The Thaon Factor

by Eugene Wilson

  THE THAON

  FACTOR

  EUGENE ALLEN WILSON

  www.facebook.com/eugene.wilson.5477

  eugeneallenmarshall@gmail.com

  The Thaon Factor

  Copyright © 2018 by Eugene Allen Wilson

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means; graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except for brief quotations inserted in critical review articles.

  This story is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, organizations and dialogue in this novel are purely imaginary or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1Alien Signal

  Chapter 2Conspirator

  Chapter 3The Emissary

  Chapter 4The Messenger

  Chapter 5Arrival

  Author Bio

  INTRODUCTION

  The extraspatial otivicon is the most powerful weapon in the known galaxy. A weapon of nearly inconceivable power, the extraspatial otivicon was created by Daljik Ra’as, a brilliant selothian research physicist. Among various other factors, the existence of this weapon is causing profound fear and trepidation among various inhabited planets throughout the galaxy. Government officials of some of these planetary governments are threatening a pre-emptive military strike on the selothian homeworld of Dabenar if this weapon is not destroyed.

  Much earlier, Daljik had vanished and has never been seen again. The crews of two heavily armed selothian starships are on their way to Earth to retrieve this phenomenal device. Both crews are at enmity with each other. The situation is such that only one selothian ship will survive to make it home. Amazingly, three earth teenagers are in possession of the very device that both selothian crews are determined to retrieve. Nathan Clark, Tyrone Clark and David Williams have found themselves in the middle of an intergalactic conflict.

  In this fourth and final prequel to a major story release, for which all previous books have been based, a four-hundred-year adventure continues.

  Chapter 1Alien Signal

  The Rolphus Communications Center on Planet Dabenar

  The City of Laoceas in the nation of Baheera

  Panru, 32 Naru 2227 B.E.

  Pilosha stares at the two-dimensional holographic color screen while performing the back trace through the ubiquitous AIHC Network. After a brief sigh, she continues her tediously methodical task of isolating the mysterious alien signal amid the quadrillions of other alien signals. Each of the many thousands of remotely placed processor stations maintains a continuous link with each other, thus forming their own critical points of reference within the total blackness of hyperspace.

  Typically, an individual will transmit a data request (uplink) signal. Whether such individual is simply requesting information or involved in interactive communication with another party determines how the entire communication process is handled. In essence, the audio/visual/data communication signal is transmitted, via hyperspace, from a specific world and is received by the nearest processor station. In turn, interspatial destination coordinate information, with regard to the location of a specific planet is attached to the return signal.

  Essentially, numerous quadrillions of signals emanating from innumerable devices located throughout the galaxy are received and rerouted by these processor stations. Astronomers from various worlds had agreed on a galactic mapping standard whereby the galaxy is divided into four numerical quadrants. In turn, each quadrant is subdivided into one hundred numerical regions. Finally, each region is subdivided into one hundred numerical sectors. For the past few hours, Pilosha has been waiting for the reoccurrence of the mysterious alien signal before continuing her back trace. She had long concluded that whoever is transmitting the signal is most likely located on a planet not among the 500,870 planets presently listed in the Hacurian Interstellar Database.

  A signal emanating from that location would be missing some of the necessary file header information and would be tagged with an “unknown origin” sub-header. All attempts to make voice contact with the unknown individual have thus far failed. She surmises that the remote user has not properly configured his auvisuon unit correctly for two-way voice or high-definition visual mode, only low-resolution text/data mode. Although her supervisor has provided her with the person’s identification code, present Sanstean Investigation Bureau personnel records indicate that the person in question has been missing for over a century and has been presumed long dead.

  Suddenly, Pilosha notices a flashing graphic symbol indicating the reappearance of the mysterious alien signal. She quickly goes to work resuming the back trace procedure. A brief look at her star map screen indicates the closest region along the signal chain. She makes note that three processor stations are linking the alien signal along the galactic plane out toward a region of the galaxy located approximately 6,237 light-years closer toward the nearest edge of the first galactic quadrant. As she observes the signal information on her screen, the path of the lone signal diverges sharply to another galactic region much farther away.

  Pilosha now feels that whoever is transmitting this signal is most likely part of a specific region of the galaxy comprising few, if any, known inhabited worlds. Again, the signal ceases abruptly. For the next half-hour, she waits for the signal to reappear. As she stands out of her seat, the alien signal reappears. As she is watching the screen, the information finally reveals the remote auvisuon’s approximate spatial coordinates. The last processor station to handle the alien signal indicates that the remote auvisuon is located within a specific galactic sector located approximately 13,000 light-years away. To her knowledge, few vessels have traveled to that part of the galaxy. Sitting back down, Pilosha carefully zooms in on that specific galactic sector.

