The Fifth Fundamental

Nial is an unsexed Afsa, an alien race until it is five hundred years old. Now a Planetary First Class Engineer it stands in stasis in the "Inbetween" A force using science created black and white
holes to navigate a Jump using the Fifth Fundamental. The Arisians, an ancient race of planet movers and universe designers have asked for Nial's help in determining the age and status of an odd
small planet at the edge of a far solar system.
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We meet the other protagonist, Sully Jacobson a vet of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, chaplain and local Farrier and his sister Shea. As twins they couldn't be more different, but their love for
each other and their ailing mother, in spite of all the teasing, is always evident.
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The dynamics of Afsa sexing and the mores of Afsa Friendship. Can Friends all friends be lovers and lovers be friends? The complications are hard for the unsexed, and for the sexed.
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Sully comes face to face with some memories he's been hiding, and some issues he's been hoping to avoid thinking about. But he finds some comfort and maybe a good sermon for Sunday.
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In this chapter, Nial reluctantly accepts an invitation from Phija, an old friend from their Academy days, to a reunion dinner, hoping to rekindle the camaraderie they once shared. However, the
evening takes a dark turn as Phija's unresolved feelings and obsessive longing surface, culminating in a desperate and forceful confrontation that shatters their fragile bond. As Nial flees, it
grapples with painful realizations. It must finally confront the lingering ache of betrayal and the irrevocable end of their shared history.
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Sully and Shea enjoy a rainy wild evening of fire watch at their cabin in the Big Horn, It's all going well until Shea spots a mysterious light. It is ball lightning? A bright lantern left on by
some tourist? They're going to check it out,and walk towards the light.
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Nial is finally on its way to the new planet, excited to go, it determines to push the past behind it. But will Phija let go so easily?
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Nial finally makes the Jump, but things down't always turn out the way we expect them to.
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The morning bring more questions than answers, but a shared Dawn Chorus helps to form a connection between the two. human and Afsa, Sully and Nial.
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Back on Terius One Phija comes face to face with the possibility that he may have harmed the one person he loves the most.
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A Prodigal found, a prodigal still lost.
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Sully, Sully's mom and Nial get acquainted. Nial begins to remember some important details.
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Phija is not facing the consequences of what he did in the jump station to change Nial's trajectory. He is frantic to right the wrong and his fear- that he may have killed Nial - is driving him to
madness.
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A weary Sully comes back to get Nial, who is slowly gaining their identity back. But the world is so different from their world.
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Sully and Nial have an enlightening day in the Big Horns.
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An enlightening day in the Big Horns for all.
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The end of a nearly perfect day. Nearly.
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To be a life, to be a death, to be a moment's pause between.”


—“To Be a Man” by Adrienne Rich (1964)
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Sully and Nial are in a state of flux after sharing a cup of coffee.


"What once was, was and is lost"
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