Starborn: Origin of the Stars

Far away from the Mereus Cluster and even the Pranum Expanse, in the central system of the galaxy Xento Polaris, rested a silver gleaming planet. Eden, despite its small size, was one of the most important places of the civilized universe - here the UAS had built its power center, the main HQ of the allied races like Ommih, Mohait and Humans.

The little planet got its silver color not from some special atmospheric effect or anything, but from all the metal buildings that filled every little plot of land, completely encasing the planet’s surface in one big artificial layer. In sector 003 of this mega-city stood a particular complex. Like most other buildings, it was kind of rectangular with few windows and many ornaments. The architect had skillfully used different metals to craft a beautiful front that told stories about epic battles and mighty warriors.

This was the head office of mankind. Here important decisions were made every day and critical meetings were held all the time.

One of them had just begun.

“We are happy to have this friendly get-together with you today. Of course, we do understand your concerns for secrecy.” A thin woman with short blond hair said. Like Thomas M. Eston, who sat next to her, Franny Bolster was wearing a military suit and kept a friendly but well-controlled countenance.

“The council of the Eltaran agreed to this meeting as compensation for good deeds from one of yours.” One of the heavily obscured figures that was projected by the video comm replied, “However, now that we have come together we should at least evaluate if there is a common ground for future cooperation. This is why you requested this meeting, right?”

Franny had to concentrate to not show any surprise by this straight forward approach from the Eltaran. This wasn’t starting as she had expected, so she looked to her colleagues to take over. Eston was in charge today and sternly nodded to the elders, motioning for them to continue.

“So, do tell, what do you have in mind?”

“Huh, directly to the point, I see.” Eston said, “Well, I won’t waste your time by coloring our reasons in pink. We want to expand our research on genes and mutations. Scientific data as well as blood, tissue and DNA samples - everything that provides insights and allows secure testing is welcome. We can provide a list of specific problems we are working on, so you can decide what fits best.”

The huge man looked left and right to check if Bolster or Hammond had anything to add, but both shook their heads.

“Very well.” The Eltaran said, his voice without a hint of surprise. Each and every race was looking for a piece of the Eltaran because of their affinity with gene manipulation. Why would humans be any different?

“As you are probably aware, these are things we normally don’t share with outsiders. Additionally, you already got the research papers from our facility on Seavis in the Mereus Cluster. If you want this to be a fair trade, it would be your turn now. What can you offer in exchange for the information you have taken?”

Eston heard Franny let out an angry hiss and calmly raised his hand to shut her up before she even began to complain. The Eltaran were well aware that this was just a simple political move, it was more important to focus on the message’s core.

“I’m sure we will come to acceptable terms. You said ‘normally’ you don’t share with outsiders, I understand it that you are open for negotiations and thank you for the offered trust. What is it that you are looking for?” He asked the blurred figure.

This time another elder took over and responded.

“Times do change, we are in need of some resources for our own studies right now and as you have not only managed to set up this meeting, but also have given us an enormous leap of faith, we decided to give this cooperation a chance and see where it may lead us.” The Eltaran said, his voice croaking like that of an old man.

However, Eston didn’t notice that as his mind raced with different thoughts. He had a hard time keeping a straight face while he tried to figure out what the man was talking about. What leap of faith? ‘Enormous’ even… Had Tulward skipped parts of what had happened in the Mystic Sea? Mankind’s last interactions with Eltaran were decades ago and without much importance…

“On that notice, we thank you for the gesture of trust.” The elder continued, “However, I do hope you are aware that no one, not even the Eltaran, can keep secrets from the Keeper for long. While it is more likely that they will learn about it through your people, we cannot guarantee that your secret is safe with us either. This topic concerns the collectors of knowledge personally and may or may not even be seen as a risk to their unique position in the universe. Don’t believe the Keeper will remain in the dark about this for too long!”

Secrets that concern the Keeper directly? What the…? Eston’s mind went wild with one absurd idea after another, trying to figure out what the Eltaran was talking about. Only when Hammond, the slightly round man to his site, made a polite cough, did Eston put his focus back on the screen.

“Thanks for the warning, elder of the Eltaran. We are well aware of the situation, but decided to get you aboard with this anyways. I’m happy to hear that you appreciate the gesture.” He said, still without knowing what this was all about, “Please, if you would go more into detail about the things you are currently looking for…”

***

“Holy shit, finally!” Eston said and slumped back in his seat after the meeting ended and the comm channel was closed.

“That was surprisingly taxing. But we gained big today!” Hammond said with a happy grin on his face, “A trading cooperation with the Eltaran - that is not something easily achieved.”

“I agree with that.” Franny nodded, “If we are lucky, we will finally be able to make some new breakthroughs in our gene program. But I think we need to address something else first! What the hell did your new friend do? Pulling the Eltaran in some fucked up secret that threatens the Keeper? I knew he would fuck up at some point. I always told you it would be better to lock him up!”

