The Prometheum Enigma

Beatriz and Tonel met during a press conference, both determined to uncover the truth about the pyramid. While Tonel was focused on the scientific implications, Beatriz was driven by her journalism. She was curious about how such an object could appear without warning and what it meant for humankind, by which she meant her friends’ perspective.

Their first conversation was marked by mutual intrigue. Beatriz’s sharp questions challenged Tonel’s technical explanations, and he found her perspective refreshing. Soon, they started spending time together after hours, discussing theories about the pyramid and what it could mean.

One evening, after a long day of examining the pyramid’s surface (which appeared to be made of a material that could morph and reform), Tonel and Beatriz shared a quiet moment under the stars. The Nazca desert stretched out around them, the ancient lines seeming insignificant compared to the monolithic structure they now faced. Beatriz was mesmerized by Tonel’s knowledge, and he couldn’t help but admire her drive and intuition.

“I've been chasing mysteries my entire life,” Beatriz confessed. “And now, here it is, right in front of me. Maybe it's not just about the science. Maybe this pyramid... is an omen."

Tonel nodded thoughtfully. "I think you're right. It’s not just what it appears. He quoted something under his breath:

‘Follow old tracks, faint—

shadowy, barely discerned.

Ancestral form’s child.’

It sound like the Tao te Ching to her.

It’s a message, perhaps a warning or an invitation. But we need to see it in the context of the Nazca culture of 2000 years ago."

Their conversations often drifted into personal territory, with Beatriz talking about her life as a journalist and how family turmoil meant she would lead an extraordinary life. Tonel shared his childhood dreams of the pursuit of the unknown. They grew closer, their late-night talks filled with excitement, fear, and the realization that they were both falling in love with each other.

As their relationship deepened, so did their understanding of the pyramid. Beatriz suggested one day that the pyramid wasn’t just an object—it was a machine, a time-travel device from the future. The machine had fragmented into millions of parts, integrating itself into the Earth's technological fabric. It was as if the pyramid’s presence had advanced humanity overnight, solving energy crises, diseases, and other global challenges—almost like the birth of a new form of AI, but far more powerful.

At the same time Tonel realized that the signals weren’t from space, but from time itself. The pyramid was a creation of future humans, sent back to prevent a catastrophe that had yet to unfold.

One night, Beatriz confessed her fears to Tonel. “What if I’m not myself anymore? What if the pyramid is manipulating me, guiding my thoughts?” She looked at him with a mix of love and desperation. What if the pyramid was the author of her life, guiding her to influence Tonel to investigate the future and now the past?

A team of admirers and physicists met to engage in conversation about the message predicting the delivery of a system to envelop Earth and its moon: Tonel had been the first to posit that the message came from the future where a group of influencers were using retrocausality. Both sides recognized the magnitude of interpreting the brown pyramid which dominated the landscape of Peru's Nazca. They were going to use TONEL’s work to calculate that this moon limit was a quarantine imposed by the pyramid's builders.

In the report room, scientists were exploring the controversies surrounding the distribution of pieces of the pyramid, the conversation veering between what Tonel had predicted and the brute fact of owning said pieces, cubes 2.5 centimeters on each side, and whether that was either good or bad.

He owned a microscope for scientific exploration, a variable resistor revealing his tinkering with electrical circuits, an X-ray apparatus indicating his interest in the human body, and a phial of mercuric oxide showcasing his fascination with chemistry. Other items, such as a Davy lamp, a telegraph machine, a high-powered generator, a lie detector, an atomic model set, and archaeological tools, displayed his multifaceted curiosity across various scientific disciplines. He also wanted to own his own piece of the pyramid, or guardian object.

Born in 2014, Tonel was the oldest professional scientist living. He smiled, passing his hand through his grey hair. Would it be ethical for anyone, anywhere, any-when to adopt the belief that objects from the future could influence present choices? With his scientific mindset and fascination with a broad range of tools, he argued that if the guardian object had causal effects, these effects must be grounded in natural law. He emphasized that the guardian objects’ potential influence could not be allowed to compromise rational autonomy or moral duties. He was a rational agent; these were his terms of work.

After they had finished with a round of applause for him, there was the sight of Tonel walking down the corridor and talking to every person. After summarizing the admirers and physicists’ conclusions he said, "The meeting is closed for the foreseeable future due to unforeseen circumstances." As he was leaving a staffer grabbed his sleeve and asked him, "Why would we undo what the Eternals have done?"

"That's a very good question. You see, the dilemma we face is complex and multi-faceted," replied Tonel. "While disobeying the commands of these advanced beings may seem like a viable option, it's essential to consider the potential consequences. By defying their directives, we risk escalating a conflict or triggering unknown retaliation, which could have devastating repercussions for ourselves in this era. If they know in advance what we intend to do, then we must use dirty tricks."

