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【Vision of an Alternate Future】

Arc 2: Return of the Crystal Guardians

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【VAF】Chapter║: 38 ─ Divine Energy

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The Elrig BattleGroup regroups in Hyperspace as they make their rapid exit out of the area. Commander Elrig conducts a battle damage assessment of the entire Elrig BattleGroup.

Cmd-Elrig : " Status?"

DCmd-Isan : " Cobalt?"

Cobalt : " I've sustained major damage to my outer Skin, Hull breaches on 17 sections, 6 of my 14 secondary Energy Crystals took direct Fusion Beam fire causing significant damage, Primary Fusion Reactors operational but I've shut down 4 of my 5 secondary Fusion Reactors for repairs! It will take 42 days to complete repairs."

Cmd-Elrig : " Casualties?"

DCmd-Isan : " We lost 84 Crystalans during the fight with the Migon and the Hakum. Another 200 Crystalans were seriously injured during the direct assault on Circlecs, but they'll be Ok! What about you?"

Cmd-Elrig: " We lost 124 Entig during the Battles, and 3 StarCruisers took serious damage, but the rest of the BattleGroup is still within acceptable operational standards. I've notified Entig Republic Fleet Command, and they’re sending; 10 Elrona Class SkyCruisers and 20 Entig Republic StarCruisers as a Reinforcing BattleGroup to escort us Home!"

DCmd-Isan : " Direct path to Entig Republic Space?"

Cmd-Elrig : " Yes!"

DCmd-Isan : " Yeah! That's not going to work."

Cmd-Elrig : " What do you mean?"

Naole : " Given the intensity with which the Migon pursue Crystalans, they're likely to have mobilized on routes to Entig Republic Space. We are in no condition for a confrontation with a Migon Fleet."

Cmd-Elrig : " I agree! What do you suggest?"

Naole : " We've Identified system GFT271915454 in Sector 10H12 at Galactic Radius 34700 LightYears. The Star has Twenty times the mass of Earth's Star, and will provide the perfect locations for our purposes. The Migon are expecting us to try and make our way to Entig Republic Space, but we're going to do things differently."

Cmd-Elrig: " Should I inform the Entig Republic Reinforcing BattleGroup to rendezvous with us at system GFT271915454?"

DCmd-Isan : " No! Inform them of our plans, but tell them to proceed as planned, and since the Migon will be watching they'll track the Reinforcing BattleGroup."

Naole : " Leaving us free to complete phase two! Select the 10 most heavily damaged StarCruisers in the BattleGroup for the process. Once our Crystal Robots take control of the 10 StarCruisers the Spirit Stone will be able to take control and operate them directly."

Cmd-Elrig : " Is your Spirit Stone secure?"

Naole : " The Spirit Stone says that it has achieved good containment of Negative Psionic Energy, but it says there is some residual Negative Psionic Energy leakage into the Spirit Stone Energy pool. The Spirit Stone keeps talking about needing additional matter for optimal structural integrity inside the Inter-Dimensional Pocket into the 11th Dimension."

Cmd-Elrig : " What do you mean by additional matter?"

Naole : " I'm theorizing that inside the Inter-Dimensional Pocket into the 11th Dimension gravity is not a significant factor because there's no space to warp! Therefore to adequately hold itself together the Spirit Stone may need more matter"

Cmd-Elrig : " How much additional matter are we talking about?"

Naole : " I can't be certain; It could be anything from a small Moon to a large planet."

Cmd-Elrig : " A large planet?"

DCmd-Isan : " That is only speculative at this point"

Aurora : " We won't know how much additional matter we need until we open the Inter-Dimensional Pocket into the 11th Dimension"

Naole : " The Spirit Stone knows how to absorb matter; That's not something the Entig should be concerned about. Once we accomplish our mission the Migon Federation can't stop Crystalorb's return."

Cmd-Elrig : " I hope you are right!"

The Elrig BattleGroup continued to make its way to GFT271915454, and was expected to arrive in 17 days due to the fact that the routes needed to be covert.

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The Elrig BattleGroup arrives within jump range of GFT271915454, but before they can go in they send in the scouting ships to do a complete analysis of the 17 Solar Systems that are within a Radius of 25 LightYears around the GFT271915454 System.

When Commander Elrig receives the detailed analytical report from the 2000 Wormhole Detectors placed by scouting ships in a Radius of 350 LightYears around the GFT271915454 System he establishes Communications with Cobalt.

