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【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 1: Ascendance

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【VAF】Chapter║: 23 ─ Echo in the Dark

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As Naole arrives onboard he is met by Guardian Armoured Captain Kiran of the Crimson, and Naole immediately senses the presence of a force similar to that of the Crystalan Ship Indigo.

Kiran : " Welcome aboard Master Guardian!"

Naole : " Thank you Captain!"

Kiran : " We have someone onboard who's very eager to meet you." Captain Kiran is interrupted by a Coms link from the Navigation Officer "Yes!"

Nav-O : " We are ready to jump Captain!"

Kiran : " Lock in coordinates and execute!"

Exec-O: " Activate Jump sequence!"

Nav-O : " Aye Sir!"

The Crimson opens a wormhole and jumps to the Nth Dimensional Hyperspace.

Naole : " Are we travelling alone?"

Kiran : " No! We've been assigned 2 Casara Class Cruisers as escort, but once we reach the Intrepid BattleGroup the Cruisers will return to their station."

Naole : " You said something about someone eager to meet me?"

Kiran : " Oh yes!" suddenly remembering "Let me show you."

Kiran leads Naole to the Hanger where three baby Ships are resting, and as they walk in Crimson's voice becomes audible.

Crimson : " Settle down you two!" Crimson talking to the 2 younger Ships

Kiran : " I'll let Crimson make the introduction."

Crimson : " Good to have you onboard Naole; It's been a long time."

Naole : " Good to see you again old friend."

Crimson : " The larger Baby Ship is my daughter Violet." light illuminates the Crystalan Ship Violet “She’s 10 years old. To her right is my son Craven" light illuminates the Crystalan Ship Craven "He's just turned 2 years old! The last is ...!" Naole interrupts

Naole : " Cobalt!"

Crimson : " Yes! How did you know his name?"

Naole : " Because he's the only ship that I seeded, and I can feel the blue energy of his Crystals."

Kiran : " Blue Energy?"

Crimson : " Cobalt is 4 years old, but has the physical appearance of a one year old, and we haven't been able to bond him to anyone."

Naole : " An Indigo Class Ship needs to be bonded to accelerate development."

Crimson : " When Cobalt's mother Lady Scarlet became an Elder she entrusted him as an egg to me. I carried him for the next 17 years, gave birth to him, and tried to raise him, but I've been unable to give him what he needs! Lady Scarlet carried him for 22 years before giving the egg to me!"

Naole : " He should have been given to Indigo, but then again Indigo is not able to receive eggs. He just doesn't have that ability, it's an ability of Crystalan Ships that were born; not made like Indigo."

Crimson : " You are his last hope at a complete life! He was born of you, and is therefore connected to you."

Naole : " Let’s give it a shot." Naole moves towards Cobalt and touches his forward crystal "Hello!"

Cobalt : " Hi there!"

Naole : " Indigo Form!" Naole then gathered all his energy and focused it into his entire body, and as the Crystals his cells became energized they began to transform Naole's skin to a deep Blue Crystalline form "Do you know me?"

Kiran : " He's done it!" smiling "He's Ascended!"

Naole : " Do you know me?"

Cobalt : " You are Master Naole. Guardian of the Crystalorb Engineering Division."

Naole : " No! That's not it?" Naole pushes more of his life force energy into Cobalt's forward crystal "Dig deeper! Do you know me?"

Cobalt : " I know you!"

Naole : " You do?"

Cobalt : " I know you!"

Naole : " Then, who am I?" The energy exchange between Naole and Cobalt becomes intense; making it difficult for Kiran to see what is happening "Look closely!"

Cobalt : " You are the Echo of what once was. The reflection of my spirit! You are me, and I am you."

Naole : " In knowing me you'll open the door to your own Spirit."

Cobalt : " I dreamt a dream, and that dream was you! The source of my power! Envoy of the Forbidden!"

Naole : " Now! Who are you?"

Cobalt : " I am the Key! Your Key! The Key of the Forbidden!"

Naole : " That's the way!"

Cobalt : " Your knowledge! Your power is my power!" with the realization of who he is Cobalt began to change as the blue crystals began to assert their dominance, and this was changing his skin to blue "I Need more power!"

Kiran : " What's happening?"

Crimson : " He's activating his Fusion Reactor" Crimson almost panicked "Cobalt stop!"

