Travelled Velocities

Chapter 1: Desperate Times

"Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say.”

“Well, I guess really the question is if they’ll hear your voice. If anybody out there is really listening.”

“I’d guess it all comes down to experience to really know if one little piece truly can be seen, if out of the millions of stars, one who never existed exists.”

“How much are you willing to wager on such a gamble?”

“I’d gamble my existence.”

“Now why would you gamble on something so precious as your very existence?”

“Because if voices like us, dissonant and void in the vastness of space and time cannot be heard, then do we really exist in the first place?”

“I guess we must only hope to see the day that we may finally exist?”

“Or… we can prove ourselves now. There’s a certain time and place set for us, where the most unlikely of creatures is set in course for the most unlikely of characters. Maybe, just maybe… we can help each other…”

Red and white lights flashed back and forth. The sound of an alarm raged throughout the corridors. Then footsteps clashed against the metal floor as three men ran forward in their black and white uniform.

One of the three was younger and smaller with his brown hair and eyes. Out of the three, his focus was placed on something entirely different than what was in front of him. Instead, his focus was on the intense white light shining in his face.

To his right were windows as long as the hallway and on the other side of those windows was a large, white, and intense ball of fire. Everything around it was black except the small particles of light sprinkled around.

From speakers all around they heard a robotic female voice report, “Gravity levels intensifying.”

Once the three of them had made it to the end of the hallway, they came by a door that opened automatically. On the other side was a large group of scientists and a woman wearing a black suit and tie.

The woman asked boldly, “Dr. Guir, what are the iron levels of the star now?”

One of the older scientists looked back with his glasses starting to wobble back and forth and answered, “Iron levels seem to be at the maximum limit, Captain Rell. If we want to grab the singularity, we need to do it now!”

“You hear that, Riley?” Yelled the captain.

A voice came out from the comm system, “I think I would’ve heard you without this earpiece, Captain. Don’t you worry, I’m all suited up and ready to go.”

“Mr. Gonivan, I wish to remind you that the suit might be protecting you from the gravitational imbalances, it won’t stop you from getting stuck in a load of debri. If that were to happen we would have to leave you to die per safety of the crew,” commented Dr. Guir.

There was only slight static in the comm system before Riley replied, “You really are a smoothtalker, aren’t you, Doc?”

The captain just sighed as she intervened, “Just remember that you and your family will be compensated handsomely for completing this mission.”

“All I needed to hear, captain. I’m hooked to the rope and ready for the gate to open,” replied Riley.

The three men that walked into the room stood tall as they saluted the captain. Once the captain acknowledged them she commanded, “Come in.”

“David, come over here. We’re about to watch a new point in history unfold,” gestured Dr. Guir.

The young man with brown hair quickly turned and walked to Dr. Guir and asked, "What's going to happen, doctor?"

Dr. Guir looked back at David and asked, "After all this time traveling through space you haven’t read any of my notes?"

David blushed and looked away from Dr. Guir as he replied, "I was busy helping with the supplies."

Dr. Guir looked at David unconvinced as he explained, "We're about to witness a star die right in front of us. Usually, when a star dies, it causes a supernova that would destroy this whole ship many times over. However, this is a white dwarf star and its iron levels are starting to overcome everything else."

"And what exactly does that mean?" Asked David.

Dr. Guir answered, "It means that the star is turning into a black hole. That's why you can see debri getting pulled toward the star and not even melting. Another fact, that debri is actually planets that the star has ripped apart through its gravitational pull alone. Without my equipment, we would have been ripped apart as soon as we orbited the solar system."

"Wait, so you're saying that we could die… like any second now?" David asked with a worried face.

Dr. Guir just laughed before confirming, "Yes! But don't worry, Mr. Gonivan, is going to inject a special device of mine right into the star that'll contain the singularity that's about to create the black hole. If everything goes according to plan, nobody will be exploded or ripped to pieces."

Dr. Guir smiled assuredly, but David didn't seem convinced and asked, "Couldn't you have told me about the impending doom stuff before bringing me along?"