Cmd-Elrig : " As you can see the GFT271915454 System is secure; we can move in!"

DCmd-Isan : " Beginning entry protocol!"

Cmd-Elrig: " It turns out you were right about the Migon mobilizing on routes to Entig Republic Space. Entig Republic Wormhole Detectors on routes to Entig Republic Space have detected three possible Attack forces covering most of the routes to Entig Republic Space. The Entig Reinforcing BattleGroup is proceeding as planned to draw the Migon away from us!"

DCmd-Isan : " What's the size of these possible Attack forces?"

Cmd-Elrig: " Three BattleGroups; with each BattleGroup consisting of at least 100 Migon BattleSpheres and 10 Migon BattleSpears"

Naole : " Is the Entig Republic mobilizing?"

Cmd-Elrig: " The Entig Collective Leadership has mobilized 5% of the fleet in preparation for possible deployment."

DCmd-Isan : " I'm with Naole on this; You need to strongly recommend a full Entig Republic Fleet mobilization."

Cmd-Elrig: " Why? The possible Attack forces are over 20000 LightYears from Entig Republic Space, and the Migon would be insane to launch a direct assault on Entig Republic Space."

DCmd-Isan : " Would it really be insane? Or is it Migon thinking?"

Aurora : " Crystalorb's experience has been that when the Migon are in doubt; they attack."

Naole : " Attacking first throws their opposition into disarray. A surprise attack can be devastating for a nation that is poorly prepared for such an attack."

Cmd-Elrig : " Are you implying that we are poorly prepared?"

DCmd-Isan : " The short answer is; Yes!"

Aurora : " The Entig Republic has not had to defend against a direct attack on its territory for 480000 years. I can't imagine that you would be adequately prepared for a surprise attack."

Cmd-Elrig: " We have fought the Migon longer than most, and our planning is second to none."

Naole : " It's like with the O'ltana; when we stumbled upon the O'con Federation they had been at peace for over 1.4 million years. Their Elmak Class SkyCruisers were essentially mining vessels, and they had little understanding of galactic warfare. We helped the O'ltana build a StarNavy to rival the best in the galaxy. The O'ltana embraced our tactics and they respected our intuitive nature."

DCmd-Isan : " We made the mistake of underestimating Migon capabilities; I hope the Entig Republic does not make the same mistake."

Cmd-Elrig: " I hear you! I will inform the Entig Republic Fleet Command about your analysis, and I will strongly recommend a full Entig Republic Fleet mobilization."

DCmd-Isan : " Excellent!"

Cmd-Elrig : " Stand by for Jump Sequence!"

DCmd-Isan : " Will do Commander!"

The Communications link is suspended, and the Elrig BattleGroup jumps into the GFT271915454 System close to the local Star.

Cobalt : " System entry Sequence complete!"

DCmd-Isan : " Guardian Naole will now assume project Command!"

Naole : " Aye Commander!" a pause as he looks at Aurora "Prep 100 Crystalium712 Nuclear Missiles!"

Cobalt : " Authentication?"

Aurora : " Guardian Activation! Authentication; Aurora 2876726536 Green!"

Cobalt : " Voice Authentication confirmed! Chest Crystal Authenticated!" pause "Command Authentication?"

DCmd-Isan : " Command Authentication; Isan 4726537334 Clear!"

Cobalt : " Voice Authentication confirmed! Chest Crystal Authenticated!" Cobalt begins preparation of Crystalium712 Warheads "Preparing Nuclear Missiles! Crystalium712 Nuclear Missiles Ready!"

Naole : " Open Launch Bay doors!"

Cobalt : " Opening Launch Bay doors!" the Launch Bay doors open "Fragment V, Fragment R and Fragment P are moving outside"

In the background Atola and Bruce try to understand.

Bruce : " Why is it necessary to go through the Authentication process every time the Crystalium712 Nuclear Missiles are used?"

Omnala: " Crystalium712 Warheads are classified as Weapons of Mass Destruction! The Crystalorb Charter prescribes the use of such weaponry as circumspect; Weapons of Last Resort!"

Bruce : " What about Electrolaser Lightning Plasma Energy Balls? Are they also Classified as Weapons of Mass Destruction?"

