NEBULAR Collection 7 - Guardians of the Continuum: Episodes 31 - 34

by Thomas Rabenstein

  Takahashi nodded slowly.

  »I suppose Admiral Friedberg didn’t give you the assignment to just show the GCC-Center to me?«

  The Geldar specialist spread his thin arms.

  »Right now, I’m really your guide, Commander. After I showed you parts of GCC-Center, I’ll, of course, come with you to your ship. Currently, I’m studying and I’m analyzing the genetic links and similarities between Progonauts, Humans, Neo-Sapiens, and Hybrid people. I wear the uniform of the Experimental Fleet, didn’t you notice?«

  »Certainly, right away,« Takahashi replied sourly, puckering his lips apologetically. »I’m looking forward to working with you. How do we get to the ship?«

  »Via a short-distance portal. The Chiropters installed several of them all over GCC-Center. The Conceptor, residing on Sedna, is permanently connected with us via a virtual sub-instance through which he monitors the correct functioning of these portals.«

  Twinkle’s eyes flashed cleverly.

  »This center forms a kind of hub, from which we can reach almost every important place in the Solar System and, of course, the orbital station where the experimental cruiser and the crew are waiting for us. There is no hurry, though, because the specialists are still performing their launch preparations. This will take a couple of hours and we still have time for some sightseeing.«

  Takahashi nodded satisfied.

  »I’d like that. Are you familiar with this labyrinth of corridors, levels, rooms, and elevators?«

  Twinkle giggled in high pitched tones.

  »Geldar, assembled from cosmic junk, can be defined as a labyrinth, but not this center!«

  Takahashi smiled.

  »Well then. You seem to have an extraordinary sense of direction. Please, show me the way.«

  »Follow me, please,« Twinkle invited him and took the lead.

  ✭

  »This is the Council Sector, the subdivision where the members of the Cooperation Council meet, including the representatives of the Solar Union.«

  Takahashi looked through a large window. This floor was above the clouds, dominated by dark, blue sky with a sea of clouds below.

  »Everywhere in this sector,12 prominent personalities are doing their work,« Twinkle said. »Ambassadors of other planets, members of the Union Parliament, ministers, and GCC representatives. This sector takes into account the individual and different living spaces and environments of these individuals.«

  Takahashi nodded impressed and greeted a couple of Shwakans or Trox, who were passing by, extending their tentacles, gurgling greetings back.

  Twinkle stopped for a moment in front of a banner, decorated with golden symbols.

  »This is where the Progonaut Commission can be found. The GCC Commissioner, Vasina of Atlantika, is currently visiting the home-world of the Neo-Sapiens, to prepare the start and the return of her ship.«

  »Do you mean the Atlantika?« Takahashi asked interestedly.

  »Yes, indeed,« confirmed Twinkle. »The Progonaut flagship was made ready again with the help of our specialists and is expected in the Solar System soon. Knowing the Progonauts, the arrival will not occur without an appropriate ceremonial spectacle. There will also be a Neo-Sapien delegation onboard the ship.«

  Twinkle hurried and pulled Takahashi along. After the mission commander had admired the Pleunatan residence, the two unequal companions continued their walk through the center. A gravity lift transported them to the next level.

  »This is the science section,« Twinkle explained friendly and seemed to feel at home. »Currently, representatives from more than three hundred galactic nations are working together to develop appropriate technologies that can be utilized by all member nations. These innovations and projects are being developed within the framework of the Cooperation Council Agreement. The team also includes Krolakans and Goovans from the Great Magellanic Cloud. Part of this project is, incidentally, the evaluation of the knowledge base left to the Solar Union by the Circle People.«

  Takahashi walked through the corridors of the science level, marveling at extended laboratory wings, research centers, data hubs and numerous conference rooms.

  »This is the GCC library,« Twinkle explained a couple of minutes later. »All information gathered here is available to all members free of charge. The GCC information and data hub ensures the availability of the data for research while also providing translation services into the different languages of the various councilors.«

  Takahashi quickly glanced into the adjacent study hall which showed large holo displays and workstations, accommodating the different needs of the users.

  »This is all very impressive,« Takahashi admitted and thought about his hometown Tokyo where this technological era had not yet arrived.

  Twinkle seemed to guess his thoughts and said, »GCC-Center and the surrounding spaceport currently look more like a technology island. In fact, we are only at the very beginning, to let everybody take advantage of the collective achievements, including Humanity. Change takes time. No one wakes up one day and finds himself in the middle of the Tachyon Era.«

  »Humans will learn fast and will be using these new technologies in no time,« a nasal voice sounded, interrupting Twinkle’s speech. »They are resilient people.«

  »Startled, Takahashi looked around, but couldn’t see anybody.

  »Yes, we are,« he confirmed and tried to find that person who had interrupted Twinkle.

  »When Takahashi turned around again, he suddenly smiled.

  »You can show yourself, Strovol. The commander may not see you with his eyes, but he knows exactly where you are, because of your aura,« Twinkle shouted into the corridor.

