{"id":18421,"date":"2024-03-29T19:03:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-30T02:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/?p=18421"},"modified":"2024-03-29T19:15:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-30T02:15:29","slug":"lower-cosmos-nothing-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/lower-cosmos-nothing-special\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower CoSMOS-Nothing Special"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" data-attachment-id=\"18428\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/lower-cosmos-nothing-special\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvjmspya-unsplash\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1707,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=678%2C1017&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=678%2C1017\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18428\" style=\"width:143px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/mahsa-habibi-kmmvvJmspyA-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Credit: Mahsa Habibi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u201cThere are ways to stop your madness though, Tui. Have you considered them?\u201d Handlin said<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> The council of elders began. Tedious speeches, societal updates, and short reminders followed. Afterward, each in turn glanced at one another, recognizing their respective planets and as diplomats, gave a greeting from their societies; learned through communication and development over millennia. They noticed after the ceremony one was absent. There resting in their midst, an empty seat, one for Tui Magoint, a male representative from Fwei. Delegating for another hour, they discussed what to do about the empty place until finally summoning the wife of the delegate. She bowed to them. Some acknowledged her, others did not. The moment of their conversation meant more to them than their colleague\u2019s whereabouts. Amiv, his wife, suspected areas of where her husband may be but remembered the other times of a similar occurrence. She believed and blamed herself as the cause of the disturbance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tui spent hours on the terrace near the council\u2019s chambers watching machines great and small, fast and slow, travel through the Zuro Grande pathway at the city\u2019s center; the place of inter-space commerce. Nothing was as large and more efficient anywhere in their cosmos for transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cTui, dear. They have finished,\u201d Amiv said to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Unmoved, Tui\u2019s head then drooped down, taking his gaze away from the ships passing by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cOh, no. Tui.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She ran to him and lifted his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cSit to your chair, Tui. The council has left. No one is there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He grabbed her and leaned into her front, finding comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cIs it your head again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYes, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou must not think of these things. It is bad for you. You do not know for sure, so why bother with the idea of something you cannot see or know that is there. It is mental torture,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI wish that were possible but that is how we started my love,\u201d said Tui, \u201cWe are nothing special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cTui,\u201d she lifted his translucent orangish red head and licked his face. She then stood a step back from him, grasping his wrists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou, my Amiv are special to me, of course. In my heart, but to others, they will think nothing of your death when you are gone but will console me; telling me how sorry they are that you are gone. But they will not mean it. Maybe in the smallest way. The same with me. Should I die, tomorrow or tonight, my love, a sadness and then nothing after that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cOh, Tui. Yes. Yes. A sadness from me. A long mourning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cA memory and then nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cDear, Oh Dear, Tui. It is the present you need to concern yourself with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWhat about the people? All of them are everywhere. From every place in the universe. All the languages we brought together here. No war. Harmony reigns and peace our only beloved friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cIt is what they and we all want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cHow many others are like us?\u201d Tui said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWe have talked this way before, my love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cCouncils. Buildings reaching to the sky. Riches. Pleasures. Pride. Love and wealth. Decadence and celebration. Pageantry and spectacle. Riding the clouds and mist of galactic air. It is all the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She nodded, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWe are nothing special. Nothing unique. Everything is found. All are different beings. Stronger. Taller. Bigger. Smaller. Some can fly. Some can crawl. Others transform their bodies into objects. Other resistant. We have stretched our biological boundaries to what we want and sometimes desire. We all may be different but what hasn\u2019t been found?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; His wife lowered her head. Tui brought her to his level of depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI am sorry, Amiv.\u201d Instead of crying Amiv\u2019s skin color changed temporarily to full orange, flushing other colors to disappear underneath it. He grabbed her and pulled her in, holding her close and placing his head on top of hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*****<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That night, Tui walked their home, and Handlin, a large Broosk, entered the residence. Tui stopped and Handlin stepped toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cAlright, Crazy. I did what you wanted. But tell me, you criminal, why?\u201d He said while squinting and bearing his teeth is a false disgust .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cShe turned orange yesterday, Handlin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cOrange? What did you say?\u201d Handlin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cIt is why you are here. Take me to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cNow, Tui. It is not that easy. I convinced the Lacktor to allow you through, the rest you have to get on your own but this is not your first time into the docking bay. Last time was not too long ago. If you unlatch anything that is secured, they will know,\u201d Handlin said. Tui nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cAh, but there is a change in our people, my friend. It is the way they think. Can you see it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cNo. Tui,\u201d said Handlin, moving closer to him. \u201cThere are ways to stop your madness though, Tui. Have you considered them?