The Aurora (Aurora Saga, Book 1)

by Adrian Fulcher

  The orange and red Atui tower had many spaceships docked onto it.

  ‘What’s that?’ he questioned, as a massive pear-shaped spaceship came into view. ‘It’s huge; in fact, everything’s huge.’

  ‘That’s the Lonori,’ Kalrea said. ‘One of the ori class carriers.’

  The image changed to show the clear blue water that surrounded the large city. Various sized pyramid-shaped buildings dominated the suburbs and small craft, like the shuttle that had transported him to Lavmino, filled the sky. At ground level, people walked in the streets, which were totally devoid of vehicles.

  James watched some people who were taking their animals for walks. Their clothes were very tight-fitting and appeared to be for the summer. Now I know why Carol was always buying those bright colourful dresses, James thought, looking at the bright and bold reds, oranges and yellows which made everyone stand out.

  ‘Kalrea, what season is it?’ James asked. ‘They don’t seem to be wearing very much!’

  ‘Qintaino doesn’t have seasons,’ Kalrea replied. ‘Compared to Earth, it would be the equivalent to a late summer’s day all of the time.’

  ‘Their hairstyles look very elaborate,’ James commented, looking at a man with spiky hair.

  He looks almost punk, James thought. The woman had long thick pieces of colourful material interwoven into her hair, which went right down to her knees. They must spend a lot of time at the hairdressers!

  Kalrea laughed.

  ‘We don’t have hairdressers. They do them at home, first thing in the morning. It’s all automated, so only takes four to five minutes.’

  ‘Really!’

  ‘It’s like brushing your teeth,’ Kalrea said. ‘Or shaving. Qinants do their hair as well,’ and reading James’ thoughts, Kalrea added, ‘Yes, James; Qinants do brush their teeth!’

  The grass was very green, almost artificial looking. Looks like plastic, James thought, but it was definitely real. There were trees everywhere, even on the buildings towering into the sky, but they all seemed to be the same species. He thought they looked like Yew.

  James could have watched the recording for hours. It was like being at the movies. He could see large bird-like creatures flying around close to the ground. A few landed on a small lake, diving straight under the water. He watched, but they did not surface.

  ‘What happened to those birds?’ he asked.

  ‘They were umlo. They live in the water.’

  ‘What! But they were flying around. I thought they were birds?’

  ‘No, they’re birds,’ Kalrea said, as a small flock of long-necked metallic-blue birds flew past. ‘Watch them.’

  James was intrigued.

  Suddenly, two of the umlo exploded from the water, darting into the sky. The flock of birds scattered, but each of the umlo caught a bird in its mouth. They flew around, while quickly gulping the bird down inside their throat.

  ‘They act like birds of prey,’ James said. ‘So are umlo birds or fish?’

  ‘Fish. Well, kind of,’ Kalrea replied.

  This is just unbelievable. It’s a totally different world, he thought.

  He watched some people descend underground and enter a cylindrical lift.

  ‘That’s the same as the lift here onboard the Aurora.’ James commented.

  ‘It’s a high speed siplo-pojin lift,’ Kalrea replied. ‘It can get you to the next city, Tuino, in twelve point four minutes.’

  ‘How far is Tuino?’

  ‘Only five hundred and sixty-three kilometres from Omio,’ Kalrea replied.

  He was totally overwhelmed by everything he was seeing.

  ‘It’s so different to Earth. I can’t wait to get to Qintaino. Kalrea; I want to know more. What can you tell me about our beliefs?’

  ‘All our ancient history and beliefs are documented in the book of Qulain,’ Kalrea said. ‘Our civilisation is just over ninety thousand sykals old. That’s about forty-five thousand Earth years. The book shows the five points of Heliopolis.’

  ‘What are they?’ James asked.

  ‘Qinants have four main beliefs that represent the soul. These relate to the mind, heart, life and self-sacrifice.’

  A square was displayed on the monitor. Two opposing corners lit up.

  Kalrea continued,

  ‘The mind and heart sit in conflict with each other. The heart often rules the mind, but the strength of the mind can also outweigh what the heart wants. The symbol on the telementor you’re wearing represents the mind.’

