By The Andromeda Effect: Stellar Flash Book Two
by Neil A. Hogan
Chapter 5
Heartness looked across her desk at Patel and Zhou, and pursed her lips.
“Well, John. How did you know before the AI had worked it out?”
“Your A.I. monitors everything. Even gas being flashed from that oxygen star, as well as the fluctuations in radiation levels. We only monitor people. The mass of the station dropped without the mass of the Stellar Flash increasing.”
“From the look of Jonathan, they almost killed him!”
Patel grinned broadly. “He’s tougher than you think.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” began Zhou. “But with the main emergency over and my other responsibilities at the North Australia Space Port, I really should be going.” She got up and moved to the center of the room to flash back to Earth.
“I’m very happy you’ve agreed to take over the station if both John and I are unavailable, all things considered,” said Heartness, with a wry smile.
Zhou laughed. “An indestructible station with a flash drive? Force and nanite suits for everyone?” She swiped her band, and her nanite suit dissolved around her, flickering back into her shoes in seconds, and revealing her form-fitting black suit jacket and pants. “Probably the safest place in the universe. Call anytime.” She made a little wave with her hand, slapped her flash band and disappeared.
Heartness became serious and turned back to Patel. “Alright, John. Gravity waves, captain abduction. Changes to the next mission. The Florans know about 2.5m, yes?”
“I would say that they would want to use the opportunity to create a new timeline.” Patel leaned back in the chair and steepled his fingers. “It is quite interesting, actually. The SS has scoured this entire galaxy for years and not found much in the way of ancient technology from the war. Not because it was hidden or destroyed, but because it was simply far too old to survive millions of years. Even all the leads were long dead, swallowed by stars moving into those spaces. We now have a chance. Perhaps we could bring back an original burygine, rather than make do with a copy. Maybe acquire some ancient space-fold technology. Or even one of the Dinosauroid’s rock ships! It’s all very exciting.”
Heartness looked concerned. “You’re acting like an ancient-aliens’ technology geek. This is serious! It was an intergalactic war. In M31, asteroid belts were destroyed, hundreds of planets were cut in two, even stars were blown up or turned into black holes.” She had to make him see. “This section of the Laniakea Local Group hasn’t had a war for millions of years. We don’t need to get involved in something so ancient. What do we need all that technology for, anyway? Are you expecting a new war with the Florans?” She sighed, reaching out a hand but stopping short of touching his arm. “Look. I think we should just put this record down to the effects of an alternate reality, and ignore it in our own timeline.”
Patel shook his head. “I can tell you’re concerned, and I’m trying to make things light. Of course, this is a dangerous situation. If the Florans can find the point in space-time where they can create a new timeline, they could shift there. A Floran universe. The priority is to prevent this. Technology acquisition is secondary.”
Heartness looked at Patel closely, trying to understand his motives. He looked almost the same age, but she knew he was much, much older. And with hundreds of mental upgrades, he could probably take over the entire universe in minutes. Probably with some kind of beam he had invented himself. But, he had never yet showed even the slightest interest in doing something like that, which means Heartness always had the sneaking suspicion that ‘yet’ was the most important word. Perhaps this was why he had always wanted ancient technology. Why invent it yourself when you could grab someone else’s, easily figuring out how it works?
She had to meet him on his level. “But, it’s all quantum fluctuations. If we don’t send anyone, then neither will they. If we go, then they will, too. They’ll start that new timeline, then find a way to bring their Floran universe army into our universe! We have to cancel this new mission!”
She stood and placed both her hands flat on the table in front of her and looked at him seriously. “If the gravity waves start again, we’ll have bigger issues. I’m already getting reports from other stations in the Solar System. Everyone was affected outside of Earth orbit. What could have caused that? What if it is something the Florans are doing? We need to investigate that first!”
Patel met her gaze. “Firstly, Earth Council feels the threat of a new timeline is great enough to make sure the mission goes ahead. With only the upper atmosphere of Earth facing away from the sun being affected by the waves, Earth Council thinks they’re low priority. If the Florans decide to follow us back in time, then we should do whatever we can to prevent them from involving themselves in the Great Collapse, so that another possible timeline doesn’t become a probable one. But, there is something more important that can’t be changed, part of our agreement as members of the Interdimensional Coalition, which I sent to you not long ago.”
