16:00 IST, Thirteenth day, Eighth month, 3078 PV | Hyperspace Transit: Alpha Centauri>Kalvax (~95% complete) / Clak Battleship / Bridge
Kovon:"Attention all crew, it is with great pleasure that I inform you that in about two hours our voyage will be concluding. We will exit hyperspace at approximately 15:45 IST and begin to approach Itokin's world.
Please ensure all systems are functioning properly and objects are secured for when we drop from hyperspace.
Also, four of you have yet to submit your report on my speeches. Please ensure to have those in by 15:45 today. Punishments may vary from weeks of rations to being thrown in the brig." I make this last sentence with a strong sense of sarcasm. Whether the crew members will pick up on this doesn't matter, they are sure to do as I have asked.
Currently, Ray and I are sitting on the bridge. Discussing some of our plans for when we meet the Itokin. The Itokin have always presented themselves as a complete mystery. Thus making it hard to know what to expect.
The world that the Itokin's representatives are located upon is known as Risa. It is supposedly a pretty earth-like planet, and has not been very heavily colonized. This will be the first time we have set foot on another celestial body outside of the Sol system. Which, as far as we are currently aware, we will be the first to do.
I feel like this journey is going to come with a lot of firsts. In many regards.
As the time until dropping passes, I can faintly hear the bustle and clamor of the crew as they prepare. I also pretty quickly receive some rushed reports about my speeches.
In summary, I am doing a pretty good job, but I should let the AI do some of its job. Which, honestly, is a pretty good idea. But I like giving speeches, it makes lil ol' me feel somewhat important.
Cal:"Attention passengers, we are now on approach to the Kalvax system. Hyperspace dropping in five minutes. Please make sure you are adequately prepared."
Ray and I start to mentally prepare ourselves for the drop. As I look over at her she looks vaguely nervous, perhaps she really doesn't tolerate the sensation very well. I foolishly look out the front cameras, thinking that I will be able to see the Kalvax System as we approach it. It takes me a second to realize that we are still almost forty light years away, and we won't catch sight of it until the last second or so of travel.
Man, I am once again astounded at how fast we are able to travel. Just two days ago we were near the Sol system. Now we are about twenty thousand light years away. For reference, for humanity's fastest ships (which go at about 8% lightspeed as of 2048), it would take 250,000 years to travel this far.
As we drop out of hyperspace travel, the bubble surrounding the ship essentially vaporizes. I once again get the pleasure of feeling the intense vertigo as spacetime un-folds itself. Rayleigh and I are rendered non-functional for about ten minutes this time.
Looking out the front of the ship, we can now suddenly see the Kalvax system and Risia, our destination. Kalvax, the star, shines brightly, as all stars tend to do. Risia is partially bathed in its wondrous light. On the dark side of the planet, several lights can be seen, although not as many as one would expect from a typical Itokin colony.
Cal:"Attention passengers, we have successfully exited hyperspace. We are now on approach to the planet Risia. We will begin mooring procedures in approximately five minutes. I am noticing several damages to the exterior hull near the aft of the ship as a result of our drop from hyperspace."
With this announcement, we are now officially the first known humans to visit a star system other than Sol and Alpha Centauri. I'm sure someone will take this event and write it down in the history of humanity somewhere. I do know that the IEC has been tracking and recording every move we make. They also have been posting highlights on the net to the entire universe (with some respect for privacy to ensure other contestants don't gain important information).
We quickly complete the mooring procedure (which is basically just paperwork that is handled among AIs). We are now successfully in orbit of Risia. From this viewpoint, the lush forests, mountains and oceans look quite beautiful. While it is not the first other planet I have seen (I've been to Venus(30% terraformed), Mars (70% terraformed), Europa and Io), it is the first fully terraformed one I have seen.
One thing that sticks out is the massive space elevator that must be a part of the embassy complex. While cruisers, frigates and shuttles can easily move between orbit and surfaces, space elevators are still very common. They are equipped with very high speed rail systems for transporting personnel and cargo. I shall include more info in my codex.
"We have finally arrived. We have travelled so far, but we had so much fun on the journey that it seems to have gone by in a flash."
"Agreed, I suppose that having a bit of fun is actually quite good for one's health. You seem to be looking more radiant than normal."
"Oh stop, I can't be that different. If anything it's due to all the delicious food and time spent soaking in the pool of starlight." Note: we have started referring to the observation deck pool as the pool of starlight.
"You're definitely looking far more stunning than usual. Be careful, or you might casually seduce the Itokin representatives."
She remains silent, as I notice a slight blush creep up her neck. It seems I have discovered another weak spot of hers: compliments. I shall be sure to keep this in mind for future negotiations for universe-wide peace.
"Well, I guess we should ring up the Itokin and formally let them know we have arrived to meet with them. I can't wait to see what types of insane things they offer us."
I then proceed to initiate communication with the Itokin-human embassy complex on the planet below us. It takes around thirty minutes for us to get a response. Interestingly, instead of a hologram, it is opened as a text channel.
