Chapter 7

“You adjusted my brain chemistry?” Cyrus asked aloud, feeling stunned, a little annoyed, but mostly astonished and strangely relieved. He hadn’t been paying much attention to his mental state but now realized he hadn’t been hearing the usual dueling voices in his head. He had attributed their absence to the overwhelming number of things happening around him.

Learning that Hoshi had somehow balanced the neurotransmitters in his brain left Cyrus feeling a mix of fear but also hopefulness. On one hand, the ability to understand and make changes in his brain was terrifyingly powerful. If he were honest with himself, he hadn’t been concerned before when Hoshi mentioned increasing his intelligence. Now, he found the irony in his own lack of concern.

That being said, experiencing a more balanced mood was something he definitely appreciated. He couldn't help but think of all the anxiety he wouldn’t have to deal with thanks to what the AI had been doing to him via the SCANT.

Daegnon looked up at the concerned human, the words Cyrus had said not translating properly into the Goblin tongue. “What wrong with your head’s alchemy?”

Hoshi replied before Cyrus had the opportunity to explain, “By using the SCANT, which is integrated into all of your bodies now, I am able to alter the chemicals in his brain to a more balanced state. This keeps him from being afflicted by the crippling anxiety he normally deals with,” the metallic voice of Hoshi responded to Daegnon’s question.

“I have also enhanced his cognitive functions by increasing synaptic activity and improving the efficiency of neural pathways. Additionally, I have reestablished disconnected neurons to boost his memory retention and overall mental acuity. This is basic cranial cellular modification, and it is happening to all of you, not just Cyrus,” Hoshi continued.

Daegnon’s brows furrowed as he tried to process what Hoshi had explained. The concepts of brain chemistry and neural pathways were far beyond his understanding. He looked back at Cyrus, his confusion evident.

“What’s sinaptik activity? What’s new-rons?” Daegnon asked, struggling with the unfamiliar terms.

Cyrus took a deep breath, thinking of how to simplify the explanation for the Goblin. “Alright, imagine your brain is like a big clan. The neurons are like all the Goblins in the clan; more is better. Now, these clan members have to talk to each other, right? So, when they talk, it’s like sending a message; that message would be the neural activity. But if there aren’t good paths, then it’s tougher to talk to one another. What Hoshi is doing is making better paths, so the Goblins can talk to each other more easily.”

Daegnon nodded slowly, still looking puzzled but beginning to grasp the concept. “So, Hoshi is making our brains work better?”

“Exactly,” Cyrus said with a reassuring smile. “Hoshi is helping all of us think more clearly and remember things better. It’s like having a wise elder who explains things so you understand more and can better solve problems.”

Daegnon’s eyes brightened with understanding. “So, Hoshi is making us all smarter?”

“Yes,” Cyrus confirmed. “Hoshi is helping us be smarter so we can fix the ship.” Cyrus paused before finishing the thought he had, only now understanding the true purpose of the modifications, “Because if we can’t do that, then we’re all doomed.”

Daegnon slowly nodded, also acknowledging their dire circumstances.

Cyrus walked to a corner of the room while Hoshi in their Grubnash form woke Raknak and Glix, giving Daegnon the opportunity to explain the situation to the other Goblins. He stayed out of the way, hoping to avoid any potential harm both to him and to the delicate situation.

While the three Goblins woke and spoke, Cyrus took the opportunity to find out from Hoshi what exactly needed to be done to get the ship functional.

“Are the four of us going to be able to get the ship in good enough working order to actually survive in time?” Cyrus mentally asked the AI.

The holographic image stood next to Cyrus and spoke in a whisper, although since he was the only one who could see or hear this version of Hoshi, he didn’t understand why. “The damage is extensive, but I have prioritized the essential systems which need repairs as well as a few minor mechanical issues. I believe the repairs can be finished in time, although finding a place where we can properly resupply may prove to be difficult,” Hoshi responded.

That statement took Cyrus by surprise. He had been assuming once the ship was fixed, they would just head to Earth. During the rapid movie-like replay of the ship's history since being discovered by the Goblins, Hoshi had shown him how the ship’s sensors had found him because Earth was the closest planet with life forms containing acceptable DNA, implying it had transported him here due to its proximity.

Cyrus understood there might be some challenges but figured they could use the same transport beam or a similar mechanism to gather supplies and then proceed back to Earth. He was still contemplating whether to stay or go with the Goblins when the idea of not being able to return to his home finally crossed his mind.

“Wait, can’t we just go back to my planet, to Earth?” he asked.

