Chapter Two- The Rulers

Chapter Two of Clio-Amanda System

Threadbare- A threadbare is a term used in the study of Predictive History, for referring to a point that is dissimilar to or similar to multiple non-recurring points in history. These points are where history stops being a linear path and becomes a web of possibilities. It is through such points that the future can and is changed. The first such point was set in the year 51ACE...

It had been fifty years since the trial and exile of Shubham Agitos. Primus, then known as Primus 738E had since turned from an alienated waste planet to a hub of scientific research. Under the guidance of Shubham and his four scientific heads, they had developed a society that was more technologically advanced than the biggest worlds in the universe. Their education valued innovation over memory, creativity over academia and knowledge over scores.

Even though no signs of the falling empire were visible, still, Primus had not been disbanded. With over nine thousand inventions to its name, the investment was not considered a waste. A few years ago, Shubham had retired and had given up his position as the first speaker of Primus to one of his four scientific heads. Due to the settlements constant exposure to nuclear waste, most early settlers don’t outlive the age of seventy-five. The radiation is now reduced to negligible by the action of new radiation shields which surround the area.

The only exception is Shubham, despite crossing the average life expectancy around half a decade ago, he continues to thrive. Many say that it is the fruit of his healthy habits, others say that it is his will to see the first Thread Bare. He agreed with the latter, he had spent his life perfecting the science of Predictive History and this was the first time he could see it in action. He could fight any force, divine or mundane, to see this, death needed to wait to collect his soul. The first Thread Bare was expected that year, he kept on waiting. When the year was nearly over, he got his treat. 

Tistora, the capital of the galaxy, had grown in population from 1.628 trillion to 2 trillion within fifty years. The planet was originally divided into 260 sectors each performing different functions, most being industrial in nature. It had used up its mineral resource and had to import most of the things from the neighbouring eight planets. These planets were originally free however, were eventually conquered by Tistora. Their existence served one purpose, provide for Tistora. The agriculture sectors on Tistora grew less efficient as two of these planets provided them all the food, soon enough Tistora only grew luxury crops while it imported all that it needed. The same happened to most manufacture, you could buy Tistora made recliners but Made in Tistora chairs were an impossibility. Tistora’s sectors grew more and more intolerant of each other, with the bonds of interdependency broken due to the outer supply they would have started infighting if it had not been for Charon II’s strong crown.

However, It was a known truth that Charon II suffered from a rare genetic disorder and couldn’t live for more than a decade or two. Every sector had started to make plans to wage war to gain control of the planet, but none was more powerful or ambitious than the Letruna sector. This sector housed the original ruling class of the planet before, via Shubham’s help, Charon I took over.

They had long waited for their opportunity to take the rein’s of the planet in their hands and this would be their chance. Every other sector feared them, except Veutune.

Veutune was the nuclear worker's sector. They supplied the planet with energy, however, due to age-old myths, these workers are considered contaminated. They are looked down upon by others and shunned away from their own land. They wanted to end this discrimination and social injustice. Letruna is unknownst of the fact that Ventune is no longer unaided in its efforts. For they have the support of the entire planet of Inrone.

Inrone is one of the most powerful planets in the galaxy. They are a part of the galactic council and after 30 FE at constant odds with Tistora. The reason is the Civil War of Inrone.

##

Civil War of Inrone- Developing from 20FE, the Civil war of Inrone was fought between the ruling house of Inrone, The Inravsh. The house is divided into two parts: Henyas, The family of King Hery and Xornes, The family of  Xorn, the brother of Hery. The war originally was a cousin rivalry which took a grave turn when...

The role of Charon II in this war is a debatable one. He was related to the house of Inravsh from his mother's side and was a constant advisor of Xornes. When it came to the war he offered to...

