External lights flared to life as the underwater base came to life. The Base was over a mile at some of its largest points. The center hub looked like and egg had been pressed into the sea floor. Arm connected to the central hub of the base at several different locations. Each of the arms ended in what looked like a large building. Three of the six arms connecting tubes had been breeched and filled with water. Large cracks ran down the lengths of these tubes and one of them had even collapsed. Lights flickered briefly as the base tried to power up the flooded sections and then safety protocols kicked in and shut the power conduits down to the damage sections.
Lettering lit up in a dim blue on the side of the base, it read: Astinata Beos, jastie io eqiesas Nef Lekser. If you could have read the ancient language, it read, Atlanta Base, Repair and Construction, Sol Sector. Around the hub lights flickered on and illuminated the outside of the base, as lights began to illuminate the interior.
A small explosion on the surface of the water had triggered the power up of the base. Computers came to life as air began circulate through the base in preparation for the first visitors for over 2000 years. Some of the systems failed and secondary systems came online to pick up the slack.
A young woman stood over a console, her fingers tapping the holographic keys on the display before her. She shunted a bit of power over to one of the sensor arrays and scanned the area of the explosion. The sensors registered six Humans adrift in the ocean, all of them unconscious. She tapped out a few more commands as she kept an eye on the people above.
A large room lit up in another part of the base klaxons came to life and blared their warning to the empty room. A large vessel shaped like a shuttle from the television show "V" slowly lowered from its resting place on the wall. Two red stripes on the sides of the vessel lit up as the engines of the vessel powered up and a self-diagnostics started.
The main doors to the room opened and a large metal spider walked through them. Two amber eyes pulsed as the machine scanned the room before it. The back of the vessel opened and the strange spider walked up the ramp into the shuttle.
Once the door closed securely and the diagnostics finished, the shuttle let out a few beeps and whistles. The spider turned slightly towards the cockpit, clicked and whirred in response. The shuttle vibrated as it lifted from the ground and slowly moved towards the large hanger doors.
The air shimmered blue as a field snapped to life as the doors opened. The Shuttle passed through the field and into the cold water on the other side. Picking up speed, the shuttle hurried towards its destination.
Two hundred yards from the unconscious people the shuttle broke the surface of the ocean. Water cascaded off its small fins as it broke the surface of the water. The large spider moved towards the door it had entered and made a few clicking sounds. The shuttle responded with a whine as the back door slowly lowered.
Back on the base, the strange woman monitored the situation as the spider worked to bring the humans into the shuttle. She reached over and touched a couple more buttons, shunting power to the medical bay.
Two floors down a large room lit up and fresh air poured into the room as smaller versions of the spider moved about. They cleaned and sanitized the room with special equipment making sure the room was bacteria free.
The woman looked down as the shuttle made its way back to the base. She touched a few more buttons and stepped down off the platform. She walked from the room and onto a lift, which took her two floors down.
When the lift stopped and its doors opened, she started down the hallway towards the medical ward. Halfway there, she stopped and touched a panel on the wall. It lit up, showing the shuttle with several more spiders around it. The spiders were loading the humans on hovering platforms. She touched a few keys, giving final orders to the robots, and then proceeded to the medical ward.
Jonathan slowly opened his eyes so they could adjust to the bright light. He slowly sat up as his vision swam. He quickly closed his eyes to fight off the sickness creeping into his stomach. The last thing he remembered he was swimming with his friends and sister when something happened to the boat. Brad had yelled something about an engine fire when he dived over the side and swam towards them. Minutes later a shockwave from the explosion slammed into him, then darkness took him.
The Coast Guard must have found them, but how long has he been knocked out? He slowly opened his eyes again and surveyed the room. It wasn't your typical hospital ward; there was way too much hi-tech stuff. Things he had never seen in a hospital, some of it looked familiar. He noticed his friends lying on other beds, some of them starting to come around.
