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

by Thomas Rabenstein

  The Maid Xipper

  »We call ourselves Humans. We are very unhappy about the attack on your ship, and now we know it was a misunderstanding,« Langlo apologized. She wanted to direct the conversation to a more non-confrontational path. We need to build trust, she thought.

  The insectoid being made a series of strange sounds, which were not translated into words. After a few seconds, the being said, »I was told that you offered to be protective shield. That is why we have saved.«

  Langlo nodded understandingly.

  »I’m sure we can help explain this misunderstanding if you help us understand what you’ve been looking for in our system.«

  »Your system?« The question now came much better structured and clearer from the alien’s translator. The translation algorithm employed seemed to learn as the conversation progressed and improved the output. »There are trillions of trillions of stars in the universe,« the alien snarled. »Your species happened to evolve by accident here. The system was already there, millions of years before you populated the third planet and it will still exist for a long time after the fleshoids have given up their world or became extinct. How can you claim that this is your system? Likewise, you could say that the universe is in your possession just because you are part of it.«

  Langlo was speechless for a moment. She had no counter argument ready.

  »What’s your name?« she asked instead.

  »I am the Maid Xipper, Herold of the Eternal Mother and the selected negotiator for your species,« Xipper snarled. »What’s your rank?«

  Malin Langlo blinked nervously.

  »We’re cadets and were on a training flight when we encountered your ship.«

  »Then you are less than unworthy? How can you help your species by contacting us? No one will listen to your words,« replied Xipper, disappointed.

  »In our hierarchy, low ranks are also heard,« Samura said quickly. »We respect the individual and value the opinion of others.«

  »If you appreciate the individual, why would a servant accompany you?« Xipper wanted to know. »Have you no mechanical servants?«

  Langlo shook her head.

  »I don’t understand what you mean.«

  Xipper’s antennae pointed to Kel-Nar, who immediately flattened his ears, growling aggressively.

  »This fleshoid’s DNA is not compatible with you. His body is littered with keratin threads,« Xipper remarked. »Our Phookan scientists have analyzed that their ancestors must have consumed other fleshoids. He has the teeth of a predator.«

  »What are you saying about my ancestors?« Kel-Nar growled menacingly and displayed his sharp teeth.

  »Kel-Nar belongs to an allied galactic nation and is our friend and equal partner,« said Langlo quickly. »We are together on a mission.«

  »Boney fleshoids often fraternize and enter into alliances,« Xipper confirmed. »We accept the equated status and rank.«

  »Nice to see that you agree on this point, but what’s next?« Bennett asked bluntly. »We can’t swim in this substance forever, and we need appropriate clothing.«

  »You have the honor of bathing in Mother-Gold, a substance which our Eternal Mother produces. The bath has kept you alive. This was necessary because you are not allowed to contaminate the Mother Crystal with your equipment, technology or even weapons. You will get new suits before we continue.«

  Xipper made some buzzing sounds and immediately the front of the Phookans began to move. Some of the smaller Phookans quickly came running over to the basin, carrying cup-shaped objects on their backs. Others used small, buzzing tool-like devices, with which they pulled the cadets from the yellow liquid.

  »Transport fields! Let it happen,« Langlo shouted to her team, feeling raised and pulled out of the Mother-Gold. Several Phookans grabbed her and carried her away. Langlo was put down on a honeycomb-shaped pedestal, which was surrounded by a weak flickering protective field moments later.

  »We are adapting and adjusting the oxygen-nitrogen mixture and ambient temperatures within the field to meet your needs,« Xipper explained. »After you received your new Phookan suits, this will no longer be necessary.«

  Each of the four cadets was soon surrounded by countless, busy Phookans who sized up various armor-like fragments, attaching them to the cadets’ naked bodies, gradually shaping the armor to the individual body contours. The Phookans were cautious not to disturb the sticky yellow liquid, which still wetted the naked bodies of the cadets. Kel-Nar’s dense fur, on the other hand, was soaking wet and the fitting took a little longer. The Mother-Gold seemed to be an important component of the suit. Otherwise, the Phookans probably would have removed it. Once the desired shape of the individual suit fragment was completed, the Phookans attached the piece with their sticky saliva to the body of the cadets. After the perfect fit, more pieces were added in the same manner. In this way, a new protective suit was created step by step, which not only covered the torso, legs, and arms, but also the head.