"David, you live in my house and I've talked about this countless times. Apparently, you were only listening when I told you that you'd be making a lot of money by coming with me. Now does that sound like it's my fault?" Inquired Dr. Guir.

David answered hesitantly, "... No…"

Then came the comm system again, but with a different voice asking, "Captain, gravity levels are starting to spike in multiple directions. Me and the boys are trying our best to cool the new shield system, but it's really burning up. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Captain Rell replied, "We don't really have a choice if it's a good option or not, Patrick. If we don't make enough money and soon, we'll lose the ship. Any risk is worth taking to keep The Advent in our hands.

"If you say so, Captain," replied Patrick.

Suddenly, from the front windows of The Advent, everyone could see the small white star in view. Metal debri floated toward the star and began to cling to it. A man in a slick white and black astronaut suit followed the debri clinging onto a rope connected to the suit and a large metal rod that was almost shaped like a syringe.

Captain Rell smiled and asked, "How're the g-forces treating you out there, Riley?"

"I feel like I'm being pulled apart in multiple directions. Doc, are you sure you put shielding on all the suits?" Asked Riley.

Dr. Guir replied, "Don't you worry, Mr. Gonivan, if the suit wasn't working you would've been ripped apart as soon as the gates had opened. So, the suits are working quite well… maybe even better than expected."

Riley gave a light shrug as he mentioned, "Hmm, comforting."

Everyone watched as Riley landed onto the star and proclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have our first astronaut who's landed on a star."

"Quickly, Mr. Gonivan, we don't have much time in the interval of survivability," reported Dr. Guir.

Riley looked back at the ship, large and black, with blue light coming out of the thrusters. It was built almost like a giant triangle, except the multiple edges in the back. Right away, Riley lifted up the metal rod and replied, "Then I'll get to planting the flag."

Once Riley pushed the rod into the star, it started to move as well, pushing itself further into the star. At the same time, from the center, two edges started to separate and display a glass container.

A sound began to push out from the star and stretch out in every direction. It was an almost silent screech, but it reached out like a wave that pushed against the debri. The comm system began to transmit the sound, but all it would make was white noise.

All of a sudden, everything became quiet. The metal rod began to vibrate wildly from within the star and Riley panicked trying to hold it steady. Then right by Riley's face he could see something appear in the glass container.

In the container there was a black dot. The dot was unlike anything ever seen. It showed no reflection, no roughness, no nothing, but darkness. Riley himself seemed to become utterly entranced by it, until Captain Rell asked, "Riley, is everything alright over there?"

Riley shook his head and answered, "Yes, Captain. The singularity is secure within the container. I'm beginning my path back to The Advent right away."

The comm system reported, "Gravity levels are back to normal."

Captain Rell looked back to the crew in front of her and announced, "It seems like we've done it. Great job every…"

Suddenly, the comm system reported, "Unknown transmission is being relayed."

Captain Rell wondered aloud, "Who in their right mind would be flying so close to a dying star?"

Then Riley answered through the comms, "It seems to be a pirate ship, Captain."

Right in Riley's view he could see a ship the size of The Advent, but in different shape. This ship was more cylindrical and had many gates on the sides and multiple laser cannons all around it.

Captain Rell asked, "What makes you say it's a pirate ship?"

"I'd guess from the skull and bones displayed at the front of the ship. I'll hand it to them for going old school," replied Riley.

Dr. Guir looked worried and quickly turned to David as he asked, "David, could you please go down to the gate and help Mr. Gonivan get back inside?"

"Why me?" David asked grumpily.

Dr. Guir shoved David toward the door as he demanded, "Just go! We don't have much time left!"

Once David left the control room, Captain Rell commanded, "Computer, accept the transmission."

From the two edges of the controller room, two monitors displayed a man looking forward. This man was slightly bald, had a scar across his left cheek, and a full grin on his face.

The man began to speak and said, "This is Sigurd, Captain of The Rig. Out of formality I'd like to report that my men will be boarding your ship in just a few seconds. I'd also like to ask you all to put away your weapons and turn off all defenses. We can make this quick and easy and nobody'll have to die."

