It made him appreciate the vastness of space a little more, but it also continued to frighten him. I hope this Vesepra planet is not far from here. At this rate, I’ll be 100 by the time we find it! It made him nervous to initiate the time dilation, to speed ahead just so these ships would get on with their jobs faster, and he could focus on more important tasks.
Yet what else could he do?
Athira, the AI guide, displayed some notifications at the top of his view. “Before we continue,” the robot said, “you have research to assign. We have the capacity to research three new technologies at once. Research brings many benefits to the state and should never be ignored. Through it, we can invent new ship types for our fleets, unlock new technologies for different buildings, and maximise resource efficiency. If you click on ahead, you will see some projects you can begin.”
So he did, clicking on the notification, which then brought up a screen allowing him to choose several research projects he could assign:
Fleet Doctrine: +20 ship capacity
Basic Mining Algorithms: Raw Materials from Miners +20%
- Raw Materials from Command Center facilities +10%
Zero Gravity Laboratories: +10% increased output from orbital research facilities.
Culture Studies: +10% Cohesion
Automated Defence Systems: +10% planetary defence strength.
Marcus looked at his options, thinking. “Remind me, what does cohesion do again?”
“Cohesion represents the unity and cultural development of our people. The more cohesion we have, the more our state develops, allowing us to reach higher tiers of civilization and thus more powerful technologies.”
“Hmm, sounds rather vague for our immediate needs.” Marcus wondered. While achieving a ‘higher tier’ of civilization sounded powerful, it did not sound like it would happen overnight, and he had more pressing concerns. The others seemed to provide more immediate, concrete benefits for his developing state, so he picked Fleet Doctrine and Basic Mining Algorithms, which would take 55 months and 65 months, respectively, to complete. The latter was the most important because it increased his Raw Material production, and everything he needed to increase Neptura’s productivity required Raw Materials. And finally he took Zero Gravity Laboratories to increase his research output so he could have access to more technology faster.
And it’ll help Claric along in his mission to prolong my life… which was his true motive but he could keep that to himself. I did promise him resources, after all.
After that was decided, it was time to zoom on ahead. Marcus looked up at a little tab at the top of his vision that displayed the date: 03.01.0. AA (After Awakening). Interesting that the year was marked as 0, yet he already knew from talking to the clones that they could have been on that planet for hundreds of years. Maybe the new beginning of sustainable space exploration marked a new dawn of history for these people?
Using his mind, he dialled up the speed in his vision, notching it up slowly, and watched the ships race across the system, darting here and there. The research craft sped toward the edge of the galaxy and then vanished as it leaped into hyper speed.
Watching the dates, he saw the days go by in mere seconds. It boggled his mind to think about it. Whole days I could have spent reading, walking, swimming, doing anything else. But here I am, suspended, waiting for something interesting to happen.
The engineering vessel began constructing its mining stations, and after about 60 days had passed, the second research craft was ready to begin exploration. Slowing down to normal speed again, he looked at his remaining options: the Vorathar system and the Aestara system.
He chose the Vorathar system and sent the vessel on its way. Zooming out from the Aureon system to see a shaded view of the galaxy, he noticed that the Lysandros system was illuminated now as the first research craft had arrived and began charting. He would not be able to see what sort of resources the system yielded until the craft had finished its survey, but already he could see a few rocky worlds, a gas giant, and a luminous blue star at the center.
He wondered what it might yield. New life, resource rich planets, alien technology, who knew?
He sped the timer back up. The resources of his empire ticked along gradually and something was discovered in the Vorathar System.
Athira brought up the new notification reading:
DISCOVERY: SHATTERED DYSON SPHERE.
“Our research craft has discovered the ruined remains of a gargantuan megastructure surrounding the star Vorathar. Preliminary analysis suggests it may have once been a working Dyson Sphere, a construct designed to harness the full power of a star. The hull has been shattered, evidence suggesting it was intentionally destroyed by a very powerful weapon.
“The structure appears to be surrounded by an endless sea of debris, suggesting they are the remnants of two massive fleets that appeared to have destroyed each other for control of the structure. Initial dating shows both the structure and the debris to be some hundreds of years old.”
“Holy shit,” Marcus said. Now this is interesting. Even he knew what a Dyson Sphere was, something that in his world was only possible in the realm of science fiction. Such a structure could sustain an entire civilization thousands of years over. Could he have just stumbled on the answer to all of his energy problems right now?