Heartness’ eyes flashed, remembering. “I know,” she said angrily. “Six beings are to die on the mission in the Andromeda galaxy, and we cannot interfere in their fate. That is no justification for guaranteeing the mission!”
Patel stood up and walked over to the window, his hands clasped behind his back. He stared out at Saturn, as further asteroids hit its atmosphere, little red sparks in the gas bands. “It took me awhile to get used to. We’re the only alien race in this sector that doesn’t know when we’re going to die. It’s what pushes us so far forward, makes us struggle, makes us work harder for something that may or may not be obtainable. But most of the aliens assigned to the Stellar Flash know exactly when they’re going to die. They live for the moment. They let reality take them along, enjoying the ride, no matter what happens. But they also know why and how it will end. Imagine if humanity knew that.”
“I personally am happier not knowing.” Heartness looked at her nails, then the computer screen. This conversation was getting uncomfortable. She didn’t want to be reminded about aging, now that she was approaching 50. The extra weight appearing around her hips and stomach had begun to remind her, in no uncertain terms, that her physiognomy was already slowing down. The idea that others had easily accepted their aging and fate was difficult to take. The last thing she wanted was to know, no matter what she did, it could be all over sooner than expected.
“Read the whys,” said Patel, pointing at her screen.
Heartness called up the crew manifest, and clicked on the category that asked ‘Will you die on this mission? Yes/No – If yes, and you can reveal details, please describe how you believe you will die.’
The crew manifest listed the crew deaths during the next mission. Heartness shook her head, but the names had already been burned into her memory. Ssyrer, Greg, Bublo, Chirpy, Clicky…and one listed as ‘anonymous’. “I don’t want to know.”
“Read them,” Patel ordered.
Heartness instantly felt annoyed. On this station, she was his superior. On Earth, he was hers. He was overstepping the mark here. Perhaps she should just throw something at him.
Patel read her look. “Sorry, Victoria. It’s just that I really need you on side with this one, as my department doesn’t have much time. Please read them.”
Heartness raised herself to her full 1.65m, took a deep breath, then swiped a hand across the panel, scanning them quickly.
Then she gasped. “My God. What the #$%^* does Hogart think he’s playing at? How can they all die like that?”
“This is how it will play out, quantum fluctuations notwithstanding. We should let the situation take its course, and see what we can get out of it.”
Heartness shook her head. “I can’t condone the deaths of six aliens for this.”
“You don’t have to. The universe has. It’s their path. If you take away their right to their deaths, you take away their free will. And don’t forget quantum fluctuations. It might not be our universe they die in.”
Heartness swiped the page closed, upset. “Fine. I heard all that at school.”
“How long before he’ll be ready to manage the new mission?” Patel had already turned and put his hand on the door release button. He wasn’t one to hang around once the answers were given.
Heartness sighed. “Perhaps an hour?”
“One more thing. I checked your sleep cycle reports. Please take some refresher pills to make up for the lost regeneration time.”
Heartness’ eyes flashed. “I hardly think my nightmares are your concern.”
“Everything is my concern. Especially you. Thank you, Victoria.” Patel gave a respectful bow, then left.
Heartness stared at the door for a few moments before getting up and looking out the window at the damaged Saturn. Travelling between frequencies was one thing. Travelling back 2.5 million years and to another galaxy with the potential of it being during an intergalactic war was another thing altogether.
She couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had begun creeping over her.
The Andromeda Effect. Stellar Flash Book Two by Neil A. Hogan
Now Available in Digital and Print
Sent back 2.5 million years in time to the Andromeda Galaxy to investigate why there’s a record of them having been there, the Stellar Flash crew encounter a creature so powerful that it has taken control of the entire galaxy by thought alone.
With most of the crew unconscious, Captain Jonathan Hogart is in a race against time to defeat the plant-planet, save the galaxy, and find a way to return to 2133.
But another force is attempting to take control, to use the power of the creature from the past to take over the Milky Way Galaxy in the present. And, for this, Hogart has no defense.
How is the creature controlling an entire galaxy?
Who has the technology to transmit the creature’s power from the past to the present?
And will the Stellar Flash crew and the Space Station team be able to save both galaxies?
Available now at –
