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Artifacts

In the western spiral arm of our galaxy lies a star system and a planet

occupied ages ago. On one mountain of that planet there is a great

structure, thousands of cubits tall. It is constructed of sapphire and

diamond, is self-repairing, and derives energy from both solar power and

an internal power supply which we still do not understand.

Each solar rotation, this vast mechanism emits a tick. Each hundred

rotations, it emits a gong. Those who study the mechanism believe that

every ten thousand rotations, a small mechanism will appear from a certain

door and make a sound. The last effect has not been observed in living

memory, and the next occurrence is projected to be nearly eighty

generations removed from those now living. Xenoarchaeologists say that

the gong’s period was longer than the lifespan of an individual of that

species, and that the unseen mechanism has a period longer than that

species’ entire recorded history. The entire edifice was constructed only

a few years before that race vanished forever to wherever ancient races

go.

Philosophers across the galaxy have argued over the purpose of the

Eternal Clock. As with other artifacts such as the Diamond Book, the

Circle of Time, the Oracle, and the Wandering Flame, consensus holds

that the motive was not religious or superstitious in nature, but

philosophical.

What principle the Eternal Clock was intended to embody is still a matter

of great controversy. But while arguments rage in the halls of

philosophy, while children are born and great-grandparents die, while

intelligent races evolve and vanish, the Eternal Clock continues to tick.

And perhaps that is the message it is intended to convey.