NEBULAR Collection 7 - Guardians of the Continuum: Episodes 31 - 34
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Guardians of the Continuum
Nebular Collection 7 (Episodes 31 - 34)
Written by Thomas Rabenstein
Issue: 2017-02-04
URL: www.scifi-world.de
© 2017 SciFi-World Medien Verlag
Contributors
Cover by Arndt Drechsler
Michael Köckritz – Translator and coordinator (English)
Preface
15 April 2120.
There is peace in the Solar Union. Six years have passed since the activation of five Jamal-Combs and the successful defense of the parasites galaxy. Six years in which Humanity realized that complex, cosmic entanglements were linked to this sinister threat and how close the Milky Way galaxy had come to be destroyed by a devastating disaster.
Over a period of a million years, a counter-plan was carried out, which finally resulted in the activation of the solar energy matrix. The higher-dimensional energy field, initially abused by the Globusters and unknown assailants, stimulated a cosmic force, which alone was able to stop the dimensional transfer of the parasite galaxy. This cosmic force, referred to by many galactic nations as Nebular, is six years later still a mystery.
It has become apparent over the recent years that there is the need for a galactic cooperation of all nations to counter such threats in the future. Although the Galactic Brotherhood has fallen apart in the meantime, it nevertheless, laid the foundation for the establishment of a new alliance of galactic civilizations.
The Solar Union and many allied and friendly galactic nations agreed to establish the Galactic Cooperation Council, an organization intended to serve the exploration of the Milky Way and its satellite galaxies.
Still, our galaxy, with its billions of stars, is not yet fully explored and holds many mysteries and secrets. Humanity is making sudden technological advances, aided and supported by Cooperation Council. This is the time for venturing to explore new solar systems and make new discoveries.
Humans, Progonauts, Shwakans, Krolakans, Neo-Sapiens, Chiropters and other nations begin intensive exchanges of knowledge, share new technologies, developing together new technologies and conduct research to find answers to previously unexplored questions. Within the GCC, Humanity benefits most from the galactic cooperation since the Solar Union now faces a new era: The Tachyon Era
31 - The Tachyon Era
Written by Thomas Rabenstein
Translation by Michael Koeckritz
Horatio Takahashi
An Asian-looking man was standing before the portal to the Tláhuac high-speed subway station in Mexico City, studying a map of underground connections on the wall. He was dressed in a conservatively cut suit held in dark tones whose old-fashioned high collar completely concealed his neck. The only luggage the man carried was an old, scuffed duffel bag which had seen better times.
A small, golden pin on the chest pocket of his jacket signified that the young man was a graduate of Starfleet Academy. The golden comet indicated outstanding achievements, awarded to only one student per year.
The underground station was built in a modern, practical design with lots of glass windows, steel beams and tiled walkways which also covered the platforms. Several escalators linked the different levels with each other through which the passengers could reach other underground lines and levitation bus routes.
On closer inspection, an observer would have noticed that none of the typical Aztec paintings and frescoes adorned the walls. In contrast to the central station in Mexico City where Mexican artists had been immortalized through their work. This station only had schedules, transfer hub plans and direction signs to the available connecting lines.
The young man who could understand little Spanish was confused by the many signs, which were held exclusively in Spanish. He had difficulties finding his way around. Reluctantly, he moved along the outer wall of the platform, avoiding to being dragged along by the stream of passengers.
He had done the same at the Terminal Aérea, the airport station. To his disappointment, he found out that there was no direct high-speed subway connection to Tláhuac Station. Now, he had to make up his mind to either take the subway or a taxi.
After studying the bus schedules, he gave up on this option quickly. It was just too confusing. A taxi was too expensive and could take much longer. He opted for the subway and copied the names of the transfer hubs to his tablet that also functioned as a comm-device.
After repeatedly switching lines, he finally reached the Tláhuac station. He was so captivated by his underground adventure that he had forgotten how much time had passed in the meantime. That didn’t really matter to him since he didn’t need to be at the Tláhuac Station at a particular time. He only knew that he had to report to a certain terminal.
Just as he was about to leave the station for a bite to eat, a message reached him on his tablet, which told him which way he had to take. He had to go to the lowest floor. When he stepped on the escalator, he could still hear the soft start of the orange-red trains.
Once at the bottom, he received a message, which was continually updated, directing him to look for a double-sided door that led to a secluded area. It didn’t take long and he was standing before that door. He waited patiently until it opened. As he entered the secluded area, he immediately noticed that this section of the underground station was not meant for the public and reserved for certain passengers only. The lack of ticket dispensers and the empty waiting room made this clear.
He looked around and noticed the emblem of the Solar Union above a door leading to a side corridor. Use of this area behind that doorway was for fleet- and government members only. A warning sign in Spanish and English cautioned that this was a restricted sector.
He walked toward that door and stopped as a warm, female voice said, »Your identification, please.«
He now noticed a humming, reddish energy field, about five meters away, blocking the access to a connecting tunnel that led to an even lower level.
