Yes, it's the next episode already ! The saga of ex-tax collector Fedric, although he's not in this instalment at all.....
This series has turned into an ongoing space opera inspired by the writing prompts in the Worldbuilding community. The prompt I'm using today is Worldbuilding Prompt #502 - Clean Energy
Image created by AI in Wombo.art
Imperial Infomancer Dranton glided through the Great Hall of Imperial Information, his floor-length robes making it appear that he was serenely floating across the floor rather than walking. Inwardly, he twitched in frustration. He had to maintain the image of serenity for watching outsiders, even though he really wanted to run.
He was headed to the cubicle of Infomancer-Acolyte Kabir Famitian, who had messaged him to say he had cracked the problem, and the answer looked important.
Finally passing out of the public area of the Hall, he left and proceeded down the private corridors at a much faster pace, arriving at Famitian's cubicle shortly afterwards.
"I am here as requested, Acolyte. What have you discovered, I trust it is good news, and as relevant as you say ?"
He still had to project a certain serenity and confidence to his staff, as well as to the public. The most senior Infomancer on Homeworld should never appear flustered or excited.
Famitian turned around, clutching an output screen in both hands. He looked nervous, as was only proper in the presence of someone so much his senior.
"S...Sir, I understand the problem. I know why the ASP people couldn't solve it." His words were hurried, halting and uncertain, and Dranton realised there was more to this than pure nerves.
The young man continued, and his hands started shaking.
"It's not co-ordinates. Not a location. It's a trajectory, a course. That's why it's longer than it should be."
Dranton's eyes widened slightly. He knew that tax boxes and other crucial items were sent off into extra-dimensional space and (for want of a better word) "parked" securely until they were needed. But... sent on a journey ? That was unheard of ! How did they even do that ? Where did the technology come from ?
"So what does it mean, acolyte ? Where is the end point of this journey ?"
Famidian was sweating now. "That's the problem, Sir. It's the same as the start point. A giant loop through multiple dimensions. But the return part of the loop is like it's falling. Accumulating potential. A lot of potential. When it stops, all that potential energy is released."
"So how much energy is there ? Can we harness it to provide power to Tharwell V for a year or two ?"
The man sitting in front of him shook his head, jerkily. "No sir. It's released. All of it. All at once. Incalculable amounts. Enough to turn Tharwell into a hypernova. Did anyone tell the locals they're sitting on a Nexus world ? It won't just sterilise everything for a hundred light years in all directions, the Nexus means it'll punch through. It'll sterilise everything for a hundred light years in a hundred dimensions."
For probably the first time in his life, Dranton was stunned into silence. His lips mouthed a very bad, but fortunately silent, obscenity.
Finally, he said, "Tell no-one. I need to inform Imperial Headquarters. If this happens, it'll destroy communications and gate transport over a whole quadrant, and right next to Einheriar space. It has to be stopped. Work out how and let me know."
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To be continued.......
Previous posts in the series:
Part 1 - Worldbuilding Prompt #490 - Storing the taxes safely
Part 2 - Worldbuilding Prompt #491 - Avoiding trouble
Part 3 - Worldbuilding Prompts #493 and #496 - Hiding on Debris
Part 4 - Worldbuilding Prompt #497 - Hiding in a Closed Ecosystem Is Dumb
Part 5 - Worldbuilding Prompt #498 - Pursuit by AI is Terrifying
Part 6 - Worldbuilding Prompt #499 - Not The Answers We Were Looking For
Part 7 - Worldbuilding Prompt #500 - A Jailbreak or an Assassination ?
There are also a few related posts from this setting which introduce some of the characters;
Captain Holmen was introduced in Worldbuilding Prompt #471 - A Question of Jurisdiction
Imperial Infomancer Dranton turned up in Worldbuilding Prompt #467 - The Imperial Halls of Information
Greville and the Tarnished Phoenix first appeared in Worldbuilding Prompt #432 - Debris