

## I, HUMAN

Part Three:

The Orbs of Sapentia

by

Vito Veii

## I, HUMAN
Part Three:

The Orbs of Sapentia

by

Vito Veii

Copyright © 2014 Vito Veii

_Cover Design "Copyright:_ agsandrew _Artist at_ http://www.Shutterstock.com"

A fantasy science fiction story concerning the journeys of an android and his companions, as told by his Captain.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

http://www.KozmicDreamers.com

This story is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

#  TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 13 **Captain Dante Remembers**

Chapter 14 **Astra**

Chapter 15 **The Orbs of** Sapentia

Chapter 16 **Orlando meets Castelli and Telesio**

Chapter 17 **Captain Wolf**

Chapter 18 **The Ark of the Phoenix**

Chapter 19 **Ambassador** Legari

Chapter 20 **Journey to** Grandius

Chapter 21 **The Launching of the First Buoy**

Chapter 22 **The Danger of the Unknown**

Dear Reader

About the Author

Other Books by the Author

#  PREFACE

_I, Human_ is an original, thought-provoking epic fantasy science fiction series. It incorporates elements of science fiction, action, adventure, epic fantasy, hard science fiction, metaphysics, philosophy, psychology, paranormal, and humor. The series is for those who like to ponder interesting ideas and enjoy an epic story along the way.

Come on a quest of adventure and discovery as Captain Magnusson, Padre, Vlen, Astra, Ambassador Legari, and others onboard the star carrier _Veda_ explore multi-dimensional worlds and alternate realities.

**In part one, the epic starts at a slow pace** and gains momentum with each component added. Altogether, there are eighty-five chapters in the first volume, with the second volume beginning at part eight, chapter eighty-six.

In my fashion, I endeavor to create credible characters and their universe using a robust framework on which to mount exciting and compelling ideas.

This book and the others in the series are dedicated to people of goodwill, and all kindred spirits, past, present, and future.

Vito Veii

#  Chapter 13

"Captain Dante, you've worked a double shift," my first officer said. "It's time for me to relieve you."

"Okay, Mr. Patterson, you win. Call me if you need to," I said.

"Yes, sir," he replied.

I departed the bridge and headed to my quarters, where I made myself a cup of coffee and pulled up a chair.

I stretched my legs and started to channel surf on the televiewer, catching glimpses of films, cartoons, and a bit of news about a raiding party from the second bloc into our territory. These skirmishes occurred from time to time, the purpose of which no one was sure of. Some believed the second bloc was testing our resolve to fight. Others said it was warmongers on their side looking for amusement or sport regardless of the carnage they caused. Members of the government called it the second bloc's way of probing our defenses to expose our weaknesses; they were mapping our defenses and recording our responses.

The news flash reminded me of the night I led a platoon of soldiers patrolling the border. My unit had been strung out across a hill when a heavily armed raiding party of mercenaries and tanks attacked us. I lost seven men in less than a minute. A cold sweat broke across my brow as I remembered my platoon had no cover, no backup, and no air support. I knew the second bloc took no prisoners, except to torture them – it was victory or death. I gave the order to counterattack. With my military Zephyr in the lead, we formed a "V" formation; I aimed the Zephyr into the nearest enemy vehicle and jumped out before they collided and blew up. I had picked myself up and given the order for the men to divide into three groups and advance up the hill. My small group took the middle while the other two groups attacked the enemy's flanks. I remember yelling to my second in command to call for backup, which he did – just before being killed. Reaching the top of the hill, we engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Though superior in numbers, they had not expected us to attack so fiercely.

We fought like tigers, and in the darkness, managed to push our enemies back to their original positions. In their confusion, they began shooting at each other. We followed them, thinking the tide had turned. But we didn't know about the two tanks in the darkness, waiting behind the hill, until the sky suddenly lit up with laser cannons. One of the enemies fired a flare into the night sky, lighting up the whole area, and my men gave ground trying to avoid enemy fire. The enemy had sensed our weakness, regrouped and moved forward, intending to push us off the top of the hill and kill us on the slopes.

I had resigned myself to the inevitable; my men and I were going to die. All of a sudden, I heard the roar of engines from behind me, advancing toward my position. Three Vipers had dropped to a lower altitude, almost level with the hill and launched their weapons. I felt a rush of displaced air as one of the missiles found its mark and destroyed an enemy tank. The second tank managed to fire once before it, too, went up in a fireball, turning the night into day.

The fighters were coming back for a second run, strafing the enemy troops, who by this time had begun to retreat. I gave the order to regroup and advance again, retaking the hill and pushing the enemy back over the border. I saw the Vipers swoop in again, crashing lightning bolts into the enemy a third time. My platoon would have been annihilated if it had not been for the Vipers.

Of the thirty infantry soldiers that had started on patrol, only twelve remained. Everyone in my platoon, dead or living, received medals for bravery, but for me, it was the end. A part of me died with the men who didn't come back; I never acted the same way again after that; I had become less sure of myself.

Shortly afterward, I remembered having a drink at a bar by myself. Pilots were sitting at a table not far from me, talking loudly about how much better the air force was than the army. They were talking among themselves but directing the comments to anyone who was listening. I finished my drink and walked away. I was through with fighting and war. From now on, I would fight only as a last resort; life was precious, and war was a blight on human existence.

A friend of mine suggested I join the Space Corps. I weighed my options – I knew civilian life was not for me, but neither was the army; in the Space Corps, I could find something in between. So, I applied to the military university and was accepted. It took years of studying and advancing through the ranks of the Space Corps to get to Executive First Class Officer and, finally, Captain. I learned a lot, but I still had a lot to learn. I felt good about what I had accomplished. It was now time to enjoy the adventures that lay ahead of me.

#  Chapter 14

"Captain Magnusson, time for you to wake up," _Veda_ said.

"Thank you, _Veda_. Did I oversleep?" I asked.

"By three minutes, Captain."

"I'm fully awake now, _Veda_ , and just so you know, I feel invigorated," I said.

"Yes, Captain, as you say, invigorated," _Veda_ answered.

_Is it my imagination, or do I detect humor in her voice?_

Shaking my head, I got up and dressed.

The week I had spent on Gigas had rejuvenated me, and I was raring to go. I checked my inbox and made notes while I ate my breakfast. As soon as I had finished eating, I was out the door, and a moment later, walking onto the bridge, where the duty officer saluted.

"Captain on the bridge," he said.

The rest of the crew stood to attention and wished me a good morning. I acknowledged the team and continued to the Captain's chair.

"Sheila, has Commander Vlen reported for duty this morning?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain. He was on deck with the female Ingentum, explaining how _Veda_ works. Before leaving the bridge and handing control over to _Veda_ ," Sheila said.

" _Veda,_ show me a recording of Commander Vlen this morning on the bridge."

"Complying, Captain," _Veda_ said.

I watched the video footage, observing Astra's actions. Astra looked genuinely interested and pleased to be shown the ship."

_Good, she seems to be enjoying her visit to Veda._

My mind turned to Severus, I still hadn't seen him since my return, and I wanted to give him a brief update. I called him to come to the bridge, and a few minutes later, he was standing next to me.

"Greetings, Captain, did you have a good trip to Gigas?" Severus asked.

"I sure did, Commander. Next time you're coming with me. Perhaps the trip will improve your disposition," I said.

"As you say, Captain."

"Commander, I extended an invitation to the Ingentum to visit _Veda_ , with only the minister for the arts accepting the offer."

"Understood, sir, I inferred as much from her being aboard _Veda_."

"Frankly, I was glad when Astra, accepted. We need allies, Commander Severus, on as many worlds as possible; the minister would be a good start."

"I agree, Captain."

"Severus, as Vlen is busy, I need you to redirect any forms or action dispatches going to Commander Vlen's workstation and take care of them for him."

"Yes, sir," Severus replied as he used his PDA to access Vlen's workstation.

"Will there be anything else, Captain?" Severus asked.

"I'll be sending you a copy of my report about the abroad team's mission to Gigas; you should have it tomorrow."

"I look forward to reading it, Captain," Severus said, leaving.

I sat back in the Captain's chair and turned my attention to Astra and Vlen.

" _Veda_ , where is Commander Vlen now?" I asked.

"Commander Vlen is in the transporter room."

"Switch to the image feed to the holographic viewer on my console."

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

Vlen, Astra, and McCluskey appeared on screen in the transporter room. Vlen was explaining the fundamental principles of matter teleportation. Not surprisingly, Astra had no difficulty conversing with Vlen about the science of teleportation as if she had been a scientist of long-standing.

"Commander Vlen, I am sure if you make adjustments to the uptake and down take algorithms, you will gain an additional one percent efficiency," she said.

She wrote her recommendation on the duty officer's digital assistant, before asking Vlen about the ship's history. At this point, I switched off the viewer and decided that I would check on them later. I had informed Vlen yesterday that by the 22nd Segment, Astra must be off _Veda_ and back on her planet. This left Vlen with little time to show Astra the rest of the ship.

" _Veda_ , run diagnostic programs on all of the ship's systems and inform me when they are completed. Also, send copies of the report to Commanders Vlen and Severus."

"Complying, Captain."

"Sirena, we will be leaving Gigas today at the 24th segment. Plot a course to rendezvous with the rest of the fleet, and from there, plot a course to Sapentia," I said.

"Aye, Captain," Sirena answered.

I looked at the main viewer and walked across the bridge, switching my gaze from the viewer to the officers. A midshipman approached me and asked that I approve necessary release forms. I read and initialed them before handing back the device.

" _Veda_ , where is Commander Vlen now?" I asked.

"Commander Vlen is in the science labs on the 3rd floor," _Veda_ said.

" _Veda_ , take over the bridge while I am away."

"Acknowledged Captain."

Instead of catching the anti-grav lift, I walked down to the third level. I took a left turn and went into the science laboratory occupied by Telesio and Castelli.

"Good day, gentlemen, and Minister Pieria," I said.

"Good afternoon, Captain," Castelli and Telesio replied.

"Hello, Captain," Astra replied.

"Well, Minister Pieria, what do you think of the ship?" I asked.

"Please, call me by my first name, Captain," Astra asked.

"Sure," I replied.

Astra looked around before replying. "I'm still formulating an opinion, as I have not seen much of anything. However, what I have seen of your ship is impressive for a species of your technological level; the science area is well laid out."

I winced at the technological comment. "Thank you, Astra. Commander Vlen, where will you take Astra next?" I asked.

"The next stop is the Morpheus Room, followed by the engineering section and the landing bay area," he said.

"Very good, Vlen. You know our schedule, so I won't detain you any longer," I told him.

I turned to Telesio and Castelli.

"My apologies, gentlemen, for the brief visit. We will spend more time together next time," I said.

"I understand," said Telesio.

"As do I," Castelli smiled. "You are a popular man."

"Astra, I will see you in the transporter room before you leave," I said.

She smiled. "Thank you for your courtesy and hospitality, Captain."

I went to the nearest cafeteria area and ordered an Esponian dish and vintage cactus juice from a variety of plants introduced by our Earth ancestors over two thousand years ago. Afterward, I went down to the landing bay and paid a surprise visit to the infantry's and pilot's exercise areas speaking briefly to some of the men and women before returning to the bridge. Five segments later I received a message from Vlen that Astra was ready to leave

"Captain, we are in the transporter room, awaiting your arrival," he said.

"I'll be there in a few minutes."

I took the grav-lift to meet them.

"Well, Astra, did you enjoy your stay?" I asked.

"Yes, thank you, Captain," she said.

"What did you like most about our ship?" I asked.

"I enjoyed my privacy, Captain. I did not have to share my thoughts with anyone," she observed. "I thought I might feel lonely being apart from my race and not being in constant mental contact with them. But to be honest, I relish the quiet and found that I could be myself more and enjoy it. For a brief time, I had the best of both worlds."

"Well, in that case, perhaps you might consider staying with us?" I suggested jokingly.

"Captain, if you are serious, I will resign my position with the Ministry of Arts and come with you on your journey."

Not expecting this development, she took me by surprise and caught me off balance.

"We plan on leaving the solar system and continuing well beyond; we will probably never return," I said cautiously.

"I have access to my starship," she offered, "which can fit in one of your holding areas in your landing bay."

"You have a private spaceship?" I asked.

"I use my spaceship, Captain, to travel between my planet, its moons, and Sapentia. It allows me to enjoy being alone from time to time."

"Could your spaceship travel to and return from the edge of the galaxy to your home?"

"Yes, Captain," she said.

"What about your people? Won't they object?" I asked.

"No, Captain. It's no one's concern except my own," she explained.

I scratched my head for a moment.

"Please allow me to discuss your request with my senior officers; in the meantime, we will beam you back to your planet. How much time would you need to make yourself ready for departure?" I asked.

"It will take six segments of your time to put all of my affairs in order and prepare my spaceship for travel."

"We will contact you in half a segment with our decision."

"I hope you say yes, Captain," she said and shook our hands before mounting the transporter platform awaiting dematerialization.

"Officer McCluskey, one to beam down to the planet's surface," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain," McCluskey said.

Astra dematerialized, her atoms swirling into nothingness.

"Vlen, come to my quarters, please," I said.

"Yes, Captain," Vlen answered.

On the way to my quarters, I told Severus and Padre to meet us in my office in five minutes. Moments after we got there, _Veda_ announced that Severus was at the door.

"Let Commander Severus in," I said.

"Greetings, Captain – very short notice for a meeting," Severus commented.

"What has transpired?"

_Veda_ interrupted, announcing that Padre was waiting to enter.

"Allow Padre to come in," I said.

"Good evening, everyone," Padre said.

"Good evening, Padre," I replied.

"What is the meeting about?"

"Astra has requested permission to travel with us on our journey. What do the two of you think of that?" I asked.

"Why does Astra want to come with us?" Severus asked.

"From what I can gather, Astra has more privacy among our people than she does with hers. That is, she does not have to share her thoughts, and thinks she can have the best of both worlds."

"Won't she feel lonely?" Padre asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Astra seems to think she will be okay,"

"Captain, with all due respect, everyone in the fleet has been through several security checks, and yet we are gathered here to consider taking in a stranger. As we don't know anything about her, I consider her presence on board a security risk."

"Severus, I'd like to allay your concerns," Padre said, intervening. "I can perform a security check using the orb atop my staff, to examine the quality of Astra's soul and, indirectly, her intentions."

"Good idea," I interjected. "I take it if the orb glows a particular color, she is to be trusted, and if another color, not?"

"Something like that," Padre said. "What do you say, Severus?"

"Before I give an opinion, I would like to read the Captain's report on the excursion to Gigas," Severus said.

"As you say, Severus," I replied.

I took a data crystal from the draw and gave it to Severus, who placed it in his digital assistant.

While Severus was speed reading Padre, Vlen and I spoke among ourselves until Severus lifted his head to speak.

"Captain, after reading your report, I can see why you are considering Astra's request. All the same, I will await the result of Padre's test."

"What do you think, Commander Vlen?" I asked.

"I think Astra would make an invaluable member of our crew," said Vlen.

"Assuming that she passes Padre's test," Severus added.

"Understood, Commander Severus," Vlen replied.

"Enough gentlemen. Assuming she passes Padre's inspection, we will welcome her aboard and temporarily assign her as a lookout on duty for the Morpheus Room until we find a more permanent position for her," I said.

"What if she fails the test?" Padre asked.

"In that case, I will make some excuse and ask her to leave," I said.

"Does anyone else have anything to say," I asked, looking around.

No one said anything.

"Good, _Veda_ give me a secure channel to Astra's communications device," I said.

"Complying, Captain," Vlen answered.

A moment later, _Veda_ informed us that a channel was open.

I contacted Astra, she was at her home, sitting in front of her televiewer awaiting my call.

"Hello, Captain, what have you decided?" she asked.

"Astra, on behalf of Commander Vlen, Commander Severus, Padre, myself, and the rest of the crew, I welcome you aboard," I said.

" **Woohoo!** That's fantastic!" sounding almost like a teenager in her enthusiasm. "I'll be ready to depart in five segments," she said.

"On approach to our ship, establish voice communication with the bridge so we can open the bay doors, and you can guide yourself in," I directed.

"Thank you, Captain – and Commanders. I will see you all soon," she said.

The screen went blank.

"She's enthusiastic, isn't she?" Padre noted.

"I take it, Captain, that we are to delay our departure?" Vlen asked.

"Yes, for at least five segments. Vlen, please inform the officers on the bridge of the delay," I said.

"Very well, Captain," Vlen said, leaving the room.

"Captain, do you want me to scan her ship on approach?" asked Severus. I'd anticipated this.

"Technically, by the book, that's what we should do," I acknowledged. "However, Astra would surely know that we are scanning her ship, and that will surely create an element of distrust on her part. Therefore, there will be no scan of her ship while she is in it. Instead, after she leaves the landing bay, Chief Alex can run the routine decontamination and security scans."

"Understood, Captain," Severus replied.

"Severus, I also want you and Padre to meet Astra when she arrives," I said.

"We'll both be there," Padre said, joining in.

"I'll be on the bridge until further notice," I said.

We all left the room, and I went straight to the bridge. Five segments later, I was in the Captain's chair, watching Gigas through the main viewer. Stemming from the far side of the planet was a silver arc of light traveling in an upwards motion, heading in our direction _._ The closer it got, the more detail I could make out; it was a vessel of unknown origin, heading directly for _Veda_.

"This is Captain Magnusson of the star carrier _Veda_ to approaching ship, identify yourself," I said.

A few seconds later, Astra and the inside of her cabin appeared on the main viewer.

"It's Astra, Captain. Do I have permission to come aboard?"

I smiled broadly at her.

"Permission granted. Please direct your vessel to the rear and use the landing bay lights to help guide yourself in."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Is she joining us, Captain?" Sirena asked.

I ignored Sirena's question.

Sirena whistled. "She certainly a stunner!"

Sometimes, I couldn't believe the way Sirena acted.

"Helmsman, prepare to disengage orbit from Gigas, and rendezvous with the fleet when I give the order," I said.

"Aye, Captain," acknowledged Louis.

" _Veda_ , inform the rest of the fleet when I give the order to disengage from orbit and will rendezvous with the rest of the fleet in two segments," I said.

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

I switched on the personal viewer attached to my Captain's chair and watched Astra's vessel approach the landing bay. The beams of the leading twin lights were flashing their rays orbiting around the walls as the general alarm sounded while the bay doors remained open. Astra's ship began its gentle glide and descent into the landing bay, stopping in the middle of the landing bay. The general alarm continued to sound until the bay doors closed, and the landing bay pressurized. With the doors shut and the pressure back to normal, the leading twin lights stopped flashing, and the alarm ceased.

Using the ship's camera and audio, I followed Padre, Severus, and Vlen, who had also decided to meet Astra on their approach to Astra's ship. I admired its shape. It was narrow in front and had a prow fashioned into a dragon's head; its eyes lit up, resembling blue embers. The design of the ship was sleek, fashioned like scales that shimmered in variations of silver and gold. At its sides, golden wings, which had been opened laterally during flight, were now retracting into the body of the ship as it stopped. The back of the ship allowed for entrance or egress. The vessel floated momentarily and then settled on the floor of the landing deck. A hatch opened at the rear of the ship, and Astra stepped out, carrying a bag over her shoulder. She appeared to be dressed in a black one-piece suit, fastened together by a purple belt with a silver buckle.

"Greetings, Astra, this is Commander Severus, our Chief of Security," Vlen said.

"I am pleased to meet you, Commander," she said.

"I am especially pleased to meet you," Severus said, attempting to smile.

"Hello, Padre," she chirped. "It's nice to see you again."

"As am I," Padre said.

He shook Astra's hand, and his staff began to glow with a golden-orange light.

"Why is your staff glowing?" Astra asked.

"The orb in my rod is reacting to the presence of your spirit," he said.

"Oh, that's interesting. Does it mean anything?"

Padre nodded. "This golden-orange light means you are a noble soul."

"Oh, I understand; a test to see if I am trustworthy?" Astra said.

_She's sharp and straight forward!_

Padre became embarrassed.

"I apologize, Astra, you caught the Captain and his senior staff off guard when you said you wanted to join us. Everyone undergoes a security check."

Astra smiled graciously, "That's understandable, Padre."

Meanwhile, Severus had stepped forward and touched Astra's ship, then taking a step backward.

"I felt the ship shudder," he said.

Astra grinned.

"Commander Severus, the ship is composed of organic material and is, in a sense, alive. However, the ship will only respond to my commands. Her name is _Lady Starlight_ ," she said.

"Fascinating, Astra. Perhaps you can give us a tour one day?" asked Vlen.

Astra smiled broadly. "It will be my pleasure."

_Hmm, that's good._

I saw the Chief of the maintenance crew walk toward them.

"Greetings, Commanders," he said. "I have to move the ship from the middle of the bay floor to a secure holding area."

"Tell me, sir, where you would like me to set the ship?" Astra asked.

"Over there in the corner. From there, we will place it on the level directly above us."

"Very well," Astra replied.

I heard her say some words in her language, and the ship gently floated to the designated area.

"When you are ready to move the _Lady Starlight_ to the next level, ask her politely, and she will do so of her own accord."

"Thank you, madam," Alex said.

"Astra, I'll show you to your quarters, and provided you have no objection, I will discuss your appointed position as a lookout on the Morpheus Room," said Vlen.

"That would be fantastic, Commander Vlen." She looked at the Chief of the maintenance crew as he stepped up to Astra's ship.

"Force field," Astra said.

Immediately the Chief was gently repulsed from the ship when he was within two metrons of the vessel.

"The ship can engage a protective force shield that prevents anyone from coming too close," she said.

"That was fun, being bounced off like that," Alex smiled.

"She recognized you as non-hostile. It would have been a different story if she considered you otherwise," remarked Astra.

"Very interesting," Severus commented.

Even from the bridge, I could see where his mind was going.

Vlen, Severus, Padre, and Astra walked away from the landing bay and caught an anti-grav lift to the officers' floor, where Astra would be shown her quarters.

_It's time to leave Gigas._

"Helmsman disengage orbit."

"Aye, Captain."

" _Veda_ inform the fleet we will rendezvous in two segments."

"Complying, Captain."

"Louis, maintain course and trajectory," Sirena said. "Veda's __ a little off her destination by .015 degrees."

"Adjusting ship's course for solar wind interference," Louis said.

I walked along the bridge and peered at the planet of Gigas, which was becoming smaller by the minute. Looking back from this distance, the world, and her inhabited moons made Gigas look like a queen in attendance with her ladies in waiting. Behind, Gigas, in the darkness of space, I saw a multi-colored nebula and decided to take a photograph.

" _Veda_ , take a picture of Gigas, its satellites, and the nebula in the background, then send a personal copy to my terminal," I said.

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

Two segments later, we had rendezvoused with the rest of the fleet. I ordered _Veda_ to resume point and for the other ships to move into formation. I spoke briefly to Captains Dante and Wolf, using an encrypted channel, advising them that we were now en-route to Sapentia.

I was beginning to feel sleepy now. I had gone almost a whole day without sleep, and I was breaking regulations. I asked Vlen to take over from me before retiring from my quarters.

When I went to my office, I signed off on action requests for fifteen minutes and then threw down the electronic signing device in annoyance. I needed a shower, and I was yawning too much. Sleep would fix that. After falling asleep, I dreamed that I was back on Gigas listening to Astra and the other Ingentum speaking to each other. And without knowing why, I felt that Astra would come to play an important part in my life.

#  Chapter 15

The fleet was finally on its way to Sapentia and would arrive shortly. Very few spaceships from my world had ever ventured near it. The main reason ships bypassed Sapentia was that the planet had a habit of blinking in and out of existence. No one understood why or how. I decided to ask Astra to see what she knew about the inhabitants of Sapentia, called the Scien. I had my breakfast and finished the outstanding requests before putting on my uniform.

" _Veda_ , have we arrived at Sapentia yet?" I asked.

"The ship is now entering the planet's orbit."

"Maintain a distance of 14,000 stadia above the surface of the globe," I said.

"Complying, Captain."

" _Veda_ , call Astra and ask her to come to my office," I said.

"Complying, Captain."

Ten minutes later, _Veda_ announced that Astra was at the door.

"Let her in," I said.

The entrance door slid open, allowing light to stream in through the hallway, casting Astra's figure in a sharp silhouette.

"Good morning, Captain," she said brightly.

"Hello, Astra, please have a seat."

She sat down opposite me and placed her hands on her thighs, waiting for me to talk.

"The reason you're here in my office today, Astra, is to ask you to tell me what you know about the planet of Sapentia and its population," I said.

