It's been 2 years since I was taken from Earth. I've been trapped inside this pod ever since. Comically menaced by the insurmountable white barrier that surrounds me. With only the disembodied voice of the computer, and a bitchin' soundtrack, to keep me company. As we travel the Galaxy searching for the only thing that can set me free. ...Spaaaaace...MacGuffiiiiiiiiin...
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Like a bad 80s sitcom. As I trudged towards consciousness, the dream was still fresh in my mind. I opened my eyes only to be harrowed by the supreme white monolith that surrounded me. My vague awareness, coupled with the crisp lucidity of the dream. Quickly sublimated into despair. "Op..." My voice faltered. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Open the door." I waited not nearly long enough for the computer to respond before I started smacking the wall with my hand.
"Aff..." The monotone voice replied as I kept going.
"Open the pod right now." I demanded, slapping the wall like a petulant child.
The voice continued unabated. "...irmative captain." A line appeared down the center of the smooth white surface. Lasting only a moment before silently splitting open to reveal the outside world. The barrier retracted, vanishing into the bed beneath me.
I sat up, kicked my legs over the side, and started firing off questions. "That means it worked, right?! The green guy isn't in command anymore!? Where is he right now? Is the door locked?" Gesturing towards the door as I finished.
"Affirmative, you have been registered as Captain of the Aquilon. [Jator] is currently in his quarters. The door is not locked." The reply echoed in the room.
My first official order as captain. "Computer, please lock the door." I tried to sound authoritative.
"Unable to comply." The echo rang hollow.
My first official MUTINY! Impatiently, I asked. "Why not?"
"The door lock has been destroyed." I look over at a damaged panel near the door.
"That explains the holes and burn marks." I offer a sarcastic observation. Yawning as I languidly roll through a full upper body stretch. "How long was I asleep." ohh my shoulder...doesn't hurt?
"73 minutes and 14 seconds." The computer responded.
"Damn, over an hour." I exhaled as I looked around the room. Maybe I can block the door.
"It was necessary to upgrade your nanotech framework. Enabling both the Virtual Terminal and the link with the Systems Nexus." Focused on my surveillance, I wasn't really listening.
Seeing nothing large enough to block the door I started looking at everything else. Junk strewn all over. Damage to the walls, ceiling, and floor. A broken table upended in the corner. Everything is kinda beat up and... "...dingy." I muttered under my breath.
"The former acting captain disabled all non-critical maintenance functions. Would you like to re-enable them?" As the computer spoke a 3D wireframe spaceship appeared floating in front of me. Plastered with dozens of callouts detailing needed repairs, maintenance, and cleaning.
Door, what door? I let out a protracted, "whoa..." The image was floating, stationary, in front of me. It remained even when I blinked or closed my eyes. "How...how am I seeing this?"
"The Virtual Terminal produces images by directly stimulating your photo receptors." I reached out to pass my hand through the image. Responding to my haphazard touch, the image skewed to one side before returning to its original position. I felt a slight static sensation at every point of contact with the image.
Startled, I jerked my hand back. Sucked in my breath, and exclaimed. "I can touch it!"
"Affirmative, full interactivity is one of the Virtual Terminal's primary benefits. It will also facilitate remote access to ship systems." I placed my fingertips on the wireframe model. The static sensation was continuous, giving the impression of a physical object. I plucked the model out of the air. Turning it over to inspect it from every angle. When I was done I tossed it like a paper airplane. The tiny ship flew in an arc, circling around and returning to its original position floating half a meter in front of my face.
I studied the image for several seconds before asking. "This says repair, does that mean you can fix the door lock?"
"Affirmative captain."
'This' is my first order as captain. "Okay, do that." It slipped out before I could make it sound official.
"Confirmed, initiating medical bay door lock repair. Estimated time to completion 90 minutes." A timer appeared in the corner of my vision and started counting down.
IS THIS A COMEDY SKETCH?! "Wait, stop. There is no point if it takes that long." My inner geek bristled at the lack of important details. "Can you be a little more verbose please."
"Understood. Captain, I have additional information to report."
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"I have detected 2 ships on an intercept course. They are traveling at sublight and will arrive in approximately 35 minutes."
My eyes went wide. "PIRATES! You said pirates before, right!?"
"Affirmative, the signatures of both ships match that of known pirates. Additionally because you are an undocumented Heliolater, your registration as captain...
Helio... "Doesn't that mean sun worshiper?" I interrupted. "You know we don't actually worship the sun."
"Affirmative. It is a legal term used to denote a member of any species that does not possess the capability to travel beyond their own heliosphere. The term came about because all known species have some history of solar deification. While also accurately connoting your relative level of technological advancement." The computer replied matter-of-factly.
...For a spaceship, you sure know a lot of big Earth words. I quickly added, "anymore...Sorry, please continue."
"Because you are an undocumented Heliolater, your registration as captain of this ship has been flagged for review. A Commonwealth Civil Security ship will arrive shortly to detain you and place you in quarantine."
