Chapter 3: Chapter 2
Earth Date: April 6th, 2148
Location: Deimos colony, Echo Labs Research Complex
Doctor Kronos was at the control station of the silent laboratory, the recently constructed teleportation system its and many exposed systems sat before him.
"I am now running signature Omega-38 against sequence 430-Alpha" Dr. Kronos says to the researcher on a video call.
Hestudies the energy patterns and equations filling a holographic monitor.
"Those patterns are matching from here, came a voice from the terminal's speaker, I'll schedule this correlation into our next simulation. Can we move onto checking signature Terra-15" he asks.
Kronos' hands danced across the keyboard, the energy signature appeared in the centre of the hovering screen. Kronos rubbed his chin as he studies the catalogued data.
"I have an idea" he says.
"Proceed, Doctor" says the researcher.
He continues tapping the keyboard.
"Our hardware might be masking some of the signature's detail. I'm lowering the intensity of the cadmium distributor and the ion generator" says Kronos.
"You are authorized, log the change and proceed"
"Yes, this is reading much clearer now" says Kronos as he wipes the lens of his glasses.
"I am duplicating your changes into our system. It looks like a Delta sequence might match this signature" the researcher replies.
Kronos tests the combinations of energy band signatures and the vibrational equation with the resonance manifold.
"It's a weak signal but sequence 821-Delta correlates. I think we have enough data to optimize the scheduled simulation. We can continue after we have those results" the researcher explains.
"Very well, Echo Labs out" Kronos relays before cutting the call.
Kronos rose from the large chair and stretched, then pauses as he stares into the circular gate of the newly constructed teleporter before heading into the adjoining hallway. Director Wright was outside the lab, looking through a nearby window.
"Hello, Victor. Why don't you join me and admire the view?" Scott asks.
Kronos stepped beside the Director, silently taking in the dazzling stars and the Martian surface.
A passing comet adds to the beauty for a brief moment.
"We're getting close. We only have a couple thousand more simulations before we can begin testing. Limitless opportunity will open for us after this project's success" Director Wrights predicts.
"It seems hard to believe that we may be so close to those distant systems, accomplished in such a short time" Victor says.
"Just imagine the mysteries this achievement will reveal and we'll be the ones carving out the answers" the Director boasts.
Victor releases an annoyed breath.
"I feel like I'm left in the dark, Scott. Alpha labs just dictates signatures and equations for me to analyze, I feel more like an adding machine than a contributor" he says.
"I'm sorry Victor, UAC's standards can be overbearing but we must follow procedures. You can rest assured that when testing begins your expertise will be in high demand" the Director replies.
"How long?" Victor asks.
"Could be a couple weeks, no longer than a month" the Director replies.
"Really, that soon?"
"Yes" Wright replies.
"I see now why you're so pleased" says Kronos as he continues to observe the twinkling stars. The Director's chuckle echoed along the rounded walls.
Some weeks later, Kronos and the Director were moving through a corridor of Echo Labs. Scott checks his PDA after it chirps.
"The team on Phobos are ready, the executives and investors are waiting in the control room" says Wright.
He was wearing an expensive business suit with a black tie.
"Dr. Carmichael has been coordinating with Alpha labs and maintaining the operational status of the system" he says.
"Good. If this contraption works, I suppose these off-world stations may have a lot of new visitors soon" Kronos comments.
The Director sighs, "I don't know if we can maintain its classified status for much longer without terminating some of our loosely-lipped colleagues. I understand their excitement, but if there's anymore broken protocols regarding this project, I may be tempted to recommend them for a less hospitable assignment. I doubt they'll find AMUN's asteroid stripping operations to be as noteworthy" the Director ponders.
"Such a waste of good talent. If only they would observe their duties as agreed" said Victor.
"It can be troubling, but this project is worth more than both our contributions. As Director, I'm constantly reminded that the most celebrated members of staff can so quickly be replaced" he adds.
"Indeed. It seems I have a new lab assistant every couple of weeks, it's as though the demanding standards of UAC hadn't been made clearly" Victor adds.
"They are briefed, but what else could be said? We have to proceed on important projects, these oversights have repeatedly cost us valuable scheduling time and we have to do everything we can to eliminate these inefficiencies" Wright explains.
Silence fell upon the two men as they turned a corner. Loud thumps were soon heard from down the hall
"Sounds like Corporal Revok" says Scott.
The thumping got louder and the Station Chief came marching through a corridor ahead, turning on his heel and continued his stride toward the two researchers, they soon met in the middle of the hall.
"Hello Doctor, Director. You're about to conduct a major test on the teleporter, I understand?" asks Revok as he approached.
He was wearing a grey, long-sleeved utilitarian uniform with bright blue cuffs and collar, he stood casually with his hands folded behind him.
"Just another day at the office, Corporal" replies Kronos.
The Corporal silently glares at Victor.
"Apparently preliminaries went smoothly since you're already sending human test subjects" Revok states, the researchers stare silently.
"High command's technicians have deciphered your forty-five thousand page specification report" Revok says with some masked apprehension.
"Is that right, Corporal?" the Director asks in a slithering voice.
"Yes, high command is concerned about the safety of the station. The energy levels are unheard of" he explains.
"Can you believe that? The Chief is going to share his thoughts about omni-dimensional theory. Please, enlighten us" the Director jokes.
"You two don't see any problem with twelve-thousand terawatts?" the corporal asks, exasperation was creeping into his chiseled features.
"Corporal, really, the Director says in a soft voice, the portal systems are completely isolated from the rest of the station and the personnel assigned to it are the UAC's finest" he explains.
"Regardless of your opinion, Revok continues, high command has granted code amber authorization for me to attend this procedure and make an assessment of potential risks" Revok says.
"We didn't have any problems with our initial tests, what makes the generals so concerned about this one?" Kronos asks.
"We're worried about overloaded systems, feedback loops or turbulence that could threaten the stability of the station" Revok explains.
Director Wright chuckles.
"We appreciate your concern, but we've never required the UAAF's oversight for our experimentation before" he recalls.
"The entire station and the moon itself could be torn apart by these kinds of forces, if it's going to be operating, even only in testing, then I need to learn all I can" Revok replies.
The pair of researchers became quiet as they glare at Revok.
"I'm sure your friends in high command are quite interested. UAAF wants to treat our work as a new weapon, we have told them before that this project's clearance classification is above them and you" the Director states.
"I want to see this thing in operation" Revok says.
"Listen, Chief. This project has already proven difficult to keep classified and there are aspects to it that are, quite frankly, over my head. Executive divisions from across the aerospace industry and important investors are interested so we're forced to operate under tight protocols, Scott explains, Now if you'll excuse us, you've wasted enough time"
Corporal Revok glares as the two researchers slowly walk away, they laid each step with such precision that the Corporal could swear they were floating.
"Arrogant snakes" Revok says under his breath.
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