  Xipper seemed pleased with the result and circled the cadets several times.

  »You have the honor of wearing a Phookan protective suit. From your point of view, you can describe the armor as a techno-organic outfit. The suit will serve you well as long as you wear it.«

  Samura moved his arms and legs and was impressed by the suit’s precise fit. The seams of the individual fragments remained flexible and gave their wearers complete freedom of movement. Although the armor seemed heavy, the protective suit was surprisingly light. It also contained a life support system, which ensured the oxygen supply and climatization of the bodies.

  »What material is this suit made off?« Bennett wanted to know and struck his chest with his fist.

  »The armor consists of the exoskeletal remains of deceased Phookan warriors,« Xipper replied to the cosmologist, who grimaced with revulsion.

  »You had to ask,« Langlo scolded him, giving Bennett a warning glance. To Xipper, she said friendly, »We are honored.«

  »Then, you’re ready to see the Eternal Mother?« Xipper asked.

  Langlo nodded cautiously.

  »What will await us there?«

  »The founder of our state will decide what will happen to you,« Xipper replied thoughtfully.

  The Eternal Chamber

  For the first time, the four cadets obtained a sense of the size of the Mother Crystal as they set off on their way.

  Even if Phookan technology was not present and readily visible, the entire habitat was filled and determined by it. Bennett estimated that the Phookan technologies were ahead by several hundred years when compared to terrestrial technologies. Alone, the ability to settle in the atmosphere of gas giants and inside such a crystal required extremely advanced know-how and science.

  Samura wore his new protective suit with surprising calmness. To be clothed with exoskeletal remains of dead Phookans didn’t seem to bother him. He felt pleasantly energetic and made his own thoughts about the insectoids. With a few quick steps, he was beside Langlo and Bennett, then whispered to his teammates, »I’m sure these people originally evolved on a terrestrial planet. Probably under similar conditions as on Earth or Krolak. Although the insectoids live on this ice giant, they are dependent on a similar gravity like ours. The atmosphere in these rooms, even if it contains too little oxygen for our needs, does not occur in this composition on ice giants.«

  »But why would the Phookans prefer a hostile environment to a terrestrial planet?« Langlo asked.

  Samura shrugged.

  »I can only speculate about the evolutionary process that triggered that. Something has forced the Phookans in the past to choose this planetary type. The concept was successful, so they kept it and passed it on from generation to generation. Perhaps, there were too few suitable worlds to settle in their home sector. Ice giants are much more common in the Milky Way than terrestrial planets of the Earth type.«

  Langlo nodded and looked around impressed. The way to the audience hall led across serpentine-like corridors which led fur
ther into the depths. To the left and right was a labyrinth of cave-like entrances and side corridors. In this environment, the cadets would never find their way back.

  The group passed over wide crystalline bridges that spanned across an abyss, allowing a view at surrounding large-area, honeycomb structures.

  »This could be the Phookan nursery of sorts,« Samura whispered impressed.

  The four cadets were accompanied by Xipper and a large group of Phookans. The closer they came to their destination, approaching the inner circle, more and more Phookans stayed behind.

  »How big is the Mother Crystal?« Langlo asked Xipper.

  The maid stepped forward quickly on her four legs and ignored the question. Either Xipper didn’t know the answer or considered it as too sensitive to reveal.

  »How many such habitats are there on this ice giant. Is this the only one?« Langlo tried again.

  Xipper didn’t answer.

  Langlo walked slower until Bennett caught up with her.

  »We need to be careful. I have a funny feeling and think the Phookan’s invitation does not mean that they really trust us.«

  »At least, they keep us alive,« Bennet praised. »The suits deliver enough oxygen. However, I don’t know what happens when I need to take a leak. Do you think that these suits have an integrated toilet?«

  »I haven’t thought of that yet,« Langlo admitted quickly. »I’m more concerned about how we can get out of these suits again. The armor fragments are well glued together. I don’t see any zippers or buttons. They are attached to our bodies like a second skin.«

  »I’m trying to assess our situation from a neutral point of view. But since we were fitted with chitin armor, I’m having difficulties keeping my thoughts in a straight line,« Bennett said in astonishment. »I’m feeling euphoric and excited. I hope this Mother-Gold jelly and the survival suit have no unpleasant side effects.«

  The path led deeper and deeper into the Mother Crystal. It seemed that vehicles or portal networks were either not appreciated or deliberately avoided by the Phookans.

