Prelude
Nerus was going to die. It was an obvious conclusion, and while his
mind reviewed possible outcomes based on his current situation over,
and over again he could not change this inevitable conclusion to his
mission. He would die here on this alien world. He stared at one of
the dozens of displays within the command center, this display being
singular to the rest, this display was merely a visual of the planet,
with no other data, merely exhibiting the appearance of the planet.
Blue, and green, with a thick atmosphere, and an abundance of water
based moisture, both in the atmosphere, and in solid form on the
surface. The planet, which he knew as “Kronis”, had been named
for the observer who had first discovered it's life bearing
capability. Kronis teemed with a heterogeneous collection of species
in literally thousands of minute ecosystems. It truly was a beautiful
planet he thought, trying to push away the unavoidable regret caused
by his impending fate.
By space faring standards his craft was tiny. The command chamber in
which he now was seated held only one other seat belonging to Teabo
his partner, it was empty. In addition there were holographic
displays everywhere providing innumerable feeds of data, but the
display he was most interested in presently, in fact the display that
held him almost as if under a trance was the visual only display of
Kronis. Blue, and green, lit up against a black back drop. Revolving,
evolving, living, and dieing in a perfect balance of motion, energy,
and entropy. Kronis appeared as resplendent to Nerus, as it did
deadly. Behind him was an aperture that opened into the crew's
personal quarters, and beyond that only a chamber with a very tiny
storage, and access to the propulsion systems in the unlikely event
of needed adjustments during flight. It was a very simple design, a
ship purposely built for but one single mission.
“sweesh” The door opened, and Teabo entered the
chamber. Four of his six eyes followed Nerus's line of sight who was
still gazing in... was it awe? Regret? All of Nerus's visual sensors
were focused on the green, and blue sphere that represented the
planet Kronis. Teabo attempted to open a communication node with
Nerus. All but one of Nerus's eyes turned to focus on Teabo, that eye
could not turn away from the green, and blue orb on his display.
Nerus opened a communication node at the reception of Teabo's request
protocol.
“Yes Teabo?”
“It is a wonderful sight, this planet Kronis” transmitted Teabo.
“It is, and never in my studies could I have realized how beautiful
it would be at this range”
Teabo directed a pair of his visual sensors at the glowing sphere
now. The swirling currents of moisture in both it's seas, and
atmosphere hinted at the organic orgy forever taking place on
Kronis.
Was it worth it? Thought Teabo. He did not transmit this thought
though. There was no turning back at this point. He understood that
he, and Nerus were about to have something happen to them that no one
from their species had had happen to them in lifetimes that could be
measured in a scale that resembled the lifetimes of stars, or
galaxies. They were going to die, and as the moment grew closer, both
crew members now contemplated this ceasing of existence.
Nerus continued his transmission, “Have you located the target, and
the contingency targets?”
“Yes Nerus. The target has been located. Analysis of transmissions
from the sentient life on
Kronis have enabled me to name the target, and the target's location
with one of the Kronisian's
native languages. All of these languages as you know are primitive
vocal communications.”
“How did the target do on our suitability battery?” transmitted
from Nerus
“The target, whose name in Kronisian is Elizabeth Hartsel, scored
100% for absorption of the
biological package.” The DNA is primitive as was expected, but in
modeling tests of the target's neural system we have achieved 100% absorption, given enough time”
replied Teabo
“What is the length of the absorption process then, and what is the
present point of life cycle for the target?” Nerus pondered how short a life on Kronis lasted,
these creatures lived, and died in
what was but a blink of an eye in the terms of the Universe. Sentient
beings whose children's,
children's children would be long dead in the time it took a single
photon of light to leave their
own galaxy. The concept was more than just alien to Nerus.
“At present the target is at about 4.2% of it's life cycle. Or in
Kronisian terms the target is a
young child being three years old. Further analysis of the subject's
DNA reveals no flaws, or
genetic disorders. With the current medical technology available on
Kronis the subject would
probably attain a lifespan of eighty to ninety Kronisian years before
succumbing to the entropic
condition of all Kronisians. Her community is called Canton, and more
largely as being within a
territory known as Ohio. This territory belongs to one of the
dominant societies on Kronis, The
United States of America. These United States have access to, by
Kronisian standards a high
level of technology, and some personal freedoms. The target meets our
physical, and strategic
criteria, Nerus” explains Teabo
“What about the target's psychological composition,Teabo?”
interrupts Nerus “That's what I
really want to know. 100% absorption without the right host would be
catastrophic to a
primitive planet like this” he continues. “ While we both know
the biological package will
by itself greatly transform the target's ideology, it is important to
start with the proper
foundation. What we don't want is to create a conflict within the
target.”
Teabo is surprised to have his analysis questioned in this manner,
but given the gigantic consequences of even a slight miscalculation
he responds accordingly. “Yes Nerus I
understand. The target exhibits neural patterns consistent with the
biological package. Elizabeth
Hartsel appears to be benevolent, and environmental factors present
suggest the presence of
the package within the target's system will reinforce a natural
desire to help advance the lives
of all Kronisians. As we have neared the target my data has become
much more tangible.
