King Kronos

By Vince P Hennessy

Seemingly a villainous man, Dr. Kronos Nephus has his life made out for him. Between endless riches, a thriving company, the highest I.Q. ever, a concerned caretaker, and a castle to call home, there is nothing he can't do. Kronos takes this to heart when he creates the ability to manipulate any atom. Using his knowledge and creations, Kro

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Jan 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781649905284

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The Beginning End: A Paradox

(Somewhere in England. December 18, 2021)

W

ith a heavy breath worth days of no sleep and painstaking work on a scale of immense detail, and a trembling body that almost shook with frightening power, Dr. Kronos Nephus took a step backward from his unholy creation, overwhelmed as he looked at its unfathomable features.

After a long time of planning and working, or rather a long time for an unbounded genius as intelligent as Kronos, the project was finally completed. The last screw and bolt had been implanted into the cold metallic body of the machine, creating what should have never existed. Still in disbelief that such a complex process had been theorized, let alone actually created, Kronos admired the system of advanced technology and science over and over again to try and register the fact that the machine was, indeed, real. Even his vast mind, so experienced and grand as it was, could not grasp that it was finally possible.

Kronos had been an orphan for almost his whole life, having lost his parents at a young age, and now this machine was the very first step in a long process of bringing them back. It was the first step in bringing many others back as well. The machine just needed to be tested and perfected, and soon, the world would be perfected as well.

Slightly sweating salty drops of warm perspiration and breathing irregularly, having worked with a driving force of determination and a series of compulsion of the brain, along with innovative madness to finish the complicated machine's construction, Kronos fell back into a chair across the room from the device. He let out a long sigh of relief, which he had been holding in for the past several weeks as he worked tirelessly on the project. Taking a small rag out of a pocket in his black cargo pants, Kronos wiped the sweat off of his brow, noticing that the vein in his forehead was bulging larger than ever.

The empty space of the laboratory was dark except for the glowing screen built into the machine, and it seemed to be the only source of heat in the cold concrete building.

Kronos glanced over at the screen and smiled, his eyes narrowed in a mischievous manner. A shining light of hope and change amongst the darkness of my life and this world, he muttered to himself. It is the torch that shall lead the way through the trapped and dangerous tunnel, and I, in all of my glory, shall be the one to carry that unfathomable torch and lead the way for all of the future generations. Kronos scratched his messy grey hair, its black strands having been drained of color long ago from constantly overthinking and theorizing.

The machine, primarily a lifeless metallic chamber that stood in the darkness eerily, was a scientific creation of unimaginable power. It stood frozen there in an unnatural silence and lifelessness, waiting for the electrical blood to flow through the wire veins of its body in order to animate its horrid metal parts so that they would thrive with pure energy and cause all of the working parts together to become what they were meant to be. Despite being inactive and immobile, the machine seemed to exude an aura that was indescribable yet petrifying to those who did not understand or create it, and the silent calling of its corrupting voice seemed to echo amongst the minds of nearby intelligent life.

The darkness of the inhospitable room was momentarily pierced by bright sunlight, which carried no warmth in its rays, as someone entered the single room that made up the small building through a door to the left of the wall that stood behind Kronos. The gentle silhouette of a man appeared in the doorway of light, the rays of sunlight appearing like an angel's aura behind his silhouette of mystery.

"I understand that your appearance is rather frightening, but there's no need for you to behave like a vampire and live in the dark. It's not good for your eyes either. Let there be light, I say, the silhouette proclaimed with a wise voice. Elsewise, may this machine rust and die as quickly as it was created. The sound of a light switch being flipped was heard as the bulbs began to cast their dull light down against the bland concrete linings of the room, revealing the silhouette to be an older gentleman dressed in a black business suit. His skin was not wrinkled or aged, and the man seemed young and healthy, with his dialect and greying hair the only indications of his age. You’re not taking a break, are you? The man asked with a raised eyebrow as he began to walk over to where Kronos was sitting. I’d be gobsmacked to find that out. Out of all the people in the world, I would never expect you to take a break. You’re so tired that you didn’t even look when I opened the door. What if I had been a burglar?"