"It will be my pleasure, Captain, to assist in this matter. I possess some general knowledge of Sapentia and the Scien. If you want to stop me at any time, please let me know."

"Before you begin, Astra, I would like to record the conversation and distribute it to the other members of the abroad team. Do I have your permission to do that?"

"No problem, Captain; I understand why you are doing it."

"Thank you."

She composed herself, brushing the hair away from her eyes before starting.

"Sapentia is the planet of harmony, ruled by love and wisdom. Here, the inhabitants live in peace. Sapentia is the seventh planet in our solar system, and it is thirteen astronomical units from your home planet of Caeruleus. It is the second biggest planet in our solar system, with average temperatures between 22 to 28 degrees Celsius. The temperature at the planet's equator is slightly warmer, while, at the planet's north and south poles, temperatures are usually -15 to 5 degrees Celsius. It rotates once on its axis every 36 segments tilted at a 47-degree angle toward our twin suns. From space, the planet appears emerald green with sparkling blue oceans, blue-gold tinged skies, and clouds of orange and blue. The atmosphere's composition is oxygen and nitrogen, like that of my world, and those of Fortis and Caeruleus. The original inhabitants of Sapentia are humanoid, not unlike the people from your planet, with the main exception that in our dimension, they have silver skin. In their dimension, the Scien are made of light.

"The inhabitants of Sapentia can make themselves and their cities invisible, and as a rule, do not like to have contact with extraterrestrials. It is extremely unlikely, should you visit their planet, that you will see one. They have 100,000 years of recorded history and can fly at will, not merely float for short distances, like the people of our planets."

"How far can they fly?" I asked.

"There have been reports of 400 stadia or more."

"Please, continue."

"Sapentia is a multi-dimensional world, where other worlds exist within the sphere of the planet. With a reasonable amount of concentration, the spiritual eye can see worlds within worlds too small for the naked eye. These encapsulated worlds appear in floating bubbles that look substantial, but one can pass through them because they exist on the myriad planes of existence. These bubbles contain worlds in which communities of like-minded individuals can be seen working and playing together. Here, the power of attraction keeps the communities bonded together in harmony and peace," she said.

"How do you know all these things?" I asked.

"We have been observing the Scien for many centuries. People from my world often go there for a change of scenery," she said.

"In your opinion, Astra, is it dangerous to visit the planet and make contact?"

"Captain, I believe Sapentia to be the safest planet in the known galaxy. Nothing bad or evil can exist within its sphere of harmony, nor can any action based on evil be allowed to occur. I have been to Sapentia many times, sometimes by myself, and on other occasions, with groups of forty or more individuals. For as long as my people have been going to visit, there has never been a mishap or incident of any sort."

"Have you or anyone else you know met any of the Scien?"

"No, Captain."

_That's not good!_

"I have one other question, Astra. The planet disappears but always reappears, what do you think causes that?"

"I believe the planet fluctuates between two planes of existence. One plane is physical; the other spiritual. When the planet is in our physical world, we can see it, and when it is in the spiritual world, we cannot see it."

"Thank you for the information, Astra. I will be beaming down to the surface of the planet with several others. Would you like to come along?"

"Yes, Captain, I would like that very much."

"Okay, meet me in the transporter room in three segments. Dress in casual clothes and bring along a personal locator and a recorder."

"Thank you, Captain. I will see you later."

Astra left the room, and I got up and poured myself a glass of water, reflecting on what she had told me. Astra said it was extremely unlikely we would meet any of the Scien; technically, there was no need to go down to the planet. However, the fleet had been in space for over four weeks, and I felt that they needed a break. Could this planet be an excellent opportunity for shore leave? I decided that I would take Vlen, Sheila, Sirena, and Severus with me, leaving Padre as Commander on watch in control of the fleet while we went down and checked out the possibilities.

" _Veda_ , call in Padre."

"Complying, Captain."

Two minutes later, Padre was in my office.

"How are you, Padre?"

"I'm well, how are you doing, Captain?"

"I feel good. Padre, I need you to take command of the fleet while I visit Sapentia," I said.

"How long will you be away for?" he asked.

"One day only. If the planet is as sweet as Astra says, I will organize shore leave for the entire fleet one ship at a time."

"Excellent idea, Captain; it will certainly be terrific for morale."

"I agree, Padre. Please proceed to the bridge and ask Commander Vlen, Sheila, and Sirena to come to my office," I said.

"I'll do that for you, Captain."

A couple of minutes later, Vlen and the girls arrived together.

"Good morning, Commander Vlen, ladies," I said.

"Good morning, Captain," the girls replied.

"Ladies, have a seat. The reason I asked you here is to allow you to travel with an abroad team consisting of myself, Severus, Astra, and Commander Vlen," I said.

"Wow, are you serious, Captain?" Sheila asked excitedly.

She got up from the couch and placed her hands on her temples, shaking her head in disbelief. Sirena had also leaped up, grinning from ear to ear.

"That's wonderful! Thank you, Captain. When are we going?" Sheila asked.

I grinned. "We will be leaving in three segments. Here is a copy of the data file with a recording of the conversation I had with Astra this morning. Please take it to your quarters, and if you have any concerns or change your mind about going, send me a message within the next twenty minutes. Otherwise, please wear casual dress, bring enough food and drink for half a day, and take a personal locator and optical recorder for each of you."

"Since you are coming along with us, I am sure it will be safe to visit," Sirena chuckled. "I can hardly wait to go."

I smiled, enjoying their enthusiasm.

The two women were talking excitedly, behaving like school girls who had just been told they were going on an excursion to the country for a picnic. Sometimes, I wondered if I was in charge of teenagers. Still, it was nice to watch their reactions and see them acting all bubbly and excited. When they had left the office, I turned my attention to Vlen.

"Vlen, organize replacements on the bridge for Sheila and Sirena. Ask Padre if he requires anything before we leave."

"Yes, Captain," Vlen said.

Vlen left the office, and I made up my mind to speak to Severus; if anyone needed a holiday, it was him. I went to the central security room that contained the latest security systems, internal sensors, and the controls for all the cameras. Adjacent to the main security room was the communications control room, which included radio, sonar, weapons, and fire control for lasers and atomic torpedoes. I walked into the security room, where he was with Hawkeye and some other officers.

"Good morning, gentlemen," I said.

"Greetings, sir," Severus replied.

The other men in the control room stood to attention, and we exchanged salutes.

"As you were," I told them.

"What brings you here, Captain?" Severus asked.

"Severus, I am taking an abroad team to Sapentia to inspect the planet, and I want you to come with me."

"What's the reason for going, sir?" Severus asked.

"To arrange rest and recreation for the fleet."

"An excellent idea, Captain. Good for morale. How long will we be gone for, sir?"

"Less than a day."

"What time are we leaving, Captain?"

"At the 12th segment, meet me in the transporter room. Dress casually and bring a personal locator and recorder," I said.

"Thank you, Captain, for the opportunity. I will place Hawkeye in charge of security while I am away," Severus said.

"No, thanks, are necessary, Commander Severus. You earned this shore leave. I have a crystal recording of Astra talking about Sapentia; please review it before departure."

I went back to my office and signed off on action dispatches and requests for the next segment before changing into civilian clothes.

I met the rest of the abroad team in the transporter room. Astra, Vlen, Severus, Sheila, and Sirena were already there waiting. We had all dressed casually, carrying small bags of food and water. We exchanged greetings and stepped up onto the platform.

"Ready, Officer McCluskey? Six to beam down," I said.

"Yes, sir," we heard before we dematerialized. About a minute later, we found ourselves on the surface of the planet.

"Wow, will you look at that?" Sirena said.

"What about that over there?" Sheila said, pointing.

I interrupted their squeals of delight.

"Before anyone says anything else, I want to say something," I said.

Everyone became quiet, looking expectantly in my direction.

"According to Astra, whose opinion I trust in this matter, there is no danger to any of us. So I have decided that we can split up into pairs or by ourselves to explore our surroundings. All I ask is that you switch on your recorders now and meet back here in 14 segments."

"Yes, Captain," everyone said.

"Before we split up, are there any questions?" I asked.

"What if we meet one of the Scien?" asked Sirena.

"In the unlikely event you meet a Scien, use the communicator to contact me, and do not say anything unnecessarily; I will come and find you. Now, who is going with whom?" I asked.

"Sirena and I will travel together," Sheila said.

"I will travel by myself, Captain," Severus said.

"Astra and I have decided that we will travel together," Vlen said.

"Captain, may I talk for a few minutes?" asked Astra.

"Sure, Astra, go ahead," I replied.

She moved away slightly and faced us.

"As you can see, Sapentia is a lovely place. You can see a lot with your normal eyes. However, if you take the time to meditate for about a segment, in this world, your third eye will be opened, and you will see many more exciting things."

"I guess if we want to see more, we should do as she says," I said.

"Okay, Captain. Sheila and I will wander down to that knoll over there and sit and meditate," Sirena said.

"I will move over there and do the same," said Severus joining in.

"Terrific. I will see you all in 14 segments here in this very spot," I said.

I watched the others wander off in different directions.

I looked at the grass on which I was standing; it was a vibrant green, lush, and full of life. When I bent down and touched it, it shivered in my hand as if someone had caressed it, and it had enjoyed the touch.

I sat down, closed my eyes, and began to meditate, focusing on the inhaling and exhaling motion of my lungs, keeping a clear mind for nearly one segment. When I opened my eyes, I rose feeling light-headed and walked across the grass toward the orange pathway. The atmosphere in front of me was beginning to shimmer and move, like fabric blown gently in the wind. Transparent bubble-worlds were appearing and disappearing before my eyes. I reached out to touch one, and my hand went through it and the people inside. I worried I had hurt someone, but I needn't have; No one inside the bubble appeared to have seen it. I looked at another bubble. It contained an amphitheater, with little people moving about.

I experienced a sensation of space folding and found myself passing into the transparent globe. I had joined a community of philosophers in the amphitheater, debating the meaning of life. One of them greeted me, but I was somewhat embarrassed at being there as if I had been eavesdropping.

Immediately, I found myself outside the bubble and back on the pathway. I looked at another bubble, and again, I found myself inside, watching angels singing and praising God. The angels did not seem to care that I was there, so I lingered, entranced by their singing. Their voices were not of this world; in fact, songs would never sound the same to me again. I thought of the pathway I had come from and found myself there again.

In another bubble, I saw children, with sunlight streaming through their hair, playing together in a park surrounded by beds of flowers, while others sat by a nearby pond. Immediately, I was there also. I landed next to one of the children, who had red hair and a freckly face. His hand reached out to touch a brightly colored fish.

"Do you want to play with us?" he asked.

"No, thank you. I have lots I want to see," I said.

I thought about the orange pathway and found myself back on Sapentia. The bubbles seemed to understand what I wanted immediately. I had only to about where I wanted to go, and I would be instantly transported in or out of the bubble.

I was drawn to a nearby bubble and found myself immediately inside. I watched people gathered in a parliamentary room. The government of that world was passing laws to ensure that the resources of the commonwealth were distributed equitably among its citizens.

_Nope, politics was never my forte._

I left and perceived another world in which I saw a hamlet consisting of beautiful cottages and inns, all connected by yellow, dusty roads. The people traveling the roads seemed friendly, and before I knew it, I found myself among them.

"Greetings, stranger. Where do you hail from?" one man asked me.

"Hello," I said, feeling happy to be there.

"Are you just passing through?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered.

"Do you have time to have a drink and tell me what it's like where you are from?" he asked.

"I would like to, but I have people waiting for me," I said.

Before I could say goodbye, I found myself back where I had started.

I quickly looked around at the millions of floating bubbles in the air and sky in front of me. Many of these bubbles floated through each other, entirely unknown to the inhabitants of the worlds concerned. I was pleased to say none of the bubbles burst, and it was now clear, Sapentia was a nexus point for different parts of the universe.

I saw an alien civilization whose tall structures complemented spiraling buildings with oval-shaped domes, as flying aircraft glistened and gleamed in that world's sun. Once again, I found myself in a new world. I was at ground level, looking up. I decided to walk along for a bit and headed to a circular building made of diamond, reflecting red and yellow sunlight. The whole building shone like fire. As I approached, a female alien appeared from my left. She was dressed in a loose, knee-high white dress, held together by a belt. She was tall and beautiful with black skin, black hair, and dark brown eyes.

"Hello," I said. "My name is Marcus."

She looked at me as if she did not understand.

"Well, we are not going to get far if we can't understand each other," I said amiably.

She held out her hand and touched mine. I could hear her voice inside my head.

_Hello. My name is Violet._

"Greetings, Violet. I'm pleased to meet you," I said.

_There is no need to use your mouth, Marcus. Just think the words, and I will hear you._

I did as she said.

_Okay, no problem._

She smiled and let go of my hand and beckoned me to follow her, which I did.

_I can see from the thoughts inside your head that you have many questions, Marcus Magnusson._

_Violet, can you see my memories?_

_Yes, Marcus. However, that would be against our code of conduct._

_Violet, I would like to know if your world resides in our universe?_

_Which universe is that?_

_Hmm, if I mentioned the word 'Sapentia' to you, would that mean anything?_

_No._

_If I mentioned the Milky Way, would that mean anything to you?_

_No, Marcus, I believe you are in my galaxy._

_Violet, can you please show me a map of your stars?_

_One moment, please._

We both stopped as she put her hand up in the air. Immediately, a large screen about 16 metrons long and nine metrons wide, appeared in front of us, displaying a live view of the universe.

_Marcus, do you recognize any of these planetary star systems?_

I looked at the map. If I knew any of the star systems, I certainly would not have been able to recognize them. No ships from Caeruleus had ever left the galaxy, so I did not know what the galaxy looked like from the outside.

_No. Unfortunately, my people have never been outside of my galaxy._

_If you like, I can take you to someone from our government who could help get you home._

_Thank you, but that won't be necessary; I can leave any time only by thinking about it._

_How is that possible? Do you have a spaceship hidden somewhere?_

_No, I don't need a ship. If I want to leave here, all I have to do is think about where I started, and I am back there on Sapentia._

She nodded her understanding.

_Would you like to see more of my world?_

_Yes, if it is not too much trouble. Could I see the spaceport where your ships land and take off for space?_

_Certainly Marcus. I will summon the transport for us._

She touched a button on the bracelet she was wearing, and from the sky, a vehicle approached landing in front of us.

_Our transport is ready._

The vehicle was in the shape of a convex triangle with a clear retractable dome. We both got in, taking off in the direction of the spaceport.

_Do your vehicles use laser-guided highways to arrive at their destinations?_

_No, Marcus. The vehicles are highly complex pieces of machinery with collision detection systems; we fly these aircraft using the power of thought._

_That's very impressive, Violet. Does anyone talk using their vocal cords?_

She grinned. _Not if we can help it._

_Hmm, I see._

We were flying seven hundred metrons in the air, flying away from the city. I could see some of the spiral-shaped buildings glistening red and yellow, while others were changing colors as I watched them shrink into the distance.

_You have a beautiful city. What is it called?"_

_It is known as the city of the Dream Time._

_Why is it called that, Violet?_

_When it is our time to die, we go to a place prepared especially for the dying. Here, we lay down in a comfortable bed in a dome-shaped building whose roof is transparent. We look at the sky and stars and wait for our spirit friends to take us to the dream world, which in many ways is more substantial than the plane of existence we are currently in._

_Do your people suffer much when they die?_

_No, we don't permit suffering. When death is inevitable, we use whatever means necessary to ensure the passing of the individual is as peaceful as possible, while providing the person's mind is also as clear as possible for the journey._

_Violet, do you know where the person's spirit goes when the body dies?_

_Yes and no. We can see our spirit friends or guardians materialize in front of us. We know then that the moment of death is at hand. At this point, we say our goodbyes to the one departing our world, and moments later, we see the spirit of the deceased leave the body and materialize in front of us. Then the spirit of the person who has died, with the spirit guardians ascend as if walking on a path leading upward._

I was fascinated.

_Do you know anything else about the spirit world?_

_I do not, but some do and have recorded their knowledge._

We sat silently for a few moments as we traveled to the spaceport. I decided to ask another question.

_How long has your civilization existed?_

_About 50,000 of your years._

_Has your civilization ever known war, starvation, or poverty?_

_What are they?_

_You have my permission to look into my mind. Can you see what I am thinking?_

It was a strange sensation experiencing another presence within my brain, as I offered up my thoughts.

Suddenly, she recoiled in horror and revulsion before staggering back.

_That's enough. I don't want to know any more!_

_Your civilization is fortunate that it has never known such disasters._

_Yes, I am lucky to have been born into a culture that has more of a propensity for wisdom than the people of your world do._

I was not going to argue with her because she spoke the truth.

The spaceport was coming into view. It was huge; there were at least 200 spaceships of all shapes and sizes. I did not recognize the design of any spacecraft. My head was spinning. Was it possible for a universe to exist within another universe? Or was this place another dimension, locked away in a pocket of our universe's fabric? Good thing I had brought the view recorder. We started our descent and landed on a block full of vehicles. From there, it was a walk of about one hundred metrons to the main building where visitors disembarked from the alien ships. We went into the main foyer of the building.

I was amazed at the number of non-humanoid aliens walking around. The aliens were varied. Some aliens had four arms and four legs, while others had scaly skin, red eyes, and fierce features. Other Aliens looked like children's toys that waddled along as if they had been wound up and set loose. While others wore darkened helmets and visors that covered their faces, their bodies enclosed in pressure suits.

_Violet, do you think the aliens are mainly here for business, or to see your planet?_

_Neither, Captain. These aliens are here to see humans. Our world appears to be the only planet in our galaxy to sustain human life; the rest of the worlds are inhabited by beings like the ones you see before you._

I was staggered, and for a moment, I collected my thoughts.

_Where I come from, it is the other way around. In my solar system, all life on the inhabitable planets is humanoid._

Violet smiled. _It's nice to know that the humans here are not the only ones of our species in existence._

We walked toward the bay windows in the boarding lounge, to have a closer look at the most massive spacecraft in front of us.

_She's big, isn't she? She must carry 20,000 or more passengers?_

I moved to the side of the bay window and noticed a spaceship pulsating with green and blue lights. I saw the vessel rise slowly, and then I heard a sound like lightning cracking. In a flash, the ship was gone.

_That was fast, wasn't it?_

Violet shook her head. _I have seen faster."_

I walked alongside the bay window and pointed to a strange vessel.

_Over there, that ship seems to be transparent. I can see all the machinery that powers the ship._

Violet strained her eyes, peering into the vessel I was looking at.

_That ship belongs to a particular group of aliens that have just recently begun to arrive in more significant numbers._

_What do they look like? I can't seem to focus on anyone on board the ship._

_They use cloaking devices, but we're able to detect where the aliens go using tracking devices and scanners. We are not sure why they do not want to be seen."_

_Do you know where they come from?_

_It's said they come from the furthest edge of a nearby galaxy._

_They would not be permitted to enter or exit my world of Caeruleus cloaked in such a fashion._

_Never mind, Marcus. I'll take you from here now and show you something interesting._

We left the spaceport and returned to the vehicle, where she commanded it to take us to the furthest edge of the city. We went to the place of rest, where the people of this world departed for the next. We landed outside the complex and entered the foyer of the main building. She told me to wait there and went to speak to the receptionist at the main desk. She returned a few minutes later.

_I asked the receptionist if there was a room available where we could watch the passing over of a spirit from our world to the next._

I raised my eyebrow in surprise _._

_You mean, your world allows people to watch patients dying?"_

_This is how we teach our children not to fear death – by watching the transition and allowing them to see the spirits come to collect the departing soul._

_Education is a good thing, but I'm doubtful about this process of watching the dying pass over._

_Hold my hand for a moment._

I held it, and I was flooded with the emotions she had felt when she witnessed a loved one crossing over. To be sure, there was sorrow, but there was also joy – the joy of seeing a loved one crossing over was far greater than the pain of losing them. The idea no longer repulsed me; I was ready to see the spirits come to take the dying to the land of dreams.

We went to the observation room and observed an elderly man lying in bed, holding the hand of a woman of a similar age. We sat there in the cubicle, watching for half a segment before the old man spoke.

"They are coming."

At the foot of his bed appeared one man and one woman, both youthful and illuminated by white light. His wife's face broke into a smile on seeing the couple, who were smiling at her.

"I have to go now," the old man said.

The old woman leaned over and kissed him.

"My darling, I will soon follow you."

When she leaned back, the husband gave a sigh and died. A tingle ran down the back of my spine as I saw his spirit leave his body and stand up. The old man was no longer an old man, but a much younger one in spirit form. He looked at his wife but said nothing to her. I heard the man at the foot of the bed say,

"Come."

Then, the spirit lady took his hand, and all three of them walked upward, as if on an invisible stairway. Halfway through the air, the three spirits vanished. The old woman placed the bedsheet over her late husband's face and walked away with tears of joy in her eyes.

_That was profoundly moving. Thank you for showing me._

She smiled.

_You're welcome, Marcus. Would you like me to take you somewhere else?_

_Sure, that would be great._

_Come on, Marcus. Let's go back to the vehicle._

We went back and flew in the same direction away from the building and the city.

_I will take you to a place where the magic happens._

We flew for twenty stadia and then started our descent toward a quiet, sandy beach, where we landed and walked across the sand. After a few minutes of walking, Violet asked if we could sit down. We made ourselves comfortable and watched ocean waves crashing against the shifting sands.

_Marcus, I want you to close your eyes for a few moments and try not to think of anything, and after a few minutes, we'll open our eyes._

Okay, I'll play along.

We sat there for about ten minutes, as I wondered what was going to happen next.

_Marcus, open your eyes._

All of a sudden, in front of me, were millions of transparent globes containing worlds – just like the globes of Sapentia.

_We can go inside one of the globes if you like and explore its world!_

I wondered if she knew that her world was also inside a transparent globe.

_Violet, I came into your world through a globe precisely like the ones in front of us from the planet of Sapentia!_

_You must be joking, Marcus. Does it look like my world and the universe can fit inside one of those globes?_

_Nonetheless, Violet, I did enter your world and universe through one._

I find it hard to believe.

_Have you ever been inside one of those globes, Violet?_

_No, this will be my first time._

_I don't think I can risk coming with you, Violet, as I am unsure of the mechanism behind all these globes. If I go with you into the globe, I will have gone from one world, into another world, into another world. Worlds within worlds, within worlds – I may not be able to return to my galaxy._

_I don't blame you; I'd feel the same._

She paused for a minute considering the situation.

_Never mind, I will come back another time with a friend._

_Speaking of going, I have to get going myself. I have to be back on Sapentia before 14 segments have elapsed._

_Then take care, Marcus Magnusson. It was a pleasure to have your company for a little while._

We kissed each other on the cheek.

_Goodbye, Violet, and take care._

_The same to you, Marcus. Have a safe journey on your voyage to the edge of your galaxy._

Once again, I thought of the orange pathway. In the blink of an eye, I was back on Sapentia. I found Vlen, Astra, and Severus waiting for me. I greeted them and asked them where the girls were.

"We don't know, Captain. They should already be here," Vlen said.

"We will give them a few more minutes. If I know them, they are trying to stretch out having a good time," I said.

A few minutes had passed when over the knoll, the girls came casually strolling as if they had all of the time in the world. Out of curiosity, I checked the time. Exactly 14 segments had elapsed.

"Hello, Captain, did you have a good time?" Sheila asked.

"Yes, I had an interesting journey."

"When we get back to _Veda_ , if anyone is interested, we can exchange stories," Sirena offered.

"Very good, Sirena – as long as you do it when you are off duty," I grinned.

"Got it, Captain," Sirena said.

I touched my communicator and opened a channel to the transporter room.

"This is the Captain, six to beam up," I said.

"Roger that, Captain," McCluskey said.

In a flash, I went from existence to non-existence, only to find myself conscious again, a minute later, in the transporter room. We stepped off the platform onto the floor of the room.

"Everyone is to make a copy of their video and deposit a copy with _Veda,"_ I said.

"Yes sir," Sirena answered, "and once again, thanks for taking us out!"

She gave me a smile and a quick wink.

_What am I going to do with her?_

"Vlen, come with me so we can review the films," I said.

"Yes, Captain, I am looking forward to it," he said.

Severus was already walking back to his station. "Captain, I will be in the security control room if you need me."

"Captain, thank you for taking me on my first abroad trip," Astra said.

"We are the ones who should be thanking you, Astra. Without your information, we would never have gone," I said.