  In addition, she brings up the Hacurian Interstellar Database screen for any information relevant to that sector. Only three exploration ships, she notices, have traveled to that sector within the past century. The Hacurian Interstellar Database also indicates that this sector contains roughly five million to six million stars, along with the fact that fewer than two percent of these stars have planets, mostly uninhabited, orbiting them. Again, the flashing graphic symbol indicating the presence of the alien signal disappears only to reappear on her screen thirty seconds later. With a slight frown, she resumes the back trace while hoping that the signal will stay present long enough for her to determine the precise spatial coordinates.

  The final processor station responds to her back trace command. She records the processor’s position relative to the sector of normal space that it is serving. Again, the signal ends just as Director Tajavin Kalic is walking up behind her. “What do you have so far?”

  “One awful headache,” she mumbles in a barely audible voice. Without turning to him, she makes an adjustment to one of the spatial directional indicators. “This individual’s approximate location is somewhere in the 100th sector of the 34th region of the 1st quadrant.” With increased interest, Tajovin looks over her shoulder. To his surprise, the sector from where the signal is originating is 13,000 light years distant within the next galactic arm.

  Pilosha pulls up another historical document. “Of all the numerous planetary systems listed in this specific sector, only one has been explored in great detail.”

  “By who?”

  “On Gaitha, 12 Nithra 2164, the crew of a planetary geological survey ship owned by the Thiferac Mining Corporation was surveying Tallas,” she begins. “According to these records, Thiferac Mining corporate officials approved the
construction of a metrithium processing plant. All mining ceased over sixty years ago.”

  “Are you certain that no other planetary systems have been explored in that sector by any of the other agencies?”

  Pilosha brings up an Oterian Institute for Stellar Mapping information page. She notices that along with the presently estimated five million stars, this sector contains over twenty gaseous nebulas, numerous binary and triple star systems. “With the exception of Tallas,” Pilosha continues, “no other systems have been explored.”

  “Yet, the information shows that someone is transmitting from that sector,” Tajovin surmises. “Can you narrow the search parameters?”

  As she begins the procedure, a small update window directing her back to the Hacurian Interstellar Database appears. After closing the update window, she switches back to the Hacurian Interstellar Database and initiates a search for other inhabited planets in that sector.

  Using the new parameters, 2 of the 2,584 inhabited planetary systems have been selected. As Tajavin looks intently on, he is thinking that if this is an attempt by Daljik to communicate with Dabenar, then why after such a long time?

  “Tajavin, according to the updated information, within sub-sector eighteen, there are two stars that are located within five light-years of each other. The nearest, Alpheras, is a smaller red star with two planets orbiting it. Actually, Alpheras is part of a triple star system.”

  “What of the other one?” Tajavin asks.

  “A yellow medium star, Solaran is the farthest one, about 13,200 light-years distant. According to our most recent planetary data, there are eight major planets, numerous planetoids and asteroids in that planetary system.”

  Aboard The Starship Phesavius

  “Commander! I have another incoming message via authorization from the Solbian Defense Command.” Communications Officer Sivvs states.

  “Another message? Who is the sender?”

  “The sender is Director Tajavin Kalic of the Rolphus Communications Center located in Laoceas, Baheera. He wishes to speak to you. Shall I put him through, Commander?”

  “Proceed Neoma.”

  “Acknowledged Commander,” Sivvs replies. A small window forms in the upper right-hand corner of the main view screen. Within the window is a seated female. Standing behind her is an older selothian male.

  “Greetings Director Kalic, I am Commander Samien Ularik of the research vessel Phesavius. How may I be of assistance?”

  “Greetings Commander Ularik. I have obtained permission from the Solbian Defense Command to discuss a very important situation with you and certain members of your civilian crew.”

  Ularik is surprised. “Director Kalic, what do you wish to discuss?”

  Tajovin reaches down and taps several keys on Pilosha Sovam’s console. “Commander, for the past twenty-three days, along with various other agencies, we have been receiving numerous transmissions from your sector.”

  “How is this possible?” Ularik objects. “We arrived here only a short time ago. I know of no other vessels in this sector.”

  “That is interesting considering the signal identifier indicates that the auvisuon belongs to Daljik Ra’as.”

  Ularik looks on in shock at his first officer and his communications officer. “Neoma, connect us with the team below. Allow them to share this conversation with us immediately.”

  “Acknowledged, Commander,” Neoma replies as she initiates a hailing signal to the landing team on the planet below.

  Thanor’s transceiver begins to sound. He taps a small key on the unit. “Yes, Commander?”

  “Thanor, are the others present with you?”

  “Yes, Commander. The others are here.”

  “Keep your communicator open. I am conversing with Director Kalic of the Rolphus Communications Center in Laoceas, Baheera. I believe that all of you should listen in on this. Director Kalic, please continue.”

