“Quite an impressive ship,” Commander Madelyn Arnett commented with a smile. “Who would ever have thought we would be on board something like this?”
Race nodded in agreement. “I’m still trying to adjust to the size of this ship. I sat down the other day trying to figure how long it would take to walk all the corridors on board. I called up some schematics on the computer and there are over three thousand kilometers of corridors on this ship. There are probably some compartments I’ll never see. This ship is just too damn big!”
“If not for the turbo lifts and tram tube systems, it would take forever to get to your posts,” added Colonel Brice Cowel.
As it was, there were a number of different crew quarters as well as mess halls so personnel could sleep and eat close to their workstations. A system of tubes ran through the ship and small tram like vehicles zipped back and forth taking crewmembers to distant parts of the warship as needed.
“We’re on the outskirts of Shari space,” reported Taalon Briez, the Alton navigation officer. “Our next jump will put us inside their empire.”
“From this point on I want all ships at Condition Three,” Race ordered as the viewscreen changed to show a view of the stars ahead. They were closer to the galactic center and there were substantially more stars in this area of space than around Earth.
Commander Arnett was studying one of the tactical displays. The battle dreadnought was equipped with the most modern and sophisticated sensors the Altons could design. In open space, the sensors could reach out for sixteen light-years, which was a big improvement over the ten light-years the older sensors were capable of.
“We have reports of Simulin vessels in this area,” Captain Brent Davis commented from Sensors. “From the data file we were given there have been a number of sightings just inside the Shari Empire.”
Race looked over at Kelnor Mard. “How close are we to the ancient worlds of the Originators?” Race was anxious to see these mysterious worlds the ancient race had colonized. He still found it remarkable there were ruins on these worlds after the passage of so much time.
“Another 820 light-years inside Shari space and in toward the galactic core. There’s a small globular star cluster of over twelve thousand stars and that’s our destination. The ancient Originator worlds are in 241 star systems inside that cluster.”
Madelyn shook her head in disbelief. “That would have put their population base far more than what the Human Federation of Worlds and its allies are.”
“How old are these ruins?” asked Race, his eyes narrowing.
“More than two million years,” Reesa Jast, the female Originator expert answered. “The building materials they used have eroded over time even though they are far beyond anything we use.”
“If there’s still something there after two million years that’s one hell of a building material,” commented Colonel Cowel.
“It’s a type of composite material we’ve never been able to duplicate,” responded Kelnor. “When the Originators built something, they built it to last.”
Commander Arnett’s face showed a frown. “So this Dyson Sphere we’re searching for is over two million years old?”
“It could be much older,” Kelnor answered, his eyes lighting up. “It has been postulated that if this Dyson Sphere does exist, it will have some type of automatic repair systems. It could have existed for millions of years and will, in all probability, exist for millions more.”
“So, if this Dyson Sphere receives any type of damage, it will just repair itself?” asked Commander Arnett, trying to grasp such a sophisticated technology. The Federation had spider robots that could be programmed to initiate repairs but nothing like what Kelnor was describing.
“Yes,” Kelnor responded. “You have to realize how massive a Dyson Sphere is. It encloses an entire star at a range of at least one to two AUs or possibly even more. The living space inside would be more than several million Earths at a minimum. A large one could be equivalent to one billion Earths. It would be enough living space to last a civilization from its beginning to its end.”
“These Originators, you think they went to this Dyson Sphere to live?” asked Colonel Cowel with a look of concern on his face. It was hard to imagine something so large.
Kelnor looked over at Reesa, who nodded. “We think so. The Dyson Sphere would have furnished more living space than they could ever need and being around a star, they would have sufficient energy for countless eons.”
“Civilizations could rise and fall, and they would be safe inside the sphere,” commented Madelyn, thinking about the immensity of such a construct. “But how do we find it? Won’t the Dyson Sphere be shielding the star, making the system invisible?”
“We believe it will be in the globular cluster where their worlds were,” Kelnor answered. “We’re hoping to find some clue on their abandoned planets as to its location.”
Race nodded. Much of this they had discussed before. “Let’s just hope the Simulins don’t find it first. Navigation, plot a jump into Shari space. I want to do a doglegged series of jumps so if the Shari detect us they won’t be able to figure out where we’re heading.” It was a dangerous gambit to enter Shari space, but they had to find out if the Dyson Sphere was real.
“So we’re going to sneak into the cluster?” asked Madelyn, nodding her approval.
“Yes. That should give us some time to begin our search.”
“If the Simulins aren’t already there,” Colonel Cowel said reproachfully.
Race didn’t reply though he understood the colonel’s concerns. There was little doubt in Race’s mind that at some point in their search, they would probably encounter the Simulins and possibly the Shari.
