Imperium: Contact

by Kabbabe, Malek

  Quilleck reached into his robes and withdrew a data module.

  “I had one of our techs do a sensor scan of the area after they left,” he explained.

  “Guards,” Jones called.

  The door to his office burst open and the two soldiers marched back in.

  “Take this data module to the Captain,” he ordered one of them.

  “It contains a sensor scan of an area in this system, I want it investigated at once.”

  The soldier saluted, took the module from Quilleck and left.

  “He can go,” Jones said indicating Quilleck, who bowed and accompanied the other guard out of the room.

  Jones reclined in his chair for a minute, thinking hard. His view screen beeped, it was the Captain.

  “Sir,” Gerard said briskly.

  “I sent patrols to the area indicated in the sensor scan, they found an extremely short range Imperial message beacon.”

  “A message beacon?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Why didn’t we pick this up earlier?” Demanded Jones.

  “As I said sir, its range is extremely short, only a few hundred thousand kilometers.”

  “I see, anything else?”

  “Yes,” replied Gerard, a slight furrow creasing his brow.

  “Its transponder code identifies it as having been launched from the Twilight.”

  Jones sat up straight in his chair.

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes, I checked the code myself.”

  “What was the message?”

  “Is strange Admiral,” replied Gerard.

  “It's just a set of coordinates to a system in the middle of nowhere, I'm sending them to you now.”

  A set of numbers appeared below the image of Gerard. Jones recognized them instantly, they were the coordinates of the system where Dominance had been lost.

  “So you were going there after all,” he muttered.

  “I beg your pardon Admiral?” Asked Gerard.

  “Never mind Captain, set course for that location immediately.”

  Chapter 23

  Andrew felt a growing sense of unease as he and the rest of the Twilight's crew followed the young woman through gleaming white hallways. He was certain the young woman and the alien ship meant them no harm. Andrew reflected for a moment on the absurdity of considering a ship's motives. The young woman had claimed the ship was basically sentient and he had definitely felt something when he'd connected with it, or whatever he'd done. Well, no matter the reason, he felt he could trust them. Now however, they were headed off to who knew where. To meet with, ‘others’ had been the young woman's cryptic statement. Who were they, hell what were they and what did they want?

  As they turned into another hallway, Andrew saw that it ended in a dead end. As the young woman approached it, the wall melted into another opening. On the other side, Andrew could make out smooth dark walls, that formed a long, wide passage. It was so long in fact, that He couldn't see the end. Although that might also have something to do with how dark it was. Along the ceiling, spaced roughly five meters apart, glow panels dimly illuminated the place.

  As they followed their guide into the passage, Andrew noticed that it was made of smooth rock. It appeared to have been cut straight into an enormous rock formation. Except, as far as he could tell in the dim light, the entire passage was one smooth, continuous piece. That meant they must be on a planet, or asteroid. A planet judging from the gravity, although it was possible some type of artificial gravity field had been installed.

  They walked in silence for another minute, until a large shimmering white wall came into view. It looked identical to the walls on the ship. As they approached, it too melted away, spilling bright light into the dim passage. The young woman gestured them to follow and walked through the opening.

  After the dimly light passage, the bright illumination was blinding. Andrew could make out enormous white walls like those on the ship. Except these were much larger, larger even than those in the room that had housed that glowing sphere of energy.

  This room was also circular, but with a level floor, giving it the appearance of a giant dome. It had several balconies running along the walls, all the way up to the ceiling. Andrew heard Major Clark's involuntary sharp intake of breath. Every one of the balconies was filled with humans. Men and Women, all dressed in the same white robes as the young woman’s.

  It was then that Andrew noticed the slightly raised platform in the center of the room. On it stood an older looking man. Just like the young woman, he too seemed to have a bright sheen of light surrounding him. His however, was far more pronounced, it was like a gleaming corona of light surrounded him. He was bald and thin, with his hands clasped in front of him. The man's head was bowed, but he lifted it slowly as they approached.

  This time it was John who let out a soft gasp. As the man looked at them, they could see his eyes, or rather where they should have been. Instead, bright white light poured out of the empty sockets. The man appeared to watch them as they approached, although with those empty sockets it was impossible to tell.

  When they were a few steps from the platform, the young woman still leading them, stopped. She looked at the man standing on the platform, then stepped aside. Major Clark, who had been right behind her, was now face to face with him. The man's empty sockets seemed to focus on her.

  “You wish to talk human?” A deep voice thundered from all around them.

  Aziz and Nolan both flinched at the sudden noise.

  “Ah, yes,” replied Major Clark, addressing the man in front of them, despite the fact that he hadn't moved a muscle.

  “About what?” Thundered the voice.

  “I wish to discuss what happened to the human frigate you disabled.”

  “What of it?”

  “Why did you attack it?”

  “It attacked us.”