Omnala: " No! And that's because the Electrolaser Lightning Plasma Energy Balls can be calibrated. Also the Electrolaser Lightning Plasma Energy Balls can be deflected, and even though they can reach more than 10 Megatons their impact can be contained. Every Intrepid Class Ship, Indigo Class Ship, Nalen Class SkyGarrison and Crystalorb Ship carries 200 Crystalium712 Nuclear Missiles; That's a combined yield of 1000000 Megatons per Ship! Enough power to cripple a Planetary Civilisation! Therefore because of the risks posed by Crystalium712 Warheads to innocents Crystalorb directives require 2 Guardians to Authorize their use!"

Capt-Atola : " How does Guardian Naole know what to do all the time?"

Bruce : " Yeah! He always seems to have a plan!"

Omnala: " Legend says that his brain is a Fragment of the Spirit Stone!"

Capt-Atola : " Could that be true?"

Omnala: " No! But it's not far from the truth!" he takes a moment as he looks at the busy Naole "Naole is a Crystalan like no other! A Crystalan like him can not be born; he or she would have to be made in some way; Naole's ability to reformat all the Crystals in his body to incorporate technological and Evolutionary progress is a result of the reactive nature of the Blue, the Green, the Red and to a smaller extent the Gold Crystalan Crystals. The Blue Crystal is the most reactive of all the Crystalan Crystals, but what makes Naole truly unusual is the fact that his brain is 90% Blue Crystals. Naole's brain is the result of an unnatural process; more capable than even the brain of a Crystalan Ship. A brain capable of quantum computing, perfect memory, and a Spiritual component that we can't quantify. He will never acknowledge this, but he's more Crystalan than Crystalan."

Capt-Atola : " More Crystalan than Crystalan? What does that mean?"

Bruce : " Perhaps the next level of being Crystalan"

Omnala: " He's always been ahead of his time! Even after 3800 years of Evolutionary progress he's still much-much more than most of us!"

Naole continues to oversee the preparations.

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As planned the Crystal Robots have taken control of the 10 selected Entig Republic StarCruisers, and the Spirit Stone is ready to take control and operate the StarCruisers directly. 5 Entig Republic StarCruisers remain in Hyperspace, but Commander Elrig is onboard Cobalt. With all the elements in place Naole prepares to start the process

Cmd-Elrig : " Proceed!"

Naole : " Fragment V will open an Inter-Dimensional Pocket in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!"

As expected Fragment V fires 5 convergent beams that open a 2m diameter wormhole into a new Inter-Dimensional Pocket. Fragment R then expanded the diameter of the wormhole to 200m

Cobalt : " Vortex wormhole Stable!"

Naole : " Fire the 100 Crystalium712 Nuclear Missiles! Set them for simultaneous remote detonation!"

Cobalt : " Crystalium712 Nuclear Missiles deployed!" The Missiles enter the Inter-Dimensional Pocket “All Missiles in"

Naole : " Detonate!"

Cobalt : " Good detonation! Maximum Nuclear yield!"

Naole : " Track Inverted Concussion Waves!"

Cobalt : " Concussion Wave Energy Critical!"

Naole : " Handing over process control to the Spirit Stone!"

Fragment R fires a Positive Psionic Energy beam into the Inter-Dimensional Pocket; Fragment P simultaneously fires a Negative Psionic Energy beam into the Inter-Dimensional Pocket. The Spirit Stone directs the 10 selected Entig Republic StarCruisers to fire their weapons at Fragment V.

The Positive Psionic Energy beam and the Negative Psionic Energy beam converge inside the Inter-Dimensional Pocket, and as the beams collide they produce Divine Energy, but the Inverted Concussion Waves cause the Divine Energy to Invert. As the Divine Energy Inversion increases it grows Critical; Triggering an Implosion. The Spirit Stone then directs Cobalt to fire 5 convergent beams into the Inter-Dimensional Pocket and combined with Divine Energy Implosion an Inter-Dimensional Pocket inside the Inter-Dimensional Pocket opens.

Cobalt : " Detecting an Inter-Dimensional Pocket inside the Inter-Dimensional Pocket! Fragment V is moving into the secondary Inter-Dimensional Pocket"

Naole : " Energy Absorption at 50 Yottajoules/sec! The Spirit Stone needs more Absorption Surface"

Everyone on Cobalt celebrates.

Cmd-Elrig : " I don't believe it, you've done it! You’ve actually done it!"