“Huh, and here I thought we all agreed to let him run on his own as long as he produces such splendid results.” Eston scoffed. Franny Bolster was only pissed because it wasn’t Ramones, one of her men, who got them a deal with the Eltaran.

“Any ideas what that was all about?” He asked.

“I have a crazy idea that, if it turns out to be true, will put us on a harsh timer…” Hammond mused while fumbling with his long beard, “I don’t think Tulward spilled any secrets or stuff, what would he even be able to reveal? No, I think he is the secret.”

“What? What does that mean?” Franny groaned.

“Well, he is on his way to Terulos to examine a monolith that works with Keeper technology. Quite the rare variation of the Energy Sense G-Anomaly, being able to feel and maybe even interact with Æther.”

“We never heard of someone with abilities like that before.” Eston agreed, “That’s why we sent him there in the first place… What are you getting at? The Keeper would hardly care for one more competitor in their field of supremacy.”

“Eston is right. From early on, all other races suggested that they have their own ways of interacting with Æther. Why would anyone care if humans joined this club?” Franny said.

“They wouldn’t care if there are many competitors already. But what if all our theories are based on false assumptions? What if we are the only ones who have gained access to Æther? What do you think, would the Keeper care about the emergence of the first competitor?”

***

“More than 1.400 years of peace, but just when it is my turn to be in charge, the whole fucking universe is going nuts…” Thomas Eston cursed and took the bottle with the good booze out of his desk.

“First the Zulbano began to stretch out their claws at our systems and just after we caught wind of their scheming, they suddenly retreated to who-knows-where and lay low again. They are like a knife in the dark - you really wanna know where it comes from, so you can at least prepare a bit. But this? We noticed them late, they must have invested quite heavily already, why did they give up on all that?”

Eston closed his eyes and took a sip from his drink, letting his mind calm down and dropping some of the tension.

“Then there are the Drel. We just found another of their weapon labs and dived deeper into their tech only for these lunatics to start blowing up their bases and moons. It’s so hard to get good information about the Drel systems. No one really knows what is happening and the theories and rumors are all over the place. Technical problems and accidents with fucking moon-destroying weapons? Maybe once… twice would be unbelievable already, but four times in a matter of months? Never…” He shook his head and took another sip, “The alternative? They are under attack. But who would or even could do so much damage to them? Are they about to fall into another internal war? Unlikely… They should have learned from the last time. Also, there were no previous signs of internal conflicts.”

He tapped on his datapad and checked for any reports with news about the Zulbano or the Drel. Only when his glass was emptied did he put the tablet back down and filled himself another drink.

“Ah, right... We also have to chase some asshole that is fucking with the UAS network. What is he even trying to achieve? Making us look like little kids before a master? Done that. Breaking into high-value systems? He didn’t do that, even though all our experts had to admit that he probably could do that at any time. So what is he looking for?”

Eston stood up and walked to the big window behind his desk. He looked over the endless city. PTVs and CTVs were flying around in orderly fashion and the light of huge billboards reflected on the metallic buildings everywhere. It was quite the sight…

“The center of power and yet, we still have so many problems that we are unable to deal with…” He muttered, “Ugh… Let’s hope they at least managed to contact Tulward. We need to make him aware of his unique role and immediately get him somewhere safe.”

Once more he skimmed through the profile of the young technocrafter, as if there would suddenly appear a new entry that would explain all this.

“Oh boy, he will not like it to be called back and put under close observation.”

***

“That’s it!” The old man shouted in excitement, “We finally managed a first breakthrough in this marvelous piece of technology. How did the Drel even come up with a way of handling energy like this? Amazing… Amazing!”

“You got it? Will this allow us the powering of the Drel weapon?” Akemi Watanabe asked the old researcher who jumped around a big machine like a kid that found a candy.

“What? No, not yet. But we are finally on the right track to develop a suitable method.” Prof. Aurelius explained without letting his mood get ruined by the woman’s unimpressed face. What did she know? This was a completely new way of processing energy, the possibilities of compactly storing energy were endless. Sure, right now while they were still at the beginning of this research, Aurelius was certain that they would never be able to get any actual use out of this tech for the next hundred years or so. But mankind was catching up step by step…

“Have you had another round of interviews with Mr. Hutton, the pilot who witnessed the activation of the weapon last time? There must be more than these few sentences we found in the official report.”

“No, your request was denied. It was deemed unnecessary. We will be able to analyze how the weapon works with the sensors installed in the weapons testing site.” She explained.

“You don’t understand the risks. The amount of energy we’ll have to pump into this thing goes beyond all scales! This isn’t some laser gun or anything, that’s for sure.” Aurelius argued.

“Commander Ramones has personally decided that it would be unwise to include more personal than necessary in this project. But you don’t have to worry, our testing site is one the best the UAS has to offer.” Watanabe cut him off once again.

“You took the weapon from Robin, right? What did the boy tell you after handing it over?”

“...” The woman kept quiet for a moment and after some hesitation she just shook her head.

“Nothing, he only said he wants it back when we are done.”