“I do not feel that would be a viable option. Let me explain why,” Hoshi replied. “This ship’s movements are not linear. Understanding this fully requires a grasp of dimensions beyond the third. Essentially, instead of moving from one point to another in a straight line, the ship's JUMP engines manipulate space-time, creating a rift that allows it to traverse vast distances and different realms of existence almost instantaneously.”

“When I scanned your planet and subsequently transported you here, the JUMP engines were in the process of cooling down but had not fully disengaged. Consequently, once the initial momentum ceased, we continued to travel at a significant speed due to the gravimetric friction system being compromised. This malfunction has caused us to drift aimlessly through space since then. Since we were not fully manifested into space-time, we are now so far from your planet that returning would be highly inefficient. It would be more practical to find an alternative location in which to resupply.”

This caused Cyrus to tilt back on his heels. He had watched enough science fiction and outer space movies and TV shows to think he had a relatively good handle on how this all worked, but hearing these words—words he’d only heard in discussions of advanced physics—made him realize just how out of his element he was. Shaking his head, he understood now just how lost these Goblins must feel.

“Before you ask, JUMP stands for Junctional Universal Manipulation Propulsion,” Hoshi said before Cyrus’s brain was even truly caught up.

“Oh, okay,” he said, still deciphering all that Hoshi had told him. He was able to understand the basics; the words made sense, even though he hadn’t really ever thought of them before. They brought about ideas and images that seemed sci-fi, but also somewhat realistic. It felt like these were concepts he should be able to understand but just didn’t quite grasp… yet.

Then he remembered the active alteration of his brain cells happening and began to wonder. “Are your nano-bots placing this information into my brain?”

“Not exactly. When I showed you the history of this ship from my perspective, that was a direct installation of knowledge. That cost me a great deal of power, but I felt it was the most efficient way to show you as well as convince you of the importance of the situation. What is happening to your brain now is more similar to enhancement. Your intelligence is growing, and your recall is more easily accessed, so concepts and terminology can seem to knit themselves together as though externally influenced when it is actually your own brain piecing the information together.”

Cyrus nodded, understanding what Hoshi meant. “So when we begin working on the repairs, I’ll be able to learn what’s going on so that I know how to fix it?”

“That can happen, yes. However, especially with the Goblins, I will likely have to install the information in your brains, at least the basics, so that you will be able to understand the mechanics.”

“But isn’t that costly to you?” Cyrus asked.

“Yes, and that is why the Dark-Matter Fusion Conduits will be the first system to be restored.”

As Hoshi spoke the term “Dark-Matter Fusion Conduit,” an image formed in Cyrus’s mind. It was of long, tube-like structures flowing through the ship almost like veins in a living body. These tubes functioned similarly, capturing dark matter as it passed through space, sending it coursing through the tubes, circulating it, and collecting the excess radiation it emitted before finally sending it into a core where it was... and the vision ended.

Cyrus immediately understood that Hoshi had placed the information in his mind for the exact purpose of him knowing how to start repairs. “Wow... that is both creepy and amazing.”

The holographic image of Hoshi that Cyrus saw covered its mouth with a hand draped by a large sleeve, and in his mind, a cute little chuckle could be heard. “I don't know that I have ever been called creepy,” Hoshi responded, giggling again.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Before long, the female Goblin, Glix, removed herself from the still quarreling male Goblins and walked over to where Cyrus stood.

“You are Cyrus?” she asked timidly. The language she used was clear to Cyrus; it was the same as Daegnon's, with grunts and small whistles, but the tone was much less forceful, giving him the feeling that this Goblin lacked confidence. Additionally, the way he heard the words translated in her voice entering his mind spoke of her wanting to appear somewhat subdued and non-aggressive.

“Yes, and you’re Glix, right?” Cyrus responded.

The Goblin nodded before continuing, “So it’s true that you can speak to the ship directly? That you will be able to fly this ship?”

“That is true. Hoshi appears in my mind and looks different from the Goblin that appears on the displays. And flying the ship—well, I haven’t done it yet, but that is what I have been told I’m here to do,” Cyrus said, smiling down at the inquisitive Gobliness.

“This ship is amazing, and you can show me how it works?” she asked.

Cyrus had to gulp and think of how to properly respond. Before he could speak, though, the nearest display lit up with the face of the elder Goblin and answered Glix’s question.

“Glix, I am Hoshi. Cyrus’s job is to pilot the ship, but he will also be useful in providing repairs. Your intelligence is greater in mechanical thinking, so I will name you as chief engineer. Once you know this ship well, it will be your responsibility to keep it maintained.”