From the transporter room, I went directly to my quarters with Vlen. We viewed my recordings and talked about some of the events. When the films had finished playing, we went over the videos Vlen had made, and also discussed them. I then checked _Veda_ to see if the others had deposited their copies. They were all there. I tried not to laugh at the recordings made by Sheila and Sirena.

"Those girls have a warped sense of humor," I said.

"As you say, Captain; however, their behavior is amusing."

Finally, having spent almost six segments viewing the recordings, I decided it was safe to authorize shore leave for everyone.

"Vlen, I've seen enough. I will send a copy of the recordings to all of the Captains and advise them to prepare their personnel for shore leave as soon as possible. I will send _Veda's_ crew last," I said.

"It's an excellent idea, Captain. The entire fleet will appreciate it," Vlen said.

"Vlen, please calculate how long it will take for all of the crews to rotate through shore leave?"

"If all of the transports aboard the ships are used, and everyone in the fleet spends only one day on the planet, then everyone should be back on board within ten days."

I rubbed my chin.

"Overall, ten days is an acceptable delay. While the others are waiting for their turn, they can brush up on other skills."

"I agree with you, Captain."

"Okay, time to get some shut-eye. I have to see Orlando tomorrow morning."

"Good night, Captain."

"Good night, Vlen."

That night, I dreamed of Violet, the old people, and the spirit guides. It was a beautiful dream.

# Chapter 16

Orlando Roth came to my quarters, and after a brief rundown on Telesio and Castelli, and what was expected of him, we took the grav-lift to the scientific laboratories on the 12th level. We got out of the lift and headed toward Meeting Room One. Already inside were Victor Telesio and Joseph Castelli, two of the best scientists my world had to offer.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I would like to introduce to you Mr. Orlando Roth from Fortis. He is our scientific advisor for the wormhole project," I said.

Telesio and Castelli stood as Orlando stepped across the floor in four strides.

"Please to meet you, gentlemen," the giant said.

"We're pleased to meet you also. I'm Victor Telesio, and this is my colleague, Joseph Castelli."

We all sat down at the table, where light refreshments and two extra glasses had been set aside for Orlando and me.

"Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, let's begin by finding some common ground," I said.

"Captain," said Orlando, "I suggest we start with some associations of the word 'dimension' and what it means to us. Then, we can move on to discuss the nature of wormholes."

"Okay, Orlando. Victor, please explain briefly what our scientists understand about dimensions."

Victor nodded. "Captain, as you know, our scientists have postulated the existence of eleven dimensions. However, we have been able to demonstrate only six for certain."

I scratched my head. "Eleven dimensions... hmm, I am not sure that I will understand everything that you are about to discuss."

"We'll try and keep it simple, Captain," Victor chuckled.

"Well, go ahead; I'm all ears," I answered, smiling.

Victor looked around to make sure he had our undivided attention before continuing.

"Everyone is familiar with the first three dimensions of space, which are length, width, and height. The next dimension is called time, which, as we know, is intimately connected with space. If we affect time, we invariably affect space, sometimes in ways that are not immediately apparent. Because length, width, height, and time are inextricably bound together on this plane of existence, we call space-time the fourth dimension."

"It's good, we agree to this point," Orlando said.

"If you like, I will continue from here," offered Joseph.

"Go ahead," Victor conceded. "Since when have I ever been able to stop you?"

"The fifth dimension," Joseph said, "consists of space, time, the movement of light and its properties within normal space and time."

"Agreed, the Fortis have a similar proposition," Orlando said.

Joseph continued. "The sixth dimension is space, time, light, and gravity in normal space."

"So far, so good," Orlando affirmed.

"The seventh dimension," Joseph said, "is referred to as the contraction where space, time, gravity, light, and velocity outside normal space are used to send travelers into the future. Admittedly, our knowledge of the seventh dimension is theoretical. But we believe such a trip into the future is entirely possible."

"What do you think, Orlando?" I asked.

"Seventeen hundred years ago, the Fortis sent an astronaut into space to prove that exact theory. Although 1,000 years had passed on our planet, upon his return, the astronaut had only aged ten years. In effect, he had traveled one thousand years into our planet's future," Orlando said.

"That's amazing. How did your people do it?" Telesio asked.

There was an expectant silence in the room as we waited for Orlando to tell us. "Gentlemen, a particle accelerator powered the spaceship, which shot out protons and electrons at 99.75% to within the speed of light. The speed of light is 300,000 stadia per second in your terminology. If you would like more detailed information, we can discuss this at another time."

"Thank you, Orlando, for confirming for us that sending someone into the future is not just science fiction," I said.

Orlando seemed puzzled.

"Your government has had the technology in place for the last 200 of your years; I am surprised they have not attempted such a feat already."

"If I may interrupt," Victor interjected. "In our world, with the way the government's finances are managed, it would be extremely cost-prohibitive."

"Ah, that would explain it," Orlando said.

"Gentlemen," Castelli said, "if it's okay with the both of you, I would like to get back on track."

I nodded in agreement, happy to see the scientists sharing their knowledge in the spirit of cooperation.

"The eighth dimension," Castelli said, "is called the wormhole dimension; a tunnel is created in the fabric of space. The two wormhole entrances distort time and space at their respective locations through the folding of space. Let me give everyone an example. Imagine this large paper in front of me being marked at opposite ends. The distance between the two points on an unfolded sheet is greater than the distance between the two points on a sheet folded in half, where the two points are touching each other."

I moved around in my chair. I was getting restless.

"Are you okay, Captain?" Castelli asked.

"Don't mind me, I was just making myself more comfortable, please continue," I said.

Joseph nodded and took a sip of his drink before starting again.

"Ninth-dimension theory is based on the existence of superstrings of energy so dense that they warp the normal space-time continuum. We believe that these super cosmic strings of energy came into existence a few seconds after the birth of our universe. Our scientists have recorded examples of what happens when two superstrings or more intersect or come close to each other. The light photons trapped in that area of space seem to arc in a constant loop. We don't understand what is happening to matter or light in that region of space; we can only observe it."

Orlando made a hand gesture to indicate he wanted to speak.

"The scientists of my planet also do not understand what is happening to matter and time caught in the intersecting cosmic strings. We have sent probes into the regions of space affected, never to hear from them again," Orlando commented.

"Joseph, I'd like to talk about the tenth dimension," Telesio said.

"Sure, by all means, don't let me stop you," Joseph replied.

Victor waved his hand in the air as he spoke to emphasize specific points.

"The tenth dimension is called the fractas dimension. Here, space, time, gravity, and the increased speed of light relative to the normal space-time gravity continuum cause the fabric of space and time to distort so that the atoms accelerate to greater speeds than the normal speed of light. The energy of the accelerating light is used to affect gravity and time in space, causing time to move forward, backward, or even sideways. Tenth-dimension theory is based on laboratory experiments and the use of particle accelerators."

Orlando raised his hand slightly to speak.

"The Fortis have been unable to prove that time travel is possible in the tenth dimension – our experiments in the laboratory, and then in space have been inconclusive. We built structures 100 stadia across and 400 stadia in length, accelerating the atoms in the open-ended structure, only to see space warp and buckle. We sent probes to gather information, but each time the molecules of the probes were pulled apart, and we would be back at square one."

"An interesting dilemma," commented Telesio.

The meeting of these scientific minds had now gone on for one and a half segments. Our scientists had learned something of the abilities and limitations of the Fortis, and Orlando had learned something about ours. He described some of the intricacies of the buoys to Victor and Joseph, but I couldn't understand the mathematical symbols he was showing them. Looking at Victor and Joseph, I knew they didn't understand the symbols either.

Now, the next step would be to activate the first buoy and launch it from _Veda_ to the correct position in space.

"Gentlemen, that is enough discussions for now. Wrap up your conversation in the next segment. In 56 segments, we will launch our first buoy. Please be ready!" I said.

I got up, left the room, and went back to the bridge, leaving them to finish off anything else they wanted to say.

#  Chapter 17

"Captain Wolf, here is the report you asked for," Executive First Officer Akiro Taro said.

I briefly read its contents and then declared it legal by signing my name and rank, Captain Johann Wolf of the starship _Valeria_. I handed it back to my first officer, who expected further instructions. I leaned back in the Captain's chair; I was there and not there. I remembered the past and how I came to be here. Someone was talking to me, but the words were not registering.

"Captain Wolf, do you want me to call a meeting of the department heads for tomorrow?" Akiro Taro asked.

I looked at him blankly; for a second, I did not know who he was.

"Captain, are you okay?" Akiro Taro asked.

I blinked a couple of times and felt my moodiness leave me.

"I'm okay. I was just going over a couple of things in my head," I said.

"Sir, shall I go ahead with the meeting for tomorrow, with the department heads?" Akiro Taro asked.

I checked my diary for the next three days.

"Okay, that's fine. Call the meeting for tomorrow."

"I'll get right on it, sir," Akiro Taro said, leaving.

I checked in with the ship's computer for a report on _Valeria's_ systems.

"Complying, Captain," the ship's computer said.

Two minutes later, the computer announced that _Valeria's_ systems were functioning correctly.

_The ship could run itself, and no one, except the people on the bridge, would even know it._

Sitting in the chair, with everything being done for me by the crew, my mind drifted towards the Morpheus Room. People had been trying it out and had raved about how realistic it was. I'd been so busy since leaving Caeruleus; I had yet to put one foot inside of it. But today, I could make some free time.

_Hmm, here is my chance._

But first, I needed to get something to eat. I went to the cafeteria and ordered bread, cheese, fruit, and wine, and sat in the corner of the cafeteria, looking out through one of the port windows.

In the distance, I could see a young spiral galaxy with its hundreds of millions of stars shining brightly through interstellar gasses. I wondered how many of those stars had planets capable of sustaining life.

_I bet at least thirty or more percent of the planets are in the habitable zone, and quite likely supporting life as we know it._

"Good afternoon, Captain," someone said.

I looked up at a man who looked familiar to me, but I could not place him.

"Don't you remember me, Captain? I'm Will Blakeson. I was with you in the very first raiding party into the second bloc, remember?"

"Yes, of course," I said, shaking the cobwebs from my head. "Excuse me, Will, it's been a few years now."

He was a little bit older, but I remembered he was a good man; I stood up and shook his hand.

"Have a seat. I was only having a snack," I said.

"I will. Thank you, Captain."

"Can I order you anything?" I asked.

"I'll order a hamburger and shake."

He punched the order into the food recorder, and a few minutes later, the waitress delivered the meal.

"Thank you," said Will.

"Enjoy," the waitress said as she walked off.

"Have you seen any of the others since the night of the raid?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain, a couple. And like you, I didn't go on any more raids."

"Are any of them on board the ships?"

"Yes, Captain. There are another two on board and another one on _The Graziella_ , and none on _Veda_."

"You seem to be well informed as to where everyone is."

"I kept in touch with nearly everyone in the raiding party. I sent you a couple of messages, but you never replied."

"Sorry, I don't remember ever receiving them."

Seeing him and talking about the raiding party brought back memories – bad memories.

Will and I had belonged to a concerned citizens' group that opposed slavery in the second bloc and wanted to do something about it. There had been several hundred in our group at the time. It would eventually become a hive of anti-slavery activity, but when I joined, it had been in existence for less than a year. We were people who didn't just talk about things; we went ahead and practiced what we preached. The standing committee of the citizens' group had asked volunteers to sneak across the enemy's borders at night and to free as many enslaved mutants and hybrids as possible from a facility forty stadia behind enemy lines. I was one of the first volunteers. Because of my military background, the committee had placed me in charge of planning and organizing the people into a paramilitary unit. I trained them at night and on the weekends.

We learned the art of breaking into high-security buildings. We learned weapons safety and firing; we studied how to set explosives, timers, and trained in unarmed hand-to-hand combat. I remember hoping that we would not run into the enemy along the border before reaching our objective. I recalled previous encounters and the lives lost and their effect on my decision to leave the National Guard when my time was up.

The citizen's group had procured satellite images of the facility we were to attack. The facility was 40 stadia within enemy territory, and not heavily protected. The raid to free the slaves had been planned for weeks, and stealth would be the key to our success. Stealth was one of my specialties. During my enlisted time, I earned the nickname "Ghost." I could be there one moment and somewhere else totally unexpected the next, to the sudden dismay of the enemy. The citizens' group had purchased three large ex-military vehicles at a very low cost, and we refurbished them to suit our purpose, removing all military markings in the process. At the time, the transports were kept behind the main meeting hall, next to a building that had been prepared to accept any slave-mutants or hybrids we would bring back with us.

The local state and federal governments knew about our group and our facilities. Officially, the authorities could not condone what we were going to do, but unofficially, they supported us. The idea of human-animal DNA hybrid creatures was repugnant and pure evil to anyone with a modicum of decency. There had been intense discussions in our government's houses of Parliament advocating intervention; however, our government could not intervene directly without starting a war that might escalate beyond control that could destroy the planet. I presumed that the second bloc did not launch an all-out offensive on us for the same reason.

For all of the debate and news, we were receiving about the atrocities over the border, then, no one in the first bloc knew how terrible the situation was. Despite this lack of facts, we made our plans. The thirty of us would split up into three groups. Two groups would consist of five people each, and the third group, which I would command, would consist of twenty persons. The two groups of five people would create diversions while we sneaked in and freed the slave-mutants and hybrids.

I remembered the events of the night of that raid. We had readied ourselves at the staging ground behind the meeting hall in the middle of the night. We had taken a quick headcount, checked our gear, and that of the person next to us. The ex-military transports could travel cloaked, invisible to the naked eye, and made virtually no sound when in the air. Each of the carriers could carry 60 people–enough to take any of the slave-mutants we expected to find. The rest, those we couldn't take with us, would have to try to make it to the border. The pilots got into the cockpits of the transports and waited for us.

At the 24th segment, we boarded the transports and lifted off. From the moment we took off until we landed three stadia from the facility, all three pilots maintained a communications blackout. I sat in the cabin next to the pilot, keeping an eye on the radar. My transport took point with the pilot following the contours of the ground below us using night-vision visors. We had the element of surprise; the guards at the facility would not be expecting transports to fly in, cloaked, close to the ground, avoiding their detection systems.

When we flew over the border, the nature of the ground changed. It looked bleak and barren–abandoned. Now and again, I saw craters in the landscape and scorch marks caused by high-impact explosives as we flew over no man's land.

I spoke to the pilot and told him to take us down to the coordinates on the screen. We landed with the other two carriers close to us. The pilots of the transports had their orders to remain cloaked and await our return in three segments. If we were not back in that time, the pilot of my transport would sweep over the area of the facility and look for us. If we were in trouble, and if it was possible to rescue us, then he was to make an attempt. If there were no chance of rescue, then the pilot was to return to the transports, return home, and report what happened.

I checked my gear, weapons, rations, and electron bolt cutter before leaving the transport. I left the carrier first and then gathered everyone and went over the plan of the main building, splitting the people into the three groups. Each group was to take up a position along the outer boundary of the facility and wait for my signal. I then ordered everyone to attach their supplemental anti-grav belts and put on their night vision visors. I confirmed details about the armed alarm defenses surrounding the facility with the three security network specialists. Their job was to immobilize the defenses without tripping any backup alarms and take out the armed systems. I then gave the order to separate and move out. We activated our belts and quickly flew towards our objective, avoiding anti-personnel mines, taking thirty minutes to reach the outer perimeter. When we arrived there, I let the experts do their jobs.

About fifteen minutes later, I received a signal that they had disarmed the defenses along the border immediately in front of us, and we moved in closer; I could now concentrate on the main building in front of me.

It was a large, flat, square building, with razor-sharp barbed wire on the edges of the roof. There were twelve security guards with three vehicles in a cluster. Evidently, they were not expecting anyone. I communicated with the other two groups and waited for them to advise me that the traps consisting of presence-activated mines were in place. Several minutes later, I received word from both groups that the explosives had been set. I gave the two groups still on the outer perimeter the order to trip the alarm sensors in front of them at the same time. Immediately, the compound's external alarms sounded, which caused the two groups of security guards to take off in their vehicles in opposite directions. I waited until I heard the explosions and fireballs, signaling that the security guards had stumbled into the traps and that they and their vehicles had blown up.

I ordered the groups to move forward. Seven people came with me, advancing directly ahead, while six others, led by Will, went to the left, and another group pushed to the right. We arrived almost at the same time at the guards' location.

I remembered de-cloaking and ordering the security guards to lay down their weapons. The shock and surprise on their faces said it all. They put up their hands and surrendered. We bound their hands and legs and left them on the ground like tied pigs. I held my laser weapon against the head of one of the guards and ordered that he open the door using his security code and thumb scan. He did precisely that, and then two of my group tied him back up while I spoke quickly to the others.

"Fall in behind me and wait for further instructions."

We needed to be quick and orderly, in case we had tripped any silent alarms alerting other security forces nearby.

I was the first to open the door, and to notice the smell of the bad air – the smell of excrement, sweat, and fear. I went into the darkened room with the others following behind. I gave a voice command, and the lights turned on. I'll never forget what I saw. In large and small cages, I saw creatures that resembled both man and horse, or goat and human, dog, and human, and other variations of humans crossed with other animals.

There were also mutants, created through genetic engineering that resulted in grossly distorted inhuman features. They looked as if someone had not put the eyes, noses, or mouths in the right places. Others had grotesque, exaggerated limbs. Still, others, tortured for sport, were making inhuman animal sounds from their wounds. Although they were neither man nor beast, I could feel their pain. I tried to talk to one of the creatures that seemed calmer and less distorted. The beast gave no indication that it understood me. The others fanned out to determine if there was any sign of human intelligence in any of them. In a corner cubicle, I saw forty persons sitting on benches, quietly staring blankly ahead as if drugged to keep them docile. I came to their chained door and used my bolt cutter to open it.

"You're free now; you can come with us if you want to," I said.

They stepped out of the room slowly and thanked me, some with words and others with tears, grabbing my hand to shake or kiss it.

"Wait for me outside the building," I said.

I continued my search to see what else I could do. Fifteen minutes passed before we all met near the door again. None of the team had been able to communicate with any of the creatures. It seemed the hybrids and mutants possessed only an animal intelligence. If there was any sign of human self-awareness in the creatures, it was not evident. If I freed them, I doubted that I could control them to take them on board the transports. There were too many of them to take back with us, and if I tried, I would be putting everyone's life at risk.

What was the humane thing to do? I argued with myself about what was right and what was wrong. Should I take them, or should I leave them? Half of them looked malnourished or emaciated; if I left them behind, they would probably die in an experiment or the arena. Many appeared to have been through a meat grinder at least once already.

This internal debate was going nowhere, and time was running out, so I stopped thinking. Every inch of my being was screaming that it would be an act of compassion to put them to sleep; it was the only act of kindness I could do for them. Anything less would be cruel.

Two of my team members were medics. One was providing stimulants to the rescued humans, while others on the rescue team were giving them food rations. One medic had spoken earlier to me about euthanizing any creature beyond help. I turned to her and asked her to provide me with the tranquilizer guns.

"How many times does it take for them to overdose?"

"Shoot them twice, and I promise they won't feel any pain," she said.

I briefly explained the situation to the others. I had no viable alternative; I had to put these creatures out of their misery. I asked if anyone else could help me to do this. The two medics volunteered, as well as four of the freed humans. We each took a tranquilizer gun and started to fire the fatal mercy shots. Within ten minutes, over 200 hybrids and slave-mutants had been put to sleep. We got out of the room as fast as we could. I was in a rage and unbalanced. Unable to contain my churning emotions, I went straight for the guards.

" **You scum!** You're going to pay for your evil right now," I said.

I took out my laser gun and shot two of them in the head. The others looked at me; no one voiced disapproval or shock at what I had done, and no one said one word, except the man closest to me.

"Justice is served," he said.

I remembered those words; Will had spoken them. I prepared to shoot the other two guards, who had begun to whimper, but one of the people we had set free called out to me.

"Excuse me, sir." The voice was coarse but firm. "My name is Democritus Nobody, and these last two guards are the worst of the lot. They tortured us; they enjoyed every minute of it, and I want to be the one to shoot them."

He extended his hand, and then I could see the pain in his eyes and the scars on his arm through his tattered shirt.

"Here, take it," I agreed immediately. "If anyone has a right to pass judgment, it's you and your companions."

"Thank you, sir," Democritus said.

He took the laser gun and then spoke to the two guards, who were now begging for their lives.

**"You vicious murderers! You're asking to be spared?"** questioned Democritus.

He walked around them, calm and cold.

"If I let you live, you would keep on torturing and killing. No, I'm only returning to you what you did to the others and me."

Democritus then shot both guards in the stomach and left them writhing in pain on the ground. He then handed me the gun.

"Thank you, sir," he said.

We left the guards to die in agony from their wounds.

I remembered how I had trembled with anger, at dirtying my hands by killing defenseless creatures. The people in my group commented later that my face had been red with rage. I was on a rollercoaster of compassion and hatred. This time around, confrontation with the enemy was not like regular combat; it was different, and it hurt me inside.

There was enough room in the compound for the three aerial-transports to land safely and take off. I radioed the carriers to pick us up from our current position, and they arrived several minutes later. We all got on the transports as quickly as possible, making the freed prisoners comfortable, putting several of them on stretchers inside the carriers. I gave the order, and we took off. Just two stadia from the border, our radar detected two aerial fighters, flying low, coming toward us. The pilot didn't need me to tell him to increase speed; we headed back to the border as fast as we could fly, as the transports were no match for aerial fighters.

We made it to the border just in time. I also recalled the first time someone commented on the white streak of hair that had suddenly appeared on the side of my head. Out of curiosity, I asked the female medic for a mirror to have a look; sure enough, on the left temple was a white streak of hair. I handed her back her mirror. I was not surprised; what I had just seen and done would have affected anyone in any number of ways. It was my body's way of rebelling against the stress. For me, that raid was to be the first and final one. I could not bring myself to go through another experience like that again. I turned to face Democritus, seated by the side of the wall.

"Hello, Democritus. My name is Johann Wolf. I'm the leader of the group."

"Thank you for rescuing my companions and me," Democritus said.

What did you do to be locked up with all the mutants and hybrids?" I asked.

"I was the leader of an underground group that protested against corporations and the corrupt government ruling over our bloc. We protested against the evil that was destroying the lives of ordinary, everyday people who lacked the resources to feed and clothe themselves properly. We later adopted an agenda against the creation of mutants and hybrids, demonstrating in public, that led to my arrest and the deaths of my friends. They were saving me for something special," he muttered bitterly.

"How long had you been a prisoner for?" I asked.

"Three weeks - all of us were tortured and were being prepared for experimentation – like the mutants you saw and put to sleep."

I sat down next to Democritus and looked him straight in the face.

"How did you come by your surname?"

"Democritus is my given name. I chose 'Nobody' as my surname because I am nobody, like millions of others in my bloc who don't have a voice. The poor and dispossessed who live in rundown buildings or on the streets.

"In my bloc, corporations own the courts; they pay off the judges, the defense attorneys, and prosecutors, rigging the outcomes. We're treated as nobodies by people who have obtained power and liked to exercise it over others; by people who love prestige, authority, and money above all else. In short, the corporations rule our society, and our corrupt government supports them. Their gods are power and greed."

He was visibly angry, despite his apparent exhaustion.

"My group will help you and your companions to get back on your feet. You will have time to examine the way our bloc works, and decide what you want to do with yourself," I said.

"Thank you, Johann." He paused. "If you don't mind, I think I will just close my eyes."

I sat back down and watched as we neared the border, finally crossing it and landing. Our arrival was expected; the local border police, with units of the National Guard, were already waiting for us. I was the first to step out of the transports, and I immediately saw that the tanks' cannons were aimed at the pursuing aircraft fighters from the second bloc. The Commander gave the order, and four of the tanks opened fire, shooting into the air. The shots were meant as a warning to the enemy not to come any closer. The two incoming fighters veered off within a couple of seconds of hearing the shots.

"It looks like they don't have the stomach to fight tonight," a police officer said.

The police surrounded our transports and told us to hand over any weapons within our possession. I ordered everyone to drop their gear into a central pile and walk toward where officials from the state and federal levels of government had gathered. Before I could protest, the police officers arrested us and placed us within police transports, taking us to a state building for confinement. At the same time, I saw the freed prisoners bundled into vehicles and taken away.

We arrived at our makeshift prison and were told to get inside the room. The police officers then left. Curiously, the doors were left open, and after several minutes, government staff walked in, served us with drinks and food, and shook our hands. They congratulated us on making a daring raid into the enemy's territory and freeing the prisoners. One segment later, a high-ranking government official, along with the leader of the citizens' group, came to us.

