Tides of the Continuum 1: Making History Read Free Page B

outlined on the class semester syllabus, but had silently hoped he’d be gone before this specific qualifier was introduced. Each semester had its qualifying moments, where the metal of potentials was tested. Candidates had to face a series of qualifying challenges he or she must pass in order to move to the next phase. Lincoln audibly sighed as Dr. Graf continued formulating the challenge in white chalk on the green blackboard.
    Lincoln had always thought it funny that all of the slate chalkboards were referred to as blackboards, including the green ones. He concluded that he would be forever confused.
    Dr. Graf elaborated his equation until finally he was finished and set his chalk in the little tray and faced the class. There were a lot of wide eyes and open mouths. Dr. Graf began to speak; his was one of those voices and personalities that somehow made math fun. “Now I know some of you are thinking to yourselves that this is impossible or prohibitively difficult to solve. I thought that, too, just last night. I was thinking to myself ‘How can I slay this monster? It is too big for a mere math professor as weak as I. I'll need my allies, Conrad the Gradient, and brave little i, the imaginary integer.’ I have found that it is best to slay this monster with two feet on the floor and two hands on the chalk.”
    Then, amidst the courtesy giggles and smirks, Dr. Graf started to attack “The Beast”. He didn't start at the main mass as most would. Instead, he seemed to be prodding it and taking out small chunks here and stabbing it lightly there until the creature took the form he intended. And then Aurora realized his plan of attack and her hand shot up as she shouted, “Professor!”
    Dr. Graf was waiting for this with a keen smile under his bushy mustache. Lincoln watched it all in silence. “Yes. Ms. Dane you have a comment?”
    “Sir, you're not trying to solve it. Are you?” Her brain was still puzzling it through as she spoke.
    “Why no, I'm not. Can you see why?” He rolled back and forth on his toes and heels, giddy with anticipation now.
    “Because it can't be solved. It's not that kind of equation.”
    Dr. Graf was pleased with how fast she caught on. Lincoln was also pleased; he was very pleased indeed, but not to the point of automatic acceptance. He gave Dr. Graf a slight nod to signal that Graf continue his explanation of the problem on the board. Dr. Graf caught his gesture and eagerly continued.
    “This is not merely an equation, but a tool to be used in the solving of other equations. Think of it as a piece of raw obsidian. We slowly chip away at it until it is a stone axe head, a weapon we may use to slay the greater beast.” And with that remark still ringing in their ears, Dr. Graf turned to the board and scribbled an equation larger and more complicated than many had ever seen. A pencil dropped and a younger student near the back of the room was heard to squeak something unintelligible.
    Aurora was the first to speak up. “You're right. With the axe equation this will be easy to solve, but time-consuming.”
    “Indeed, this one took me three and a half minutes to draw but last night it took me four hours and twenty-six minutes to solve using the axe equation.” Dr. Graf blew off his chalk and set it in the tray. He gave Lincoln a slight nod and announced, “Class dismissed. And remember the equation assignments from last week are due next Tuesday.”
    Lincoln waited until the rest of the class was gone before he approached the professor. “That was a close one.”
    “Colonel, I know this isn’t your favorite qualifier, but it is the most telling. And I think that young Aurora has ‘the right stuff’. Sorry, I don’t want to step on your toes, but she is the smartest student I have had in a while.”
    “Actually, I am inclined to agree with you. She shows a lot of potential. You did good.” Lincoln patted Dr. Graf on the shoulder and left.
    Dr. Graf looked up to the board and