Star Wars/voistoki
(Depending on which Universe you're from.)
Episode ii (and a bit.)
TERRA INCOGNITO
What you need to know:
Two Universes.
They are billions of light years apart, and closer together than clothes are to skin. They are connected in subtle and powerful ways, and it is possible to pass from one to the other. Such things occur in all Universes, for there is more than one: they are of a number far greater than any mind can think.
In a galaxy even further away from one you might be familiar with, the Gatehouse Installation is under going final preparations before it goes online. The biggest undertaking of the Voistocki people and their allies, Gatehouse is a means of travelling through a weakness in Reality - to go to another Universe. Staffed by a skeleton crew of nine, who are watching over the powered down construction, the Installation appears to be stable and working well.
Something is about to go wrong. Soon, the disparate desperates on board Gatehouse will find themselves stranded in a strange new galaxy, one tearing itself apart by war. They want nothing to do with it, but will be forced to get involved in a battle that will alter the fate of both Universes.
*********************************************
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Her?
He hadn't thought of her in years, scince he genuinely believed he'd never see her again. He'd pushed her memory away.
And yet here she was again, sneaking up on his thoughts. Why? A lady from another world, one that could not be found on any map. They'd been thrown together from opposite ends of space, culture and belief, yet had loved each other. Then he had to leave, and he could not take her with him. They both had duties beyond themselves. He must go, she must stay. They would not see each other again.
Scince then, he'd tried not to think of her. It grew easier over time; he had important duties to focus upon. His life was not without incident, even now. Especially now. So why was she on his mind again? He had much to attend to, and that ripple in the Force he'd sensed over the past few weeks was getting stronger, becoming a wave. Soon, it would be a tsunami. Attempts to discern its cause led him again and again to his memories of his lost love.
Could it be possible? Was the Passageway opening again?
He gave a mental shrug. Whatever was going to happen, it would happen soon. He'd doubtless discover all then.
One
At the same time, in a galaxy even further away.
"I've got a very bad feeling."
"What's wrong, old thing?"
The temperature dropped. Panic rose.
"Konni, I think we should get out of here."
"What..?"
"RUN!!"
Then everything exploded.
Tiahn woke up, and regretted it immediately. Klaxons were screaming all around her, not a welcome thing when you're recovering from a blow to the head. She said something obscene, then sat up.
Then lay right back down again, as the room spun. Constellations danced behind her eyelids as she squeezed them shut. A nuclear explosion had gone off in her skull, she tasted blood in her mouth. Feeling bruised all over, like she'd gone ten rounds with a prizefighter because she'd not had the sense to give up after one.
Just what the hell had happened?
A shadow fell upon her, and she squinted up at the battered features of Colonel Konztaan Raskovic. His thin face was colouring up from dozens of bruises and blood trickled from his nose. He gingerly touched her face, his usual laconic expression forced away by shock and concern. "Tiahn, old thing, can you hear me?"
She nodded.
"You're not badly hurt?"
She managed to sit up this time without feeling the urge to throw up; "I need some painkillers and a bloody stiff drink. How're you, Boss?"
Raskovic chuckled, winced and collapsed down to sit beside her, "Bloody awful. However, we're both still alive, barely, and that's something to be grateful for."
People were shouting in the distance, getting closer. Tiahn and Raskovic sat there, propped up by the wall next to the entrance, and stared out across the Engine room. Something wasn't quite right with the scene, and in their dazed condition it took them a few moments to work it out.
There had been an explosion of sorts, but there was absolutely no damage to the place at all. Equipment, consoles and tools were all where they should be. The main drives were humming away merrily as if nothing had happened. No smoke, no fires, nothing. Not a dickey bird.
"Now there's a funny thing," Raskovic managed, finally.
"Aye. You'd expect smoke at least. Where's that blasted Medic?"
"Tiahn, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I might do, Boss. But where are we going to get a superconductor and a thousand rubber bands at this time of night?"
Raskovic frowned, "I believe.the Device activated."
Tiahn let out a sigh, "Aye, I know that's what you meant. I think that's what did happen." A far away look bloomed in her eyes, " I know I felt a bit.funny before it all went frantic."
