* * *
“Trans-location sequence one complete. Awaiting further orders,” the metallic sound of Juliet informed Doctor Ulysses. Her holographic representation floated above the holo-projector plate, virtual eyes watching the man who sat in the chair before her.
Doctor Ulysses let out a sigh of relief, “Thank you, Juliet. Begin the calculations to perform the first transference. Begin transference once calculations are complete.”
“Acknowledged.”
As the holographic face of Juliet disappeared, Doctor Gregory Maximus Ulysses III turned to the view port on his left and stared out at the quasar, which the space station, with its heavy shields protecting him against any radiation, he was the sole resident of orbited. The view still took his breath away at times; the majesty of the quasar, with its brilliant flashes of light as particles were drawn into the event horizon of the massive black hole, was a sight few beings in the galaxy had witnessed. Unfortunately, he witnessing of such a sight this close came at a terrible price.
Doctor Ulysses' eyes turned towards the holograph frame sitting on his desk. There, in a life-like rendition, sat his wife, Margaret, and his two children, Chloe and Frederick. The image had been taken at the Sulfur Falls on Orion 3 some 15 years ago. It seemed much longer. That was the last moment of happiness he remembered before the war.
Now his family had been shattered, his wife and children killed during the fall of the Orion system early in the war against the Krai'kesh that had cost so many human lives thus far. Doctor Ulysses had, from that day forward, focused his mind on nothing but his work, in an effort to keep his mind off the sadness of those events. Now his work had paid off, or so he hoped.
His concentration was broken by the sound of Juliet beginning the first transference sequence. The energy indicator on the screen hovering on the wall before him showed energy levels rising to 100%, drawing upon the energy of the quasar. A roar began to build in the core of the station, as the energy was channeled, and within moments there was a flash of light and a bright yellow glow emanated from within the containment chamber behind the doctor's desk. The first transference was complete.
“Activate trans-location to pre-designated location, Juliet. Then begin calculations for second transference. Activate second transference once calculations are complete.”
“Acknowledged.”
Moments later the light within the chamber had gone, trans-located.
Following on the heels of the emptying of the chamber was a build-up of energy similar to the first transference, followed by a longer flash of light as matter was transformed into energy and transferred into the containment chamber. No sooner had the light settled into the chamber than the doctor gave the order to trans-locate the matter to the second pre-designated location.
As the light disappeared Doctor Ulysses took a deep breath and then said, “Juliet, activate the self-destruct sequence if you please. Set countdown for 1 minute. Allow voice override.”
“Acknowledged, Doctor Ulysses. Self-destruct sequence initiated.”
The war had taken everything from him; his home, his family, nearly his life on more than one occasion. He could only hope that the actions he had taken would bear fruit - that hope for the human race yet remained in the matter he had sent across time and space.
Doctor Ulysses cast one last glance towards the quasar before closing his eyes and awaiting the end....
###
About the author:
Dayne first began writing fantasy at the age of fifteen when he discovered the worlds which fantasy novels could transport him to. Since then, he’s read countless fantasy and science fiction novels from the likes of Robert Jordan, Elizabeth Haydon, Peter F. Hamilton, George R.R. Martin and many others. He has earned a bachelor of business administration from CTU, written a fantasy novel, obtained his customs broker license and started a publishing business.
Dayne lives in southeastern Michigan with his wife and daughter. When he is not working on his Saga of the Seven Stars series and his next novel, you can find him reading, watching television with his wife, biking, walking and playing on the computer or with his daughter.
Connect with Me Online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dayne87
Facebook: https://facebook.com/SagaOfTheSevenStars
My website: https://www.darkstarpublishing.com
Blood and Shadows Page 34