His sister propped herself up on an elbow as she took in the room. Strange words scrolled across the screen in front of her. She reached up to touch the letter as she tried to make out some of the words.
Terri had been studying languages all of her life. Her parents traveled to various countries for the United States, for reasons she had no idea about. Languages intrigued her and she was fluent in about twelve different languages. She had recently started studying dead languages, a lot of the symbols on the screen reflected Egyptian Hieroglyphs there were mixing of various other glyphs which she had never seen. Her mind spun as she started trying to see patterns and tried to understand what was shown on the screen. What she thought to be a solid surface was nothing more than a hologram, she gasped as her hand passed through it.
Jonathan jumped off his bed when he heard his sister gasp and made his way towards her. Without warning, the room seemed to freeze as his steps slowed and then stopped completely. No matter how much he struggled he couldn't force his feet to move, even the air seemed to suddenly go stale.
"Jonathan Hunter," a female voice said from behind him.
Unable to move he started to panic, he strained his muscles as he tried to move.
A female with bright red hair stepped into his field of view holding a small device in her hand. Slowly she moved it from one side of his head to the other. The she spoke again, "I'm Atlanta."
"Atlanta?" Jonathan barely mumbled.
"Oh, sorry," Atlanta said. She moved the device back up and tapped it a few times. "There you should be able to speak easier." She smiled as she turned her back towards him and surveyed the now sleeping forms on the other beds.
"Where are we?" Jonathan asked. "Why can't I move?"
Atlanta turned back towards Jonathan, "I'm sorry, I had to immobilize you before you hurt yourself. The nanites haven't finished their jobs."
"Nanites?" Jonathan asked. Deep down afraid of the answer, he knew what nanites were and what they could be used to do, theoretically that is.
"Yes, nanites; they're repairing the damage you sustained from the explosion. They're also feeding you information about where you are and our language," Atlanta said. She turned and looked at the read out on one of the many screens.
Jonathan frowned, "Your language?"
Atlanta nodded as she turned back around and gave him the once over.
"Well, I already know English," Jonathan said. He attempted to move again and sighed when nothing seemed to work. "Who are you and where am I?"
Atlanta smiled, "Yes, I know you know English. This is why I'm speaking it. However, to do anything around here you will need to learn 'our' language. As far as who I am, well that will be explained in time. As to where you are, I'll explain it in a moment. I need to check to make sure you're healing ok."
"How bad was I?" Jonathan asked. He tried to look down and examine himself but he was still frozen. A bit of panic started to seep into him and he pushed it away.
"You were almost dead by the time I got you and your friends here. Now you're just about completely healed," Atlanta replied.
"How are my sister and friends?" Jonathan asked.
Atlanta smiled, "I was right about you, your compassion for others over shadows even your own well being."
"Huh?" Jonathan said frowning.
"While you were out and I was working to save your life, all you kept mumbling was your sister's name and asking how she and your friends were. This told me a lot about the person I was working on. I took the time, once you were stable to look up your records. From those I concluded you would be the logical choice to be Commander. Strong aptitude in strategy and organization, dedication to those you deem friends and comrades," Atlanta said.
Jonathan frowned, "My records?"
Atlanta nodded, "Your high school records and reports from teachers. College entry test scores and your Navy application and text scores."
"How do you have access to those reports? Are you some secret government organization? What do you want from me?" Jonathan said. He was becoming alarmed and began trying to move again.
Atlanta laughed, "Hardly Commander, I'm not from any organization on this planet. As for what I want from you, well that's simple. I want you to take command of this base and get it fully operational again."
"Base?" Jonathan stopped trying to move, he wasn't getting anywhere anyways.
Atlanta nodded, "Atlanta Base."
"Why me?" Jonathan asked.
"Atlanta Base has been dormant for over two thousand years. I need you and your friends to bring it back to life and give it a purpose again," Atlanta replied.
"Two thousand years?" Jonathan muttered.
"Yes, I don't have long before secondary power systems fail, I need you to start the main reactor," Atlanta said. She watched his reaction, trying to judge what he would do next.