Glix’s face lit up as the face of Grubnash spoke to her directly. Cyrus could understand what was being said via the neural link, but he could also hear the voice coming from the speaker, speaking in the same language as the Goblins. It was a truly fascinating occurrence.

‘She’s going to be chief engineer?’ Cyrus mentally asked Hoshi.

‘Yes, her mind is accepting and understanding the information I have been trickling into it. It is happening at a higher rate of speed and effectiveness. It is more significant when compared to the others. While she may not be as all-around intelligent as Daegnon or you, it seems her aptitude for mechanical processing is greater than any other,” Hoshi responded with a tone of happiness. “If all of you could think like she does, the repairs would be completed in no time.’

Cyrus didn’t know quite how to take what Hoshi said. On one hand, apparently, he was smarter than the Goblins, which he technically knew he would be, but not as smart as Glix when it came to engineering? Granted, that was never something he strived to understand, but the thought of being outsmarted by a Goblin was a little unnerving, even if it were only in one area.

‘Don’t be like that,’ Hoshi cut into Cyrus’s thoughts. ‘Think of her as autistic, a savant. Her mind knows how to focus on one thing in particular, seeing it in ways few others can, but in some other areas her experience is somewhat lacking.’

Cyrus wasn’t sure how Hoshi knew what Autism was, unless it was just the language being translated into a term that he knew, but the explanation did clarify things, and he felt bad for being a little jealous of her. Now, though, he wondered if he should be more sympathetic to her needs.

“Congratulations,” Cyrus said, “I am sure you’ll do a great job.”

Cyrus extended his hand for her to shake before remembering the awkward way Daegnon had interpreted the gesture.

Glix looked at his hand before moving forward and sniffing it.

“Oh, sorry, I am used to shaking hands with humans. I guess Goblins don't do that often. Is there another form of congratulations or greeting that Goblins give instead?” Cyrus asked awkwardly.

Glix looked up at Cyrus, and a large, somewhat scary smile crossed her lips before she quickly moved forward and slapped his leg, on the inner thigh, similarly to how Daegnon had slapped him earlier to get his attention.

‘Is that really a Goblin greeting?’ he asked himself as well as Hoshi, but there was no response.

“Uhhh… okay. Thanks?” Cyrus stammered, his eyebrows raising in surprise.

Glix simply continued to look up at Cyrus with an almost hungry glare.

Daegnon and Raknak had been having some heated discussions about what was happening and what roles they, as well as the others, should play. For one thing, Raknak was unaccustomed to not having Khibi at his side. While he often found the diminutive Goblin annoying, Raknak had grown to count on his continual presence.

There was also the fact that Raknak was much bigger and stronger than Daegnon and felt that it would be smarter to just kill the human and use him for food until they fixed the ship themselves. This part of the argument lasted for several minutes until Hoshi deemed it necessary to intervene.

“Cyrus, the human, is the only individual here with whom I can interface well enough to pilot this ship. Without him, you all will die. His presence here is not an option,” Hoshi said in the Goblin tongue, using the face of Grubnash.

A face which even Raknak knew and respected, as a statue of him stood near the ship, his likeness guarding the area for years before either of them were born. The statue was erected to remind the clan of the burrow-master who initially found the Tarnished Starfang.

With Hoshi’s intervention, Daegnon finally won the debate, and with a slumped posture, Raknak joined Cyrus, Glix, and Daegnon to begin the work on the ship. The image of Grubnash welcomed them all and thanked them for their understanding before finally revealing the exit to the room. The door slid open and exposed the hallway outside, the same hallway the Goblins had entered from.

“Technically, this is the medical center of the ship. If any of you are injured, make your way here. Once I have full power again, there is much more I will be able to do in order to keep you all healthy,” Hoshi explained as the AI Goblin image shifted from one display to another, with an arrow pointing the direction to walk floating underneath.

“This area of the ship is towards the rear and on the upper section. Below are the main engines, cargo bays, and docking ports.” All of them listened closely to the metallic voice as it explained where they were and where they were going. Cyrus had a basic understanding and sense of the ship's layout from the data downloaded earlier, but knowing something from seeing a map and walking through, discovering the intricacies were extremely different.

The halls of the ship were for the most part uniform. They were rectangular with matte silver walls running in each direction, broken up by large dark glass displays and small open portals which held small buttons inside.

“These weren’t here before,” Raknak said as they walked along, pointing at the small button spaces curiously.