The Eternals may harm large sectors of humanity," said one of the admirers. With a final say of, “Not if we can help it,” he turned to go.

He walked up the hill and waited for a bus to arrive. He knocked at the window with his fist to get the driver's attention.

The bus stopped and Tonel got on. He beamed and showed his bus pass.

A phone message on his phone confirmed his suspicions - The government insisted on the Eternals being stopped. Tonel considered the advanced technology and manipulation of spacetime. If they couldn’t observe him, he’d work silently using subterfuge.

Haunted by his thoughts, Tonel contemplated the possibility that Beatriz, now his common-law wife, the journalist and also a psycho-biologist in her own right, might be under some hypnotic influence.

It all began when Beatriz, a young, passionate journalist, was assigned to cover the sudden appearance of a pyramid on the Nazca lines. She had always been fascinated by ancient civilizations and speculation about the pyramid’s origin was rampant until she interpreted it as something that could redefine humanity’s understanding of time and space. She kept it grounded in reality, but who was doing the grounding she began to question.

Tonel, the brilliant scientist working with SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), had been investigating strange signals in the atmosphere before the pyramid appeared. He had long believed that space-time anomalies portended the arrival of future beings. The pyramid landing seemed like the breakthrough moment he had always anticipated, but it carried far more weight than that. His investigations sought time entities as those which differed from his colleagues in space investigation.

Tonel gently held her hand. “You’re still you. The pyramid may have an agenda, but it can’t change who you are. I love you for the person you’ve always been, not for any influence.”

The closer they got to understanding the pyramid’s technology, the more it began to affect Beatriz. She would have vivid dreams, seeing glimpses of the future and strange visions of a world apart. Tonel grew increasingly concerned, realizing that the pyramid might be using Beatriz as a conduit for its plans.

At the height of the investigation, they discovered the pyramid’s true purpose; to prepare Earth for quarantining in the vast space outward to Mars but no further.

In a final act of defiance against the pyramid’s growing influence over her mind, Beatriz helped Tonel devise a way to break its hold.

Beatriz first spoke the words that solidified their bond. “I’m not afraid of the future, not as long as we face it together.”

The machine, sensing the strength of their connection, relinquished its hold on her. In that moment, Tonel and Beatriz realized that love was doing that. The pyramid had been sent back by beings with the same DNA who understood love.

Tonel and Beatriz, now inseparable, continued their work, documenting the incredible changes the pyramid had wrought while remaining vigilant for the future challenges it hinted at.

Beatriz, dressed in ethereal robes, welcomed Tonel warmly.

In her apartment, she suggested the risks of being discovered. Tonel’s perspective on time travel was that it was the "last human experience" and his hopes were stabilizing. There were suspicions among his colleagues about Beatriz's involvement with the pyramid, and thoughts about her work with animal behavior enlarged their suspicions that conditioning meant she was under subconscious control, and these were potential reasons to not use her.

The arrival of two heavy helicopters, disrupting the gray morning, symbolized the measures taken by authorities to secure the pyramid and keep its existence discreet. Tonel tried to keep Beatriz out of his meetings with SETI.

It was a golden autumn day. The sky was clear with wispy high-altitude cirrus clouds and a gentle, warm breeze with a faint aroma of blooming flowers and dried leaves. The air was crisp and dry and the sun invigorating.

Tonel strode outside an hour after waking to the pyramid and picked up one of the cubes. He examined it carefully. He held the Prometheum cube in his hand, and it was unlike anything he had ever encountered. The cube was small, about the size of a sugar cube, yet it felt impossibly dense, as if it contained the weight of a small mountain. The material was cool to the touch, with a surface that was smooth like polished stone but had a slight, almost imperceptible texture, like a fine-grain sandpaper that gripped his skin just enough to make him aware of its presence.

Visually, the cube mesmerized him. It had a deep, metallic sheen, shifting between shades of dark blue and violet as it caught the light. The color pulsed faintly, as if there was a heartbeat within the metal itself. Occasionally, when he tilted it just right, he caught glimpses of other colors—greens, reds, and even flashes of silver—dancing across its surface, like the Northern Lights captured in a solid form.

When Tonel focused on the cube, he felt an inexplicable warmth spreading through his hand and up his arm, a warmth that was not physical but more like an emotional comfort, a sense of being protected. The feeling was subtle but unmistakable, a calming presence that soothed his mind and sharpened his focus. It was as if the cube was aware of him, responding to his thoughts and emotions. He then noticed that when he carried the cube with him, things tended to go his way. A difficult problem he had been struggling with suddenly became clear; an argument with a friend resolved itself with unexpected ease; he found himself avoiding small accidents or missteps, as if guided by an unseen hand. The cube seemed to offer a gentle, persistent nudge towards the best possible outcome in any situation, subtly bending luck and fate in his favor.