Kiran : " He's too young!"

Naole : " He has my power, he can do it!"

Cobalt : " Just a little further!"

Kiran : " No!"

Naole : " Focus! You're almost there!" Cobalt finally manages to activate his fusion reactor "You've done it!"

Cobalt : " Such power! Pure energy!"

Kiran : " By the Source!"

Crimson : " No Crystalan Ship this small has ever been able to activate its Fusion Reactor."

Kiran : " Crystalan Ships usually have to be 10 times larger to be able to activate their Fusion Reactor."

Naole : " How do you feel?" talking to Cobalt

Cobalt : " Better than I've ever felt! Thank you Master Naole!"

Naole : " You’re welcome!"

Crimson : " Why is Cobalt's skin blue now?"

Kiran : " It used to be light Red, but now it's deep blue!"

Naole : " The skin was light Red because only the Red Crystals were energized, but Red Crystals only make up 20% of his skin, Clear Crystals only make up 10% of his skin and Blue Crystals make up 70% of his skin. In fact Cobalt's entire physiology has the same proportions of Crystals."

Kiran : " How was he able to activate his Fusion Reactor?"

Naole : " Pound for Pound Cobalt is the most powerful Crystalan Ship I've ever seen."

Kiran : " More powerful than Indigo?"

Naole : " He will be!"

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After a long journey the Crimson was now ready to jump into a location where it would rendezvous with the Intrepid BattleGroup. Naole arrives at the Ship's command Bridge/Centre to find that the ships command staff is already there.

Kiran : " Master Naole! We are ready to make the jump."

Coms-O : " Captain we are receiving communications channel from our escort Cruisers!"

Kiran : " On screen!"

Capt-Madira : " This is Captain Kao Madira of the Crystalorb Cruiser Raven Broadcasting to Crimson! Confirm?"

Kiran : " Acknowledged Raven!"

Capt-Madira : " This is as far as we go Captain! We are turning back!"

Kiran : " Understood Madira!"

Capt-Madira : " Good Luck Kiran! Raven out!"

Kiran : " Navigation lock-in coordinates and take us in!"

Nav-O : " Aye Captain!"

The Crimson opens a wormhole into normal space emerging some distance from the Intrepid BattleGroup.

Surv-O : " Intrepid BattleGroup Coming up!"

Kiran : " On screen!"

Tact-O : " Assuming designated position!"

Nav-O : " Docking speed!"

Coms-O : " In coming Communications channel Captain!"

Kiran : " Show me"

Isis : " It took you long enough?"

Kiran : " Had to pick up an old man!" both Isis and Kiran laugh

Isis : " Are you ready?"

Kiran : " Good to go!"

Isis : " All Ships execute jump sequence 116!"

All the ships in the Intrepid BattleGroup jump into hyperspace and emerge near GG54171 and make their final approach to the staging location.

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At the staging location the Intrepid BattleGroup finds that all parties have already arrived. Guardian Isis establishes communications with the formation leaders of the United Atlantic Federation deep space Exploration BattleGroup and the African Federation Exploration BattleGroup; consisting of 3 Nubia Class Destroyers and 1 Valiant Class Corvette.

Isis : " This is Commander Isis Olen of the Crystalan Ship Intrepid Broadcasting on frequency 220! Requesting permission to enter grid GG54171"

Capt-Andrews :" This is Captain Jim Andrews of the United Atlantic Federation Destroyer Boston; Designated Expedition leader! Permission Granted! Good to have you with us!"

Capt-Kondi : " This is Group Captain Thana Kondi of the African Federation Destroyer Venga! Welcome to GG54171!"

Thana Kondi is one of the few women in the African Federation to hold the rank of Group Captain, and that's because in the African Federal Security Force there's intense competition for senior positions, meaning that having a family becomes a disadvantage. Thana Kondi is next in line for promotion to Fleet Captain which has the rank of Rear Admiral, and would mean taking command of a Vanguard Class BattleCruiser.

Isis, Jalen and Naole join Capt-Andrews and Capt-Kondi onboard the UAS Boston A2251 for a planning session before they embark on the expedition. Naole travels onboard the Cobalt on its first major mission.

Capt-Andrews: " Welcome aboard the UAS Boston A2251!"

Isis : " Thank you Captain!"

