nterview with a Star: When a Supernova Loses its Patience
When a sentient supernova appears in the administrative heart of Zygomunda of the Triple Delta, a normal conversation is anything but guaranteed. Journalist Flux Mantari takes the risk and discovers what it means for a cosmic phenomenon to detonate-from the inside and out.
Flux Mantari Eh, first of all, thank you for appearing for this interview-though, appearing... what's actually your standard aggregation form here on Zygomunda?
Supernova XZ-1184 Diffuse, fiery, and somewhat imposing. I've tried to limit my emissions to the central dome out of respect for the non-ionizing locals.
Flux Mantari So what brings a cosmic phenomenon like you to this data-overflow mayhem?
Supernova XZ-1184 Festive obligations, mostly. The Annual Harvest of the Knowledge River, apparently a lively spectacle, caught my attention. Besides, my presence was demanded after an incident with the Savanna Consorts.
Flux Mantari Uh, demanded? By whom do you think you actually add something here... eh, besides chaos maybe?
Supernova XZ-1184 Oh, come on, it's not that bad. My contribution to urban lighting (and, admittedly, occasional vaporization of redundant paperwork) is often underestimated.
Flux Mantari Can't you resist meddling in local affairs?
Supernova XZ-1184 If I'm invited, people expect fireworks. I simply deliver what's requested. Rare indeed: a true cleansing.
Flux Mantari Hmm. So you literally make things explode just because they put 'sparkling evening' on the invitation?
Supernova XZ-1184 Words aren't always meant to be taken lightly, Flux. The administration should have considered that.
Flux Mantari Seriously?! You rendered the Data Stream Bridge unusable last month! I was stuck in a data block there for six-six!-hours just because your so-called 'cleansing' was apparently necessary!
Supernova XZ-1184 That says more about your infrastructure, doesn't it? Did you happen to apply a backup identity as recommended for Zygomunda?
Flux Mantari This isn't a joke. You keep denying that your presence is destructive. Have you ever regretted-any sense of accountability?
Supernova XZ-1184 Regret is a strange notion for someone like me. What you call disasters, I see as essential energy redistribution. Without it, everything here coagulates in bureaucratic sluggishness.
Flux Mantari Sorry, but that's just nonsense. You're not some godlike being entitled to blow everything up, right?
Supernova XZ-1184 Godlike? Ha! You should see what remains of me when I really let loose. Want to risk things getting even more bureaucratic than this planet already is?
Flux Mantari This is pointless. You dodge every core question! A city gets 'illuminated', residents lose their homes, and you just say, sorry, that's redistribution-how often have you exploded deliberately?
Supernova XZ-1184 Um, sixteen times. Mostly out of impatience. Once after an unfortunate encounter with a Windplain Whisperer who called me 'glitter ball.'
Flux Mantari Incredible... Really. You're dangerous. How do you justify yourself to Zygomundan society?
Supernova XZ-1184 Justification is relative. The Savanna Consorts worship me, the Windplain Whisperers curse me. And honestly, Lagosia Ultima looks cozier in ultraviolet.
Flux Mantari *sigh* Final question: What would you do NOW if I accidentally called you a squashed neutron?
Supernova XZ-1184 Considerable emission, Flux. But I'll try to hold back. For now.