Hey, this story is basically about what would happen if the Earth was found by the Galactic Empire but it is 100 years into the future so Earth has colonies on Mars, Titan and Europa and has better technology (explained in previous chapter). Anyway, Enjoy!
The achievement that human kind had managed to achieve was phenomenal. They had breached the cradle of their world, Earth, after being stuck there so long fighting wars, plotting against one another and being so focused on themselves.
Only for 150 years had humanity been sailing the stars, but so much had been achieved in such a little amount of time. Since the first launch of a man made object into space to the colonisation of half the solar system it had only been 150 years.
As the solar system was colonised, humanity got better, stronger and ultimately united, a feat thought nearly impossible 70 years earlier.
Now a unity called the Sol Planets Government looked after Earth and her colonies. The population was bigger than ever before and their was enough room for everyone, technology was at an all time high, wars were less large-scale. It was a golden age for the human species.
Or so they thought...
SPG Uranus Early Warning Station, in orbit with Uranus, 11/12/2117 Earth Standard Calendar...
Nearing the border of the solar system to interstellar space, there lay the Gas Giant Uranus. A world of Pale blue clouds that looked very peaceful from above but down on the planet, they were hellish as they carried winds that went to speeds of 300 miles per hour.
However, for the personnel that manned EWS-10, they got to see the peaceful side of Uranus.
Situated in orbit above Uranus, the EWS-10's job was to monitor for any incoming objects from the distant Kuiper belt, but that was its secondary objective.
EWS-10's primary objective was to monitor the data being sent back by deep space probes, one of which was the famous Voyager 3.
The small crew of ten men and woman observed and relayed the information the probes were giving back to Earth. They got a personnel swap every six months.
And that six months was nearing its end for SPG Lvl 3 operative Henry Simmonds.
Henry Simmonds smiled as he remembered that fact, sitting at his control panel in the main control room aboard EWS-10.
He glanced at the calendar messily screwed to the wall to the right of him.
"Four days..." he muttered to himself while supporting his tired head with his hand
Henry wondered why he ever was eager to get this 'job'. Six months just waking up in amongst the same boring grey walls, then sitting at the control panel monitoring the data being sent back by Voyager 3 and other deep space probes. He always wondered what data there was to send back in the middle of goddamn interstellar space.
When he got back to Earth, he was definitely signing up in the military, there was a lot more action.
Just then he heard someone enter the control room as the sound of the automatic doors swishing open filled his ears.
He swivelled on his chair to see SPG Lvl 5 operative, Chen Tsai enter the room, striding like she owned the place.
'Well, she kinda does' Henry thought to himself.
"Operative Simmonds." She greeted him, Henry just waved back at her.
She walked over to the viewing window, the 3 inches of reinforced glass between them and outer space. Chen stood there for a moment then sighed and faced Simmonds.
"Well you know what time it is." She stated. Simmonds rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I do, another useless check of data from Voyager 3." He huffed. Chen laughed.
"I can tell, you're going to quit this job when we get back to Earth."
Simmonds nodded slowly "Correct, the military sounds much more exciting."
Chen stepped back from the viewing window and walked to her control panel opposite Simmonds.
"I guess so but there's not much going on at the moment, you'll probably be just bored as you are here." She voiced her opinion.
Simmonds grunted "Uh, I don't think there's a more boring job than sitting on your ass in outer space, checking up on a probe that won't find anything for another century."
"Well that's one way to put it..." Chen muttered, then sighed again.
Simmonds knew she was tired, as was he, of being stuck on a space station for six months doing literally nothing. The only thing for entertainment around here was the other crew members and maybe the gym.
"Well, you better retrieve the data Voyager 3 is sending." Chen stated. Simmonds breathed and nodded, retrieving the data via a computer screen.
Once he accepted the transfer of data to the station, the screen read that it would take 30 minutes to reach it. Simmonds nodded. Everything was normal as usual.
Simmonds turned to Chen and for the next half an hour, they chatted about what they would do once they got home and there loved ones. At some points, other crew members would walk in and have a small talk while bringing a few refreshments. To Simmonds and the rest of the crew, this was entertainment.