“Athira, am I able to summon my government for a meeting from here?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“Summon them, then,” Marcus commanded. “In the Genesis Command room, please. I cannot be bothered to walk all the way back up to the throne room.”
“It is done.”
By the time Marcus unplugged himself from the neural interface and his world sprawled to life in front of him, his high officials, Ironsides, Valen, Claric, and Den, awaited him by the holotable before his throne.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Your excellency,” the First Minister said, standing firm with his hands behind his back. Today he adorned a more humble attire than his usual military get-up, a crimson tunic, maroon trousers, and a strange looking black mantle that covered the back of his neck and shoulders. “We came as commanded. What is the nature of this gathering?”
“I want to show you something.” Marcus got up off his throne, gesturing toward the blue holotable. “Something incredible. Athira, display the Vorathar system for my ministers.”
The blue holotable flickered, and the hologram of the shattered Dyson Sphere enveloping its star materialized, surrounded by its few planets and debris. The broken segments of the sphere blotted out the light of the simulated star in patches, and the debris field glimmered faintly, the pieces of ships and broken metal peppered like grains of sand around the remains of the megastructure.
Claric leaned forward, his wavy strands of hair falling over his face. “By the creators… is that…?”
“Yes,” Marcus interrupted. “A Dyson Sphere. Or what’s left of one, in any case.”
Valen crossed his arms. “So there is life out there after all… Intelligent life.” They all exchanged nervous, eerie glances from one another, the blue light from the table below illuminating their faces and casting deep shades over their features. “Humans couldn’t have built that.”
“Is, or was. Maybe they wiped themselves out, or else I’d imagine they’d still be there.” Marcus turned to Claric. “Are we able to repair something like this? Can we harness its power?”
The clone hesitated, twiddling his thumbs. “Your excellency, even at first glance I can tell that the technology and resources required to repair, let alone construct, a Dyson Sphere is far beyond our current capabilities. Our knowledge of stellar engineering is primitive in comparison to whatever civilization built this. It would likely require more than our entire planetary output for centuries to repair something like this.”
The Grand Archon frowned, his fingers tapping restlessly on the table. “So it's useless, then? Now I just feel like some savage with a bow and arrow.”
“Not entirely,” Claric replied quickly. “We can study and learn much from a structure like this, maybe even salvage some of its technology which can give us insight into how it was built… But for now, reactivating it is impossible. It could be centuries until we reach this level of technological sophistication.”
“Centuries?” Marcus gasped, now aware that such a thing was beyond his lifetime unless Claric could solve his mortality problem. He rubbed his temple. “Well, nothing like a reminder of just how primitive we are. Still, I want you to study it. If there's anything we can salvage, let me know.”
The clone scientist bowed his head. “Of course, your excellency.”
Den, the Grand Admiral, standing there glittering with all his medals and decorated military uniform, spoke up with a calm tone. “Your excellency, I might suggest caution regarding our claim over this system. This structure was once fought over by what seems like two mighty fleets. There’s no guarantee such a structure won’t attract attention again. Whoever destroyed this Dyson Sphere might still be out there.”
That was a harrowing thought. Marcus regarded the admiral, knowing he was right. I didn’t even think of that in my excitement over it… I must seem like a child discovering magnets for the first time to them.
Ironsides nodded. “The Grand Admiral speaks truly, and we have more pressing matters at hand anyway than figuring out how to repair technology beyond us. Your excellency, in your absence, we have brought the clone vats to operate at full capacity for the anticipated rush of space colonization and all that entails, from colonizing new planets to rapidly expanding our armies and fleet. Millions join the workforce each month. We need to make sure to accommodate this population with jobs and food.”
Valen frowned, leaning over the table. “I advised caution against accelerating clone growth, excellency, but was overruled. Rapid growth has its uses, but it can be a drain if not accommodated. The last thing we need is millions of idling clones eating and doing nothing. They could become just as dangerous to us as any external threats out there.”
Marcus’s gaze narrowed. “You think I don’t know that? Why the hell didn’t anyone consult me about this?”