The young man was irritated for a moment and looked for the woman with the warm voice. However, there was no one else around.
»My name is Horatio Takahashi,« he replied loud and clear. He assumed that there was a hidden microphone somewhere.
Somebody will listen.
»Your destination?« the voice asked again.
This time, he noticed that the voice was coming from the left, close to the reddish energy field. He walked over to the field and suddenly saw a dim glowing, almost transparent comm-terminal at about eye level.
»You know my destination. I’m here by orders of Fleet Command.«
»Your destination, please?« the voice repeated placidly. This time, however, it sounded more demanding.
The protocol does not allow exceptions, he thought and shrugged.
»GCC-Center,« he replied.
»Identification in progress … You are authorized to enter this sector, Horatio.«
The reddish glowing energy field changed color, became transparent and opened the path for the young man. Although barely visible, the field was still present. He felt a slight tickle as he crossed the threshold into the adjacent area.
»Have a great trip and a pleasant stay,« the warm voice spoke again before the energy field turned red again.
DNA sequence check, biometric detection, neural scan, voice comparison ... all these security checks are run in a split second at precisely the same moment when I stepped through this energy field. Madness!
Takahashi walked swiftly, strictly following the spontaneously appearing holographic signs. The long connect
ing tunnel seemed monotonous and dreary. Nevertheless, thousands of hidden sensors screened the newcomer.
Security tags, fingerprints or retina scans were no longer necessary to enter this high-security area. This place employed much more efficient and reliable methods to identify a visitor.
Shwakans, Chiropters, Krolakans and who else have provided us with this technology. These security measures are necessary! We have learned from the confrontation with Morgotradon and his agitators, Takahashi thought satisfied and kept walking through the tunnel, finally reaching an underground gravo train station. He was directed to use a travellator-like transportation field.
Before he stepped on the travellator, which led gently downward, he brushed a strand of his long, jet-black hair from his face and threw the duffel bag casually over his shoulder.
For several minutes, he was transported to the depths of the station and was lastly able to see the end of the travellator field.
I’m not alone in this underground facility after all. There’s, at least, one more passenger.
The travellator ended on another platform from which a man of medium height with auburn hair looked at Takahashi. The man was grinning. The stranger was, at least, a head taller. He seemed self-confident, a bit too lively perhaps and apparently very interested in who had just arrived.
Unlike Takahashi’s velvet brown complexion, the man possessed a strong skin pigmentation. There was hardly a place on his face, which was free from red-brown freckles. The man’s skin looked pale, his hair messy.
As Takahashi came closer, he noticed the man’s colorful clothes. His pants were skin-tight cut and shimmered in all colors of the spectrum, depending on his movements and the light directions. The boots seemed to be made of the same material. His blue jacket was, however, government issue. The embroidered symbol on his right sleeve indicated that he was a mission specialist.
Takahashi, who arrived in formal, plain-colored clothes, could not keep up with the unique fashion style of the man and smiled warmly when he looked at him curiously.
»Hi, I’m Sean Sweeney,« the man said.
His grin didn’t disappear when he slackly offered a military salute with only two fingers.
»Is this your first time in Mexico City? You know, on the way to Yucatán, to visit our new holy shrine?«
Takahashi was surprised for a moment by Sweeney’s direct approach, but then he nodded.
»You’re a good observer. Is it that obvious? I just arrived by strato-glider from Tokyo,« Takahashi replied friendly.
Sweeney shifted his weight from one leg to the other and peered briefly into the subway tunnel when he said, »I know that look! Everyone who enters the underground facilities for the first time, and has gone through the identification procedures, is a little unsettled. Over time, you’ll be more relaxed. The only thing that still gets me is this endless wait for the gravo train!«
Takahashi nodded understanding and offered Sweeney, his hand for a handshake.
»I’m Horatio Takahashi from Tokyo, glad to meet you.«
»Horatio?« asked Sweeney surprised and returned the firm handshake. »Not exactly a typical Japanese first name. Who screwed that up?«
»What do you mean?« Takahashi asked puzzled, seconds later, he noticed Sweeney’s laughing eyes.
»Oh, my father was the culprit. He named me after the great English sailor and admiral whose biography fascinated him. Historical research was a kind of a hobby of his. I think, he admired this sailor for his achievements during his service with the English Crown. You should remember that name, I mean, where you come from you were probably taught all that in school. Horatio Nelson, Commodore and Victor at the Battle of Trafalgar.«
Sweeney grinned.
»You’re right. I know this Nelson from history class. He was an English man if I remember correctly. I’m of Irish descent. A small, but significant difference. I’m from Cork.« Sweeney pondered for a moment then he said, »Oh, I got it. You’re a historian on your way to GCC-Center to teach the extra-terrestrials our history, right?«
Takahashi shook his head.
»I have been called to the HQ for special services. In fact, I don’t yet know what’s in store for me.«
Sweeney wedged his luggage between his legs, pulled a cap from the side pocket and put it on. The cap only partially covering his curly, red hair. The embroidered Union Fleet emblem was clearly noticeable.
