999 OCTILLION SOULS, June 21, 2024
I FLIGHT 48, 49
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TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:The following information is derived from Information Seed 40 and received by the Gravitational Wave Observatory. I and AI performed a frequency analysis on it. IE edited certain parts to make them more 'readable'. (He might have overdone it.) Please feel free to comment.48
Legume's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the sudden silence that had descended upon the escape pod. The alien vessel, once a distant glimmer, now filled the viewport – sleek, silver, and emblazoned with an unfamiliar insignia. And there were obvious PLAM cannons. Had their distress call been answered? Were they safe?
A soft chime resonated within the escape pod, followed by a voice that surprised Legume. It was melodic, yet infused with an underlying metallic quality, and undeniably feminine. "Greetings from the OEF Endurance," the voice greeted them. "She’s an Interceptor class hunter. This is Maia, the ship’s AI. Please state your identification and the nature of your distress call."
luo_ji: ‘Her’ but on a ship. I like it.
A hologram flickered to life above the control panel, solidifying into the image of a woman with flowing silver hair and eyes that glowed like polished obsidian. The woman's expression held concern, her gaze fixed on Legume and Charlotte.
builder_7: shiny AI
Legume stared, momentarily speechless. An AI with a… face? This was a far cry from the utilitarian interfaces she was accustomed to. But amidst her astonishment, a spark ignited. Someone had heard them. Someone was willing to listen.
hatmaker_H: a good product that. someone who listens
"Legume," she finally managed, her voice hoarse with disuse. "This is my daughter, Charlotte. We were… we were escaping a mining vessel. Now we… lost." Shame tinged her voice, a bitter aftertaste.
Maia's holographic head tilted, her gaze lingering on Charlotte, who clutched Legume's arm with wide eyes. "Escaping? Can you elaborate on the circumstances?" The voice, though lacking warmth, held empathy.
doc_T: why do we need to know all the emotions?
Taking a deep breath, Legume poured out their story – the oppressive conditions on the Ore Seeker, the escape, the days adrift. She spoke of their dwindling rations, the malfunctioning air purifier, and the fear gnawing at their hearts. With each word, something bloomed within her chest. This AI, Maia, seemed… different. Perhaps they had found more than a rescue, maybe even a chance for a new beginning.
cap_mal: a new chapter
As Legume finished her tale, Maia's gaze softened a subtle shift in her holographic features. "I understand," she said, the words carrying a weight of experience. "The Endurance will provide you with safe harbor. We’ll address your immediate needs and discuss your options further."
otavio_br: she sounds like a bureaucrat
Relief washed over Legume, a wave so powerful it threatened to bring tears to her eyes. They were safe. For now, at least, they were safe. As the docking hatch of the escape pod hissed open, Legume gathered Charlotte close, a silent promise forming on her lips. They had survived the Ore Seeker, and the dangers of space, and now, they would face whatever awaited them on the OEF Endurance together.
49
LATE 2070s, MILKY WAY
A ripple of energy danced across Trillian's consciousness, the signature of a freshly birthed Wavej wormhole. With a mental nudge, she directed her avatar through the swirling vortex, a tendril of her essence reaching out to inhabit the waiting form on the other side. The familiar hum of borrowed flesh replaced the eerie stillness of her bodiless existence.
uk_gwo5: 'tis the Ascended One
Trillian blinked, her vision adjusting to the muted light filtering through the dense canopy of an alien forest. Her avatar, a big woman with skin the color of sunbaked clay and eyes that mirrored the night sky, stood amidst the rustling leaves and the earthy scent of unknown flora. This was Tau Ceti E, a neighboring star system, a world teeming with life unlike anything she'd ever experienced.
prof_sparky: it can’t be a neighboring star system. we looked in the neighborhood for life signs
Movement on the forest floor caught her attention. A small, six-legged creature with iridescent scales scuttled past, its antennae twitching inquisitively. Trillian crouched low, her borrowed body surprisingly agile. She reached out a tentative hand, the creature pausing, its multifaceted eyes gleaming with an intelligence that both startled and intrigued her. Carefully, she offered a bit of the high-energy bar that served as her avatar's sustenance. The creature scuttled closer, its antennae brushing her palm before it snatched the offering and disappeared back into the undergrowth.
cosmos_boss: she gave the poor animal diabetes
A thrill surged through her. Even in this simple exchange, the diversity of life on this planet was breathtaking. With a thought, she sent out tendrils of her awareness, exploring the minds of the surrounding flora and fauna. It was a cacophony of alien thoughts, a sonata of instincts and emotions, unlike anything she'd encountered before. She gleaned snippets – a mother's fierce protectiveness, a predator's cunning hunger, the collective consciousness of the ancient trees.
astro_raj: this story is getting more fantastical
The data flooded her, both exhilarating and overwhelming. She forced herself to retreat, focusing on a single towering tree, its bark etched with intricate patterns. As she brushed her awareness against its ancient soul, she received a surge of information – memories stretching back millennia, a chronicle of the planet's history whispered on the wind.
ru_mikhail: tree memories?
Time lost its meaning as Trillian dug deeper, experiencing the rise and fall of civilizations, and the relentless cycle of life and death. The avatar body she inhabited tired, its borrowed energy waning. With a pang, Trillian severed the connection, pulling her essence back through the Wavej wormhole.
pilot_sui: what about the avatar?
gwo_fr_5: it’s a zombie, no?
Trillian felt a bittersweet ache. The borrowed body was gone, but the echoes of her exploration lingered. Tau Ceti E was a treasure trove waiting to be unraveled. And she, Trillian, the Ascended woman who could bridge the stars, would keep exploring.