Elizabeth Hartsel should fully absorb the entirety of the biological
package within three
Kronisian years”
“Excellent Teabo” responds Nerus. He knows better than to
question Teabo's analysis, and maybe he is looking for reassurance as
much as he is data. He transmits “ Teabo what about the
contingency targets? Do we have enough data to proceed with at least
three additional targets
should the need arise?”
“Yes Nerus, I have located three other targets nearly as well
suited as Elizabeth Hartsel. I have
another female of the species targeted in a territory known as Japan
who also has a 100%
absorption rating, although this target's absorption process will
take longer. In modeling tests I
have this target absorbing the package into it's DNA in 4.7
Kronisian years. I have two male
targets as well within a large area of governments known as Europe.
The male targets can
receive 99.99999981% of the package in less than five Kronisian
years”
A new display opens up in front of the seated crew. It glows green,
and a message displays across it. Nerus transmits to Teabo. “ We've
got a communication request” There is no reason to state it, as
obviously Teabo is well familiar with the devices on the ship. He
mentions it more as a sign of solidarity, and the sense of purpose
that the two share.
Nerus sends a mental signal to the ship's communication system. “Open
feed for all crew”. The time for ranks, or positions on this ship
have long passed he thinks. The green glow of the display blinks to
yellow, allowing everyone present to receive the neural signal.
“Nerus, and Teabo you must stop your mission at once. The council
has agreed to forgive all
transgressions if you return immediately, and reconfigure your
neural transmitters to accept the
the council's data feed”
Nerus looks at Teabo with all six of his eyes. “Well old friend,
this is our chance, we both know
that”
Teabo responds “ Nerus how can we fear death when we won't be here
to experience it?” He paraphrases an ages old saying, reportedly
from the days when his species did know death.
“You are, as always, correct my dear friend' is Nerus's response.
Nerus transmits back to the yellow sphere, “We have grown to enjoy
our independent thought,
and we will not turn back now. We will find a new home on Kronis”
he lies, something he would never have been able to do during the
eternity he had bee hooked into the council's data feed. Continuing
Nerus transmits “The planet Kronis may be primitive, but it is a
livable world where we can
be free in our minds, and thoughts. Can you not let us go here free,
where we will inevitably
die? Is it so wrong for us to go, and die free to think for
ourselves?”
The yellow sphere transmits, “ Nerus, and Teabo we cannot risk the
Kronisians coming into
contact with our technology. They are warlike people, virtually
unable to communicate with
one another. They still practice barbaric rituals such as violence,
and even murder each other.
This is a planet of death, and chaos. The council cannot accept any
risk of the Kronisians
becoming a space faring race. They will be monitored for progress,
but presently all our data
predicts they will become extinct through their own actions. A
species this dangerous cannot
have exposure with our species. Though it pains the council we have
but one course to take
should you continue on without the council's data feed”
Teabo now transmits for the first time “ What would you do, kill
us? Is that not against the
the council's own protocol's? So is it accept assimilation back into
the data feed, or what....you
will kill us?”
The sphere responds” Yes Teabo, and Nerus we will terminate your
lives. While this is strictly
forbidden by all of our protocols, the absence of data feeds from the
two of you have made this a threat to all of our species. It saddens us greatly to take such
a horrible action, but please
again do not put us in this position. It is not yet too late, your
lives are not yet forfeit. Please
resubmit to the council's data feed”
Teabo looks at Nerus and transmits, “We will be on Kronis in
moments”
Nerus to the yellow sphere, “ We will proceed, and if the council
feels our independence should warrant our demise, then so be it, Farewell friends” and with a
thought command to the communication system the transmission ends.
Nerus thinks about how he has already changed in such a short time of
being disconnected from the council. He actually lied to them! At one
point he would not of even known that was possible. Yet he did it. He
let the council believe they were attempting to live on Kronis,
possibly even with the barbaric Kronisians. Nerus, and Teabo both
knew the council would never let that happen, they had no real
intentions of even making it to the surface of Kronis. They're
mission had nothing to do with self preservation, and at this point
death seemed like a welcome change. Nerus knew almost every secret
the Universe has ever held. He understood the inner workings of all
matter, anti-matter, and energy. With a mind so filled with answers,
he was about to experience the one thing he did not know about.
Nerus, and Teabo were going to die.
Teabo thinks about the mission too. What will the Kronisians do with
the biological package? Have the tests been accurate? The expected
outcome from extensive modeling was that the the Kronisians would
flourish into a new society based on peace, and happiness. The would
retain their independent thoughts, while the technology would allow
them to do as Teabo's own species has so long ago, absolve themselves
of war, and violence. The Kronisians, or humans as
Elizabeth Hartsel referred to her own race, would evolve rapidly out
of such animalistic behaviors, but unlike his own race they would
maintain independent thought. It was exhilarating!
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