Terminal Quotient by MillsIdeas

Vx = g* (RS) + ∑ ei ai a graphic Tableau

TERMINAL

QUOTIENT

a broderic cane novel

Mills Publishing Forum Thomas Mills, CEO Portage, MI 49024 thomasmills_MPF@gmail.com mpf.com

prologue

QUOTIENT Broderic Cane Privateer

Hunter Markell • Reid Greaves • Stanton Toten • Bennett Tyrell • Elden Ryant

TERMINAL

4516 – 2,500 years in the future. The known universe is well-settled, well-explored and mired in political and economic corruption – enabling a robust Black Market for goods and services to thrive. Free enterprise has run horribly amok. Black Market privateers answer to no one, run from everyone and reap huge profits on the excesses of human and alien existence. One man exists at the top of this vast galactic enterprise...Broderic Cane.

Daxü

Cane must avoid the CyanoSyndicate (CS3), a tri-galactic military organization responsible for controlling devisive forces that threaten stability within the Local Cluster (of galaxies). It’s agents relentlessly pursue him in an effort to wrestle away his Black Market enterprise and the massive profits it generates. Cane manages to stay a step ahead of CS3 due to clandestine efforts on his behalf by CS3 operative Tonya Waring. Unknown to Cane, a far greater threat is attempting the total eradication of life in a chain of nearby galaxies. Jatai B’Kani, a violently evil entity, has initiated his maniacal plan using self-devised nano-constructs, the Cyrokkin, and “Retardent Necrosis” – the Black Flame.

Tonya Waring

Vi Kader Nano Scientist

But, Cane has powerful friends and unlimited resources: Former Omega Team members Markell, Greaves, Toten, Tyrell and Ryant provide Cane with logistics, operational support and para-military muscle for his Black Market operation. A small intergalactic scientific group led by Vi Kader offers Cane unlimited access to nanotechnology and Velü – a product/construct that generates insatiable demand and unlimited profit. A highly secretive, extremely wealthy industrialist supplies Cane with starships, weaponry and state-of-the-art technology from his vast galactic holdings.

B’Kani, and changling Låel Veillon, are involved in an even darker event – originating on Ancient Earth – that will propel Cane toward a series of events from which there may be no escape. For him, for anyone.

omega

CyanoSyndicate Black Ops

Jatai B’Kani & Låel Veillon

Vx = g* (RS) + ∑ ei ai

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Images are licensed through Adobe Stock Images. TERMINAL QUOTIENT Copyright © 2017 by Thomas Mills All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.

Radical Static - CyBot

This story is depicted in a series of large images (graphic tableaus) paired with descriptive graphic panels that pull from the central story, and chapters of text. Absorb the imagery, imagine what’s happening in the story. Then, explore dialogue, quotations, keywords and facts in the graphic panels. Enjoy.

Story

graphic tableau

characters

This story begins...as Cane is about to circumnavigate a black hole event horizon attempting to reach Atlantis Prime (another dimension)...but it’s origins begin in the waning days of the Atlantean civilization on Ancient Earth (A/E) – 200,000 years BC. Atlanteans (aliens) from Atlantis Prime have begun pre-populating A/E with humans and aliens from selected planets within endangered galaxies throughout the universe. One Atlantian manages to access and tamper with a highly complex mathematical formula (aka the Universal Constant) that describes and controls everything in the known universe. Removing a single equation creates a terminal quotient singularity in multiple dimensions... enabling the roots of evil to gain a foothold throughout the universe. This transgression occurs prior to the last days of A/E Atlantis – 20,000 BC. As volcanism, tsunamis and flooding from the retreat of Ancient Earth’s last ice age overwhelm and destroy the global maritime nation of Atlantis, its sole surviving inhabitant Daxü (an Atlantean alien) manages to encase the missing equation in a stone fragment from an Atlantis temple. This artifact becomes known as the Stasis Judicant and is prophesied to ultimately save the universe from destruction if it can be reunited with the Universal Constant before consummate evil reaches its zenith 25,000 years hence. Daxü phases back to Atlantis Prime with the Stasis Judicant and begins an impossible search for the one individual with the genetic ancestral roots that will permit trans-dimensional travel and access to the Universal Constant. The transformation of this master equation on planet Earth added a complication to its restitution. While extracted by an Atlantean, the Stasis Judicant’s reestablishment would require the courier to possess both human DNA and Atlantean physiology.

