(From)
First Contact - Antillians
Book Four
Chapter One
Robert sat in his office, the soft glow of the holographic display casting long shadows across the polished desk. The room, usually a sanctuary of calm and strategic planning, now felt charged with an almost palpable tension. The lingering echoes of the Gatekeeper’s cryptic pronouncement, "Infinity is the key," swirled in his mind, a constant reminder of the enigma he faced. He needed to understand and decipher the dream’s meaning before the Antillians made their final decision.
It was a puzzle, and he didn’t have all of the pieces. He knew what he wanted the puzzle to look like when he finished assembling it, but it was a puzzle with a box lid. He had no idea what the puzzle was supposed to look like after he completed it.
He’d called Ellie to his office, seeking her analytical mind to dissect the dream’s symbolism. When she arrived, her usually composed demeanor held a hint of concern.
“Ellie,” Robert began, his voice low, “I need to discuss another dream with you. I know it’s… unusual, but I feel it holds a crucial piece of this puzzle.”
“Of course, Sir,” Ellie replied, taking a seat across from him. “Tell me everything.”
He recounted the dream, detailing the swirling mist, the ethereal colors, the cryptic pronouncements of Xylara, Discord, Chord, and the Gatekeeper. He emphasized the Gatekeeper’s final words, “Infinity is the key,” and the sense of urgency that accompanied them.
Ellie listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. The holographic display on Robert’s desk flickered with star charts and sensor readings, a stark contrast to the otherworldly imagery he described.
“Infinity is the key, ’” Ellie murmured, her voice thoughtful. “The same phrase as all of your other dreams. It’s a powerful phrase. However, it’s getting to be quite obnoxious. It suggests a vastness of possibilities, a branching of potential outcomes, as we discussed before. But the Gatekeeper’s insistence that ‘it will come to you when you need it, ’ which is also not new, implies something more than just theoretical possibilities.”
“More what?” Robert asked, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.
“Perhaps it’s a direct reference to the Source, Sir,” Ellie suggested, leaning forward. The gatekeeper’s message could be a hint that you have the potential to access that power and influence the course of events.”
“But how, Ellie?” Robert asked, his voice tight. “I don’t feel any power. I’m just a man trying to navigate a complex situation.”
“Perhaps it’s not about feeling power, Sir,” Ellie said, her voice soft. “Perhaps it’s about understanding the nature of reality, about recognizing the infinite possibilities that lie before you. The Gatekeeper’s message could be a reminder that the solution to your problems lies in embracing the unknown, in exploring the uncharted territories of the Source.”
Robert sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s all so abstract, Ellie. I need something more concrete. Besides, the Gatekeeper hinted that the Antillians had an infinite number of possibilities in how they could respond to us. We need to plan for all of them.”
“You’re right, Sir,” Ellie said, her expression turning analytical. “Let’s consider the potential scenarios. First, the most optimistic: they accept our offer, join the Alliance, and we begin a period of cooperation.”
“That’s the ideal outcome,” Robert said, “But highly unlikely, given their caution.”
“Indeed,” Ellie replied. “More likely, they might accept the moon as a resource but maintain a degree of skepticism. They might see it as a test, a way to gauge our intentions.”
“And what about the less optimistic scenarios?” Robert asked, his voice grim.
“They could see it as a trap, Sir,” Ellie said, her fingers tapping on the holographic display. “They might suspect we’re trying to lure them into a vulnerable position. They could launch a preemptive strike, believing we’re about to attack.”
“Or they could reject it outright,” Robert added, “Seeing it as an insult, a sign of weakness. They might interpret it as an attempt to buy their allegiance, which they would find offensive.”
“Exactly, Sir,” Ellie confirmed. “And then there’s the wildcard.”
“I don’t understand. What wildcard?
“The Antillians might try to steal the technology or the equipment. If they had the equipment, they would try to reverse engineer the technology we used to create the moon. If they succeed, they could gain a significant strategic advantage.”
“We need to be prepared for all of these possibilities,” Robert said, his voice firm. “We need to anticipate their moves, to understand their motivations.”
“We also need to consider their cultural context, Sir,” Ellie added. “Their history, their values, their beliefs. We need to understand what drives them, what they fear.”
“Doctor Swann might be able to help with that,” Robert said. “He’s been studying their psychology and cultural profiles.”
“That would be wise, Sir,” Ellie replied. “In the meantime, we need to bolster our defenses, increase our surveillance, and prepare for any eventuality.”
“Agreed,” Robert said, rising from his chair. “I’ll speak with Doctor Swann. We need to understand the Antillians, to anticipate their moves, and to prepare for whatever they decide. Thank you for your insight, Ellie.”