Cobalt : " Negative Psionic Energy depleted! Fragment P is moving into the primary Inter-Dimensional Pocket"

Aurora : " Fragment R is holding the vortex to normal space open!"

DCmd-Isan : " Once that vortex closes, it will be closed forever!"

Naole : " Cobalt; Take us into Hyperspace, the Spirit Stone is about to begin Matter Absorption!"

Cobalt : " Moving into Hyperspace!"

The Spirit Stone directs the 10 selected Entig Republic StarCruisers into the primary Inter-Dimensional pocket. As Cobalt moves into Hyperspace, Vortices open near the surfaces of planets and moons in a Radius of 25 LightYears around the GFT271915454 System.

Naole : " The Spirit Stone is using Cobalt's Jump Drive systems to target Planets and Moons. The Vortices aren’t large enough to swallow the planets and moons whole, so the vortices are ripping them apart."

Aurora : " By the Source!"

Cmd-Elrig : " How is it doing this?"

Naole : " The Vortices are connected to the wormhole connecting the primary Inter-Dimensional Pocket to the secondary Inter-Dimensional Pocket, and that particular wormhole has the sucking power equivalent to the gravitational pull of 800 Solar Stars. When Fragment R moves into the vortex to normal space the wormhole connecting to the secondary Inter-Dimensional Pocket will eventually consume the primary Inter-Dimensional Pocket, and that means we will never be able to open a wormhole connecting to that particular secondary Inter-Dimensional Pocket."

Cobalt : " Detecting multiple Vortices on each of the 17 Stars within a Radius of 25 LightYears around the GFT271915454 System!"

Cmd-Elrig : " Now it's Absorbing entire Stars? Including a Blue Super Giant?"

Aurora : " At the current Absorption rate the Absorption of large bodies will be completed in 16 days!"

Naole : " Energy Absorption increasing exponentially! Energy Absorption now at 900 Yottajoules/sec!"

DCmd-Isan : " Congratulations people; Mission accomplished!"

Cmd-Elrig : " What now?"

Naole : " Now we wait until the matter Absorption process is complete."

Cmd-Elrig : " Then?"

DCmd-Isan : " Then we return to the new Crystalorb System and prepare for Crystalorb's return."

Commander Elrig returns to his ship, and he informs the Entig Collective Leadership about the success of the project.

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After 15 days the Absorption of the large bodies had extend to 45 LightYears and was almost complete, and the remnants of the Elrig BattleGroup were still waiting in Hyperspace. Cobalt's two Juveniles were collecting minerals 52 LightYears from what used to be the GFT271915454 System. The two Juveniles were supplying resources necessary to complete the repairs to Cobalt, and they also supplied reactor fuel for the 5 Entig Republic StarCruisers and the 2 Entig Republic Scouting Ships.

Commander Elrig establishes urgent Communications with Cobalt.

Cmd-Elrig : " Have you seen the Galactic Alliance security bulletins?"

DCmd-Isan : " Negative!"

Aurora : " We are not connected!"

Cmd-Elrig: " It turns out that your assessment was correct! Unfortunately the Entig Collective Leadership elected to ignore your warning about the possibility of a Migon attack, and the Entig Republic Fleet Command rejected my recommendation on the basis of insufficient evidence." he sends data to Cobalt "As you can see the Migon Federation has just raided the Entig Republic's Postig colony at the edge of Entig Republic Space, the Migon attack force consisted of 800 Migon BattleSpheres."

DCmd-Isan : " Casualties on the Postig colony?"

Cmd-Elrig : " Estimated at 30 million Entig!"

Aurora : " How did 800 Migon BattleSpheres get past the Entig Republic's parameter Wormhole Detector Network?"

Cmd-Elrig: " The Entig Republic's parameter Wormhole Detector Network picked up the Migon fleet, but we did not have the elements in place to react quickly enough to stop the attack."

DCmd-Isan : " What now?"

Cmd-Elrig: " The Entig Collective Leadership has mobilized the Entig Republic Fleet, and the Entig Republic Fleet Command has instructed me to continue with plans to return to Entig Republic Space."

Aurora : " What about Galactic Alliance mobilization?"

Cmd-Elrig: " An Andronian TaskForce has crossed the Entig Republic border, and they'll help reorganize Entig Republic defensive capabilities. A joint TaskForce involving the Carmak Republic and the Hildrano Enclave is hunting down the 800 Migon BattleSpheres. Another TaskForce involving the Jiquam Federation and the Folong Empire will deploy to determine the possible gaps in Galactic Alliance Security."