Captain Rell looked at Captain Sigurd and asked, "If we do what you say, will you let everyone live?"

Dr. Guir quickly objected, "Captain you can't be…"

Captain Rell put out her hand toward Dr. Guir, silencing him and Captain Sigurd answered promptly, "Of course. You have my word."

"Then I will make sure the crew does everything as you say," responded Captain Rell.

Captain Sigurd smiled saying, "A smart woman, I'll be delighted meeting with you personally."

Right after, the transmission ended and the monitors turned to black. Dr. Guir walked up to the captain angrily as he conferred, "Captain Rell, if we let those pirates gain control of the singularity, then… who knows what they might do. We can't let them…"

Captain Rell quickly asked, "Patrick, can you turn off all shields for a second?"

"Are you not even listening?" Asked Dr. Guir.

Captain Rell replied hurriedly, "I am listening, but unfortunately we don't have much time to chat, Dr. Guir. We are in the middle of dispatching pirates."

Captain Rell turned around and commanded, "Everyone, turn off all defenses. However, once we see all the gates to the pirate ship open, I want shields back on and all weapons ready. Then, focus all manpower right at those gates."

"So you plan to fight after all?" Asked Dr. Guir.

Captain Rell looked back at Dr. Guir and answered, "You picked the right ship, Doctor, if it had been any other they would have tied you up and sent you to the pirates themselves. However, if we don't get this job done, we'll lose The Advent. You never pick a fight with desperate sailors."

David ran down the hallway as he readied his suit. Once he put on his helmet he made it to the gateway and stopped for a moment. David just looked down and into the gateway asking, "What in the world am I getting myself into? The Doctor just brought me along to get me out of the house. Now we’re getting attacked by pirates?"

As David kept on thinking, he heard sudden knocks against the metal gate in front of him followed by a muffled voice on the other side yelling, “Somebody get me inside already!”

David speedily entered the gateway with the door behind him sealing shut. He turned around, scared for his life, and then to the red lever on his left. He was hesitant at first to pull on the lever, but then the knocking against the gate continued. So, David closed his eyes and pulled down the red lever.

Captain Rell waited patiently as all the gates of the pirate ship, The Rig, opened up. Once they were all open, Men with spacesuits started to come out with bike-like machines. Right away, Captain Rell commanded, “Ready shields and fire cannons, now!”

From amidst The Advent, large rectangular objects started to shift up with a blue energy emitting from the front. As the energy became increasingly bright, a large blue energy shot out from each of them and bursted right into the left and right of The Rig.

One pirate was about to leave the gate, when he noticed his body beginning to glow. As he looked in front of him, one of the blue energies blasted right into him and caused an explosion throughout the gate.

Captain Rell watched as multiple gates were blasted by the beams of energy, but also saw some of the gates beginning to close and some of the pirates already out in space on their strange vehicles.

The gate to the outside quickly opened and David could see Riley on the other side. However, the air inside of the gateway began to exit out and into space all at once. The pressure from the air alone pushed David forward making him fly out into the void of space.

As David floated out in the abyss, a long metal rod was right in front of him. He quickly grabbed it and noticed it was the very container of the singularity being held on by Riley with only one hand.

Riley looked at David angrily as he yelled out, “You idiot! Why didn’t you filter out the air before opening the gate!?”

David just yelled back, “How was I supposed to know about that!?”

Riley pointed back at the gateway with his head and David looked back at where the red lever layed. Above was a sign that spelled, “Gate Control.” Then there was a red button right beside the lever with a sign above it that spelled, “Air Filtration.”

“Oh,” stated David.

In retaliation, The Rig had cylindrical cannons emitting a green energy come out and shoot back at The Advent. The green laser beams shot forward through space hitting The Advent in multiple spots. However, the lasers would only disappear and display a clear forcefield all around The Advent.

Captain Sigurd from within the control room of his ship grunted, displeased with the current events. One of his men reported, “Captain! We’re aiming for their cannons, but they're barely outside of the forcefield.”