Capt-Kondi : " Thank you Captain!"

Isis : " Let me present my people." pointing at Jalen “Guardian Jalen Olen; Head of the Crystalorb Research Division!"

Jalen : " I'll be handling the Artefact entry protocol."

Isis : " Dr Jalen Olen is my husband." then pointing at Naole “May I present Guardian Naole Olen. Dr Naole Olen is the Head of the Crystalorb Engineering Division."

Naole : " In the words of the Council of Elders; I'm here for the unexpected!"

Isis : " Naole is Crystalorb's Chief Ship builder! He, more than anyone available understands StarShips"

Capt-Andrews: " All of you! Welcome to the team!"

Capt-Kondi : " If I may?" Captain Kondi looks at Naole "Any relation to the Naole who commanded Crystalorb's contingent during the Enthea Campaign?"

Isis : " He's the very same!"

Capt-Kondi : " But he's so young?" turning to look at Isis "He can't be more than 30 years old."

Isis : " Trust me when I tell you that Naole only looks like a young man!" Jalen and Isis laugh "He's the oldest man on this ship!"

Naole : " Were you at the battle for Enthea?"

Capt-Kondi : " Yes! I commanded the AFS Harare A2198; A CVI updated Apollo Class Destroyer."

Naole : " The Harare took some serious hits didn't it?"

Capt-Kondi : " Yes she did! I'm surprised you remember! After Enthea I was assigned the AFS Venga A2252." after a brief pause "I thought you were a Fleet commander, not a scientist? Where's your ship the Indigo?"

Isis : " Naole is a Knowledge Guardian. Naole designed the Vanguard Class BattleCruiser."

Capt-Kondi : " Wow!"

Isis : " He's the highest ranking Crystalan on the Moon Crystalorb!"

Naole : " Indigo still has a year of repairs to go."

Capt-Kondi : " That's a long time!"

Naole : " Crystalan Ships are alive and therefore take longer to heal, but Indigo should be ready for the 2257 five year anniversary of the Enthea Campaign."

Capt-Andrews: " Getting back to business!" everyone looks at the screens "The ship is 825 metres long, 250 metres high and 283 metres wide. The hull is made from a material we haven't been able to identify. However further analysis of its hull indicates similarities to those used by the older races. From its size we concluded that it’s probably a scouting ship of some kind." after a brief pause "I'll now hand over to my Science officer for further details."

Sci-O : " As you've all seen in our data pack we dug into the ice, and have been stopped by a powerful shield! We can only speculate as to the exact nature of the ship's power source, but what we know is that it survived the extensive damage that occurred during the crash. We want to enter the ship without causing further damage to the vessel, and we hope to preserve the ship for transport to our research facility on Atlantis Colony." after a brief pause "The shield modulation is as expected to be beyond even quantum computational limits. However we think that the reactive nature of your Energy Weapons Crystal could generate a localized breach in the ship's shield without damaging the hull, and that will allow us to stabilize the breach using reflector modules. Then we can send in our teams to investigate."

Jalen : " What about the hull? If it's as advanced as you think it is, then how do you plan to penetrate it?"

Sci-O : " We've identified what we believe is some sort of access port, and we intend to use a plasma torch to cut our way in." after a brief pause "It will of course take a while."

Jalen : " Perhaps we can help with that!"

Naole : " Please excuse me" Naole's helmet face cover activates, sealing off his face " I'm getting a signal from Cobalt." Now on a private channel to Cobalt "What is it?"

Cobalt : " Requesting permission to leave sir. I'm Hungry!"

Naole : " Ok" Naole opens face cover to speak to Isis "Cobalt is hungry! Is there a Juvenile in the BattleGroup?"

Isis : " No! But Intrepid has extensive reserves." Isis activates the Joint Communications Channel allowing her to simultaneously speak to all Crystalan Ships and Guardians "Intrepid! Cobalt's fusion reactor has recently become active, he's hungry, and he needs mineral resources, guide him onboard and give him what he needs."

Intrepid : " Will do Guardian!" taking a moment to locate Cobalt and establish Communications "Isn't he a little young to have an active fusion reactor?"

Isis : " It must be the blue Crystals!"

Intrepid : " Got him! Intrepid out!"

Isis : " Cobalt is onboard the Intrepid!"

Naole : " He told me." Naole turns his attention to the science officer "Please continue!"