DCmd-Isan : " Looks like the Migon raid has galvanized the Older Civilisations."

Aurora : " The Migon raid on the Entig Republic's Postig colony has brought the war to their doorstep."

Naole : " Crystalorb will be blamed for bringing the war to the region."

Cmd-Elrig: " That's unavoidable! Fortunately only the Entig Republic and the Older Civilisations know of Crystalorb's involvement. There are still some in the Galactic Alliance who see Crystalorb's methods as reckless, and there would be an outcry if they learned of Crystalorb's Involvement in this situation."

DCmd-Isan : " Crystalorb's return is imminent, and unfortunately that means the war will intensify to yet unseen levels!"

Aurora : " Many more people will die before the Migon realise that they need peace as much as all the other Civilisations!"

Crystalorb's representatives lament the loss of Entig lives and send their condolences to the Entig Collective Leadership.

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When the Absorption of the large bodies is completed Fragment R moves into the vortex connecting to normal space which then closes. The wormhole connecting to the secondary Inter-Dimensional Pocket begins to consume the primary Inter-Dimensional Pocket, and the rapid cooling of hot plasma by the Energy Absorption allows for faster matter Absorption into the secondary Inter-Dimensional Pocket.

Cobalt establishes Communications with Commander Elrig, and all the Guardians gather at Cobalt’s Command Bridge.

DCmd-Isan : " The process is complete!"

Cmd-Elrig : " So what's the final Energy Absorption rate?"

Naole : " Currently 90000 Yottajoules/sec or 9X10E28 Joules/sec; The Energy Output of 225 Standard Solar Stars! In the next 100 Standard Earth Days it will increase to the Energy Output of 500 Standard Solar Stars. From then onwards its Projected to increase by 0.01% every 360 Standard Earth Days for the first 1000 Standard Earth Years, then by 0.005% every 360 Standard Earth Days for the next 1000 Standard Earth Years, then by 0.0025% every 360 Standard Earth Days for the next 1000 Standard Earth Years. The increase rate will stabilize at 0.00125% every 360 Standard Earth Days."

Cmd-Elrig: " The Current Energy Absorption is equivalent to the Energy Output of 225 Stars?"

Naole : " It's more than my initial projection, but the end result will be the same."

DCmd-Isan : " We have to open a vortex connecting to the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket and report in directly."

Cmd-Elrig : " Can't you send a message through your Spirit Stone?"

DCmd-Isan : " We are finding it difficult to send messages through the Spirit Stone, and we can't have conversations."

Naole : " It has to do with the amount of Energy flowing through the Spirit Stone Network. It causes distortions in Inter-Dimensional Signals."

Cmd-Elrig: " The Kulnet Dominion, the Qua Federation and the Azleck Republic have been tasked by the Galactic Alliance to send a 200 Ship BattleGroup that will escort us to Entig Republic Space."

DCmd-Isan : " ETA?"

Cmd-Elrig : " Estimated Time of Arrival; 1 Hour!"

Naole : " Then we should get Started."

DCmd-Isan : " Jumping to Normal Space!"

Cmd-Elrig : " Jump sequence activated!"

The Elrig BattleGroup jumps to Normal Space and Commander Elrig leaves his ship for Cobalt.

Naole : " Linking Cobalt's Systems to the Spirit Stone!" the Spirit Stone uses Cobalt's Energy Crystals to fire 5 convergent beams that open a 2m diameter wormhole into the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket "Vortex to the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket open"

Cobalt : " Establishing Joint Communications Channel with Crystalorb!"

DCmd-Isan : " JCC active!"

A Holographic Image of the Crystalorb Council of Elders and the Guardian Council appears. Utel Lesedi is the oldest of the Elders 〘a.k.a Eldest Elder〙, and Guardian Commander Arog Lesedi heads the Guardian Council. Commander Elrig arrives onboard Cobalt.

Eld-Utel : " Greetings from Crystalorb!"

DCmd-Isan : " Greetings to the Honoured Council of Elders, to the Crystalorb General Council, to the Guardian Council, to the Knowledge Council and to Crystalorb!"

Eld-Utel : " Establish a Joint Communications Channel with the Entig Collective Leadership and the High Council of the O'con Federation!"

Cobalt : " JCC extended! Lord Bital of the O'con Federation High Council is online, and Leader Remin of the Entig Collective Leadership is online."

