The populous of Tetra immediately called for a global day of mourning for Keesha, and Emperor Sonkei granted it. He proclaimed a global day of mourning and an annual holiday and day of remembrance for our beloved Queen. Keesha was loved by all and no one could have asked for a better or more wonderful Queen. Her beauty, kindness, and benevolence were legendary. She will be missed by all, but especially by me. In light of Emperor Sonkei’s proclamation, the rest of my Empire followed suit and the day became a galactic day of remembrance for my precious Keesha. Everything in the Milky Way stopped each year on Queen Keesha Remembrance Day and the galaxy wept, remembered and taught their children about our once great and benevolent Queen.
I felt lost without Keesha, but the years before her death, when she could not travel with me, slightly softened the blow. I could continue ruling and exploring without difficulty, but the time spent at home in our palace was agonizing. I missed her…. I continued on as best I could at home, but always longed for the diversion of matters of state and exploration. So, I increased my time away from home and concentrated on ruling and exploring the reaches of my galaxy. It was a lonely time, but fruitful time. Many new and wonderful things were being uncovered throughout the galaxy and I was there to witness all of it.
The quest for intergalactic flight and communications was quickly becoming a collaborative quest with the Dux still excelling at intergalactic flight advances and the Zeelok conquering intergalactic communication at an equivalent pace. It has become quite clear that the contest that I initiated will not conclude as I planned. I think the conclusion will actually exceed my expectations and both of the participants will have equal rights to the prize. The Zeelok feel their contribution is complete and they are eager to test their new communications system, but they can’t until there is a ship or probe that can traverse the expanse between the galaxies. With this in mind, I asked the Dux to refocus their efforts into creating a probe that could be equipped with the Zeelok intergalactic communication system. We need to know if it works.
The Dux didn’t disappoint me. They quickly created a probe that could traverse the expanse between galaxies, and we loaded the new Zeelok communications device on board, with 2 redundant systems, just in case. It was constructed utilizing the same hull manufacturing process of my ship Pegasus. It will easily traverse the void between galaxies unscathed. After a few weeks of local testing were complete, we launched. It will take about 10 years for it to arrive at its destination and then intergalactic communications testing can commence.
In the interim, the exploration of our galaxy continued and the stability of my Empire increased. The people once oppressed by the Junock were developing their own unique and diverse societies. Their once forbidden art, music, and culture were beginning to re-bloom and replace that of their former oppressors.
It was a great era for the inhabitants of these worlds and the rest of my Empire. New discoveries were also being made in the far reaches of the defunct and subjugated Junock Empire. New energy sources, mechanical devices, electronic devices, crops, and living creatures. No new sapient life forms were found, but there were two pre-sapient life forms found on planets orbiting stars not far from each other. Both species were pre-humanoid, hominid-like creatures that were primarily herbivorous, but occasionally dined on small animals and insects. I ordered their planets off-limits so that they had an opportunity to develop into sapient life or fail and drift into oblivion without outside influence.
I enjoyed protecting the weak and defenseless species of my galaxy, and I know that my precious Keesha wouldn’t have had it any other way. She loved protecting the weak too, but I was her sword and shield, and together we ruled with kindness and benevolence. Goodness, I miss her. She’s been gone for more than 9 years now. I wonder if the pain of her loss will ever diminish. I doubt it; she was the center of my existence. But, I digress, the protection of the weak and the freedom for all my people to pursue their own art, music, culture, and governments is my goal. Freedom and the pursuit of happiness are still an age honored tradition of mine and I intend to bestow these ideals on all of my people.
“My King…My King!” a shout rang out through the palace, “the Dux and Tetrite team at the eastern rim of the galaxy have discovered something. They request that you come right away. The team leader sounded very excited!” My servant exclaimed. “Okay I’ll leave now, but be sure to tell the staff that I will be gone and notify Emperor Sonkei,” I said. “I will, My King.” I vanished from the room and appeared on the far side of the planet that I knew they were exploring. I still can’t transport myself through vast expanses of space without occasional minor errors. That is why I still hadn’t tried to transport myself to another galaxy. There’s no telling where I would end up. Since I was on the wrong side of this planet, I had to make a second attempt to transport myself to the correct location to meet with the scientists. When I arrived, I was greeted with cheers and resounding delight…everyone was going nuts.
“Okay…Okay, what did you find?” The team leader blurted, “We found the device that we need to traverse the expanse.” “What?” I said perplexed. “It is a device that can be mounted on a spacecraft that creates a stable wormhole…a slipstream to the far reaches of the galaxy and beyond. The former inhabitants used it to escape the expanding Junock Empire before they were even discovered.” He went on to explain that the entire populace of this world just packed up and left, and this hadn’t been the first time.
They at one time lived in the vicinity of Sway’s Empire but left as his empire began to encroach on them. This time it appears that they not only left the galaxy but traveled to a very distant galaxy at the very edge of the known universe. They must be benevolent or they would have defended themselves. They must also enjoy their privacy or they wouldn’t have traveled so far away. But that is all speculation and whether they want company in the far reaches of the universe or not is irrelevant. Eventually, we would meet, but we are in no hurry to visit them.