  A slight flicker in the air, not two feet away, drew Takahashi’s attention. He held his breath, as a fragile-seeming being became visible. The stranger was able to make himself invisible and seemed, even now, as he had decided to give up his cover, transparent and glassy. The graceful creature was floating in the air and kept himself in the balance with pumping movements, almost like a jellyfish that danced in the water.

  Two hearts pulsated inside the transparent body, from which fine, nettle-like filaments stretched in all directions. Violet blood was distributed through transparent veins, flowing around groups of organs unknown to Takahashi. Strovol was surrounded by a green hue, probably caused by biochemical reactions. Organs like eyes, mouth, nose or ears could not be seen. How he could express himself so clearly, was not instantly detectable.

  He probably uses a universal translation device, Takahashi thought.

  »After you’ve checked out my innermost long enough, I want to introduce myself,« Strovol said slightly amused.

  Takahashi pulled himself together and firmly looked at this transparent being.

  »You’ll get used to it,« Twinkle remarked. »Our friends from the planet Taslan love to irritated others. You’re not the first one who was surprised this way.«

  »I’m glad to meet you, Strovol,« Takahashi greeted the being.

  »Strovol will also come with us to the Nebular,« Twinkle declared.

  »I’m acting as a scientific consultant and mission specialist for tachyon field projectors. Because of my particular physical constitution, I can dive into tachyon fields and evaluate possible fluctuations,« said Strovol. »It’s my pleasure to assist you and your team during the first flight.«

  »Slowly, my crew is coming together,« Takahashi laughed out loud. »If you agree, I’d like to cut the sightseeing tour short. I need to meet the rest of the crew. I have to report back to Admiral Friedberg in a couple of hours. Let’s go!«

  »Alright, then. Let’s go right away to the nearest portal or might I say hover,« Twinkle added with a side glance at Strovol. »I’m sure that the crew is also eager to meet the new boss.«

  Portal Station GCC-North, thought Takahashi impressed.

  Near the highest point of the center was a place where Humans and aliens from all over the galaxy gathered.

  The transfer fields of
the micro portals, arranged in a circular fashion, flickered frantically and thus gave a snapshot of the continuum to which they opened access. Travelers arrived continually. While some were in transit, others were waiting for a connection, just like Takahashi, Twinkle, and Strovol. The extensive security measures were evident. In addition to armed personnel and robots, unique bell-shaped protective fields existed above the portal platforms which collapsed only after the destination portal had confirmed the authorization of the transfer.

  Under certain conditions, it was possible to thread oneself into a transport route and materialize in a different portal other than the selected micro-portal. This security risk is being prevented here, thought Takahashi slightly tense. It would be interesting to see how the security system acted when an unauthorized transfer actually occurred.

  »The Genorantan portal in the Neptune System is integrated into the new transportation network and connects to locations outside the Solar System while GCC-North takes care of the interplanetary network distributions. Similar centers also exist on other worlds of the Galactic Cooperation Council. The old Genorantan portal system is still working very well. It’s amazing that these robust portals are still functioning reliably after more than a million years,« explained Strovol enthusiastically.

  Three Govans walked past Takahashi and turned their heads on their flexible necks. Goovans and Chiropters were considered specialists of Genorantan technologies and helped Humans with the launch of the new transport network, including the civilian sector.

  Intercontinental connecting networks are accepted only reluctantly, but every day more people are using the new transportation system, Takahashi recapitulated.

  »Our ship has its own micro-portal on board, so we don’t need to go through the orbital station or the spacedock portals,« said Strovol, floating and pulsating at Takahashi’s side.

  For a while, Takahashi watched the hub traffic and realized how radical the changes have come over the people. Since GCC-Center was still considered a technology island, not all Union citizens were aware of these innovations yet.

  Sooner or later all people will benefit from this, Takahashi thought. The galactic cooperation will change the lives of the people and the face of our planet.

  »My name is Sonia Traves. I’m here to help you with your tachyon transfer. Three passages have been reserved. The portal will be available within a few minutes,« said a friendly coordinator who had approached Takahashi and his two companions. Takahashi was startled for a moment and hastily thanked her.

  »I’m at your service if you should have any questions.«

  »Thank you, we’re familiar with the process,« Takahashi said friendly.

  »I’m glad to hear that,« the young woman replied while briefly glancing at the portals. »It’s not yet that common that a transport is being received by the passengers with as much composure as yours. Many Humans, even some extraterrestrials, are afraid of using tachyon energy fields. Although this technology is proven for millions of years, there are sometimes anxiety attacks. In such a case, we do our best to help the travelers overcome their concerns. We have exceptionally well-trained staff available for such events.«

  »As a tachyon field detector, such as myself, it’s a pleasure to travel through the continuum. Unfortunately, the excursions through the tachyon continuum are too short for my taste,« replied Strovol. »Basically, the effects are not noticeable at short distances.«

  Twinkle stroked with his two hands over his pointed snout and then held them into the air.

  »The pungent odor of ozone, which comes from the portals, tickles something in my olfactory lamellae. The transfer makes my body hairs stand up for minutes as if they were electrically charged. In the destination portal, I always look like a trunkslurper that was struck by lightning. It’s very unpleasant this tachyon charging sensation. In this regard, there’s a definite need for improvement in my opinion.«

  The coordinator smiled politely.