-
A shimmering blue-white spatial vortex suddenly erupted in the Symeck System where the Altons had found several Originator worlds in their early explorations. Out of the vortex stormed the WarHawk with her crew standing at battlestations and Condition One set. Moments later, space was ruptured again as twenty more vortexes formed and the rest of the battle fleet emerged.
The main viewscreen flickered to life, showing a distant K-type main-sequence star or more commonly referred to as an orange dwarf. The star had a mass just slightly below the Earth’s sun and a stable habitable zone where there were two Earth type planets, which had once held cities of the Originators.
“All systems are powered up and working at optimum levels,” Commander Arnett reported. “Ship and the fleet are currently at battlestations.
“Long-range sensors?” inquired Race, gazing intently at one of the tactical holo displays that would show any contacts.
“Nothing,” Captain Davis reported, as the sensors remained clear. “No signs of any Shari or Simulin ships.”
Race let out a long held breath. The long-range sensors had detected a number of Shari ships as they neared the cluster, but strangely they seemed to be avoiding this area of space. “We’ll hold our position here for two hours. If the sensors remain clear, we’ll move in and check out the two planets.” So far there had been no signs of Simulin vessels.
“I’ve always dreamed of coming here,” Reesa said softly, her eyes gazing at the orange star on the viewscreen. The screen had been adjusted to show the colors of the stars in the star cluster. It made for a breathtaking panoramic view. “For years I’ve studied the Originators, even traveling to Astral and looking up the data stored there of the explorations of these worlds. To actually be here is unbelievable.”
“Do we split the fleet up and check both worlds?” asked Madelyn as she finished listening to the various departments check in.
Race shook his head. “No, I want to keep the fleet together. We’re in unexplored space, at least unexplored as far as we’re concerned. If something unexpected happens, such as the Shari or Simulins jumping in, I want to be ready to respond.”
Madelyn nodded in agreement. “I’ll have the exploration cutter prepped. “It will be ready to go when we reach the first p
lanet.”
The exploration cutter was one-hundred-meters in length and thirty in diameter. It had six defensive laser turrets with a standard crew of twenty. It could carry an additional forty passengers plus research equipment. The small ship also had a powerful sublight drive but not a hyperdrive. It also had a weak energy shield for use in an emergency. Commander Arnett was confident it would make a good and secure base for any planetary explorations that needed to be done.
“I want Talons flying constant support cover for the research teams,” Race ordered as he thought over what they might encounter on the surface. His biggest concern was the Simulins showing up. He had no desire for his research groups to be battling Simulin Conqueror Drones having seen the files sent back by the Distant Horizon’s probe of what the deadly crablike machines were capable of. “I also want two squads of marines to secure the area and provide security for the teams.”
Race leaned back in his command chair as he gazed about the Command Center. He could sense a higher level of excitement as they were about to explore a former Originator world. Race had to admit he was feeling the excitement also. He had always dreamed of going off exploring; he strongly suspected many of the officers in the fleet had. Now he had his opportunity. He just wished his sister, Massie, could see what he was doing. She was the commanding officer of the battlecarrier Hera and was currently near the old Hocklyn home worlds making sure the Hocklyns were obeying the treaty guidelines, which had ended the war. It still pained Race greatly that his sister, as well as his parents, must think he had resigned in disgrace from the Fleet. Of course, the fact he had suddenly dropped out of sight might be enough to tip off his sister that everything wasn’t as it seemed.
-
A few hours later, Race was standing in front of the massive viewscreen staring at the planet being displayed. It had the same color Mars once did with very little water and sparse vegetation. The oceans, if it had ever had any, had long since dried up.
“Atmosphere is breathable,” reported Captain Davis. “But just barely.”
“I want everyone going down to the surface wearing Alton protective suits,” Race ordered.
The Alton protective suits were almost like normal clothing except they were capable of protecting the wearer from temperature extremes as well as dangerous toxins and even radiation. In addition, the clear helmet that went with the suits provided a secure environment allowing the wearer nearly twenty hours of life support to explore. The marines had a similar suit but adapted to allow them to carry their weapons as well as other equipment.
Major Drake Nolan was the marine commander on the WarHawk and responsible for the six hundred marines stationed on the ship. “We can depart whenever you give the order,” Drake said. He had come to the Command Center to brief the admiral on the preparations for the mission. “There’ll be two more shuttles on standby with four additional squads of marines if they’re needed.”
“Who will be in charge of the marines on the surface?” asked Race.
“Captain Lindsey Abrams,” Drake answered promptly. “She attended the Fleet Academy on the Moon for four years and actually has an advanced degree in alien studies. She also has a good head on her shoulders.”
Race nodded, feeling satisfied with their preparations. Kelnor had already indicated the location of four large sites on the planet where ancient ruins were located. An Alton expedition had journeyed to this system thousands of years in the past and Kelnor had access to their records from the data Reesa had downloaded on Astral.