“I can see that Lieutenant. How’s our ship doing?” Captain Sigurd asked.

The Lieutenant hesitantly answered, “The Rig has lost four gateways, five cannons, and five men. We’re at sixty percent capacity…”

Captain Sigurd looked at the Lieutenant and screamed while throwing his chair at him. After calming down, he looked all around The Advent’s forcefield as The Rig’s lasers battered against it.

There eventually came a smile on his face as he commanded, “I want one cannon to focus on that open gate on the right of the enemy ship. It seems they have exactly what we’re looking for.”

Riley tugged on the rope attached to him with one arm, trying to pull himself, David, and the container back into the gateway. David on the other hand, just hugged the metal rod like a cat stuck on a tree branch.

“Don’t worry, kid! I’m almost there and we’ll get right back inside… safe and sound,” reaffirmed Riley.

He could tell that David was still worried, so Riley gave a sure smile. However, Riley’s smile faded away once he noticed himself, David, and the container turning green. Right as David tried to feel a bit more optimistic, he watched as Riley pushed him and the container out in the vastness of space.

A large green beam of light zoomed right in between Riley and the container, but Riley knew that it wasn’t the last. David, on the other hand, was spinning in multiple directions, watching as The Advent came into view smaller each time. At the same time, David breathed rapidly and anxiously, like his breath was leaving his body.

In the meantime, Riley was about to take off in order to grab back onto David and the container. However, Riley saw the laser cannon aiming right for David and yelled, “David! Watch out right in front of you!”

David didn’t really know what to do and so he just yelled while holding the container like a shield right in front of him. It was almost perfect; David’s body turning to face the laser right on time and the laser hitting right onto the center glass of the container.

The blast itself from the impact had built momentum, making the container itself barely move at all while David flew away from it. As David floated away, he and Riley both watched as the glass began to slowly crack.

The crack itself made small particles of glass that fell into the singularity itself causing it to slightly grow. The singularity’s gravitational pull intensified and pulled in more glass from the crack until all the glass started to break toward the singularity.

The metal rod of the container quickly disappeared into the growing singularity as it formed itself into a complete black hole. The black hole then began to pull the debri and the dead star. David himself began to feel himself being pulled toward the black hole.

Meanwhile, out in the vastness of space where all the stars were specks, there laid the smallest planet. It was a planet the size of a beach ball with a pond double the size of a tennis ball and grass all around it.

Then there was the planet’s one and only inhabitant. It was a small creature that when it sat down, it took up almost one fourth of the whole entire planet. The creature had short,white fur and its head was almost the size of its body.

It had a petite nose and big eyes filled with wonder. There were its small arms and strong rabbit-like feet and then there were its long floppy ears and long thin tail that split into two at the end.

The small creature watched all the stars as its planet moved about and rotated all around smoothly and slowly. At the same time, the creature didn’t seem to be amazed by the stars; it certainly didn’t seem to be happy.

“This is the creature to prove our existence?”

Quickly, the creature looked around shocked. Its expression completely changed from blank to excited. However, looking around, all the creature saw were stars and so its expression slowly went back to blank.

“Not only this creature, but also that human from before.”

The creature didn’t know what it heard, but it was something unique to it and so it called out to the sounds it heard only to hear nothing in response. The creature looked upset and unrelentingly screeched into the void of space right where it heard the two voices only to hear nothing once more.

Then came the inexplicable right in front of that creature’s face. First, the stars started to change shape as if they were creating lines that formed circles all around it. Second, the space around them began to bend as if creating a sphere. Finally, as all the light around the creature and its little planet began to bend, there opened a hole right in front of it.

It was as if light poured out of the hole and spread out dust like light throughout the universe that seemed to sing a chorus. With all those changes, the creature saw one last thing popping through the hole; a boy.

The boy was David and he looked scared and amazed all at the same time. The creature was amazed as well seeing any other living thing in its life. For just a moment, their eyes locked onto each other and they each watched one another as if for an eternity.