Jonathan thought for a second before he replied, "How do I know you're on the level? I mean you might just kill me after I do what you ask. Wait, why do you just start the main reactor yourself?"
"I was expecting the question, I can't because I'm Atlanta Base's controlling AI. I there are some things I'm restricted from doing," Atlanta said.
"Such as..." Jonathan said, intentionally leaving the question hanging.
"Such as, giving the command codes to start the main reactor up and bring the base back online. Also, I can't complete the repairs myself, I am here to serve the crew and monitor the running of the base as a second hand to the Commanding Officer, you," Atlanta replied.
"If I don't agree to help?" Jonathan said.
"Then you will all die when the ocean breeches the outer pressure dome and floods the base. I took a chance bring you and your friends here, now I ask you to take a chance too," Atlanta replied.
Jonathan's eyes flicked over to his sisters form lying on a medical bed five feet in front of him. He turned his eyes back on Atlanta, his mind made up, "Ok, how do I do this?"
Atlanta smiled, "I have already logged you in to the bases computer as the Commander of the base. The nanites should have already received your command codes and I will instruct them to give the knowledge of how to start the main reactor."
Jonathan nodded, "Yes, I know the codes now. After I get this reactor up, you and I are going to have a long discussion about what happened here."
Atlanta nodded, "Yes, Commander."
A shadow shifted as Atlanta and Jonathan walked out the door. It stood up to its full height, a little over five feet tall. Short dark grey fur covered it from head to toe, human like eyes peer out through the fur covering its eyes. If Jonathan had seen the strange being he might have compared it to a Ewok from Star Wars. The only adornments on it were a thin utility belt and a strange watch on its left wrist. A heavy sigh issued from the beings mouth as it turned and entered the vent it had used to access the room. Slowly the form shifted and disappeared from sight.
This wasn't good and its master would be very unhappy. It had been sent to secure the base for its master's arrival and now these new people were going to spoil everything. It slowly made its way back to where its ship had breeched the outer hull of the base. Its report would not be a well received message and it expected a lot of yelling. It let out another long sigh as it shimmered into view. Things were getting more complex than anticipated anyone had anticipated.
It stepped in through the collar that attached its ship to the base and took a seat in front of a small panel. It reached up and touched a few keys on the console as the display lit up and came to life. Alien text scrolled across the screen as it sat waiting patently.
The face that appeared on the screen narrowed its coal black eyes. Its dirty blonde hair was neat cut in a crew cut. Its eyebrows were absent replaced ridges. A look of disgust crossed its face briefly, "Report." The face said in English.
The being fidgeted a second before it spoke, "Jah nisju kiaso lihag."
"English! How many times have I told you I am trying to learn their language before I get there?" He growled in broken English. "I must be able to speak to these filthy humans and I don't have the time I need to learn a new language slowly so I have been speaking it exclusively as have the rest of crews."
"Sorry, Great Master," it said.
The being sighed, "I'll give you one thing Oojoung. I have always been amazed how you covert specialists have always been able to assimilate a new language so easily."
"Thank you, Great Master," Oojoung said.
"Now, give me your report," the being said.
"Um, the big base has come turned its lights on, Great Master," Oojoung said.
The being frowned a second then waved a hand dismissively, "So, it's routine. It will search and find nothing and shut back down. Have you been able to gain access to the main computer core?"
Oojoung wrung his hands as he said the next part, "Great Master, Oojoung working on tricky computer. But, Oojoung has more to report to Great Master"
The being's eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean there's more?"
A small sigh escaped Oojoung's mouth, "Hoomans have came here..."
The beings eyes grew wide as his hands gripped the edge of whatever desk he was sitting behind. "WHAT!" he bellowed. He raised a third hand and started tapping keys in front of him as another hand pinched his nose, making him close his eyes briefly. Oojoung trembled in the silence that followed.