  On the monitor the two illuminated corners dulled and the remaining two lit up.

  ‘The other two corners represent life and self-sacrifice. We believe all life is precious, but the ultimate sacrifice is to give up one’s life to save another. They both guide the soul, but only one can ultimately prevail. Self-sacrifice is a great honour.’

  The corners dulled and in the centre of the square a point with the word ‘NIIM’ (soul) written alongside it appeared.

  ‘They all influence the direction we take throughout our existence. The soul is of course at the centre. It reaches high above the others.’

  Lines joined the four corners of the square to the central point. The image rotated to form a three-dimensional image of a pyramid.

  ‘The higher the soul the closer we are to Atui.’

  ‘Atui?’

  ‘Atui means God. The book of Qulain shows drawing of our ancient buildings which represent these beliefs. Great pyramids made of stone that reached high into the sky.’

  ‘But if life is so precious, why surrender it to save another?’ James asked.

  ‘The book of Qulain also shows a dark period in our past, when these beliefs were dismissed. We lost our way; became greedy. Instead of helping weaker races we conquered them; made them serve us, even though we knew in our souls that it was wrong. At that time the four beliefs were the mind, heart, life and death.’ Kalrea paused. ‘Three thousand years ago a minority of believers finally grew into the majority. The four beliefs were restored, with one exception. Death was replaced with self-sacrifice. We could never put right what had gone before, but we would now give our lives to save others. Don’t you feel it, James? Really search deep down inside of you… into your soul. Then, ask yourself again: would you give your life to save someone else?’

  James pondered for a moment.

  ‘The strange thing is, and I don’t know exactly why, but now that you mention it - yes,’ he replied.

  ‘It’s in all Qinant souls. It’s the way we are,’ Kalrea said.

  Chapter Eight

  Over the seven day journey to Normia, James spent most of his time learning how to control the ship using his mind. He practiced within the seatra and using the more difficult telementor. Kalrea disabled the weapons systems to avoid any repetition of James’ earlier lapse, when he fired the laser on Lavmino. He also practised speaking in Qinant. By the time they reached the Thantonia system, he started to deal much better with the whole new environment and everything was becoming natural.

  The Aurora dropped from light speed and glided into the heart of the Thantonia system. James expectantly looked at the space ahead. The unusually electric blue brightness of a nearby star was partially obstructing his view.

  I can’t see Normia yet, he communicated mentally through the telementor to Kalrea. It must be hidden by that star.

  He glanced quickly around at the surrounding space for Normia, but was transfixed by the star.

  This is incredible; who would have thought that I would be so close to a star? Look at those colours, Kalrea. The blues are incredible. Wow! Look at the way the surface is moving.

  James felt excited, like a child who had a new toy to play with.

  Can we come back here once we get the Plyane you need to finish the ship, Kalrea? I’d love to get closer! Can we get closer?

  But that star is Normia, Kalrea answered, in his head.

  Oh…, James replied, dumbfounded, before he looked once more at the surrounding spa
ce. I was expecting a planet. You could have told me.

  But you never asked.

  James smiled. I think we need to work on our communication, Kalrea. He looked again out at Normia. Apart from its colour it looks just like any other star. What makes it so special?

  Kalrea replied, It’s the only one of its kind. Two point three thousand sykals ago there were two stars in this planetary system. A spatial disturbance caused the larger of the two to shift. They collided, fused together and a new star, which we call Normia, was born. The elements from the two stars combined, forming a new element called Plyane, named after Ka Glia Plyane, the physicist who discovered it. He discovered that the rare organic metal called regenite could absorb the Plyane when fired through the photosphere of the star. It created a material that was immensely strong and could absorb and dissipate vast amounts of energy. Small-scale tests were very successful, but the scientists found it difficult to retrieve large pieces of Plyane from the photosphere. As you know, the Aurora and Pulsora hulls are made of regenite.

  So if I’m not mistaken, the Aurora has got to travel into Normia? James thought. I wasn’t expecting to get that close!

