HOME | DD

Description
Year: 4271 C.E.
Location: Battle deck of the Ardent Blade
Mission time: 4:287:13:21:9517

“Mission control, this is Captain Ryan Bismarck reporting in. We have confirmation from the entirety of wing delta that the approach is moving on schedule. I repeat, wing delta is now in position for the final approach.”

The decorated war captain stepped back from the microphone, and took a moment to stare at the massive construct in front of the fleet; the Orion anomaly. The first evidence of its existence had been recorded back in 4190, where astronomers had observed highly irregular comet trajectories around the Rigel star system. However, it wasn’t until 4260 that the actual structure was seen by telescopes as a silhouette against Rigel’s blinding luminosity. A flood of funding had poured into researching the anomaly, and within a year, scientists discovered some shocking results.

If the physicists knew what they were talking about, this construct possessed the ability to distort space-time at a distance. The mechanism used to do so was unknown, but it was decided that if the United Human Fleet were able to gain access to the abilities demonstrated by the Orion anomaly, the benefits would be enormous. It was calculated that such technology (whatever it was) could theoretically decrease intersystem travel time by 87.2%.

Captain Bismarck didn’t know if he believed any of those derived statistics, but what he felt when he looked at the construct was something akin to unease. There was no known human habitation of any area further away from Sol than 560 light years, but this was 800 light years out. Knowledge of a non-human-made construct had sparked an explosion of debate in the UHF, but after a year of verbal warfare, the various factions agreed to form the armada that he was now part of. The four wing formations had finally converged, and the final count of 120 ships were decelerating in unison.

“Five-hundred-thousand kilometers and closing” called out one of the bridge officers.

Half of the vessels in the armada were armed warships, as a precaution for what might be in the construct, but details which had not shown up in the satellite imaging from 50 light years away were now becoming visible. The ten-kilometer-wide center of the stucture was the only thing that looked solid. What worried the captain; however, were the two semi-transparent blue spheres that encapsulated the core. The outermost sphere stretched 100 kilometers out from the core, and its shimmering surface sent shivers down his spine.

“Two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand kilometers and still closing;” called out the officer again, her voice remaining calm despite the tension in her expression “Deceleration continuing as planned.”

A drop of sweat formed on the captain’s brow. “Vincent, change of plans;” he called to his communications officer. “Order delta wing to halt at 200 kilometers from the target. Also, inform the other wings of our decision and advise they do the same.”

The minutes dragged on for what seemed like hours, until finally the message came from the entire fleet that they were following the suggestion. A hologram of the leader of alpha wing sprung to life in the center of the bridge. “Captain Bismarck, what are you planning?” the glowing figure asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.

“Admiral Wallace, with all due respect, I think it would be wiser to send an unmanned probe to investigate that blue shell around the construct before we take the fleet in.”

The Admiral nodded “Agreed; it appears be some sort of atmosphere, but after nearly five years of traveling, it would be foolish to be hasty.” The Admiral signaled to a person who was out of the display’s range, and then turned back to the Captain. “Bismarck, I’ve launched one of our ship’s probes. The ETA is 92 seconds.” Then the Admiral chuckled, “Let it be known, that on the eve of mankind’s greatest discovery, Captain Ryan Bismarck was the lone voice of caution.” The display faded, and the crew of the Ardent Blade was alone again.

"Pull up a visual on that probe.” barked the Captain “I want to see every second of this.”

The officers on the battle deck watched as the probe rocketed toward the sphere. The Captain’s eyes were glued to the screen as the object moved closer and closer until it penetrated the boundary. He sighed in relief, as the probe continued unharmed, then a tiny explosion bloomed to life, engulfing the probe. It was the last thing the captain ever saw.

At first mission control didn’t understand what had happened. Everything from the armada suddenly disappeared. It was only years later that the incident was explained, as satellites began to see what had taken place. The explosion had expanded outward at just barely under the speed of light, packing one tenth the strength of a supernova.

It would be another 3,000 years before another human expedition was sent to Rigel.

______________

This is my entry for the contest on Fractal Stories. I worked pretty hard on it, but I had a lot of fun. This is the second time I've written a short story to go with a fractal, and I'm satisfied with what I created. I hope you like it, and wish me luck in the contest.

~ fractal made in apophysis, story made in the shower.