Raskovik looked at her closely for a second, then smiled. And winced once more. "Damned good job you did too, otherwise we'd be in a far more sorry state."
"Or in bits."
"Indeed."
The shouting was no longer in the distance, and the Engine Room's doors burst open under the onslaught of several panicked crewmembers. In normal circumstances it would have taken less time for help to arrive, but Gatehouse was ten miles wide in every direction, and the small skeleton crew were widely spread out. As the station was supposed to be off line until it's grand launch, only a small group had been required to watch over it. No one had thought anything like this was going to happen.
Their rescuers slid to a halt and looked about, confused. The alarms and sensors had told them an explosion had occurred, and yet.
"Yes, we're rather confused about that too," Raskovik said dryly. They spun about and beheld the battered pair slumped in the corner, then surged toward them, first aid and questions at the ready. Six in all; Fol Cholly the Medic, Elori Rytonko the Second Engineer, Blim Norfis the Computer Tech, Glidath Nagigg the Communications Officer, Mrs Brasti the Tea Lady, and.
Tiahn sighed as she saw the last person. Jadrith Magog, her mother. There was going to be a fuss made, she just knew it.
"Tiahn! What the hell happened?" Madame Magog fell to her knees beside her stricken daughter.
"I got flung across the room and hit the wall," said Tiahn, "The Device went off."
"I know it did! How did it happen? Did you touch anything?"
"Nope. I didn't touch anything. Did you touch anything, Konni?"
"No." Raskovic groaned as Cholly began to tend to him.
"I didn't touch anything, Konni didn't touch anything. Nothing was touched," Tiahn stated firmly, "And we didn't see anyone else down here either."
"But the Device still went off," Jadrith's eyes narrowed, "How could that happen?"
"Someone else was down here."
They looked over to Elori, standing by one of the consoles, she didn't look happy.
"One of the Escape boats just launched. There's a life form aboard, but the signal's scrambling, so we can't tell who. And I found this." She moved toward them, holding out a small square object, "A Focus Grenade. I've heard of 'em. You two are damn lucky."
She gave the thing to the newly patched up Raskovik, who glared at it.
"Ah, yes. Charming little things."
"What's it do?" Tiahn looked at it as Cholly started on her. It looked nothing more than a small grey box, smooth sides, with a button on the top.
"It sends out a frequency specifically designed to blow apart organics and leave everything else intact," he smirked without humor, "You know, the important things that are worth money."
"This is what flung the pair of you across the room," Jadrith's voice was a hard monotone.
"If Tiahn hadn't got us running we might have been killed. Thank the gods for her premonition."
Tiahn drew her knees up and rested her chin on them, wrapping her arms around her legs, "They have their uses, sometimes."
Jadrith Magog extended a shaking hand to touch her daughter's cheek.
"Chrrk and Herzlos are missing. Find them. And track that boat. Whoever did this is going to be sorry."
"Already being done."
"And try to find out where the hell we might be. The Device started up, so we've probably gone through a Passage."
"Right."
"Done," Cholly told Tiahn, "Just some nasty bruises and maybe concussion. You get a headache or feel dizzy, you see me."
"Cheers, Doc." Tiahn was helped, aching, to her feet. Cholly turned to Jadrith, "They're lucky. Nothing serious, but they'll be sore for a few days," he scowled, "Anyone who uses a Focus Grenade is a real bastard. If you want to duff him up before you hand him to the Police, I'll cover for you."
"S'nice thought, Cholly, we've got to catch him first. And judging from what's happened so far, they know what they're doing. It could be tricky." She looked at Tiahn and Raskovik, "Right you two, let's limp our merry way to the Bridge and."
"Boss!" Elori ran back to them from one of the consoles, panic on her face, "It's the Reality Default Device! The little git stole it!"
"Ohhh," Tiahn leaned back against the wall, "Shiiit."
"He set it off to strand us, then legged it with the Device. Wherever we are, WE'RE STUCK."
**********
Gatehouse's arrival had been noticed.