“Of course, Sir,” Ellie replied, her gaze returning to the holographic display. “I’ll continue monitoring the Antillian activity. By the way, Doc is in his quarters.”
As Robert left his office, he felt a sense of urgency, a pressing need to understand the Antillians and the cryptic messages of his dreams. The fate of the Alliance, and perhaps the galaxy, hung in the balance. He knew that the choices he made in the coming hours might determine the future of the Alliance and all of the species in this region of the galaxy.
Robert made his way to Doctor Swann’s quarters, a private space tucked away in the ship’s research section. The quarters were a stark contrast to his own office, filled with a chaotic array of scientific equipment, holographic projections, and scattered notes. Doctor Swann, surrounded by his research, looked up as Robert entered.
“Robert, my friend,” Doctor Swann said, his voice laced with curiosity. “What brings you here?”
“I need to discuss my dream with you,” Robert said, taking a seat amidst the clutter. “I feel it holds a crucial key to understanding the situation with the Antillians.”
“I thought you had all of them figured out.”
“I had a new one.”
“Go on. I find your mind fascinating.”
“I don’t know if you’re being serious, or just screwing with me.”
“Both. You are the most fascinating person I’ve ever met. However, I love to screw with you, too.”
“Can we move on, Doc?”
“Sure we can. Tell me your troubles, Mr. Prez!”
“Stop that. I’m trying to be serious here.”
“Fine. I’m listening.”
Robert recounted the dream, emphasizing the Gatekeeper’s final pronouncement. Doctor Swann listened intently, his eyes gleaming with intellectual curiosity.
“Infinity is the key,” Doctor Swann murmured, his voice thoughtful. “It’s a fascinating phrase and a continuing theme. It aligns with certain theories about the Source, about its ability to manipulate probability and create alternative realities. It could be that the Gatekeeper is suggesting that you have the potential to influence these probabilities, to shape the future.”
“Shape the future? Come on, Doc. The Source is just dark energy.” Robert echoed, his voice filled with disbelief. “How?”
“I’m not entirely sure, Robert,” Doctor Swann admitted, adjusting a holographic projection. “But the dream seems to be emphasizing the power of belief, of perception. In physics, energy and power mean exactly the same thing. The words are interchangeable. Maybe your power is the ability to harness dark energy. Xylara's assertion that you can channel the Source, that you are a conduit, is not entirely without precedent. The Graplians have demonstrated remarkable abilities, and the Keeper has given you visions. Perhaps you are a latent conduit, and your dream is an initiation.”
“But I don’t feel any power,” Robert protested. “I’m just a man, nothing more.”
“The Source is not always obvious, Robert,” Doctor Swann said, his voice laced with a hint of mystery.
“Stop calling it the Source. It’s dark energy. It’s special and we use it. But it’s not some magical power that can be harnessed through a man’s body.”
“I’m not a believer in the supernatural. But I do try to keep an open mind, even about things that seem supernatural. Remember, if something is sufficiently advanced from our perspective, it can look like magic to us. Just because we can’t explain it doesn’t mean that there isn’t an explanation. Magic is merely science that hasn’t been figured out yet.”
“You sound like you believe in the Empress’s mumbo jumbo.”
“I didn’t say that I believed in mumbo jumbo. I said it could have a scientific explanation. Maybe it can manifest in subtle ways, in moments of intuition, in the ability to see beyond the surface of things. The Gatekeeper’s pronouncement, ‘Infinity is the key,’ could be a reminder that the solution to your problems lies in embracing the unknown, in exploring the infinite possibilities that lie before you.”
“And the Antillians?” Robert asked, his voice tight. “What do they have to do with this?”
“That, Robert, is the crux of the matter,” Doctor Swann replied. “The Antillians represent a significant variable in the equation. Their decision, their acceptance or rejection of your offer, will have far-reaching consequences. They also have an infinite number of options before them. The Gatekeeper’s message could be a hint that you have the potential to influence their decision, to shape their future, and thus your own.”
Robert sighed, his shoulders slumping. “It’s all so abstract, Doc. I need something more tangible.”
“Patience,” Doctor Swann said, his voice reassuring. “The answers will come in time. The Source apparently works in mysterious ways, and the Gatekeeper’s pronouncements are often veiled in symbolism. But if you remain open to the possibilities, if you trust in your own intuition, you will find your way.”
As Robert left Doctor Swann’s quarters, he felt a sense of unease settle over him. The dream, with its cryptic messages and unsettling imagery, had left him more confused than ever. But he also felt a flicker of hope, a sense that he was on the verge of something significant, something that could change the course of the Alliance and perhaps the entire galaxy. He returned to the bridge, ready to face the Antillians’ decision, whatever it may be.
Thank you for reading this short excerpt from my book!
Scott Ickes