Description
Year: 4271 C.E.
Location: Battle deck of the Ardent Blade
Mission time: 4:287:13:21:9517

“Mission control, this is Captain Ryan Bismarck reporting in. We have confirmation from the entirety of wing delta that the approach is moving on schedule. I repeat, wing delta is now in position for the final approach.”

The decorated war captain stepped back from the microphone, and took a moment to stare at the massive construct in front of the fleet; the Orion anomaly. The first evidence of its existence had been recorded back in 4190, where astronomers had observed highly irregular comet trajectories around the Rigel star system. However, it wasn’t until 4260 that the actual structure was seen by telescopes as a silhouette against Rigel’s blinding luminosity. A flood of funding had poured into researching the anomaly, and within a year, scientists discovered some shocking results.

If the physicists knew what they were talking about, this construct possessed the ability to distort space-time at a distance. The mechanism used to do so was unknown, but it was decided that if the United Human Fleet were able to gain access to the abilities demonstrated by the Orion anomaly, the benefits would be enormous. It was calculated that such technology (whatever it was) could theoretically decrease intersystem travel time by 87.2%.

Captain Bismarck didn’t know if he believed any of those derived statistics, but what he felt when he looked at the construct was something akin to unease. There was no known human habitation of any area further away from Sol than 560 light years, but this was 800 light years out. Knowledge of a non-human-made construct had sparked an explosion of debate in the UHF, but after a year of verbal warfare, the various factions agreed to form the armada that he was now part of. The four wing formations had finally converged, and the final count of 120 ships were decelerating in unison.

“Five-hundred-thousand kilometers and closing” called out one of the bridge officers.

Half of the vessels in the armada were armed warships, as a precaution for what might be in the construct, but details which had not shown up in the satellite imaging from 50 light years away were now becoming visible. The ten-kilometer-wide center of the stucture was the only thing that looked solid. What worried the captain; however, were the two semi-transparent blue spheres that encapsulated the core. The outermost sphere stretched 100 kilometers out from the core, and its shimmering surface sent shivers down his spine.

“Two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand kilometers and still closing;” called out the officer again, her voice remaining calm despite the tension in her expression “Deceleration continuing as planned.”

A drop of sweat formed on the captain’s brow. “Vincent, change of plans;” he called to his communications officer. “Order delta wing to halt at 200 kilometers from the target. Also, inform the other wings of our decision and advise they do the same.”

The minutes dragged on for what seemed like hours, until finally the message came from the entire fleet that they were following the suggestion. A hologram of the leader of alpha wing sprung to life in the center of the bridge. “Captain Bismarck, what are you planning?” the glowing figure asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.

“Admiral Wallace, with all due respect, I think it would be wiser to send an unmanned probe to investigate that blue shell around the construct before we take the fleet in.”

The Admiral nodded “Agreed; it appears be some sort of atmosphere, but after nearly five years of traveling, it would be foolish to be hasty.” The Admiral signaled to a person who was out of the display’s range, and then turned back to the Captain. “Bismarck, I’ve launched one of our ship’s probes. The ETA is 92 seconds.” Then the Admiral chuckled, “Let it be known, that on the eve of mankind’s greatest discovery, Captain Ryan Bismarck was the lone voice of caution.” The display faded, and the crew of the Ardent Blade was alone again.

"Pull up a visual on that probe.” barked the Captain “I want to see every second of this.”

The officers on the battle deck watched as the probe rocketed toward the sphere. The Captain’s eyes were glued to the screen as the object moved closer and closer until it penetrated the boundary. He sighed in relief, as the probe continued unharmed, then a tiny explosion bloomed to life, engulfing the probe. It was the last thing the captain ever saw.

At first mission control didn’t understand what had happened. Everything from the armada suddenly disappeared. It was only years later that the incident was explained, as satellites began to see what had taken place. The explosion had expanded outward at just barely under the speed of light, packing one tenth the strength of a supernova.

It would be another 3,000 years before another human expedition was sent to Rigel.

______________

This is my entry for the contest on Fractal Stories. I worked pretty hard on it, but I had a lot of fun. This is the second time I've written a short story to go with a fractal, and I'm satisfied with what I created. I hope you like it, and wish me luck in the contest.

~ fractal made in apophysis, story made in the shower.