"Sir!" on the bridge of the Republic Battlecruiser Defender, a Clonetrooper rushed to the captain, a printout in his hands, "We've scanned the unknown vessel. We can't recognise the type; it's not Republic or Confederate, and it's big, sir."
"How big?"
"Ten miles wide and deep. Hasn't got much in the way of armament, though."
Captain Rulk Brommen stared thoughtfully out the Bridge window at the speck, growing larger as the Cruiser approached the unidentified object. The crew watched him, on edge. One of an armada of craft charged with defending Coruscant from the Separatists, they took their job seriously. Understandably nervous about the huge energy surge followed by the appearance of a colossal craft just a few parsecs from the Capital Planet, they'd been dispatched to investigate.
"The Shield and the Spear are just a parsec behind us, Captain. They'll be here shortly."
"Right. Open up a communications channel. Let's see what this monster has to say for itself. We'll keep our distance for now, just in case. Keep an eye out for any weapons or fighters."
"Yes, Sir," the Trooper punched some buttons, "Channel open, Sir."
Brommen took a deep breath, "This is the Republic Cruiser the Defender. Your craft is not among the list of vessels permitted to travel near Coruscant. Please state your name, cargo and purpose."
Jadrith snarled, her hands becoming fists. "WHO?"
Blim and Glidath had been working at the main computer console in the Engine room, "Herzlos, Boss. Cedek Herzlos," Blim reported.
Raskovik started, "What? He's the Government Observer! Why would he do something like this?"
"Let's worry about getting hold of him first," sighed Tiahn, "We can beat the "why" out of him later."
Jadrith was looking suddenly very tired, "Our first Priority is to find out where we are. Blim, talk to Gate and see if she can identify this area."
It was at this point that Captain Brommen's message sounded over the channel to Gatehouse Computer. Known to the crew as Gate, the Installation's automated brain digested the call, then scanned the approaching ship. Oh dear. What nasty big guns they had. And two more similarly armed craft were coming up to join it. Hmm. Better let the crew know.
"Gate to Engine Room", the computer's serene, bell like voice came over the tannoy.
"Blim here, Gate. I was just about to call you."
"If it was regarding where we now are, I would suggest you forget about that for the moment. A craft is approaching, and its captain has hailed us. I counsel an immediate response, they have rather a lot of weapons."
"Oh, bugger - BOSS!"
Jadrith looked up, "What?"
"We're in trouble. Some of the locals have spotted us."
Beside her mother, Tiahn was staring into the middle distance, "They're frightened," she said, "I know I would be."
"They're frightened and armed," Gate told them.
Raskovik smirked, "Well, isn't this turning out to be an exciting day?"
Jadrith glared at him. "Right then, Mr Clever, you can talk to 'em, then."
Gate opened a channel to the Defender.
"Greetings, Defender. This is the experimental installation, Gatehouse. I am Gate, the mainframe computer. How may I help you?"
Captain Brommen stared at the comlink, then glanced out the window. The - "experimental installation" - was only a few miles away. As the Clonetrooper had said, it truly was huge. It reminded him of an old fashioned oil rig platform on a grand scale.
"Greeting, uh, Gate. I am Captain Brommen of the Republic Navy."
"I am very pleased to meet you, Captain. We intend you no harm. Our presence here is accidental."
"Accidental? How? And where is the crew?"
"The crew are dealing with a problem in our engine room. I have informed them of your arrival, and I shall pass you over to Colonel Raskovik, the head of this project. He shall be willing to answer your questions."
"Thank you."
"Passing you over now. One moment please."
There was silence for a few moments. Brommen continued to stare at Gatehouse. He'd never seen anything quite like it. Nor had he heard of any "Gatehouse Project", or indeed, of a "Colonel Raskovik". Still, their computer had been polite enough. There'd been no signs of aggression so far.
He jumped as a new voice sounded.
"Good afternoon, Captain Brommen. It is afternoon, isn't it?" the voice was male, cheerful, and sounded similar to the upper class Coruscant accent. But there were slight differences.
"Uh - it's early morning, actually. You would be Colonel Raskovik?"
