The World Of Alcubierre

Episode VI

"Premier Valast, the Committee on Astral Objects has analyzed the data thoroughly and is in agreement with the Zix Collective's conclusion: There has been a new Universal First." Committee Overseer Neeria's slits pulsed blue as she continued her report, the thoughtcast emanating along proprietary government channels. "The observation nets administered by the Zix are Protocol Zero, as is to be expected for all areas subject to quarantine, so there is little chance of instrumentation error. Additionally, the supplementary reports and other documentation offered by the Zix leaves little room for doubt."

Premier Valast shifted atop his cushion, his large ears flared outward, flapping slightly in irritation. "Quarantine?"

Neeria bobbed her head, "Yes, Premier. The object originated from a portion of Spiral Scutum that has been restricted due to a variety of anomalies that create instability within wormholes. We attribute it to residual aftereffects tied to Divinity Angelysia experimentation in the area.

Premier Valast's ears swept back, laying flat against his small skull as his eyes dilated. His dull brown fur bristled and it took a moment before he has gathered himself into a semblance of stately presence. "The Angelysia are priority. Why was I not informed?"

Neeria suppressed an irritated tremor in her lower arms. Having an X-14 as Premier continued to be problematic. It was difficult to communicate effectively with a being that expended so much energy on emotion. She pondered, not for the first time, what combination of events had permitted the Combine to elect Premier Valast as its leader over a member of her species. "Confirming the information took some effort. Even now, the connection between the object and the Angelysia is uncertain."

"Uncertain?"

"The object may have originated from the Sol Project or passed through it from further along the Scutum. It is difficult to discern given the information at hand."

"The Angelysia continue their games." Valast snorted and waved a paw dismissively, "No matter, we will unravel it soon enough. What other news?"

Neeria paused, knowing the next part would be received poorly, but the urgency required bluntness. "We have parsed the observation information from the Outer Scutum Net, in particular the entry and exit points. This has allowed us to discern speed, acceleration and trajectory. At the point of entry the object was moving at 64.3 lights. Exit speed was 78.3 lights. Assuming the object maintains the same course, it appears to be targeting the star cluster closest to the Sol Project."

"Is there anything of import there?" Valast asked, his paws idly picking through the fur of his chest as he listened.

"Nothing, though our surveys on the area have been limited. Even though the star in question lays outside of the Sol Project, it is still within the established quarantine zone making information gathering difficult. Our only information dates back to a period before we discovered the wormhole anamolies and shows nothing beyond a few planets and the three star cluster."

"Why send the object then?"

"We believe there are only two likely motives: exploration and destruction."

Valast's paws stopped moving, his ears perking up at the last, "Destruction?"

Neeria nodded, her tone gaining a layer of intensity, "An object traveling at that speed might unleash tremendous destruction within this galaxy, particularly if the acceleration continues. Given the risks, the obvious superiority of wormhole as a means of travel and the difficulty of exceeding ten lights, it seems unlikely that a species possessing such a technology would deploy it against a relatively worthless star cluster."

"You believe destruction is the more likely explanation then?"

Neeria simply nodded, her four hands clasped together in front of her. "Indeed."

Valast sneered, "The Angelysia." He moved his hands about, pulling up the Premier's command console. "How long will it take to intercept them?"

"Therein lies the problem Premier. The object appears to be traveling via spacial-disturbance within normal space at speeds far greater than we are able to maintain in space. We can only travel between points with the wormhole and are limited by the ten light barrier when traveling in normal space."

"Options, Overseer! Options!"

"We are considering a number of alternatives. We believe we can trigger a series of wormholes along their anticipated trajectory to potentially divert them into an intergalactic void." Neeria thoughtcast the schematic of the plan, showing a large fleet of Combine ships appearing along the corridor between Sol and the star cluster. After their arrival, a series of wormholes began to expand, one by one, creating a web between the two.

"What are the risks?"

"Numerous. There is a risk of wormhole contamination if they intersect. There is a risk that local anomalies will create unintended side effects. There is a risk the object has altered trajectory. There is a risk the object possesses unknown capabilities. There is a risk the object will collide with an object before--"

"Enough." Valast hopped forward on his pillow, perched up on his hindquarters. "What do we need to deploy the plan?"

Neeria shifted again, "Seven hundred and thirty four wormhole projection capable ships, and," Neeria paused for a long moment, "Access to the Zix wormkey."

Premier Valast hissed, his ears flattening back to his head again, "They have never granted Combine access to their space."

Neeria nodded, "Yes, they have rebuffed our efforts to engage with them on a...singular level...I believe they put it."

"What do you propose?"

"We cannot travel in their space without the wormkey, it is the bedrock foundation of the Combine. We must gain their approval." Neeria replied.

"Very well. Summon the Plenipotentiaries. We will treat with them directly."

Neeria bowed, "As you wish Premier." She did not have the desire to explain to the Premier the folly of such a request. The Zix would not negotiate without consensus from their Collective. But Neeria could see no other way of proceeding, she would leave it to the strange denizens of the float-tank to explain the matter.