»My shore leave is over. I’m on my way to my new command. I sincerely hope to be transferred to a new cruiser. A smaller ship will do too as long as it takes me closer to the stars and starts immediately.«
»So, you’re a spacefarer?« Takahashi asked interestedly.
»Mission specialist for astronavigation and passionate spaceman,« confirmed Sweeney. »I was born to fly ships through the star jungle.«
»I like your enthusiasm,« Takahashi admitted. »It’s always good if you love your job.«
»Let me say it this way, Horatio,« Sweeney said jovially, pointing his thumb at the ceiling. »Send me out somewhere in this galaxy, and I’ll bring you home safely. If you ever command a ship and you’re in need of an astronavigator, then think of Sean Sweeney!«
»I’ll remember that,« Takahashi laughed and took a step toward the platform edge, because just at this moment, the gravo train arrived.
The Tachyon Era
When the two men left the turbo lift and stepped outside, they were greeted by a hot subtropical wind. Fine beads of sweat immediately formed on Takahashi’s forehead. The distance between Mexico City and GCC-Center was about a thousand kilometers. The gravo train line led straight underneath the mainland and the Gulf of Mexico to the city of Pisté on the Yucatán peninsula. The journey had lasted only twenty minutes, but it was significantly warmer at the destination than in Mexico City.
»Do you never sweat?« Takahashi asked and ran his hand over his forehead.
Sweeney casually took a pair of sunglasses from his chest pocket and looked at Takahashi appraisingly through the tinted glasses.
»Didn’t I say it already? You’re not prepared! Why do you think I wear these pants?«
Takahashi squinted, then he shrugged.
»I don’t want to question your taste of fashion, but ...«
»... my pants are something special! They were cut from dragon-puppy leather found on Pleunat and maintain a constant body temperature,« Sweeney interrupted. »It could be as hot as in Hell, I’d hardly feel it.«
Takahashi looked down at his dark suit. Slight sweat stains had formed already under his armpits.
»Yucatán was once a rainforest state, long before the ecological disaster,« Sweeney explained. »Today, this peninsula is burnt and has turned into steppe country due to a decade-long bombardment of UV radiation, leaving only the hardiest plants to survive. The moist sea air from the Gulf of Mexico passes over the hot tundra and arrives here just to blow into our faces. It feels as if you look into a hair blower. Am I right?«
»Exactly,« Takahashi replied annoyed, loosened his collar a bit and looked around with an open mouth. His eyes didn’t know where to look first.
The lift had carried the two men onto a raised platform, which served as a docking port for antigravity based transport vehicles. The buildings surrounding the platform were built on a lower level, giving the two men a perfect view.
The area lying in front of the men looked like from another world. Numerous spaceships of many different designs were parked down there. Each ship measured more than a hundred meters in height. Some spacecraft were standing on landing struts while others hovered at some height, resting on energetic landing pads. Still other ships used special launching tables. Takahashi knew many of these vessels from theory. His knowledge was sufficient to identify the ships and designs of many galactic peoples. The technology of half the galaxy had gathered here.
An entirely new spaceport, built in record time, to connect Humanity to the galactic shipping lines, Takahashi thought enthusiastically.
Countless shuttles and gravo gliders were scuttling between the giant space ships, including elongated, caterpillar-like and segmented ground vehicles, which reminded him of centipedes, snaking between the landing struts.
The heavy-duty trucks were special constructions and transported large and bulky cargo between the ships and the GCC-Port. Some of these exotic-looking vehicles disappeared in circular openings of the landing fields, destined for sub terrain sections of the spaceport
The depots and sub terrain installations are many times larger and more impressive than the landing areas on the surface, Takahashi knew from numerous reports.
Semitransparent energy spheres appeared in the open airlocks of some ships, transporting passengers quickly to their destinations while an army of specialized robots busily swarmed around the ships to perform necessary maintenance and repair work.
»This is … just unbelievable,« Takahashi said impressed.
Sweeney made a sweeping gesture.
»Just wait until you’ve seen it all. We’re already inside the inner sector of GCC-Port, which encircles the center. Ships of our friends from all over the galaxy land and take off daily. Lots of things have changed since we joined the Galactic Cooperation Council. This area is probably the most modern and most attractive spot on our good old Earth.«
»We didn’t join the council, we co-founded it,« Takahashi corrected, coughing feebly. »I’ve already seen these things, of course. There was plenty of informative material about the GCC-Center and the spaceport available at the academy. Daily information programs on the holo-channels, you know? But to stand here and to see this progress firsthand, is a whole different experience.«
Takahashi let the sight sink in for a moment then he drew a deep breath.
»I still can’t believe it … this was all done from scratch within six years?«
»Yepp!« Sweeney laughed. »While people inside the underwater abodes and in the continental cities still prepare their synthetic breakfast eggs as before, the future has arrived here already. It’ll still take some time until the new technologies will find acceptance everywhere. The young people will have it easier as their parents. While the sons and daughters of the Union are growing up with these new technologies, we’ll need time to catch up.«