  When only Xipper and six Phookan warriors were left, she briefly signaled with her antennae and prepared the four cadets for the arrival. The rigid march had lasted forty minutes.

  After the group, had left a narrow passageway with sharply rising walls, the view of the actual destination became clearer. Langlo swallowed hard and was stunned for a few seconds.

  Inside a depression, which presumably marked the lowest point of the Mother Crystal, lay a crystalline palace. The building was surrounded by a wide moat, filled with Mother-Gold. Six wide crystal bridges led from all directions to the dome-like palace, which was dotted with small entrances.

  The building was filled with eagerly hurrying Phookans, presumably messengers and workers, who were only at the service of the Eternal Mother. Twisted crystal towers extended upward, framing the impressive structure, which in size, resembled ancient cathedrals of Earth.

  »This is the Eternal Chamber in which our mother and life donor will await you,« Xipper explained with snarling noises and turned to the side, taking a safe distance from the group, it seemed.

  Langlo didn’t know whether the reserved behavior of the maid was caused by the proximity of the Phookan center, or whether something had happened that had caused this sudden withdrawal. The initially promising dialogue and mutual respect were significantly reduced.

  When the four cadets were called by their escort to stop before the last bridge, Langlo, Bennett, Samura and Kel-Nar already felt like prisoners and no longer as guests.

  The escort was relieved from duty as heavily armed Phookans, much bigger and stronger built, also much better equipped, took positions beside the cadets. The previous Phookans, who had accompanied them left.

  Kel-Nar eyed the insectoid warriors suspiciously and growled a warning, »You’ll see, we’re going to be interrogated. This is not an audience!«

  »These are the Mother Guardians,« Xipper said, stepping forward.

  »Xipper seems to enjoy some privileges,« Samura whispered to Kel-Nar, uncomfortably pulling on the thick collar of his body armor.

  As if in a trance, he ascended the over a one-hundred steps high stair portal, marching into a large, brightly lit, but puzzling hall, where hundreds of Phookans swarmed around.

  Samura closed his eyes briefly because of the hard reflections from the polished crystal walls and, exhausted, began to stagger.

  »I think, I’m getting sick,« he whispered and received a jolt in the back seconds later. Confused and a little angry, Samura looked back. One of the Phookan warriors urged him to move on.

  »Something is happening to us,« Langlo groaned and wiped the hand over her eyes.

  »I think Xipper throttles the oxygen supply of our new suits,« Bennett speculated, breathing deeply. »I saw her manipulating a small device. I feel weak and feeble.«

  The Phookan Warriors, who were moving quickly, formed an alley between the assembled beings. The team was suspiciously observed and studied by dazzling facetted eyes.

  Some of the insectoids clearly showed their rejection and extended a stinger, with which they pointed threateningly at the cadets.

  The Eternal Mother, head of this insect state, didn’t await her guests by sitting on a crystal throne or amidst her court, but in a deep depression, which was in the center of the Crystal Hall.

  She is at least five times bigger than any other Phookan present, including the warriors, thought Langlo grimly. She seems heavy, power- and helpless. The nesting site is protected by heavily armed warriors. She continues to lay eggs, which are immediately picked up and carried away by diligent helpers. She doesn’t interrupt her activities even now, as we have arrived.

  Suddenly, a sharp pain ran through Langlo’s body. She screamed when she felt that her legs had become numb causing her to fall on her knees. Langlo was horrified while she collapsed. She barely managed to dampen her fall by stretching out her arms. The floor around the nesting site was sticky and wetted by a slimy secretion. It smelled terrible. On all fours, she crouched before the Eternal Mother, who slightly straightened her upper body, staring at Langlo with her faceted eyes.

