“So, Taj, here we go again?” Si asked, silently laughing.

  It was quite funny. They met in the same room as they had some time ago. A ten-step by ten-step room with no detectors. Lukai could notice its existence if he concentrated, but he still didn’t do so.

  “Luna is well. She had a small accident two days ago; she overdid herself at school; these kids were too eager to see her… not relevant. She has already laughed it off. She needs to stay in bed; be careful about her diet—” Si didn’t finish as Taj laughed and then immediately stopped, as if he noticed he was too loud.

  “O, about her diet, Si, she is already eating the chips you said were bad for her health. What a shrimp!” Taj said.

  Luna… Si shook his head. What a kid; she was mature and childish at the same time.

  “Really? Very good, very good. I will think about how to… so, Taj. Another topic; let’s start with the simple ones. Avery. How is it?” he asked.

  “I am glad you recommended him. Until now, I have been obeying Lukai’s ban on my projections. It did me good; I had time to train. Avery is busy with preparations. He travels to various places to set up safe rooms. These rooms are for us to rest, hide, or bring someone if needed. No detectors. Song had rooms without doors, which were better than what we can have now… I need to think about how Song and Wei transported; it would be so useful for me. I lack the Shadows’ swirl. My projection can’t pass through Gates. I can project, but I cannot take things or people with me… yes?”

  Taj was, as usual, talking longer.

  Si was used to it.

  “So, there are no descriptions about it, am I right?”

  “Correct. I need to think about it and give it a try. I cannot die from it; it is safe. Avery is revising cases too, and I assume his talent comes from his work on Planet Four. He can quickly communicate with authorities whenever required. He uses data I prepared some time ago for Lukai—old cases to recheck. Avery is doing it now; he has already solved a few older ones. I am satisfied with his work.”

  Taj seemed to have nothing more to add.

  “About his attitude, did it change?” Si asked curiously.

  “No, I don’t think so. Si, he is professional; he is not commenting on anything that could show his personal opinions. He keeps it in his head. It is fine. It was not my intention to change him in any way; I do not need my coworker to like me. What I wanted to achieve was transparency and also to avoid listening to insults unnecessarily. It is what it is, though. And it is his life, not mine.”

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  “The unification of Gates is ongoing, and the data is becoming clearer. Lukai was also satisfied when he noticed. Planets Two and Four are done; moons are in progress. The worst is here on Planet One. Many more add-ons and changes. I think we could finish it next year, so… what?”

  Si stopped as he noticed that Taj grimaced.

  “Let’s discuss the reason for our meeting; I am avoiding it, I can see…”

  Something was wrong.

  “Taj, do I assume correctly that there is an issue? Is this why you did not obey the restriction? Is this why we met?” Si asked.

  “Correct. There is a problem. A week ago, Lukai stopped talking to me,” Taj said.

  It might seem ridiculous to an outsider, but it was a signal that something was seriously wrong.

  Lukai had started to behave in a peculiar way a long time ago. But until recently, he had been talking about his ideas and listening to counter-concepts.

  Lately, he started to behave differently.

  What was more, he was as if hiding. As if he were avoiding contact.

  It had started earlier but was not that extreme.

  Something was off, indeed.

  Lukai was fanatical about implants. He wanted to restore natural Ability and began experimenting with Crystals.

  Visibly, he was in a rush and underestimated the difficulties. In designated places, he forced the deactivation of implants. It caused an outbreak of old illnesses that the Healers couldn’t manage to heal.

  When it was fixed and people were consoled, then Lukai went silent.

  What could have happened?

  “Today, Lukai stopped breathing normally,” Taj added.

  “What? This is awkward. It should be reported. Lukai has a team around him. How is that possible? And why?”

  “How should I put it? Lukai found some old documents that described a concept—an old one. He found it and tried to reproduce it. He not only tried to experiment with people in his labs, or whatever he called them. This I found out today as well. He also experimented on himself.” Taj stopped.

  Si decided to help.

  He knew Taj already; there were things he tried not to say, and sometimes it was very disruptive to the conversation. Lukai was always annoyed when Taj suddenly finished some talks.

  “You do not need to tell me the details. Say, though, as I assume Lukai aimed to or to construct an energy weapon or to improve his own energy. I have known him for years. Which one and how it ended up?” Si said.

  “Thank you, correct.” Taj looked like he was less uneasy. “Both, the worst. He failed, Si. I apologize. I should have started with that.”

  The silence was deep.

  Then, Taj broke it by saying something even more disturbing.

  “Si, there is more. If he dies uncontrollably, he could destroy a large part of the planet. I am not sure; I would need to check in person how big his collision would be. Meaning, I would need to break our agreement and project at his place.”

  “I assume you know what he wanted to achieve. What now? Except for politics, what should be after it is discovered, or after Lukai dies? Here we must act rationally to avoid riots or panic. And… what about him?” Si asked.

  Organizing everything would be a challenge, but doable. But what about Lukai himself?

  “O, I know. He wanted to be like me. Si, it is bad and unnecessary. I failed here because he didn’t understand my warnings. I died, no? Now, I think I need to project and go to him to help him decide. Do you agree, Si?” Taj asked.

  “So, yes. I understand what you are saying. I also know what to do. Unfortunately, I do know what I must do. You do what you need to do as well.”

  Si could say. Indeed, unfortunately. His current life and future were about to change. It was certain.