The device the team leader spoke of was not actually an operable piece of machinery, but a set of schematic diagrams that had been inadvertently left behind. Almost all other traces of their society and technology had been carefully destroyed or taken with them. The schematic and a document describing this species’ recent movements, was left in a cabinet, misplaced or overlooked, but in any case, forgotten.
It’s a shame that no evidence of this very advanced species name or other accomplishments were left behind. It would have been nice to acknowledge their contribution by attributing it to them by name. We will only be able to show reverence to them by the moniker that I gave them, the “Nomads.” The Dux had already sent copies of the schematic via long-distance transmission to the engineers on their planet, so they could construct it, mount it on a ship and begin testing the device. I congratulated the team and made the journey home to await the results of the testing.
This new technology looked promising. It would require a great deal of research and testing before I trusted the technology enough to commit my subjects to manned spacecraft trials. For all we know, our current inertial dampeners are wholly insufficient. Would we even need inertial dampeners in a stable wormhole? Would it be without gravitational forces or so violent with turbulent gravitational forces that we need to redesign our ships just to withstand the forces? This could take a long time. Fortunately, the launch of our communication probe was on schedule and we were still receiving long-distance standard communication from it. Almost 10 years had lapsed into history. Our probe should arrive at its destination in the Andromeda Galaxy in about 6 months. I’m optimistic about the success of both projects and look forward to the results.
At home in my warm cozy Imperial Palace, I sat looking out of the huge picture window in my study, contemplating. It was a quiet, sunny, bright and shining winter’s day. The trees were heavy with snow and ice and the light sparkled off the snow so bright that it made me squint a little. I sat thinking about the Nomads. Who were they and how did they become so advanced? Why, with all their technology, didn’t they defend their homeworld or their second homeworld for that matter? Was it only their second homeworld?
The apparent route they took was due west of the Milky Way, which isn’t a very scientific description, but I’m no navigator. Speaking 2 dimensionally, with Earth on what I perceive as the midpoint of the southern region of the Milky Way, and the Nomads planet on the western rim; when they departed, they took a left and headed west. They traveled several hundred galaxies away. Reflecting to myself, I thought, “I hope I meet them one day, and if it pleases them, I’d love to invite them to join my Empire.”
Six months had eclipsed and our communications probe was nearing the Andromeda Galaxy. I was invited to the Zeelok homeworld to view the tests. This could become a historic occasion, so I dressed for the occasion. My clothes were simple but elegant. I didn’t want to appear too flashy amongst the rugged Spartan attire of my hosts. I sat with my palace staff and ate a hearty breakfast, discussing my trip with them. They had truly become family to me and as old staff members died or retired, they were replaced with new volunteers that quickly became part of the family in their own right. I gently hugged and kissed the women goodbye, and with a hearty handshake for the men, I bid them farewell.
I vanished from my palace and appeared in the Zeelok ruling council chamber. They were there waiting for me and instantly, with excitement in their voices, greeted me. “Welcome King David. Please sit and meet the team of researchers that will be conducting the tests,” a council representative said. “Thank you,” I said, and sat in the very comfortable chair that they obtained to ensure my comfort.
I looked over to the control console and saw a young woman that took my breath away. This is the lead scientist Blah Blah and her research assistants’ Blah blah, blah blah… and his lead technician Jena Bronick, who will be at the controls during the test. I was transfixed…nothing in the world mattered…tests, what tests? All I saw or understood was that I was looking at the most absolutely gorgeous young woman I had ever seen. She was striking…curvaceous and slightly built compared to the Zeelok warriors I’ve grown to know and appreciate.
As I gazed at her transfixed, she averted her eyes to the floor and smiled as the council members continued speaking. I heard very little of what they said, but finally heard, “Would you like to follow us to the research facility?” The lead scientist asked. Startled, I abruptly agreed and followed the lead scientist out of the chamber.
It had been more than 10 years since my precious Keesha had died, and while part of me was ashamed of myself for gawking at that beautiful Zeelok technician, I also knew that the time for mourning, and living with my profound loneliness had expired years ago. I thought to myself, “it’s time to…it’s hard for me to even think about it…but, I think it’s time to move on. I don’t think Keesha would mind.” She always wanted me to be happy and did an excellent job of keeping me happy. I trust that she would approve. I hoped Jena was available and that she would share the attraction. We’ll see.
The lead scientist, a middle-aged woman with chiseled features, explained the procedures and took me on a brief tour of the facility. I only caught her first name, and only noticed it because of the colorful visions that it evoked. Yak was her name and it tickled me to say it, each and every time I said it. She took me into the main control room and introduced me to Jena. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jena.” “Thank you, My King.” “You’re very welcome Jena.” As I again stared transfixed, Yak interrupted and said, “We are prepared to commence, My King.” “Oh…thank you, proceed.”
