TIME MATTERS
By Steve Eberling
For Qualf it will be a busy night and he needs to be his best for the council meeting. His hives come alive this morning. In their room, his wife is very nervous. He is chosen to represent the wasps. Mirn very carefully rubs up against him to make his golden wings very shiny and puts his pollen in safe keeping. Their room is simple, made up of leaves carefully cut and placed attractive. She is apprehensive ants, moths and others might not listen and the home she lives in can be attacked. Of course, bees will be in attendance.
There is a full moon tonight; a good time for council. Qualf’s wings shimmer in this light as he flies across land. Birds and bats watch, but he is allowed to go. Attempts at others will be chosen for prey, but they watch knowing council of insects might be in their interest. Times are changing and not long before they attend. Kinta is a large beetle. Her size and armor assures attention and prominence. Because of her countenance she has not yet mated, possibly another reason most in that underground colony feel she should attend the council and why others do not object. Her huge, black eyes are difficult to interpret. How many images can she perceive? She is not aware herself. Because of her countenance it is easier for her to walk, but Kinta flies that night with the same assurance as Qualf.
The place chosen for the conference is on top a tall mountain. Grass might make a safer location providing protection from animals such as bears, raccoons and squirrels, but a large outcropping of granite was decided upon high above the river below. Red and white stone mixed with mica shimmer like their wings. There are no clouds this night and wind as well. “Let us begin”, began Priven. “Time matters.” The rendezvous is most certainly a very fascinating display to say the least considering diversity of insects’ present, but before continuing we must leave this story’s context for a moment.
Like time, size is relative to the beholder. The granite cropping meeting takes place on is about the size of a large living room, which is only meaningful with respect to the one used to and so there are two ways of putting the scene in perspective. One is these characters are about the same size we are given variations in species. In this case the out cropping now appears about the size of a football field. And of course, the other is we are about the same size as them and again the ledge appears the size of a football field. In this story, the latter is preferred and trees are now as tall as very big skyscrapers. Likewise, time is dependent on the amount it takes to get from here to there and is irrelevant at the moment since most insects fly, and in this story, we can too.
The rendezvous is most certainly fascinating to see. This spectacle cannot be compared to similar meetings in rain forests given amazing colors of those plants, but this story takes place in the Rocky Mountains. Insects became very adept at blending themselves with environment. Most display shades brown, grey, green or black aside from under wings which can become vibrant colors when these creatures warrant attention. Confusion of dimension also depends on the measurement used, large grasshoppers being about twenty pics tall and an ant ten. Priven is a housefly, respected by many because of his boldness and audacity. “Let us begin”, began Priven. “Time matters. We have existed for many millions of years. We have seen fish emerge from waters, dinosaurs come and go, not to mention others and you all know what I’m going to think next.” Amazing how they can communicate given two kinds of telepathy, one being to think out loud. The negative side being one is so noisy it’s hard to hear the reply. The other being pure thought. Given millions of years of evolution it might be conjectured antenna on some of their heads are strictly used to compensate for multiple images seen from yellow, green and orange eyes inhibiting far sight and therefore deduct their antenna’s sole purpose is to detect movement or odors. A means of communication is the third. When thought is conveyed by sounds one must think about what to say depending on the numerous language to be used, disadvantageous to the first means of telepathy and certainly the second but the process of talking comes naturally with little concentration on muscle movement. The term “mental telepathy” is redundant so insects avoid it.
Qualf is very nervous about the gathering. What will this meeting hold for his kind? Kinta feels the same as are ants also present. Strange black and red ants are not at blows with their queens’ hidden away waiting to strike any moment. “Locusts have become overwhelming and are on a rampage never seen before wiping out everything in their path, including plants and all of us as well.” entered Gouln, a grasshopper of magnificent proportion and beauty. Although cousins to locusts her colony is also in danger. She raised her wings, brilliant yellow under hard to ignore.