Captain Sigurd watched as the black hole grew in size right next to The Advent. A frown came to his face as he looked to his crew and commanded, “All crew return to The Rig and prepare to retreat. There’s nothing for us here anymore.”

All the crew on the Advent calmed down as they watched The Rig turn around and fly away. However, at the same time, they heard the indescribable sound that pierced into their minds.

Captain Rell turned to her right to see a black hole that was growing and started to pull them toward it. The whole crew began to look stressed and so she commanded, “Everyone, I need you to focus all your attention on getting us away from that black hole.”

Riley's suit was attached to the rope connected to The Advent and so while his body was being pulled by the black hole it was also pulled in the opposite direction by the rope. Even with the shielding applied onto the suit, Riley yelled out in pain.

As Both David and the creature watched each other, they each heard a voice comment,

“Here are two unique creatures; one that was to never be remembered in history and another that was to never be discovered. Now here they both are; meeting each other and changing destiny itself.”

“You think they are the ones to change destiny? Can’t you tell? They can hear us right now. They show it as they keep looking around for us. Only those whose existence is about to be shattered could hear us.”

“You’re right. Where they are now would surely make them join us as Voices of The Void. But if they can leave, then their path will surely bring us to existence.”

The creature looked back at David and laid down on its tiny planet before coming closer and closer to David. Eventually, David caught on that the creature was rapidly moving in his direction and tried to move out of the way, but with nowhere to go, he could do nothing.

The creature with its small planet crashed into David and pushed both of them out of the black hole and right toward The Advent. It was strange to David, because for some reason the intense gravity lessened as soon as he touched the grass rock.

Dr. Guir looked closer into the window as he watched the black hole change and fluctuate. It was as if it were being stretched in more ways than one and in multiple directions.

As the black hole continued to fluctuate faster and faster, it started to look like the blades of a fan, disappearing into the background. Finally, there came the moment in which the black hole disappeared completely and the comm system reported, “All gravity levels back to normal.”

“Dr. Guir, what just happened?” Asked Captain Rell.

Dr. Guir didn’t move nor speak and so the captain asked, “Doctor, are you okay?”

Dr. Guir looked back at Captain Rell and answered while walking away, “I have no idea.”

Riley couldn’t feel the pain against his body anymore, but he was still at the end of the rope and watching all the stars around him. Then there came David with the tiny planet and the creature that lived upon it.

“What in the world is that?” Asked Riley.

“Computer, I want you to take a course back to Earth,” Captain Rell commanded.

The computer answered back, “Error. There is no possible way back to Earth.”

Captain Rell looked to a girl on her left next to a computer and commanded, “Becca, the computer must have been damaged somehow from the attack. We’ll need your navigating expertise to get us back home.”

Becca turned around to the captain and hesitantly replied, “I’m sorry, Captain… but I can’t seem to do anything either.”

“And why might that be? Did I hire a navigator that can’t even navigate?” Inquired Captain Rell.

Becca contested, “It’s not that… it’s the stars. None of these look like the pattern that was there before. These ones seem to be different and in alternate patterns that I’ve never heard of before.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Asked Captain Rell.

Becca paused for a moment before answering, “If I were to make an assessment, I’d say… and this might sound crazy, but I’d say that the reason the computer can’t take us back is because the galaxy we were in, isn’t the galaxy we’re in now.”

Captain Rell sighed with her hand against her forehead and commented, “So, we’re lost somewhere we’ve never been, something came out of a black hole, and somehow those pirates knew exactly what we were doing.”

“What do you mean by that last part, Captain?” Becca asked.

Captain Rell looked back at Becca and explained, “There’s no way, even pirates would know about the alert of a supernova nearby, and yet they were there anyway; in order to attack our ship specifically. What I’m saying is that the only way those pirates would have known what we were doing is if somebody in our crew told them.”

“A traitor?” Becca wondered aloud.

Captain Rell just smiled and commented, “Of course, we’ll need to be discreet about such a subject. What matters now is survival. If we really are somewhere off the maps, then we’re a ways away from Earth. So, we’re gonna need to find another planet to keep us alive while we find our way back.”