The Year 590 of the 6th Age (Earth Year 2014)
Bridge of the Silvenyo
Norayis System
Orbit of Enica (3rd planet)
Anre Ro'car gazed out the wiewscreen. Even though he had been doing it countless times for months,
he still sometimes had trouble actually believing that he was gazing at another world lit by a different
star than his own.
From the time he had been a small child in the Red Mountains region, he had known that space was
where he was meant to be and as soon as he took Adult Passage, he had began a career as a pilot
in the Space Exploration Center.
Built two centuries ago, the Center had launched the first rockets into orbit, beginning the entrance of their
people to the stars. In the centuries since Nlians had explored and built outposts on every world in their
system, including Gemon, the largest moon of Zeuna, the huge gas giant on the edge of their system.
It had been on Gemon that scientists had developed warp drive four years before. For a year they had
tested it thoroughly and plans had been made to send a ship to Norayis: for millennia one of the brightest
stars in Nlia's sky and at four light years away, their closest interstellar neighbor. Excitement had been
rampant at the prospect of visiting another star.
Then only a year after the monumental discovery, scientists at the Center had come up with an incredible
breakthrough using the powerful energy substance Green Fire. Through it, scientists had developed an
engine capable of reaching warp 2. At warp 1 a trip to Norayis would have taken four years, it would
now take only six months.
After more years of testing and preparation, a warp 2 engine had been fitted to Nlian's most advanced
ship, the Silvenyo. It would have a twelve member crew of Nlia's finest scientists, engineers and pilots.
Ro'car who, over the years had become a noted pilot and commander, had been chosen to command it.
He had thought Silvenyo (Venture) was a perfect name for the ship and has declared that he and his crew
would 'Go forth boldly, but go forth humbly.'
It had been difficult to bid farewell to his children: eighteen year old Lyaine and fifteen year old, Ayekel.
They were the last and greatest gifts of his beloved lifemate, Yenfra, and had given him a reason to go
on after her death in a shuttle accident eleven years ago
The Silvenyo. had been launched, with the entire planet watching and it had comforted him and his crew
to know that the thoughts and prayers of all their people went with them.
The ship had pulled away from Nlia at impulse and had made its way past Droshen and Zeuna. Once they
had passed their system's outermost boundary, Ro'car had quietly given the order to engage the warp
engine and watched as the stars turned to streaks of light.
After a journey of six months they had arrived and had become the first Nlians to see another star close up.
The awe and jubilation the crew had felt had been indescribable.
They had set out to explore. Their mission was simple and straightforward: get to the system, have a look
around, collect data. There would be future missions so this first would be preliminary.
Norayis was a binary system with eight planets and an asteroid belt. Their plan was to first travel to the
center of the system and from there slowly work their way outward, running scans and launching probes.
Landings would wait for future missions when they knew more about the planets.
First they had studied both suns. Norayis was a binary system and a wonder to them for that reason alone.
Norayis I was a large white star and Norayis II a yellow star similar to Nlia's sun, Revla. They had spent
two weeks running scans on each star.
After that they had begun their studies of the planets. The first planet, Amonee was about the size of Nlia
but there the resemblance ended. It orbited very close to the suns and as a result the surface was covered
almost entirely with lava.
The second planet, Clorval, was twice as big and one of the crew had given it the title 'Poisonous Planet.'
It's temperature was scorching hot, the atmosphere filled with thermeonic radiation and saturated in toxic
chemicals.
They were now in the middle of their studies of the 3rd planet, Enica. It was about the same size as Clorval
and extremely geologically active. It had hundreds of volcanic centers and extensive lava flows that made
for spectacular viewing.
He was in the middle of discussing some readings with his Science Officer, when he heard an excited voice.
"Captain!"
He turned to see his Chief Operations officer, Ravers Mi'kye, staring at his screen with intense concentration.
"What is it, Mi'kye?"
Mi'kye stared at him, eyes wide. "Sir, our long range sensors are picking up an object. A metal object and it's
rapidly approaching this system!"
Later
In orbit of Moreena (7th Planet)
The furor that had gripped the crew after Mikye's announcement had been intense.
Further sensor readings had confirmed that the object was some kind of vessel and it had not come from Nlia.
So the question facing all of them was…what to do?
They were alone in space, four light years from home. The Silvenyo's purpose was to explore and approaching
their location was undeniable proof that their people were not alone in the universe.
Should they make contact hoping they were friendly? Or should they flee in case they weren't, but in doing
so betray the very purpose of their mission?
The ultimate decision had been Ro'car's. After long discussions and deliberation he had looked at his crew
and taken a deep breath. "Director Jornella Nemon, often said that our people need to reach out and become
part of the universe, not turn inward and ignore it. We will try to make contact."
Projections indicated that the approaching vessel would arrive at the outer edge of the system.
They had headed in that direction. Past the 4th planet, Gormiss, past the large asteroid belt, and past
the two gas giants, Iri and Klori.
Eventually they had arrived at the huge gas giant Moreena and silently waited.
It arrived.
It was indeed a ship and at 120 meters it was nearly three times as big as theirs. It was long, slender
and dark silver in color, although its windows were lit by a vivid amethyst. Its head was sharply pointed,
as well as serrated. It looked swift and powerful, as well as dangerous. Ro'car was reminded of a saretet,
a marine predator; swift, graceful and alluring, but at the same time one of the most dangerous predators
in the oceans.
For a few moments all was silent as both ships silently studied each other.
Then Ro'car sent out the message he had carefully considered and composed. It was doubtful that they
spoke Nlian, but hopefully they had some form of translation.
"Greetings. I am Anre Ro'car, commander of the Nlian ship, Silvenyo. We come from a distant star system
and are here on a mission of peaceful exploration. We hope to greet you as friends, but if you have claimed
this system as your territory and wish us to leave, we will immediately."
Several silent minutes passed and then…
"My respects to you. I am Vonren of House Ni'Xareth, Commander of the Tkarite ship, Korisa."