"The power readings haven't changed enough for the base to be powered up. What are these humans doing?" he asked. He crossed a pair of his arms across his chest as the others continued to type.
"Oojoung think one of the Hoomans is now a Commander person to the base. They're on their way to start the main reactor up," Oojoung said. He tapped a few keys in front of him which displayed a lay out of the base and then a blip for each life sign. This didn't show where the AI was but he assumed it was with the Commander Jonathan person.
"Hrm ... Ok, listen carefully. I want you to stall them, do not hurt these Humans. I'm curious how far they will get in bringing the base back on line. Do not directly interfere with them as they work, but I do what you to keep Offensive systems offline. This base is important; it is one of the last Eutharan bases in operation," the being said calmly.
Oojoung nodded, "Great Master, Oojoung will do as asked."
"Oojoung, leave the main computer alone for now. When we get closer I'll have you do what you were sent to do, so be ready," the being said. The vid screen dimmed as it was disconnect and Oojoung found himself talking to a blank screen.
Oojoung stuck his tongue out and gave a small raspberry to the blank screen and then gave a small huffed. "Oojoung do this, Oojoung do it NOW! Yes, right away, Oojoung do what his Imperial Majesty Prasuh. Stupid meany, Invaru with big head."
In some ways Oojoung loved his job, he got to travel and sneak around. His people the Buranis loved working from the shadows and learning things. But, with the Invaru having enslaved his people it had become more of a job than a fun game. The Buranis' limited telepathy allowed them to assimilate new languages rather quickly and once they learned a language they never forgot it. This ability allowed them to integrate themselves in a world and learn things. Written language was a bit different, it took longer to learn but it wasn't impossible.
His current master, Prasuh, made the job almost unbearable. They all did actually, the Invaru as a whole were good people. However, ever since His Imperial Majesty Doxvue took over the empire it had quickly gone down hill. Doxvue didn't care what went on, he gave his ranking officers free reign as long as he saw his share of the profits. Since that was all he cared about the more ruthless the person the faster they went up in the ranks.
Ship captains changed has as fast as they could assassinate each other. There were very few ships that still had their original captains. Only the most loyal crews managed to retain their Captains, these were the few captains who didn't fail to show compassion for a person no matter what race they were. Their ship also became invite only and only select people were even allowed to joint he crew. These crew members, once invited, took years to gain trust and be allowed to move freely.
If they had to transport people they were unsure of those people ended up on a special deck and restricted there. No important systems could be accessed from these decks and there was no way for anyone to move about unescorted. Event His Imperial Majesty was restricted to this deck no matter what orders he gave or what he demanded. The law stated that while Imperial Majesty could issue orders while in space, he actually had no command and no authority. The Captain and his ranking officers were responsible for him and as such their orders were final and to be obeyed. Because of this Doxvue very rarely left Invaris, the Invaru home world. When he did leave he did so only with his most trusted Captains and even then he was very cautious. Once he stepped foot on board a vessel he was a prisoner in every sense of the word.
Prasuh was known for his mean streaks, but he was also known to be a lap dog of the current Emperor. Oojoung could only hope that one of these days he would get a call and be informed Prasuh had been killed and he was under a new Master.
Oojoung smiled to himself as he stood and grabbed a few tools, stowing them in his belt. Once he was finished he reached over and tapped the strange watch and then slowly he faded out of view.
Atlanta stepped through the doorway that opened as she approached. Jonathan was close behind and gasped when he saw what was on the other side. Illumination came to life as holographic displays blinked on.
The room was huge a catwalk hugged the wall in the circular room. Work stations were spaced evenly around the entire room; a few of the stations had no displays. The massive column in the center of the room pulsed lights blinking to life as the air shimmered.
"Wow," Jonathan said. He had walked to the edge of the cat walk and looked up and down. "There has to be another level below us and I have no idea how many below."
"Six," Atlanta said. She was standing at one of the active stations and reading the display. "This isn't good."
Jonathan wandered over and looked over her shoulder, "What?"