Imagine this butte of red and white rock mixed with mica and tall pines like skyscrapers appearing as shadows in pale moon light when a breeze begins to blow. It comes from south and now everyone is getting nervous. Priven first takes flight and ants start moving opposite directions. Thin threads of silk now hang in gentle wind and spiders come down them out of hidden blinds from branches high above. Given seemingly countless species of insects and time of evolution, none are more controversial as spiders. No one remembers exactly when spiders evolved with many traits being more to mammals than themselves, the most conspicuous being they eat meat and have furry coats. More distracting arthropods have six legs and spiders eight. Although Weevils also have hair no one knows much about them except that they appear to be friendly. Spiders lack antenna but the enormous size of their heads such as Priven’s allow the same telepathic communication as other insects although they are hard to understand at times. One would think the most amazing thing about spiders is the intricate web they weave but the havoc they create with others cannot be ignored. Just as noticeable, spiders have no wings even though they fly. These thin strands of thread allow some to hang in breezes and like balloonists wait for currents to take them up or down before casting out more line traveling amazing distances. Whether their males or females have this capacity leads to assume both.
Dor and Mird are first to land; other spiders waiting the outcome skeptical of Qualf and Kinta and now dragonflies appear with transparent wings and can cut them like a knife. Although spiders can range from under a pic to well over twenty, these two are around fifteen in stature. “We are a little upset” expressed brother and sister arachnids. “Tell Priven we mean no harm. We have never been accepted due to our differences but given the gravity of the situation now you have no choice. We are what we eat, a subject of consequence none more familiar with than plants themselves, but there must be a limit to the gorging.” Priven floats to the granite surrounded by strands of webs gleaming in transparent light and thinks “Thought matters.”
Qualf found the meeting exhausting with nothing much concluded and flies home to Mirn as if waking from a dream confused how he found his way in the silver light when the sun comes up to beacon morning sounds and change silver to gold. Crickets rub wings “chirp, chirp”, beetles “clicking” and butterflies move air impossible to ignore. Grasshoppers munch away at plants and ants scamper to feed, dropping almost as much as they can carry. Buzzing bees create a spectacle exchanging honey before the cold winter comes. Plants are amused by life around them and flourish with slight sight or sound.
For those of us wishing to continue with this narrative we have to wonder how an ant can be ten pics tall and a grasshopper twenty since grasshoppers are much larger than ants, but then we are not talking about meters or feet; pics instead and who is more able to explain this than Priven. “All living creatures are divided in two with exception of plants. Cells split in half, one being male and the other female but not all the time. Never less, they split equally. Like spiders, mammals have an even number of limbs on both sides of their bodies and the number two works nicely for them since even numbers divided by two results in whole numbers being even half the time. New math cannot compare to old. Although insects are divided as well having six legs odd number limbs protrude each side easily divisible by three but it has been found this number does not work well when divided into one. One and one half has been useful for some time. Although mammals gravitate toward two and two times one is two, a pic is one-one half of course one being one but two pics being three, three pics are four and a half, four pics six and so forth and so on, eleven is now sixteen and a half and twenty thirty. In new math numbers become complex when divided by three two thirds of the time since three does not divided well into one. In our Crista math two and three never fail to separate without reason.”
Mirn is very upset having ten to her brood and council without conclusion. With her husband home and children in safe keeping a decision is made by consorts to visit Nlauq, a giant wood wasp without encounter. These wasps reside below ground throughout the year. It is not like Qualf and Mirn to enter underground caverns so early in autumn and considerably brave considering their hosts’ power. Nlaug’s wife Lowe is however very glad for company. After the customary embrace and decorum Lowe suggests to Mirn “Let our men discuss strategy while there is someone I want you to meet”. Mirn is led unconditionally down vast tunnels further underground knowing quite well debt could be paid above surface. Ants thoughtfully allow them to pass by their queens through seemingly endless mazes. Kinta sits calmly waiting their arrival, her huge jaws and brownish black armor out shadowed by huge black eyes with purple haze. Arthropods’ eyes are always an enigma seemingly unvisitable given their complex nature capable of grasping other dimensions. Although known not the extent themselves, another advantage of their eyes is capable of seeing in daylight and quite well in total darkness at night and deep in underground tunnels. We can only imagine this scene taking place.