"I'm afraid so. I do apologise for this inconvenience, Captain. We really didn't intend for this to happen. I'm afraid we had a little accident in our Engine Room, which brought us here."
"Where are you from?"
"Ah - you'll never believe this, Captain - "
"Try me."
"Very well. This installation was designed to cross through weaknesses in reality. We are from another universe, Captain Brommen. We come in peace, I do assure you."
"You're from a WHAT?"
**********
"They're from a WHAT?"
Cos Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, gawked across his very large and impressive desk at his aide. Uv Gizen had just given him Captain Brommen's report. He couldn't believe it either.
"Another Universe, Supreme Chancellor. Apparently this craft has the ability to cross through reality. It wasn't supposed to do so just yet however."
"Hmm, yes," Palpatine looked at the report again, "They had an accident in their Engine room, it says here. I wonder if they were going to visit us, anyway, or if this was simply a random destination?"
"I have no idea, my Lord," said Gizen, "The Defender is bringing the crew to Coruscant, and the Installation is being gaurded by the Shield. They'll be here in half an hour."
Palpatine got up and crossed to the window of his office. Looking out across the Coruscant skyline helped him think, "I fear our visitors have picked rather an awkward time to arrive, Gizen."
"I certainly agree, my Lord. It was fortunate they appeared in our section of space. If the Separatists."
"Oh, yes, indeed. However, I feel that Count Dooku would be as cordial to the crew as we shall be. The installation itself, however, is another matter. His allies the Geonosians do so like to tinker with technology, I shudder to think that they might have got their hands on it."
"Perhaps we could persuade the visitors to share their knowledge."
Palpatine turned back to his aide, grinning, "Are you reading my mind, Gizen? Yes, it would be wonderful to have access to such technology. But first we must greet our visitors, and make them feel welcome. Could you see that they are escorted here as too as they arrive?"
"Certainly, Supreme Chancellor."
"And ask the Jedi Coucil if some of their members could attend. Their insight would be invaluable."
Gizen bowed and headed of about his business. Alone, Palpatine returned to perusing the skyline from his window. Visitors from another universe. Well, well.
TERRA INCOGNITO
What you need to know:
Two Universes.
They are billions of light years apart, and closer together than clothes are to skin. They are connected in subtle and powerful ways, and it is possible to pass from one to the other. Such things occur in all Universes, for there is more than one: they are of a number far greater than any mind can think.
In a galaxy even further away from one you might be familiar with, the Gatehouse Installation is under going final preparations before it goes online. The biggest undertaking of the Voistocki people and their allies, Gatehouse is a means of travelling through a weakness in Reality - to go to another Universe. Staffed by a skeleton crew of nine, who are watching over the powered down construction, the Installation appears to be stable and working well.
Something is about to go wrong. Soon, the disparate desperates on board Gatehouse will find themselves stranded in a strange new galaxy, one tearing itself apart by war. They want nothing to do with it, but will be forced to get involved in a battle that will alter the fate of both Universes.
*********************************************
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Her?
He hadn't thought of her in years, scince he genuinely believed he'd never see her again. He'd pushed her memory away.
And yet here she was again, sneaking up on his thoughts. Why? A lady from another world, one that could not be found on any map. They'd been thrown together from opposite ends of space, culture and belief, yet had loved each other. Then he had to leave, and he could not take her with him. They both had duties beyond themselves. He must go, she must stay. They would not see each other again.
Scince then, he'd tried not to think of her. It grew easier over time; he had important duties to focus upon. His life was not without incident, even now. Especially now. So why was she on his mind again? He had much to attend to, and that ripple in the Force he'd sensed over the past few weeks was getting stronger, becoming a wave. Soon, it would be a tsunami. Attempts to discern its cause led him again and again to his memories of his lost love.
Could it be possible? Was the Passageway opening again?
He gave a mental shrug. Whatever was going to happen, it would happen soon. He'd doubtless discover all then.
One
At the same time, in a galaxy even further away.
"I've got a very bad feeling."
"What's wrong, old thing?"
The temperature dropped. Panic rose.
"Konni, I think we should get out of here."