  “It attacked, just like that without provocation?”

  The old man's eyes blazed at Clark for a moment before he spoke.

  “They came across our vessel near the system you encountered us,” explained the booming voice.

  “They demanded we identify ourselves, when we refused they attacked,” there was anger in the voice now.

  “I see,” said Major Clark.

  “When we boarded the Dominance, we didn't find any of the crew, can you tell me what became of them?”

  The old man once again regarded Major Clark for a moment before answering.

  “Some were killed when we disabled the ship, the rest were taken prisoner.”

  “Prisoner?” Asked Clark.

  The voice didn't reply.

  “Right,” she continued, sounding a little disconcerted.

  “What do you intend to do with them?”

  “That depends on them.”

  “Ah, very well,” said Clark, deciding not to press the point.

  “In light of what you have told me, I would like to extend my apologies on behalf of the Human Empire. I am not privy to the motives of the Dominance's crew, but they acted in violation of official military procedure when encountering new forms of life.”

  The old man's eyes suddenly blazed with light, making it difficult to look at him.

  “Oh I am well aware of your official procedures in such a situation,” the voice thundered.

  “Your official procedure is to investigate a species, assess their strength and assumed value. Then, if you're feeling generous, you'll offer them the opportunity to willingly submit before you destroy them.”

  The old man turned his head to Saskill.

  “I'm sure this shengyet would agree.”

  Saskill seemed taken aback.

  “You know of my species?” He asked.

  “Yes,” replied the booming voice.

  “We are well aware of what the humans have done to your kind.”

  Saskill threw a quick glance at Major Clark.

  “Not all humans are like that,” he said.

 
The booming voice made a sound of derision.

  “That may be true of some, but we both know the majority are just as I describe.”

  “That is something I would like to change,” Major Clark cut in.

  “I wish to open peaceful negotiations between your people and the Human Empire.”

  “You only wish to negotiate, because we have the ability to fight back, or because our human appearance does not offend your xenophobic minds. Rest assured, we chose this form not out of any sympathy or respect for your kind.”

  “Wait, chose this form?” Anna cut in.

  “You mean you normally don't look like us?”

  The old man turned to face her.

  “I have neither the time nor the desire to explain it to you human,” snapped the voice.

  “Please,” said Major Clark.

  “We can still resolve this peacefully, I can-.”

  “You may actually believe so human,” the voice cut her off.

  “Most of your kind however, do not and neither do I. This meeting is concluded.”

  With that, the old man once again clasped his hands together and lowered his head.

  “Wait,” began Major Clark.

  “Please follow me,” said the young woman stepping between them.

  She looked anxious.

  “Please,” she repeated, indicating a side of the room to the left of the platform.

  Recognizing defeat, Major Clark and the others followed her.

  As they approached the wall, another door way appeared to reveal yet another hallway. Unlike the one they had entered through however, this one was made of the same white material as the great room. As soon as the last person stepped through, the door sealed itself. After walking down this new hallway a few meters, they came across another that branched off to the left. They followed their guide down it for a few paces until she came to an abrupt halt.

  The young woman touched a part of the gleaming white wall to her left and it melted away, to reveal another room, similar to the one they had stayed in aboard the alien ship. She gestured for them to enter and they obeyed. This time however, she followed them. Once they were all inside, she turned to Andrew.

  “May I speak with you in private?” She asked.

  Andrew looked at her in surprise.

  “In private, with me?”

  “Yes,” she said nodding and gesturing to the still open door.

  Andrew looked at the others.

  “If you wish to negotiate, Major Clark would be far better suited,” he began hesitantly.

  “That is not my intention,” the young woman explained.

  “I simply wish to talk with you in private, do not worry,” she added seeing his concerned look.

  “I promise that when we are done, you will be returned to your companions.”

  “Okay, I guess so,” Andrew replied hesitantly.

  As soon as they stepped into the hallway the door sealed itself behind them. The young woman turned to him, the anxious expression still on her face.

  “I,” she began.

  She seemed unsure what to say next.

  “I'm sorry for what happened back there,” she said finally.

  “Uh, well that's nice, I mean I wish had gone batter as well,” replied Andrew, slightly confused.

  Why was she telling him this?

  “I assume that's not the only reason you wished to speak with me?”

  The young woman nodded, but still looked uncomfortable.

  “This, is difficult. I don't know precisely where to begin, but you should be told.”

  “Told what?”

  “That there are some of us who would like to hear what Major Clark has to say.”

  Andrew suddenly felt annoyed and frustrated. He had never been in a situation where he understood so little of what was going on.

  “Look,” he said, his voice rising slightly.

  “I frankly don't care what you want. All I want right now is an explanation. Who are you, where did you come from? Why do you look human and if you're not interested in talking, why did you take us prisoner?”

  The young woman shook her head.