  “Thank you Commander. As I stated earlier,” Tajovin begins, “for the past twenty-three days, my agency and many other agencies have been receiving numerous data request transmissions from your sector. The signal identifier indicates that the signal is originating from Daljik Ra’as’ personal auvisuon.”

  “Are you sure of this?” Quafeira yells with heightened joy.

  “I am certain that the signal is originating from Daljik’s auvisuon. As to whether it is he, that I cannot be as certain. To whom am I speaking?”

  “Director Kalic, I am Quafeira Sibekk. Daljik Ra’as is my father. We have been spending all this time trying to find his whereabouts. And now, you are telling us that you are receiving transmissions from him?”

  “Greetings Quafeira. It is a privilege to be speaking with you,” Tajovin begins. “Again however, I only stated that the signal identifier indicates that it is your father’s auvisuon that is being used. I cannot be certain that your father is making these transmissions.”

  “Have you attempted to communicate with this individual?” Aarath asks.

  “There has been negative response to our hails. The auvisuon may not be configured properly or it may be set to data/text request mode only.”

  Aarath and Quafeira are puzzled. “Commander! If what Director Kalic says is true, then I believe that we have discovered the location on the planet from which the signal is originating,” Quafeira replies. “We are returning to the Phesavius immediately.”

  “Excellent work, team!” Ularik replies. “We may solve this problem yet. I await your return. Ularik out!”

  “My father is ALIVE!” Quafeira screams out in jubilation as she raises her hands to shoulder level. “My father…is ALIVE!”

  “Quafeira, we do not know that yet,” Aarath objects. “Director Kalic said the signal comes from your father’s auvisuon. We have to be sure. Let us not raise our hopes yet.”

  “Aarath! Who else could it be? My father is alive on that alien world!” Her eyes began to water.

  The others stand silent as they watch Quafeira. Aarath also wants to believe that Quafeira’s father is alive and well. His doubts, though, are much stronger than his hopes.

  “Quafeira! Listen to me! I am just as determined as you are in finding your father. However, I am also determined to make sure first. Besides, if he is trying to contact us, would he have not done so directly instead of using data requests?”

  Immediately, Quafeira’s joy turns to anger. “What difference does that make? My father is trying to contact us! Why is it that you cannot see this? Now we can discover the truth!”

  Thanor and Ra’el are afraid to counter Quafeira’s conviction. Ra’el, especially, understands the anguish that Quafeira feels. Mentally, however, she agrees with Aarath.

  “Quafeira,” Aarath breaks in, “We have to be certain of the facts before we can be sure that it is your father!”

  Quafeira protests as her face contorts with anguish. “Aarath! Please! I am already certain! We now know that his ship most likely crashed on that alien planet. He may have been imprisoned or trapped on some remote island. Why are all of you so eager to give up on him?”

  “Professor Sibekk, we are not giving up on finding your father,” Ra’el finally speaks out. “All of us want to be sure of this. We do not want to see you hurt again. If your father is alive and if he is attempting to communicate with us, then we will find out.”

  “Professor Sibekk, that is why we are out here.” Thanor adds. Angry and frustrated by a lack of conviction from the others, Quafeira turns away and walks back toward the shuttle. The situation is torturing her. Still, her fervent hope of seeing her father alive and for the first time in her life has now soared to astronomical heights. The others turn and follow her.

  “Commander! We are receiving a hail from the Koleris, a Voyager class exploration vessel,” Neoma states. “She has just entered the system.”

  “Will someone please tell me what is going on here all of a sudden?” Ularik demands. He motions his communications officer to open a channel to the Koleris. On the mai
n visual screen, the commander of the Koleris comes into view.

  “Greetings Commander Rovosk! No offense, but what are you doing here?” Ularik asks with considerable perplexity.

  “My old and best friend, you may dispense with formal protocol. I have chased you halfway across a galactic spiral arm. I have a passenger to drop off to you, complements of our superiors. Please prepare to receive my shuttle.”

  Ularik laughs. “Zeran, you have changed little in over eighty years. Still, why was I not informed of this transfer earlier?”

  “Samien, that is a good question,” Rovosk replies.

  “Apparently, he has come to see Quafeira Sibekk and her party. No offense to you, of course.”

  “None taken,” Ularik reacts with offense. “Now who is this individual?”

  “He is Alverin Heragien Sahless, a senior engineering physicist of the Holben Institute of Advanced Physics. This is all I was told.”

  Although perplexed, Ularik gives the order for the shuttle bay crew to receive the Koleris’ shuttle. After depositing its unique passenger on the Phesavius, the Koleris receives its own shuttle before exiting the system. Alverin seats himself at a long table opposite of Aarath and Quafeira. Alverin is wearing a beige topcoat over a light-green two-piece outfit.