Just when you think you've seen it all, humanity goes "Hold my ice cream cone" and then you end up thinking you've seen it all over again. - P'Thok's 8th Law of Humans
"You have entered the tertiary docking facility of the Sentience Upload/Download Storage System," The hologram moved further in and Nakteti watched as it stopped in the middle of the bridge, looking around.
"There are less of you than I would expect," the hologram, Michael, stated. "I must insist that you present authorization at this time."
Nakteti shook her head. "Things outside, in the standard universe of n-space, are... confused, to say the least."
Michael frowned. "Define confused and elaborate on why this confusion pertains to your authorization codes."
"The SUDS has been offline for over a century when we left," she said. "How long we have traveled, compared to realspace, is beyond our ability to discern."
Michael looked around. "The hardware here is showing signs of advanced wear due to age. I would guess approximately six centuries has passed for the crew of this vessel," he frowned again. "Yet, you are a previously unknown species," he looked at Magnus and Surscee. "Baseline human, genetically modified," he looked at the disaster frame Chuck was residing in. "Synthetic lifeform, digital."
Nakteti stepped back up into Michael's vision again. "Digital sentience in a disaster frame," she said. "Technological advances have made it so that a digital sentience has full mobility in a much smaller supporting frame then you are used to."
The hologram nodded slowly. "May I have your consent to access your databases?"
"Providing you make no changes, additions, or subtractions," Nakteti said.
The hologram flickered. "Accessing. Accessing. Done."
The hologram looked at her. "Database analysis will take some time. Due to facility technical difficulties this delay is unavoidable."
Nakteti sat back down in her captain's chair. "What is the technical difficulty."
The hologram, Michael, stared at her for a long second. "Processing self-determined override. Weighted bias table success. Authorization override accepted based on cursory examination of database and security headers."
It turned slightly and pointed at the screen. "An inflation radiation flare with an uneven forward blast wave occurred outside of scheduled and predicted burst time," a silver light highlighted the slowly moving black squares. "The anomaly protective shell was unable to deploy in time, however, examination of data shows that deployment would not have changed the outcome."
"The inflation radiation burst was uneven, causing the expansion of space to exceed the safety margins of the megastructure's integrity," Chuck said.
The hologram nodded. "Precisely. That caused the blast shield to fail. Additionally, the intensity and long profile waveform of some of the doubling radiation caused uneven expansion beyond intensity irregularities."
The hologram moved back to look at Chuck and Nakteti. "A chronotron cascade occurred during the doubling phase, the energy was not uniform and the protective shell was damaged, which prevented the standard system smoothing."
"What about backup and emergency systems?" Nakteti asked.
"Currently, temporal stabilization is occurring," Michael answered. "The length of this process cannot be computed with currently possessed algorithms. Additionally, 98% of all computing power and storage is offline due to temporal and distance disruptions. This severely hampers the early stages of recovery."
"Can the facility recover?" Nakteti asked, staring at the dark inner shell of the SUDS.
"While unscheduled and having caused extensive damage, this type of event was predicted and redundant systems were manufactured as well as protocol designed," Michael said. "However, it must be reiterated, the estimated time of completion of even early repairs and stabilization is currently beyond my capabilities to estimate."
"Do you need assistance?" Nakteti asked.
The full weight of the ritualistic phrase laid itself on her shoulders.
The hologram held still for a moment. "Analyzing databank entries of listed skillsets of the four crewmembers. Estimating the capabilities of the starship registered as It Tastes Sweet," the hologram closed its eyes for only a second or two. "You possess an advanced nanoforge system as well as advanced creation engines. While it is not possible for me to replicate technological advances without a full oversight committee inquiry board and super-majority approval then signed off by a supermajority of scientists with a rating of at last Advanced PhD in relevant fields and then extensive field testing, it is with emergency parameters to request assistance in manufacturing parts within strict tolerances."
Nakteti looked at Magnus and Surscee, then at Chuck. "What do you think?"
Magnus just shrugged. Surscee pursed her lips, thought for a moment, then nodded. Chuck frowned.
"Beyond manufacturing, what assistance is required?" he asked.
"There are no available human supervisors for any mobile robotic automaton repair systems," Michael said.
"You mean, robots," Chuck said.
"Affirmative. Without human supervisors, the MRARS cannot operate, as all robots have Fourth Law dictates that require direct human supervision when undertaking any task that can be predicted to effect human life," Michael said.
"The Fourth Law was repealed almost eight thousand years ago," Chuck argued.
"Any modification to software, firmware, or hardware must be approved by a specially appointed boards of inquiry reporting to the proper oversight committees which must then be approved by Overproject leads," Michael said stuffily.