The government official reinforced the government's position that it did not condone raiding parties by its citizens, because it could lead to full-scale war with the other bloc.

Officially, they would deny any knowledge or involvement with our cause. Unofficially, the high-ranking official praised our group and said he was proud to meet us. I asked him about the freed prisoners, and he said that they were being treated in one of the local hospitals. I started to relax, knowing that my group had done the right thing in attempting to free the hybrids and mutants. The official from the citizens' group wanted a full report from me and had promised the government spokesperson a copy for the government files.

Will and I spoke further, reminiscing about the raid, and how the world was on the brink of a planetary war. Finishing his drink, Will got up to leave.

"We did the right thing, Captain. We delivered mercy to those poor creatures and poetic justice for the dead. By the way, did you know that one of the prisoners we freed is on board _The Valeria_?" he asked.

"Which one? Do you remember his name?" I asked.

"I don't, Captain – the one that shot the last two guards. Excuse me, Captain, I am running late for my duties," he said.

"Of course, I didn't mean to hold you up," I said.

"I'll be seeing you around, Captain," said Will.

"For sure, Will; see you around," I said, returning his smile.

_Unbelievable! Democritus is on board_ _The Valeria_. _What a fantastic coincidence. I'll have to catch up with him sometime._

I rose from my seat and headed back to the bridge. The Morpheus Room could wait for another day.

#  Chapter 18

"Welcome aboard, Captain Magnusson. _The Phoenix_ is ready for inspection," Captain Hoan said.

I stepped off of the platform of the transporter chamber and onto the floor of the _Ark of the Phoenix_ , a ship half the size of _Veda_. I had studied its design and cargo along with the other arks before arriving. The ship's primary function was to preserve and provide the biological building materials from which we would create our new future. The ship housed large cryogenic preservation units for the conservation of animal and plant cells to be transplanted to the new world.

_The Phoenix_ consisted of 24 levels, with each level containing hundreds, thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of species of animals, birds, insects, minerals, and vegetables of our world, with three levels assigned to the laboratories and the work of preserving the cell lines.

I was greeted by Captain Hoan, a tall thin man, in his early forties and his first officer, a much younger man of medium stature.

"Good afternoon, Captain Hoan," I said.

"Good to see you, Prime Captain. This is First Officer Travis."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Mister Travis."

"Welcome aboard, Prime Captain," Travis replied.

We walked out of the transporter room into the central corridor. My knowledge of what the ark ships contained was limited, but I knew a few things. Animal cells were preserved cryogenically, below -120 degrees Celsius, using vapor from liquid nitrogen, and the liquid nitrogen itself. They were frozen to avoid the expense and time of caring for animals. When a new world was chosen for colonization, the embryos would be bred in incubators to full maturity and released in selected areas in a controlled manner.

"Would you please step this way, Captain?"

"Lead on, Captain Hoan. I'll just tag along."

He took me to the third level, where all of the cells of the species of mammals were stored. He showed me refrigerated units that bore the names and pictures of the species the cells belonged to.

"How do you sort out the different animal species?" I asked.

"Briefly, Captain Marcus, the scientists have divided the whole of the animal and plant kingdoms into groups, according to set criteria. These include Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species," he said.

"It sounds like there is quite a lot for you to learn about, Captain Hoan."

"I have a lot of catching up to do, but I'm learning as I go. Recently, I discovered that animals called mammals are grouped together because they are warm-blooded vertebrate animals, and the female of the species produces milk for its young. Mammals include humans, gorillas, apes, chimpanzees, dolphins, whales, and quite a few others. On the next level down, we have an entire floor dedicated to fish cells. For example, we have cells that belong to trout, tuna, salmon, hagfish, and others. There are over 43,000 species of fish. The level below that is reserved for lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, and alligators. There are over 8,440 such species. The level below that is exclusively for flowers such as magnolias and daisies–201,010 of them. Isn't it amazing that there are so many of them?"

"I get the picture."

"Would you like to see where some of the work is done, Captain Magnusson?"

"Sure, I like to learn as I go along, too."

We took the grav-lift to the 10th floor and went through a sterilization unit before gaining access to the level. Next to a large bench in the center of the room, scientists prepared newly created cells from cells already in suspended animation. I saw other scientists removing material from centrifuged cells, suspending the cell pellet again, and then labeling some cryogenic vials, which they placed in a controlled freezer. I went over to a lab technician who was busy writing on bottles.

"Do you mind if I have a look at what you are doing?" I asked.

"Sure, Captain," the technician replied.

I watched him as he fully detailed in the records the culture storage conditions. I picked up his digital assistant and quickly read the information recording cultural identity, date frozen, freezing medium, the method used, and the number of cells per vial. Listed were their expected viability, and the quality control tests results such as sterility, species, and mycoplasma. Additional cultural information included its origin, history, and growth parameters.

"Thanks for letting me have a look," I said, placing down his PDA.

"You're welcome, Captain," the technician said.

Other scientists at another table appeared to be checking the culture medium for any signs of microbial contamination of the cultures that had been prepared one week earlier.

"It's crucial, Captain Marcus, that the cultures are as uncontaminated as possible before we deposit the cells," said Hoan.

"I understand – cleanliness is next to godliness!" I quipped.

"You joke, Captain, but your remark is close to the truth. The scientists here are playing at being God through their work. They're hoping to shape and reshape the world as best as they can."

I looked across the room to the left corner. Two scientists were using sterile pipettes, removing old culture mediums.

"What's below this floor, Captain?" I asked.

"Plants, such as flowers, grains, pine trees, and the like."

"How many species in total do you have aboard this ship?" I asked.

"One moment, Captain, and I will retrieve that information for you."

He walked over to the nearest terminal, checked the data files, and came back over.

"Captain, we have 2,344,761 species, not counting many fossilized creatures dating back more than 2,000,000 years, from which we are trying to extract DNA information to bring them back to life."

"Do you think the scientists will be able to bring those extinct animals back to life?"

"Yes, Prime Captain, I believe they will. But perhaps not with the methods they are using now."

I looked at the clock on the wall. It was time to move on.

"Thanks for showing me around, Captain Hoan. I must leave my inspection of your ship to visit the other two arks."

"Prime Captain, why be in such a hurry? Perhaps if you are not too busy, you can join my first officer and me for lunch?"

"I would like to, Captain Hoan, but I'm on a tight schedule."

"In that case, Prime Captain, I will escort you back to the transporter room. From there, you can beam over to _The Eagle._ "

_From The Phoenix to The Eagle, and from The Eagle to The Bear–I'm glad I only have three ark ships to concern myself with and not more!_

We walked back into the transporter room, and before I left, Captain Hoan gave me two magnolias, some trumpet pitchers, and told me how to look after them. I thanked him and asked him to beam them aboard my ship with instructions to have them taken to my quarters.

"It will be my pleasure, Prime Captain."

I thanked him again and asked the officer in the transporter room to beam me aboard _The Eagle_. He notified the transport room operator aboard _The Eagle_. Almost immediately, I heard the transporter machine kick into action, and then nothing. In less than a minute, I was on board _The Eagle_ , greeting the Captain and his first officer.

After I had finished inspecting _The Eagle_ , I beamed over to _The Bear_. Upon my arrival, Captain Siegfried and his first officer greeted me warmly, suggesting that we have something to eat before commencing inspection of the ship.

"Thank you, gentlemen, but I must decline as I am short of time."

"I understand, Prime Captain. This way, then," Siegfried said.

We commenced our tour of the ship, and the inspection was coming along smoothly – well, almost. For some reason, his First Officer tripped against the stand of the dinosaur, causing the dinosaur's jaw to fall off.

"It was an accident," the First Officer said.

The Captain of _The Bear_ peered at the jawbone lying on the ground.

"That shouldn't have happened," Siegfried said, bending over to retrieve the jawbone and examine it. He then pointed at a hole in the jaw where a wire should have been.

"It looks like we have a souvenir collector; people collect all sorts of strange objects," the Captain said.

I suggested setting up observation cameras as the thief might be back for more.

"That's a good idea, Prime Captain. In fact, I am going to have cameras put in place wherever there is a fossil of a dinosaur."

Smiling slightly, I said. "I hope you catch your souvenir hunter, Captain Siegfried."

"If the thief tries again, we will catch him or her in the act!" he declared.

We returned to the transporter room, where we said goodbye before I stepped onto the transporter platform.

"Operator, are you ready to transport?" Siegfried asked.

"Ready, sir," the operator replied.

"Operator, beam the Prime Captain aboard _Veda_."

"Aye, Captain, returning the Prime Captain to _Veda_ ," said the operator.

A moment later, I found myself aboard _Veda_. I stepped down off the platform in the transporter room and went straight to my quarters, where I pulled up the chair and placed my feet on the table, gazing lazily at the ceiling.

"No place like home, is there, Marcus?" I said to myself.

"Hello, Captain. It's good to have you back," _Veda_ said.

_Now, that's weird. It's as if the computer missed me._

#  Chapter 19

Grandius is the seventh planet in the solar system, and it is the biggest, located at a distance of eighteen astronomical units from the twin suns. Grandius is twenty-five times bigger than my world. It can hold more than three thousand planets the size of Caeruleus in volume and is four times more massive than all of the other planets in the solar system combined. Grandius has fourteen large colonized moons, enough to form its own solar system, so to speak. The magnetic field of the planet extends four million stadia into space, and is forty thousand times stronger than that of Caeruleus, causing malfunctions in ships with unshielded equipment that venture too close.

The planet spins in a counter-clockwise direction at the fastest speed in the solar system, completing a revolution once every twenty-two segments. Because of the rate at which it completes its revolution, the planet bulges at the equator and flattens at the poles, extending the world nine percent wider at the equator than at the poles.

Grandius produces strong radio waves, which can be detected by radio telescopes back on Caeruleus. The radio waves occur when some of its larger moons pass through certain regions of Grandius' magnetic field, producing bursts of radio wave energy.

I liked the color of its atmosphere, a halo blue. The clouds were white and purple with flecks of yellow and orange around the edges. The oceans were emerald green, bright in hue, with a faint bluish cast.

I looked up from reading our limited records on the people of Grandius, who called themselves the Grande. They are human, and much like us, except that the Grande are telepathic and capable of limited telekinesis. They like to dress well and give the appearance of being aloof. Their spaceships are well-formed, aerodynamically speaking, and shaped somewhat like a manta ray, and are impressive in size and can attain super-fast speeds. In one moment, they can be there in front of you, and in the blink of an eye, they are two thousand stadia ahead of you.

We needed the goodwill of the Grandius before we could set the first wormhole in international space. It's not that we needed their permission to put it there; it was just that a lot of traffic passed near the region of space where we needed to establish the wormhole tunnel. It was possible that the Grande could interfere with its operations or allow others to do so in some manner unless we came to an agreement.

I opened up a channel to the Grandius home world.

"This is Prime Captain Marcus Magnusson of the star carrier _Veda_ ; I am requesting a dialog with the leader of your world."

I received no response, only silence.

"Sheila, try another channel and resend my message," I said.

"Yes, sir," replied Sheila.

We waited for a few minutes with no reply.

_Damn it! I have to gain their attention somehow._

"Sheila, broadcast my request on all open channels and boost the radio signal five hundred percent," I said.

"Aye, Captain."

A couple of minutes passed, and still, there was no response.

_I have to think about my next move!_

"Captain, we are receiving an incoming message," Sheila said.

"Put it on the screen."

A middle-aged man, with extraordinary hair, dressed in the official garments of office, appeared.

"Captain, we received your message. My name is Vintor Slaz. I speak on behalf of my government, which has requested that you leave our space immediately."

"We have come in peace, to see if your government would be interested in establishing trade agreements and the exchange of ideas, among other matters," I said.

"Captain, we have no need for trade agreements or the exchange of ideas. For the final time, you and your fleet are not welcome within our space. Please leave immediately, or we will send ships to escort you out."

"Okay, Vintor, I came here to talk, not fight. I shall do as your government asks.

_Think quick, Magnusson!_

However, if the Fortis and Ingentum were good enough to join our little expedition, the leaders of your planet might want to know where we are going?"

At that point, _Veda_ lost the audio signal from Grandius.

"Sheila, what's the problem with the audio signal?" I asked.

"There is nothing wrong, Captain. The audio signal was cut off from Grandius," Sheila replied _._

I waited patiently for Vintor to switch the audio back on. About two minutes later, he did.

"I apologize for the loss of the audio signal, Captain; it was a technical issue from our end. I have informed my superior of the situation, and he has decided to allow your ship to remain in orbit, but you must order away the rest of your fleet. We do not like armed fleets this close to our home world," he said.

"Before I agree to anything, I want to know if I can meet with one of your leaders," I said.

"If you are granted an appointment, you will meet the Minister for Foreign Relations," he replied in a haughty tone.

Vintor's arrogance was starting to annoy me.

"I will send the fleet away as you request, and contact you within one segment's time," I said.

"Understood," replied Vintor.

"Sheila, send a message to the rest of the fleet to rendezvous at these coordinates in interplanetary space and to remain there until further orders," I said, punching in the numbers.

"Aye, Captain," Sheila answered

"Vlen, send messages to Padre, Severus, Orlando, and Astra to meet in my office in ten minutes," I said.

"Sending messages now, Captain."

_This was not exactly the reception I expected from an advanced race of beings._

The Grande had visited Caeruleus several times since we had established space flight. When they first visited our planet, they said they came in peace and were merely curious about our world. Our government granted them the use of our spaceport and anything else they might reasonably need, whenever they visited. Evidently, the Fortis had forgotten our hospitality.

" _Veda_ , take over the bridge while I meet the others in my quarters," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain."

I got into the grav-lift and got out at my floor. The others would be arriving soon; I needed to know what they thought of the situation. Astra was the first to arrive.

"Hello, Captain," Astra said.

"Greetings, Astra. Have a seat," I said.

Next to arrive were Severus and Padre, who came together.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," I said.

"Good evening," Padre said.

"Greetings, Captain," Severus answered.

Finally, Vlen and Orlando entered together.

"Greetings, everyone," said Orlando.

We made ourselves comfortable, as I closed the door to the office, and went over to the Konsdat maker for some coffee.

"Before we start, does anyone want any coffee or some other non-alcoholic drink?" I asked.

"I will just have coffee with no sugar," Orlando said.

"By the way, Orlando, I want to introduce you to Astra, our newest crew member," I said.

"I am pleased to meet you, Astra," he said.

Orlando stood, bent over, kissed her hand, and sat down again.

"I'm pleased to meet you, too, Orlando," said Astra, slightly bemused.

_Typical Orlando; he's just met her, and already, he is trying to charm her._

"What about you, Astra? Do you want anything to drink?" I asked.

"No, thank you, Captain," she said.

I sat down and poured myself a glass of water.

"Padre, what are your thoughts on the situation?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, Captain, my thoughts only involve more questions."

"More questions? I have a few myself–go ahead," I replied.

"Why are the Grande so hostile toward us, and why did they change their minds when you mentioned we had the support of the Fortis and Ingentum? By the way, Captain, that was a gross exaggeration on your part," Padre said.

"I was desperate. I had nothing to lose by trying it," I said.

"You certainly caught their attention," Padre remarked.

"Astra, why do you think the Grande changed their minds when I mentioned your people and the Fortis?" I asked.

"Perhaps, because our races are of a similar age, with similar advancements in technology, they are curious as to the level of Ingentum involvement," Astra replied.

"What about you, Orlando? Do you have any ideas as to why the Grande were so hostile toward us, and then changed their minds?" I asked.

"Captain, we are not as technologically advanced as the Grande," Orlando answered, "They may see _the fleet_ as a danger to the myriad of satellites orbiting their planet and wish to avoid an incident."

Padre interjected. "Captain, It is possible the Grande have permitted us to stay, because they want to know what we are doing in this part of space."

"It's possible, Padre," I replied. "Given that they have allowed one ship to stay in orbit suggests that they are curious. Perhaps, they want an exchange of information. In any case, for whatever reason, they have let us stay, and we need to get on their good side, and bring up the subject of the buoys."

I looked at Severus for comment, as he had not said anything.

"Don't look at me, Captain. I'm stumped for the moment," Severus said.

"Astra, if you were to trade with the Grande, what would you trade?" I asked.

"I would extend an invitation to any member of the Council of Grandius to come aboard _Veda_. It will give us an opportunity to get to know them better. Maybe when they are on board, they will come across a curiosity or a collectible we can use as an icebreaker."

"That's a good idea, Astra," I said.

"There must be a better way to engage with the Grande," remarked Padre.

"The invitation worked with Astra," I said.

"That's why I suggested it, Captain," Astra grinned.

Everyone laughed, including me. But this was no laughing matter. We could walk away with no agreement to secure the buoy, or we could send out an invitation.

I spoke into my communicator.

"Sheila, record this message and send it to Vintor," I dictated. "The Captain of the star carrier _Veda_ extends an invitation to the Minister of Foreign Relations and any other minister who wishes to come aboard, to inspect our ship, and afterward have dinner with us. Awaiting your response, Captain Marcus Magnusson, end message. Send it now, Sheila.

"Aye, Captain," replied Sheila.

"Now we have to wait. In the meantime, if any of you have any bright ideas, contact me. This meeting is over," I said.

They quietly left the room and went back to their posts. I returned to the bridge, watching the crew at their work.

"Sheila, any contact from the Grande?" I asked.

"None so far, Captain," came the expected reply.

I began to feel more discouraged. I stood up from my chair to leave the bridge when Sheila called out to me.

"Captain, I've just received a message."

"Send it to my Captain's chair."

I sat down and played the video message, delivered by Vintor Slaz, on the viewer.

"Captain, our Minister of Foreign Relations, gladly accepts your invitation and will dispatch the Emperor's nephew as an Ambassador, with his assistant, by ship tomorrow. They will present themselves at the eleventh segment as you measure time."

_They are not going to teleport aboard Veda; that's different_.

"Sheila, send a message back and advise Vintor that we will be most happy to receive the Ambassador tomorrow," I said.

"Yes, Captain," Sheila said.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I deserved a break after all of that.

" _Veda_ , reroute any messages for me to Commander Vlen," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain," _Veda_ said.

I was off duty, and I didn't want to know anything until tomorrow. I just wanted to pull up a chair, have a few drinks, and relax in the privacy of my quarters. In my bedroom I switched on the televiewer, looking for something to watch. I toyed with the idea of a documentary and clicked through the science titles, but a moment later changed my mind.

_What about a historical film from planet Earth?_ No, I needed to find something that would make me relax and forget the fleet and myself for a few segments.

_Comedy, that's it! I'll throw myself on the bed with a couple of cold beers and just relax. Ah, exactly what the doctor ordered._

The next morning, I woke up with a headache. I looked around my quarters, and then at the side of the bed, where I had placed a container; inside were the remains of five empty beer bottles. Looking down at them, I felt ashamed that I had drunk so much; at least I had the good sense not to have disturbed anyone. I got up and thought about having French toast, but decided to skip it; my stomach wasn't up for it. Coffee and biscuits would be better than breakfast this morning.

Half a segment later, I was dressed and feeling better. I made myself a coffee and drank it slowly, dunking the biscuits into the coffee in between sips. Before leaving, I checked myself in the mirror. Moments later, I was on the bridge.

Vlen was the officer on watch.

"Good morning, Commander Vlen," I said.

"Good morning, Captain."

"Do you have anything to report, Commander?"

"Nothing, Captain; all systems and ship's crew are functioning normally."

"I'll assume command of the bridge now, Commander."

"Yes, Captain."

Vlen vacated the Captain's chair and stood behind it.

"Good morning, ladies and Louis."

"Top of the morning, Captain," Sirena answered.

"Good morning, sir," Louis and Sheila said in unison.

I sat in the Captain's chair and looked at the time–it was the ninth segment. In two segments, time, the Ambassador and his assistant would be arriving from Grandius. I would be going down to the landing bay to greet him.

" _Veda_ , what information have you collected from the Grande's broadcasts about the governmental structure of Grandius?" I asked.

"Retrieving and analyzing information, Captain," _Veda_ replied.

One moment later, _Veda_ spoke.

"Basic information available only, Captain. The government of Grandius is a constitutional monarchy with the Emperor as the head of the state, followed by the prime minister and the cabinet. The government of Grandius possesses a considerable standing, multi-purpose, multi-disciplined military force, capable of deployment at short notice. Their technological achievements are comparable to those of the Ingentum."

"That's enough, Veda," I interjected.

I sent a message to Vlen and Severus so that they would join me in the landing bay at 10.50 segments. I received their acknowledgments and posted an update to Captains Dante and Wolf.

I wondered how long the Ambassador was going to visit for. Earlier, I had spoken to the department head of sanitation, whose responsibilities included room maintenance, to ensure that two rooms were ready for the Ambassador and his assistant.

Vlen, Severus, and I met on the landing bay in the observation room.

"Greetings, Severus," I said.

"Good morning, Captain," Severus said.

"Severus, switch on your universal translator," I said. "in case the Ambassador does not speak our language."

"Copy that, Captain," Severus replied.

A few minutes later, _Veda_ sounded the general alarm, and the bay doors began to open; the flashing lights were a visual reminder of the dangers of decompression in space. Five minutes later, a ship shaped like a stingray glided into the landing bay. I was not familiar with the spaceships of the Grande. This ship looked capable only of space travel between Grande and its moons; nonetheless, it was a space-worthy vessel, with sleek curves and markings to represent the Emperor's household. The ship glided to a halt, hovering one metron off of the ground. The bay door had shut, the siren had silenced, and the flashing lights had turned off. We left the observation room and headed toward the deck.

The door of the ship opened. First, the Ambassador, followed by his assistant, stepped out onto the steps and on to the ground. The Ambassador was about 1.78 metrons tall, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built. He was a handsome man with a Roman nose and fine features. His dark brown hair swept into wings on either side, pointed upward and backward, making him look taller. He wore an elegant blue silk jacket, double-breasted with gold buttons and embroidery. His black pants bore gold stripes down the sides and were held up by a silver belt. His shoes were low-heeled and black, with pointed toes and silver buckles in the middle. His assistant, who was a little bit shorter, carried an oversized bag and was also dressed in the same manner.

"Welcome aboard _Veda_ , Ambassador," I said.

"Salutations, Captain. My name is Tavo Legari, and this is my companion, Jasa Jono," the Ambassador said magnanimously.

"This is my First Officer, Vlen, and my Security Officer, Severus," I introduced.

"I am pleased to meet you both, gentlemen," the Ambassador said.

"Welcome aboard our ship, Ambassador," said Severus.

"Welcome aboard _Veda_ ," echoed Vlen. "

"By the way, Ambassador, do you and our assistant speak our language?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain, your universal translators are not needed," the Ambassador replied.

"Excellent, Ambassador," I said. "Now that you are here, how long do you plan to stay aboard, _Veda_?" I asked.

"At least two days, Captain."

I called Chief Alex to come down from the tower to the landing bay.

"Chief Alex, please assign a holding bay for the Ambassador's ship," I said.

"Yes, sir. I need instructions from the Ambassador on how to move it," he replied.

"Not necessary," said Jasa. "Please show me where you would like to place it."

"Over there in holding area number five," Alex answered, pointing in the direction. Jasa gave a loud whistle, and the ship glided over and landed in the correct position. I looked at the vessel as it parked. The ship understood what Chief Alex had said and processed the information.

"That was quick, gentlemen. Now, if you could, please follow us to your quarters," I said.

Severus and I walked with the Ambassador while Vlen walked with Jasa. The Ambassador seemed to be in a jovial mood; I wondered if he was usually like this. We took the grav-lift and got off at the officers' level and walked past my office towards the end of the corridor.

"These are your quarters, Ambassador, and the one next door is for your companion, Jasa," I explained. "They are the best the ship has to offer; as you can see, there is a bar with all sorts of beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. If you require any food, you have only to choose from the menu or program the formula. Or, if you like, you can go to any of the several cafeterias on board, and the food will be hand-prepared for you."

"The quarters will do, Captain. Thank you very much for your hospitality," the Ambassador said, smiling.

"One more thing, Ambassador; you are the first person from your planet to set foot on a starship from my world. To celebrate such an occasion, we would like to throw a banquet in your honor," I said.

"My dear Captain, it's not necessary to throw a feast in my honor; I am more than happy with the hospitality provided thus far."

"Please, Ambassador, it would be an honor for us if you accepted," I said.

He looked at me for a few seconds. He knew now he could not decline without offending me, which was what I wanted him to think.