TERMINAL

QUOTIENT

By 4516 AD, Broderic Cane has been selling a scientific construct called Velü throughout a tri-galactic market for a number of years. The enormous profits generated are being secretly transferred with Daxü’s assistance to numerous civilizations that show significant potential for intellectual development and creative self expression. This effort is considered a last measure of defense against the overwhelming spread of moral decay, corruption and subsumption by consummate evil. Cane has been told of the prophecy and his critical role in the Quest to return the Stasis Judicant to Atlantis Prime. But, time is fast running out for humanity. Jatai B’Kani, who tampered with the Universal Constant and was twisted beyond salvation in the process, has turned his evil intentions upon galaxy after galaxy – spreading Retardant Necrosis (aka the Black Death) destroying every planet and all life. His efforts are increasing exponentially as he disperses billions of Cyrokkin (nano constructs) capable of increasing the speed and reach of his destructive fervor. Greed, violence, betrayal and unrelenting pursuit by the CyanoSyndicate, Jatai B’Kani and the mysterious changling Låel Veillon will push Broderic Cane to the limits of endurance and underscore his need for support from a small group of friends and allies.

Broderic Cane: Main Character: Black market profiteer – Starship: Flame of Yarren/ScoutShips: Falcon Class Shrike Daxü: Alien from Atlantis Prime (Stasis Judicant) Former Omega team members Hunter Markell: team leader Reid Greaves: mathematician Stanton Toten: “Psycho” Bennet Tyrell: “Daredevil” Elden Ryant: physicist Vi Kader: nano scientist/Velü construct Radical Static: Cane’s CyBot Wealthy Industrialist Jatai B’Kani: Alien from Atlantis Prime (Retardant Necrosis) – Starship: Thelos Talon/ScoutShips: ThülleCraft Låel Veillon: changeling AntiStatic: B’Kani’s CyBot CyanoSyndicate (CS3): tri-galactic military organization Tonya Waring: CS3 Agent

One human with ancestral ties to Ancient Earth and an alien lifeform from an alternate dimension are the only hope for the salvation of the entire universe.

q Terminal Quotient is a science fiction story crafted from images into an outline of a much broader narrative. It’s essentially pictures supported by words. I’ve purposely left things out – inviting you to imagine plot twists, alternate endings and hopefully, inspiring you to craft your own stories in this manner.

– Thomas Mills, Author-Artist /Entrepreneur

Excerpt from Daxü’s explanation of the power and purpose in Cane’s role in delaying the onset of B’Kani’s evil intentions.

“Altruism – is the solution to all the problems we’ve ever faced, and ever will.” “It’s our last measure of defense against the total permeation of consummate evil.”

Cane becomes aware of complex forces aligned against encroaching evil and the positive effects funding from vast sales of Velü are beginning to have on a universal level. Cane sees how his support in nurturing creativity and intellectual development in thousands of civilizations can minimize absorbtion and perpetration of evil. – Chronicles of Cane

Black Hole

Aproaching a Black Hole at nearly the speed of light – Cane’s only hope to reach another dimension.

So. Here he was. Strapped in...every precaution taken. So what! Cane thought. Screaming toward a black hole at nearly the speed of light. One might think he’d have a greater likelihood of survival were he to place a gun to his temple and contemplate pulling the trigger. Too late for recompense. Onward...come what may, might, will be. I did this, to myself. Reason, judgement, values...all out the window now. Consummate evil? Who cares? I’m gonna die. Cane hunkered down in his cockpit, eyes riveted now on his instruments. Nothing made sense. Blurred vision. Headache. Focus! he told himself. “Event horizon approaching,” announced a mechanical voice. How could he know what this quest might lead to in the end? How could anyone? Might as well throw theoretical physics out the window, Cane thought sardonically. There’s nothing like firsthand experience. “Endeavor to persevere.” Isn’t that the conclusion he came to on first hearing of the Stasis Judicant and a Universal Constant? Right! even now, what would Daxü advise…acceptance. Not much left to cling to now, thought Cane morosely…random thoughts racing through his mind. Sanity. Right. The sanity of this effort defies imagination. Cane’s thoughts meandered as the Black Hole loomed over him menacingly, getting closer each second. Broderic Cane had come a long way and, he wasn’t going much further, or so he thought. Cane had been considering his precious cargo. Speaking aloud to no one in particular and hearing the sound of his own voice for the first time since leaving Daxü and Tonya Waring, he muttered, “The Stasis Judicant! Some misguided alien had the temerity to think he could mess with Mother Nature and win? His extreme arrogance has left me holding the bag.” Came was having trouble thinking. “Hell”, he exclaimed, “I’m history.” His mind drifted. The sound of the Black Hole seemed oppressively overwhelming. Yet, there was no sound in space. Everyone knew no one could hear you scream. Cane was screaming now...insanely. Out of his mind. Figures...thought Cane. Bad things happen to good people. Then, someone has to pay. You’re all set...Cane thought he heard the attendant say. No longer lucid, Cane took a hard left and careened down along the perimeter of the event horizon. Nothing looked familiar now...at all.