"What..?"
"RUN!!"
Then everything exploded.
Tiahn woke up, and regretted it immediately. Klaxons were screaming all around her, not a welcome thing when you're recovering from a blow to the head. She said something obscene, then sat up.
Then lay right back down again, as the room spun. Constellations danced behind her eyelids as she squeezed them shut. A nuclear explosion had gone off in her skull, she tasted blood in her mouth. Feeling bruised all over, like she'd gone ten rounds with a prizefighter because she'd not had the sense to give up after one.
Just what the hell had happened?
A shadow fell upon her, and she squinted up at the battered features of Colonel Konztaan Raskovic. His thin face was colouring up from dozens of bruises and blood trickled from his nose. He gingerly touched her face, his usual laconic expression forced away by shock and concern. "Tiahn, old thing, can you hear me?"
She nodded.
"You're not badly hurt?"
She managed to sit up this time without feeling the urge to throw up; "I need some painkillers and a bloody stiff drink. How're you, Boss?"
Raskovic chuckled, winced and collapsed down to sit beside her, "Bloody awful. However, we're both still alive, barely, and that's something to be grateful for."
People were shouting in the distance, getting closer. Tiahn and Raskovic sat there, propped up by the wall next to the entrance, and stared out across the Engine room. Something wasn't quite right with the scene, and in their dazed condition it took them a few moments to work it out.
There had been an explosion of sorts, but there was absolutely no damage to the place at all. Equipment, consoles and tools were all where they should be. The main drives were humming away merrily as if nothing had happened. No smoke, no fires, nothing. Not a dickey bird.
"Now there's a funny thing," Raskovic managed, finally.
"Aye. You'd expect smoke at least. Where's that blasted Medic?"
"Tiahn, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"I might do, Boss. But where are we going to get a superconductor and a thousand rubber bands at this time of night?"
Raskovic frowned, "I believe.the Device activated."
Tiahn let out a sigh, "Aye, I know that's what you meant. I think that's what did happen." A far away look bloomed in her eyes, " I know I felt a bit.funny before it all went frantic."
Raskovik looked at her closely for a second, then smiled. And winced once more. "Damned good job you did too, otherwise we'd be in a far more sorry state."
"Or in bits."
"Indeed."
The shouting was no longer in the distance, and the Engine Room's doors burst open under the onslaught of several panicked crewmembers. In normal circumstances it would have taken less time for help to arrive, but Gatehouse was ten miles wide in every direction, and the small skeleton crew were widely spread out. As the station was supposed to be off line until it's grand launch, only a small group had been required to watch over it. No one had thought anything like this was going to happen.
Their rescuers slid to a halt and looked about, confused. The alarms and sensors had told them an explosion had occurred, and yet.
"Yes, we're rather confused about that too," Raskovik said dryly. They spun about and beheld the battered pair slumped in the corner, then surged toward them, first aid and questions at the ready. Six in all; Fol Cholly the Medic, Elori Rytonko the Second Engineer, Blim Norfis the Computer Tech, Glidath Nagigg the Communications Officer, Mrs Brasti the Tea Lady, and.
Tiahn sighed as she saw the last person. Jadrith Magog, her mother. There was going to be a fuss made, she just knew it.
"Tiahn! What the hell happened?" Madame Magog fell to her knees beside her stricken daughter.
"I got flung across the room and hit the wall," said Tiahn, "The Device went off."
"I know it did! How did it happen? Did you touch anything?"
"Nope. I didn't touch anything. Did you touch anything, Konni?"
"No." Raskovic groaned as Cholly began to tend to him.
"I didn't touch anything, Konni didn't touch anything. Nothing was touched," Tiahn stated firmly, "And we didn't see anyone else down here either."
"But the Device still went off," Jadrith's eyes narrowed, "How could that happen?"
"Someone else was down here."
They looked over to Elori, standing by one of the consoles, she didn't look happy.
"One of the Escape boats just launched. There's a life form aboard, but the signal's scrambling, so we can't tell who. And I found this." She moved toward them, holding out a small square object, "A Focus Grenade. I've heard of 'em. You two are damn lucky."