Mirn and Lowe enter Kinta’s cavern a little hesitant but assured of being formidable advocates at any cost. Kinta knows and reasons, “I sense you coming possibly aware Priven is concerned with explanation of time. Let’s forego ‘chit-chat’; matter does not exist without time. When matter is not in motion it no longer exists. Of course, Priven is master of mathematics but gals have always controlled time. Negative matter does not exist in this dimension and negative numbers are only meaningful with respect to reversal of time. We see future as being positive and past quite opposite. More amounts subtracted into less still result in positive matter not to be several places at once providing it completely displaces in matching directions at the time. We are conditional of time and more amazing is all matter is composed of time. Not that I am about to get in the way of Priven’s concepts, but time is zero which the other three dimensions cease to exist without. When we go from here to there faster time seems greater although less is actually consumed, more required when slowing down. Not that big of deal but reversal of time is since changing past effects present affecting future and is only allowed by masters or this conversation would not be happening. What does it all have to do with our current situation? Present actions determine future and time matters.” Nlauq and Qualf anxiously await their wives’ return. Time and mathematics might matter to Priven and Kinta, but Lowe and Mirn mean more to their husband. They are here now.
So the rally begins. Wings spread as others march and insects swarm out the horizon without concession against forces about to encounter, plants keen about what’s to take place. The locusts are unaware of adversaries’ council but have an idea when sighted in the distance. Spiders float down from tall surrounding trees. Nlauq leads the attack and is met head on high in the sky by Kirn, a gigantic locust where they battle it out to ground. Kirn is not most prominent member of the locusts but appears to be and Nlauq insists he stand down, “There is little compromise”. Kirn knows many locusts are now defeated but being a warrior not an easy decision considering their numbers might be overwhelming, however actions are directed by higher powers. Winter’s freeze is fast approaching for which lairs must be filled; never less he agrees a standoff.
Hesitant, Kirn goes with Qualf into a tunnel questioning the other insects’ motives. For this wasp, Kirn is not much of an advisory and a few locusts have been taken prey by Qualf on several occasions when needed by Mirn. Locusts do not see well without some light and Kirn is assisted by fireflies’ illumination posted at strategic locations along vast, lower underground passages guarded by ants protecting their queens’ nests. Kinta waits with comprehension. Kirn is getting unsettled now, apparent the only way above is if allowed and certainly does not intend to be captive. Why and where is Qualf taking him and for what purpose? Going this far down to caverns defies reason. Qualf keeps silent. Fireflies’ dim lights now diminish into complete darkness when Kirn feels incapable of going any further Priven confronts him. “Have a seat, there is much to discuss. This room becomes lighter should you desire, being of space and time guided by reason. Time and space float like spiders, brother and sister, never sure which way the wind will blow and seem to pay no attention. Let’s get to it, what everybody wants to know about is god. Kind of strange that that spelled backwards is dog and what about the cat? Surely their cells split male and female as well. Time seems to have an upper hand to space.” thinks Priven to Kirn. “More complex is why we care since space and time seem indifferent and free as cosmos around them. Existence can be particularly lonesome, a subject pondered forever. Is life a culmination of this concern?”
Kirn is getting a bit perplexed. He has a family to feed and mate as well. “Take me if you will, but I’m getting somewhat disturbed by retort from a housefly.” This comment outrages the ants. Some are capable of flight themselves and locusts make a good meal. Priven motions ants to be patient and continues. “All things divide equally. Funny we don’t refer to birth of space but rather beginning of time, space being male and time female but not always. I suppose the predominant figure lately has been male since apparently time is casual and although it seems we can move freely through space time is not as gracious, travel being dependent upon it. Does another conduct both? Cat spelled opposite is tac. Care for a game of Tao?”
