This is a fan translation of Dark Skies (Тёмныенебеса) by Mikhail Akhmanov, currently only available in Russian and, because of the author's passing in 2019, unlikely to ever be published in English. This is the fourth book in a six-book series called Arrivals from the Dark (Пришедшие из мрака), which also has a six-book spin-off series called Trevelyan's Mission (Миссия Тревельяна).
I claim no rights to the contents herein.
Appendix
Several Galactic Races
BINO FAATA is an accurately established name for the race (nicknamed "Binucks" by human astronauts).
The galactic coordinates of the Bino Faata sector: PsW127/PsW188, Perseus Arm. The location of their homeworld is unknown; the number of occupied planets in the Perseus Arm is likely between one and three hundred. A B7-level technological civilization, based on their symbiosis with artificial quasi-sentient creatures, a legacy of the Daskins, which are used on all levels of industry and control. The Faata civilization is made up of three phases, separated by periods of disasters (Eclipses). The current period (the Third Phase) is characterized by the development of powerful military technology, aggression, and active expansion in the Perseus Arm. Attempts to invade the Orion Arm, specifically, the Solar System, were thwarted as a result of an armed conflict in 2088, with the subsequent conquest of Ro'on, T'har, and Aezat in 2135. This resulted in four Void Wars in 2135-2261.
The Faata have two sexes and are among the humanoid races of the galaxy; they are capable of producing offspring with the people of Earth and, possibly, with the Kni'lina. Differences from humans: a nerve cluster in the back (at the base of the neck), a periodic release of sex hormones (the tuahha period), a long lifespan, up to a thousand years for a high-caste Faata, and their capability for telepathic communication. Reproduction is achieved via artificial insemination of the females of the ksa caste, other females do not produce offspring. The reproductive rate is low; estimated population: 2-3 billion. Within their sector, they utilize the labor resources of the races conquered by them (Aers, Troni, P'ata), of which virtually nothing is known.
Social structure: caste patronage. Large groups of population, concentrated on a planet or a continent, are led by Sheaves, five to eight of the oldest and most experienced individuals, who are in complete control over all the aspects of life. The members of the highest caste, who possess the telepathic gift (the Bino Faata themselves), are considered to be fully sentient, while the members of the other castes are the partially sentient (t'ho). Some of the lower t'ho castes (ksa, olks, workers, pilots) have been bred artificially, and their physiology differs from human more than that of the higher castes.
Sources of information:
1. Reports, memorandums, and other materials of the USF Research Corps.
2. Results of independent studies of the Faata technology, physiology, and history (monographs, Ultranet and scientific journal articles, holofilms, etc.).
DASKINS, or the ANCIENT RACE. The names "Daskins" or the "Ancients" appear in the languages of all known galactic races. The Daskins were the most powerful and advanced civilization, which, according to legend, spread its influenced throughout the galaxy and mysteriously vanished several million years ago. The appearance, physiological characteristics, and origins of the Daskins are unknown; likewise, there is no available data about their culture, goals, lifestyle, population size, social structure, and the reasons that prompted their departure from the galaxy. Despite this, the Daskins are not a figment of the imagination of the younger races, as there are a number of intact artifacts, allowing one to assess their scientific and technological achievements. From among them, the most significant are the contour drive and the so-called Daskin Portolan, a galactic chart, delivered to Earth by the Lo'ona Aeo. One should also note the gigantic astroengineering structures on protostars (particularly, on Jupiter), which appear to be gates to an interstellar transportation network, built into the structure of Limbo. On many currently uninhabited planets, various races have found and continue to find various Daskin devices of unknown purpose: sewage disposal units, spores of quasi-sentient beings, capable, with proper development, of engaging in telepathic contact, the mouth flower (a prototype of the contour drive), etc. While the Daskins have departed the galaxy (and, possibly, our universe), there is a legend that they have left their emissaries behind: the Lords of Emptiness, members of their own or some other ancient race. This is likely a myth; over the past several million years, there have not been any encounters with such beings.
Sources of information:
The data received from the Bino Faata, the Lo'ona Aeo, the Kni'lina, and the other galactic cultures.