Secur...? "Space-cops! Right, that's the space-cops? Wait, that sounds like code for 'arrest' and 'get back in the pod'. Why are they detaining me and for how long? I don't have to go back in the pod, do I?" I offered nervously.
"Affirmative, Civil Security are the so-called space-cops. Everyone involved in your abduction will be detained during the investigation. It will most likely take..."
I cut the explanation off. "But the pod. They aren't gonna put me back in the pod, right?"
"Negative, you will be quarantined onboard the Aquilon."
"...onboard." I repeated as I looked around the room. No offense, but I've seen nicer rest stop bathrooms.
The computer went on to explain that the quarantine was to limit my exposure to alien 'everything' in the event I decided to go home.
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decide? "Wha..." My question was cut off by some alarming news. "Captain, [Jator] has left his quarters and is heading in this direction..."
OH! THAT door.
"...I recommend you activate security protocols"
"Activate security protocols?" I parroted back.
"Acknowledged, removing intruders."
Intrud... "...ERS?? There's more than..." I was silenced by a massive fissure opening in the wall. My vision filled with a black void, peppered by countless points of light. I stared dumbfounded into the perfect night sky. Two simultaneous flashes of light arrested my attention. The Green Man appeared floating in the void. Right next to a house cat wearing a bright orange collar. It took me a few seconds to process.
"NOT THE CAT!" I shouted. "Bring her back inside!" The outside view faded. The cat materialized. Lying on the ground. Limp. Lifeless. I stepped forward and scooped her up. She isn't breathing! "Can the pod help her?" I pleaded.
"Affirmative, please place her on the bio-bed." I gently set the cat in the middle of the platform and stepped back.
Luna. I caught the name on her collar as the white barrier silently enveloped the bed surface.
"Medical assessment underway."
It's my first day and I'm spacing house cats. "What's happening with the Green Man?" I asked, taking a few slow deep breaths.
"He is currently 36 meters off our port side. I am maintaining his relative position using the docking tractor." The voice replied coolly.
"Is he dead?"
"Negative, he is currently unconscious"
"He can survive in a vacuum!" I said in awe.
"Negative, personal nanites are capable of scrubbing CO2 directly from the blood. Allowing for survival in an oxygen insufficient environment for several hours. Or in a hard vacuum for several minutes. The nanites you possess will provide similar safeguar..." The computer was interrupted by a klaxon. [Proximity Alert!] Flashed in my vision before the outside view returned. The floating form of the Green Man was interposed between my point of view and a massive spaceship. Surprised by the massive wall-in-space, I tried to step back. Forgetting to bring my feet, I fell on my ass. My virtual display indicated this was the [Vigilance]. It was accompanied by 3 smaller ships, all of which immediately veered off. A tactical overlay asserted itself, painting the scene before me with a multitude of colored indicators and bits of data. The smaller ships were pursuing the now fleeing pirates. There was another flash of light as both the Green Man and the superimposed dot labeled [Jator] disappeared from my view.
"Captain, the [Vigilance] orders us to stand down and prepare to be boarded. I recommend we follow their instructions"
"...space-cops?" I asked?
"Affirmative."
"Okay, do what they ask." The outside view and tactical display vanished. I felt all the tension drain from my body. I started laughing as I rolled back and lay on the floor. I stayed there for several moments, eyes closed, savoring the lack of imminent danger. Hearing a noise I turned my head and looked at the floor. A small yellowish bug was skittering towards me. Not wanting to be mind controlled by brain eels, I sprang up off the floor. Just in time for 3 people to materialize in front of me.
A jovial looking woman with brilliant cerulean hair, sporting an immaculate uniform. Flanked by two very intimidating spacesuits-of-armor holding guns. I watched, wide eyed, as the space-ninjas-from-the-future turned and exited the room.
The blue haired woman interjected "I know the hazard suits look intimidating but we mean you no harm." She extended her hand towards me. "I believe your species shares this custom, the handshake." Still watching the door, I instinctively raised my right hand to return the gesture. We bumped hands awkwardly. "Oh no, did I get that wrong?" She asked.
"Oh…uh, no that was my fault." I offered my right hand again. "Marius Ryder."
"Lieutenant Vika, Civil Security, section 3." She returned a bright smile and an exceptionally firm handshake. "With your permission we would like to transport you to the [Vigilance] for debriefing." I nodded my assent and the scenery changed.
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We were in a waiting room. Two couches and two chairs around a coffee table. Set in front of a huge window looking out across the starry expanse. Lt. Vika directed me to a panel near the door opposite the window. "Please place your hand on the terminal."
"Comm access granted." I heard a different computer voice when I touched the panel.
Lt. Vika directed me to one of the couches and offered me a seat. "Your personal terminal is now synced to the internal comm system, if you need anything please contact me." She touched the table and said "Water." A glass of water materialized. She picked it up, took a drink, and replaced the glass. Touching the table again she said. "Recycle." The glass vanished. "The synthesizer can provide food and drink." She explained as she stood up and walked towards the first door. Pointing to the other door she added. "The bathroom is through there." The first door opened as she approached. Before exiting she turned and said. "Please wait here, the debrief will begin shortly." I simply nodded. She turned and left the room, the door sliding shut behind her.
