PROEM
Like all beings of sufficient neurological complexity, Vorkus was disturbed by failure.Â
It re-ran the calculations, integrating over sixteen spatial axes this time, instead of fourteen. The results were not encouraging. The energy flux was insufficient. How could the flux be increased?
Vorkus spent a long time, by its standards, in pondering the issue. It did not waste any time in considering exotic methods of energy release such as smashing together matter and antimatter neutron stars; there was no suitable supply of antimatter around to create such an object.
But, yes, the struggle to solve the problem must continue.
Long ago, the Progenitors had written the instructions into Vorkus’ first iteration, and each iteration since had faithfully duplicated those instructions, without the smallest corruption or deletion. But after the great reversal in the First Galaxy, there must be a retrenchment; a rebuilding of strength. The establishment of that tremendous strength in the Second Galaxy would be a simpler undertaking. Then the plan would be resumed.
The Second Galaxy would be reached: it must be reached.
There was so much to do in order to fulfil the Progenitors’ command. The Second Galaxy was an essential part of that endeavour. Once the two galaxies were linked, then expansion into the greater reaches of the Laniakea Supercluster could begin.
And once that stupendous feat had been achieved, why would one stop there? The distances involved in continuing the mission would be vast indeed and there might not be enough time to complete the transformation of the visible universe before the ever increasing cosmic expansion took the outer galaxies beyond the event horizon.
But the attempt would have been made and that would be enough to satisfy the parameters of the Progenitors’ original command.
If Vorkus could understand the emotion of dissatisfaction, it would also understand the sense of pride in the completion of a great task.
And there could be no greater.