Eld-Utel : " First; we would like to thank the Entig Republic and the O'con Federation for all sacrifices they've had to make on Crystalorb's behalf! We deeply regret that so many of your peoples have paid for our mistakes."

Lord-Bital : " The suffering of all free people was unavoidable!"

Ldr-Remin : " True! As long as this war continues all free people are in danger"

Eld-Utel : " When we return we will do things differently! Work with others to enhance our joint security needs! Support others in their efforts to defend themselves."

Lord-Bital : " Because you realize that not even Crystalorb can stand alone!"

Eld-Utel : " Even this new found Energy Source will not be enough to secure Crystalorb!"

Ldr-Remin : " We must seek the peace of the brave, or we will all share in the peace of the grave!"

Eld-Utel : " On another matter, Naole; You have taken full and sole responsibility for the infringement committed by Cobalt and his crew?"

Naole : " I have!"

DCmd-Isan : " When did he do this? We are all jointly responsible!"

Aurora : " We were all there, and we all agreed!"

Cmd-Arog : " But Naole makes a compelling argument."

Aurora : " What argument?"

DCmd-Isan : " What could be so compelling?"

Cmd-Arog : " Naole believes that he used his unusual position of influence to persuade all the Guardians to follow his plans, and that the Guardians would not have followed anyone else."

Aurora : " But? …"

DCmd-Isan : " It's true!" he interrupts "We would not have followed anyone else."

Eld-Utel : " When will you avail yourself for judgement?"

Naole : " As soon as Cobalt returns to the Nilrig System!"

Aurora : " Why would you do this Naole?" looking at Naole "Why?"

Naole : " I had to!"

Aurora : " On what charge?" her attention back on Commander Arog "What is he being charged with?"

Cmd-Arog : " He went to war without consulting the Crystalorb Council of Elders, the Crystalorb General Council, the Guardian Council or the Knowledge Council."

Eld-Utel : " He acted alone!"

Cmd-Elrig : " The escort BattleGroup will arrive in half an hour!"

Naole : " About that; We won't be travelling with the escort BattleGroup!"

Ldr-Remin : " What do you mean?"

Naole : " We will make a direct Vortex Jump to the Nilrig System!"

Lord-Bital: " Of Course!" suddenly realising something "This was part of your plan all along?"

Cmd-Arog : " What's a Vortex Jump?"

Aurora : " Yeah!" Reading Naole's thoughts "Why didn't you tell us? Or perhaps I should be asking myself; Why didn't I see it?"

Cmd-Arog : " You are supposed to be a bonded pair Aurora! Why can't you see into him?"

Aurora : " It's not that simple; Naole is a hive mind! Most of the time he's running 7 thought lines simultaneously; parallel processing all sorts of data, quantifying probabilities and visualizing these probabilities."

Cmd-Arog : " What?"

Aurora : " I can only get a clear picture when he focuses in on one thing; usually when I want his attention!"

Eld-Utel : " The Knowledge archives talk about two thought lines; when did they become 7?"

Naole : " When I left Crystalorb in 2287 we didn't have stasis technology; so my long sleep meant that my mind was always alert. I expanded my mind from 2 thought lines to 7 thought lines in order to be able to run 7 simulations simultaneously."

Lord-Bital : " Are you limited to 7?"

Naole : " No; the 7 lines of thought represent an optimal."

Ldr-Remin : " How does this Vortex Jump work?"

Naole : " The Vortex Jump is just a matter of using the power of the Spirit Stone to open a Vortex from the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket to the Nilrig System with the aid of Fragment N of the Spirit Stone."

Cmd-Arog : " Timeline?"

Naole : " Calibration is complete! The Spirit Stone has absorbed sufficient energy; we can start the Vortex Jump sequence at any moment."

Eld-Utel : " Proceed!"

Naole : " Linking Cobalt's Systems to the Spirit Stone!" the Spirit Stone uses Cobalt's Energy Crystals to expand the 2m diameter wormhole into the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket to 9.9km in diameter "Vortex to the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket at optimal diameter."

Cobalt : " Moving into the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket!"

Cobalt goes into the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket, and the wormhole closes behind him.

Cobalt : " Joint Communications Channel with the Entig Collective Leadership and the High Council of the O'con Federation lost."

