“Ah, I see by your reaction, Kane, that the term strikes a responsive chord. A faint chord, I hope, else all the effort of the Unity through Action program to limit the knowledge of it was in vain.
“Simply put, the Totality Concept and the development of its many interconnected and related researches was the most ambitious and secret scientific project in recorded history. The Archons provided the crucial technology to translate and meld quantum and hyperdimensional physics with relativistic physics.
“The aim of the Archon Directorate and their involvement in the Totality Concept was to make nuclear war obsolete. Indeed, aspects of the many subdivisionsProject Cerberus, Operation Chronos, to name only twoshould have rendered the threat of atomic warheads as impotent as stone knives and clubs.
“In a sense, the Totality Concept was a stunning success. The Archon Directorate had given humanity the step up it needed to transcend all its petty squabbles and political differences. Unfortunately, in another sense, its failure to do so was just as stunning.
“Our benefactors, the entities who had nurtured us since we first discovered fire, had continually underestimated our instinctive need to wage war on our brother. None of the achievements of the Totality Concept, none of the hopes of the Archons themselves, were of any use whatsoever on that black, black day in January, 2001.
“Humanity spit upon the great gift the Archons had bestowed. We tried to burn it up with the rest of the world. We did not want to heed their wisdomwe wanted to destroy it. And so we turned our faces away from the glory they offered and wallowed in our self-made mire of violence, bloodshed and endless war.
“Although they had every right to do so, the Archons did not abandon humanity. Their Directorate remained intact. They observed and watched as our planet became a wasteland, then helped as we tried to struggle back to our feet and rebuild. The Archons opened communications with the most powerful baronies and convinced them to unite and impose a new world order on the rampant chaos. With their help, their counsel, those nine barons ensured the old predark days would not return.
“The Archons provided them with the location of government Stockpiles, of the redoubts that once housed the many subdivisions of the Totality Concept. They taught them how to operate and maintain the technology found within, they put the Barons in touch with the few surviving military and scientific installations that had weathered the nuking and the skydark. In short, if not for the Archon Directorate, there would have never been a Program of Unification.
“They forgave us, you see, assuming some of the responsibility for the failure of the Totality Concept. They had been unable to save us from ourselves. Therefore, they judged it best that succeeding generations never knew of their presence or the role they played in the development of the Totality Concept. One of the aims of the Program of Unification was to hide that knowledge or make sure that the few who possessed it would translate the traces of the Archons and the Totality Concept into terms relevant to their own limited experience.
“The goals the Directorate had set for us were delayed by over a century, until humanity had regained some of its strength and creativity. At long last, the time is almost ripe for those goals to be achieved, but as with all ripening things, the process may not be hurried without risk of damage.
“The Archons have offered humankind another chance to evolve from our irresponsible, animal way, and that is a chance we must not, cannot, ignore.
“So, Kane, despite your impressive record, there is only one service you can bring to us, to the Trust, one duty you owe humanity. You must join us so we may fulfill the Archon Directorate’s hopes and dreams, and finally rise above the radioactive wasteland we ourselves created.
“Kane, as your father before you, you are now offered the opportunity to serve a greater cause. We must have your decision. Now.”
Chapter Eighteen
“My father?” Kane’s voice was barely above a shocked whisper.
A hand gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and Salvo’s warm, comforting voice said, “Yes, Kane. Your father. And my father, too. As serving as Magistrates is part of both our families’ traditions, so is service to the Archon Directorate.”