DROMI. The name of the race has come from the language of Lo'ona Aeo. Their name for themselves is unknown and probably cannot be reproduced using the sounds of Earth Lingua. Human astronauts frequently call them "toads" or "greenskins", which is related to their amphibian origins and external appearance.
The galactic coordinates of the Dromi sector: OrY57/OrY64, Orion Arm. Homeworld: Fytarla-Ata, coordinates OrY60.08.72, the number of colonized planets is close to eighty. A B3-level technological civilization, possessing the contour drive, which they had, most likely, obtained from Lo'ona Aeo. They have evolved from the amphibians of Fytarla, preserving their claws, fangs, and scaly green skin during the process of evolution. Sex differences are absent, the same individual can serve as both male and female. They reproduce by laying small, roe-like eggs, which then hatch into larvae, who rapidly go through the cycle of development into maturity. This period is analogous to the human concept of childhood, and, at that time, a larva's body mass grows rapidly. However, adult Dromi continue to grow, although not as fast, and, in their old age, can reach the mass of 150-200 kilograms. They live for 45-50 years, but the small lifespan is compensated by their incredible fertility; estimated population is 350-400 billion. Extremely aggressive. A clan-based social structure with the obedience to the elders and clan chiefs entrenched on the genetic level. For the past two millennia, they had served as Defenders of the Lo'ona Aeo, from whom they borrowed certain technical advancements and tricks. The contract between the Lo'ona Aeo and the Dromi was terminated in 2099, when mercenaries from Earth replaced the Dromi.
By USF estimates, the Dromi will most definitely become competitors to humanity.
Sources of information:
1. Communication from Servs and other intelligent artificial lifeforms of the Lo'ona Aeo.
2. Data collected by USF Secret Service agents.
KNI'LINA is an accurately established name for the race (nicknamed "Baldies" by human astronauts).
The galactic coordinates of the Kni'lina sector: OrZ15/OrZ82, Orion Arm. Homeworld: Yezdan, coordinates OrZ65.17.02. A humanoid race with a physiology extremely similar to the Earth standard; sexually compatible with humans, but, unlike the Bino Faata, interspecies mating does not produce offspring (the cause is unknown due to the unwillingness of the Kni'lina to discuss the issue). A B6-level technological civilization, similar to Earth's in general terms. Proud, warlike, arrogant. They do not wish to communicate with Earth, while still maintaining a small diplomatic mission on Luna.
Brief history. In ancient times, Yezdan, the Kni'lina homeworld, had only one moon, then the planet captured another, a large asteroid, which led to cataclysms, the decline of civilization, and, as a result, brutal wars. Then a large portion of the population was genetically modified into two large clans called the Ni and the Poharas and two dozen small ones. Currently, Yezdan's sole continent represents the areas of influence of the Ni and the Poharas and the adjoining related clans; there are two governing bodies, the Horada coordinating center, and about fifty colonies, which represent the race's primary military and economic power. Estimated population: 25 billion, of which 2 billion live on Yezdan. Their reproductive rate is approximately the same as that of humanity.
Primary differences from humans: hairless, strict vegetarians (humans are derogatorily called "hairies" and "corpse-eaters"), have an extremely well-developed sense of smell, follow a series of mandatory traditions in terms of clothing, food, and etiquette. Members of the upper classes must not approach one another closer than two meters, which is why all Kni'lina rooms, both residential and work, are very spacious. In dwellings, they never come up from the floor and crawl around on all fours. Sex and reproduction are separate. They only wear clothing prescribed by custom: ceremonial, home, work (saigor and saiteni), and ritual (only the religious Poharas possess the latter).
Based on USF estimates, the Kni'lina will become rivals to humanity, as dangerous as the Bino Faata and the Dromi.
Sources of information:
1. Communication from Servs and other intelligent artificial lifeforms of the Lo'ona Aeo.
2. Fragmented data received from members of the Kni'lina diplomatic mission.
3. Data collected by USF Secret Service agents.
LO'ONA AEO is an accurately established name for the race (nicknamed "Lonchaks" by human astronauts).