Yak started barking orders to her staff and gave Jena the word to start the first test. The communication array was housed in the rim of a 3-foot tall ring that stood erect suspended by struts surrounding the ring at the far end of the room. Between the ring and the control panel stood a transceiver to send and receive the transmissions to the prob. Jena fired-up the communications ring. As the computer quickly adjusted the directional systems to home-in-on the probe, Jena sent the first message. After about 30 seconds the connection abruptly stopped as the wormhole destabilized, but the test was a success. We had received a positional beacon signal from the probe, transmitted a message, received a reply and a large quantity of stored information that the probe had accumulated during its voyage.
The research team erupted in a boisterous and elated cheer. They had succeeded, and to my surprise and delight, Jena through her arms around me in celebration. When she realized who she was hugging, she released me and fixed her eyes on her instrument console. “I’m very sorry, My King.” “I’m not Jena…I enjoyed it. Please feel free to hug me anytime you like.” Her eyes grew wide as she looked up from her console, smiled and she gently said, “Thank you.”
Numerous tests followed and several readjustments had to be made by Jena at the controls. After several days the tests were complete. The equivalent of 7 terabytes of information could be transmitted during a stable subspace event that lasted a routine 2 minutes and a possible 2.5 minutes, if necessary. We could now proceed in our plans to explore the universe. The device created by the Nomads by now had been very well tested in short and medium distances. With the advent of the success of our communications, we could now proceed with long-range testing. We would start with an unmanned drone ship and then continue from there.
I insisted that Jena remain an essential part of the research team and no one argued with my request. After all, she was the most experienced and most competent technician in this new field. The choice was simple for the Zeelok and thrilled me. As the research proceeded with success after resounding success, I became more amorously infatuated with Jena. She was a consummate professional, and only in her elation at our successes briefly allowed her feelings to shine through.
Between the testing, while we had time to talk and get to know each other better, we shared our feelings for each other. The attraction and affection I felt for her were reciprocated. In conversations with her coworkers, friends, and family, I discovered she was a shy but brilliant scientist with a warm loving heart and a gentle nature that was strange for a Zeelock. The women were raised to be strong and fearless warriors. She was strong and fearless. But her gentle nature and amazing mind relegated her to a respected life as a scientist, but a life without glory and little recognition, a life that her people respected but didn’t exalt or relish. I didn’t care what her people thought of her though, I thought she was wonderful.
As Jena and I grew closer our affection for each other was becoming more and more noticeable to others. It was hard to hide, and I didn’t want to hide it. The Ruling Council of the Zeelok weren’t happy about it though. To them, she was a poor choice at best. She was not one of their powerful, highly decorated and respected warriors. She was a mere scientist, a brilliant one, but still just a scientist. Covertly, they tried to introduce me to more worthy choices, but to me, their covert matchmaking was quite overt. I knew what they were doing and I understood why. I wasn’t interested in the other choices they provided, regardless of how sexy and beautiful the options were. I have always known exactly what I want when I see it. Those yearning and amorous feelings I have for Jena were the same as I felt with Keesha, irrevocable and everlastingly. They could keep the others. If Jena will have me, I’m certain that she will be my next wife, lover, and Queen.
The final test was at hand. A manned vessel of Dux design, equipped with a Zeelok long-range communication system was prepared to traverse the void between galaxies. We were ready, excited and apprehensive all at once. This was the culmination of years of research, development, and dedication to a quest; the quest to expand the influence and territory of our benevolent Empire. The Empire that so many shed so many tears for, bled and died for and will soon cheer for; I hope this works!
The ship proceeded to the edge of the Dux star system and then began to accelerate. The ship and crew were performing optimally and their speed began to increase. They accelerated to just over 180,000 miles per second, the top speed of their sub-light engines. “Ready to jump, My King,” came the word from the Captain. “Carry on at your leisure Captain.” Jena clutched my arm and the word was given. As we watched the transmission from the ship’s forward view screen, an energy signature appeared on the sensors, and then a bright ball of energy appeared in front of the ship. The ship passed into the ball of energy and it, the transmission and the ship vanished into the void between galaxies!
Epilog
My never-ending search for knowledge… It has led me to explore, conquer and rule the Milky Way. It will now lead me to explore other galaxies and if I find it necessary, to conquer the rulers of these galaxies and usurp leadership wherever I find injustice and malevolence. I will bring peace to the entire universe in time, but there is so much more to explore and discover. It will take millennia to accomplish. All the people I know and love will fade away and die, but they will be replaced by new friends and loved ones.
I must not despair…I must keep my head in the game…I must continue. If I fail, the lives of quadrillions of beings in trillions of star systems will be left to chance. And open to the potential rule of unscrupulous dictators who don’t care about their people, their planets or their galaxies. They simply lust for property, notoriety, and power. I can’t let that happen…I won’t let that happen…I will be the benevolent ruler of the universe.