"So, Simmonds, army or navy if you are really signing up." Chen questioned curiously. Simmonds could tell she was a little upset by his decision to leave.
"Uh...probably army, I think I'm sick of space at the moment." He laughed and so did Chen
"You think Lara will like that?" Chen mentioned his girlfriend. Henry smiled as he knew he had something to look forward to when he got back home.
"Eh, she didn't mind me going out here for a shift, so the military can't do any harm." He explained, Chen nodded and was about to respond when an all too familiar beep interrupted her.
Simmonds glanced at the control panel as it sang out its alarm, indicating Voyager 3's data was imminent.
A moment later the data arrived. Simmonds knew it would just be more nonsense and uselessness and more of a waste of time than anything.
He opened up the file on the screen and was awarded with another familiar sight, the authorisation screen.
He glanced over the screen, knowing almost every word. It would say something along the lines of "This is an SPG document of data. Only to be read by authorised personnel. If you are authorised to view the data, please enter the authorisation code and relevant information."
Simmonds blinked and typed in the code he knew all too well. The screen changed and accepted the code. It then changed to the file containing the data from Voyager 3.
He scrolled through the usual information such as the integrity of the probe, power levels and its location. However when he got past all of that, he noticed something very different...
At this, Simmonds sat up very quickly, causing Chen to narrow her eyes at him.
"What is it?" She queried, also straightening from her lazy position. Simmonds didn't answer but kept his eyes glued to his screen, a confused expression on his face.
"I...don't...know" Simmonds whispered, more to himself than Chen.
Chen quickly rose from her chair, jogging over to Simmonds. When she got there and viewed his screen, her expression matched his almost immediately.
The screen that was feeding back Voyager 3's data was shocking, to say the least. It read 'Unknown anomaly detected. Estimated size: 1.5 km, 281 AU's from sun'
If Voyager 3 was still inside the shell of the solar system, this unknown anomaly would have been dismissed as a lone asteroid from the Kuiper Belt. However, Voyager 3 was deep in interstellar space and you did not find a lone asteroid out there, especially a 1 and a half kilometre one.
Chen' breathing was getting noticeably faster, as was his. Chen then shook her head, as if dismissing something.
"Order the Voyager to activate its cameras and take a picture of the anomaly." She commanded, authority rising in her voice as she assumed control.
Simmonds nodded and sent a message back to the Voyager 3 to activate its cameras. The message would take another half hour to reach it.
"It's done." Simmonds confirmed. Chen nodded and ran back to her control panel. Seconds later, an alarm sounded and the rest of the crew of 10 came rushing into the control room. Chen stood on her chair and addressed them.
"Everybody, Voyager 3 has detected an anomaly in deep interstellar space, its size is estimated at 1.5 kilometres. We have no idea what the hell is out there out the moment but we must get Earth on the horn. Ok?" Chen announced. The crew looked visibly shaken by the news but assumed their positions quickly.
"Sir, what do you think it is?" One of the crew members asked Chen while getting to his desk. Chen placed her hand to her chin and thought for a moment.
"I really don't have any idea what could possibly be out there." She concluded. Soon the crew were arguing about what it could be. Chen sighed then raised her hand.
"Hey, HEY everyone shut up, we need to be focused!" She shouted. The crew silenced after a moment "We need to get that message to Earth. Send it to Titan, they should be able to relay it back to Earth."
The crew nodded and went to work. For the next hour, they speculated over what the anomaly could be. A couple of times, Simmonds overheard someone say 'aliens'.
Simmonds wondered what this could mean for him, his family and especially his girlfriend, Lara. What if it was ET's and what if they were hostile. He shuddered at the thought.
"Ma'am, our message has reached Titan, they're sending it to Earth." A crew operative called out to Chen who nodded at him.
"Good work...now we just have to wait for the Voyager." Chen muttered. Simmonds locked eyes with her for a moment. The look in them was what was circling Simmonds mind at that very moment...'what was out there and what did it mean for the human race?'
A distinct beeping sound filled the room. Every crew member went deathly quiet as they knew what it was. Simmonds took one final glance around the room. Everyone was focused on him with a nervous look in their darting eyes. With that, he drew in a sharp breath and clicked on the new file that had popped up on his screen. The tension that strangled the room got ever thicker.