  The hull will absorb the Plyane as soon as we enter Normia. The scientists have calculated that the inside of the Aurora will be sufficiently protected, even during the absorption process.

  You said ‘calculated’? James questioned nervously. What happened to the test ships they sent through?

  Seven small ships were tested, but only one was recovered successfully. The event horizon drive imploded before they could escape the heat of the star.

  Well, that’s reassuring to know, James replied. Er… I’ll be in the shuttle! I’ll watch you.

  The intense heat was also found to affect nuronic computers. If I have to shut down, then you will have to fly the Aurora out.

  But…, stuttered James.

  We have no other choice. You’ve gained enough experience. You’ll do it easily.

  James stopped to communicate with Kalrea via the telementor.

  ‘I don’t know about this, Kalrea. I could get us both killed. I’m not sure I’ll know what to do,’ he said.

  Kalrea replied over the ships address system,

  ‘James, I sense you’re very frightened, but I have faith in you. Believe me, I would not allow you to do this if I thought for a moment you would not be able to.’

  James felt surprised by Kalrea’s comments; he felt very proud. He composed himself before entering the seatra.

  Are you ready? Kalrea asked.

  I’ll never be ready. Just go, before I change my mind, he thought.

  With that, the inner event horizon drives of the Aurora ignited and the ship roared towards Normia.

  I’ve calculated that it will take fifty-two seconds to cross the photosphere tangentially.

  Can’t we go any faster? James thought wishfully.

  As James laid in suspended animation, he subconsciously saw Kalrea shutting down all non-essential systems. Life support, weapons, hull sensors and scanners all flashed through his mind.

  From within the seatra and using his mind, James watched the Aurora enter the photosphere. All was calm for a second, then the turbulence hit. Kalrea desperately tried to keep the rotating Aurora on course. Tremendous vibrations rippled around the ship.

  Forty seconds, Kalrea’s voice calmly said.

  An immense heat radiated throughout the ship. The hull made a creaking and cracking noise.

  Thirty seconds.

  James nervously listened and watched Kalrea at work.

  Suddenly, an alarm sounded.

  ‘WARNING: PORT REACTOR UNSTABLE.’

  A segment of the equilibrium field coil had collapsed in the port plasma reactor, making it unstable. Immediately, four large ducts above the reactor disengaged and retracted from the casing. The floor around the base of the reactor started to glow before the displaced plasma was directed out into space.

  ‘PORT REACTOR OFFLINE.’

  ‘VENTING PLASMA.’

  ‘RE-ROUTING TO FRONT REACTOR.’

  The status of the ship’s systems flashed instructions into James head faster than he could understand them.

  Twenty seconds.

  Another alarm sounded.

  ‘WARNING: INNER EVENT HORIZON DRIVES OVERHEATING.’

  There was a deafening bang, caused by an implosion within the starboard inner drive chamber. The explosion rocked the Aurora. The drive cone let out a burst of bright orange light.

  What the hell was that? James thought.

  He viewed the empty drive chamber. The black hole had collapsed within the chamber.

  ‘DRIVE PROTECTION ENGAGED.’

  ‘INNER EVENT HORIZON DRIVES OFFLINE.’

  ‘ENGAGING OUTER EVENT HORIZON DRIVES.’

  Ten sec— Kalrea’s voice stopped abruptly.

  A second later the outer drives started.

  Kalrea, he shouted in his mind, but there was no reply. Kalrea, the ship’s starting to spin, he thought urgently. James felt vulnerable for the first time in his life; he had to focus or death was a real possibility.

  The Aurora rolled and started to deviate from its intended course.

  Panic coursed through this mind. Everything seemed to be important at the same time, and he moved franticly from one problem to another, achieving nothing.

  This is useless. I can’t do this, Kalrea! Please answer me.

  There was no reply.

  Kalrea, don’t do this. Please, I need you. She’s not there. What’s that alarm? Too many alarms! I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die alone! Overwhelmed by fear, his mind just seemed to stop, like he couldn’t think of anything. Then, for a brief moment he thought of Carol and Lex. Mum, I’m going to die.