Not bothering to turn his attention to the man, Kronos kept his gaze upon the machine as he finally relaxed. A half-smile rested on his face, although his body was still slightly tense. The chances of a person other than you or I coming within five acres of this building are relatively low. Anyway, you are quite mistaken, Thomas. I’m not tired, but rather, I am finally, even if it be just for a moment, at peace with everything. I’m relaxed. A break? Of course not. As always, I have no need for something as useless as a break, Kronos said as he gestured proudly toward the machine. See for yourself, if you don’t believe me.

"Thomas? The man shook his head. If you’re so relaxed for once, then you should be respectful to your devoted caretaker. For all the work I’ve done as of late, you should call me Sir Thomas like everyone else does, Sir Thomas muttered. Then again, you hate change, and I doubt you’d start calling me by my proper title after years of not doing so. I’m glad to see that your isolation due to your devoted work on this project hasn’t caused your ego to shrivel up at all, he remarked sarcastically as he approached Kronos. Truly glad. Cheers to that!"

"And I’m glad to see that your sarcasm and fancy talk hasn’t ended either, old man. My ego shrivel up? Kronos laughed condescendingly at the preposterous idea. Such a foolish and impossible thing could never happen even if I, the greatest person alive, tried to force it to happen. In fact, I’ve only earned more bragging rights because of my work on this project. Look at it," Kronos said softly in pride and awe.

Sir Thomas stopped walking, just short of reaching Kronos, and turned toward the behemoth of a machine that stood against the back wall of the room. He clutched the left side of his chest with his hand as he looked at the unholy creation before him. My God, he commented as his mouth slightly fell open. You actually did finish it. Even for an ace in the field of creation and science such as yourself, I can’t believe it.

Is that so? Kronos laughed condescendingly in disbelief. I’ll take your doubt of my abilities as a downgrade of your worth rather than mine. After decades of witnessing my endless intellect change this world before your very eyes, you shouldn’t be shocked at all.

"I know, but this was the craziest idea you’ve come up with so far, and I was worried about the building process just as much as the actual science. I’m gobsmacked. Weeks of toiling and painstaking work on top of months of planning seem like nothing but a short time now that I look at this masterpiece. I can’t believe it's finished already. That's how my memory of time is with all things, but this is the truest embodiment of that, Sir Thomas exclaimed as he gestured to the machine with both hands. Out of all the sacrifices I have ever made, the time spent on this project is perhaps the most worthwhile. I doubt your moral boundaries and manners, but this… I trust you on this."

Correct, Kronos stated firmly with intellectual power. It is, indeed, worth the sacrifice of just a few weeks of work, when it shall bring so much to this world. For once, you and I agree. If that is the case, then how could anyone or anything hope to disagree or stop us? He closed his eyes and leaned back into the chair, tense as always but relaxing nonetheless.

Sir Thomas walked up to the machine and placed his hand against the cold metal, shivering in response both to the feel of it and to the ideas that the machine brought to mind. The contraption was a large cylindrical chamber with enough room for even a gorilla to fit into, and it might just come down to that. Jutting out of the right side of the chamber was a large vertical rectangle that had several electrical components, along with a blue computer screen in the middle that read: NO SIGNAL. Not yet, but very soon, Sir Thomas whispered grandly, removing his hand from the machine's surface.

Kronos grinned with wicked pride, sinister schemes in between all of his teeth. He enjoyed the relieving moment that came after completing such delicate work, his chest and fingers still animated with some intention of exerting power. It is indeed complete, Kronos replied, his eyes still closed, although they looked past the darkness created by his eyelids and gazed upon some unimaginable innovation being built within the fantasies of his vast mind. Despite my unbounded ego and towering intellect, I even surprised myself with how fast I finished it. Then again, I didn’t waste a second for everyone's sake. As far as I’m concerned, each second that passed was worth days, so I tried not to waste any. It's taken longer than I would have liked, but a mere few weeks is nothing compared to the countless years of reward it shall bring. Building? That's no problem, but I wanted to make sure everything was absolutely perfect for this project. I’ve created countless mind-blowing inventions and products throughout my career, but I dare say that this is the number one invention of my life and R.O.M.A.B.A. Industries.

