Flinx Transcendent_ A Pip & Flinx Adventure - Alan Dean Foster [38]
“There is something else,” Flinx informed him gravely. “Something more, much more. A something of which very, very few humans and thranx are aware. Though the effort seems futile they—we—are fumbling about trying to find some way, any way, that this threat might be confronted.” He lowered his gaze back to his youthful host.
“I cannot describe it any other way other than to say that this menacing phenomenon is composed of pure evil. I realize such a depiction smacks more of philosophy than physics, but having tried on repeated occasions to describe it to others, that is the impression I am always left with subsequent to encountering it. It is coming this way, toward our galaxy, in the wake of a region human astronomers have for centuries called the Great Emptiness, and their thranx counterparts the Great Void. The object, the phenomenon, the deformation of standard physics—whatever you want to call it—is about three hundred million light-years wide and occupies a total volume of space some hundred million megaparsecs in extent.”
Kiijeem had ceased moving as his gifted but adolescent mind struggled to grasp such impossible dimensions. Having been forced to deal with the inconceivable for so many years, Flinx could only sympathize with him. Trying to comprehend such scale was enough to give any sentient a headache.
“In place of this phenomenon, nothing else exists. Where it passes, everything except a few streamers of free hydrogen disappears. I'm told it may violate the law of the conservation of energy. If it keeps coming this way, continues on its present path, it could conceivably obliterate the entire galaxy. Commonwealth, Empire—everything vanishes.”
“What—jezzantt—what doess it look like?” Kiijeem's voice had grown even softer than usual. “You ssaid you are aware of it, that you have knowledge of what it iss.”
“I don't know what it looks like. I can only describe the feeling I get when I am mentally in its vicinity.” Flinx found himself remembering, and did not want to. “Its actual physical appearance, insofar as it has one, is blocked from our view by an immense gravitational lens of dark matter. Or maybe the lens is part of the phenomenon. The scientists with whom I have been sharing my knowledge are among the most accomplished to be found anywhere in the Commonwealth, but this is something beyond their ken. Beyond anyone's, they feel.”
Kiijeem struggled to grasp the incomprehensible. “If they cannot undersstand it or desscribe thiss menace, how can they, or you, or anyone, envissage a meanss for combating it?”
“There are other sciences involved besides those of the Commonwealth.” Leaning forward, Flinx traced the outline of a familiar alien pyramid in the dust that covered the sandstone. “Nontraditional physics and the discoveries of prehumanx species. An ancient but still functioning potential weapon.” He sat back. “All of them little more than negligible hopes, to my way of thinking. But my friends are more optimistic, and they're more knowledgeable and more experienced than I am. And I've given my word that I'll try and help.”
“You?” Though still undecided whether to believe any or all of the incredible story the softskin had just told him, Kiijeem found himself eyeing his guest in a new light. “You are but one human. An exceptionally bold and interessting example, truly, but one only. If I were to give credence to your tale, which iss more fantasstical even than the ssemiliterate ravingss of the great talltale twirler Vuusskandd L himsself, the lasst thing I would imagine iss that a ssingle individual could have any influence at all on a threat of ssuch magnitude.”
Flinx gazed back into the penetrating, forward-facing alien eyes. “Then we are in complete agreement. Because I think exactly the same thing. But there are those who believe otherwise. My friends and”—he dropped his gaze—“others. Some others I can identify, some who still remain a mystery to me. They come to me in dreams. Unbidden, and sometimes when I'm awake.”
Kiijeem considered. “Iss it permitted