  »I will gladly convey your concerns to the micro-technicians on ZyClon. Maybe fine-tuning the short distance portals may help.«

  Twinkle’s eyes sparkled suspiciously and he sighed, »These pale, smooth-skinned and furless hermits would not understand.«

  Coordinator Traves smiled pleasantly and assigned a portal to Takahashi, Strovol, and Twinkle after receiving a signal via her communicator.

  »Portal Nine-Dash-Nine, your gateway, is connected and ready.«

  Takahashi followed the young woman until he reached the portal’s security gate. He and his fellow companions walked the last ten meters alone. Directly in front of the shimmering energy field, he stopped and turned around again. Sonia still observed them from the distance.

  No, I won’t hesitate, although, I’m shaking in my boots, he thought. Then he made a courageous step forward into the transfer field.

  Union Cruiser Nebular

  When Takahashi stepped through the transfer field, the scene abruptly changed before his eyes.

  GCC-Center had been swept aside by an imaginary hand and a whole different environment had formed. Blinded, Takahashi closed his eyes for a moment. The transfer via the tachyon continuum was not perceptible to Humans. However, the bright light on leaving the transport field was. It seemed as if a fine mist was clinging to the body. The mist evaporated immediately upon arrival and vaporized in the form of a proton shower.

  This strange medium has never been explored fully, even though, the tachyon continuum is used by spaceships for many hundreds of thousands of years, Takahashi thought and looked around expectantly.

  The new room looks much more cramped. Everywhere, superconductors, used as energy conduits, stretched along the walls behind safety fields. The sound was threatening like a high voltage transformer on a humid day. Large crystals used for energy field stabilization of the portal glowed eerily and seemed to draw their energy from out of nowhere. Finely woven metal mesh floors and insulation barriers lent the portal room a clean and functional appearance.

  That’s typical for a spaceship, Takahashi thought. Sterile, functional and anything else than beautiful.

  When the room lit up again, as if briefly illuminated by a lightning flash, Takahashi looked back and watched Twinkle and Strovol appear.

  More tachyon wind, Takahashi thought sarcastically and nodded at the new arrivals.

  Only then, he noticed the heat on board the ship and opened the top button of his tight-fitting jacket. The temperature is, at least, thirty degrees Celsius. It can’t be the thermal radiation of large aggregates alone. Is the air conditioning broken? he thought uncomfortably.

  He looked around and then left the portal area.

  There it is again, this peculiar feeling. Even without knowing of being aboard a ship, one experiences this ubiquitous sense of confinement immediately. A spacious surrounding is a luxury on a cruiser. Every cubic meter on board has been laid out for a particular purpose. Aggregates, energy cells, supra-field conduits, fuel cells, micro-power plants ... Everything needs to be stowed away and arranged somehow. The Nebular is nearly two hundred meters long and still not large enough to allow free movements without restrictions. My father was right. The men and women who have once sailed the seas with their large sailing vessels must have felt similar. Although I’m in the most modern ship of the Union Fleet, it’s still a narrow metal tube that’s flying through absolutely inhospitable space!

  Still in thoughts, Takahashi saw a man grinning outside the portal reception area. Judging by the baggage which he shouldered casually, he also had just arrived on board the ship.

  A familiar face! Takahashi thought delightedly.

  »Welcome on board, Commander!« Sweeney shouted happily and raised his right hand for a greeting. »I didn’t believe that we meet again so soon. I had just arrived on my new ship when I received orders to immediately transfer to this one. What can I say?«

  Takahashi smiled thinly and stepped away from the meshed safety barrier, followed closely by Strovol and Twinkle.
>
  »Didn’t you want to put your nose into some extrasolar wind? I have only taken your offer. If I need a navigator, then I should keep you in mind ... or something like that.«

  »Yes, Commander, that’s about right. I couldn’t imagine being under your command already two hours later to navigate an experimental cruiser.«

  Takahashi squinted.

  »Do you have a problem with that? There’re always risks when flying a new type of ship for the first time. If you can’t take that risk, now is the right time to pull out.«

  »Not at all!« Sweeney replied hastily. »We Sweeneys love danger!«

  »There’s no reason for concern,« said Strovol. The Taslanan’s floating body began to glow and sparkle. The jellyfish-like creature pulsated strongly as if he wanted to emphasize his words by bioluminescence. Fine, threadlike tentacles hung from its transparent body, performing an idiosyncratic dance. »Each functional unit of the cruiser has been tested thousands of times. I’ve checked the perfect symmetry of the tachyon propulsion field personally. The transfer simulations were successful to a hundred percent.«

  Sweeney pushed his hat back a little and briefly blew up his cheeks.

  »I’m stunned. A floating neon sign that can also speak!«

  Before Takahashi’s smile could turn into a grimace, a voice came from the direction of the narrow airlock, the only access to the portal area.

  »The Nebular will certainly not disappoint you. The ship is in excellent condition and has also passed the final tests to our utmost satisfaction.«