HOMEWORLD2: INTERSTELLAR ODYSSEY
CHAPTER 23: THE GREAT BEYOND
Captain Ein strode anxiously back onto the bridge, all traces of the third-degree burn gone from his chest. All that remained was a slight tingling feeling that would dissipate with time – an impressive result made possible by the advanced medical technologies of the Progenitors. But his recovery meant little to him. When Templar had announced that they were somewhere in the Great Beyond, it only meant that they were probably a very great distance from home.
The Great Beyond referred to the unimaginable swathes and stretches of empty space that existed between galaxies – a dead zone for any form of life. For these regions could be said to be true vacuums completely devoid of any elements or stellar activity necessary for the formation of star systems and habitable zones of space. For these reasons, even the great Progenitor Empire of old was constricted to the boundaries of the galaxies it controlled, with only the odd research station or observation outpost to be found in this empty void.
Had they made their way here in optimal condition, the situation would not have been so dire. However, Templar had taken considerable damage to its mass-energy converters, severely restricting their ability to conduct complete repairs owing to the lack of raw materials to work with. So while it was fortunate that the quantum energy core had escaped damage, it merely meant that they were now stuck with tremendous amounts of energy but no efficient way of converting it to matter.
"Status of the selective repairs?" Ein asked, hoping that at least some work would be accomplishable despite the material shortage.
"Well, we've done what we could," Driss replied from her newly-repaired console, "We have full sensor and drive functionality as well as power to the secondary shield systems. However…"
"…with the exception of the point defences, which are at fifty percent efficiency, other systems are either inoperable or at minimum efficiency," Templar suddenly cut in, managing to materialize a blurred hologram of its avatar, "There is also still considerable internal and external structural damage that cannot be repaired in the current situation, meaning that we will be disadvantaged in combat situations."
"There really is no other way to restore the converters?" Ein asked again as he got into his seat.
"Not with the materials we have on hand," Templar shook his head, "We will require a proper harvest operation to obtain the necessary raw mass."
"In that case, we should start making our way out of here," Ein commented, "Have you confirmed our location, Templar?"
"After extensive scans of the nature of space in this region, I have concluded that we are approximately one hundred thousand light years from the galaxy M63," came the cool reply, "Visual scanners were unable to pick up anything beforehand because there is a dense dust cloud obscuring M63's outskirts."
"M63?!" Driss suddenly exclaimed, the gravity of their situation sinking in deeply, "The anomaly took us this far from home?"
"That is correct Lady Driss," Templar nodded, "Even with our hyperstream drive fully functional, it will take us approximately fifteen months to cover that distance, assuming we make a nonstop journey – an impossibility in our current condition."
"We can't waste that much time trying to get back, not when the Agemo and the Mythra have started moving towards M51-B," Ein muttered, his eyebrows furrowed in thought, "There should be at least one Eye of Aaraan gate node in M63 I believe?"
"According to the records in my database, if they are accurate enough to be believed, M63 is linked to M51-A via gate node 112A," Templar answered almost instantly, "M63 itself is approximately four days away via hyperstream."
"Excellent," Ein exclaimed, "Templar, lock in hyperstream coordinates and prepare to…"
"One moment please!" Driss suddenly spoke up again, a look of worry etched clearly across her face, "Templar, could you repeat the ID of that gate node?"
"The gate node in question follows the designation 112A," Templar answered, "But why do you…"
Templar paused when he saw Lady Driss turn pale, as though she were suddenly stricken by some ailment.
"Lady Driss, is anything the matter?" Templar enquired.
"Captain," Driss began, completely ignoring the ship's enquiry, "Does 112A ring a bell?"
"Gate node 112A…" Ein murmured as he ran the numbers through his mind, "What about 112A? Not that I can recall anything about…"
The memory returned fresh in his mind and Ein turned as pale as Driss.
"Of all galaxies…" Ein muttered, "Of all the galaxies in the supercluster…"
Talos came to groggily as the effects of the drugs wore off. The ceiling of an alien room swam slowly into his vision as he willed his eyes to focus properly.
"Looks like you're fine," the gruff voice suddenly spoke again.
"I'm… fine?" Talos asked as he turned to face the stern-looking man again, "I thought…"
It was then that he realized that the pain in his fractured limbs was gone, replaced by a strange tingling sensation that accompanied every slight movement of his. Lifting his right arm in amazement, Talos blinked again to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
"Your arm and leg are fine now," the man commented as he tended to another unconscious officer in the neighbouring bed, "We managed to get the regenerators back online."
