|
Outside - The Reflection
:: 01-01-31 ::
Chapter 3: Trans-Hyperdrive
Situation Report 17.67 AHL
The Beastslayer's construction is on progress. Estimated date of launch is 17.96 AHL. The ship's chassis has been completed. Conventional drives are operational. Standard hyperdrive is online. What remains now is to finish research on the trans-hyperdrive the Naggarok used and to reconstruct it aboard the Beastslayer. The Bentusi's requested specialist on trans-hyperspace, Tasiin Limandatt, has provided numerous insights into such a drive, however there are some concerns about his behavior - I fear that he has become so focused on his work that he will burn out soon.
What is more of concern is how the Bentusi seem to be becoming more apprehensive as the launch date nears. They promised not to overreact if something happens, but as Pukna Somtaaw is quick to point out, they are quite adamant about not being Bound. If the unthinkable occurs, they might destroy our fleets as well as the Beastslayer, or they might leave us to defend ourselves on our own.
The Taiidan Republic has warned us that certain members of the Galactic Council have suspicions that we are developing some kind of superweapon. A few have called on us to reveal ourselves. How they know about the Beastslayer is something that is cause for worry. The Bentusi say they have only told the few senior Unbound races in the Council, and the other members of the project assure us they have told no one.
I hope they are telling the truth. Martyrs of Kharak, we cannot let it fall into the wrong hands.
May the gods forgive us if something happens.
*****
Dolann Kaalel
Coordinator of Project
Hiigaran team
Dolann Kaalel finished the log entry, quietly reflecting on it, when the door chimed.
"Enter."
Tasiin Limandatt briskly entered at Dolann's authorization.
"I am here to report that preliminary research into the Naggarok's drive has been complete. We are ready to begin doing experiments to guide us further," Tasiin reported.
"You have completed research already? It has been only four days since you arrived."
"Trans-hyperdrive is merely an extension of hyperdrive," Tasiin said. "Understand hyperspace and the Naggarok is the next logical step."
The way he said it made it sound so simple. However, understanding hyperspace was no easy task. Dolann wondered just how clear hyperspace seemed to Tasiin, who was certainly gifted in the math behind it.
"The problem is that we don't understand hyperspace," Dolann replied. "We know it has to do with quantum tunneling an object, but not much else. Neither do the Taiidan. It was one of the first things the Republic told us - they bought hyperspace technology from someone else and made a few simple adjustments. The Bentusi even do not fully comprehend it, although they have done some extensive modifications to their own. We do have speculations, ideas, but…"
Tasiin sighed, as if it was all obvious. "Back on Kharak, I noticed similarities between the Khar-Toba's hyperdrive and the tunneling of simple particles, like an electron. It works by creating a single quantum wave for an object. Then it forces the object to tunnel to a different energy level. The energy level is actually a higher universe, where objects can move much faster. In standard hyperspacing, it is pushed into the next higher universe. The Naggarok pushed itself into a much higher universe."
"That is quite impressive," Kaalel said.
"However, the Naggarok had an immense power source," Tasiin warned. "We do not have one."
"The Bentusi can probably provide one for the Beastslayer with some negotiation," Dolann suggested. "You may have helped solve one of the Galaxy's greatest mysteries."
Tasiin Limandatt turned around to leave.
"Please stay. I have something I want to discuss."
Tasiin froze but did not turn back.
"Your colleagues say you work completely alone. For the day, you isolate yourself from them. At the end of the day, you return with brilliant designs that half of the Sjet cannot follow. Afterwards, you simply return to your quarters, venturing out only to eat," Dolann began.
Tasiin still made no motion. Dolann waited for none.
"We are very grateful for your work, obviously. However, we Kushan have society in our genetic heritage. You cannot always be solitary or psychological effects start showing, and having you burn out is the last thing we need. If being alone is well during work, we cannot complain, but do take care of yourself. By allowing yourself to rest, for example. I have also taken care to notice that three other of your kiith are here, thanks to kiith Manaan's request."
Dolann noted the surprise come on his face at hearing that news.
"I find it strange that our kind of musers are here."
"Tasiin, this place is not just a large version of a research ship. It needs to be a community so we can withstand the months of isolation from the outside or we would go insane. There is talk of opening this place as a waypoint to friendly races if we build a fleet of trans-hyperdrive ships. Surely, then, there will be need to be more than the labs and the PDA."
Tasiin still waited.
"Just make sure you do not cause yourself undue stress. You have done so much for us already. Do not stop now."
Before he drifted away from the conversation, Dolann dismissed Tasiin. When all was quiet again, he asked, "Are you listening?"
"We listen to all that moves in the Void. We listen here as well," the Bentusi said.
"I tried to convince him to not be alone, as you asked," Kaalel responded.
"His mind is still the same. We must continue."
"What about the hyperdrive explanation he developed?"
"It is impossibly clever for a Bound mind."
"And for an Unbound mind?"
"The explanation solves what we have contemplated for countless orbits." The Bentusi, for the first time, seemed awed. "The Hiigaran people have shown glimmers of being Unbound. The Sjet persona of your Mothership was Unbound. Your kiith Somtaaw killed the Devourer. However, he shows signs of being not only Unbound, but beyond Unbound."
"Beyond Unbound?" Kaalel asked. "Have you ever encountered something like that before?"
"Only once. The Devourer."
"It is therefore necessary to touch his mind soon."
"What if we fail?" Dolann finally asked.
"Then we would regret the consequences."
|