Naole : " There isn't enough energy to bring through a SkyGarrison, but we can bring through the Flagship BattleGroups!"

Cobalt is now in the Crystalorb Inter-Dimensional Pocket, and he is being stabilized in Crystalorb's atmosphere by the Energy of the Spirit Stone.

DCmd-Isan : " What are you doing?"

Naole : " My duty sir! Aurora; how quickly can you mobilize?"

Aurora : " An hour!"

Naole : " Great! Bring through as many Juveniles and Baby ships as can be gathered in one hour"

Aurora : " Will do!"

Cmd-Arog : " Hold on there Naole; you can't take such actions without the approval of the Council of Elders or Guardian Council."

Naole : " I can't, but Aurora can!"

Cmd-Arog : " Aurora?"

Naole : " As the Expeditionary Guardian she is the commander of Half the Intrepid Class Fleet and 40% of the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons. The Indigo Class Ships are commanded by the Knowledge Council. Their movements are determined by their immediate commanders."

Cmd-Arog : " But?"

Eld-Utel : " Naole is right!" he interrupts Arog "The Expeditionary Guardian would only need approval when going into combat, moving into an area where there is the possibility of combat or moving into sovereign territory of a Nation with whom Crystalorb does not have transit agreements. Naole; you don't have to be so forceful."

Naole : " My apologies my Lord! This is how Crystalorb lost the war against the Migon. There was confusion between responsibility and Command authority. Guardians forgot how to say no to the Council of Elders."

Cmd-Arog : " What are you saying?"

Naole : " I was there when the Crystalorb forces were divided, and each force was given a specific function. The Crystalorb Expeditionary Division operates 35% of the Crystalorb Ships, 50% of the Intrepid Class Fleet and 40% of the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons, the Crystalorb Sector Command operates 65% of the Crystalorb Ships, 50% of the Intrepid Class Fleet and 40% of the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons and the Knowledge Council operates 100% of the Indigo Class Fleet and 20% of the Nalen Class SkyGarrisons. The Crystalorb Expeditionary Division was made responsible for Crystalorb's rapid offensive activities. The Expeditionary Recognisance was made responsible for Crystalorb's Intelligence gathering. The Crystalorb Sector Command was made responsible for the overall defence of Crystalorb. However at some point the Crystalorb Sector Command started getting involved in major offensive operations, and this culminated in the ill fated campaign against the Migon. Had the Crystalorb Sector Command stayed true to their purpose, the Migon victory could have been avoided."

Eld-Utel : " What's done is done Naole!"

Aurora : " Mobilizing the Intrepid BattleGroup; Command Authentication; Aurora 2876726536 Green!"

Intrepid: " Intrepid online; Mobilizing the Intrepid BattleGroup"

Cmd-Arog : " Mobilizing the A'ltana BattleGroup; Command Authentication; Arog 2764537334 Clear!"

A'ltana : " A'ltana online; Mobilizing the A'ltana BattleGroup"

Naole : " Cobalt; who's the Indigo Class Flagship?"

Cobalt : " That would be mother; Crimson"

Naole : " Connect me to Crimson"

Cobalt : " Connecting"

The Crystalan Ship Crimson joins the Joint Communications Channel.

Crimson : " Hello son!"

Cobalt : " Hi mother!"

Crimson : " Naole; I see your once again back from the dead!"

Naole : " Rumours of my death were greatly exaggerated"

Crimson : " How may I be of service?"

Naole : " We need Indigo support; Can you Mobilize?"

Crimson : " I'm a fragment Carrier; of course I can Mobilize!”

Naole : " Good!"

Crimson : " Mobilizing the Crimson BattleGroup!"

Naole : " Can you organize a BattleGroup for Cobalt; his original BattleGroup was lost at the Battle for Crystalorb"

Crimson : " Will do!"

Cmd-Elrig: " Why is it that Indigo BattleGroups don't need Command Authentication to Mobilize?"

Naole : " The Indigo Class Fleet has been designated as the supply fleet. Their primary role is to harvest minerals from asteroids."

Cmd-Elrig : " What's the difference between the Indigo Class and the Intrepid Class?"