\u201d Handlin said, already imagining himself knocking Tui out and dragging his body to bed for the night. \u201cYou will make her worse by leaving, Tui. If you think she is sad now, wait until you are not here anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cThat is it, my friend. Someday I won\u2019t be. Who is to say that this is not that day?\u201d Tui said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Handlin shook his head confused, \u201cNo. Now Tui, don\u2019t start with me, you old Zasx. Besides, where will you go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cAnywhere. Anywhere, Handlin. You see what I\u2019ve done to Amiv.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou\u2019re not thinking. And the council will come for you. You cannot walk away from them without telling them,\u201d Handlin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cAre you not listening? They do not care. Come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tui walked out of his quarters motioning for his large friend to follow him down an empty hall connected to the city\u2019s lining of residences for their citizenry. Some were out for a walk, others stayed indoors, but rarely did anyone venture out alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cLook, Handlin. Look around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Handlin did as he asked. No one was nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI have seen it before,\u201d Handlin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cNo one will care. The council will not, and neither will Amiv. She will forget someday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI will never understand you. Two months ago, you were yourself and suddenly you seek death like a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI want freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cFreedom? You wanted me to see our world. How can we be freer?\u201d Handlin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou will see. Do you want to come?\u201d Tui said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI could not do what you are doing to Amiv.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou still don\u2019t understand, Handlin. Their minds are gone, tragedy cannot bring them back. Look, there is no one around. We have done everything from here to the end of the universe and what did we find?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cPeace, Tui. Peace for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYes, but the same things! Everyone, everywhere. The same things. Nothing special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cDid we miss something? Something not categorized that should be in our records?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cI don\u2019t know, Tui. Why does it matter?\u201d Handlin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cBecause isn\u2019t there more to our lives?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cYou have lost your mind, Tui\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tui left Handlin who returned home. On his way, Tui\u2019s travels and demeanor bothered the Broosk\u2019s every step. Near his home, Handlin stared at his surroundings and examined his life, as he gave Tui\u2019s ideas consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He then waved his arm in the direction he came from as a final gesture to his friend Tui.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cHe will be here in the morning,\u201d Handlin mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As the night continued, Tui had nothing with him but his council garb and the will to come to the entrance of the commercial and civil bay of transport, a hub of vehicles waiting for use. The council\u2019s official transport connected the side of the bay\u2019s structure to the wall, locking it in place and available when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cNot a soul,\u201d Tui said, amazed he was alone. No one cared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cWhy have all this? For what reason? Where did the security go from two months ago?\u201d He chuckled to himself, \u201cWhat has happened to us?\u201d Tui gave a deep sigh of relief, convinced he was doing the correct thing for his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The council\u2019s vessel clicked and released its docking arm from the side of the wall. The arm pulled into the ship, allowing the craft to suspend in the air. Tui\u2019s head shot up, watching it drift from the port without him inside. The ship turned direction toward an opened area where it moved to a secondary part of the bay and into a free shot into the atmosphere. Tui gathered his legs and ran toward the connecting platform near the ship, too late to catch up with it. The craft left on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cSomeone knew I was coming.\u201d It injured his excitement to leave more than angered him. He expected an arrest and confinement until the remainder of the council decided what to do with their rogue colleague\u2019s attempt to escape their civilization a second time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cRight. No one cares,\u201d he chuckled and began his way home. Handlin\u2019s admonition on Tui\u2019s, selfishness convinced him, in brief, of no longer having to decide to leave. He may still do so, but had to start the plan again, with Handlin\u2019s help or another friend to secure a vessel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u201cHandlin. I better be careful. He is a good Broosk,\u201d Tui said to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A third attempt remained on his mind until returning home, but so did his lack of consideration for his wife\u2019s feeling about his exit. The room where they slept was quiet and Tui readied himself for rest. He entered and sat where they slept together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But she was not there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"107\" data-attachment-id=\"18432\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/lower-cosmos-nothing-special\/lower-cosmos-banner-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?fit=1266%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1266,200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?fit=678%2C107&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?resize=678%2C107\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C162&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?resize=300%2C47&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?resize=768%2C121&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forbiddenpanel.com\/PanelCast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Lower-Cosmos-Banner-1.jpg?w=1266&amp;ssl=1 1266w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cThere are ways to stop your madness though, Tui. Have you considered them?\u201d Handlin said The council of elders began. Tedious speeches, societal updates, and short reminders followed. Afterward, each in turn glanced at one another, recognizing their respective planets and as diplomats, gave a greeting from their societies; learned through communication and development over [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":290,"featured_media":18817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"In the troubled mind of a Zasx named Tui, he is convinced the world around him as changed and no longer needs him. 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