The Silence of Zegandaria by Atanas Marinov, Atanas Marinov, Atanas Marinov, Atanas Marinov (book recommendations website txt) 📕

-  "Even if your logic is correct, I'm still not completely convinced," on Blask scratched at his suit.

-  "Well, look, we don't have much choice," Erdumsan tried to argue his point to the end, "the Confederation of Zegandaria hates us because of the knowledge we have of so many battles, we won't be completely at home on Osonia or Cebur Nag, on Oros Hinto we'll just be in a nest of technocrats, and here...," he paused, "we'll be at peace for a very long time."

Von Blask mused. The political situation at the moment was such that Erdumsan was, in fact, quite right. The brainwashed cyberpunk atmosphere was almost disastrous for most of the inhabitants, but the harsh climate wasn't particularly preferable either.

During their studies at the Military Academy they had studied an extremely interesting composition:

"Both the former and the latter,

both emanate from the same source,

but differ in name;

this manifests as darkness.

Darkness among darkness.

The gateway to all secrets.[3]"

You see the logic is simple," he replied to them, "perhaps it would be best to go where our own heart draws us. We have not been able to live fully with wars, technology and vast finances, but we can live in peace and see where we have come from. I've heard an amazing story from my great-great-great grandmother that on this distant Earth, we originated as a civilization and are just sojourners on Zegandaria. She didn't believe in the bullshit about the god Erduk or Midriel at all. She considered them propaganda. And maybe it was.

-  "We've been philosophising too much," called Gerard Downs, who, as one might guess, was some distant relative of Averia Downs. "We must make a decision. We have no time. The harsh climate will make us more adaptable. The youth are getting sick of all this nanodrama, and total control has also corrupted the whole system. Just to make you cry!"

-  "Okay, it's settled," they all shouted in unison, "This will be our place!"

[1] Six feet five inches equals approximately 195 cm.

[2] The names of the four moons are Hydra, Nicta, Cerberus and Styx.

[3] Excerpt from Tao De Jing by the Chinese thinker and philosopher Lao Tzu.

CHAPTER THREE: THE INCONSPICUOUS

Perhaps I didn't mention that coexisting with the Invisibles isn't easy. Many have lost their reason. Well, it's not really accurate to say, but to people unaccustomed to seeing ethereal matter, it seemed just right. Besides, what were they to do amidst all this darkness?

There was nowhere to go either. A space colony on a small satellite is generally not the best example of entertainment. There were so many cases of suicide. Yeah the veteran Von Blask hadn't taken that into consideration - something really important.

But many of us were bled dry with memories of Kenji Nolsuro and his brave son. They wanted to look like him, or at least try. But somewhere in there, I began to understand what really meant something in this life, and I think that's what's important.

These amorphous creatures are quite an interesting sight, but they're also kind of frightening. Imagine your worst nightmares walking by you. Well, now maybe you'll get some vague idea of what I'm talking about. But it's not just that. Many of us hadn't the faintest idea how to survive outside the colonial town of Semrik Sin, which was named after one of the brave warriors who had shipped us here. Enough for now. In fact, I might just add that quite a few of my acquaintances hid the fact that they had seen these creatures - not so much out of fear as the possibility of social rejection. You know, according to the old saying, there is no unpunished good. And I totally share that opinion.

Semrik Sin was a truly impressive old warrior - Von Blask's right-hand man. He knew well when to speak and when to be silent. That did him honor. He had never extolled his virtues, as he considered it a sign of disrespect.

Deep in the psyche of every warrior lies a hesitation as to whether he is right and will become the cause of the ruin of someone's life. Each of us realizes how decrepit the moral notions of our time are, and only a warrior's honor is capable of erasing these weaknesses to some degree. A warrior must always serve as an example!

Whatever any one of us could do would do it at the right time for everyone who is part of the group so we are raised! It's in our blood!