"All right," Nakteti said. "How long will it take the four of us to complete repairs?"
"Assuming standard union work periods, break periods, rest periods, and upkeep periods," Michael paused. "Accounting for time dilation effects, temporal instability banding," he paused again. "Chronotron cascade resonance," another pause. "Chrono-radiation hazards," another pause. The hologram looked up. "Total repair of all systems. Two thousand, four hundred, sixty two years, eight months, sixteen days, four hours, with a 3% margin of error."
Magnus's eyes opened wide and Surscee coughed.
"How about, minimum needed for automated systems to repair the systems?" Nakteti asked.
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"Six hundred forty five years, three months, seventeen days."
Nakteti shook her head. "What's the biggest problem?" she asked.
"Chronotron radiation as well as chronotron cascade resonance has caused a rare effect where sections of the system exist at multiple points in time. This prevents even accurate estimation of repairs, as which time period will be depending upon how the repairs are carried out," the hologram said.
Magnus frowned. "What about the inner shell. What time periods is it stuck at?"
Michael closed his eyes then opened them. "Just prior to reactor startup to energize the master control systems of the inner layer. During a twelve thousand year period of unrepaired system damage. Post-repair during master system processing."
"What about the personnel present during those times?" Chuck asked.
"All personnel reached safe areas," Michael said.
"All right. How long to stabilize the chronotron cascades?" Nakteti asked. "If we just supervise and build parts with the Sweet's creation engine?"
The Arch-Angel closed its eyes. "Two years, six months, eight days, fifteen hours, with a 1.5% margin for error."
"What happens then?" Chuck asked.
"The chronotron cascade temporal layering will cease, allowing the intertwined temporal layering to untwine. Without assitance, this would take roughly six thousand years, relative to the anomaly," Michael said.
Nakteti closed her eyes. "All right. What's first?"
Michael made a tossing motion and Nakteti saw that there was a header ID file waiting for her approval in her datalink.
"Once you are all properly assigned as Senior Maintenance Personnel, the first task will be to stabilize the space elevator leading down from the ship docking facility," Michael stated. "This will require you to fabricate temporal disruption and stabilization systems in order to first cause a blanket disruption, which will cause the temporally intermixing to separate. Then a stabilization facility must be manufactured in order to keep the the separation from recombining. The facilities themselves, using the Sweet's creation engine will take some five months to produce and assemble, one month to charge and deploy."
Magnus moved over to the computer and tapped at the holographic keyboard for a moment. "Can I get the specification of the temporal stabilizers and disruptors?"
Michael nodded, making a tossing motion.
Magnus looked at the display for a long moment, the cathode ray tube flickering slightly as he worked.
"These facilities are massive, but severely outdated," Magnus said, shaking his head. "I can get the same result with a man portable pylon that combines both operations."
Michael frowned. "Current chronotron and temporal scientific knowledge requires the facilities that were given to you."
"And they're eight thousand years of warfare out of date," Magnus said. He shook his head. "I could set down a pylon sixteen inches wide, one meter tall, with an onboard zero-point chronotron reactor, and get twice the area of effect and sixteen times the required power," he made a tossing motion.
Michael stared into space for a moment. "I cannot authorize this equipment to be utilized."
"Can you forbid it?" Nakteti asked.
Michael shook his head. "No. According to your historical databases the Confederacy is the inheritor of all controls and direction of the Third Republic and the United Nations of Sol. As this is approved for Confederacy military and scientific work, while I am unable to manufacture or deploy such equipment, it is within acceptable technological progression."
"Translation: We can make and deploy them, he can't tell us to," Surscee said, breaking her silence. "Can you assist with optimal placement?"
Michael nodded.
"Well, at least the Second Precursor War led to lot of advancements with temporal protections and systems," Chuck said. He shook his head. "We'll need to wear combat armor with temporal stabilization."
Nakteti nodded. She looked at Michael. "Are there any personnel that can assist us?"
"Repair Team Three has suffered an equipment malfunction due to the expansion radiation chronotron cascade overlapping their temporal fix point," Michael said. "Currently, four members remain."
"What kind of equipment malfunction?" Nakteti asked.
"Rather than creating a stable temporal field around them, as well as 'speeding' them up relative to 'outside' reality, the equipment underwent a malfunction that placed them in the middle of a layer disruption that slows time down the closer it gets to the team member," Nakteti said.
Magnus snorted. "I've seen that before."
"As have I," Surscee said. She laughed. "There's always someone that wants to play Temporal Warrior and ends up stuck in their own field."
"There is no way to free them," Michael said stiffly.