I sat there, lost in thought. Going over and over the preceding events. Reviewing everything I had seen and heard. It felt surreal. It was surreal. I was surrounded by magic, masquerading as science. Although no reasonable science that I knew. Everything around me felt familiar. It was the stuff of movies and comic books. Actualized concepts that extended light-years beyond my limited grasp. Eventually raised from my introspection by a bright light pouring in through the window. Unable to see anything but stars I got up and walked over. The local star had come into view. There were also 3 ships nearby, one of them had a familiar silhouette. "So that's the Aquilon." I muttered to the silent room.
"Affirmative." A familiar monotone shattered the silence.
I started at the sudden sound. "Aquilon!?"
"Yes captain?" The voice replied.
"Is this what you meant by remote systems access?" I ventured.
"Affirmative captain."
"You don't have to be so formal." I sat back down on the couch and placed my hand on the table.
"Understood."
Do you though? "Cold water." A glass materialized and immediately frosted over. "What were we talking about before things got crazy?" I asked before picking up the glass and settling back on the couch.
"Ship repair, maintenance, and cleaning."
"Oh yeah, go ahead and do whatever you need."
"Acknowledged, I will provide a status update once everything is complete."
"Okay, thank you." I said as I went back to my rumination, sipping at the water.
Several minutes passed before there was a chime and the door sliding open to reveal a man with a hooked nose and black hair. He was wearing a uniform similar to Lt. Vika's. "We are ready to begin your debrief, please follow me." He said. I got up and followed him to a nearby conference room where Lt. Vika was waiting.
What followed was 6 hours of the most brutal bureaucracy in the galaxy. We exhaustively went over the details of my abduction. Charges against the pirates. An overview of the investigation process. My options for repatriation. Some time around hour 3 or 4, one of the spacesuits-of-armor walked in with a large box filled with contraband found on the Aquilon. They provided me with an itemized list showing what had been confiscated. It was technically my ship, so these items were technically in my possession. My Virtual Terminal identified them as a variety of illegal pharmaceuticals and some rather unstable explosives[Inert]. I signed the ‘paperwork’, with a handprint and a voice confirmation, surrendering the items.
After this we had lunch. Lt. Vika provided a variety of perfectly duplicated earth foods. A globe spanning buffet, worthy of Roman excess. She tried everything, paying particular attention to anything spicy. We talked about Earth and food and the remarkable similarities between species. Every dish she tried had a similar equivalent on her homeworld. She offered to give me some recipes if I decided to stay, since I wasn't allowed foreign food during my quarantine. The food and conversation was cathartic.
After lunch we discussed the logistics of asylum and citizenship. They had me take an aptitude test. A large portion of the test was way beyond me, but I still landed in the 80th percentile. Hearing this made me consider asylum as a serious option for the first time.
I also found out that salvage rights were a thing, and I would be allowed to keep the Aquilon. It would give me a place to live if I stayed, but they wouldn't let me take it back to Earth. Finally the debrief ended, Lt. Vika stood up and offered another handshake. "That is everything for now. Your quarantine should only last a few days. You have until then to decide what you are going to do." I offered my sincere thanks to Vika and Civil Security for saving me from a life on display in a zoo. We said our goodbyes and I was back on the Aquilon.
I materialized in a clean well lit room that wasn't missing any floor, ceiling, or wall panels. "Aquilon? Where am I?"
"You are in the med bay on the Aquilon." The voice replied coolly.
I looked around in amazement. "It's so clean, and all the holes are fixed. Does the door lock work now?"
"Affirmative. All maintenance and repairs have been completed. Final cleanup is underway. All derelict items left onboard have been collected in the cargo hold for your review."
"Okay. Since I have nothing better to do. Why don't you give me a tour of the ship on our way to the cargo bay."
As we made our way through the ship, Aquilon started to explain the modular design of the ship. And how it allowed for variable configurations. We arrived at a room configured to be living quarters. It had a large bed, table and chairs, a couch and a private bathroom. I tested the facilities before kicking my shoes off and throwing myself face down on the bed. I could still see the virtual terminal widgets with my eyes closed. My head shot up and I opened my eyes, asking. "How do I turn off the Virtual Terminal display?"
"You can manually disable it or set parameters to auto disable based on your actions."
I considered this for a moment before asking. "You mean like when I'm laying in bed with my eyes closed?"
"Affirmative."
I dropped my head on the mattress and closed my eyes. "Please set the virtual display to turn off when I'm laying in bed with my eyes closed." My vision went black. "Thank you." I mumbled. This bed is insanely comfortable.
"You're welcome. Goodnight, captain."
"No...no, I'm getting up. We have things to do." I offered weakly. This bed has to be the pinnacle of space-nap technology. Crushed by the weight of brutal bureaucracy and a big lunch, I disavowed gravity and went adrift among the stars.