  The Eternal Mother let her head sway back and forth, like a mantis that eyed her prey. Then she produced a loud chirp. Her court, which Langlo estimated to consist of least one thousand Phookans, promptly replied. The noise they made, was bone-chilling.

  Bennett and Samura also collapsed and hit the ground with angry screams. Kel-Nar showed his teeth and fought bitterly against the painful influence until he gave up and went down on all four.

  Kel-Nar let out a deafening howl, drowning the noise of the entire court for a second. His chest straightened and his fur was standing up.

  »Xipper, if I can get hold of you! You manipulate our nervous system with this suit! You betrayed us!«

  »You must meet the Eternal Mother on your knees and give her the due respect! She has given birth to our people and chosen this planet for us! I’m not having discussions with fleshoids.«

  »This is not a protective suit, but a strait jacket and torture tool!« coughed Bennett, raising his fist threateningly. »We will never forget this treatment!«

  »Do you really believe, I would allow you, with your own equipment, and as dangerous and wild as you race is, to step before the Queen of all Phookans? The suit keeps you alive and protects you if I want – but not a moment longer! Watch what you say when you answer the Eternal Mother’s questions and don’t irritate me.«

  Samura clenched his teeth and swallowed a curse.

  »Are these beings always so aggressive?« the weak voice of the Eternal Mother was heard. Laying eggs was so demanding on the Phookan Queen that she trembled all over her body. Her hind body had a certain life of its own. It twitched and continually gave birth to small white eggs.

  »Call the Oracle,« the Queen finally decided, plunging back into the nesting site, exhausted. »I would like some advice.«

  Langlo had no idea
what or who this Oracle was.

  This Oracle probably decides if we’re are being accepted as guests or enemies, she thought worriedly.

  Moments later, the court chirped excited again, and the Phookans retreated respectfully, while the four cadets held their breath.

  When Langlo saw the Oracle, she laughed relieved.

  »We’re saved, folks. We could not have wished for a better advocate!«

  »A Techno-Cleric,« Bennett said with a sigh of relief. »Now, everything will be ok.«

  The perfect sphere slowly floated past the cadets, who were still kneeling on the ground, and descended to the Eternal Mother. The robot pulsed as if it were a breathing, living being.

  After a few seconds of silence, suddenly, the pleasantly modulated and friendly voice of the Techno-Cleric was heard. But what the machine said could not be more shocking.

  »Why did you bring these four individuals to the Eternal Hall, and not kill them immediately after their landing, just as I told you?«

  Listening Post Naiad

  Dunja Bengasi smiled mischievously and activated her recording device, hidden behind a strap behind the ear. The device recorded all her words since she had started her shift. The astrophysicist documented her entire course of the day, which, in her case had developed into an obsession.

  »Do you want to know where the most boring place of our Solar System is? You’re thinking about Mercury? Huh, wrong! Visit me at the Listening Post Naiad, a small boulder just passing as a moon, about 48,000 kilometers away from the tempestuous Neptune surface. Here you can experience what real monotony means. Listening post. Unfortunately, I noticed too late that the description was deceiving, just to make the little moon interesting. Probably to attract volunteers who are supposed to dust off the obsolete facilities here.«

  Dunja grinned and interrupted the recording. She pondered briefly, searching for the right words for her own documentation.

  »Since the Union has finally installed, after countless requests, a gravity generator in this former observation station, one can at least move about normally. Just a few hours after the arrival you feel like a barrier attendant at an old railway crossing, who always must lower the boom at the same time to let the 12 o’clock train pass. But the train no longer stops at the small station. Do you understand what I mean by that? What? You don’t know what a barrier attendant or boom operator is and why this task can’t be done by a computer? Well, that’s okay. These things happened long before your time. I read the papers in the archives about trains and locomotives, running on steel rails, driven by steam, electricity and later by small reactors. Reading is one of my primary pastimes, right after dusting, I might want to add. I didn’t want to believe it at first, but, let’s say, around the year 2,000 people traveled like that. Ships are also regularly flying by us and are being processed in the Neptune System, are issued their signatures and forwarded to their destinations. But no one is interested in the listening post. Once a day, a short call from Triton comes in, just like that midday train on Earth.«