She gave the thing to the newly patched up Raskovik, who glared at it.
"Ah, yes. Charming little things."
"What's it do?" Tiahn looked at it as Cholly started on her. It looked nothing more than a small grey box, smooth sides, with a button on the top.
"It sends out a frequency specifically designed to blow apart organics and leave everything else intact," he smirked without humor, "You know, the important things that are worth money."
"This is what flung the pair of you across the room," Jadrith's voice was a hard monotone.
"If Tiahn hadn't got us running we might have been killed. Thank the gods for her premonition."
Tiahn drew her knees up and rested her chin on them, wrapping her arms around her legs, "They have their uses, sometimes."
Jadrith Magog extended a shaking hand to touch her daughter's cheek.
"Chrrk and Herzlos are missing. Find them. And track that boat. Whoever did this is going to be sorry."
"Already being done."
"And try to find out where the hell we might be. The Device started up, so we've probably gone through a Passage."
"Right."
"Done," Cholly told Tiahn, "Just some nasty bruises and maybe concussion. You get a headache or feel dizzy, you see me."
"Cheers, Doc." Tiahn was helped, aching, to her feet. Cholly turned to Jadrith, "They're lucky. Nothing serious, but they'll be sore for a few days," he scowled, "Anyone who uses a Focus Grenade is a real bastard. If you want to duff him up before you hand him to the Police, I'll cover for you."
"S'nice thought, Cholly, we've got to catch him first. And judging from what's happened so far, they know what they're doing. It could be tricky." She looked at Tiahn and Raskovik, "Right you two, let's limp our merry way to the Bridge and."
"Boss!" Elori ran back to them from one of the consoles, panic on her face, "It's the Reality Default Device! The little git stole it!"
"Ohhh," Tiahn leaned back against the wall, "Shiiit."
"He set it off to strand us, then legged it with the Device. Wherever we are, WE'RE STUCK."
**********
Gatehouse's arrival had been noticed.
"Sir!" on the bridge of the Republic Battlecruiser Defender, a Clonetrooper rushed to the captain, a printout in his hands, "We've scanned the unknown vessel. We can't recognise the type; it's not Republic or Confederate, and it's big, sir."
"How big?"
"Ten miles wide and deep. Hasn't got much in the way of armament, though."
Captain Rulk Brommen stared thoughtfully out the Bridge window at the speck, growing larger as the Cruiser approached the unidentified object. The crew watched him, on edge. One of an armada of craft charged with defending Coruscant from the Separatists, they took their job seriously. Understandably nervous about the huge energy surge followed by the appearance of a colossal craft just a few parsecs from the Capital Planet, they'd been dispatched to investigate.
"The Shield and the Spear are just a parsec behind us, Captain. They'll be here shortly."
"Right. Open up a communications channel. Let's see what this monster has to say for itself. We'll keep our distance for now, just in case. Keep an eye out for any weapons or fighters."
"Yes, Sir," the Trooper punched some buttons, "Channel open, Sir."
Brommen took a deep breath, "This is the Republic Cruiser the Defender. Your craft is not among the list of vessels permitted to travel near Coruscant. Please state your name, cargo and purpose."
Jadrith snarled, her hands becoming fists. "WHO?"
Blim and Glidath had been working at the main computer console in the Engine room, "Herzlos, Boss. Cedek Herzlos," Blim reported.
Raskovik started, "What? He's the Government Observer! Why would he do something like this?"
"Let's worry about getting hold of him first," sighed Tiahn, "We can beat the "why" out of him later."
Jadrith was looking suddenly very tired, "Our first Priority is to find out where we are. Blim, talk to Gate and see if she can identify this area."
It was at this point that Captain Brommen's message sounded over the channel to Gatehouse Computer. Known to the crew as Gate, the Installation's automated brain digested the call, then scanned the approaching ship. Oh dear. What nasty big guns they had. And two more similarly armed craft were coming up to join it. Hmm. Better let the crew know.
"Gate to Engine Room", the computer's serene, bell like voice came over the tannoy.
"Blim here, Gate. I was just about to call you."
