A red glow that nobody knew where it came from. The system was void of sunlight. Was it simply too young or did a supernova millions of years ago remove the light and heat source from this part of space? Scientists had a number of theories but all of them were simply derived from what little data was available. Several anomalies in this system resulted in the destruction of the few science ship deployments of the past jazuras.
Now a new attempt had been made; the Paranids had taken the opportunity to conquer this strategically so important sector.
“With this station we shall conquer the darkness and finally raise the Holy Empire above all. Us shall be success on this mission. Fitted with the latest developments of our blessed researchers this station will be the beginning of the rise or the Paranid Empire. Red Glow has surrendered at last.”
There was nobody in the audience who was not taken by the speech of the new Duke of Red Glow. Was it for the never failing ambient of Paranid presentation or for the magnificent task Loomanckstrat had accomplished, even the few Argon and Teladi visitors had to acknowledge his achievement.
For many jazuras various races had tried to occupy this sector. First a number of Teladi entrepreneurs tried to exploit it for the abundance of ore-rich asteroids. They were soon repelled. It has never become totally clear what or who forced them to retreat. Rumours were there was a pirate base hidden in the system. No one ever managed to find it or at least tell about it. The list of lost ships was long.
After the Teladi came the Boron. They sent a fleet through the North gate. It is yet totally unknown how it was destroyed. Nothing was heard of the Boron fleet ever since. The obvious loss of a whole battle group extinguished the Boron’s strife to conquer this potentially valuable sector.
Many jazuras passed before the Paranid decided to send a large group of capital ships on the presumably very dangerous mission to clear this sector. They entered the sector through its South gate and appeared to meet no resistance. Only a few pirates in medium and heavy fighters scouted through the system. It did not take much to turn them into space dust. Despite a large number of long-range scans the Paranid also failed to discover the ominous pirate base. True to their beliefs they did not investigate the battlefield near the North gate that marked the graveyard of the Boron fleet. So to this point nobody knows details to their demise.
Five jazuras later the Paranid had developed a station that could easily withstand the high radiation levels of this system. They had also developed a technology that could turn this radiation into usable energy to make up for the lack of sunlight. The station was bristling with gun turrets. It was unlikely to ever fall to any threat, at least not if there was sufficient energy available to power all systems. Loomanckstrat had also provided 50 M3-class fighters for defense.
Conquering this economically and tactically important sector secured the Paranid’s position in the Southern sectors. The high Ore and Silicon content of the asteroids made sure the economy of the new sectors would tick over smoothly and soon blossom.
The puffed up speeches of the Paranid representatives lasted for another three stazuras. While all Paranid guests appeared to enjoy the festivities, the other factions started soon to stir in boredom.
‘Heck, if I had known they love listening to themselves that much I’d not committed to attend the ceremony. Ah well, their mizuras are counted. The pride of these slinky paranoids will soon be no more. From pride to legacy …’
The tall skinny Argon male glanced over the crowd. A brief look at his timepiece confirmed his estimation.
‘It appears as though they are about to appoint the duke of Red Glow for his mizura of fame. Better get out of here before it is too late.’
Three mizuras later a lone Pegasus departed from the station and headed at maximum speed towards the South gate. Soon after it crossed the gate’s activation zone peace had returned to Red Glow.
*
“Two numbers. Are you sure you can’t get any more information from the drone?” The old man sank back in his seat. He had obviously hoped to find a clue to the whereabouts of his friend. Yet, all they got from the drone were two numbers that were engraved in the hull. There was no message.
“Positive. This drone does not contain any messages. The engraved numbers are all there is.” Arox had analysed the object several times. 50 and 3784027495. What were they supposed to make of these numbers? Neither Val nor the old man had an answer. It hurt her seeing his hopes shattered.
“So what now? Can I drop you off somewhere?”
The old man looked tired. “Would it be asked too much to take me to Light of Heart?”
Val had almost asked how much he’d pay. But seeing him in his misery made it impossible. She plotted a course and sat back.
After 26 event-free stazuras they reached the end of their journey. Val docked only briefly at the Terracorp HQ, took a monk onboard and was on her way to the Goner temple. The money the old man had paid was enough for a transporter device. Giving the monk a ride made the trip even profitable.
She still could not put any meaning to the two numbers that were engraved on the message drone. “Arox, can you please put Nopileos’ Memorial on screen and mark all events.”
A map flashed up and the AI superimposed the discoveries. Val stared at it blankly.
“Can you display our course?”
Now a small dotted line depicted the trajectory of her ship. Again Val soaked it all in and tried to combine the clues.
“Entering system Cloudbase South West.” Arox adjusted the course and headed straight towards the temple.
“If I may interrupt your train of thoughts but perhaps you care about my thoughts on those numbers and marks on your screen.” The polite words of the monk stirred Val up. She briefly looked disorientated then focussed at him: “Yes?”
“There is a very frequent occurrence of the number fifty in what is displayed on that map. I have never been to this sector but look here. The angles of the first mark and the ecliptic plane as well as the connecting line between the gates appear to be approximately 50 degrees. Also, if you look at the distance of mark one from the gate and from mark two, it is about halfway. So there are four occurrences of 50.”
Val stared at him with wide-open eyes, then looked back at the map, her mouth wide open. Disbelievingly she leaned forwards as if to get a better view.
“Arox, please calculate the angles and distances as our guest here has suggested.”
“It appears indeed that this may be the answer to one of the numbers. Mark one is exactly at half distance to mark two. Also the angles from the ecliptic are correct.”
“This trip is for free, my friend. Your help has been much appreciated.” The monk looked puzzled at Val’s words but then smiled and sat back.
The rest of the trip passed quickly and soon they glided into the impressive structure of the Goner temple. Val wondered how these supposedly simple people had amassed the resources and credits to build such a monument. When they touched down in a well lit and richly ornamented landing bay she became more and more aware that this sect might well be the most advanced faction in the universe. Could their peaceful attitude be the reason for their advance? They lived under the protection of the Argon, the other races did not harm them. So instead of wasting their resources on warfare they could focus on scientific progress.
There was no trace of the comparatively crude mechanical devices to replenish ship’s cargo; no people whizzing around. This hangar was totally sterile. She was just about to ask the monk where they’d have to go to reach the main hall when Arox announced an incoming transmission from station control. After brief chitchat her question was answered when they materialised in the temple reception. For a moment she wondered if the monks were prone to abuse this transporter technology when in need to go to the bathroom. But she quickly abandoned the idea at the thought of an emergency evacuation … there had to be limits.
Val and the monk parted when he was received by a group of men leading him down the hall. Fitting the Jaguar with the transporter device would take approximately 40 mizuras, enough time for some sightseeing.