[Conversation in text] "Greetings Contestants Kovon Ducker and Rayleigh Inan. You may refer to me as liaison. We are glad you have accepted our request to meet and offer you sponsorship. We apologize for communicating via text, it is our custom to only give our names or speak directly to those of our kin or those who have completed our trial of convergence."
Kovon:"It is a pleasure to meet you, liaison. We were deeply honored to be selected by your kin and wish to form a long and prosperous partnership together. Text communication works just fine for us, in fact, many humans communicate primarily through text." As I say this, Ray stands behind me and reads over my shoulder. Somehow she has decided to entrust negotiations with Itokin solely to me.
"Please, it is our pleasure to welcome one with such potential as yourself to our quaint doorstep. Now, down to business. We, the Itokin species as a whole entity. I wish to offer our full support to the limits of what is allowed by the IEC to you, Kovon Ducker.
However, we have one condition for this sponsorship. You must take, and successfully pass our trial of convergence. We would like to tell you more about the trial, but we are only allowed to share information about it to those who have committed to taking it.
It will be extremely difficult, but we think you, Kovon Ducker, are capable of passing. Do note, if you fail to pass, we will wipe all memories of the trial and likely many surrounding it will be damaged in the process. We will also cut most contact with your faction, only serving to support you with basic supplies like fuel.
Should you pass, you will be welcomed as an honorary member of the Itokin, and you and your faction will be granted many privileges that the other contestants may only dream of.
We shall give you forty hours to decide whether you wish to accept. Please call this identifier when you wish to give us your decision.
Until you make your decision, you are welcome to come down to Risia and sample our hospitality and enjoy the various environments that we have available."
With this bombshell of information, the transmission cuts out and the bridge is left in dead silence. No one makes a move, heck, they barely even breathe. The magnitude of what has been offered, the full support of the entire Itokin species, weighs heavily in the air.
The current time is 17:00 IST on the thirteenth day. This means that we have until precisely 17:00 IST on the fifteenth day to make a decision. I say we are here, but in reality the power of the decision weighs solely upon my shoulders.
Ray notices my conflicted expression, and places her hands on my shoulders. Silently reassuring me. I have a lot to think about in the near-future, this trial sounds like it will be something both exciting and terrifying.
I stand up and initiate the announcement system
"Admiral Kovon here, we have successfully moored in orbit of Risia and made contact with the Itokin. We will likely be here for around a week, we have been given permission to relax and enjoy hospitality on the planet.
To all crew: if you have free time, you are free to take leave and go explore all that Risia has to offer. "
The atmosphere in the bridge is still very tense, but this seems to have alleviated some of it. Without saying anything further, I leave the bridge and head for the observation deck.
I once again lay down in the room, however, this time it is not only stars that are being displayed. There is also beautiful imagery of the planet below us. It truly is stunning, the pool is also reflecting this imagery, making it appear as though it is a beautiful portrait of a planet surrounded by a sea of stars.
I sit and deliberate over Itokin's words. The sheer value of such a strong sponsor is unimaginable. Even considering the known things, like ships and money, there are all the unknowns to consider. Not only access to their undoubtedly massive intelligence networks, but also their technology.
Given their secretive and mysterious nature, and their ancient presence within the universe. I know that they undoubtedly have some hard kept secrets, likely technology that is far too powerful to be widely distributed.
Considering the fact that the things they have revealed, the massless tech and antimatter fuel systems are already so revolutionary. I cannot even begin to imagine how strange and powerful their secrets might be.
Still, the mystery surrounding this trial of convergence is kind of concerning. After all, it doesn't seem like very many have passed it. It also seems like it is something that very few can even attempt to begin with.
There is also the stuff about this potential that I have. Whatever that is supposed to mean. I'm just a worthless piece of junk NEET. Formerly living off my father's wealth and spending all my days being no better than a hedonistic ape. Whatever potential they see in me, I can't see it myself.
The fact that Ray isn't here means that she has resolved to accept whatever decision I decide to make. Which of course, only makes the decision all the harder. I'm not just in this for myself, or even for her. But for all of humanity.
Although, logically, there is only one path that I can take.
I must accept Itokin's proposal and undergo this trial of ascension. After all, the only risk I seem to be incurring is a few memories and time. Chances are if I were to refuse they might just completely cut contact, not even offering us fuel and such.
With this realization, I guess I have already made my decision.
I shall undergo this trial of convergence. I will succeed at all costs and use the sponsorship of the Itokin, to win this entire klacking game. Along with Ray of course, there is no way I could do this without her at this point. The game has grown in scale far beyond what I had ever imagined it would be.
Still, with us together, and with Itokin's support, we can win this game for sure. So, bring it on.
End of Chapter 14
A/N: Why hello there dear reader. It's the author once again. Thank you for reading my novel up until this point, and deigning to read my ramblings in this here authors notes section.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it sure came with a massive twist. The main plot is back in full function, and it has started up with a large bang.
As always, if you're enjoying reading, be sure to like/follow/favourite/rate/leave a fun joke, it is always appreciated. Until next time, dear reader.
Cathrix