When I see a small colonial town on a small satellite like Charon, a strange thought invariably arises in my mind. How much effort has been spent to create something so, well, so fleeting! It is almost beyond belief what long-term strategies our ancestors have plotted for our "glorious future", trying to get us drunk with their enthusiasm. I know such reasoning doesn't sound very good and is even a bit naive, but that's the situation! And maybe it will be so in the future! How much I have racked my brains over this issue! I hardly ever find an answer that satisfies me! But let us still give everyone their due! It has always been so and it will always be so!

Any beginning is more than difficult, especially when you are trying to establish a sustainable colony and nature is not in your favor, well, at all.

But let's bring the most important question to the forefront, and that is why did the inconspicuous choose us? Where lies the clue? What makes us so special or what is it that attracts their attention! This question is definitely of great importance! And I would like to get a satisfactory answer if at all possible! There are, however, certain obstacles to its obtaining! And I hope with time they will disappear completely!

The inconspicuous have no face, and prefer sometimes to hide it with a palm. And their long amorphous fingers are definitely intimidating. I'm not entirely convinced they were really born that way, or if they ever were! Who could possibly know that?

It's strange what questions are going through the head of a boy like me, but my survival ultimately depends on them so there's no way to compromise on that! Believe me - I know perfectly well what I'm talking about and would never presume to be so wordy where they are concerned.

Anyway, Semrik Sin has done his best to solve the problems of our existence properly and to have as many comforts as possible and so it is ultimately right. Don't get me wrong! Semrik is a veteran and has been to the "City of Light". I would trust him with my own life if I had to, and have even done so in the past.

Semrik Sin is an oddball - one of the greatest I've ever seen, but I like him. How many times has he taken us on meteorite hunts! We - the little ones - saw in him a kind of hero who could always defend himself, even though his age was probably older than our grandfathers' as well.

No one knew how old the warriors of the "City of Light" were - some said they were over a hundred, though. As for his character - he was the kindest, most affable and pleasant person you could meet. One can't even believe that he killed so bloodthirsty with those hands. But we all have our dark sides and that will never change.

No one dared ask him how he practically got to the "City of Light" after so many veterans were in prison on other charges. He had found a little salvation for his soul, but at what cost.

Many will laugh at this reasoning, but no matter how much I bang my head I can still see his smiling face, ready to help us and come to our aid at the right moment.

Sadly, he passed away recently, leaving us wonderful moments as a legacy. He was the most generous soul you could imagine. A true knight!

Don't get me wrong, but when you see someone like him, then everyone you meet, you subconsciously compare them to your idol. It's pretty naive, but that's just the way it is!

He was also the first to organize the veterans against the inconspicuous. He did his best to give us some protection. And I think he succeeded. Not that he hated them, but he wanted to live!

CHAPTER FOUR: THE SEMRIK SIN COLONY

You see, many scientists have argued over one simple fact - how many people it actually takes to maintain a sustainable space colony. And so far there is no exact answer. Ours numbered almost sixty thousand people. The only thing I can say is that I deeply doubt that anyone would take such a risk alone.

The first problem when we arrived was the different atmosphere we had to adjust to. The spacesuits we used on Zegandaria were woefully inadequate in this respect. You know that each one of them is specifically tailored to protect us from the climate changes of planet Zegandaria. Or at least to protect our ancestors, but there's just no way that can happen here. We shed so many tears until we really found the formula that works. We were just living like a dream - day to day. Each of us wanted to achieve our dream and survive in this inhospitable world. The electronic valves for the compressed air supply could easily be damaged due to the extremely low temperatures.

However, it is worth mentioning here that its surface is littered with numerous craters and chasms and it is a real challenge to walk around in such an environment. But not to digress.

The colony had to be well protected from the inconspicuous, and that's not so easy. Trust me. First things first. No walls or weapons can stop them. It takes much more than that!

I've heard rumors that before we were sent here, the Confederation of Zegandaria received confidential information, paid for with many electronic credits from Kikluk Sor, that such strange creatures inhabit this place. It