Capt-Andrews: " Wait" Captain Andrews stops the science officer and looks at Isis and Naole "Did the just have a conversation with the Ship?"

Isis : " Yes! He's a living, feeling, person!"

Capt-Andrews: " You hear about it, but it's a different thing to actually see it!"

Isis : " Intrepid, A'ltana and Indigo hold the rank of Guardian, and they are part of the Guardian Council."

Jalen : " A Deputy Guardian holds the rank equivalent authority of a Rear Admiral, a Guardian has the rank equivalent authority of a Vice Admiral, a Deputy Guardian Commander holds the rank equivalent authority of an Admiral, and a Guardian Commander holds the rank equivalent authority of a Fleet Admiral or an Admiral of the Fleet. However the rank of Deputy Guardian Commander and the rank of Guardian Commander are functional ranks, and as such are attached to duties and responsibilities, once those duties end they revert to the rank of Guardian."

Capt-Andrews: " Are you saying that your people will actually take orders from a ship?"

Naole : " It's not just a Ship, it's a person!"

Isis : " In my absence Intrepid assumes command of the Intrepid BattleGroup, and that's 40% of the time."

Capt-Andrews: " I see!" Captain Andrews looks at the science officer "Please continue!"

Sci-O : " As I was saying, once we enter the ship we expect Crystalans to lead the way." after a brief pause as he looks at Jalen "Your Crystal Armour can give you the kind of protection we can only dream about.” new data appears on the screens "We think that this area is the ships Bridge." a section of the ship is highlighted on the screens "This is where we will start our analysis, and once that area is secure we can begin searching the ship for possible survivors; though we don't expect to find any." the images on the screens change "We think that whoever built this ship had to be very advanced, and by extrapolation we've calculated that the Civilisation capable of building such a vessel would have to be at least 200000 years old."

Capt-Kondi : " Why 200000 years? I mean why not 100000 years or 50000 years?"

Sci-O : " This is not an exact science, but then it’s been shown that; the more Advanced a Civilisation becomes the more Advanced the Civilisation's materials. From this we are able to create Civilisation Development Charts." some Civilisation Development Charts appear on screens "For example The Azleck Republic with its population of a little over Three hundred million consumes energy that is equivalent to that consumed by 20 billion humans. The Nabi Federated Kingdom is another example of the phenomenon."

Capt-Kondi : " Is that a chart for the Moon Crystalorb?"

Sci-O : " Yes!"

Capt-Kondi : " Where did you get your Data?"

Sci-O : " I'm afraid that's classified! I don't know where that information comes from." after a brief pause "All I know is that the data points to the fact that Crystalorb has a population estimated at about 20 million, but they consume energy that is the equivalent of 80% of that consumed by the Azleck Republic."

Capt-Kondi : " Do you have any Idea how dangerous that information is?"

Capt-Andrews: " How so?"

Isis : " The Migon have been known to target Civilisations for destruction based on the amount of energy they consume. Fortunately your information is speculative, and there is no definitive proof of the Data."

Naole : " There’s only one group that has the technical capabilities to gather such information, only on group that has the ability spy one our facilities on the Moon Crystalorb."

Capt-Kondi : " Hodians?"

Isis : " Hodians would never be that reckless!"

Jalen : " The Circle!"

Isis : " Circleans don't care about the survival of the human race, they see themselves as superior to Humans, they've long made the distinction between themselves and other humans, and all they're interested in is their own survival."

Sci-O : " But they are Crystalans; Aren't they?"

Naole : " Rogue Crystalans!"

Isis : " They may look like us, but they are not us!"

Jalen : " They will destroy the human race if you give them the opportunity!"

Naole : " They can't help being destructive, it's the nature of the Negative Psionic Energy!"

Capt-Kondi : " Information about Crystalorb must be kept in the highest confidence! I can't stress enough how important this is!"

Capt-Andrews: " If we have this info, then it's probable that others have it too. I mean the developments on the Moon Crystalorb have been the most rapid on record." shaking his head "None of the races in the region have ever done anything like this. Something like this does not go unnoticed." looking at Isis "In just a few decades you've built the largest cities in the history of Human Civilisation. Two Cities, each more than 800km across, and at the rate you are going the Cities will be 2000km across in a decade. This while you simultaneously build some of the most powerful Cruisers in the galaxy." after a brief pause "This information might be dangerous, but we are not the only ones watching."

