Chapter sixteen(1)(M)

They are fascinating examples of how normally terrestrial life can survive and thrive in zero-g, as well as how their adaptions differ from naturally null-g lifeforms.

Looks like new humanity isn’t a failure after all. They might be more warlike than old humanity, but they still have the same curiosity and burning drive, as well as still retaining their empathy.

I am honestly slightly surprised that they developed the FTL drive so fast. Granted, it was nearly copied from the debris I left and it’s very primitive, but it’s an FTL drive nonetheless. They even managed to add in a concept that most other races wouldn’t have started to explore yet, the subspace shield.

You can imagine subspace as a raging underground river. While most other races can only lower a propeller down into the river to pull them along, humanity has already learnt to make a submarine that can fully immerse itself in the river. This means that while the other races are vulnerable in ftl and can be tracked, humanity is invulnerable and untraceable unless the other party is also in subspace.

The fact that humanity already possessed this technology means that they could further develop that technology easier after I contacted them. Speaking of contact, their new ship was nearing the edge of the sphere. It was time for humanity to meet their mysterious benefactor.

Chapter sixteen(2)(G)

For example, the zero-g adapted terrestrial lifeforms had very similar carbon-based biology and behaviour to their planet-bound ancestors, while space-born silicon-based lifeforms usually evolve completely differently.

“Don’t you think that this is a bit too much of a coincidence?” Leman whispered as they crept through the cold, metallic corridors.

“What do you mean?” George whispered back as he flinched and raised his rifle when a drone floated past.

“You know, us meeting this giant planet, this giant planet opening a hangar for us and the drones ignoring us. Don’t you feel like this is a bit too perfect?”

“It might be a bit too perfect, but it’s also the best chance we have right now. Haven’t you thought about it? This ship might be the Mysterious Benefactor, the one that’s been dropping tech all over the place. Imagine what we might find! If we find an intact piece of equipment, we’ll be hailed as heroes!”

Leman snorted. “Fame is useless if you’re dead.”

“So just don’t die!”

“Easy for you to sa…” He was interrupted by George literally jumping on him and putting his hand over his mouth.

“Shut up! There’s a drone coming over that looks bigger than the others.” He saw Leman’s face suddenly go white. “It’s behind me, isn’t it.” Leman frantically nodded.

“Please follow me.” The Drone’s synthesised voice rang out in perfect Terran Standard. George and Leman looked at each other.

“Could you please punch me? Ow! Yep, I’m going insane.”

“Do we follow it?” Leman voiced hesitantly

“Let’s see where it takes us first.”

They followed the drone through a labyrinth of corridors and rooms. They walked past great storerooms piled high with rare materials. They encountered huge racks of inactive drones, and towering hangars of various ships. They were led past many factories, full of huge cubical machines spitting out all sort of materials and components. In the end, the were led into what seemed like a giant bridge.

As they walked in, the room came to life. Row after row of seats rose out of the ground, as holographic screens and monitors flared to life. The front of the room was one big window, showcasing a sight that stunned the two men. The window opened into a giant room, one that they couldn’t see the end of. As lights flickered to life the true magnitude of the room was revealed. Their HUDs informed them that the room was around 2000 kilometres in radius, and was mainly taken up by one, huge sphere, which was most likely a reactor. As they stared up at the moon-sized reactor in complete and utter shock, they saw something that made their jaws drop even more.

At the head of the room, a hologram emitter flickered to life and projected what was unmistakably a human. Well, that was until they saw the long ears. As they stared at the projection, it turned to them and spoke.

“Welcome to the USC Ark, New Humanity.”