HF894

The warning light had activated before.  Technically. A footnote buried in URANUS-7's operating manual acknowledged the possibility, although the manual had last been updated some four thousand years earlier by a committee whose members had since ascended into higher dimensions, retired, gone extinct or become consultants. Nobody aboard the station knew what the warning light meant. It was now flashing enthusiastically, accompanied by a noise resembling a goat attempting to recall tax law. "What is that?" asked Junior Monitoring Officer Kev'Ralak.  Nobody answered. On the main display, ShagHarri remained exactly where he had been moments earlier. One foot twitched, and three officers automatically reached for their drinks. The ritual had become stronger than conscious thought. "What does the manual say?" Supervisor Erphax demanded. Twenty-seven terminals came alive. Officers searched, one searched harder, another searched emotionally, while a third quietly h...

PART 4: The Door That Was Never Closed The first sign that reality was deteriorating was not the appearance of the door. It was the announcement that reality had never been healthier.  Across the Gaea-Sector, every major institution simultaneously released reports confirming unprecedented levels of stability, prosperity, wellbeing, truthfulness, accountability, transparency, nutritional excellence, spiritual advancement, emotional resilience and administrative confidence. Several agencies congratulated themselves for achieving goals they had not met. Others congratulated themselves for almost meeting goals they had not attempted.  One department proudly celebrated the successful completion of an investigation into whether it was effective. The department concluded that it was.  The department then awarded itself a certificate confirming the department's conclusion. The certificate was later framed. A ceremony followed. Attendance was compulsory. The public described the e...