CHAPTER 49: JOHN
John
Dyson Sphere
Epsilon Eridini
“This is it, I can’t wait any longer!” John declared, his voice resonating with urgency, echoing off the metallic walls of the chamber as he ensured that everyone present grasped the gravity of the moment; the time for action was now, and hesitation could spell disaster. Gripping the side supports with fervor, he closed his eyes, surrendering to the overwhelming flow of data being fed directly into his brain by the advanced technology to which he was intricately connected. In an instant, he became acutely aware of everything around him, tapping into every sensor available, even those from the WarpStar herself. Remarkably, the AI had effortlessly infiltrated the system, granting him access to a vast array of information that surged through his mind like a tidal wave.
“Sir, what’s the plan?” Donavin inquired, his brow furrowed with concern, his voice barely above a whisper as if afraid to break the tension hanging in the air.
“Honestly, Lieutenant, for you, the best course of action is to sit back and watch the show— that goes for everyone here,” John replied, his words tumbling out in a rush. He winced as a surge of pain shot through him; his nervous system was ablaze from the sheer intensity of the data transfers flooding his senses, a cacophony of information that threatened to overwhelm him.
“Alright, first things first, I need power,” John thought to himself, feeling the AI's response echo in his mind almost instantaneously, a reassuring presence amidst the chaos.
“Induction ports opening. Magnetic relays active. Plasma and radiation intake ports are now open. I am currently feeding energy from the primary star, Epsilon Eridini, into the main relays and capacitors.” The AI streamed the information directly into John's consciousness, allowing him to visualize each stage of the Sphere's intricate interior opening up, absorbing the star's energy and fulfilling the fundamental purpose for which this magnificent structure had been constructed, a feat of engineering that dwarfed his wildest dreams.
“This is…amazing!” John hesitated for a moment, but the profound wonder bubbling within him could not be contained, and he spoke aloud. The entire chamber surrounding him and the crew began to hum with life, lights brightening to an almost blinding intensity, while consoles and panels flickered to life, displaying an array of readings and data that danced across the screens like stars in a night sky.
Donavin, momentarily awestruck, glanced at one of the terminals, his eyes wide with disbelief, an expression of sheer astonishment washing over his features. “Bloody hell! The power readings this thing is producing are astronomical!”
“They should be, Jeff. After all, the power source is quite literally a star!” John replied, his voice steady as he multitasked in a manner he had never thought possible. The implant was processing data for his brain to absorb at an incredible rate, ensuring his mind could continue to function despite the onslaught of information that threatened to drown him.
“Okay, next, what can this thing do?” A torrent of capabilities rushed through his mind, from the simplest weapon systems to the bizarre and otherworldly devices that defied comprehension. “Nope, don’t want that.” He quickly dismissed the weapon labeled “Molecular Bonds Displacement Device,” recognizing it might prove useful but not in the immediate moment, the potential consequences weighing heavily on his conscience.
“Suggestion.” The AI interjected, having anticipated his thoughts and seizing the opportunity to guide with an efficiency that was both unsettling and comforting. “The immediate problem is distance; your targets are beyond the effective weapon ranges of all assets in the system. This challenge can only be addressed with two possible solutions, but regrettably, the mass jump drive is also a non-option, as all targets are similarly outside its effective range.”
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“Okay, then what is the only option we have?” John asked, his mind racing, each beat of his heart echoing the urgency of their situation.
“This station possesses the power and capabilities to create a mass wormhole to any location within a fifteen-thousand light-year radius of the primary star. Additionally, I can manipulate the gravitational effects of the star to create a powerful beacon for hyperdrives to lock onto and jump through the wormhole.”
That was a brilliant idea, John thought, yet another immediate problem loomed ahead, casting a shadow over the potential solution. “So that resolves one issue, but how do we get them here? Can we utilize that mass jump drive you suggested through the wormhole?”
“Unfortunately, that is not possible. However, based on data research from the command ship of your Federation Navy, I believe your Commander is planning precisely that solution; however, his target destination is the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.”
“He, what now?!” John was taken aback, grappling with the implications of the AI’s knowledge. How could it possibly know this? How had Briggs devised such a reckless plan? And why target the black hole? These revelations flooded John’s mind with more questions than answers, yet he understood that time was of the essence, and the clock was ticking down with every passing second.
“I recommend initiating the procedure as soon as possible. Jumping the fleet to the center of the galaxy is not an ideal solution. All predictive models indicate a one-hundred-percent fatality rate for all ships involved. There appears to be no possible escape for any vessel.”
“Will the plan include transporting any civilians or friendlies?” John's voice was strained, a tight coil of anxiety threading through his words.
“Affirmative. The breach protocol they developed is primitive; the code does not distinguish between military or civilian targets, nor friend or foe. If we had more time, I could overwrite their sequence to target only the unfriendly ships, but unfortunately, the process has already commenced.”
“Well, shit. Start the process.” The weight of the decision sat heavily on his shoulders, but he knew there was no turning back.
“Understood. Initiating breach protocols. Ripping subspace structures. Wormhole forming.” The AI methodically listed each step of the process, culminating in the formation of a wormhole in the system, not far from the colossal structure. “Subspace anomaly formed. Broadcasting hyperspace signal. Signal locked. Hyperspace activity detected. Incoming transit. All ships have been transmitted from Sol to Epsilon Eridini.”
John was horrified as he observed the devastation through the sensors scattered throughout the system. Every ship, friend, and foe, was adrift in the void, the chilling aftermath of the transit. Onboard the Independence, the atmosphere was grim; systems were faltering, life support had just failed during the transit, and all power reactors, including the anti-matter reactors, had burned out. The Federation's mighty fist had faltered, leaving her crew—what remained of them—floating in zero gravity, fighting desperately for survival amidst the swirling chaos of the cosmos. John's heart sank as he witnessed the Alliance ships powering back up one by one, while not a single Federation, Sumerian, or Russian ship stirred back to life. “Nooo! Is there something we can do to help our ships? Can we power them back up or something?”
“Scanning. Unfortunately, friendly ships are severely damaged, including the Sumarian vessels. I am unable to access any of their subsystems. All network protocols are down, indicating complete hardware failure.” The AI responded, its tone carrying an air of resignation that mirrored John's own growing despair.
“How are the Alliance ships managing to power back up?” John pressed, desperation creeping into his voice as he sought any glimmer of hope.
“Almorian engineers have developed a more advanced hyperdrive system, allowing them to shield themselves from the harsh transit. This capability enables them to execute multiple jumps before needing a recharge, along with the ability to jump within a system. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do until the friendly crews manage to repair some of the damage.”
“Okay, then it’s go time! Char, you’re up!” John called out, his voice ringing with determination as he reached out over the telepathic link he had forged, ready to take decisive action amidst the chaos that engulfed them all. The stakes had never been higher, and he was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.