The screen changed. The words that Simmonds first saw were 'SPG Deep Space Probe Photograph file, authorised personnel may proceed to observe by entering the authorised code.'
Simmonds felt a sweat bead run like a river down his forehead as he steadily entered the right code. He noticed in his peripheral that ten forms were looming behind him and the chorus of breathing was getting heavier.
The code was entered and Simmonds confirmed it. The screen changed to the photo taken by Voyager 3...
The jet black colour of space and the specks of distant stars was the first thing that everyone saw, but in the right corner a stone grey, triangular shaped...thing was there and behind it there seemed to be a large amount of light, too much to be stars.
Chen moved closer to the screen, eyes full of curiosity but anxiousness. "What is that?" She whispered faintly.
Simmonds turned and faced the whole crew who had gathered in front of his screen. They all had unnerving expressions on their faces.
"Now if that doesn't look like..." one crew member trailed off.
"A ship?" Chen hoarsely whispered. Simmonds shared her speechlessness. What in the hell were they looking at because it definitely did not look like an asteroid.
A female crew member approached Chen. "Ma'am, Earth has replied, they want to know what's going on."
Chen blinked and glanced at the operative. She closed her eyes for a moment then looked back at her.
"Send them this: We have received photographs from Voyager 3 observing an unidentified object estimated to be 1.5 kilometres in size. It is approximately 281 AU's from the sun. We are awaiting instructions." She ordered, authority seeping back into her voice
The operative nodded and ran back to her panel, typed up the message and relayed it to Titan who would send it to Earth.
Simmonds breathed either from the pressure of the current crisis or the fact he had four days left on this damned spca station and then there was a crisis now, which probably meant he had to stay for longer.
Another beeping noise distracted him and Simmonds and the rest of the crew peered at his computer screen. Another indication of data from Voyager 3 and...
"Who the hell ordered Voyager to change course?" He shouted and stared at the crew. All their faces twisted in confusion.
"What are you talking about Simmonds?" A crew member questioned back. Simmonds grunted in annoyance and gestured at his screen.
"Look" he explained "Voyager just tilted 63 right and is now heading in that direction."
"Did anyone do that?" Chen asked, also sounding severely pissed off.
The crew looked at each other and all chorused a "No." Chen snorted at this.
"Now come on, own up!" She shouted. One crew member cleared his throat. Chen snapped her head to him "What is it?"
"Ma'am...uh...the object could be...responsible." He muttered. Chen looked at him in disbelief.
"Really! Come on, one of you must have accide-"
A second beeping noise cut her off. Simmonds looked at his screen again. A photograph file was incoming from Voyager 3. He opened it once it came on screen.
And got the shock of his life...
The image that came up showed Voyager's cameras now directly pointed at the strange object due to the mysterious trajectory change. However, the triangular object now seemed to be pulsing a bright blue light from its side and it looked like it was encasing the Voyager.
Simmonds swiped to the next photo and Voyager was now definitely moving toward the object, the blue light encasing it intensifying. Around the edges of the photo, static was forming.
"Simmonds, what the hell is this..." Chen questioned, her voice dripping with nervousness. Simmonds whipped around and faced the crew, breathing heavily.
"Quick, someone check the signal levels emitting from Voyager!" He almost screamed. An operative rushed over to their screen and brought up the data.
"Yep, she's losing signal!" He confirmed. Simmonds nodded and swiped across to the next photo. Voyager 3's camera was almost all filled with static but he could just make out the object as it was closer than ever. He almost chocked when he thought he saw lights on it.
He then swiped to the next and final photo. It was completely static and a small 'No Signal' error message was in the right corner. Simmonds just stared and breathed heavily as did the rest of the crew.
"What in god's name was that shit?" Someone queried. Chen exhaled rather shakily after the question and turned to the crew.
"Get this data to Earth, I don't think we're alone."
2 hours and 34 minutes later, SPG Headquarters, New York City, United States of America, Earth...
