Reading: "Novus Stella" from PARADOX OF THE LOCUS (A.Glass 2016)

What have you found?”

“Paige...” Terrell says as he expands the three dimensional image of the Toric code.

“Ok, well, this image is a graphic representation of what the code looks like. In basic terms, it is a self correcting algorithmic program. All advanced AI systems have them, it's like a correction mechanism within a quantum computer mainframe. Not only does it check over its own systems, but also allocates power and backup to various terminals. That means as long as the system has an energy resource, in other words, a power to drive it, it will always self correct any anomalies. Now...” Paige points to the unusual shape that has attached itself to the visualized code. “...this is not part of the code...We think it could be...” Paige looks at Captain Griffin and his first Lieutenant in a serious manner. “...Alien.”

Sullivan remains quite. Griffin moves closer to look at the strange image.

“Alien?” Griffin asks, staring at the odd shape.

Terrell shakes his head still looking at the code. “It has to be...” He then points to the portable Delphi mainframe. “...All known patches, glitches, hack profiles are stored on this, nothing matches. Not only that, the structure of this...” He looks at Griffin. “...it seems non-synthetic.”

“What did you find in the crew quarters?” Paige asks, while looking at her colleague Terrell who is still transfixed on the bizarre shape that has embedded its self into a command code.

Sullivan exhales, her look is one of nervousness and anxiety.

Griffin pauses for a second, he then looks at Terrell and Paige.

“Salvage is null. We are getting off this ship! Jackson?”

“Sir”

“How is everything going?”

“Ready, booster-rig is here...override prompts are holding from this side. Delphi has set pressurization for the bridge link can't manual set from this end.”

“We are leaving!”

“All prepped...See you soon.”

Terrell begins to pack up the hardware case which houses the portable Delphi mainframe. Suddenly the Novus Stella jolts, Sullivan falls forward hitting her head against the edge of the console desk. The untouched and clean surfaces of the control panel now smeared with her blood.

“Sir, we have a break in sync orbit...Bridge-link is under stress...”

“Visuals?”

“...Not the Delphi's doing.”

Paige helps Sullivan up as Terrell begins to push down the monitor and close the case.

“I don't want that on my ship...”

“But sir, this is the find of the century...We think it is alien in origin.” Terrell replies, frantically trying to pack away the Delphi portable mainframe.

“I don't care. Leave it! And move...Now!”

The ship jolts again, throwing Terrell forward, knocking the case with the Delphi hardware to the ground. Griffin steadies himself.

“Go!”

The three crew members make their way towards the airlock and transit area. With Griffin following behind. The Novus Stella continues to jolt as it breaks orbit around Ganymede and the synchronized orbit with the Delphi.

Paige assists Sullivan who is still bleeding from the gash to her left forehead. Making their way to the airlock, standing at the entrance is Jackson who is already suited up.

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Reading:  "Novus Stella" from PARADOX OF THE LOCUS (A.Glass 2016)