“This room, like the rest of this facility, is controlled by a computer,” Quillitonoxic explained. “Just like the translation device you have implanted, the computer is capable of understanding your language. The sanitation facilities are through that doorway,” he said as he indicated the new opening. “I am unaware of your species’ particular cleansing practices, so just ask aloud any questions you may have concerning the facilities and the computer will explain how everything functions. Once you are finished, simply inform the computer and I will return.”
Without further comment, the alien turned and exited the room. Not much on small talk, Dean observed. Pushing himself up from the edge of the bed where he had been sitting, Dean turned and walked into what he hoped was the bathroom.
Disappointment flooded him as he stared at three blank walls. Did the aliens simply urinate on the floor? For that matter, did they even urinate? Dean’s bladder began to become more insistent as he tried to figure out what he should do. Then, remembering the computer, he asked aloud, “Ah…where do I dispose of bodily waste?”
A voice, with a distinctly mechanical tone, seemed to echo from all around. It asked, “Is the waste to be solid or liquid?”
“Liquid,” he answered. Dean was simultaneously shocked and grateful to see a bowl shape emerge from the back wall.
“You may deposit the liquid waste in the provided receptacle,” the computer informed him.
Greatly relieved, Dean did just that. Once finished, he turned his mind to the question of a shower and clean clothing. He had awoken to find the outer portion of his pressure suit gone. He had been left wearing only the uncomfortable, long underwear style undergarment that was worn under the pressure suit. He decided to address the question to the computer once more. “Computer, how can I go about taking a shower and getting some clean clothes?”
The wall to the right of the entrance opened up revealing a cubicle that resembled a shower stall. There was an obvious drain on the floor but there didn’t appear to be a shower head of any sort. “Rinsing with water is a common practice for many species,” the computer informed him. “At what temperature would you like the water?”
Dean considered for a moment and said, “How about thirty eight degrees Celsius?”
“Reference unknown. Comparison data required to convert scale.”
“How can I describe temperature on a scale you would understand?”
“You can provide the desired temperature as a percentage greater or less than your internal body temperature.”
Dean’s eyes glazed over as he began doing calculations in his head. After a few seconds he gave up and said, “Equal to will work.”
Dean watched as a drawer extended itself from the wall next to the shower. “I am unable to provide new clothing at this time,” the computer explained. “I am able to sanitize the garments you are currently wearing if you will place them in the newly opened receptacle.”
“Thank you,” Dean replied.
“Gratitude is unnecessary,” the computer informed him.
Dean just shook his head and began to undress. Once he had deposited his clothes in the drawer, it immediately slid shut. He then stepped into the shower and waited to see what would happen. He was slightly startled when warm water began to flow in streams from every part of the ceiling. “I don’t suppose I could get some soap?” he asked aloud.
“There are chemicals in the water which will remove surface oils and foreign contaminates.”
“Oh…okay.” Dean used his hands to scrub at his body and began to feel remarkably better. Once finished, he asked, “How do I turn this thing off and dry myself?”
The water immediately ceased and warm air began to blow across his body. Within seconds he was completely dry. He stepped out of the cubicle and found his clothing waiting for him on a shelf that hadn’t been there when he had entered the shower. Picking up the garments, he could smell a slight, antiseptic odor. Better than sweat, he thought and began pulling on the clothes. Once dressed, he walked back into the bedroom and said aloud, “I guess I’m ready for the grand tour.”
Chapter 19
Following Quillitonoxic out the door, Dean looked around in wonder. His room exited onto a balcony that overlooked a large central chamber. He could see that he was at least ten stories above the bottommost level. Everywhere he looked, the surfaces were all a reflective, pristine white. Peering over the waist high railing at the balcony’s edge, he could see a metallic archway that looked exactly like the one on Mars, sitting in the center of the central chamber. He was smart enough to realize that he was no longer on Mars and that the archway had obviously transported him somewhere else. Now he just needed to figure out where he was and how he was going to get back.
Quillitonoxic had offered to take Dean somewhere he could get some food. He had been unsure if he would be able to eat whatever they might provide him, but he had been assured they had scanned his body chemistry and he would be able to eat most of what they had available. Following the meal, he was to be given a tour of the facility and the alien had promised to answer any questions Dean had.
Dean continued to gawk as they moved along the balcony. He could see many more creatures that resembled Quillitonoxic. He was, however, able to detect subtle differences in each individual. He could also see representatives of four other species moving about the massive space. He could see one creature that resembled a small dinosaur, like the raptors he had studied in his archeology class, but no teeth were discernable in its undersized mouth. Another looked exactly like a silverback gorilla with four arms. Walking towards him on the balcony was a creature that brought to mind a centipede with the head of an aardvark. And last, on a balcony opposite his own, he saw a round, gelatinous blob that appeared to float above the floor.
Following Quillitonoxic, they came to a wide ramp that led all the way down to the bottom level. Creatures like the one he was following were moving up and down the steep incline with ease. Seeing them move in that fashion, and given their slightly insectile, external appearance, Dean took to calling them ants in his mind. He looked down at the socks he was wearing on his feet and realized he would never be able to negotiate the incline.