During the Inrone civil war, Charon II was of council to the Xornes. When it came to the war he tried to be neutral but when he was eventually dragged in there were debates about who would get the Tistorion fleet. He allowed Heryas and Xornes to choose between having him as an advisor during the war or having his fleet. Xornes who got the first choice due to being younger, choose him over his fleet of 45 million ships. Many thought that was that, the downfall of Xornes but it eventually turned out otherwise. Heryas despite already having a fleet of 180 million starships lost to the 110 of Xornes.

However, what happened after this mattered. All Heryas, 100 brothers were killed. Their wives and children were widowed and orphaned.

King Henry, whose sons died in this war however lived. His wife was enraged and that day in a fit of anger she cursed Charon II to death. She told him that she would spend the rest of her life supporting Ventune, so that one day they shall have an army that could destroy him. He would lose his kingdom the same way as they did, by infighting.

It was Shubham’s idea. Charon II had invited him over for a dinner. During the meal, Shubham prompted, “What do you think will happen after you die?”

“I thought that you didn’t believe in this rebirth stuff,” Charon said.

“In the fine name of Stephen Hawking, I don’t!” Shubham stood from his chair and shouted. It took a second before he realised. He sat back down and continued. “I was asking about the fate of Tistora.”

“O, That is something that is something that has always eluded me.” Charon smailed. “What does your time prediction computer say?”

“It is called the Clio-Amanda System and it requires crystal clear information to function. We don’t have the hint of clarity on this matter.”

“So?”

“So we have predicted till the exact moment of your death, then a month, give or take a week. After that, it's all haywire.”

“You know when I’ll die?” Charon interrupted.

“Yup. And before you even ask, NO. I cannot tell you when you’ll die.”

“WHY?”

“It's elementary, my dear Charon. The minute I tell you that, we jump into a new timeline, one where you become more reckless or more health-conscious. That throws a wrench in my operations.” Shubham said.

“But what if I die before the coming of age?” Charon curiously asked.

“Well, the battle of Tistora will ensue much earlier than its predestined time.” Shubham sighed.

“Won’t that give you all the data you need to predict its result?”

“What are you suggesting here?” Shubham was curious.

“What if I fake my death? You used to tell a lot about a man called Holmes. What if I fake my death like Holmes and then infiltrate the ranks of Ventune?”

“How should we go about it?” The dinner was not yet over but Shubham had something more important to focus on.

##

Ventune - Veutune was the nuclear workers' sector. They supplied the planet Tistora with energy. However, due to age-old Earthian myths, these workers were considered contaminated. Their status was rapidly changed in the last years of Charon II, in order to prevent the Battle of Tistora. The Herys tried to prevent this but were unsuccessful...

Charon II died shortly after his dinner. He fell down from the top of the medical wing, while drunk. He was declared dead on the spot. Shubham Agitos along with Anna Rudolph, the head logician at Primus, were both present at the funeral.

At the funeral, Shubham spoke, “Today we have lost a great emperor. His loss will be felt across the galaxy. I normally don’t attend funerals, they are just weddings without cakes. But he was a close friend and I don’t know what the galaxy will be like without him. May he rest in peace.”

Everyone was surprised. Nobody, not even Shubham, had ever seen the Emperor touch alcohol. Why did he drink that day? Could this all be an elaborate plot to unravel something?

Queen Aarie Mntoinette and King Hery of Inrone was also present at the funeral. She couldn’t believe that her mortal enemy was finally dead. All she wanted to do since the Civil War of Inrone ended was to destroy the life of Cheron. She couldn’t do that anymore. Something inside her felt incomplete, she couldn’t possibly be mourning Charon. No, he had to be alive. She had to go forward with her plan, she had to have Ventune carry out the attack. If Charon would be alive he will announce his presence, he will reclaim the throne of Tistora. But what if he was actually dead, she had seen with her own eyes. It was Charon II in the coffin. If she still went on with the attack, she would be rendered no different then the Xornes. They had used the deaths of her sons to gain the throne. She wasn’t like them. She had to do something, fast.