The President of the Sol Planets Government, Madu Rashidi sat in his office in the famous headquarters of the former UN, now SPG. He had been signing off documents from Europa that had asked (or demanded, he wasn't sure) for the materials to build a commercial space station in orbit around Europa. This plan had been in motion for several years, since 2111 to be exact, but only now were the Europans getting the resources needed for this 'tourist travelling hub'. They had been recovering from several Free Jovian Rebel attacks which had began to sprout again, causing them to use their money to rebuild their beautiful colony. Madu would say he was privileged to lead all of humanity, but he preferred the word 'honoured'.
Madu glanced at the words on the sheet, 'Tourist travelling hub' . He chuckled to himself. Travelling to the colonies was still considered expensive, even though it had drastically decreased since it had first been possible way back in 2039, as it cost a good $2,000,000.
Still it was another small achievement as tourists going into space was on par with a wild dream back in the early years of the 21st century.
Madu was about to take the document away when he noticed one of the guards near the heavily armoured door lift his hand to his earpiece and nod at the other guard. Madu sighed quietly, this usually meant a visitor.
Sure enough, one of the guards began to unlock the door and the other approached Madu himself.
"Mr President Sir, The Chief of Space Operations wants to see you. He says it is urgent" the guard spoke, his eyes hidden behind black shades (which had an advanced HUD in them)
Madu frowned a little. What could possibly be urgent news? Another FJR attack? He hoped it wasn't something too extreme.
"Send him in." He said. The guard nodded and the door opened, revealing the Chief of Space Operations. He looked quite pale and his normally neat, brown hair was messy. Worry was evident across his ageing face.
He strode over to Madu clumsily "Mr President Sir." He started. Madu reached for his outstretched hand and shook it. While doing this, Madu could feel his palms had been sweating.
"Mr Rodriguez, I take it you have urgent news for me?"
Yes sir, most urgent." Chief of Space Operation Antonio Rodriguez stuttered. Madu frowned at him.
"What is it, another FJR attack?" He questioned. Rodriguez shook his head and brought out a briefcase. He unlocked it and inside was a file. The words 'Urgent, For authorised personnel only'.
Madu eyes widened as Rodriguez revealed a set of photographs from the file and in the bottom of the photo he could see details about Voyager 3.
"What is this?" He demanded. Rodriguez exhaled before responding.
"Sir, these images were taken by Voyager 3 approximately two and a half hours ago. They were received by the Uranus early warning station." He explained.
Madu observed the picture before him. It was deep in interstellar space, apparently 281 AU's from the sun according to the details in the corner of the photo. He could make out a triangular shaped object in the top right of the page and there was light behind it.
"Rodriguez, what am I looking at here?" Madu asked. The Chief of Space Operations sighed.
"Sir we have no idea what it is but take a look at the next picture."
Madu nodded and did as asked. He swapped the former photo for the one below it. This time, he got a big shock.
The triangular object in the previous photo was now emitting a blue flash, almost like a distant star but bigger. A blurred aura of blue had also seemed to encase Voyager 3.
Madu widened his eyes even more as he viewed the next photograph. Voyager 3 had seemed to of changed course and it was distinctly heading toward the object. Static washed the outside of the picture.
The last photo was almost completely covered in the ghostly grey of static, but Madu could just see the object and it was much closer. He thought he could see golden specks of light on its surface.
"We lost contact with Voyager right after that photo was taken..." Rodriguez piped up. Madu faced him with a stern look in his eyes.
"What do you think it is, Chief Of Space Operations?" He queried. The chief in turn was taken aback a little by the unexpected question.
"Well sir, forgive me if I sound like an idiot but I think...it's..." He trailed off "...it could be...extraterrestrials."
"My thoughts exactly, Mr Rodriguez, you do not find asteroids in interstellar space and it wasn't identified as a known comet. Also the fact it EMP'd our probe is quite compelling." Madu explained. Rodriguez observed him with a questioning look.
"Mr president sir, what do you propose we do?"
"I will inform Lord Oaken to put the military on alert just in case. Then we will and try and establish contact if they are indeed ET's. Also, make sure your Early Warning Stations are on standby."
"I will do that sir." Replied Rodriguez. Madu walked back to his desk and stared at the framed picture of Earth. He thought about its long history and at that moment he knew he had a duty. A duty to protect the Solar System.
"One thing is for sure, I don't think we're alone anymore..."