Naole : " There really isn't much difference between the two Classes of Crystalan Ship. My father created the Intrepid Class, and I created the Indigo Class while trying to duplicate my father's design. The Indigo Class was originally a less than perfect copy of the Intrepid Class! However that imperfection turned out to be the basis for the evolution of the Crystalan Ships. The most notable difference between the two Classes of Crystalan Ship is that the Indigo Class ships are more genetic based, and they form family groups with deep bonds. Some of the genetic material of an Indigo Class Crystalan Ship must come from a Crystalan human that is my descendent. At some point in their development Indigo Class Crystalan Ships must be bonded to a genetically compatible Crystalan human."

Cmd-Elrig: " My records indicate that Indigo Class Crystalan Ships have denser hulls than their Intrepid Class counterparts, and that they also have more energy reserves? If that is true; then why designate them as the supply fleet?"

Naole : " The Indigo Class Crystalan Ships have a wider range of emotions, including; Fear, Anger, Empathy, Joy and Sadness! Some consider such emotions weaknesses, and most Group Captains don't like the Idea of a ship being afraid."

Cmd-Elrig : " The Intrepid Class Crystalan Ships don't feel fear?"

Naole : " They do! However the Intrepid Class Crystalan Ships are better able to shut down their emotions; making them perform slightly better in battle."

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After an hour the three 11 ship BattleGroups were ready for departure. Guardian Commander Arog would personally Command the A'ltana BattleGroup, and Guardian Rilen Lesedi of the Knowledge Council will over see all the necessary construction work from the Crimson. 170 Intrepid Class Juvenile Ships and 170 Indigo Class Juvenile Ships 〘ranging between 1.2km and 1.9km in length〙 joined the BattleGroups. 500 Intrepid Class Baby Ships and 500 Indigo Class Baby Ships also joined the BattleGroups.

With the BattleGroups gathered, Aurora arrives to fetch the resting Naole.

Aurora : " It's been a long time since you've seen it hasn’t it?"

Naole : " Yeah! It's so dark here"

Aurora : " Not exactly how you remember it?"

Naole : " I oversaw most of its construction you know? Designed most of its primary systems?"

Aurora : " There's over a Billion active Crystalans on Crystalorb, and this darkness is all they've ever known!"

Naole : " How many Crystalans with Red Chest Crystals are there?"

Aurora : " The Red Chest Crystal is notoriously difficult to breed! Crystalans with Red Chest Crystals constitute 4% of the active Crystalan population"

Naole : " I take it the Green Chest Crystals is also difficult to breed?"

Aurora : " Even more so than the Red Chest Crystal!"

Naole : " Like the Blue Chest Crystal?"

Aurora : " Yeah! Yet somehow the Migon and the Circlean were able to produce someone with a Blue Chest Crystal?"

Naole : " We've only seen a little of what the Migon are capable off, and that worry's me!"

Aurora : " Me too!" she takes his hand "Is that fear I sense?"

Naole : " It's strange!"

Aurora : " What's strange?"

Naole : " Having found love, I've also found fear! Before I was always ready to die, but now I want more life" he looks her in the eyes "With you!"

Aurora : " I feel like my life has only just begun" she gently kisses Naole "I finally feel alive!"

Naole : " The others don't know about you do they?"

Aurora : " My father knows about my condition. As a Knora knowing is his duty; all the Knowledge Guardians on the Knowledge Council know about my condition"

Naole : " The Council of Elders also knows about your condition, but the other Crystalans don't know that you're like me?"

Aurora : " Immortal?"

Naole : " That you don't age"

Aurora : " I suppose I was not ready to have Crystalans look at me the way they look at you! However now that you're here I can reveal the truth about myself. It seems I was always meant for you!"

Naole : " Crystalans look at me the way they look at me because of the things I've done. You were born Immortal! I was born mortal; more so than any other Crystalan. Born weak, sickly and inadequate; but then I was made Immortal."

Aurora : " A child of Nalen's flesh, but also a child of Nalen's Mind!"

Naole : " Yeah! But today I'm my own creation."

Aurora : " My father has nominated you for the vacant seat on the Knowledge Council."

Naole : " Master Hilan wants me to be a Knora?"

Aurora : " You disapprove? You are already a Knowledge Guardian; your place is on the Knowledge Council."

Naole : " I was hoping the Crystalorb Leadership would let me be a fleet commander for a little while."

Aurora : " I know! The Knowledge Council does have command over the Indigo fleet."

Naole : " It's not the same is it? The Indigo fleet has been designated as mining and support ships" Naole's mind returns to more current matters "I suppose it's time?"

Aurora : " Everyone is ready!"

Naole : " Then let's get to it!"

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