, Gar-A? Who has proven to be one of our most benevolent productions and truly a pride of our society.

Gar took a few steps closer to the chancellor’s elevated throne-like seat. Again, your honor, the benefits of this mission outweigh the risks. Was this not what I was created for? If I were to not return, you would still have my groupmates, and I am sure that the engineers who facilitated my creation could succeed again in creating another such as I.

Again Lin-A felt a bothersome pit in her stomach. Despite her mature biological age, she was still only two years old, and her feelings were often confusing to her. Gar is truly the bravest of us all, she thought. Then once again she felt her stomach bottom out.

The chancellor rose to his feet, and everyone watched and listened with great interest.

Gar-A, although I don’t believe in the merit of your personal task, I do believe in you. With that, it is my ruling that we vote to move forward with Gar-A’s plan to utilize all the Alpha Group offspring to immediately coordinate and organize ALL of your experiments and research into a manageable schedule for said Alpha Group to spearhead. Beginning with Gar’s trip into the gravitational singularity to plant a probe and liberate Fen.

Nods were seen, and boisterous compliments and agreements were heard. The chancellor again shouted over the din. All in favor?

The board exploded with a resounding AYE!

All opposed?

Not a single nay was uttered.

Gar-A, go forth with the permission of this council and may your fortitude and your aptitude benefit us all.

The scientists exploded again. SO SAY WE ALL!

Gar’s plan took shape at a phenomenal pace as teams of scientists collaborated and poured labor and thought into the probe for the gravity well. The probe was designed to detect and record a myriad of different environmental data—ranging from temperature, light detection, spectral analysis, motion sensory, pressure gauging, radar, chronometer, and positioning in relation to Newel and its moons. When it was finished, the probe was a technological masterpiece. Weighing only 500 Newelian pounds and standing four feet high, the final touches were made, which included a backpack framework and straps so that Gar-A could travel it into the abyss.

Even Gar himself was being outfitted for this important mission, which would inaugurate his overall plan to unify the scientific disciplines of his culture in the spirit of advancement. A special uniform had been built for him. Although the uniform was identical aesthetically to the original, it had been designed to house far more biological monitoring equipment and now came equipped with a variety of scanning gear, which included a radiation detector and a chronometer, all located in the wrist cuffs of his suit. His belt was reengineered to hold two more compressed oxygen containers as well as a miniature medical kit in case he, or potentially Fen-C, should require first aid.

Although the skintight uniform was thicker and heavier in bulk to withstand the rigors of extended space travel, Gar did not notice. Its increased weight was undetectable to all but one of his musculature. He looked at the cut and fit in a reflective panel in his spartan living quarters. The white bodysuit was still trimmed in green details—belt, sleeves, collar, and boots. He turned sideways to admire the logo on his left shoulder, which marked his membership of the A group.

Gar did not admire long when he detected someone else’s reflection in the mirror pane. Lin had entered his chamber either so quietly or so fast that he did not detect her approach. He grinned and turned to greet her, but her small yet firm hands turning him toward the mirror halted his action. Gar’s grin grew larger as he went along with her direction.

I am happy to see you, Lin. It’s been far too many rotations since we could sit and talk.

Lin picked his new cape off his bunk and began to hang it on his shoulders. Although the green fabric draped widely across his back, obscuring most of Lin’s reflection, her voice was present. She spoke in a soft tone that Gar had not heard before.

Gar, I hope you know how proud Jek and I are of you.

Gar started to speak, but Lin shushed him with a delicate exhalation that was barely a whisper, as her hand softly squeezed his shoulder as she found the hidden cape clasp in his collar.

You know how dangerous this mission is and neither Jek nor myself would hesitate if you asked one, or both, of us to join you.

Gar looked down at the floor as Lin’s hand found the second cape clasp and smoothed the vestment. Gar turned to face her and address the suggestion.

To jeopardize more than one of us would make our strategy moot. Besides, I am of the belief that I will return having deposited the probe and with Fen in tow.

Lin studied Gar’s features; his closely cropped gold hair highlighted his deep green eyes. Gar half smirked, having noticed her studying his features, and Lin looked down at her feet in embarrassment, eager to deflect.

You have nothing to prove, Gar—

Lin did not get to finish as Gar’s finger gently raised her head by the chin, and his face morphed from jovial to serious.

We have everything to prove, little sister.

The words should have triggered a question, but the curiosity was lost to the sting of the last two words he said. Gar pushed on even though he could tell that he had lost her attention in some way.

We have to prove that we are more than just a useful experiment. That we are valuable contributors to the scientific culture and never questioned as anything but prized citizens of Newel and maybe more.

Lin locked eyes with Gar and kissed his cheek very lightly.

If that is how you feel, then I can only wish you the best of luck…brother.

Gar detected the faint glisten of a tear beginning to form in the corner of Lin’s eye, but before he could say anything, she used her tremendous speed, surely aided by her flight power, to zip away. Her rapid departure created such a wake that Gar’s new cape rustled and fell. Gar’s face became a mask of frustration. Like all Newelians, he did not like to be confused, and he found Lin’s behavior to be extremely baffling.

Takeoff day came, and the entire science council, including the chancellor, met outside to see Gar-A off. Technicians circled Gar in a swarm, checking and double-checking the probe as well as Gar’s personal supply of oxygen and the utilities