The Iris (Gravity, Space, and Time: Book 1) by Patkós Csaba - HTML preview

Chapter 39 - Long Term Solution

Date: July 6, 2856

As soon as the hatch closed behind Collins, the emissary addressed Peterson, "The long-term solution falls to you, Captain Peterson." It was a statement, not a proposal, not a tale to be told. A plain statement delivered in a commanding tone. Peterson knew, without a doubt, that whatever followed was of immense significance.

"We have detected a... human in the neutral zone."

"A human?" Peterson's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "But how?"

"We do not know."

"Are you certain?"

"We are. It is a male human, and he has been there since the zone's creation. Seven hundred years."

"That's impossible," Peterson protested. "No human can live that long."

"It seems he has access to some form of stasis pod. His life signs manifest for brief periods every seven years or so."

"That's... incredible. Do the other aliens in our universe know about him?"

"Impossible. They are unable to detect any matter beings within the neutral zone."

"Okay..." Peterson trailed off, still reeling from the revelation. "Why is this person important?"

"He is on the verge of discovering something extraordinary. A way to escape the neutral zone."

"But you said that was impossible. No gravity engine functions in that one-light-year bubble, and anything else would take an eternity to cross."

"Yes and no. While no gravity engine or technology functions there, we, the Gravity People, would also perish in a short time. It is a death sentence for everyone."

"So, it's a death sentence for everyone, yet someone has survived there for 700

years? How is that possible?"

"I mentioned a stasis pod. He is also resourceful, managing to secure nourishment and meet his basic needs during his brief periods of wakefulness."

"That still doesn't explain what he's doing."

"I cannot divulge all the details we know due to security reasons. But if his experiment succeeds and he leaves the neutral zone, a technology unknown in this part of the galaxy may fall into the hands of our enemies."

"Enemies?"

"Well, not exactly. We have peace with the matter beings, but we remain wary of each other. We, the Gravity People, have upheld our end of the bargain, but the

matter beings are far less predictable. Their societies rise and fall rapidly, and the faster they change, the quicker they forget the sacrifices both sides made during our 1.5-million-year war. Some factions among them are displaying signs of arrogance, believing they are now superior and that restarting the war would be advantageous."

"I understand what you're saying," Peterson replied. "Humanity, too, has experienced much conflict between different groups."

"Precisely," the emissary confirmed. "If these factions acquire the technology this human is developing, it could significantly alter the balance of power in this region of the galaxy."

"You keep saying 'this part of the galaxy.' Does that mean this technology exists elsewhere in the Milky Way?"

The emissary countered with a question of its own: "Why is Earth located on the fringes of the Galactic Alliance of Planets... or GAP, as you might call it?"

"Is it?" Peterson asked, bewildered. "Is there an alliance called GAP?"

"Not at the beginning..." The emissary's tone shifted again, becoming professorial yet laced with sadness. "But once the war began, more and more species joined forces.

Eventually, they formed the GAP – a purely military alliance. They claim their purpose is mutual defense, but we suspect they may harbor aggressive intentions towards us. You humans have a saying, don't you? 'The best defense is a good offense.'"

"Yes, we do."

"So," Peterson pressed, "what is this technology this man is developing? What does it do?"

"I cannot say. Only three of my kind know of this technology and the possibility that the man in the neutral zone is close to discovering it. It is a highly classified secret in this region of the galaxy."

"But..." Peterson was increasingly perplexed. "You're not concerned about sharing this technology with humanity?"

"We are not sharing it. This man discovered it independently. Nature has a way of maintaining equilibrium. Any discovery made by a species through their own ingenuity, we consider sacred. It is their achievement, and its use is solely their responsibility."

"Respect, then? Is that what drives this exchange?"

"Respect, yes. And self-preservation. We are guiding humanity towards the right path, encouraging you to use this technology to save yourselves. In doing so, we hope to safeguard ourselves by denying this technology to other species who haven't earned it through their own innovation."

"What if humanity chooses to share or sell this technology to the GAP?"

"That is your choice. And if you do, both you and we will have to face the consequences."

Peterson sat in silence, contemplating the implications of this revelation. A technology with the potential to save humanity but also ignite an inter-universal war –

it was a daunting prospect. There was no doubt humanity would be caught in the crossfire, a thought that sent shivers down his spine.

"What do you need us to do?" Peterson asked, recognizing that a swift return home was no longer an option.

"You must journey to the neutral zone and retrieve this human. Escape with him and the technology he possesses, ensuring its safe delivery to Earth without anyone in the Milky Way becoming aware."

"But how?" Peterson pressed.

"Allow me to show you," the emissary said, a note of hopefulness entering its voice.

"Through your mind."

"No!" Peterson recoiled, the memory of his previous mental violation still fresh.

"It's necessary this time," the emissary insisted, its tone conveying a sense of urgency.

"Why?"

"I need to transfer a vast amount of crucial information, and time is of the essence."

"Use a datapad," Peterson countered.

"We lack the ability to manipulate matter with the precision needed to transfer all the necessary data in a timely manner. It would take years, and pose a significant security risk."

"I understand," Peterson said reluctantly. "But can you at least make it less intrusive?

Perhaps like a holovid with your narration?"

"That should be possible, I will try to project the images inro your head in a visual way and deposit the additional information in your subconscious mind. Not a perfect scenario, but I believe it will be sufficient." the emissary agreed.

---

Peterson left the meeting room, his thoughts racing as he headed for the Iris. His mission was clear, but his mind was still reeling from the weight of new knowledge.

Saving Earth, saving humanity, was now a tangible possibility. But one crucial detail remained unanswered: the "how." He would need to weave together the disparate threads of information, devise a plan, and find the solution – all while navigating the perilous landscape of the Milky Way.

The End