"In that case, Captain, Jasa, and I will accept. However, you need not prepare any meals from my world; I will eat what you and your crew eat," he said.

_I like this Ambassador; he has charisma as well as modesty._

"Thank you, Ambassador. I am sure the cooks will be relieved, as we have no experience in cooking meals from your world. I hope you enjoy the food from mine."

"I am sure that Jasa and I will find something that agrees with us."

"I will send Commander Vlen to your quarters at the eighteenth segment."

"Before you go, Captain, I have a gift for you," the Ambassador mentioned.

He pulled out a small glass object that could fit in a pocket. It was rounded at one end and square at the other. He placed the object in my hand.

"I thank you, Ambassador. What does is it do?" I asked.

"It's a time demodulator; it will slow time down for those around you, but not for yourself. It will give you two minutes of normal time to escape your enemies. I have used such a device on more than one occasion," he said.

"You have used it to escape your enemies?" I asked.

"Frankly, Captain," he grinned, "I have used it to escape from the more amorous females of my species."

There was a smile on his face as he rocked on his feet, giving Jasa a knowing look.

"By Voltar, that was a close call the last time, was it not, Jasa?"

"Yes, Tavo. You were lucky to get away with your pants on."

I was surprised by the Ambassador's openness, friendliness, and generosity; it was a complete contrast to Vintor's persona.

"I must say, Ambassador, you have surprised and overwhelmed me with your kindness. Thank you again," I said.

"Captain Marcus, I could tell straight away from the moment I met you, that you and I will get along very well."

He was gregarious and generous. He was also the Emperor's nephew; that explained his luxurious clothes and airs of one used to opulence.

"I like you, too, Ambassador," I said.

"Could you please tell us how the device works and is powered?" Vlen asked.

"The device draws its power from photonic particles present in the atmosphere; it works by warping time and space. To turn it on, you touch the round end, to switch it off, you touch the square end. It is completely undetectable to any device that scans for energy signatures," the Ambassador said.

"Ambassador, Severus, and I have to be going," I said. "Vlen will come to escort you at the eighteenth segment, but if you should need anything, please use the room's computer."

We shook hands and left. I asked Vlen to go the bridge and assume command while I visited the main cafeteria to speak to the head chef.

I went straight through to the kitchen. There was Michael, instructing assistant chiefs in how to prepare Chicken Parmigiana, by hand.

"Greetings, Michael. How have you been?" I asked.

"I'm good! Thanks for asking."

"Michael, could you please dismiss your people? I have some urgent business to discuss with you," I said.

"Sure, Captain," he responded. "Ladies and gentlemen, we will resume this lesson later; please return to your regular duties."

After the last one had left our immediate presence, Michael spoke.

"What can I do for you, Captain?"

"The Ambassador from Grandius has arrived, and I want us to make a good impression, so I have decided to throw a banquet in his honor at the eighteenth segment."

"I see. How many people will be in attendance?"

"I haven't drawn up a list, but around forty people in attendance."

"Okay, Captain – let us say twenty-eight to be on the safe side. Has the Ambassador requested any meals prepared in the Grande manner?"

"The Ambassador is happy to eat the cuisine the crew usually eats."

"Well, that's good. You see, I don't know how to cook Grande cuisines; I would have had to resort to the food replicator."

"Before we begin to discuss what is to be on the menu, I want you to take several of your people and decorate the cafeteria. Make the décor look well-presented and as elegant as possible. It would be nice to have background music to give the atmosphere more ambiance."

"I know just the person to get the job done," Michael said.

"Who would that be?" I asked.

"Annette," he answered – and then, more softly, the bossy one."

I remembered Annette, as the short, pushy, good-hearted female who had shoved food in my mouth.

"By the way, Michael, I want you to jazz up the presentation a little bit," I said.

"What do you mean?" Michael asked, puzzled.

"It's like this. The Ambassador comes from a royal court, and they have servants who cater to them. Do you know what I mean?" I asked.

"Sure, Captain, I got it. I propose this: when he's sitting at his table, the waiters present various dishes to him one at a time, and he can try a sample that's placed in front of him." Michael made a gesture as if presenting a platter.

"If he doesn't like it, the next waiter moves up with another dish, or he can try a bit from each of the dishes."

"What if he doesn't like any of them?" I asked.

"I'm hoping he will eat a good portion from each, and then my ego will be ten metrons tall. But, if he doesn't like anything we offer him, then I will ask what he likes from his world, and try to make it in the food replicator," Michael replied.

_That's more than generous._

"What meals do you intend to serve him?" I asked.

"Give me a few moments, Captain. I will sit down over here and give you a list."

He sat down on a chair, took out his digital assistant, and started to make notes. I walked around the kitchen for ten minutes while he prepared.

At last, he said, "Captain, I'm ready!"

He presented me with the list:

Braised lamb with spicy sauce

Sautéed beef fillet in black pepper sauce

Sweet and sour pork

BBQ roast pork

Satay beef

Marinated chicken on skewers

Steak and kidney pies

Roasted chicken

Chicken and chips

Mussels cooked with chili, garlic, and spicy tomato sauce

Deep-fried squid

Fried octopus, Caeruleus style

Tortilla frittata style with onion jam

Grilled king prawns

Prawns cooked and served with garlic oil and herbs

Tortilla bread

Vegetarian and mixed salads

An assortment of beers, wines, and liquors

Ice cream dessert

Churros con Chocolate

Chocolate coffee and liquored coconut balls

Tiramisu

All this food, just to impress one man; it was a lot. Still, it wouldn't go to waste; I knew the kitchen staff and waiters would help themselves to any food that remained untouched.

"That's a good list. I'm sorry about the short notice, but I know you can do this," I said.

"Thanks for your vote of confidence, Captain."

"We will be here at the eighteenth segment."

"I'll have everything ready, Captain."

"Thank you, Michael."

I went to my quarters and drew up a list of people who would be attending. There would be Vlen, Padre, and the Captains of _The_ _Valeria_ and _Graziella,_ and me to start. Then there's Colonel Artōrius, Curtis Smith, and the squadron leaders, followed by the department heads of _Veda._ I would also have to include Astra, Orlando, Victor, Joseph, and Amanda. In total, there would be forty-two people.

"Michael, this is Captain Marcus. Can you prepare the banquet for forty-two people?"

"No problem, Captain, anything else?"

"No. How are the preparations coming along?"

"Everything is running according to schedule."

"Good, I will leave you to it."

I turned my attention elsewhere. " _Veda_ , send a message to Commander Vlen and ask him to come to my quarters.

"Acknowledged, Captain," said _Veda_.

Three minutes later, Vlen was at the door; I let him in.

"Vlen, I need you to organize the seating arrangements for this evening. Here is a list of the people who will be attending," I said.

Vlen took the list, memorized it, and handed it back to me.

"Captain, I will give you a brief run-down of the seating arrangements now."

_That was quick!_

"With your permission, Captain, I will put you and the Ambassador together. On your right, I will seat the two Captains, followed by Padre and me, and then the department heads. Next to the Ambassador will be his companion, and next to them, the Colonel, the Squadron Commander, and squadron leaders. I will place Astra, Orlando, Victor, Joseph, and Amanda next to the squad leaders."

"Sounds like you nailed it, Vlen. Send a copy to Michael."

"Is there anything else I can help you with, Captain?"

"No, thanks, Vlen. I'll send the invitations to all the people on the list ASAP."

"Understood, Captain. I will meet the Ambassador at the eighteenth segment, and we will arrive together at the cafeteria."

"I'll see you there, and make sure that a jug of water is available for you in case you get thirsty."

"A jug of water is not necessary, Captain; a glass of water will suffice."

"Vlen, have you ever considered what may happen to you if you ever have more than a glass of water at a time?"

"No, and I don't want to consider it; sometimes, Captain, you worry me."

"Come on, Vlen, loosen up, and enjoy yourself at the party."

Vlen stood up to leave.

"I will see you at the banquet, Captain."

Vlen left the room, and I had a quiet chuckle at the thought of a drunken android that could not hold its water. All of a sudden, I stopped myself; it was time to come back to reality. I started to write out the invitations, apologizing for the short notice, explaining the purpose of the banquet, and advising everyone to be on their best behavior. My final point in the invitation stressed that everyone was required to attend, and to wait at the entrance to the cafeteria until the maître d' collected them and took them to their seats. Finally, I wanted an immediate acknowledgment of attendance. I sent out the invitation, and instantly, the responses started to arrive.

Within minutes, all of the respondents had said yes. Good. Now that I had the invitations out of the way, it was time to go to the cafeteria to check the progress, but before I went, I wanted to touch base with _Veda_.

" _Veda_ , quickly check your systems and the fleet's status for me," I said.

"Complying, Captain," _Veda_ said.

About ten minutes later, _Veda_ spoke.

"All systems are functioning within normal parameters. The rest of the fleet is maintaining its position as ordered," _Veda_ said.

"Thanks, _Veda_. I'll be in the cafeteria for a little while," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain," _Veda_ said.

In the central kitchen, I watched Michael and twelve other chefs busily preparing the meals. I walked over to the cafeteria and saw three long tables joined by a single long, white tablecloth. I looked at Annette giving orders to five kitchen staff, telling them precisely how to pin the decorations, wallflowers, and garlands, with the pictures underneath in place.

_Michael is right; she is bossy_!

For a moment, I let myself relax and enjoy the colored lights bouncing off of the walls and ceiling in time to the music.

"Turn it to the left! No, that's not it; turn it a little bit more to the left again," Annette said to one of the workers.

The worker went to a container, pulled out incense holders, and started lighting sticks of incense. I smelt rose blossoms – a touch of the creative; I liked that! There were still two segments left in which to finish the job. I went to my quarters, shaved, showered, got dressed in my ceremonial uniform, and headed for the bridge.

I walked onto the bridge and sat in the Captain's chair, looking at the primary monitor and the planet of Grandius below.

"Hello, Captain, don't you look handsome?" Sirena said.

"This is strictly business, Sirena," I replied.

"Captain, can I come?" Sirena asked.

"No," I replied flatly.

She went to open her mouth and thought better of it.

"Have fun this evening, sir," Sheila said.

"Thank you, Sheila," I said.

I started to feel guilty that I had not invited them. I was going to have a good time while they were going to stay at their posts. Not fair at all, but if I invited the bridge officers, then I would have to ask the lieutenants, the sub-lieutenants, midshipmen, warrant officers, and petty officers. The very least I could do was to order meals and non-alcoholic drinks and have them brought to the bridge. I put on my communications device and spoke telepathically to _Veda_.

" _Veda_ , send a request to Michael. Advise him to cook extra food for ten people and have it delivered steaming hot to the bridge."

"Complying, Captain," _Veda_ said.

I waited five minutes before I received a response from _Veda_.

"Captain, I have been informed by Michael Nav that the food will be delivered to the officers half a segment after the official start of the banquet."

_Excellent. I won't tell them; it will be a surprise._

" _Veda_ , you will be in charge while I am attending the banquet."

"Acknowledged, Captain."

I went down to the cafeteria; already, several of the attendees were standing at the entrance of the dining area, waiting to be seated by the maître d'. I walked up to Colonel Artōrius.

"Good evening, Colonel. Good to see you," I said.

"As they say, an army marches on its stomach, so how could I say no?"

I smiled at his joke and patted him on his shoulder before welcoming the Squadron Commander and Squadron leaders, who were shown to their tables.

The department heads were beginning to arrive, and we all greeted each other and talked while waiting for the others. Orlando, Victor, and Joseph came together, while Astra and Amanda wandered over a moment later.

A moment later, I saw the two Captains arriving together. We clasped each other's forearms glad to see each other.

"Good to see the both of you," I said.

"I'm glad to be here, and I'm looking forward to the feast!" declared Wolf while Dante flashed his eyes with anticipation.

Now, all we had to do was wait for Vlen to come down with the Ambassador and his aide. They appeared a few minutes later, they appeared and headed in our direction. I walked toward them and shook the Ambassador's hand.

"Welcome, Ambassador Legari," I said.

"Greetings, Captain," the Ambassador replied, smiling broadly.

"Ambassador Legari, I would like to introduce you to the other people who are here."

"That would be splendid, Captain Magnusson."

I introduced him to the Captains, the Colonel, Curtis Smith, and the squadron leaders, the department heads, the three scientists, Astra, and finally, Amanda. After all the pleasantries, the Tavo and I took our seats in the middle of the table, followed by the others.

"Ambassador Legari, what may I offer you to drink?" asked the maître d'. "We have whiskey, wine, brandy, vodka, and liquors." He presented a large platter with decorated glass bottles that could have been mistaken for fine fragrances.

"What is the drink in this bottle?" the Ambassador asked, indicating a pale green one with an opalescent cork.

"This drink is called absinthe, an anise-flavored liqueur," the maître d' said.

"And this one?" He pointed to a cerulean blue with a brushed metallic finish.

"Agavero, a tequila- liqueur flavored with the Damiana flower."

"Unfortunately, sir, the names do not mean anything to me, so I propose to try a little of each!"

I was becoming concerned that the liquor might adversely affect Tavo.

"Ambassador Legari, you are welcome to try as many as you like. However, I must warn you, in abundance, the drinks are intoxicating," I mentioned.

Tavo grinned. "I understand, Captain Magnusson; I will take my chances."

_Hmm, I hope he doesn't get too drunk._

He reached out for a bottle of absinthe and poured some into his liquor glass. He drank heartily, his eyes glazing over in seconds.

"It's excellent, Captain," he judged, "an exquisite taste. It reminds me of a drink from my world called 'kick the bucket' – with an extra kick added."

_Whew. That was a good start. At least he didn't choke on it_.

The maître d' offered him some braised lamb with spicy sauce; he took it and started eating it, as did his aide. He commented profusely on everything he tasted: "Wonderful, Captain Magnusson, wonderful! The food is excellent."

"Don't you want to go easy, in case it doesn't agree with you later on?" I ribbed.

"Nonsense, Captain, my stomach is cast from titanium."

Jasa agreed, "Trust me, Captain Magnusson, the Ambassador can eat almost anything."

"Quiet, Jasa," Tavo reprimanded.

The maître d' hovered around the table, making sure, when Tavo had finished eating from his plate, another dish containing different food was presented to him.

I looked around. Everyone looked happy. Half a segment had already passed since we had sat down at the table. I wondered if the bridge crew had received their dinner. I spoke through my communicator.

" _Veda_ , have the crew on the bridge received their meals?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain, the meals have just arrived," said _Veda_.

"Superb."

_Excellent. Sirena and the others get to eat; they're happy, and I can relax a little bit more._

I looked at Tavo. He was enjoying himself; I would leave the questions for later.

"Tell me, Captain Magnusson, do you think the two lovely ladies sitting at the end of the table would mind if I talked to them?" Tavo asked.

I looked to where he was pointing.

"Astra, she is traveling with us as a consultant," I said.

"A consultant in what?" he asked.

"Astra is a very knowledgeable person in systems and quantum physics," I improvised.

"That sounds intriguing, Captain Magnusson. What about the lady next to her?"

"Amanda is a psychologist and a sociologist."

"Hmm, I have never spoken to a sociologist or psychologist from Caeruleus."

"Well, Ambassador, let's just go there and say hello!"

"Yes, please," Tavo said earnestly.

We got up and walked toward the end of the table where Amanda and Astra were sitting.

"Hello, ladies. Don't get up; we just thought we would come over and say hello," I said.

"Good evening, Ambassador," Astra said.

"I am pleased to see you again, Ambassador Legari," Amanda said.

"Ladies, there is no need to be so formal. Please call me, Tavo."

He then kissed each of their hands, bowing as he did so.

_Oh no, not another one; first, Orlando and now, him! Well, at least he's here only for a couple of days._

I stood near Tavo as he chatted with the women. After a few minutes, it was apparent I wasn't needed, so I headed back to my seat and spoke to Johann and Virgil, discussing wormholes, buoys, and how best to proceed with the Grande.

However, it had not gone unnoticed that Tavo was flirting with Astra and Amanda. I overheard some unflattering remarks about Tavo and glared in the direction of the people who were making them, who quickly changed the subject. After speaking to the Captains, I moved and talked to Colonel Artōrius for a while, catching up on how the infantry was adapting to space travel.

"Captain, I have to confess," the Colonel replied. "After we have gone through our daily drills and inspections of equipment, etc. We find we have a lot of spare time on our hands, so we have begun to organize frequent social events–about once a week–in the social room on the deck below this one. In addition to the activities, we have a special movie night once every two weeks and usually put on two films, mostly comedies. You are welcome to come."

"I might just do that. What other recreational activities have you organized for your troops?" I asked.

"We have specialized gym and swim programs for the soldiers. The troops find the programs enjoyable and keeps them fit and combat-ready," the Colonel replied.

"It sounds like you're on top of everything, Colonel," I said.

"I try to be, Captain. I also want to thank you for the shore leave my troops, and I received. The soldiers and I took personal recorders with us when we crossed over into the multi-dimensional worlds. It was an incredible experience to be able to travel to an alien world without a vehicle, and then, only with a thought, to be able to return safely back to Sapentia," he said.

"It's the least I could do, Colonel," I said.

I then went and spoke to Squadron Commander Smith and the squadron leaders, who individually reminded me that they needed more time to train in space. I promised the squadron leaders that in the future, they would have more time allocated for training in space. They also thanked me for the rest and recreation they received while on Sapentia.

When I asked the department heads if they were enjoying themselves, most of them nodded while stuffing their mouths with food and drink. Finally, importantly, I paid a visit to Orlando, Victor, and Joseph. I noticed Orlando was inebriated, but he was behaving himself.

_Good, I would hate if he passed out here._ _It would take at least four of us to carry him out._

Eventually, Tavo tore himself away from the women and came back to his seat, where he remained for the rest of the banquet. The time passed quickly, and before long, Tavo was ready to retire for the night.

"Captain, I want you to know I had a good time tonight. I will never forget it as long as I live," Tavo said.

"Thank you, Ambassador Legari. You're very kind. When you are ready, Vlen will escort you to your quarters," I said.

Tavo looked around at everyone, grinning sheepishly. He then stood and gave a speech of thanks. After acknowledging brief applause, he retired to his quarters, led by Vlen, and followed by Jasa. When he left, I stood and thanked everyone for coming, wishing them all an excellent night. I walked out of the cafeteria and went to the bridge to check on the team. I had barely sat in my Captain's chair when Sheila, Sirena, and Louis approached me:

"Thank you, Captain. The food was delicious," Louis said.

I nodded my head in acknowledgment.

"That was very thoughtful of you, Captain," Sheila seconded.

She then took another mouthful of her dessert, finishing it entirely.

Sirena snorted, "That was her third piece of dessert."

"Sirena, you're a witch," Sheila chirped. "In the future, mind your own business."

I looked at the comedy duo and smiled.

"It was my pleasure, ladies. Everyone here deserves it," I said.

I sat back down in the Captain's chair, put on the neural communicator, and spoke telepathically to _Veda_.

_Veda_ , _I am now resuming control of the bridge. Please deposit a copy of the visual recording of the banquet to my terminal and allow anyone from any of the ships' crews to download a copy from our public network server._

_Complying, Captain._

However, as I sat in the Captain's chair over the next segment, I began to feel drowsy and took off the communicator and put it away.

_Veda, take over the bridge. I'm retiring to my quarters._

_Acknowledged, Captain._

I left the bridge and headed to my quarters, where I slowly undressed and fell onto the bed.

I woke up several segments later and went to the bathroom. My eyes were bloodshot, and my hair disheveled; I needed to shave and clean up.

Thirty-five minutes later, I was at the table, eating breakfast and drinking coffee. I read my messages; some were from the people who had attended the banquet last night, thanking and congratulating me.

_I'll respond to them later_.

I sent Vlen a message to come to my office. Five minutes later, he was there, on the opposite side of the desk.

"Vlen, it would in our interest to gain the goodwill of the Grande before we install the buoy. Therefore, I want you to explain to the Ambassador how important the project is, and its purpose. Stress to him, the nature of our mission is one of exploration and peace. That is, the wormhole will never be used for any military purposes. I believe then, the Ambassador will support us."

"Understood, Captain," Vlen said.

"If the Ambassador gives you an affirmation that he will speak to the Emperor on our behalf, send me a message," I said.

"Yes, sir," Vlen said.

"By the way, which part of the ship will you show the Ambassador first?" I asked.

"I will show the Ambassador the Morpheus Room first, followed by the transporter room and then the rest of the ship."

"Well, I guess you had better go. You have a long day ahead of you," I said.

Vlen got up and walked out of my office. I needed to sign off on some requests for materials submitted by Curtis Smith and Colonel Artōrius. I got them out of the way and quickly replied to some of the emails concerning last night's banquet before going down to the central kitchen. I walked into the cafeteria, through to the kitchen area, where Michael was with a group of assistant chefs, going over how meat should be seasoned and cooked according to an old recipe written on a whiteboard.

"Greetings, Michael," I said.

"Good morning, Captain. How are you?" Michael asked.

"I'm great. I had a fantastic time last night, thanks to you and your staff."

"Thank you, Captain. We did our best."

"I know you did, and that is why I came to thank you personally. By the way, is Annette here?"

"Yes, sir. Would you like me to call her?" he asked.

"Yes. I want to thank her also."

He spoke into his communicator, and Annette came out of one of the freezers from the opposite end of the kitchen holding a knife.

"Captain Magnusson would like to speak to you for a moment," Michael said.

She walked over toward me.

"Yes, Captain – have I done something wrong?" she asked.

I looked into her beautiful brown eyes.

"No, not at all; I just want to thank you for your efforts in decorating the cafeteria. I almost didn't recognize it."

"You're welcome, Captain. I had a lot of fun setting everything up. I was happy to see everyone enjoying themselves last night!"

I thanked Michael and Annette again before going to the bridge. I stayed there for the next several segments, wondering how Vlen was progressing with Tavo during my watch on the deck. Every now and again, I would check in on them, using the ship's cameras, displaying the output on the console of my chair. At one point, I got out of the chair and began walking around the deck, my mind racing ahead; what if the Ambassador did not want to help, or if the Emperor said no? We could put up the buoy, but it would not enjoy the protection of the Grande, who could direct traffic away from it and keep a watchful eye on it. Just then, I received a message from Vlen to come to Tavo's quarters.

" _Veda_ , assume command of the bridge. I will be in the Ambassador's quarters with Commander Vlen," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain," _Veda_ said.

I waited outside the door as _Veda_ announced my presence. The door opened, and I stepped inside.

"Good evening, everyone," I said.

"Good evening, Captain," Vlen said.

"My good Captain, it is nice to see you again," Tavo said, arms wide open.

He stepped forward and gave me a warm embrace.

_Was he always like this?_

I noticed a container on a small table filled with a drink of some sort.

"Would you like some of Grande beverage?" he asked.

"Not at the moment, thank you, Ambassador Legari. I am still on duty," I said.

"Come, Captain, just a little drink!"

"Perhaps later, I will have a little drink," I said resignedly.

"Captain, please sit down; you are making me nervous."

I did as he asked.

"Vlen has told me a lot about your mission," Tavo said. "It sounds crucial. I understand the need for the installation of the buoys to create the wormhole tunnel and their protection in Grande space. Therefore, Captain, I propose we and one other visit my uncle, the Emperor, and obtain his agreement. Of course, you will not be able to see him straight away, but probably within a day or two at the most."

He paused and adjusted his suit.

"I take it, Captain, that you represent your government in official matters of state and not someone else?" he asked.

"That is correct, Ambassador. I have the authority to act on my government's behalf. I also want to say, Ambassador, that it is magnificent of you to help us; I sincerely appreciate your assistance in this matter," I said.

"Thanks are not necessary between friends, Captain. I will be ready to leave in two segments for my ship. Would you like to travel with me to the surface of our planet, or would you like to use the teleportation machine?"

Here was an excellent opportunity to see some more of their technology, and Padre could come with me.

"Padre and I will come back with you aboard your ship. We will meet in two segments' time in the landing bay just outside the grav-lifts. Commander Vlen will accompany you," I said.

We shook hands, and I went directly to my quarters and informed _Veda_ that I would be traveling to Grandius with the Ambassador and Padre and that we would be spending two days there. Vlen was to be in command of the ship while I was away.

I messaged Padre about the mission and to meet at the lifts in the landing bay. From there, we would travel using Tavo's ship. Almost instantly, I received Padre's acknowledgment. I then sent private messages to Dante and Wolf. I informed them that should anything happen to Padre and me, that Captain Dante would assume command of the fleet.

I remained dressed in my uniform and took along a bag carrying a change of clothes and other personal effects. I took the grav-lift to the landing bay area and found Padre there already waiting for me.