  “We did not take you prisoner.”

  “Oh so nearly destroying our ship was just your way of saying hello?”

  The young woman sighed.

  “I cannot answer all your questions,” she said softly.

  “But if I answer what I can, will you listen to what I have to say?”

  Andrew hesitated for a moment, then he nodded.

  “Very well,” the young woman began.

  “You wanted to know who we are, that I'm afraid, I cannot tell you. Although I can tell you why we appear human, it is as you were told earlier, we chose this form.”

  “So you can change your form at will?” Andrew interrupted.

  The young woman smiled sadly.

  “In a manner of speaking.”

  Andrew gave her a confused look but she simply moved on.

  “I believe you also wanted to know where we came from. Unfortunately, I don't think you would understand if I told you.”

  “Try me.”

  “Very well,” she replied, smiling.

  “Where we come from is not a single place, as you would define it.”

  “You mean your species inhabits several worlds?”

  The young woman suddenly burst out laughing.

  “What, what's so funny?”

  “Oh it's just that on one level you are completely right and yet on another, completely wrong,” she explained, still chuckling.

  “But no, we do not come from any world or singular place.”

  “So what, your species just exists in space?”

  “In a space, but not yours.”

  “What, like in another universe?” Asked Andrew incredulously.

  “No,” she replied.

  “We,” she broke off looking frustrated.

  “I am sorry, your confusion is as much my failure to explain, as it is your failure to comprehend.”

  She held out her hands in front of her and regarded them.

  “This form is new to me, to all of us, I don't know how to explain it in your words.”

  Andrew wasn't quite sure what to make of this.

  “So if no one has ever heard of your species before, that means you just recently came here?” He asked.

  The young woman nodded.

  “Why?”

  If the young woman had looked anxious earlier, it was nothing to the expression on her face now. She seemed to be remembering something terrible.

  “It-,” she began.

  “Are you alright?” Andrew asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  The instant he touched it, a bone chilling cold surged through him. He was surrounded by complete and utter darkness. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t breathe. Then the darkness was shattered by a voice. The most terrible voice Andrew had ever heard, it made him want to run, to get as far away from it as he possibly could. The voice didn’t say anything, it merely screamed.

  Andrew staggered back, releasing the young woman’s shoulder. He was shaking all over and his uniform was drenched with sweat.

  “Wha-what the hell was that?!”

  The young woman had her hands over her mouth. She stared at him with a wild eyed expression.

  “How, how did you see that?” She demanded, lowering her hands.

  “I don’t know,” Andrew replied.

  “What was that?” He asked again.

  “That was the reason we left,” she explained.

  “I was thinking of it when you touched my shoulder and then, somehow you saw it. But you shouldn’t have, there’s no way a human could.”

  She broke off in mid sentence, staring at him.

  “You, you’re not like the others are you? You’ve been changed somehow.”

  Andrew nodded.

  “We, we should move on,” said the young woman.

  Andrew didn’t much want to, he still wanted to kn
ow more about what he’d just seen. It seemed however, that it wasn’t a topic she was keen on discussing and in all fairness he couldn’t blame her.

  “So, why did you bring us here?” He asked instead.

  “When we first encountered your ship, we had no intention of doing so,” she replied.

  “And before you ask,” she added, seeing him about to speak.

  “No, I can't tell you where here is.”

  Andrew nodded and the young woman continued.

  “Your response to us however, was very unusual. You weren't hostile towards us and some of us were curious.”

  “Wait, so you chased us and nearly destroyed the Twilight, because you were curious?”

  The young woman shook her head.

  “We had intended to send a message to you, but before we could, that group of fighters attacked. When the fight was over you were trying to leave, so we followed.”

  “So you nearly destroyed our ship just so you could talk to us?” Andrew wanted to know.

  “We did not foresee the effect our interdiction of your vessel would have,” she said apologetically.

  “Our intention was to merely stop your vessel and communicate with you.”

  “So if you were so eager to communicate with us, what was that back in the giant room?” Andrew demanded.

  The young woman lowered her head slightly.

  “Not all of us wanted to talk to you,” She said.

  “Those of us aboard the vessel you encountered wished to talk, however there are others that do not.”

  “Speaking of which,” said Andrew.

  “Who was that old man?”

  “He is what you might call our leader.”

  “Well so much for opening negotiations with your people,” Andrew remarked dryly.

  “That was what I wanted to talk to you about,” said the young woman.

  “Why me, why not Major Clark?”

  The young woman hesitated before answering.

  “You are known to us.”

  “Known to you?” Asked Andrew perplexed.

  “When you made contact with the ship,” she explained.

  “I see,” said Andrew, looking at the hand he had touched the tentacle of light with.

  “Look,” he said, straightening up.

  “I can see why you would want to talk with someone you, ‘know’. However Major Clark really is the person you should be talking to about this.”