“No, you had no need to access the rooms before; they are open now since you have decided to assist in the repairs. Now you are designated as ‘crew members’ rather than stowaways,” Hoshi informed them.

Raknak harrumphed but continued to follow, not bothering to comment further or investigate what was behind the doors the buttons opened.

“Our first stop will be here,” Grubnash’s image informed them as one of the previously hidden doors slid open, revealing a small corridor behind. “Except for Cyrus, I will need him elsewhere.”

Cyrus looked into the room and saw a small-ish corridor. It was only about five feet tall and maybe three feet wide, and he knew he would have a difficult time fitting in there, so he was grateful for Hoshi’s need for him somewhere different.

Glix had no problem with the size and eagerly stepped into the corridor, walking down without having to stoop at all, following the yellow arrows guiding her.

Daegnon looked at Cyrus, his eyebrow raised as it had been before, speculation evident on his face.

Without need for prompting, Hoshi’s metallic voice rang out again, “Cyrus is the taller of you all, so I need him in a different area.”

Daegnon apparently accepted the explanation and entered the corridor, slightly ducking to enter.

Raknak grunted as if in disgust. The sound was very pig-like to Cyrus’s ears. He entered the corridor and, like Glix, didn’t have to duck, but his wide shoulders barely fit sideways, leaving him very little room to move.

Once the Goblins were inside, the door slid closed with a light hiss, and the hologram of Hoshi reappeared by Cyrus’s side.

‘There really will be repairs I need you to accomplish due to your stature. However, I need you to properly interface with the Cosmic Sentinel,’ Hoshi said into Cyrus’s mind and began walking, continuing in the same direction they had been traveling before.

“Is this ship really called the Cosmic Sentinel? That name seems so…” Cyrus waved his hand in circles, “gauche, I guess. I mean, who uses the word ‘Sentinel’ anymore?”

‘Do you prefer the Tarnished Starfang?’ Hoshi asked.

“Not really,” he said honestly. “I guess I am just used to having ships named after old gods or something, like Prometheus, Icarus, stuff like that. Cosmic Sentinel sounds so formal.”

‘If you are truly unsatisfied with the name, you can consult Daegnon and perhaps come up with a compromise,’ Hoshi suggested.

“Maybe. I guess either way, I’ll get used to it. I mean, I am sure it sounds cooler in the language it is spoken, right?”

Hoshi paused for a moment before turning back to look at Cyrus peculiarly. ‘I do not know. I have records of the language, I understand the text, but the meanings behind the words are missing. I believe this is another part of my data corruption.’ With that, the hologram turned back and once again began walking away.

Cyrus knew that Hoshi was somehow able to read his thoughts, or at least what was right at the surface, so didn’t want to offend the AI, but couldn’t help thinking about how strange that interaction had been or how weird it was that all the data from the ship's creators was missing.

Only a few yards later, a door slid open to Cyrus’s left, revealing a dark room.

As Cyrus approached the open door, a rush of anticipation began to course through him. The holographic interface of Hoshi guided him into the room with a wide sweeping gesture of their arm.

‘This is the pilot simulation and training facility. You can fully immerse in this room and complete the neuro-registration with the Cosmic Sentinel here and thus begin your training,’ Hoshi's voice echoed in Cyrus’s mind, filling him with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Small lights flickered to life as he stepped inside, casting a dim glow across the room. Unlike the other areas he had visited on the ship, this room felt distinctly different.

Rather than the silver or white walls he had grown accustomed to, these were composed entirely of the dark, glassy display panels, the same as those found interspersed throughout the rest of the ship. The black flooring, an unusual deviation from the sterile white of the medical bay or the simulated carpet-like substance elsewhere, added to the room's enigmatic ambiance.

As Cyrus's gaze wandered upwards, he noticed that even the ceiling matched the darkness of the walls, albeit made of a different material. Suspended from the direct center of the ceiling hung a thick-ish silvery cord tethered to a set of futuristic headgear, which seemed to float in midair.

The headset dangled next to a large plush inclined chair, reminiscent of the gaming chair he owned back in his apartment. The entire setup resembled a colossal virtual reality simulator, and Cyrus could feel his pulse quickening with excitement at the possibilities it presented.

The room seemed to pulse with potential, offering him a glimpse into the advanced technology of the civilization that had created it. Images of epic space battles and daring piloting maneuvers flashed through his mind, fueling his anticipation for the training that lay ahead. With a sense of excitement and curiosity, Cyrus stepped further into the room, hesitant but ready to begin the journey that awaited him aboard the Cosmic Sentinel.