"If it was regarding where we now are, I would suggest you forget about that for the moment. A craft is approaching, and its captain has hailed us. I counsel an immediate response, they have rather a lot of weapons."
"Oh, bugger - BOSS!"
Jadrith looked up, "What?"
"We're in trouble. Some of the locals have spotted us."
Beside her mother, Tiahn was staring into the middle distance, "They're frightened," she said, "I know I would be."
"They're frightened and armed," Gate told them.
Raskovik smirked, "Well, isn't this turning out to be an exciting day?"
Jadrith glared at him. "Right then, Mr Clever, you can talk to 'em, then."
Gate opened a channel to the Defender.
"Greetings, Defender. This is the experimental installation, Gatehouse. I am Gate, the mainframe computer. How may I help you?"
Captain Brommen stared at the comlink, then glanced out the window. The - "experimental installation" - was only a few miles away. As the Clonetrooper had said, it truly was huge. It reminded him of an old fashioned oil rig platform on a grand scale.
"Greeting, uh, Gate. I am Captain Brommen of the Republic Navy."
"I am very pleased to meet you, Captain. We intend you no harm. Our presence here is accidental."
"Accidental? How? And where is the crew?"
"The crew are dealing with a problem in our engine room. I have informed them of your arrival, and I shall pass you over to Colonel Raskovik, the head of this project. He shall be willing to answer your questions."
"Thank you."
"Passing you over now. One moment please."
There was silence for a few moments. Brommen continued to stare at Gatehouse. He'd never seen anything quite like it. Nor had he heard of any "Gatehouse Project", or indeed, of a "Colonel Raskovik". Still, their computer had been polite enough. There'd been no signs of aggression so far.
He jumped as a new voice sounded.
"Good afternoon, Captain Brommen. It is afternoon, isn't it?" the voice was male, cheerful, and sounded similar to the upper class Coruscant accent. But there were slight differences.
"Uh - it's early morning, actually. You would be Colonel Raskovik?"
"I'm afraid so. I do apologise for this inconvenience, Captain. We really didn't intend for this to happen. I'm afraid we had a little accident in our Engine Room, which brought us here."
"Where are you from?"
"Ah - you'll never believe this, Captain - "
"Try me."
"Very well. This installation was designed to cross through weaknesses in reality. We are from another universe, Captain Brommen. We come in peace, I do assure you."
"You're from a WHAT?"
**********
"They're from a WHAT?"
Cos Palpatine, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, gawked across his very large and impressive desk at his aide. Uv Gizen had just given him Captain Brommen's report. He couldn't believe it either.
"Another Universe, Supreme Chancellor. Apparently this craft has the ability to cross through reality. It wasn't supposed to do so just yet however."
"Hmm, yes," Palpatine looked at the report again, "They had an accident in their Engine room, it says here. I wonder if they were going to visit us, anyway, or if this was simply a random destination?"
"I have no idea, my Lord," said Gizen, "The Defender is bringing the crew to Coruscant, and the Installation is being gaurded by the Shield. They'll be here in half an hour."
Palpatine got up and crossed to the window of his office. Looking out across the Coruscant skyline helped him think, "I fear our visitors have picked rather an awkward time to arrive, Gizen."
"I certainly agree, my Lord. It was fortunate they appeared in our section of space. If the Separatists."
"Oh, yes, indeed. However, I feel that Count Dooku would be as cordial to the crew as we shall be. The installation itself, however, is another matter. His allies the Geonosians do so like to tinker with technology, I shudder to think that they might have got their hands on it."
"Perhaps we could persuade the visitors to share their knowledge."
Palpatine turned back to his aide, grinning, "Are you reading my mind, Gizen? Yes, it would be wonderful to have access to such technology. But first we must greet our visitors, and make them feel welcome. Could you see that they are escorted here as too as they arrive?"
"Certainly, Supreme Chancellor."
"And ask the Jedi Coucil if some of their members could attend. Their insight would be invaluable."
Gizen bowed and headed of about his business. Alone, Palpatine returned to perusing the skyline from his window. Visitors from another universe. Well, well.