  His attention was briefly focused outside the ship. Normia seemed to disappear for a moment and was replaced by an orange and yellow mist, and then without warning, the star appeared once more.

  What the… he thought.

  The ship suddenly vibrated violently.

  ‘WARNING: EVENT HORIZON DRIVES OVERHEATING.’

  Pull yourself together. You didn’t come all this way to give up now! You can’t deal with everything at the same time, so don’t. He concentrated hard. One problem at a time. First, direction. Must get the ship on course. James steered the Aurora back onto the path Kalrea had calculated. Good. Right, now speed. The ship is travelling too fast; I must slow down. Drive temperature seems to be rising too quickly.

  He now focused. One by one, the problems started to disappear. The navigation system flashed into his mind.

  ‘FIVE SECONDS.’

  Concentrate. Nearly there… Wait, what’s that?

  ‘EVENT HORIZON DRIVE PROTECTION ENGAGED.’

  I can’t lose the drives, James thought. We’re almost out. Must override!

  ‘WARNING: EVENT HORIZON DRIVE CRITICAL. IMPLOSION IMMINENT.’

  ‘THREE SECONDS.’

  Oh no, the ship’s going to explode! The Aurora burst free from the photosphere. James instantly took the drives offline and the ship, highlighted by a halo of white heat, coasted silently away from Normia. While the ship was cooling rapidly, swirling vortexes of heat radiated from its edges and a cloud of plasma was venting from the underside of the ship

  It didn’t explode. I made it! James felt an unbelievable sense of relief. He looked back at Normia feeling completed drained of energy. I did it.

  The Aurora drifted in space. James suddenly heard a familiar voice.

  I knew you could do it.

  James was so relieved to hear Kalrea’s voice once more.

  Kalrea, please take over.

  Well! I’d better sort this mess out, Kalrea said cheerfully. Now that the Micnorit nuronic drones can function again.

  I thought that was it; I was going to die. Don’t you ever get me to do something like that again! Why did you leave me, Kalrea?

  The heat penetrated my internal nuronic matrix. If I hadn’t shut myself d
own, then I would have been permanently damaged.

  What, like brain damage?

  Yes, James.

  Oh, I see.

  James could hear the ship creaking and groaning as the temperature was returning to normal. Kalrea started to reactivate all the non-essential systems. Hardly a moment had passed when Kalrea reported.

  Long range scanners have picked up two ships. They’re on an intercept course. They must have detected our vented plasma.

  What are they?

  Treitan scout ships. Twenty seconds to intercept. Their range is limited so there must be a carrier or cruiser in one of the adjacent systems.

  Kalrea projected an image of the silver grey triangular shaped ships in his mind.

  What do we do, Kalrea? James thought, concerned.

  The scout ships were about a quarter of the size of the Aurora. James observed them approaching, noticing the bright red cowlings over their two drives, which were suspended below the main body of the ship. The scanners indicated that their only weapon was a single small energy missile situated between the two drives, and two solid state mechanical missiles on both sides of the main body.

  I estimate repairs to the inner drives will take 5.1 minutes, the outer, 4.7 hours, Kalrea said. When they get to within one thousand kilometres they’re going to scan us.

  I don’t know what to do, Kalrea, James thought

  ‘WEAPON SYSTEMS ACTIVATED.’

  What…What are you doing? James thought.

  Fear was once again pulsing through him. He just wanted to run.

  We must not be discovered. I’ll try and disguise the ship. A Koptinop freighter with crew of ten and a cargo of lomem fruit may fool them. I don’t know how I’m going to explain the shape of the ship, though.

  ‘PLASMA TORPEDOES GENERATED.’

  Kalrea reconfigured the internal emitters to simulate the Koptinop freighter.

  The Treitan scouts scanned the Aurora.

  They’re taking up a defensive posture…, Kalrea calmly explained.

  The two ships parted and stopped, facing the Aurora, one on each side.

  They’re hailing us.

  Kalrea, I’ve never killed anyone before.

  Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this. If my disguise works we may not have to, Kalrea said. I’ll hack into their computers and get an update on what’s been happening around here.