The issue didn’t arise as his guide turned left at the junction instead of continuing straight onto the ramp. They moved down another corridor before coming to a platform that seemed to hover next to the balcony. Dean followed his guide onto the platform and immediately grasped the handrail in panic as it plummeted towards the ground several stories below. His new friend appeared to take no notice of his discomfort. The platform slowed and came to a calm stop at the bottom level.
Heart beating rapidly, he continued to follow the unflappable alien on shaky legs. They approached one of the outer walls and entered through a doorway of what could only be a restaurant. Quillitonoxic waved in greeting at another alien and then walked over to stand next to a tall table. Dean looked around and saw several tables with chairs of various configurations and several more tables with no chairs at all. He walked over to stand next to one of the latter with his guide.
“From the scans we took,” Quillitonoxic suddenly said, “it is obvious your species consumes animal flesh as well as plant matter. My species only consumes plant matter. While this establishment serves flesh for some of our off world visitors, I find it disgusting and have no desire to observe its consumption. I hope you will not force me to do so.”
“Vegetables will be just fine,” Dean replied.
Quillitonoxic bowed his head slightly and said, “Wonderful. Then I will take the liberty of ordering for us both.”
The same alien his companion had waved to earlier approached the table and Quillitonoxic ordered two of something his translator apparently couldn’t translate and that Dean had no hope of ever being able to pronounce. Once the alien waiter had departed, Dean asked, “What was that you ordered?”
“I ordered us a dish consisting of a tuber braised in a sweet berry sauce. It is my favorite m
eal that they serve here. I was unsure what type of beverage you would find pleasing, so I ordered you plain water”
Dean smiled gratefully and said, “That sounds just fine.” He paused for just a moment and then asked cautiously, “May I ask you some questions now?”
“I was hoping to conduct you on a tour first, but I suppose you must be greatly curious. Proceed with your questions.”
“Well, I assume that metal arch in the middle of this building is what brought me here. What is it?”
“You refer to The Path. Surely you must be familiar with it. You did, after all, access the one on your own world.”
“Ah…yeah, let’s just say it was an accident when I went through the arch. No one even knew it existed until I found it,” Dean explained.
“I see; I can certainly understand your confusion then. What I don’t understand is how you were able to operate The Path without first accessing the information stored within it.”
“You’re referring to the four encrypted files it was broadcasting?”
“Of course,” Quillitonoxic said.
“We were only able to decode the first file. And, I have no idea how I was able to operate it.”
The alien offered a remarkably human smile with something like sadness in its eyes as it said, “That could prove to be quite problematic for you.”
“How so?”
“Each device is assigned an address. One of those files you could not decode possessed the address of your device. Without that address, you will be unable to return home.”
“I can’t go home?”
“I’m afraid that unless one of your species can decode the files and then happens to be able to find you and give you the address, you will never be able to go home. And, I’m afraid the odds of your being found are astronomical. There are over a quintillion instances of The Path throughout the universe.”
As Quillitonoxic finished delivering his dire prediction, the waiter returned and set a plate in front of each of them. Unfortunately, Dean’s appetite had just completely abandoned him.
Chapter 20
Once they had finished their meals - Dean had only eaten a little of his even though it was really quite good - Quillitonoxic had led him directly to the arch Dean had arrived through. As he approached, Dean was able to see that the device truly was identical to the one he had found on Mars. He took note of the fact that there was an area of floor missing under the device. The pedestal holding the archway appeared to be set into bare stone.
As he continued his inspection, he saw two railings that went from the sides of the device and led to a large, white counter set directly opposite the device. Two aliens stood behind the counter and a large sign that looked like an LED display he would find on Earth hung overhead. Looking closely he saw that the sign said ‘Arrivals’.
Startled, he turned to Quillitonoxic, pointed to the sign, and asked, “Hey, why is that sign written in English?”
Quillitonoxic appeared confused for just a moment before comprehension lit up his face and he said, “It is not. It is written in the language of the builders. Your translation device intercepts the image from your optical nerve, translates it into your own language, and then sends the modified image to your brain. Surely you must have noticed you could read other signage throughout the building?”
Dean slowly looked around and felt his face grow warm. Everywhere he looked there were signs written in perfect English. Somehow he had failed to notice before. He turned back to Quillitonoxic and said, “I guess I’m still a little rattled by this whole set of circumstances. I didn’t notice before now.”
Quillitonoxic gave him a look that required no translation. It was obvious the alien was contemplating the apparent lack of intelligence of this new species. After a moment, deciding not to comment on Dean’s ignorance, Quillitonoxic turned and began to explain how new arrivals would check in at the counter and be given a pass based upon the reason for their visit.
As the alien continued to explain the minutiae of what to Dean was nothing more than a customs checkpoint, Dean heard a familiar hum coming from the arch. Turning, he saw a silvery veil appear over the opening and a moment later the veil shimmered as another of the raptor-like aliens stepped out.
Thinking of what Quillitonoxic had said earlier, that there were over a quintillion of these devices scattered about the universe, he wondered if each one was a different planet, each with its own unique species. The ramifications were staggering. And, if all planets had one of these things, how come one hadn’t been found on Earth?