"This is… this is incredible," Talos managed to say after he had gotten to his feet and realized that his leg was as good as new, "It looks like I owe you my gratitude, sir…"
"…Piers," the man finished quickly, as though he wanted to end the conversation as quickly as he could, "Doctor Piers. Now if you would excuse me, I have to tend to the others…"
"Oh, my apologies then, for disturbing your work," Talos muttered for fear of offending the doctor further, "I'll take my leave then…"
"By the way, it would be good if you could make your way to the bridge," Piers mentioned without even turning away from the patient, "The captain sent for you earlier, but you were unconscious then."
"Very well, I will head for the bridge immediately," Talos answered as he quickly stepped out into the corridor.
As the Frerrn minister stepped onto the bridge he realized, from the stars streaking by on the viewscreens, that they were in hyperstream. Captain Ein noticed him and gestured for him to join them around the central holographic display.
"I see the good doctor has taken good care of you," Ein spoke casually to Talos.
"Well, he doesn't seem to like friendly conversation," Talos replied.
"That's Doctor Piers alright!" Ein laughed heartily, "Don't mind the good doctor: he's always like that."
"Meanwhile, I believe you called me here for a reason?" Talos asked.
"Ah, straight to the point, spoken like a true prime minister," Ein commented as he gestured towards the holographic display, which showed a map of a galaxy that seemed familiar in shape but was clearly not M51-A.
"The captain thought it might be best if you were given all details regarding our current situation," Driss explained, "That way, you might be better prepared as to what to expect. Templar?"
"Prime minister Talos, at the moment we are traveling at maximum hyperstream velocities towards the galaxy M63," Templar began immediately, "At our current speed of three light years per second we should reach the outer fringes of M63 in four days' time."
"Wait, what are we doing heading for M63?" Talos asked, "What in the galaxy happened back then?"
"Simply put, the Mythra Spheres attempted to destroy our forces via a timespace disruption," Templar replied, "It is not known as to whether their attempt succeeded. However, in doing so, they somehow caused a massive space time displacement that brought us far out into extragalactic space. Because our hyperstream drive does not have the range or speed for a quick return journey, and also because we are in need of raw materials to complete repairs, it was decided that we head for the nearest galaxy – in this case galaxy M63. There, we will complete all system repairs, and attempt to make the return trip via an Eye of Aaraan gate node."
"So," Talos began, not quite sure about how to react to the startling news, "You mean to say that we are at present a substantial distance away from M51?"
"Yes," Driss answered, "We understand that it is crucial for us to return ASAP given the circumstances regarding the Agemo and the Mythra. That is why we will attempt to return via the gate node in M63. Do you have any questions?"
"As a matter of fact yes," Talos replied in as calm a voice he could muster, "Both you and Templar kept saying 'attempt' – I suppose this implies that the plan may not necessarily succeed?"
"You are correct in saying that," Driss admitted, "This is where the problem lies: the gate node in question goes by the designation 112A. In other words, this galaxy M63 is…"
"…the exact same galaxy that housed the Rebels," Ein finished, "The same Progenitor Rebels that aimed to conquer M51 using the Qwaar Jet and their hybrid variant of the subversive entity you know as the Neo-Beast. The Neo-Beast may have eradicated them in M51 after it turned sentient and turned on them, but in M63…"
"…they may have bases that still survive to this very day, bases and forces that could… interfere with our attempt to get home," Talos began to understand, "That is of course based on the assumption that things are still normal in M63, that is to say the Neo-Beast has not done what it did back in M51. But if it did…"
There was an uneasy silence as Talos trailed off. No one wanted to hear the conclusion that Talos had arrived at, a conclusion that had been reached just minutes ago by them before Talos had come to the bridge.
"We are advantaged in certain areas despite the damage to the ship's systems," Driss broke the silence in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, "Our speed and manoeuvrability, combined with the our operational point defences, puts us on a par with the Rebels' cruiser class vessels at least. Furthermore, our hyperstream drive can easily outrun any ship they could possibly have in their forces."
"Lady Driss is correct," Templar nodded in approval, "In fact, once I have been restored to optimal functionality we will have no trouble dealing with even a small fleet of the Rebel ships on our own. This is why it is crucial that we gain access to raw materials as soon as possible so that we may complete all unfinished repairs."
"That's our current situation for you, Mr Talos," Ein turned to face the minister, who was still able to maintain an expression of calm despite his knowledge of the difficult times ahead, "Don't worry – we'll make sure you get to Sajuuk in one piece."
