Prologue

We meet Historic Officer Lt Sydney Terrance

Prologue

 

     “This mission,” the Lieutenant boomed and echoed throughout the large white room, “is the most important one of our time.”   The room seemed empty even though over three hundred men, women and some rather unusual creatures were gathered there that day.  “You, each one of you, must do your best to complete the life-long mission to explore the furthest reaches of our universe.  It is not only crucial to your shipmates, but to the entire fleet.  It is the key to a successful future for everyone you’ve left behind and for future generations.  It will change the very way we perceive ourselves and our place in the cosmos.”

        He paused to draw a deep breath and survey the room.  “Being a scientific mission, there will be little time to stop at local outposts for extended holidays or vacations.  Time is of the essence.  Our planet needs you.  Without the technology you will discover on your mission, there may not be a planet to come back to.  I will not keep you any longer.  Just do your job and do it well.  Good luck and thank you.”

       The crew of The Kaleen was then dismissed from the assembly and allowed to board their home for the next twenty-five years.  The Kaleen was built with the newest technology available, but it still struck me as a sort of hybrid of previous ships.  There were round sections and rectangle sections alike, which gave it a very awkward sort of feel.  It was a clean and functional design that was efficient, yet cozy enough to be home for a very long time.  I had trained in my field and prepared for this very day, but it still felt like I was inside a dream. 

       The Captain, Alex Blake, called out for my team.  “Delegate and Emissary teams follow Commander Lt. Porter to deck five.”  I followed a group of my fellow shipmates toward boarding gate.  There were five gates opened and ready for us to enter through.  Each gate was preceded by a long line to a turbo lift or A-Send.  These A-Sends carried about twenty or so passengers each trip up to the open gate far above our heads. 

        It didn’t take long to be deposited onto deck five and be directed to each of our private quarters.  I paused at my door to admire the name painted on the shinny metal entrance to my home for the next twenty-five years.  Historic Officer Lt Sydney Terrance. I traced the letters with my fingers before commanding the door to open for me.  The door slid into the frame silently and I smiled.  The door shut behind me and I turned to the keypad on the inner frame of the door and immediately set the security codes so the door would open to me and only me.  When I finished I took a good look around at my quarters.

         The room was square and spacious.  The only furniture provided was a polymetic desk which curved up from the floor and provided space for my personal computer.  There were a number of curved empty shelves that I was encouraged to fill with books and personal belongings.  On the right side of the room was a window, which would eventually look out into the vast emptiness of space.  Right now all I could see was the hanger in which The Kaleen was docked.  I commanded the dim lights to brighten so that I could see my surroundings better and then I went over to my bed on the far left.  I set my bag down on the padded platform and sat down for a moment.  I drew in a deep breath and felt the anxiety and excitement most fully.  The rest of my belongings would arrive and be put in the cargo bay for me to pick up.  We were only allowed one carryon bag to hold us over until the rest of the cargo could be properly transported, organized and sorted.    I took off my jacket and laid down to rest while I had the chance.  I had barely slept a wink the night before.

          I awoke several hours later when the alarm sounded for The Kaleen’s official launch. The doors of the colossal-sized docking bay slowly groaned opened.  The engines of The Kaleen began their humming as they warmed up.  The colliders whirred and charged as the engineers waited for the signal to switch to impulse power.  The whiteness of the hanger was soon replaced by the velvet night sky.  The energy vibrated through my body as The Kaleen was released into to space.  There was a slight quake as the ship let go of the dock and pulled away toward its destiny.  For a few moments The Kaleen gingerly maneuvered out of the bay and into empty space.  Once she had cleared the port then she quietly shot like an arrow into the galaxy.