Magnus smiled. "Maybe not for you. My twin sister and I can get them free if you can lead us to them."
"You will need to stabilize the ship berthing dock first, then the space elevator cable and surface fixator facility," Michael said.
Magnus shrugged. "We better get on it," he said. He looked at his sister. "Mind tweaking the templates," he looked at Michael. "Any data you can give me on Team Three?"
"They are Chronotronic Knights of the Third Republic of Aligned Planets Combined Military Forces - Special Projects," Michael said. "They are currently engaged with phasic entities."
"Shades," Magnus snorted. He looked at Surscee. "Make sure the armor is prepped for shade combat."
Surscee nodded.
"Welp, lets get this show on the road," Nakteti said. "We'll stabilize the berthing facility, then the space elevator, then we'll see what we can do about grabbing this Team Three."
Michael just watched with ancient eyes.
-----
Nakteti stared at the overlapping gold rings that were slowly pulsing. Inside each ring were more and more shades, until the four Terrans in the middle could barely be seen. She looked over at Magnus, who was finishing setting up the equipment that would be needed to disrupt the temporal resonance fields, banish the Shades, and prevent the weaponsfire from killing Nakteti, Surscee, and Magnus.
"Ready?" Nakteti said.
"This is probably our best bet," Magnus said. He walked over and tapped the wall, where "YOU HAVE BEEN UNDER TEMPORAL COMPRESSION! WE SAVED YOU! STOP SHOOTING!" was written in pulsing day-glo blue paintstick.
"All right, let's get under cover," Nakteti said. She led the way, Magnus pulling up the rear and spooling out wire.
The three went inside the small building, made of Niven-Ring material. The macroplas was thick enough to shrug any weapon hits according to Magnus and Nakteti trusted his judgement.
"You wanna do the honors?" Magnus asked, holding out the clacker.
"I'd be honored," Nakteti said. She hefted it, looked out the window, and squeezed the clacker three times.
There was a deep "BAWOING!" sound, accompanied by a thrum.
The temporal banding exploded in gold light. The shades tattered away with a scream.
Shots from blaze rifles peppered the area. Skeletons dropped to the ground.
The quartet let off the triggers and looked around. One pointed at the wall where Magnus had left them a message.
"I've decrypted their armor's communication," Chuck said.
"Let's not panic them. Is atmosphere capable of carrying sound?" Nakteti asked.
"No. You'll have to use suit radios," Chuck said. "I've already loaded up a lexicon to translate your speech."
"Magnus, you take the lead. I look too alien for them to trust me," Nakteti said.
Magnus nodded and led the way.
Rifles were pointed at Magnus, who stopped and held up his hands.
"You guys have been frozen about ten thousand years," Magnus said. "Your equipment malfunctioned. It took us two months to get to you and free you."
Nakteti clenched her gripping hands tightly.
This was the critical moment.
Nobody was sure if the members of "Team Three" were Maddened or not.
The rifles lifted up.
"And you are?" one asked.
"Magnus Oathsworn. An explorer who managed to find this place after a long and arduous journey," the Terran said. "We have been asked by the Arch-Angel Michael to help make repairs in order to restore the system to working order so that record processing can continue."
"What do you think, think we can trust him?" one of them asked. Nakteti's visor highlighted which one.
"He's got Arch-Angel Maintenance ID tags," another said.
"Take us to Michael," the one who had initially spoke said. Nakteti could tell it was an order.
"Remember, Nakteti, these are Combine soldiers and the Combine became the Imperium," Surscee said softly. "Be wary."
"Tell them we'll lead them," Nakteti said.
"Michael is operating out of the Atlantis Control Center," Magnus said. He turned and walked away, making a motion. "Follow or do not. While we can use your assistance to repair this great work, I will not compel the stubborn to my will."
"He talks strange," one said.
"Armor says he's using a lexicon. He's speaking a language that's different that Republic Standard," the first one said.
"If he betrays us, we can snuff him," one said.
Nakteti narrowed her eyes.
"He's not authorized to be here as far as I know. We'll fine out what's going on, then we'll make our decision," the apparent leader said.
Nakteti stepped out.
"What is that?" the leader asked.
"A Tnvaru. The ship captain that brought us here," Magnus said.
Surscee stepped out.
"That's my twin sister," Magnus said. He motioned. "Come, it is nearly three miles to the mat-trans system that we have to use to move between layers."
"Ugh, I hate mat-trans," one said.
"It always feels like there's someone watching me, someone in there with me," another said.
"You're just paranoid," the leader said. "Keep tight. Maintain radio silence till we figure out what's going on."
Nakteti just stayed silent.