The clones glanced awkwardly at one another as the workers in the background continued tapping on their screens and issuing orders out to their subordinates. Ironsides cleared his throat. “You can see it in the GCI, can you not, excellency? It was a necessary step for our expansion, I assumed—”
“Assume nothing!” Marcus snapped. “I’m trying to manage your bloody empire, and we already have a deficit in consumer goods! For god's sake! I had hoped this Dyson Sphere could hold the answers to our problems, and now I have to deal with overpopulation!”
Valen shook his head. “This is why we needed someone more experienced at the helm…”
“That’s enough out of you, Valen, thank you,” Marcus barked. He exhaled heavily and gathered his thoughts. “Ironsides, keep me updated on our now booming population, will you? And I’ll sort it out in the GCI. Claric, research this sphere. Den and Valen, keep an eye on the Vorathar system. If anyone comes snooping around it, I want to know. Understood?”
They all clicked their heels and saluted in unison. “At once, your excellency,” they all murmured in one form or another. The First Minister then stepped forward. “There is one final matter we ought to discuss, seen as we’re all gathered here anyway.”
“Yes?” Marcus said, impatient now as he wanted to return to his work. He didn’t like having problems lurking in the background, building up like a sludge of shit. It made him uneasy, he always sought to solve any problem he encountered as fast as possible so it never became a threat. And millions of people who could potentially be unemployed… even he knew that was a recipe for revolt—obedient or not. And leaders who faced the losing end of revolt usually died.
And I cannot die, lest I live forever…
“We need to decide how we’re going to inform the public of this discovery.” Ironsides said. “Many believe there are only other humans out there. The majority may believe some primitive forms of life must exist out in the universe somewhere. But this… This is intelligent life potentially near us.”
“Yes,” Claric agreed. “With technology far superior to our own, we must have a careful, calculated approach to how we break this news.”
“Just tell them what we saw,” Valen spoke, confident and casual. “We’re an army. Every single one of our population is a soldier, and damn disciplined ones at that. Regardless of anyone’s fear, they’ll fight if they’re commanded to. I’d worry more about what’s out there than how our people will react to it.”
His eyes flicked toward Valen as his lips curled into a half-smile. “That’s oddly bold of you, Valen, seen as you are usually the voice of caution. Though refreshingly naive. Is fear not the enemy of discipline? Now, I have not witnessed these clone soldiers first hand, but I will say that I know panic can ripple through even the most hardened ranks if not halted. I’ll not have the people’s fear bubble over into chaos.”
Valen frowned. “Exactly. You haven’t seen them. They were bred to obey, your excellency. Fear or not, they’ll fall in line.”
Claric cleared his throat to chime in. “Obedience is one thing, morale is another. The latter is a fragile thing. Fear spreads like a plague. If we don’t address the implications of the discovery carefully, we risk planting the seeds of doubt that could wither away the cohesion we are trying to build, keeping us trapped on this oceanic world.”
Ironsides scratched his beard, the holo reflection of the star a white blimp in his blue eyes. “We don’t need to tell them everything immediately. Do it slowly, over several weeks—a controlled version of events. We frame it as the discovery of a fascinating relic, one that holds no immediate danger but brings an opportunity to learn, to advance. We present it as a triumph rather than a threat.”
Marcus nodded. Damn, he’s good. “Yes! Keep the focus on what we control, not what we don’t. The Dyson Sphere is a marvel of stellar engineering, yes, but it’s broken. Floating alone in a metal graveyard—it’s no threat but an opportunity. Spin it that way, and the obedient people will follow.”
“An excellent suggestion, excellency,” the Grand Admiral nodded, the others agreeing. Though Valen just reluctantly hummed.
“That’s settled then.” Marcus smiled, linking his fingers behind his back with an air of confidence. “Ironsides, draw up a plan for the media campaign and present it to me when you can. Instruct the crew on the research craft to keep what they have seen a secret until such a time as we are ready for a public announcement.”
“Yes, your excellency.” Ironsides saluted, and the others did the same before filing out.
As the doors hissed shut, Marcus allowed himself a moment to breathe before returning to his throne. His gaze drifted back to the faint hologram of the broken Dyson Sphere still rotating on the holotable. It’s more than just a relic, it’s a reminder of the vast, perilous journey that lays ahead of me, the weight of the invisible crown I now bear.
“An opportunity,” he muttered to no one in particular. But opportunities come with risks upon risks… His eyes narrowed.
He leaned back in his throne, ready to go back into the GCI and dive into the ever growing knot of challenges his burgeoning state demanded of him.