Distant Reality Chapter Eleven
GRID Traveler Trinity: Distant Reality
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter 10
Happenstance is the blending of circumstances – the occurrences of things happening outside one’s control and happenings – things occurring with an unknown purpose. One word or phrase can set into motion a whole orchestra of events. On the inside of the tank, the fish know nothing except an inwardly bent horizon that is very short and that food appears from the surface.
Chapter 11
Robin sat watch on the bridge. She relaxed in so much as she dared. ‘Necron’, the planet, as it was named in the reports was coming within viewing range. “Forward viewer on, maximum magnification, please.” Robin ordered.
“Aye, ma’am, maximum magnification.” Mr. Foster said from helm’s position.
‘Necron’ hung silently at the upper right edge of the screen. Mr. Foster adjusted the Johnson’s position to place Necron dead center. It was featureless against a black background.
“Range, Mr. Foster?”
Foster typed briefly on his keypad, “Approximately 600,000,000 kilometers, Captain. Closing in at sub-light 7. Time dilation at 0.00001.”
Dr. Loggar had placed herself in the observer’s seat on the bridge. She held her breath as she witnessed Necron painfully and slowly grow larger.
Robin looked up to Loggar. “Well, Doctor. There it is.”
Loggar nodded, “Yes, there it is.” Then, “Are we in communication range?”
Kirkland spoke out, “Maybe a little too far. We could try it, Captain. We might get a response if the excavation team has good comm. equipment.”
Robin said, “Well, Doctor Loggar? We’re about another 17 hours away travel time and about half an hour communication lag time?”
“Half-an-hour?”
Robin shrugged, “No GRID points between us and the planet to accelerate communication. We’re on standard TF out here.”
Loggar thought for a second, “Silly of me. I should have known. Could you send them a greeting telling them all is well?”
Robin nodded. “Mr. Kirkland, send my compliments to the Captain of the Lightstar with a greeting to both her and the excavation team. Add Doctor Loggar’s ‘All is well’ please.”
Kirkland nodded and started typing on his keypad. He looked up the Comm. officer of the Lightstar. It was a fellow class graduate.
Kirkland keyed in a personal greeting as well.
- Beginning of Message*
Captain of the Johnson sends compliments to the Captain of the Lightstar. Dr. Loggar messages the Excav team ‘all is well.’ Signed Comm. Kirkland.
- Hey Davis, you on duty now? Kirkland***
- End of Message*
“Done Captain.”
Loggar smiled, “Thank you, Captain. I appreciate it.” She got up and walked toward the lift and stopped. “Captain, could I see you some time later, like after your shift?”
“Six hours fine, Doctor?”
“Yes, perfect” Loggar said as she stepped into lift and disappeared.
Robin thought with trepidation that Loggar was going to tell her something more about the mission, or worst yet, ask her for something that wasn’t completely GRID duty. Robin sank deeper into her chair and looked at Necron. She thought how appropriate the name just might fit the planet. Earlier the Doctor had given her a data tape that revealed a little more information than GRID Command had. Loggar had said it was ‘superfluous information that needs to be refined.’ The data Loggar had allowed Robin to view revealed a map of an area that was previously unknown. The Doctor herself had discovered it days before she left for GRID Command. This new location was a room that held a statue in its center. The statue was made of different types of layered metal. Its purpose was unknown at the time she left, but there was a connection between her request for Sean and the possible function of the statue. Necron, the dead, maybe most appropriate, indeed.