Something snaps inside Kirn. He vaguely remembers the giant black wasp coming in flight, tail stinger shoved in back of his neck and falling helplessly to ground. Everything starts getting fuzzy, conceives a smaller wasp banded with goldish yellow leads him down narrow caverns deep below and barely remembers fireflies lighting the way, but the conversation suggests he just had becomes hard to trust. He looks around and Qualf is no longer in the room although the wasp was not observed leaving. Even more unsettling fireflies are not there either. Locusts cannot see in total darkness yet the room is completely visible without illumination from these flies. Tiny flakes of mica blended in dirt shimmer, impossible without fluorescence and there stands Priven in plain view. Being a warrior alone does not allow Kirn avoidance of fear, certainly an advantage during conquest, but its absence also comes from doing best for his kind during times of uncertainty. He must have lost his mind or is dead and concludes only one way to end the nightmare once and for all. Without assistance or room for flight Priven’s no match for attack and Kirn moves toward the housefly with stealth and cunning to kill. Suddenly what appeared to be a large clump of brownish black earth connecting two tunnels moves in the way becoming a beetle with armor impossible to breech and impressive jaws. Now Kirn’s scared; other features of this being over powered by immense eyes. “Hi Kirn, my name is Kinta. Probably wonder how your name is known and why you are here.” Kirn replies. “Tortured for information about my group diminished some unknown reason for doing what’s been done hundred million tics, purging land to replenish. Without these actions, you will not survive as well.”
Once again we must leave context of this story to discuss tics, a year being one solar cycle and as you probably surmise, a tic being one and a half that. Then again same measure can be obtained multiplying by three dividing by two, negative time opposite and still does not explain how a grasshopper can be twenty pics tall and an ant ten.
Kirn’s remarks doesn’t upset Kinta and she calmly replies “You are of interest because of ability for creative thinking and would be of little consideration elsewise”. Kirn – “What does that mean? “Kinta –“We intend to be here for another hundred million tics. Are you ready to hear Priven out?” Priven answers. “Since beginning of time we all have been trying to figure god out being a concept to explain nature, part of nature, or something quite extraordinary to it? Does space and time have something conducting both? Of course they do. Thought and knowledge are masculine and feminine equal partners without distinction. Thought and knowledge occur independent of time and space, always have and consistently will without requisite of other entities. Because of accumulative knowledge new thoughts and vice versa may appear fleeting when and where they happen. One stumbles on new ideas seemingly replacing others but to assume the total doesn’t exist first place and won’t always be existent throughout the universe is a bit absurd. Not to question by any means the end and possibly brings us where and when we begin.”
“What do you want from me?” thinks Kirn. “Your understanding.” replies Kinta. “My understanding?” comes back Kirn. “I am captive deep underground for crimes all guilty, no doubt impossible to see correctly and question what is heard as well. Who are you to determine fate?” ”Open your eyes and look around you.”
Kirn finds himself on top a high mountain, not at all as imagined; sky greenish yellow and surface blue. Priven hangs above without wings’ movement although Kinta plants firmly on ground, if it can be called that. Atmosphere’s not heavy with distant oceans of mercury reflecting sky far above. Through crystal opulence maybe whales’ size of football fields float on backs barely submerged in the heavy silver liquid exposing themselves to lush turquoise sun reflecting on this mirror. Sibling spiders Dor and Mird hang on webs they string between yellow crystals taken for branches of odd trees. Nlauq and Lowe are equally at ease stationed not far from Kinta surrounded by small purple pearls scattered about. Not that the wood wasps need to stand, capable of flying in aura similar to Qualf and Mirn beside Priven. Kirn looks around to become assured his mate Alie is not somehow present in harm’s way making him bolder, thinking “What’s going on?” The others chorus, ““We are no longer there but where long before. Aquarius and Sagittarius have still to collided, creating earth’s sun, splatter also resulting in other planets constructing the Zodiac system. Travel future further should a place unusually as beautiful desired.”” “I’ve had enough” concedes Kirn “and want to go when and where this is real”. “”As you wish.””
Qualf flies home more assured of direction than before. It is midafternoon and sun shines bright yellow, assuring least to say. Spring now fills the air. He finds Mirn in hive newly refurbished. Some of their brood from previous years went distant while others remain close, all busy making friends and hives for themselves. As other insects, crickets emerge from frozen ground and familiar and always welcome “chirp-chirp” present in warmer circulating behavior. Others rejoice. Plants sprout amazing scents, always eager for company. Mirn asks Qualf “How was the meeting, handsome?” to which Qualf replies “It has been good council”.
How can a grasshopper be twenty pics tall and an ant ten? It takes a very small grasshopper, a very large ant, and or both.
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