_How does he always get ahead of me first?_

A moment later, the elevator door opened, Tavo, his aide, and Vlen stepped out. We exchanged greetings and proceeded to the Grande's ship.

"Captain, now that the Ambassador is with you, I will go aboard the bridge and assume command," Vlen said.

"Thanks, Vlen. I expect to be back within two days."

"Yes, Captain," Vlen nodded and faced Tavo and Jasa.

"Ambassador Legari and Jasa, I want you to know that I have enjoyed your company and showing you around the ship. I wish you both a safe journey."

"Farewell, Vlen. Thank you for your company and assistance," Ambassador Legari said.

"Goodbye, Vlen," added Jasa.

Vlen wished Padre and me a successful meeting with the Emperor before taking the grav-lift to the bridge.

I informed the officer on duty in the tower that we would be departing the flight deck. We walked to Tavo's ship, where the Ambassador waved his hand, and a doorway appeared where before there had been none.

"I didn't see you communicate with the vessel," I remarked.

"I talk with the ship telepathically," explained Tavo.

"I'm impressed by the technology," I said.

Tavo smiled and rocked on his feet; evidently, he was pleased with my comment.

"Gentlemen, I officially welcome you aboard my humble cruiser. Please, step inside."

The interior of his ship was lit with a clear, bright light, revealing all of the details of the construction of the vessel. The ship's walls were rounded into the ceiling and floor. On one side of the wall, there was a bay view window. Throughout the ship, evenly spaced buttons sat in recessed slots. He pressed two of them, and two chairs sprang from the floor.

"Gentlemen, please have a seat," Tavo said.

From our sitting position, Padre and I could see the instrumentation of the ship, with a clear view of the outside.

"It's an excellent ship, Ambassador," Padre observed.

"In the compartment behind us, there is an area for relaxation and entertainment."

"Sounds good," I said.

Tavo turned toward Jasa.

"Jasa, please be the pilot for today and begin preparation for departure."

"Yes, Tavo," Jasa answered.

"Gentleman, can I get you any refreshments before I sit?" Tavo asked.

"No, thank you, Ambassador; it's still too early for me," I said.

"I'm fine too. But thank you for offering," replied Padre.

Tavo sat next to Jasa as we waited for clearance from the tower. Two minutes later, the general alarm sounded as the twin landing bay lights flashed its beams across the walls of the deck. Padre and I watched our departure through the bay window as we gently glided into outer space.

#  Chapter 20

Grandius, the biggest planet in the solar system, dwarfs my world many times over. Its atmosphere is a halo blue, which fades to white along the edges of its horizons. All I could see was clouds, and more clouds, colored in white and purple, tinged with yellow and orange, as we moved into our descent. I started to feel slight bumps within the planet's atmosphere.

"Sorry for the turbulence, Captain," the Ambassador said. We have struck extremely high crosswind currents. Typically, one would not feel any bump at all."

"I understand, Ambassador, with a planet the size of Grandius, everything is bigger–even the bumps," I said.

Tavo guffawed. "That is a good joke, Captain,"

I noted my new friend was easily amused. I smiled, continuing to look out the bay window in silence.

"Well, Captain, here we are on yet another adventure," Padre said.

"A lot depends on this adventure. We appear to have the goodwill of the Ambassador, and now we need the goodwill of his Uncle, the Emperor."

"We shall see, Captain," Padre mused.

The cloud cover started to break, and I could see the light emerald ocean below me. We went under the cloud cover and began an approach to the continent where the Emperor's palace was located. About one minute later, an alarm went off in the ship.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"There are two aerial-fighters behind us, and they have locked their weapons systems on our ship," the Ambassador said. "I'm engaging defense shields and activating the emergency beacon to transmit our course and trajectory."

The force field activated just in time as the first burst of enemy fire lit up the sky in front of us. I felt the ship shudder, another explosion, and another shudder.

"Jasa, call the defense department and notify them of the situation and our position. Ask them to send immediate assistance," he said.

Jasa radioed the information while piloting the ship, speaking to an operator via the headset. I felt a low rumble from the vessel, then another. The Ambassador's ship was firing back. I felt a shudder as we received another hit.

"How much time before we land?" I asked.

"Another ten minutes," Tavo replied.

"Can the ship's shields absorb these attacks for another ten minutes?" I asked.

"Unlikely. I am engaging in evasive maneuvers, and that may buy us extra time. Hopefully, military help will arrive soon."

For the next several minutes, we exchanged fire with the two attacking ships, while our force field continued to weaken under the assault.

"Ambassador, we are losing power to the shields," Jasa said.

I tried to communicate with _Veda_ , but the extreme magnetic field about Grandius was interfering with my communicator. Unless help arrived in the next few minutes, we were finished.

"Looks like we are going to go for a swim in the ocean if we survive the next hit," I said.

Padre grimaced.

"If I'd known, Captain, I would have brought my swimming trunks."

I felt the ship shudder strongly. It was a direct hit; we had lost our force field shields, and we were losing altitude.

"Gentlemen, the next hit will cause our ship to explode or cause enough damage for us to hit the ocean at high speeds," Tavo shouted above the din. "There is only one thing left to do – abandon ship and escape in the life pod. Now follow me!"

He placed the ship on automatic pilot, and we ran after him.

We rushed through the entertainment area and sleeping quarters, sliding down the chute into the escape pod. The Ambassador and Jasa hit a couple of buttons, causing the entrance to close and belts to wrap around their bodies.

"Now you quickly do the same," Tavo said.

We hit the buttons and made ourselves secure.

Straight away, Tavo hit a large button next to him, which was followed by a loud whoosh and an upward pull. Our escape pod was shot up into the air through an opening in the ship, which we could now see falling toward the ocean. Suddenly, the ship was struck by two laser beams, which blew it into flames.

We continued to fly upward for about a minute, before gradually descending toward the ocean. I saw the aerial-fighters veer to the right and return to finish us off in a new attack run. We were an excellent target; there was no way they could miss us. The pilot's ships were level with us. Any minute, they would shoot, and we would die.

"Padre, it's been an honor serving with you," I said.

"An honor for me, as well, Captain," said Padre.

"Gentlemen, I am so sorry for all of this," Tavo added.

Before anyone could say anything else, a large air cruiser quickly closed in behind the two unmarked aerial-fighters and blew them out of the sky.

"Hooray!" Jasa said.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The escape pod was still falling; we would be hitting the ocean gently any second now – but it didn't happen. I felt a tug upward, and for a moment, weightlessness.

"Gentlemen, we are being magnetically towed aboard the cruiser," Tavo said.

Through the window, I could see the military airship carrier suspended in the air as we were lifted over its bow onto its deck. The floor had been cleared for our arrival, and armed guards stood near the ship's egress points. Gently, our pod was lowered, and then the Ambassador opened the escape hatch.

"This way, please, gentlemen, do as I do," he said.

He stood beneath the opening, bent down, and gave a little jump, causing him to float through the escape hatch. I watched him land on the outside through the window. We all did the same, finding ourselves aboard the deck of the aircraft carrier, surrounded by the armed guards. An officer approached the Ambassador; he looked like he was in charge of the vessel.

"Duke Legari, my name is Captain Armand; I am in charge of _The_ _Vicente_. We received your distress call and got here as soon as we could," he said.

"Thank you for saving my life and those of my companions," Tavo said.

"Thank you, Captain Armand," I agreed.

I shook his hand vigorously, as did Padre.

"Let's get off the deck and go down below," said Captain Armand.

We followed him into a grav-lift, which took us down several levels to one of the meeting rooms and ordered refreshments for us.

"Ambassador, who do you think attacked you?" I asked.

"Captain Magnusson, I would not be surprised if it were one of my relatives. After the Emperor, the next in line to his succession is his son, and then me. After me, there are no fewer than twelve parties who could lay claim to the throne and plunge my world into a civil war."

It looked like Caeruleus wasn't the only planet suffering from political intrigue.

"Ambassador," said Captain Armand, "we are combing the waters for the wreckage, and any human remains. However, if my assumption is correct, those two aerial-fighters were drones. In any case, we will know soon enough."

"Captain Armand, has word been sent to the Emperor about the attack?" Tavo asked.

"They have been informed, Duke Legari. We are to take you to within three leagues of the palace. From there, you will be beamed into the outer chamber of the palace court, where armed guards will escort you to the Emperor."

"As I am to see the Emperor, I require more suitable attire. Please have a clothing materializer delivered to this room as soon as possible," Tavo said.

"Yes, Duke Legari. I will ensure that it arrives immediately."

Armand spoke into a communicator, and five minutes later, a cylindrical device with a control panel materialized into the room.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, while I change," Tavo said, as he hit some buttons on the control panel, and went inside. A few minutes later, he stepped out wearing a white ruffled shirt with fluffy sleeves and a double-breasted purple jacket laced with silver buttons and gold braids. His trousers were black with a blue streak down their sides, matched by long black boots.

_Grande technology is amazing! I wonder if the Ingentum have a similar machine?_

We flew over Avex, the capital city of Grandius. From what I could see of the city, it consisted of majestic, grand buildings that were hashtags in form and reached many levels into the sky. The materials of the buildings consisted of white marble inlaid with gold motifs that glittered in the sunlight, along with their large glass windows. I looked down at the ground, where there were myriads of people crossing the city at different levels from the surface of the planet. As on Gigas, vehicles were not allowed into the center of the Metropolis. The cruiser had arrived at its destination, three leagues from the palace which was constructed in the shape of twenty-four concave arcs facing in outwards, joined to a cylindrical building in the center.

"Gentlemen, are you ready to meet the Emperor?" asked Tavo.

"We are ready, Ambassador," Padre answered.

The idea of royalty didn't sit well with me; it was outdated and undemocratic.

_Still, I'm a stranger here; I will keep my thoughts to myself and not embarrass the Tavo._

"Gentlemen, stand next to me. When I give the signal, we will be beamed to the outer chamber of the Emperor's court," Tavo said.

We did as we were told; he looked us over and waved his hand. I felt as I usually do when I am about to be transported – then, I blinked and opened my eyes; I was there in the outer chamber of the Emperor's court.

Armed guards stood facing us. An individual in long robes and a golden chain approached the guards and commanded them to lower their weapons. They complied.

"Duke Tavo Legari, I am pleased to see you, as ever," the elderly, well-dressed man said.

"Gentlemen, this is Volo Findor, the Emperor's advisor. He is also my old friend, and at times my mentor," Tavo said as he stepped forward and embraced Findor.

Volo debriefed Tavo. "We have just received word from the military that they have recovered most of the debris from the fighters and have confirmed they were drone planes from our military. It would be reasonable to assume that whoever wants you dead has close ties to the military. That is why part of the Emperor's personal guard is here, rather than the men from the regular military units. For now, we have no way of knowing who the enemy is. By the way, Tavo, who are your friends? They are off-worlders, are they not?"

"Volo, my old friend," Tavo responded, "allow me to present to you, Prime Captain Marcus Magnusson from Caeruleus, and his chaplain, Padre."

"Caeruleus!" Volo exclaimed. "I am honored to meet such brave explorers so far from their home."

"We are also pleased to meet you," Padre replied.

"I am glad for the opportunity to visit your great planet," I said.

Volo smiled in return before he turned to go.

"Please remain here for a moment longer, gentlemen, while I inform the Emperor that the Duke has arrived safely with his companions. I will also ask him if he is ready to receive you now."

A few minutes had passed before Volo returned.

"Gentlemen, you are fortunate, indeed. The Emperor will receive you now." He looked into my eyes gently. "As a mark of respect, please bow to our Emperor when I present you," he added.

Together, we walked from the outer court to the inner court, filled with courtiers, noblemen, noblewomen, and even some men in what appeared to be ancient ceremonial armor as the Emperor sat on his throne. He appeared to be about seventy years of age, and he looked like someone you could reason with. Behind his throne stood a man about 45 years old, and from the family resemblance and proximity, I guessed his son. On the Emperor's left-hand side sat a group of females. One was older than the rest; probably, she was his wife.

"My Emperor and Prince Sava, I wish to announce the presence of Duke Tavo Legari and his companions, Prime Captain Marcus Magnusson, and Padre, from the planet Caeruleus," Volo announced.

I followed the Duke's lead and bowed with my arms at my sides, as did Padre.

"Uncle, I am happy to see you are in good health," Tavo commented, straightening up.

"Never mind about me. I am greatly concerned about this attack on your life," the Emperor said curtly. "It is the second attack this year."

"Uncle, please do not be overly concerned; I am capable of looking after myself."

The Emperor shook his head.

"Did you enjoy your short sojourn aboard the military ship from Caeruleus?" the Emperor asked.

"Yes, Uncle, the humans from Caeruleus are much like us regarding hospitality and honor."

"Well, then, I am sorry I did not come with you," the Emperor said, laughing.

The rest of the people in the court laughed with him, except for the empress and her women in waiting.

The Emperor continued. "What do you have to tell me about the journey of the men from Caeruleus?"

"Uncle, they have come from far away and have a long way to go. They are explorers on a grand adventure to discover the nature of the universe and to settle in peace on a new world. They ask permission from you to be allowed to place a buoy on the edge of our shipping lanes, so that they may use it in conjunction with wormhole travel as necessity demands. That is all they ask, my Uncle."

"Indeed, these brave explorers do not ask for much. I will grant them their wish on one condition," the Emperor said.

"What condition is that my, Uncle?"

The Emperor leaned forward. "They must take you with them."

There was a gasp from the rest of the court. The Duke didn't miss a beat.

"Have I done something to offend you, Uncle, that you want to send me away from you and the court?"

"You are my only nephew and the court's favorite. How could you do anything to offend us? However, your life is in danger, and you must leave for a place of safety." The Emperor looked at me. "What do you say to my condition, Captain Magnusson?"

I was thinking in earnest about taking Tavo with us.

"Your Highness, I am willing to take Duke Legari with me if he is willing to come. But I must also point out that I cannot guarantee that we will ever return."

The Emperor smiled. "Captain Magnusson, my nephew, will have his own ship; even if you travel to the edge of the galaxy, he will still be able to return."

_Nice one; now we'll have two interstellar ships aboard Veda. I'm sure they will come in handy at some point_

"Nephew, you do not have to go away for a long time, just long enough for us to discover who is behind these attacks. I will make sure that you have one of our latest long-range space ships with all the comforts of your home world. You may take your aide, and one other, if you wish. What do you say, Tavo?" the Emperor asked.

The Duke appeared to be thinking. "Emperor, after due consideration, I have decided that I will go along with your proposal."

The Emperor turned toward me. "Captain, my government, will create an exclusion zone around the buoy, and eight automated fighters will patrol the surrounding space. Rest assured, Captain, that in the event the buoy malfunctions or is destroyed, we will replace it immediately with one of our own."

_This is good news – more than I had hoped._

"Emperor, on behalf of everyone in the expedition and myself, we are most grateful for your assistance," I said.

"Once the troubles on your world have subsided, we will negotiate trade agreements and exchange ideas," the Emperor added.

"Emperor, you know about the troubles of our world?" Padre asked.

"My reach is long, and I can see into the affairs of other worlds. It is regrettable to hear that your world is on the brink of a Planetary war," the Emperor said.

_Hmm, I wonder if he has spies on Caeruleus as well?_

"If there is anything I can do to help bring peace to your world, gentlemen, I will gladly consider it," the Emperor said.

"Thank you, your highness," I answered solemnly. "Your offers of help are most appreciated."

The Emperor changed his tone at once. "That's enough of gloomy subjects and politics! Let us throw a feast for my nephew and his friends. Volo, order the royal banquet room to be readied."

Volo bowed slightly.

"Yes, my Emperor."

Immediately, Volo was met by three servant men. After speaking, the men went off in different directions. Volo came back and gently took me by the arm, along with Padre, ushering us into a waiting room. He then excused himself, saying he had to oversee the preparations for the feast, leaving Padre and me to sit on our own.

"I can't believe how easy that was," Padre said.

"Yes – too easy, wasn't it?" I commented.

I considered for a moment if the Emperor might be behind the attempt to kill his nephew. Maybe he saw his nephew as a threat to his son?

_Don't be stupid, Magnusson._ _The Emperor wants to protect his nephew. What better way to protect the Ambassador by sending him away. If he wanted to kill Tavo, he would keep him here on Grandius._

"What do you mean by that remark?" Padre asked.

"Nothing. I was looking for an ulterior motive about Tavo coming with us. But I can't think of any. I will give Tavo the choice of staying on the ship with us or traveling in his luxury spaceship."

We had just finished talking when Tavo came over. He was grinning from ear to ear like a schoolboy.

"Gentlemen, we are going to be traveling companions for a while, and I shall try not to be a burden to you."

"You won't be. I'm sure we will all benefit from each other's company," I said.

"Your presence will add color to the ship," Padre agreed.

"Ambassador Legari, would you prefer to travel on _Veda,_ or journey in your spaceship?" I asked.

"Captain, I would prefer staying aboard _Veda_. I can use my ship on your behalf if you wish, as a scouting ship, or for some other purpose."

"Thank you for your, Ambassador," I said, humbled by his offer.

People were beginning to enter the banquet hall.

Tavo motioned to us. "Come, my friends; we are going to sit at the same table with the Emperor as his guests of honor."

We went inside and stood by the chairs, as a toast was about to be made. The Ambassador filled our glasses and his own, and then the Emperor's son stood and toasted his father.

"To the Emperor's health, may he live and rule in peace for many years to come."

"Hear, hear," the guests answered.

Everyone drank until their goblets were empty and waited for the next inevitable toast.

"Fill your cups again, gentlemen," Tavo urged us.

The Emperor's son then turned to Padre and Me.

"May fair solar winds keep you safe and guide you to a successful conclusion."

"Hear, hear," said everyone in the hall.

We emptied our cups again, and immediately, maidens with long tresses of braided hair brought us trays of foods. I did not bother to ask what I was eating; as long as it tasted good, I didn't care; I tried everything presented in front of me. I noticed Padre, though, was asking questions. __

I tried different liquor, savoring its sweetness.

_Hmm. Superb._

The banquet went on for a long time, but the Emperor retired early and left everyone to his or her designs. Tavo and the Prince were talking nearby in front of a painting of a deceased relative. Eventually, Tavo came over, took us to our suites, and bade us good night. It was my third time sleeping on an alien world, and I slept like the dead.

I woke up the next morning with my head pounding.

_What was in those drinks?_

I noticed Padre didn't look so crash hot either; we had overdone it. But I had to admit, the Grande knew how to throw a party. I needed to pull myself together.

"Quite a party last night, wasn't it, Padre?"

"Yes, it was," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I had a really good time."

"So did I."

I wanted to have a shower, but because of the crash, I was wearing the only clothing I had. At that moment, there was a knock on the door; it was Tavo and a servant.

"Good morning, gentlemen! I hope you both slept well?"

"Like the dead," I said.

"That metaphor was in poor taste, Captain," Tavo replied, "We were almost murdered!"

"Pardon me, Ambassador," I said apologetically.

"Gentlemen, the maid has brought some bathrobes so you can shower and wear them while your clothes are cleaned and returned to you," he said.

She stepped forward and handed the robes to Padre and me.

"When you have finished your shower," Tavo said, "simply slip into them, and leave yours next to the door. Your clothes will be picked up, cleaned, and returned to you shortly."

"Thanks, Ambassador," I said.

Tavo left, and Padre and I went to our separate bathrooms, returning to sit at the table afterward.

"Hmm, I wonder how we can order breakfast," I asked.

"Perhaps, through the room's computer, if it has one?" suggested Padre.

"Computer, we would like to order breakfast," I said to the open air.

There was no response.

"So much for that," I said, rubbing my chin.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said.

"Hello, sirs. My name is Sgreda. I am to take your breakfast orders and your clothes and return them to you," she said.

"What would you recommend we eat?" I asked her.

"Sir, if you press this button, a live 3D visualization of the food will be presented."

I pressed the button, and a breakfast dish came up – with each push of the button, another appeared. I picked a bowl topped with opaque, cream-colored swirls, and Padre chose something that looked like a pancake. I asked her if they served coffee.

"What is that?" she asked.

I described what it smelled like and tasted.

"We have a similar beverage, but I can't guarantee you will like it," the maid replied.

"I'll take my chances," I said.

She ordered our breakfast and then collected our clothes for cleaning and went away.

"Let's turn on the televiewer," Padre said.

"Sure, let's see how it switches on," I said.

I waved my hand in front of the viewer, and sure enough, it came on. The film was about an explorer from Grandius, who became the first Grande to travel beyond the solar system.

"Do you want to watch this?" Padre asked.

"It sure looks relatable," I said.

We began to eat our breakfast while watching the movie. The maid returned our clothes to us before we finished eating. The film was nearing its end when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said.

Tavo strode over the threshold into the main room.

"Gentlemen, I see you are all ready to leave. If you wish, we can go immediately, unless you want to extend your stay and look around the city."

"Thank you for the offer; however, the rest of the fleet is awaiting our return. If you are ready, we are too."

"Then we shall leave now," Tavo said.

"I would like to say goodbye to the Emperor's advisor and the Emperor himself," Padre suggested.

"Unfortunately, Volo Findor is with the Emperor and Prince on urgent business," the Ambassador said. "They have asked me to convey their farewells to you,"

"That's a shame," Padre said. "I would have like to have conversed more with Volo."

"I think so too, Padre," I said. "And now we must leave."

We left the palace, escorted by six of the Imperial guard, armed with laser weapons. We walked toward the rear of the castle, where two aerial fighters and an aerial personnel carrier waited for us, to fly us to the spaceport. The door of the personnel carrier opened, and we entered and sat down. I looked at some large, lightweight laser cannons strapped to the inner wall of the carrier.

"Look at this hardware, Padre. I bet you our infantry would like some of these weapons," I said.

"Have you considered the damage they could do? I hope our men are never pushed into a position where they have to use any weapons," Padre chastised.

_Well done, Marcus; you're a dope._

"Of course, Padre, you're right; the closer men are to war, the less human they become. Sometimes, we forget that part of war."

"And the closer men come to God, the more human they become," Padre remarked.

"That is well-spoken, Padre," Tavo commented. "My people also believe in the Great Designer. In our religion, the Great Designer is an individual who created the universe and set in place the laws of cause and effect."

Padre smiled. "I am a Christian, who also believes the universe is governed by the laws of cause and effect as set down by the Great Maker. We also believe in his son, Jesus Christ, the bridge that connects us to God."

"I have never heard of the person you are referring to. One day, I must learn more about him."

I remained silent throughout the rest of the conversation. I had other things on my mind, like getting back to the ship and the fleet.

We were nearing our destination. The pilot of the troop carrier advised the control tower to clear all traffic from our path, including all ground base vehicles within one league of the landing site. Several minutes later, the personnel carrier landed, and we stepped out onto the tarmac.

The two fighters that had accompanied us were hovering about 300 metrons in the air. I looked around the spaceport. It was enormous; the vessels were staggering in size, and two of them looked like they were being prepared for war.

"Ambassador, those two ships are military vessels?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain."

"There seems to be a great deal of activity with a lot of materials and men going on board the ships. Is it permissible for you to tell me where they are going?" I asked.

"Yes. The two ships you see in front of you are being prepared not for war, but for investigating an unusual phenomenon in the North-Eastern quadrant of the galaxy," the Ambassador said. "Our astronomers have detected a vast expanse of space that has been swallowed in darkness. They have told us it is not a massive black hole, but something altogether different. One of our astronomers made the comment that the 'blackness seemed to be alive. Some of his colleagues laughed at him, but they are all in agreement about one thing –the blackness is slowly expanding in our direction."

_The darkness had to be the same phenomenon Paul discovered. I've got to see for myself from the Astronomical Observatory on Veda_.

The Imperial guard escorted us to the Tavo's new ship. It was approximately sixty metrons long, fifty metrons wide, and twenty metrons tall. It was colored blue and silver, with the Imperial crest on its starboard side. Underneath the royal crest, in scrolled writing, was the word, _Fortuna_.

In the front were big bay windows, with a wide entrance on the port side, through which twenty men abreast could enter. There were men loading containers onto the vessel, under the supervision of Jasa standing next to the entrance. He would have certainly already prepared the Ambassador's belongings and placed them on board. We arrived as the last of the loaders gave the thumbs up to Jasa and walked away.

"Greetings, Jasa; as you see, I have brought our companions," Tavo said.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen; it's good to see you again," Jasa said warmly.

"Good morning, Jasa," I reciprocated.

