“Jean said the entrance to the cache was just down this tunnel.” Rodney said from the rear of the formation. After they’d finished securing the equipment and cleaning up the bodies from their leader’s highly efficient attack on the alien encampment, they returned to investigate the original base of operations for the Naraxian mine.
Based on the report from the Pirate King, there was a control center at the end of this tunnel with a series of locked doors preventing further intrusion, and while neither Jean nor Monique possessed a skill set capable of opening those doors, Takumi did. Rodney had no doubt that the control center existed, but after nearly fifteen kilometers of a near constant downward trend, he was beginning to think they had gotten lost.
“Am I to assume his report did not include the distance to this particular target?” Takumi asked, showing no signs of exhaustion.
“He did not. If I remember correctly, his exact words were ‘I had to find out, so do you.’”
“Ah, so we are traveling to the core of this world then?” the thief joked. “It’s a good thing we aren’t hoping to find anything useful down here. Carrying it to the surface would be a chore.”
Rodney chuckled mirthlessly and allowed the conversation to die. If the former prisoners wanted to survive in this hostile portion of space, they would need a technological advantage they didn’t currently possess. Without the United Human Republic to back them up, their only option for reaching that point was to steal what they needed. It wasn’t ideal, and a significant part of him wanted humanity to make these discoveries for themselves, but it didn’t matter how they protected themselves, only that they did.
The group eventually found the control room Jean had described. It was a large cavern with twelve doors lining the walls and a holo-pedestal in the center. As they approached the center, their bodies felt heavy, like the eyes of a god were bearing down on their souls and judging them unworthy of the secrets hidden here. While they could still move, the pressure served as a warning to all who were not the original owners of this planetoid.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
A look of curious wonder on his face, Rodney approached the center and touched the pedestal, bringing it to life after unknown centuries of dormancy. The electric lights on their environmental suits died, leaving only a slight violet glow that originated from panels set into the floor like walkways. A burst of that same eerie light rose from the holo-pedestal in a collum, finally coalescing into a shape that vaguely resembled a human being. The being raised its arm and the appendage split into several tentacles that fanned out and touched the bodies of each person in the room. It didn’t hurt—it was far too intangible the be felt—but unless the pilot was wrong; they were being scanned.
“Congratulations on ascending to our level of advancement.” The hologram spoke in perfect English. “Announce your species, so that we—the Stygibora—can wipe it from the cosmos.”
“I see no Stygibora here.” Rodney said, a pit of terror forming in his stomach. “This planet and its resources are ours by the right of conquest.”
“Conquered and conqueror have no rights that pertain to each other. Only direct creations of the Starborn may claim equality to the Stygibora.”
“Then we claim the right of direct creation. As beings formed by the Starborn, we demand you relinquish your control of this place.” Rodney said, not really sure how to proceed. This was clearly a political stage, and he was not political in the slightest. Not only that, but considering how little he knew of the Starborn, there was no way for him to know if mankind were in fact creations of that progenitor species.
“Control granted. The vault doors will remain sealed until your species becomes advanced enough to utilize the contents. Be warned, the previous owners of this repository will receive notice of the change in ownership.” It replied, the outline of its form morphing from a humanoid Stygibora into a human being.
“How can we prove ourselves?”
“The first three locks are mechanical. With sufficiently advanced mechanical knowledge and understanding, you will find the doors easy enough to defeat. The second three are technological, then spiritual, and finally philosophical. Only a species that has achieved all twelve will be granted ownership of the Star Library.” With a wave of its hand, the room brightened enough for the party to see the entire room. His message delivered, the human gatekeeper folded his hands behind back and fell silent.
“I guess the Pirate King owns a planetary library now.” Rodney muttered. Taking a deep breath, he looked over at the thief. “Takumi, it appears we have a mechanical puzzle to unlock. As our resident expert in mechanical locks, would you mind doing the honors?”