Sci-O : " Getting back to current business." The screens show details of the ship "Once we are inside our main focus will be to study the power source, and once we understand the intricacies we will turn off the shield and weapon systems, then we will raise the ship from the ice."

Jalen : " What's your time line?"

Sci-O : " 48 hours!"

Naole : " Then we will be ready by then"

The meeting is adjourned and the parties return to their battle groups.

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Onboard the Intrepid Isis, Jalen and Naole open a Joint Communications Channel with Commander Cyris and the Council of Elders.

Isis : " Honoured Elders!" brief pause "We've learnt something that demands Crystalorb's urgent attention!"

Scarlet : " What is so important?"

Isis : " The Circle has been watching and monitoring our activities, but more importantly they are selling their analysis of our capabilities."

Scarlet : " Selling to who?"

Jalen : " To Human Governments, Companies and possibly others."

Cyris : " How accurate is their analysis?"

Naole : " About 40% accurate! Looks like it was a good Idea to place our Fusion reactors deep underground. They don't know about our programs to rapidly expand our population, and it seems their technology is still far behind ours, but their stealth technology means that we have to double our search efforts in order to prevent them from learning more of our secrets."

Scarlet : " They must not find out about our plans to place Spirit Stone fragments on the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons!"

Cyris : " The Spirit Stone shields us from their power, and it will protect the SkyGarrisons from their Negative Psionic Energy technology."

Jalen : " We must accelerate our plans and place Spirit Stone fragments on the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons as soon as possible."

Naole : " We must accelerate the plan to harvest 20% of the energy of stars near the Ra system, this is critical to empowering the Spirit Stone, and with the Spirit Stone empowered we will be able to defend ourselves should the Migon attack."

Scarlet : " We will do what we can to accelerate our development programs."

As the scientist prepared to enter the wreckage of a StarShip from ancient times they could not help but hope that the journey into the unknown would bring with it new discoveries that would change the known world forever.

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After 48 hours of planning scientists from the United Atlantic Federation, the African Federation of City States and Crystalorb were ready to proceed. Crystalans did not believe that the wreck could bring any new technological knowledge, but they were interested in the historical knowledge of the ancient Interstellar Civilisation that had built the vessel. Crystalorb already had in its possession advanced knowledge from their friends the O'ltana.

On the surface of the Iced over planet size moon the 130 metre long, 12 year old, Intrepid Class baby Crystalan Ship Strab was transporting equipment from his mother Inara into the tunnel that led to the wreck. The Intrepid Class Crystalan Ship Inara would be the one to supply the Electrolaser required to break through the shields of the wreck. This was delicate work that could not be entrusted to a baby Crystalan Ship, and it required precision and control that baby Crystalan Ships don't have.

When everything was in place and it was time to break through the ship's shields and hull the other Crystalans left it to Jalen to make a record for the Crystalorb archives.

Jalen : " Earth date 05-12-2256! Guardian's Log; Having completed our planning we are ready to proceed as planned. I can only hope that there are no traps inside the vessel since I'm to enter first. As is tradition amongst Crystalans, Guardians lead the way! Captain Jim Andrews of the United Atlantic Federation the official Expedition leader would prefer to send marines in first to secure the area before the research team can enter, but I've managed to convince him that my rank of Guardian is not just a title. However Captain Andrews found it difficult to believe that the head of research could also be a warrior. Fortunately Group Captain Thana Kondi of the African Federation assured him that the African Federation would not hold him responsible for any harm that I might suffer. I would be lying if I said that I'm not afraid, but it brings me comfort to know that my wife is here with me, and that we have the Intrepid BattleGroup, but most of all it's that we have Master Naole watching over us. I think that the Council of Elders must have known that we would be afraid, and that they sent Naole with us to put our minds at ease. It's hard not to feel confident when you know that the Legendary Blue Guardian is watching over you. I see the anticipation in the eyes of the young men and women who are about to follow me into the unknown, and I wonder if I'll be leading them to their deaths. This is why I'm a scientist; I don't like making life and death decisions!"

Insulated from the freezing cold by the Crystal Armour Jalen then leaves the Strap and joins the rest of the Expedition at the end of the 15m diameter tunnel through the Ice.

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