"Well, it's worse than I though. The back up reactor is failing and the main reactor is flooded," she said as she pointed to the column. "Somewhere around here is where the leak is." She pointed to a holographic display that hung in the air. It was showing the main reactor a red line was displayed just above the second level from the bottom. "The red line denotes the level of the water. It's not a large leak; the level is increasing approximately a foot a day. However, it's something we will need to repair to bring the main core to full power. I'm downloading the technical specifications for the core to your nanties; you should have the information you need momentarily."
A buzzing filled Jonathan's head as the information was uploaded and then filed by the nanites into his brain. The information was placed in such away as he could access it by thinking about it and the nanites would relay the information he needed. Atlanta had explained to him that while he did have the knowledge technically stored in his mind. It was the nanties that allowed him to access the information in an orderly fashion so he could use it right away. The nanties had turned his brain into a large super computer with almost unlimited storage. Anything he would need to know could be uploaded and there for his use right away. The more he used the information the less he would need to use the nanties to relay the information to him. He would essentially be learning, his brain just stored everything so he could teach himself.
Jonathan nodded as he accessed the information and pulled out what he needed. The main power core generated power magnetically. The water would hamper this ability and if ran at full power it would slowly burn out the main magnetic couplers. It was made of a substance he had never heard of, Cardinium, this metal produced energy when magnetically charged.
Jonathan stepped around Atlanta and tapped holographic display in a couple places. As he did so several spots on the main core lit up as its programs were rebooted.
'Main power core boot up initiated, ' a bland computer voice echoed.
Jonathan tapped a blinking yellow square on the display.
'Bringing main power core online, command codes required.'
"Commander Jonathan Hunter, one-alpha-tango-two-zero-zero," Jonathan said.
'Voice print match, fingerprint match, biometric reading match.'
Jonathan looked at Atlanta and raised an eyebrow.
Atlanta smiled, "I took a voice print from when you were in medical. The rest is just on file from your time in medical."
Jonathan nodded as the computer continued.
'Warning flooding on floors four through six. Proceed with start up?'
"Proceed with start up, bring main power to 45% and hold. Shutdown the main core on decks four through six for repairs. Open main conduits to secondary reactors and shunt 10% output through those reactors."
'Shutting down main reactor on floors four through six, main power at 15%. Main conduits to secondary reactors Alpha and Beta at 35% power. Life expectancy for secondary reactors extended by three months.'
Jonathan turned to Atlanta who was beaming, "There that should give us sometime to decide what we're going to do and to patch the leak."
Atlanta nodded, "I would have never though to do that."
"Do what?" Jonathan asked.
"Shunt power to relieve the pressure on the two secondary reactors," She said.
"Well, it will help stabilize them and we will be operating at about 80% power output with those two reactors backing the main reactor," Jonathan said. He glanced at the display and watched the reading stabilize as the computer opened the main conduits. Lights brightened noticeable as the last couple stations booted up and their holographic displays winked to life. "There we go we should be ok for a bit. Now I would like to get back to my sister and friends so we can discuss what we're going to do about our situation."
Atlanta nodded and turned to leave as the room shook violently. Jonathan stumbled but caught himself before he fell on his face. Atlanta gasped as a look of horror spread across her face.
'Warning breech on floor ten, Beta reactor offline. Closing pressure doors floor ten section five, six, twenty one and twenty two.'
"That secondary reactor just blew up," Atlanta said as she stared at Jonathan.
Jonathan's mouth dropped open. That shouldn't have been able to happen.
'Warning pressure doors in sections five, twenty-one and twenty-two inoperable. Closing pressure doors in sections one, three, nineteen, twenty, twenty-four and twenty-six.'
"This isn't sounding very good," Jonathan muttered.
"It's not," Atlanta said. "Follow me, I'm in communication with your friends and have them on the way to meet us."
Jonathan just shook his head as the computer started listing doors that wouldn't shut and started to try to close others, "Very bad."