“Just make sure she understands the importance of keeping the research scientists on track and not to let them wander off,” commented Race, folding his arms across his chest. “Scientists have a tendency at times to go off on a tangent. Make sure she keeps them focused on the task at hand.”
“She will,” Drake promised. “I’ve already given her a thorough briefing of what needs to be done. She’s been on several research expeditions in the past providing security.”
-
Down in the Alpha flight bay, Captain Lindsey Abrams was busy making sure the marines and the scientists were on board the exploration cutter and ready to depart. She had sixteen marines to serve as escorts and protection for the twenty scientists and research personnel going down to the planet.
“Everyone’s on board,” reported Sergeant Blake Madison.
“Then let’s go,” ordered Captain Abrams. She had personally inspected everything that had gone on board the cutter. She had also handpicked the marines who would be providing security for the mission.
The two boarded the cutter and moments later it left the flight bay, banking sharply to begin its descent to the surface. Behind it, four Talon fighters exited the Beta flight bay and took up escorting positions.
-
“I can’t believe we’re actually here,” said Reesa as she gazed out one of the viewports at the approaching planet. “Just think, the Originators once walked upon this world.”
“True,” Kelnor replied as he felt the cutter vibrate slightly as it entered the planet’s atmosphere. “Just remember, that was over two million years ago. All we can expect to find are ruins and most of those will just be the foundations of the buildings and other structures that once stood upon the surface. The Alton expeditions of the past found little of use other than a few simple tools and samples of Originator writing on dilapidated walls.”
“I refuse to believe there’s nothing to find,” Reesa responded with a frown. “I’ve studied the Originators for over twenty years, and they’re bound to have left something of significance behind.”
“They did,” answered Kelnor. He was well aware that Reesa was a rarity among Altons as she still let her emotions guide her at times. “The Dyson Sphere; everything you want is there, we only have to find it.”
Reesa didn’t reply as a whistling sound could be dimly heard in the large cabin. It was the thickening atmosphere buffeting the cutter. She was determined she would make an important find on the planet to prove Kelnor wrong.
-
Once the cutter set down, Captain Lindsey Abrams led a squad of her marines down the exit ramp to secure the area immediately around the ship. They had landed in a flat area clear of the ruins, which stretched out for several kilometers. The air was dry with very little humidity. A few sparse yellowish plants grew from the ground. The ruins seemed to be primarily building foundations with a few walls still standing. Once she was satisfied they were safe, she allowed the scientists and their assistants to emerge as well as the rest of the marines.
Kelnor and Reesa quickly organized their research groups, explaining to Captain Abrams what they intended. Lindsey could tell Reesa was impatient to set out and begin exploring.
-
A little bit later Captain Abrams glanced around, scrutinizing the activity of the scientists and their assistants as they moved away from the cutter and into the ruins. The scientists had fanned out into four groups and were searching for anything that might be of significance. She had assigned three marines to each group. The remaining four marines were stationed around the cutter, keeping watch for anything that might represent a danger. The crew inside the cutter were monitoring the immediate area with the ship’s sensors. She had also ordered the crew to stay at Condition Two until further notice. That meant the laser turrets could be used to defend the ground teams from attack if needed.
Looking down toward the ground, she kicked at the dirt, grimacing as a red cloud of fine particles flew up into the air. This planet reminded her too much of Mars. While Mars had been terraformed, there were still areas that looked as it did back before the planet was transformed.
“Captain,” Sergeant Madison said over the marine comm channel. “Reesa wants to go farther into the ruins where some large walls are still standing.”
“Permission granted,” replied Lindsey. “Just use caution, I don’t want a wall falling and crushing one of the scientists, particularly Reesa.” She wouldn’t want to return to the Wa
rHawk and have to explain losing one of the venerated Alton scientists. “Keep a close watch on her as she seems to be extremely inquisitive and may take some unnecessary risks.” Lindsey had met other Altons in the past and Reesa was noticeably different. In many ways, she seemed almost human.
Time passed and the different groups continued to check in on a regular schedule. From inside the cutter, the sensor operator reported no discernible threats as there was nothing, other than the four ground teams, being detected. Lindsey allowed herself to relax though a strange prickling sensation on the back of her neck hinted all was not as it seemed.
-
Reesa had just stepped around a partially eroded wall marveling at how old the ancient structure must be. She reached out and touched it, imagining what it must have looked like when it was first built. It wasn’t hard for her to visualize immense and colorful buildings reaching up into the sky towering over the countryside. The building material the Originators used had only eroded slowly over the years from being exposed to the planet’s atmosphere.
Looking around she saw what looked like a large hole or cave, which led deep into the ground. She paused, wondering if this might lead to an underground basement or subterranean structure. She felt excitement course through her as she realized there might be intact Originator equipment inside. Stepping closer she thought she could hear something scuttling around inside the darkness. She peered into the gloom but couldn’t make out anything. She wondered if she should step back around the wall and summon the marines that were with her team.
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