Sir Thomas chuckled. "Really? I’d argue that you say that for everything you invent, since you usually do, but you’re actually right about that. This is absolutely remarkable, Sir Thomas commented as he looked at the machine again, his breath almost taken away. Blimey! I can’t stop shaking with both excitement and fight. I’m proud of you, Kronos. I always am."

The grin on Kronos’ face flickered into a bitter one for a moment, which had an unknown hint of regret to it. His dry lips curled back up, however, as he let out a breath of joy as he thought about the future that would follow such a breakthrough. "Correct. Who isn’t proud of me and all that I’ve done and continue to do? However, I must thank you, Thomas, and I’m proud of you as well. This is just as much your creation as it is mine. Granted, you didn’t work on this particular machine, but you did review the blueprints and science as always. Not that I ever doubt my overpowered intelligence, but it's a necessary measurement of precaution, and I must thank you for doing it."

Of course. I assure you that I’m chuffed for your gratitude, but this machine is truly your project. Cheers!

Kronos was silent for a moment before he slightly shook with the fright of a child trying to apologize to an angry mother. The inner workings of his throat stumbled upon each other as he hesitantly worked up the courage to say something unlike him to ever say. It's mostly because of you, actually. You’ve raised me to become what and who I am, partially, and without your support, my life would have quickly gone done the drain. Our field of work strains even the closet bonds, but you haven’t betrayed me or our powerful empire of science, and for that, I am extremely grateful. Your loyalty doesn’t come from fear, as it would, given my overwhelming intelligence and powers, but it comes from love, and I respect that more. Not everything we do is moral or ethical, and I understand that you’ve broken some of your own promises and beliefs to help me. As brilliant as I am, I could have never created everything I have without your help.

Still facing the machine, Sir Thomas quickly got rid of a tear that had managed to escape his eye as he smiled proudly with joy that came from love and appreciation. Well, I have to say that I’m rather shocked to hear that. You’ve never said anything like this before, but we’ve never switched to such a big project before, either. It means more than you could ever know, Sir Thomas said emotionally, his voice shaking with care. He cleared his throat as he turned around. Kronos was seldom upfront about his emotions, especially positive ones, and Sir Thomas did not want to push it, so he decided to change the topic as quickly as he could. Of course, that’ll be another secret I keep.

Speaking of secrets… I have a question, Kronos said, his voice naturally inquisitive and intimidatingly

Hmm. And what might that be?

I’d like to know why you’re here, Thomas. It's awfully suspicious and potentially troublesome that you’re here. As soon as you entered the building, I knew that the reason for your presence had to be one of two things. After all, there's no way that you’ve come here to celebrate me completing my work, as I just finished it, and no one else could possibly know that I did, and that includes you, old man.

Can’t a caretaker just check in on his son, who has been working nonstop for the past few weeks?

"That was the first reason I thought of, and I have no problem with that at all, as it's in your nature as a gentleman and my caretaker to see how I’m doing. My concern is that you’re not here because of that, but you’re here because you ran into trouble on your end of the project."

Actually, everything on my end of the project is now completed, which should make you rather chuffed.

Completed? Kronos, who was no longer relaxed, still had his eyes closed, but they began to twitch and throb. Pfft. Is that so?

That's right. Everything is completed. After all, I’m no regular old bloke. My brain isn’t as impressive as yours, but I certainly know what I’m doing. I’m afraid that the reason it was accomplished so fast won’t make you as happy, though.

The vein in Kronos’ forehead quickly bulged as his eyes popped opened, empowered with anger and panic. What did you do? Kronos bellowed as his chest rose with a massive surge of rage within him. "This project means more to me than anything else, and you’re telling me that you took shortcuts? He slammed his right fist on the arm of the chair, and the thudding collision sounded loudly throughout the room and echoed ominously. How could you do that to this?" Kronos clutched a hand to his neck, fearful that he might finally have the stroke that Sir Thomas had always warned him he would have due to his anger and overuse of his large brain.

