Free Cluster by Piers Anthony Page B

Kirlian aura does not reflect sickness, but health. It is a function of extreme vitality. It transcends the individual, even the species. Some call it the soul.”
    â€œAnd I, myself, have–”
    â€œSelf does not exist. There is no true individual consciousness. We are all vessels of a larger force, all aspects of the flame of life. Only the ramifications of our separate environments and experience provide the illusion of distinction. The Kirlian aura is all, and it meticulously reflects the influence of the physical and mental vessels we occupy. Through it we share the universe. We are the universe.”
    Flint was awed. The Regent had said much the same thing, but from Pnotl it had the force of conviction. “My mind does not understand, but I have to believe. You are—my kind.”
    â€œI am your kind,” the alien agreed. “We two are Kirlian entities. But your aura is more than twice the intensity of mine. You may be the most potent aura in the galaxy. You must go out into that galaxy, not merely to preserve it from external threat, but to seek your own level. You will not find your like among your physical kind.”
    â€œYou're telling me I have to transfer,” Flint said.
    â€œIt is the only way. For you and your Sphere, and our galaxy.”
    Once more Flint visualized the hand like the galaxy. The two were really the same, aspects of the Kirlian cosmos. “Exactly what is my mission?”
    â€œYou must bring the secret of Kirlian transfer to the other Spheres of this cluster, this galactic segment. You are best equipped to do this, for though the Kirlian aura is the essence of the communal Self, it associates with its original vessel and fades relentlessly when removed from that vessel. Every day that passes in transfer reduces the intensity of the aura by approximately one sentient norm, so that ordinary entities cannot retain their original identities in transfer. Those with more intense auras can, their limits defined by the potency of those auras. I can maintain transfer up to eighty Earth-days. You can do it for up to two hundred days. That is what makes you crucial to our effort. You can accomplish more, with a far greater margin of safety.”
    â€œYes.” It was obvious, now. “What's this about the galaxy being destroyed?”
    â€œCome with me and I will explain.”
    And Flint went with the alien, committed.
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    Chapter 3:
    Keel of the Ship
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    *Alarm priority development*
    â€“summon council available entities linked thought transfer immediate–
    COUNCIL INITIATED PARTICIPATING*–::
    â€“only one additional entity? Why do we bother!   proceed–
    *new transfer entity object galaxy potent*
    â€“specific data?–
    *scale approximately 200 intensity motion 60 parsecs mid-rum segment*
    :: 200 intensity! Surely misreading?::
    â€“review prior manifestations for entity–
    *recent transfer 80 intensity motion 1500 parsecs from known sphere knyfh to object region formerly undeveloped*
    :: call 200 undeveloped?! ::
    â€“indication emissary from established transfer culture successful promoting subsidiary transfer activity recruited extraordinary potency now extreme threat priority target initiate action promptly–
    :: indication noted call for concurrence ::
    CONCURRENCE
    :: nature of proposed action summon agent highest expertise matching alien entity scale dispatch earliest opportunity destination transfer recipient station target   galaxy mission destroy 200 intensity threat entity ::
    *contraindication no available agent scale 200*
    :: solution preempt top agent from lesser mission we do have a 200 intensity agent? ::
    *one*
    â€“::CONCURRENCE::–
    â€“stipulation concealment of agent mandatory–
    :: modification of concurrence mission destroy 200 intensity threat only in manner concealing motive and origin ::
    â€“::CONCURRENCE::–
    ::signoff::
    â€“*POWER