"That is comforting to hear," Talos smiled slightly, "All I can say is that I'm confident that we will all make it back to M51 safely."
"Right – we've all come this far, literally," Ein joked to the laughter of everyone else except Templar, who regarded the joke with a nonchalant shrug and what seemed like a pained sigh on the ship's part, "We're not going to be stopped by some Neo-Beast thing that even M51-A could deal with."
The laughter died down as Ein shook Talos warmly by the hand, "You are no military man – but you have valuable insights which I will be glad to hear about. I therefore look forward to working with you on this return trip."
"As am I," Talos firmly agreed.
Talos strolled through the lush green environment of the ship's garden. They had been in hyperstream for about three days now and he had become more worried with each passing day. He was confident about the Templar's ability to defend itself in a fight, since its level of technology was certainly more advanced than that of the Progenitor rebels. But even then the Rebels were still using Progenitor technology after all, along with the dangerous Neo-Beast entity.
In a bid to alleviate his worries, he had decided to take a stroll through the ship's garden, which had thankfully suffered only minimal damage from the encounter with the anomaly. It seemed relaxing enough, thanks in part to the calming myriad of aromas and fragrances drifting from the blooming plants.
Yet the ship's garden seemed to contain its own little mystery: for while most of the plants held within were completely alien to him, there were a few specimens which he recognised as native to the various homeworlds of the Galactic cultures. There was the beautiful Eon bloom of Frerros, the tall and sleek Siien tree of Hiigara, and even various species native to Taiidan itself that had supposedly become extinct in the aftermath of the ancient Hiigarans' orbital bombardments. Indeed, it was almost as though the Progenitors had been dropping in on their various homeworlds to harvest botanical specimens without their knowledge. Or…
A rustle of leaves caught Talos' attention. He abandoned the Eon bloom he was admiring and walked down a smaller path into the thicker portions of the garden. Squeezing past a particularly thick bush, he was surprised to find Piers observing a few leafy herbs by the path.
"Doctor Piers!" Talos called out casually, not expecting the Progenitor to suddenly jump and yank the herb he was observing right out of the soil. The doctor stared at the ruined herb in his hand, and then glared at the Frerrn minister.
"Is anything the problem?" Piers asked icily.
"Well… as a matter of fact, no," Talos answered as calmly as he could upon seeing the ruined plant and the piercing stare of the Progenitor, "I apologise for disrupting your work. It didn't occur to me that I would startle you…"
"Well, now you know," Piers replied coldly as he threw the herb back onto the soil and turned around to leave, "Good day to you, Mr Talos."
The doctor disappeared quickly around the corner, his annoyed face surprising Driss who was walking in the opposite direction.
"Is Doctor Piers always like this?" Talos asked, still puzzled by the Progenitor's behaviour.
"Well, he doesn't like being startled, especially when he's in the middle of something," Driss replied cheerily, "By the way, I didn't know you had an interest in botany too."
"Botany?" Talos laughed, "Not really – it's just that the ship's garden happens to be a good place to relax."
"It certainly is," Driss sighed as she looked at the leaves and petals all around, "Now that we're so far from familiar space, it becomes all the more important."
"Both you and Templar seemed confident enough at that time, but I still have some doubts," Talos admitted, "Especially after seeing what the Neo-Beast did in the last war."
"Well well well, it's good to hear that you share my sentiments," Driss sighed again.
"You mean, even you…"
"I've seen what our technology can do, and what it can't do," Driss explained, "I should know – I've been part of Templar since midway into the civil war. We've made some advances since then, but even then we're still up against ships of comparable capability. Combined with the Neo-Beast…"
Driss stooped to smell a small but particularly intense flower. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, releasing a satisfied sigh as she let go of the plant and stood back up again.
"But there's no point worrying about it really – besides it's not like we have any other choice at the moment anyway," Driss commented.
"I suppose the only comforting fact is that we'll be going up against Progenitor ships rather than Mythra or Agemo vessels, so at least we'll have an idea of what to expect," Talos suddenly mentioned, "So at the very least we'll be able to anticipate their moves, and…"
Then a slight shudder reverberated through the ship, followed immediately by the mechanical wail of the klaxons as the Templar went to red alert.
"Attention all hands," Templar's voice echoed clearly throughout the entire ship, "Hyperstream has been disengaged owing to the anomaly interrupt. Please be prepared for possible combat. Lady Driss and Prime Minister Talos, the captain would like you both to report to the bridge immediately. That is all."
As the voice faded away, Driss looked at Talos worriedly.
"I really hope you're right on that one."