Free The Web and the Stars by Brian Herbert Page A

inverted dome of the Council Chamber, floating in the misty, ethereal sky. Still in mindlink, the wise leaders stared down at him sternly. First Elder Kre’n sat in the center of the arched table. On her left sat the towering Dabiggio, the largest Tulyan Eshaz had ever seen. He did not look well, and had droopy, tired-looking eyes, skin lesions, and reddish patches of skin where the scales fell off.
    Eshaz had heard stories of physical problems suffered by Tulyans in recent months, for the first time in their long history. Many were suffering from fatigue, and their missing scales were slow to grow back, if they did at all. Tulyan leaders said that the weakening of Tulyan bodies spelled the approaching end of their immortal lives, and it was somehow tied to the problems with the deteriorating cosmic web.
    Dabiggio was the first victim Eshaz had seen first hand. It struck him as curious that the Tulyan Starcloud had not shown any signs of web deterioration in its sector, but its citizens were being impacted first. He assumed that the starcloud would show signs of decay as well, and soon.
    Answering their unspoken questions, Eshaz expanded on what Kre’n already knew. He elaborated on how he had healed the Human, Noah Watanabe, by allowing Timeweb nutrients to flow into his dying body… and how Noah thereafter gained access to the web through his mind.
    Eshaz also described how he met Noah Watanabe years ago, when the Human led a fledgling activist organization with a forgettable name, the Planetbuilders. Eshaz gave him a much better name for the organization that reflected its multi-planet importance: the Guardians. The Tulyan also made a number of operational recommendations and went to work for the organization, as his busy schedule permitted. After that, the Guardians grew in number and in prominence.
    “I believe in Noah completely,” Eshaz said. “This Human may become the first truly important member of his race, on a galactic scale.”
    Speaking in unison, the Council said, “Guilt over your Timeweb infraction may have blocked you from timeseeing, weighing heavily on your mind.”
    Dismayed but not ashamed, Eshaz refused to hang his head. Instead, he looked at his superiors steadily and said, “I never felt guilt over what I did for Noah. I did it for the good of the galaxy … to fulfill my sacred caretaking oath. As I told you earlier, he may be the one spoken of in our ancient legends … the Savior we have awaited for millions of years.”
    “We need not remind you,” the eerie voices retorted, with more than a hint of irritation, “that no matter the idealistic intentions and efforts of Noah Watanabe, there have never been any great Humans on a galactic scale. Humans are known to be limited by their pettiness, shortsightedness, and proclivity for warfare. They are parochial creatures, lacking in compassion or foresight.”
    The Elders released their mindlink, and one of them, a smallish male known as Akera, spoke separately. “Nonetheless, we are willing to reserve judgment about Noah. You may be correct about him, though there is no way to tell yet, based upon the limited evidence available.”
    “I have told you all I know,” Eshaz said, “even what is in my heart.”
    “You are to increase your timeseeing efforts for the Parviis,” Kre’n said. “And do not even think about concealing anything from them. It is not only a matter of treaty, but of honor.”
    “As you wish.” Eshaz bowed.
    “Afterward, you have our permission to return to Noah’s Guardians at the first opportunity,” Kre’n said, “as soon as space travel is reopened to Human-controlled worlds.”
    “We want you to protect the Human,” Akera said. “Help break him out of prison if you can, and keep him from causing harm to the fragile environment of Timeweb. We cannot do that from afar.”
    “It may also be necessary to eliminate him,” Dabiggio said. He coughed. “If he proves dangerous.”
    Eshaz recoiled at the