"Shall we board my beautiful new ship?" Tavo asked.

"Yes, Ambassador; your ship is well designed," I said, "and I am curious to see what the inside looks like," I said.

"Patience, Captain. When we leave the planet's atmosphere, you may look around," he said.

We all got on board, took a grav-lift to the sixth topmost level, and sat in the chairs summoned, as before, with the push of a button. The Ambassador and Jasa moved to the front of the ship to the control area. In the middle of the control area sat a robot.

"Gentlemen, this is the ship's robot, Doria, a physical extension of the ship's computer and pilot for the vessel. Doria is capable of performing repairs in space," Tavo said.

"Impressive," I replied, as we all sat down, prepared for take-off.

" _Fortuna_ to tower, requesting permission for take-off," Doria said.

"Tower to _Fortuna_ , permission granted. Be advised. Two additional fighters have been assigned to your guard to escort you to your destination," the control tower operator replied.

The _Fortuna_ then began the liftoff sequence.

"Plotting trajectory and intercept destination, releasing inertial dampeners and engaging engines," Doria said.

I heard a loud, throbbing hum and felt inexplicable lightheadedness. We slowly rose from the tarmac vertically, and then, the ship lifted its nose and moved forward, increasing its speed.

Looking through the windows, I could see the aerial ships take their positions, one in front and back of _Fortuna_ with a ship on each of _Fortuna's_ flanks.

"The pilots have a copy of our flight path and destination and will maintain radio silence while we are in flight," Tavo said.

"Surely, you are not expecting another attack, Ambassador?" Padre asked.

Tavo smiled grimly. "No, I doubt that very much, given that whoever attacked me probably already knows that I am leaving. However, the Emperor is very fond of me, and just wants to make sure I arrive safely to your ship."

"The fighters look very sleek and powerful," I observed.

Tavo nodded. "Yes, very efficient and deadly."

I raised my hand and shielded my eyes from the twin suns' rays reflecting off the fighter ahead of us as we left the upper atmosphere of Grandius.

We could see _Veda,_ still some distance away.

"Ambassador, how do I contact _Veda_ to let her know we are approaching?" I asked.

"A good idea, Captain," Tavo mused. "We would not want your ship to blow us out of the sky accidentally."

He opened a channel.

"Go ahead, Captain."

" _Veda_ , this Captain Magnusson; please come in, _Veda_."

"Captain, this is Commander Vlen. I am pleased to hear your voice. I presume your ship is the one in the middle of the group?" he asked.

"Yes, Commander. We will be landing on _Veda_ in fifteen minutes. Please advise the landing bay area to clear the deck and to accept the entry of one vehicle only."

"Understood, Captain; I will meet you in the landing bay."

"See you, then, Commander."

Now, I had just enough time for a quick look around the Tavo's ship.

"Ambassador, do you mind if Padre and I take a quick tour of your vessel?" I asked.

"Be my guest, Captain. I will remain here and enjoy the view."

"Thanks, Ambassador; we won't be long."

Padre and I went through the ship, admiring the luxury and technology behind its many facets, before returning to the bridge several minutes later.

"You have a great ship, here," I complimented.

"Thank you, Captain. No expense was spared," Tavo said.

"Look – we're getting closer to _Veda_ ," Padre pointed out.

We were within one stadia of _Veda_ when the leading pilot advised Tavo that the security escort was breaking off formation and returning to base.

"Thanks for your help, Commander," Tavo answered.

"I am just doing my duty, Duke Legari. Good luck to you and your companions on your voyage," came back the reply.

He then veered his fighter to the left and downward with the other fighters following suit disappearing from our view.

The bay doors opened, and I could see into the landing bay and the observation rooms at the opposite end. I also saw the main thrusters, below the landing bay as well as the left and right thrusters beneath the ship's wings, their bay doors closed. The doors only opened for training exercises, or in times of combat. Connected in the middle of the ship's wings were the control sighting towers for the starfighters. The _Fortuna_ glided in and came to a stop floating gently just above the deck. The twin lights continued to bounce off the walls as the landing bay doors quickly closed, and with them, the general alarm was turned off. We got out of the _Fortuna_ and stepped on to the deck as the flight deck control officer stepped out from the base of the tower and walked towards us.

"Captain, Padre, welcome back," he said.

"Glad to be back aboard," I said. "Controller, where can we park the Ambassador's ship?"

"She's a big ship, sir, but we can make space for her and secure her in holding bays four, five, and six, in the upper level. Ambassador, it would make the job a lot easier if you would guide her into position."

"Certainly, sir, Jasa, after I have parked the ship, please bring our belongings to our quarters and activate the force field."

"Yes, Tavo," Jasa said.

Jasa whistled loudly, and the ship gently lifted up and floated through to the upper level.

_Amazing, such technology at their disposal. We can learn a lot from the Grande._

"Excuse me, Captain," the controller said. "Unless you need me for something else, I will return to my duties."

"As you were," I answered.

Padre, the Ambassador, and I headed in the direction of the grav-lifts, where we met Vlen outside the elevators.

"Good morning, Captain; happy to see all of you onboard," Vlen said.

I nodded. "Glad to be back."

We took the grav-lift and escorted Tavo to his previous quarters, telling him to make himself at home as our permanent guest.

"Captain, before you leave for your duties, I just want to say how honored I am to be undertaking this expedition with you," he said.

"I am just as honored to have you and Jasa on board," I replied.

"Captain, if there is anything that you can use me for, please let me know; I would be most happy to be of assistance," Tavo said.

"I will keep that in mind, Ambassador," I said.

I then stepped forward and warmly clasped his forearm in the ancient tradition of friendship and loyalty.

"Until next time, Ambassador," I said.

"Until the next time," he replied.

"I will see you around, Ambassador," Padre said.

"For sure, Padre," Tavo said.

Padre and I walked off down the corridor.

"What will you find him to do?" Padre asked.

"In time, I'll come up with something," I replied.

My intuition told me that the Ambassador, though a man of wine, women, and song, did not want to die of boredom either. Eventually, he would come to me, looking for something useful to do.

Padre, Vlen, and I went back to my office, where we exchanged a few thoughts before parting. After Padre and Vlen had left, I went to the bridge and checked in with the officers on duty. I quickly checked the ship's logs and mentally prepared myself to meet with Orlando, Victor, and Joseph, concerning the launching of the first buoy.

#  Chapter 21

I met with the trio of scientists outside of the room containing the buoys. "Gentlemen, the laying of the first buoy is at hand, and a new era in space travel is opening up for the people of Caeruleus," I said.

"I agree, Captain. It's a big step for the people of your world to join the more advanced races in wormhole travel," Orlando said.

"Joseph and I are certainly excited to be here, Captain," Telesio said, rubbing his hands in expectation.

"I think we all are," I said. " _Veda_ , switch on the recording devices for posterity, disable the weapons system in the room, release the magnetic clamps, and secure the room after we leave."

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

We went into a holding room, where _Veda_ safely guarded the buoys. They were each two metrons high and one metron wide, carefully secured by magnetic clamps.

"Victor, please give me a hand to lift the first buoy onto the anti-grav float."

"No problem, Captain," Victor said.

We both grabbed the buoy, using two magnetic clamps, but were not able to budge it. I felt sure that 100 men would still not be able to move it.

"Captain, the buoy's matter is extremely condensed," Castelli cut in. "Neither we nor a thousand like us would be able to move it."

"Orlando?" I asked sheepishly. He was holding a small portable device in his hands.

"Gentlemen, if you would, please give me a moment. I will command the buoy's computer to run through its initialization sequence and adjust its molecular structure so that we can safely move it," he said.

He aimed the device at the buoy. There was a vibration, and the air in the room began to shimmer with a humming noise. Three minutes passed.

"Try it again, Captain," Orlando said.

"Did the buoy initialize correctly?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain. I am receiving the correct information in the correct sequence format. All systems go."

Victor and I then tried again. To our surprise, the buoy moved as if it weighed nothing.

We placed it on the floating anti-grav platform, and I secured it to the float by adjusting the float's magnetic pull on the buoy. We escorted the buoy out the door, followed by Castelli and Roth, along with two security guards who were assigned to join us. The armed guards escorted us, one taking point while the other followed from behind. We entered the grav-lift and headed down to the final level, exiting out of the grav-lift and entering the landing bay. We stopped, and I used my communicator to talk to _Veda_.

" _Veda_ , are we in a position to launch the buoy?" I asked.

"Checking coordinates, Captain; we will be in position within fifteen minutes."

I programmed the floating grav platform to stand at the edge of the bay, and commanded _Veda_ to begin broadcasting the general warning message.

"Attention, all personnel in the landing bay area," intoned _Veda_. "All personnel in the landing bay area are to evacuate immediately and to go and stay in their designated safe areas until the all-clear siren is sounded. This is not a drill; again, this is not a drill. All personnel in the landing bay area are to evacuate immediately and to go to their safe areas. Again, this is not a drill."

There was a pause, and then the general alarm sounded, as the beams of the main twin lights flashed their light rays against the interior of the chamber. The maintenance crews, pilots, and army personnel began to evacuate the area, moving to their designated safe zones. A few minutes later, we deactivated the force field around the bay door, so as not to interfere with the alien technology. This was a rare occasion where the vacuum of space would enter the landing bay area.

From one of the observation rooms, the three scientists, security guards, and I watched as the launch bay doors opened. Three minutes later, the buoy was shot off into space by a magnetic push from the anti-grav platform, allowing the buoy to clear the ship's hull. I could see it continuing to float away from us at a steady rate. The buoy would automatically adjust its position according to the program that Orlando had created. When the bay doors closed, the landing bay area pressurized, and ten minutes later, we heard the all-clear siren.

"That was exciting, wasn't it?" Castelli asked.

"It sure was. I got bumps when it shot off into space," Telesio said.

"I have never seen you both so passionate," I grinned, feeling jubilant.

"Captain, they are like two children with a new toy," observed Orlando.

I continued to track the buoy through _Veda_ on a viewer in the observation room. The buoy proceeded to a point in international space between Gigas and Grandius. Its final destination was in a section of space that was just inside of the shipping lanes of the Grande, which the Ingentum and other species used. The emperor had promised automated starfighters to protect the buoy and replace it in the event of its malfunction or destruction. The buoy would form the entrance or exit point of the wormhole, depending on whether you were entering it or leaving it, or it could be another link in the wormhole tunnel. The next buoy would be set at 200,000,000 stadia past the edge of our solar system, as defined by the furthest point of the orbit of Dias.

" _Veda_ , set the buoy's computer to send updates once every 56 segments for the next two weeks, and after that, once every two weeks," I directed.

"Sending, Captain; buoy is complying and is functioning to full capacity," _Veda_ said.

" _Veda_ , send messages to Commander Vlen, Padre, and the Captains of all the ships. __ Announce that the first buoy was launched successfully, and to inform their crews."

"Acknowledged, Captain."

"Sheila, send a message to Ambassador Legari that the buoy has been deployed and is fully functional, and that he may inform his emperor," I said.

"Yes, sir," Sheila said.

I turned and faced the three scientists, still beaming from ear to ear.

"Congratulations, gentlemen," Orlando said. "Our first buoy launch was a success!"

_He said, 'our.' That's an excellent sign; he thinks of himself as one of us._

"Okay, geniuses. Now that you have the first buoy away, what are you going to do next with the data we're receiving?" I asked.

"We are going to input the real data that it's transmitting and run simulations in 3D to see what happens when we have established a wormhole channel," Victor said.

"Don't you need the data from at least one other buoy?"

"No, Captain. We can create artificial data for the second and third buoys, and tie it to real data from the first buoy to see what happens," Victor explained.

"Okay, how else could running simulations be useful to you?"

"We can also learn how the buoy responds to particular space-time variables, and in some ways, it would help us reverse-engineer how the buoys work."

I smiled.

"I thought you and Joseph would find a way to obtain more information on how these devices worked," I said.

"Captain, if you don't mind," interrupted Orlando. "I would like to leave now, as I have an appointment with Astra in the cafeteria. She is going to show me some snapshots of her world, and I will show her some of mine."

"Sure, Orlando, I understand," I said, "I'll come up with you."

"We understand, too," Joseph said, elbowing Victor's side.

_Hmm. Instead of thinking of them as a trio of scientists working together, I should think of them as kindred spirits._

Orlando and I entered the grav-lift. He got off at the cafeteria level, and I continued to the bridge. When I arrived, Vlen was talking to the helmsman about possible course trajectories to Phoebus, our next stop.

"Captain, it's good to see you nice and relaxed," Vlen said.

"I didn't know I looked tense," I said.

"Just a little bit, Captain," Vlen replied.

"Good afternoon, Captain," Sirena said.

"Good afternoon to you, too, Sirena. Did you miss me while I was away?"

"No, Captain, it was peaceful up here."

_She got me again!_

I sat down in the Captain's chair and put on the neural device and connected with _Veda_.

_Veda, I am taking a 3D virtual tour of the ship; please monitor the bridge._

I could do a 3D tour of the vessel a lot faster than on foot. I decided that I would go back and forth, level by level, working my way to the top. As I altered my point of view within the holographic field, I saw the holographic outlines of the ship from space as well as from within the vessel.

I saw where the sections of the ship joined and the contours of _Veda's_ crew, infantry soldiers, and pilots as they performed their duties or rested in their quarters, as the remainder of the crew went about their ordinary business. In the cafeteria, recognized the outlines of Orlando and Astra, close together. I finally reached the front end of the ship and examined the deep space sensing array encapsulated in the cone of the vessel. It had been a while since I had made a thorough inspection, and now, at the end of it, I felt I'd left no stone unturned. I took off the communicator and put it away in the arm of the chair.

" _Veda_ , I am retiring to my quarters. You're in control of the bridge until Commander Vlen, or I, return."

"Acknowledged, Captain," said _Veda_.

I got up.

"Helmsman, Louis, lay in a course to Phoebus," I said.

"Yes, sir."

I left the bridge and went to my office. Between yawns, I read the reports from the department heads. After two segments, I'd had enough; it was time for relaxation.

I turned on the televiewer and watched a comedy until it finished. I got up and made a meal using the food replicator. After I finished my meal, I had just enough energy to take a quick shower and jump into bed. That night, I dreamed of the growing darkness at the edge of the galaxy. It seemed to be alive. I touched the darkness and felt my skin become clammy and damp as I woke up in a cold sweat.

_It must have been something I ate_.

I lay back on the bed and went back to sleep, undisturbed, until the next morning.

After breakfast, I sat down at my desk to continue working on last night's paperwork. I did about ten minutes' worth before deciding to ask Vlen to finish it for me.

" _Veda_ , contact Vlen and ask him to come here."

"Yes, Captain," _Veda_ answered.

A few minutes later, Vlen entered the office and sat down.

"Greetings, Captain," Vlen said.

"Hello, Vlen. How are things on the bridge?" I asked.

"We have laid in a course to Phoebus and expect to be in orbit within the next five days."

"Vlen, can you please take over the rest of the paperwork?"

"Yes, sir. I will have it completed before arriving at Phoebus."

"Thanks, Vlen, you're a pal!"

I was now free to concern myself with important matters like the running of the ship. I left the office and stepped on to the bridge and made myself comfortable in the Captain's chair.

_Where's Louis and Sirena?_

"Good morning, sir," Sheila said, swiveling in her chair.

"Greetings, Sheila. Where are Louis and Sirena?"

"Louis went to his quarters to get some headache tablets, and Sirena has gone to the ladies' room and should be back soon."

A few minutes later, I heard Sirena's voice.

"Good morning, Captain. Did you have a good night's sleep?"

"Good morning to you, too, Sirena. Yes, I slept very well. What about you?"

"Oh, I just had a lovely, quiet night all by myself."

_Hmm, so typical of Sirena, to engage me in an emotional response. What did she expect me to do? I was the Captain, and besides, I already had a woman._

" _Veda_ , magnify view 1,000 percent," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain," _Veda answered_.

#  Chapter 22

I passed the next two segments on the bridge without any interruptions. Vlen had completed the paperwork and returned to the deck, and everyone focused on his or her work while I enjoyed the view.

"It's peaceful, isn't it, Commander Vlen?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain. Everything is proceeding on schedule. We should be in the vicinity of Phoebus within five days."

I looked at the main viewer and focused on a distant nebula and its colored gasses in the North West quadrant of the galaxy. Transfixed by its majesty, I had to snap myself to attention to free myself from its spell.

" _Veda_ , direct the viewer to the North East quadrant of the galaxy."

"Yes, Captain."

I gazed at the screen; in addition to the usual stars and suns, I saw a vast expanse of darkness that stretched over the North East rim. It had grown noticeably. There was a gasp from the rest of the crew when they realized there were no stars, no planets, no solar systems, and no nebulae in that direction for many light-years. I could hear the consternation in their voices as they started talking among themselves.

"Captain, this is most disturbing; there has been a three percent increase in the expansion of the darkness," Vlen said.

"I'm greatly troubled by it, also. What do you think is causing it?" I asked.

"Unknown, Captain."

" _Veda_ , compare the current view of the galaxy quadrant with previous records and give us a summarization," I said.

"Complying, Captain," _Veda_ said.

Ten minutes had passed before _Veda_ got back to me.

"Preliminary analysis completed, Captain," _Veda_ said.

"Display the summary on the main screen for everyone to see," I said.

_Veda_ read out the summary at the end of the report.

"Complying Captain. Analysis shows a high-intensity field of subatomic particles in negative spin resulting in the complete annihilation of matter. No suns, planets, solar systems, or nebulae were registering within three light-years in all directions from the calculated point of origin."

" _Veda_ , what is the cause of this disturbance?" I asked.

"Due to insufficient data, I am unable to identify the cause of the phenomenon, only its effects."

" _Veda_ , scan for five light-years in the North East quadrant area from the calculated point of origin and report any additional anomalous data."

"Complying, Captain," _Veda_ said.

After half a segment, _Veda_ interrupted my thoughts of Caeruleus and Paul.

"Captain, sensors show matter disruption along the entire front of encroaching darkness," _Veda_ said.

I stood up, agitated. It was horrible news; planets, stars, and solar systems were being swallowed up and destroyed by a phenomenon that was the stuff of nightmares.

" _Veda_ , continue monitoring the North East quadrant."

"Yes, Captain."

"Captain, how is such a thing possible?" Sheila asked.

"I have no idea," I said.

"I hope it doesn't come our way," Sirena said.

"That's highly unlikely; we're very far away," interjected Louis.

"Captain, port sensors are detecting twelve vessels in vector formation, with a thirteenth in front, twenty-five thousand stadia from our position. The first vessel is venting gas and broadcasting a repeat message," Sheila said.

"Do you understand what the message says?"

"Negative, Captain."

" _Veda,_ can you display the ships on the screen?"

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

The view of the ships came up on the main screen. There was only one steady identifiable dot for the lead ship. The other twelve seemed to be there and yet not there.

" _Veda_ , are your sensors faulty? The other twelve objects seem to be disappearing and reappearing."

"Negative, Captain. Sensors are functioning correctly," _Veda_ said.

Vlen called my attention to him. "Captain, I recommend you call Padre; he has extraordinary mental abilities and powers."

"What powers?" I asked.

"If I told you about his abilities, Captain, you would find it hard to believe. I suggest you talk to him about it when you have the time."

"Okay, Commander. You sound very mysterious, but an extra pair of eyes won't hurt."

I summoned Padre, and five minutes later, he was on the bridge.

"Hello, Captain. How can I help you?" Padre asked.

"Greetings, Padre. The darkness in the North East quadrant of the galaxy is increasing, swallowing complete star systems in the process. Do you know anything about that?" I asked.

"Captain, I know only that it is growing bigger and moving closer to our solar system, and that it is not a natural phenomenon."

"Thanks, Padre. Well, at least now I know it's not natural. Also, we have another problem I want you to look at."

"What is it?" Padre asked.

" _Veda_ , can you magnify those images any further?" I asked.

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

The images increased in size so that the ships, which were previously only dots on the screen, appeared a little bigger this time.

" _Veda_ broadcast the message the ship is sending over the P.A. system."

"Yes, Captain," _Veda_ said.

The message was in an alien tongue, but the voice was human, as was the urgency in the tone.

"Padre, do you understand the language?" I asked.

"Not all of it; I understand a few words: help, darkling, death, destruction, survival, people, last hope."

"What do you think, Padre," I asked.

"Captain, my intuition tells me that we should help the person on board that ship," Padre said.

"Why?" I asked.

"The man in the first vessel is being chased by the other ships. He is a messenger or a courier, and his function is vital to many."

"What do you suggest, Padre?"

"The alien ships are coming closer to us and are within communications range. We should open a line of communication with them to gather more information about the situation."

"Sheila, open regular communication channels to approaching vessels," I commanded.

"Roger that, Captain," Sheila said.

"Attention alien vessels, this is Captain Marcus Magnusson of the starship _Veda_ , requesting dialog."

There was interference, and then, loud screeching noises came over the monitors. We shielded our ears.

"Arrgh, they don't sound very friendly to me," I remarked.

I looked at Padre's concerned features, his face had become grim, and he was shaking his head.

"Look, Captain," said Louis. "Several of the vessels have broken off formation and are coming straight for us."

_Damn, this could get ugly._ I checked the screen and Sirena's navigation charts, quickly confirming to myself that we were in interstellar space, millions of stadia from any inhabitable world. I spoke again.

"Attention alien vessels, you are approaching Caeruleus DMZ airspace. If you do not take immediate action to alter course, we will be forced to defend ourselves."

I waited for one minute, receiving no response.

" _Veda_ , sound general quarters and seal all sections," I said.

Immediately, the klaxons sounded across the monitors. Flashing red lights on all decks activated. Off duty personnel reported to their stations, preparing for action, while security was increased on the bridge and in engineering, communications rooms, and other sensitive areas.

I raised my voice over the noise.

"Padre, do you still want to help the person in the front ship?"

"This trouble would have come to us sooner or later," he replied.

" _Veda_ , patch me through to Squadron Commander Smith," I said.

"Yes, Captain," said _Veda_.

"Squadron Commander, this is a battle alert. We are facing unknown and possibly hostile enemies. Send out seven unmanned fighters using telepresence-enabled control."

"Understood, Captain. Fighters are prepped and ready for launch. Pilots are in the control tower and on my mark, ready to go," the Squadron Commander said.

"Estimated time to launch?" I asked.

"Five minutes," he replied.

I looked at the screen. The alien vessels were still coming toward _Veda_.

"Captain, incoming messages received from Captains Dante and Wolf," Sheila said.

"Put them both on a split-screen," I said.

They appeared at once.

"Prime Captain," Captain Dante said, "seven bogeys are approaching your position. Request permission to launch fighters and request bogey dope for target information when it is available."

"Permission granted, Captain Dante. Take the left flank and use unmanned fighters with telepresence-enabled. Captain Wolf, take the right side, use encrypted channels for communication, and launch fighters immediately."

"Captain, the alien ships are within striking distance. They are transparent and appear to have no one in them," Vlen announced.

"Negative, Commander. There are cloaked life forms aboard the ships," interjected Padre.

_How does he know these things?_

"I've seen these ships before," I realized. "When I was on Sapentia, a woman who acted as my guide, said they came from the edge of another galaxy."

"Captain, I sense a great evil descending upon us," Padre said.

While the aliens were advancing, everyone on the bridge remained calm at their stations; their training and drill practice would see them through this.

" _Veda,_ patch me through to the control tower and the fighter bays so I can hear what's going on," I said.

"Yes, Captain," _Veda_ said.

_Veda_ patched me through to the second level of the control tower, where Squadron Commander Smith was helping the pilots gear up in case they had to enter the starfighters themselves. I had that option to put the pilots in the fighters, but we were facing an unknown enemy, and we didn't know their armaments or the distance of their firepower. Our pilots could be shot down with impunity before they had a chance to fire.

"Unknown vessels, this is your last warning to leave our demilitarized zone; otherwise, we will be forced to defend ourselves and open fire," I said.

Again, there was no response, only a screeching sound.

_That tears it, no more warnings._ It was time to act.

"Attention Squadron Commander," I said.

"Yes, sir!"

"Ordinance release is authorized; launch fighters arm weapons hot."

"Roger that, Prime Captain."

The condition of the lights in the fighter bays had gone to white, and then to yellow – an attack was probable. Then, I sent the signal, causing the lights to turn red. A hostile attack was imminent.

The pilots strapped themselves into the fighter bays and were in the ready position to launch the starfighters using telepresence. I could hear the squadron leader's voice through my headset.

"Attention pilots, assume echelon formation."