Galactic coordinates of the Lo'ona Aeo sector: OrY38/OrX05, Orion Arm. Homeworld: Kullat, coordinates OrXO1.55.68. Nearby Kullat are Fayo, Arza, and the other worlds of the so-called Pink Zone, developed and settled by the Lo'ona Aeo in the ancient times (approximately 50-80 millennia ago). The Outer, or Blue Zone includes around twenty planets: Harra, Tintakh, Danwait, etc., colonized in later times (10-12 thousand years ago).
An A1-level technological civilization, the highest among the known races. Pseudohumanoids; despite the appearance similar to human, there are deep physiological differences between the Lo'ona Aeo and the humanoid branch (humans, Faata, Kni'lina, and others). Their origins are unknown, the rate and method of reproduction are unclear; the number of sexes likely exceeds two. It does not seem possible to assess the population size.
Psychologically, the Lo'ona Aeo are introverts, absolutely not inclined towards personal contacts with other sentient beings. Despite this, they maintain active trade relations with many civilizations, utilizing Servs for this purpose, highly-advanced biorobots with an intelligence level above the Glick-Cheney threshold. Peaceful and, likely, very long-lived. At present, they have abandoned their planets, including their homeworld, and live aboard astroids, artificial space habitats. Their social structure is unknown.
To protect their galactic sector, they hire Defender races (two of them are known for a fact: the Dromi and the Haptors before them). Since 2097, Defenders are being recruited in the Solar System and the other worlds of the Earth Federation. First contact with the Lo'ona Aeo Servs took place on Pluto, in 2096.
Source of information:
Official documents, provided by the Serv diplomatic corps, the Lo'ona Aeo embassy on Luna.
METAMORPHS or PROTEIDS (their name for themselves is unknown).
Galactic coordinates of the sector and homeworld of these mysterious beings are unknown. There is also no reliable information regarding their technological level, although it is assumed that it is high (at least B8-B9). A non-humanoid race, whose individuals are capable of radically changing their external appearance and, likely, metabolism and physiology. They are present on many worlds as emissaries (observers?.. spies?..), but, due to their nature, are virtually undetectable.
The only reliable case of a contact between a Metamorph emissary with humanity took place in 2088 (the Invasion era). During that time, the emissary had become active, attempting to urge Earth's armed forces to fight and, ultimately, destroy the Bino Faata. But that action was, effectively, performed by the emissary himself: when the Faata had landed, he delivered a container with micro-robots aboard, biomechanical insects, which then broke apart the tissues of the quasi-sentient device that had controlled the starship of the aggressors. The starship's destruction led to the deaths of the entire Faata crew. While the reasons for the Metamorphs' hostility towards the Bino Faata are still unknown, there is no reason to doubt the fact itself.
Note: While the Metamorph emissary did not show himself during the Void Wars, it is believed that certain valuable information was received by the USF Secret Service due to his involvement. Possibly, he had infiltrated the Service and holds an important position in it. The USF leadership has forbidden any attempts to test this hypothesis. In the words of one of the top members of the USF, "Let's not spook the goose that lays golden eggs."
The Metamorph's known physiological indicators confirm that he is capable of altering his facial features, height, weight, skin color, and body shape within the limits of human appearance. He is also capable of teleporting objects no heavier than one hundred kilograms within the limits of Earth and several grams to interplanetary distances (most likely, though Limbo).
All persons that communicated with the emissary note that he was capable of perfectly imitating human behavior and emotions: none of them had any doubt that they were speaking to a human. However, such tolerance, as well as the aid in opposing the Faata, do not mean that the Proteid emissary and his people are friendly towards humankind. We can, however, make a careful forecast that they, at least, are not hostile to humans. The race's other motives and psychological characteristics are unknown.
Sources of information:
Extract from USF Secret Service File #112/56. Top secret clearance lifted in 2216.
SILMARRI. The name of the race has come from the language of the Bino Faata. Their name for themselves is unknown, cannot be reproduced by the sounds of Earth Lingua, and, most likely, does not exist at all.
The Silmarri race has no Zone of Influence, is not tied to any particular sector, instead, wondering the galaxy in their ships, being an example of a nomadic civilization (the only known phenomenon of its kind). Silmarri origins and homeworld are unknown, but, based on indirect data, they, like the Daskins, are among the most ancient races of the galaxy (approximate age: 25-30 million years).