Dean shook himself from his contemplations as he felt a tap on his arm. He turned toward Quillitonoxic and asked, ‘What?”
“I asked if you were ready to continue the tour.”
“Uh, yes, of course. I apologize. I am still trying to process everything.”
“I understand,” the alien said.
Somehow Dean didn’t think that was true. Regardless, he continued to follow Quillitonoxic around the structure and listened politely as he was informed, in exquisite detail, of what each point of interest offered. During the tour, Dean noticed a clothing shop and asked his guide if they might go in and see what they had available. He explained that the clothing he was wearing was intended as an undergarment and was actually very uncomfortable.
The shop had nothing available that would have fit him properly, but with the help of his guide, he was able to convey the necessary shapes of different clothing items to the shopkeeper. He was informed that his physical dimensions had already been gathered by the computer and any clothing he wished could be fabricated within a short time. Dean ordered several t-shirts, underwear, socks, and five jumpsuits similar to what he wore on Destiny. He also found a pair of human looking boots in the shop and ordered a pair that would fit his feet. After being assured his order would be delivered to his room, and Quillitonoxic had arranged to take care of the bill, the pair continued their tour.
Eventually, they boarded another platform that shot the two of them straight up at an insane speed. As they continued upward, Dean could see that the ceiling began to angle towards a single point at its peak. As they approached the point at which the wall went from vertical to angled, the platform added a sideways motion to their ascent.
Nearing the apex, the platform slowed and then came to a stop next to a small balcony set in the wall just three meters from the top. Stepping onto the balcony, they proceeded to move to a large door. Walking through the door, Dean was struck speechless as they came onto a massive, viewing deck that wrapped around the top of the pyramid shaped building. They were at least thirty stories up and Dean could see many kilometers in all directions.
He could see he was in the heart of a large city. Immense buildings seemed to radiate out from the building he was in. None were taller than ten stories, but each took up as much surface area as ten or twelve normal sized buildings; at least normal in Dean’s experience. As he continued to gaze further out, the city appeared to end abruptly and in a perfectly straight line. Beyond the city were rolling hills of mostly green with some bright colors sprinkled in. What struck him the most was that every building was perfectly white. No color existed anywhere within the boundaries of the city. It looked like what one would expect of a desert city back on Earth.
Peering closer, he noted that there was very little space in between the buildings and nothing moved within that space. Instead, he could see beings moving across open air walkways that linked each building to those beside it. Nowhere could he see any sign of cars or anything similar.
Looking up, Dean saw a cloudless sky colored a very light blue fading to a pale green in some areas. Low, near the horizon, he could see two crescent moons hanging in the sky. One appeared close to the size of Earth’s moon, but the other was much smaller. They both appeared to be much darker in color than Earth’s moon and gave off less light.
Turning to Quillitonoxic, Dean said, “This is amazing. Your world is quite beautiful. What do you call it?”
>
“This is the planet Garrosh. It is the homeworld of my people,” Quillitonoxic answered.
Dean asked, “Do your people inhabit other worlds?”
“Yes, many,” he answered. Then, with a slight scowl, he said, “When you are ready, we will return to your room. I will answer any further questions you have and then we can begin to determine what your future shall be.”
Chapter 21
Back in the room Dean had awoken in, he sat on the edge of the bed facing Quillitonoxic. Eager to understand what had brought him to his current circumstances, he asked, “What exactly is the arch…uh, I mean The Path?”
Dean had figured out that none of Quillitonoxic’s race ever sat. Watching from his spot on the bed, Quillitonoxic began to pace back and forth in the small space as he answered, “I will tell you what is revealed when you decipher the data transmitted by the path. First, I assume your species has at least developed radio communications since you said you received the message sent by The Path, correct?”
“Yes,” Dean replied.
“Very well. Throughout the universe many trillions of intelligent species are represented on an almost infinite number of planets. Each of these planets is connected by a device simply known as, The Path. Invented eons ago by a race known as the Kretch, The Path is a doorway between worlds. Frustrated by their failure to achieve faster than light travel among the stars, the Kretch created The Path to be able to travel to distant worlds via a pathway through the space that isn’t space.
“Nothing in the universe travels faster than light. Countless races, including the Kretch, have struggled endlessly to disprove this law. Once the Kretch determined they were unlikely to find a way around this immutable fact, they turned their vast intellects to dimensional theory. Once they began looking, it wasn’t long before they found The Path. The problem is you can only find The Path from within the magnetic field of a planet.
“The Kretch set about to seed the universe with The Path. They sent twelve hundred robotic probes, each fitted with a single device that could access The Path. The probes traveled for centuries along each cardinal direction until each one reached a solar system. Once in a system, it would scan the available planets and moons seeking the one body most likely to develop life, or if life already existed, the one most likely to evolve intelligence. The probe would then land on that world, set up The Path device in a hidden location, and proceed to make two copies of itself along with two more devices. The two probes would then launch to seek out new solar systems in order to repeat the process. Working exponentially, every solar system in the universe was seeded more than a billion years ago.