Simultaneously, I could hear the whine of the starfighters preparing in the launch bay, the thunderous roar of engines reverberating in unison, sounding powerful and dangerous as the starfighters sped away from _Veda._

The starfighters had barely cleared the bay in diagonal formation when we felt the first jolt of energy coming from one of the hostile vessels, and then a second.

"Engage at will," Squadron Commander Smith commanded.

The sky around the bandits began to light up as the laser bursts from the starfighters hit the enemy ships. Two of the enemy ships burst into flames, while another one was venting gases. The enemy starfighters were three times larger than our starfighters; suddenly, I saw two of our starfighters blown up by one of the bandits. These aliens, whoever they were, had lighting fast reflexes. I saw the bandit that had destroyed two of our fighters blown up in turn by sustained fire from two of Captain Dante's starfighters, who managed to get close enough for their weapons to have an effect. I listened to the pilot chatter over the radio in my Captain's chair as they warned each other of the enemies' changing positions.

_Veda_ took another hit, and this time, I felt her shudder.

_Veda can't afford to keep taking hits like these._

" _Veda_ , commence rapid automatic firing of forward cannons," I said.

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

_Veda_ destroyed two enemy starfighters, leaving less only four enemy fighters still engaged in action against our starfighters.

_I'll leave these to the others._

"Captains Dante and Wolf, I will engage the bandits pursuing their target. I'll leave your forces to mop up the rest of the enemy. Maintain this position until Veda returns," I said.

"Go get them, Marcus," said Captain Wolf.

"Captain to the engine room, give us one hundred percent power," I said.

"Yes, Captain," answered Sam, the chief engineer, when suddenly, _Veda_ was struck by laser bursts from one of the bandits in the same place.

"Alert: force field in section C experiencing strain," said _Veda_.

"Will it hold, Veda?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain."

_Good._

"Squadron Commander, withdraw the rest of your fighters and follow Veda," I said.

"Copy that, Prime Captain," the squadron Commander answered

There were five remaining enemy ships still in pursuit of their target.

"Veda, engage forward cannons on enemy target pursuing lone vessel," I said.

"Squadron Commander, engage at will."

"Roger that Prime Captain," Curtis Smith said.

I watched as the starfighters reorganized themselves in formation while closing the gap between themselves and the enemy. I turned my attention back to the escaping vessel.

_Hell, it's beginning to glow. That means it's about to blow!_

"Captain to McCluskey; can you lock in a fix on the life form aboard the escaping vessel?"

"Yes, Captain, provided he lowers his shields," said McCluskey.

"We need to let him know–if there were only some way we could tell him," I racked my brain.

"Let me try," said Padre.

He spoke some words into his communicator and then struck the floor with his staff. I could see the air ripple in front of me, and then, it was as if I could see the darkness of space ripple as well.

"Captain, ask the transporter room to try again," Padre said.

"Captain to the transporter room: try again," I said.

"Copy that Captain, I'll amp up the power," said McCluskey.

_Veda_ received another hit to the midsection, causing the air to vent. Fortunately, there were damage crews available in every section, and Alex messaged me almost immediately that the breach had been sealed.

"Captain, this is the transporter room. I am beaming him aboard now."

Nearly two minutes had passed before McCluskey let me know they had secured the passenger.

There was now only one enemy bandit left, and it had decided to make a run for it. Two of our fighters chased after it, but the pilot was too skillful, and the bandit disappeared before our starfighters could shoot it down.

"Captain to Chief Alex, send a ship to look for debris and bring it aboard. If anyone needs me, I'll be in the transporter room. Padre, you're with me. Attention, bridge crew, continue as you were before battle stations," I said.

As I walked off the bridge, I noticed some of the officers breathing a collective sigh of relief.

" _Veda_ shut down the alarms on all decks and advise the rest of the crew and fleet personnel to return to regular duties."

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

Padre and I headed down to the transporter room to meet the stranger. When we got there, Frank and Virginia, along with two orderlies, were attending to the unconscious man, who was wearing a reflective gold spacesuit.

"Hello, Doctor and Virginia, was he unconscious when he arrived?" inquired Padre.

"Yes," replied Frank.

Frank checked the patient's breathing and pulse before turning to the bump on the patient's head.

"Well, Doctor Klaus?" I asked.

"He's suffered a concussion, and possibly inhaled some of his ship's gasses. In the meantime, we'll place an oxygen mask on him and take images of his aura in the examination room. Hopefully, the scans will show no serious damage to any of his vital organs," the doctor said.

"Let me know if and when he wakes up," I said.

"Yes, Captain."

The orderlies gingerly picked the man up and placed him on a floating stretcher bed. Behind them followed Frank and Virginia. Padre and I took the grav-lift to the bridge, where I contacted the other Captains.

"Gentlemen, what losses did you sustain?" I asked.

"I lost four of my unmanned fighters," Captain Dante said.

"I lost three," Captain Wolf said.

"Were maintenance crews sent out to retrieve the debris?" I asked.

"Yes, Prime Captain," Captain Wolf replied. "We sent out two retrieval teams; however, upon approaching the areas, the remaining debris melted and disappeared altogether before they had a chance to collect any samples."

"Damn. My gut tells me that wasn't the last we've seen of these aliens," I said.

Captain Wolf nodded. "I agree, Prime Captain. And we can't afford a nearly fifty percent loss rate of launched Starfighters."

"I agree with both statements," reflected Dante darkly, "We were lucky this time. I hate to think of how many men and women we would have lost if there had been four or five times as many enemy ships."

We were nearly taken by surprise. Fighting a powerful enemy, we can't see and know little about, leaves the whole fleet vulnerable to another attack.

"One moment, men, while I check in with the chief to see if his team has had any luck retrieving any debris from the enemy," I said.

"Sure," Captain Wolf said.

" _Veda_ put me through to Chief Alex," I said.

"Acknowledged, Captain," _Veda_ said.

"Chief Alex, has your retrieval team been able to collect any debris from the aliens' starships?" I asked.

Alex shook his head. "Negative, Captain, still no luck."

I swore under my breath.

"By the way, Chief, we managed to beam over the pilot pursued by the aliens. He's arrived in an unconscious state," I said.

"That's for letting me know, Captain. Is there anything else?" Alex asked.

"No," I replied.

"Signing off, sir," Alex said.

"Prime Captain," Dante interjected, "I recommend we keep a minimum of three squadrons flying alongside the ships for the next five days, in case they decide to come back."

"I agree with Captain Dante," Captain Wolf said.

"Then that makes three of us," I affirmed. "We start as of right now. Have one squadron from each space carrier assigned to duty. Does anyone have anything else to say?"

"Prime Captain, let us know when the patient regains consciousness and what you learn," Captain Wolf said.

I nodded.

"What about you, Captain Dante?" I asked.

"No, not at this stage."

"Until next time, gentlemen," I said.

They signed off, and I sent a message to the Curtis Smith to keep a squadron on patrol and to coordinate with the Captains of _The Graziella_ , and _The Valeria_ , until further notice.

I closed the channel and went back to monitoring the screen, but not for long. A 3D holographic image of Frank appeared in front of me. Behind him, in the background, was Virginia, bending over the unconscious patient and bandaging his forehead.

"Captain, I have something unusual to report," Frank said.

"What is it?"

"I prefer, Captain, if you come down to the intensive care unit, and bring Padre with you."

"I'll be there in five minutes."

"See you later," Frank answered, closing the channel.

" _Veda_ , contact Padre and ask him to meet me in the intensive care area."

"Complying, Captain," said _Veda_.

"Vlen, take over the bridge until I return," I said.

"Yes, Captain," Vlen said.

I left the bridge and headed down to the intensive care unit. Padre was already there, talking to the doctor.

_He sure moves fast for a big man; I thought I get here ahead of him._

"Okay, Doctor Klaus, what is so interesting that I have to leave the bridge to see you about an unconscious patient?" I asked. The doctor stepped over in my direction, holding a holographic plate in his hand.

"Have a look at this," he said.

It was an image of the man's right leg. Implanted in the thigh was a crystal, three centrons long and two centrons wide.

"What's it doing there?" I asked.

"I don't know, Captain, but there is a tremendous amount of energy going into the crystal, and an almost equal amount leaving it," Doctor Klaus said.

"What do you make of it, Padre?" I asked.

Padre drew closer to the patient and lifted his rod. He then released it so that it hovered over the patient's right leg. At first, the top of the rod began to rotate through primary and secondary colors, before glowing with hundreds of thousands, and then many millions of colors in luminous intensity, so that everyone close to the patient had to shield their eyes.

"Now observe, everyone, when I move the staff over his head," Padre said.

He took his staff and placed it closer to the patient's head, and the colors drifted from those millions to only two: silver and gold, in the shape of a flame burning in the staff's orb. I lifted my hand away from my eyes.

_What's he getting at?_

"What does that mean, Padre?" I asked.

"What it means, Captain is that the crystal in the man's right thigh contains the lives of billions of individuals."

"I don't understand. How is that possible?" I asked.

"Excuse me, Padre, I don't see how you can fit so many people into such a tiny crystal," Doctor Klaus said.

"I don't know, either; nonetheless, I tell you there are over six billion individuals in that crystal," Padre said.

I knew enough about Padre that when he said something outlandish, it was not wise to pass judgment on it until it had been proven wrong.

"Padre, you have to admit, it's a pretty far-fetched idea, but I am happy to wait for an answer until the man wakes up."

Padre simply nodded and said nothing else.

"Doctor Klaus, he is going to wake up?" I asked.

"Yes, If my diagnosis is correct, he should be waking up within half a segment," replied Doctor Klaus.

"Padre, we can go over to the cafeteria and have a quick snack while we're waiting," I said.

"Sounds good to me," Padre agreed.

"Doctor, we'll be in the cafeteria. Call us when he wakes up," I said.

"No problem, Captain," answered Doctor Klaus.

Padre and I then went to the cafeteria, where we talked about the day's events. Forty-five minutes had passed before the doctor called us.

We walked into the intensive care unit and straight to the patient's bed. He was wide awake and sitting upright. The doctor was trying to communicate with him, pointing to himself and saying his name, and then pointing to the patient, attempting to get him to say his name.

The patient, at last, pointed to himself and said, "Satet."

I moved to stand alongside the doctor, smiling at the patient, as did Padre.

"Captain, all I have managed to learn from him is his name," Doctor Klaus said.

"Padre, you understood some of the words from his transmission. Would you like to talk to him?" I asked.

Padre nodded. "I will need a 3D holographic PDA. I want to show him some writing."

"I'll get one for you, Padre," offered Virginia.

A moment later, she returned and gave it to him.

"Okay, you want to tell us what's going on?" I asked Padre.

"Here's the deal. Many eons ago, our planet was visited by two alien races from beyond the solar system. The only artifacts remaining of these ancient aliens are their cities and temples, and some writings inscribed on some of the walls. It took us over five decades to decipher a few phrases, belonging to one of the alien species."

"Are you saying the man in front of us is from that ancient race of beings?" Doctor Klaus asked.

"Maybe. That is why I recognized some of the words. At a minimum, the alien speaks the ancient's language."

"Do you think you know enough to communicate with him now?" I asked.

"Yes, I can communicate with him using some basic phrases, but first, I'll show him our home world and then the ruined cities and temples," he said.

Padre stood at the head of the bed, showed him a 3D representation of our solar system, and pointed to Caeruleus, our home planet. The man nodded his head in agreement. Padre then showed him pictures of the ancient cities and temples, with photos of the pictographs taken from the walls. There were looks of recognition on the patient's face, and he nodded his head from time to time. Padre then pointed to the writing. The patient moved his hand as if he wanted to write something.

"I'll get a pen and paper," Virginia said.

She hurried back with a pen and writing pad and gave it to the patient. He wrote down a series of pictographs. In the space of a minute, he had written over two hundred of them.

"Captain, this is obviously going to take a while," Padre told me. "I'll call you when I've made further progress."

"That's good news, Padre. Perhaps now we can learn more about our planet's history, as well as something about the darkness that is encroaching from the North East quadrant."

"Gentlemen, before you begin," Doctor Klaus interrupted, "I will take some more readings of his health, and then he is all yours."

The doctor made some hand gestures about his body, and then the patient's body. The patient seemed to understand and did not try to stop the doctor when he performed the scan.

"His anatomy and physiology are functioning within normal parameters; it looks like our friend is on the mend," Doctor Klaus concluded.

"Now that we know he is out of danger, I can catch up on some paperwork. Take as long as you need, Padre; I will be in my quarters when you're ready," I said.

I walked out of the intensive care unit and went straight to the bridge, where I informed Vlen of the latest developments.

"Splendid, Captain, do you wish to resume duty on the bridge?" Vlen asked.

"Ah, Commander Vlen, I need to get some work out of the way and take a short break. Do you mind staying on?" I said.

"I'll remain on the bridge for as long as you need me to, Captain," answered Vlen.

"Thanks, Commander, I appreciate that."

I started to walk off when Sirena turned around to look at me.

"How is the patient, Captain?"

"He's awake and seems to be in good health."

"Did he tell you where he's from?" Sheila asked.

"No, but Padre thinks we will be able to talk to him soon."

I paused, expecting more questions, but none came.

_Good, I'm out of here._

I walked off the bridge and went to my quarters, where I signed off on requests and placed my feet on the table, looking at the now familiar ceiling, before deciding to change into something more comfortable and lie on the bed. Now was a good time to catch some shuteye. I had planned on sleeping only a couple of segments and then going back to the bridge and relieving Vlen. Instead, I slept for almost three segments before being woken by _Veda,_ informing me that Padre wished to speak to me. I yawned and stretched my arms.

" _Veda_ , patch me through to Padre."

"Padre, is there any more progress?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain, I have made a great deal of progress. I suggest that you come down to the intensive care unit and bring Commander Vlen with you. I can explain to both of you and the doctor at the same time."

"Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes."

I left my quarters and went to the bridge.

"Commander Vlen, Padre has asked that you come with me to the intensive care unit. _Veda_ can look after the ship," I said.

"Yes, Captain," Vlen said.

Together, we went to the medical unit, where we met Padre, Doctor Klaus, and Virginia.

"What have you discovered, Padre?" I asked.

"I have managed to confirm that the man's ancestors have visited our planet in the ancient past. I have also learned that they use over 7,000 pictographs as their alphabet. Each pictograph would require two sentences of our language to convey the same meaning. But I am not able to go much further without investing a lot more time translating the rest. I thought we could speed things up by having Commander Vlen look at the eighteen pictographs I transcribed so he can use them as a basis to work out the remaining several thousand pictographs. He would then be able to communicate clearly with our guest," Padre suggested.

"I'm glad to be of assistance, Padre," Vlen said.

"Commander Vlen, here are the pictographs I have transcribed," Padre explained to Vlen. "Alongside them are the ideas and words that the pictographs represent."

"Captain, I will need at least half a segment to transcribe the rest of the pictographs into our language before I can communicate with the individual," Vlen said.

"Take as much time as you need, Commander," I said.

Quietly, Vlen went to the corner of the room to study the pictographs.

"While Commander Vlen is busy, I'll make myself a cup of coffee," I said.

"Very well, Captain," Padre said.

"Doctor, please show me the lunchroom," I said.

"I'll take you," Virginia offered, "and join you for a snack."

"What about you, Padre?" I asked.

"I'll stay next to Vlen, in case he needs to ask me anything."

I turned toward the patient and made motions to him that I was going to have something to drink, and then pointed to him and made the same motion; he shook his head in response.

"What about you, Dr. Klaus – care to join us?" I asked.

"No, thanks, Captain. I am going to finish examining his blood tests and come back here in about twenty minutes," he said.

"Well, Virginia, it looks like it's just you and me. You lead, and I'll follow," I said.

"This way, Captain."

We went into the lunchroom, where I offered to make Virginia a cup of coffee or any other drink she preferred.

"Thank you, Captain. I'll settle for a cup of coffee, white with one sugar, and some biscuits," Virginia answered with a smile.

"One white cup of coffee coming up served with biscuits. Is there anything else the madam would like?" I asked.

"Captain, you can be so funny at times," Virginia giggled.

We sat there for the next twenty-five minutes, two shipmates drinking coffee and dunking our biscuits, discussing the daily running of the ship. I noticed she brightened up whenever we mentioned the doctor.

"Are you still happy you joined up with us?" I asked.

"Yes. I have never been as happy as I am now."

"Is that just because of the work, or is there another reason?"

"What do you mean, Captain?"

"Oh, nothing. I just thought there might be another reason you're so happy,"

She continued to drink her coffee, but I noticed her cheeks had gone slightly red. Frank came into the lunchroom, and that was the end of my teasing.

"They're ready, Captain."

"Come on, Virginia, let's see what story the stranger has to tell us," I said.

"I'm all ears," Virginia agreed.

Together, we walked toward the patient. He was talking to Vlen in his language while Padre had his personal recorder switched on.

"Commander Vlen, what are you and our guest discussing?" I asked.

"We are discussing the world he is from, and why he was running from those aliens," Vlen said.

"Commander Vlen, can you please ask our guest the following questions as I give them to you?" I asked.

"Yes, Captain," Vlen affirmed

"Why were so many aliens trying to kill you?"

"Satet said he is the last survivor of his race, and that the aliens were in pursuit to finish the job," Vlen said.

"That answer doesn't make sense to me. Does it make sense to you, Padre?" I asked.

"Perhaps, maybe it has something to do with that crystal in his leg?" Padre asked.

"Hmm... Commander Vlen, we will revisit the question of why he was being pursued later. Ask him if his race of people visited Caeruleus in the past," I instructed.

Vlen spoke to the patient in his language and then translated his words to me.

"He says that his species visited our planet about two million years ago."

"Why did they leave?" I asked.

Vlen spoke to the alien.

"Captain, he says that his people never left our planet; that they are still there, living on a higher plane of existence."

"Vlen, if you had told me that back on Caeruleus, I would have walked out of the room."

"But apparently, Captain, you have seen and heard too much since you have been in space," Vlen said.

"You're right, Vlen; that's why I am keeping an open mind for now," I said.

Vlen continued. "The patient says that the people who came to Caeruleus escaped his world to practice their religious beliefs without outside interference. They believed if they could develop their mental and spiritual faculties, they would be able to transmute their bodies into a finer material body that would gradually fade altogether from our plane of existence."

"That might explain why we never found any of the aliens' skeletal remains," Doctor Klaus said.

"Coming back to the present, does he know why the aliens destroyed his world?" I asked.

Vlen then spoke to him again in his language for about two minutes.

"Satet says the aliens killed all of his people and destroyed the planet – as for why he does not know."

"The whole planet destroyed, along with its population? I can't even begin to fathom such tragedy," Virginia said sadly.

"Commander Vlen, ask him if he is aware of any other worlds being destroyed," I asked.

Vlen spoke to him again and received his answer, in tears, from the patient.

"Captain, he said thousands of worlds were destroyed before his world," Vlen said.

There was silence in the room. One could hear the air conditioning, which normally was inaudible.

"I don't blame him for crying. I would be, too," I said.

"Captain, I would like our guest to answer a couple of my questions," Padre said.

"Go ahead, Padre."

"Commander Vlen, inform our guest that I am going to pass my rod over him and show him something, and tell him not to be scared," Padre said.

Vlen spoke to him again, and the patient nodded in agreement. Padre then lowered his staff over the patient's head, and the orb glowed silver and gold. Then, he passed the rod across his right thigh above the hidden crystal, and the globe lit up again in millions of colors. The patient became disconcerted and moved his right leg uncomfortably.

"Vlen, ask our guest why the crystal in his right leg was implanted, and ask him if that is the real reason the aliens are chasing him. Also, tell him we are not his enemies and that he is free not to answer."

Vlen spoke to Satet, who sat quietly until Vlen had finished speaking, and then answered him. After a couple of minutes, Vlen told us what Satet had said.

"Padre, you are correct; the aliens are chasing him for what is inside the crystal. Upon seeing the other planets destroyed, his scientists devised this method of escape. Satet says there are six billion individuals within the crystal, shrunk down to the size of individual atoms, along with their homes and cities. The crystal contains a duplicate of their world, on a microcosmic scale. He says that the aliens were aware of what his world had done to escape its fate and chased after Satet. Satet's mission is to find a region of uninhabited space and to help recreate a new world for his people. He wants us to help him," Vlen said.

I looked at Padre and the others.

_How could I not grant his request?_

"What do you think, Padre? Do you think he's telling the truth?"

"Yes, Captain, I believe he is. I was suspicious when I saw the staff's response to the crystal, but he has a noble soul. I think we should support him."

"Advise him that we will have our engineers and technicians assist him in whatever way we can. In the process, I expect him to give us some of his planet's technology," I said.

Vlen informed him of my decision; Satet nodded and then spoke again.

"Captain, he says thank you," Vlen translated, "However, the only technology he will give us is of a peaceful nature. His people are pacifists who believe violence must sooner or later be accounted for, with all debts settled and paid in full."

"Ask him if he will consider looking at our ship and helping us improve the efficiency of the engines and increase the strength of our force fields," I offered.

Almost immediately, Vlen informed me of Satet's decision.

"Captain, he will be most happy to help with engine efficiency and power. He will also make harmonic adjustments to our force field shields, which will provide greater protection from attack."

_And we'll have a more advanced vessel._

For the next five days, Satet and several engineers built and tested a vessel according to his instructions. I made sure while the ship was being constructed, that everything about its construction was recorded and noted. Extra copies of the recordings and technical data of the building of the vessel were given to Captains Dante and Wolf to have their engineers reconstruct the alien craft as well. It was a hive of activity as the engineers from all the ships exchanged ideas and theories about the spaceship while getting hands-on experience building an alien vessel. At the end of the vessel's construction, we gained the ability to construct a new craft that could travel twice as fast as our fighters, with a force field that was 300 percent stronger.

Before Satet left, he gave us new leads for research in biology, chemistry, engineering physics, photonics, force field construction, and generation. He also gave us the formulas for the building of stronger and more durable materials in nanotechnology, as well as methods for increasing the efficiency of our ships' engines by a massive 53 percent.

On the day he left, several of us saw him off, and he spoke to me in my language.

"You can go to the North West quadrant and colonize a new world, but now that the enemy knows of your existence, they will come after you."

"Do you know what these aliens look like?" I asked.

Satet shook his head. "No, and I do not know why they are attacking countless worlds. Perhaps they hate all life and wish to extinguish it. In any case, they are our worst nightmare realized. No one has been able to stop them. I am sorry to scare you, Captain, but this is the truth."

Satet wished us luck for our colonization and boarded his ship, as _Veda_ sounded the evacuation alarm in the landing bay. The bay doors opened, and in the silence of the vacuum, his vessel glided into the darkness of space in search of a place to call home for his people. When the doors shut, the all-clear was given. Stepping outside from the observation room with Padre, I privately wished Satet good luck.

"Padre, Satet warned me privately, that the aliens who attacked his world will come for us because they now know we exist," I said.

"Captain, we are living in a dangerous period of history," Padre reflected, "where the balance between good and evil has been altered. Sooner or later, the masters of evil and their servants will turn their gaze upon us."

Placing my hand on Padre's shoulder, we returned to the bridge, where I watched Phoebus spin into view. Unlike the other planets we had visited, Phoebus did not look friendly or inviting.

**************************** END OF PART THREE *************************

#  Dear reader

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read my book, which I hoped you enjoyed. If you did, please consider leaving a review or rating, however brief. Even a short comment helps to draw more interest and makes an enormous difference to the exposure the book gets; I will appreciate the gesture.

#  About the author

Hi, if you're wondering why I write, it is because I like to express and explore ideas through the medium of writing. If I could sum myself up in a few lines, it would be these; like any good Kozmic Dreamer, I came, I saw, I learnt, I created, and I moved on.

Oh, one more thing, I believe most firmly that when we dust off this mortal coil, we will have the opportunity of creating our reality to some degree as we see fit, either individually or with others who share the same vision. Isn't that exciting?

#  Discover other titles by Vito Veii

I, Human Part One: The Renaissance

I, Human Part Two: An Android's Soul

I, Human Part Three: The Orbs of Sapentia

I, Human Part Four: The Invisible Spectrum of Light

I, Human Part Five: The Malevolence of Evil

I, Human Part Six: Infinity Awaits

I, Human Part Seven: The Cosmic Corridors

I, Human Part Eight: Metropolis: A City in Sixty Days

I, Human Part Nine: Do You Take This Android To Be Your Companion?

I, Human Part Ten: The Whores of Wreath

Find Me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/VitoVeii

mailto:Vito@Kozmickonstructions.com

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