It is difficult to assess the Silmarri level of technology, although one of their ships was visited and examined by human xenologists in 2125 (during the hibernation of the crew that precedes reproduction). Silmarri technology has a pronounced biological character and is unparalleled among the technospheres of the other galactic races familiar with the contour drive. There is a theory that their ships are living beings, capable of entering Limbo and adapted for traveling through space.
There is no reliable data regarding Silmarri physiology or method of reproduction. Externally, they appear to be similar to enormous worms (up to 6 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter), covered by white skin, with their bodies being so flexible that they can stretch out to 12-15 meters. They feed through their skin and require a thin atmosphere (about 5% oxygen). Average estimate of their population: several million ships, each of them holding a family unit of 500-1000 individuals. Their social structure, if one exists, is unknown. They never attempt to contact others and are, as a rule, not aggressive; their attitude towards other sentient beings is entirely dependent on the position of these beings. Some races (Kni'lina, Haptors, Lo'ona Aeo) do not impede Silmarri movement through space and even revere them, calling them "those who rejected the planetary surface", "galactic wanderers", etc.; the Silmarri have no conflicts with them. The Dromi and, especially, the Bino Faata strive to destroy their ships, and, in such situations, the Silmarri actively demonstrate their active defense and attack capabilities.
Source of information:
1. The report of the USF Research Corps xenologists about the visit aboard the Silmarri ship in Gondwana's system, 2125.
2. Fragmented data, obtained in various circumstances, from the Bino Faata and the Lo'ona Aeo.
HAPTORS is an accurately established name for the race (nicknamed "Hornies" by human astronauts).
Galactic coordinates of the Haptor sector: OrY77/OrY81, an area of the Orion Arm closer to the Galactic Center than the territory of the Earth Federation. Homeworld: Harshabaim-Utartu, coordinates OrY80.35.16. A humanoid race with a physiology that appears to have greater differences from the Earth standard than the Kni'lina or the Faata (different chromosome set). They are undoubtedly incompatible with humans from a sexual standpoint, and artificial insemination would not produce viable offspring. A B6-level technological civilization, in some respects similar to humanity (orbital bases, military technology, planetary terraforming, means of transportation, energy development; no detailed information available). Characterized by violence, deceit, lust for power, but fairly calculating and capable of keeping their feelings under the control of reason. They do not wish to communicate with Earth.
The details of the race's history are unknown. Between three and a half thousand and two thousand years ago, they served as the Defenders of the Lo'ona Aeo, then their contract was terminated, and the Haptors were replaced by the Dromi. This has led to a long conflict between these races, which continues to remain active. It should, however, be noted that the Haptors have never attacked Lo'ona Aeo transport ships or the Dromi who served as the Defenders; their wars with the Dromi were and are characterized by a clash of two powerful star empires. The Haptors continue to actively trade with the Lo'ona Aeo.
Currently, they have over two hundred colonies, some of which are densely populated. Estimated population is 50-60 billion, their reproductive rate is slightly higher than that of the humans (various sources provide coefficients of 1.05-1.25). No data is available on their social structure, religion, philosophy, and art.
The Haptors' appearance and behavior, as well as the few bio-samples that humanity has been able to obtain and study, allow a hypothesis about their descent from ancient hominids, somewhat different from the terrestrial varieties (Pithecanthropus, Sinanthropus, etc.). Most likely, the ancestors of the Haptors were aggressive and predatory beings, preferring a carnivorous diet instead of a vegetarian one. From them, the Haptors inherited a powerful build, a dense, thick skin, and a strip of fur along the spine. The head is covered by cornified skin, no hair, there is a bump (a small conical protrusion) on each side of the forehead, the ears are pointed, the eyes with vertical pupils are deeply placed in their sockets. They do not fit human standards of beauty.
By USF estimates, the Haptors may become future rivals to humanity, but not as apparent as the Bino Faata, the Kni'lina, or the Dromi.
Sources of information:
Data gathered by the USF Research Corps and agents of the USF Secret Service in the Lo'ona Aeo sector.