Well, you figured that out a lot faster than I had thought you would, Sir Thomas mumbled with a bit of a laugh, seemingly unaffected by the emotions that had overtaken Kronos in just a few seconds. Then again, I’m not at all surprised by that or your outbreak.

Outrageous! Kronos shook his head in disbelief. Shortcuts?

"I did take a few shortcuts, but it's nothing that will hinder the machine's purpose or functions, Kronos. Your design was too large and complicated for me to build, and it would have taken too long, which would have pissed you off even more than me taking shortcuts. I prioritized time over design. After all, each second that passed was worth days, Sir Thomas quoted mockingly. Instead of following the blueprint, I drafted my own, but rest assured that it will work the same. After decades of witnessing my genius and what I’ve done and continue to do for the world, you should know and trust that I know what I’m doing."

Kronos jumped out of his seat, almost sweating as his blood boiled with rage, the vein in his forehead on the verge of bursting. "You call that a shortcut? You went and created a whole new blueprint and design for the machine! Unbelievable and completely unexpected, Kronos yelled as he threw his hands up in disbelief. You’ve ruined everything," he slashed his right arm and hand through the air violently, "that we’ve worked for,"

Sir Thomas simply narrowed his compassionate eyes at Kronos, remaining perfectly calm, as he was used to Kronos’ occasionally short temper by now. It seemed to change each day. Why does it matter what the machine looks like? In all honesty, it doesn’t matter at all, so long as it works. If it works the same way, there should be no problem. The designs aren’t matching or symmetrical, but there's no need to get your lab coat all wrinkled in a bunch.

"Incorrect! How could it possibly function the same way? To create blueprints that still allowed the function of the original machine to work is essentially an entirely different project of equal difficulty if not more complex than what we’re already doing. A redesign was an unnecessary risk, and now we’ll have to completely redo what you made, and I’ll be the jerk having to fix it. That's a waste of my intelligence, and now you’ve cost us way more time than you saved," Kronos said with a sigh of frustration as he grabbed the hair on either side of his head.

"I’ve raised you for years, Kronos. Decades, actually. Do you really not trust me? Your isolation has really made your emotions unbalanced, as you’re usually calm and composed when it comes to science-related projects. It's not as complicated as you think it is, and you’re not being rational. You and I both know that the machine can actually be designed in a multitude of different ways and still do what we want it to. Look, I may be a bit old-fashioned, but I’m a brilliant scientist. In fact, if I weren’t a modest man, for the most part, I would say I’m one of the best in the entire world. And you of all people should know that more than anyone. Sir Thomas sighed as Kronos became less tense, although his hands were still clenched into fists. You should use this situation as an opportunity to assume that your unbounded genius is rubbing off of me since you can’t keep so much knowledge and power contained within your skull."

I understand all of that, Thomas, but just because you’re capable of changing the design of the machine to reduce the amount of time required for the project doesn’t mean that you should do so, let alone without my permission, Kronos stated coldly. Especially for something as grand and important as this.

Sir Thomas dismissed the comment with a flick of his hand through the air. That's rubbish and hogwash. You just don’t like change and not having your way.

Correct, Kronos snapped. Who would like unnecessary change that goes against their will and causes a plethora of unavoidable troubles that must be dealt with at the cost of happiness?

When you word it so negatively, I suppose no one would like the idea of change, Sir Thomas grumbled. Well, change can be negative, but not always. Either way, change is most certainly inevitable. Eventually, you must accept that change always happens, and we either accept it or perish in denial and refusal. Once a person does that, they tend to find more peace in their lives."

"Perish in denial and refusal? Perhaps, but it is a fate that only those who truly believe in themselves and live by their personal morals can achieve, and that is one of the greatest honors."

"It pains me to say this, but some honors are quite foolish and petty, Kronos. I suppose that resisting against change your entire life and truly believing that you’re right is an accomplishment that not all can achieve, but honestly, unnecessary death is far worse than unnecessary change. Anyway, enough of that rubbish. I actually have another good