Everything went black. Cane breathed heavily. “All stop,” he mumbled thickly. “Cane?” “CANE!” Silence. “Cane?” The voice of Radical Static in Cane’s head really hurt...hard. Eyelids lifting. Blur. Brightness. Stupor. The last thing Cane remembered...actually, he couldn’t recall his last memory before encountering the Black Hole event horizon close up... firsthand. Just here and now. Like when he was 15 on Arouke. “Get out,” the CyBot commanded. Responding to the hazy order, he somehow knew what to do. His hands automatically undid straps. His arms pushed his torso up and out of his cockpit seat. Cane flopped onto the floor of his ScoutShip. Muscle control absent without leave. AWOL he thought. Cane lay awkwardly across his chair half on the floor of his ship, drooling. “All stop…” his words seemed to form somewhere in the distance. Where was he? What was he? Atlantis Prime! Could he have done it? Actually made it? Why not? Stranger things had happened, right? It all began to register. If he’d successfully achieved an alternative dimension and arrived in Atlantis Prime...what’s the best he could hope for - with Jatai B’Kani in hot pursuit? A welcome wagon? Parade? What? Something in Cane helped him reach deep and pull himself erect, stagger to the airlock and activate the access mechanism. Fresh, sweet air flooded into his ship, causing Cane to reflexively inhale...deeply. Vaguely familiar shapes appeared to Cane through the gauze that was his limited vision. Or so he thought. He shielded his eyes.

Stasis Judicant Vx = g* (RS) + ∑ ei ai xxx

Vx = g* (RS) + â&#x2C6;&#x2018; ei ai

atlantis

PrePopulate earth

Vx = g* (RS) + â&#x2C6;&#x2018; ei ai universal constant

Atlantis

But – transgression and tragedy were to visit Atlantis – hand in hand.

Plato told the story of Atlantis. But few believe. Those who do... rarely admit so. The founders of Atlantis...

...were half god and half human.

They created a utopian civilization and ...became a great maritime nation.

This is more than mere myth. For in reality, the gods of Plato’s tale were seen as such by humans so primitive they could barely provide for themselves. But, they were about to experience a renaissance like no other – before or after. Non-corporeal beings from an another dimension appeared with human and alien life forms to pre-populate ancient earth. They also offered great knowledge to all living within the growing civilization that encircled the globe on coastlines of every continent. Atlantis! Advanced mathematics, physics, astronomy, engineering and the essentials of navigation – longitude and latitude were made known to the indigenous humans and the castaways from space. This alien assistance became the fundamental basis from which life on this planet would develop into Lemurian, Sumerian, Egyptian, Aztec, Maya, Chinese, Thai and other highly advanced civilizations.

A single surviving Atlantean fuses B’Kani’s equation in a fragment of Ancient Earth Atlantis…in a piece of rock to be known as the “Stasis Judicant.”

Immortal beings existed in a realm far beyond the imagination and understanding of sentient life. Entities who knew the universe purely, as it exists within a multiverse. An infinity of flat, planar universal systems – each containing trillions of galaxies. An infinite multiverse intersected by alternate dimensions defined by highly complex mathematics, physics and music – a Universal Constant. A single Atlantean – one of the inital twelve sent to Ancient Earth managed to access and appropriate a single mathematical equation from the Universal Constant. In an instant, this unforgivable act of misplaced scientific inquiry, enabled evil (in all its heinous aspects) to enter and gain a foothold in the universe. Then, cataclysmic forces combined to destroy all of Atlantis. Atlantis was gone. All but for a single Atlantean and the problem of restoring balance within the Universal Constant.

prime atlantis

Vx = g* (RS) + ∑ ei ai

Does Broderic Cane successfully reach Atlantis Prime? Although Jatai B’Kani lost his ability to phase between dimensions, did an ominous craft follow Cane’s ship in a parallel trajectory around the black hole event horizon? Is this a final event from which there will be no escape? What of the prophecy...and the “Chronicles of Cane?” A Terminal Quotient Teaser – “To be continued.” – Thomas Mills

TERMINAL