Despite its strange and powerful properties, it did not feel malevolent or dangerous. Instead, it felt like a tool or a companion, something meant to aid and guide, not to control or dominate. It was as if its purpose was to help those who possessed it achieve their true potential, to align their actions with their deepest desires and values.

Then things began to scale up. During a speech rally, a fire threatened a village, and the firefighter threw his guardian object at the fire. It went out.

Beatriz heard how the people of Nazca experienced clothes drying after storms and the discovery of relics such as shamanic garments perfectly preserved believed to resonate with the pyramid.

Visitors paid for a statue which commemorated Tonel's theoretical work, paid for by the people of Peru.

Meanwhile, the guardian objects' power was demonstrated in various ways, such as saving a museum visitor's life, when plesiosaur bones from the dinosaur section fell on her, leading to inspiration globally when the news got out.

The city of Nazca became a hub of activity, with lives transformed. Tonel was now assuming a leadership role, navigating the city to protect it from bad actors. As the recently appointed council leader, he knew that a gang planned to replace valuable items with replicas. He used advanced surveillance to intercept coded messages revealing their plan. The firm resolve of law enforcement under his orders meant the bad actors were swiftly apprehended.

As he went through the gates of the park, there was a gentle slope, and above the hill right there in front still, a straight line ran past the old trees that dropped silver leaves in autumn, red and brown. He opened his notebook and drew the pyramid's walls then closed it and stuffed it in his pocket. He walked over the grass.

‘What are you doing here, Tonel?' It was Beatriz sitting facing him. 'What’s going on?'

He said he was sure there was a transition between the Paracas and the Nazca, which lasted one year from BCE to CE and that was the period they should focus on.

Beatriz spoke firmly to him, "Hey Tonel, did you see the latest New Scientist publication?"

“Whoa,” he said, “I haven't seen it yet. What's it about?”

“They found a remarkable garment with intricately woven images that dates back to then. It’s not just any piece of clothing; it’s of immense historical significance.”

“ How did they determine its age?”

“By radiocarbon dating.”

“ That’s fascinating. So, what makes it so special?”

“Well, the garment served as the blueprint for the Nazca lines. The images are believed to have directly influenced the designs of the Nazca lines.”

“ Are you serious? Ok, when can we go to see it?”

“ This is too important to miss, so I'll start planning the trip and gather all the details.”

“Keep me updated with the details.”

“ Will do, Tonel. This isn’t going away.”

A three-man time machine evidently was approved by the Eternals, as they seemed to have some overwatch on the top-secret project. They were even offering hints to building a time machine. The guardian object itself was probably driving the research, as a convoluted way of making creativity more abundant.

The president of Peru began his speech.

"My fellow citizens,

‘Today, we face an unprecedented challenge, one that threatens not only our present but our future. A an enigma, the Prometheum enigma, has turned our dreams into choices between right and wrong. Its presence has fractured our world.

We cannot afford to stand idle. I am ordering a massive mobilization of our brightest minds—scientists, engineers, mathematicians—from every corner of our nation. This is an urgent call to action. We must unlock the secrets of time travel, dismantle the Eternals' hold on our planet, and reclaim our future.

This mobilization will not be without sacrifice. Resources will be redirected, daily lives disrupted, and freedoms curtailed. But this is the price we must pay. Our unity and resilience will be tested, but together, we will prevail.

Thank you, and may we find strength in our collective resolve.’

"You know, we have to be realistic, said one of the listeners. "This is a dire threat, but we can't let fear drive us into rash decisions. The president's plan sounds like a war footing. Sacrificing civil liberties, disrupting our lives to such an extent—it's a recipe for chaos."

Her companion nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "You're right, you know. We'll gather support from our environmental advocacy colleagues and draft an alternative proposal. One that ensures we continue to address our pressing scientific needs while also combating this threat." There was a momentary flicker of white light inside the pyramid.

Facing the daunting task, Tonel sat in a dimly lit room, attentive to the president as he went on speaking about the pyramid on the TV station. Clad in a metallic gray suit, his instincts were homing in on the right course of action. For now he had stopped seeing Beatriz.

Eventually, he confided in her about not wanting to delay, and that he would drive forward with the time machine.

The Time Machine called "Prometheus" symbolized the culmination of global efforts to prevent the Eternals' phenomenon and its prohibition of space travel.

Tonel believed the key to time travel lay in the insertion of the human biological body into the time vortex directly. He thought only inside a time machine would he be safe, thanks to his suit. To that end he had worked with Robert Bryant the engineer to develop the revolutionary "Dimensional Fold Drive" (DFD), a sophisticated propulsion system that folded space-time around the capsule, enabling time travel. The Time Capsule itself, with a sleek design, minimized resistance during time travel, and its outer shell was coated with a nano-film to neutralize gravitational forces.