A6-02 Giving Him Power

"Go do what you need to do."

As you say these words, you feel something inside you fracture. Not a collapse — more like a door being opened, and behind it lies a dark territory you have never entered.

Wade's expression doesn't change — perhaps only a slight twitch at the corner of his eye. But you sense his entire being electrify.

"You're certain?"

"Certain. I'll publicly support your experiment before the Federal Assembly. But Wade —" you look into his eyes, "I need you to promise me one thing."

"Say it."

"Don't harm innocent people. The experiment can take risks. Safety protocols can be loosened. But if people die because of this — that is not an acceptable price."

Wade is silent for three seconds. Then he nods. "Fine."

You don't know whether his "fine" is a sincere promise or a perfunctory dismissal. But you have made your choice.

Over the following five years, Wade drives the lightspeed ship project forward with near-manic efficiency.

Your public support — combined with your credibility among the populace — makes it impossible for the Federal Government to block the experiments. Wade gains virtually unlimited resources and authority.

He establishes an experimental base at the edge of the solar system — beyond Neptune's orbit. The first full-scale curvature drive experiment is conducted there.

The experiment succeeds.

A small experimental vessel, powered by the curvature engine, reaches 15% of light speed — then 30% — then, in the third experiment, it breaks the light speed barrier.

The first lightspeed ship in human history is born.

But the costs follow close behind.

The experimental zone's speed of light has been permanently reduced — from 300,000 kilometers per second to 280,000. A small "low-light-speed zone" has appeared beyond Neptune's orbit. It sits like a scar, permanently etched into the solar system's structure.

More disturbingly — Wade did cause casualties during the experiments. One experiment went out of control, pulling an observation vessel into the curvature bubble; three researchers died. Wade did not stop the experiments. He didn't even pause.

When you hear this news, you feel a wave of nausea.

But the lightspeed ship is real. It exists. Humanity has a tool to flee the solar system.

A new question appears before you: lightspeed ships have been built, but how many can be built?

At current production capacity — perhaps a few dozen. Each carries a few hundred people.

The solar system holds billions.

Who goes? Who stays?

Before this question can be answered —

The Singer's two-dimensional foil arrives.

⟲ Return to Wade's request