Means of Escape (Spinward Book 1)

by Rupert Segar

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  Night was almost over as Art, Yelena and the pods arrived back at the space port outside Sioux City. The ship was parked beside Explorer II on the edge of the field. The two humans and one mechanical entity stood looking at the red tinted clouds in the blue sky beyond the black silhouetted mountains.

  “So, ship, you must be pleased that both the voyageurs and explorers have agreed to police the gateways,” said Yelena speaking to the pod.

  “Now, you can track down your makers and fill in those blanks you keep going on about,” said Art.

  “I am afraid that will not be easy, Art,” said the pod. “I have word from the one you call Mr Angry. That particular pod stayed behind on Devastation but is now in the shuttle in orbit above us. It seems the Creators have closed the door again. The central gateway on Devastation is now unresponsive.”

  “Do you think this means the Creators don’t want us to use network,” said Art

  “I do not think so,” replied the pod. “Only the paths leading to the remaining Creators have been blocked. The rest are passable. In any case, I am convinced one of my goals was to bring humanity to the gates.”

  “But what does it mean then?” asked Yelena.

  “We will have to find another way to reach the Creators.”