《Milky Way: Story of Eden》 Chapter 1: Rise to the Alarm Galactic Standard Time:21/4/5016 6:00 The doctors of Eden were awoken to the sound of the morning alarm. Within 15 minutes these scientists and inventors would eventually make their way from their dormitories to the Canteen where they would be fed a breakfast consisting of a warm porridge, a cool drink, and a fruit of choice. After 30 or so minutes, these scientists would return to their dorms to get changed into the staff uniform. The Engineers and Technology Experts would wear a dark blue lab coat. The Chemists would wear a dark green. The Physicists would wear a dark red. The only similarity to the uniform that all divisions would wear would be an eyepatch that is worn over the left eye. This eyepatch when worn by a scientist would act as a portable personal computer fitted with a state of the art optical interface that would plug into direct contacts to the brain. Upon getting dressed and performing basic hygiene needs, the scientists would go to their specified workplace and begin to further their research and development of their specified contracts with the Intergalactic Society of Science. However, there were a group of Biomedical Human Scientists that were known for breaking this schedule. Dr. Ronin Cotts of New Earth was 24 years old. He was nothing short of an envelope pusher in the field of applied biomedical engineering. His last creation was an improved synthetic mixture for Medical Chambers that was more effective and nearly cut the time it took for a patient''s condition to become stable in half. He was immediately brought onboard the Eden Colony in order to search of a method to create an internally restoring Med Chamber. Dr. Irene Ukasi of Kuarr was 26 years old. She was brought on due to her previous work assisting in the development of the Series 9 Hazardous Environment Protection Suit. She was contracted in order to build a cost-effective version of the H.E.P.S. Dr. Robert Orlanga of Interraga was 30 years old. Similarly to Dr. Ukasi, Dr. Orlanga was also apart of the team developing the Series 9 H.E.P.S. He was contracted to act as an assistant to Dr. Ukasi. Dr. Emily Starr of New Earth was 25 years old. Her resume was extremely impressive. A professional scientist at Solare Incorporated, a company that manufactures Federal Military droids and blasters, at the age of 19. Currently contracted in developing prosthetic limbs that can mimic feeling. These four scientists would be known in the colony for being off task. While almost all of the other scientists wouldn''t mind or would join them in shenanigans, there were a few scientists that opposed their behavior. Nonetheless, there was no authority to shut them down. The entire colony was ran by the scientists. It was nearing 9:00 when the group had clocked into their work stations. Ronin was currently on a call with the Chemistry Division, asking them how far along they were on creating the specialized mixture he had asked them to make for him. A modified version of his original Med Chamber fluid. He had already built a finalized version for the Med Chamber he was contracted for. He was technically finished with his job, but he hadn''t submitted it to the council for testing back at their Headquarters. He was working on something bigger. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Irene and Robert were behind on schedule. The materials that they had chosen were unsuitable for conditions that had to be met. With their deadline coming up, they were in a bad position. Getting fired would mean that they would not be compensated for their work onboard Eden. Emily was finished. She had her blueprints finalized, and overall she wasn''t too worried. Except for the fact that she didn''t entirely know whether or not the limb could actually mimic feeling. However, she knew she would still get paid, but her love of robotics made her wonder. Like Ronin however, she wasn''t going to submit her creation just yet, but she wasn''t working on anything else. Ronin entered Emily''s workstation. "So how are things going?" Ronin said. "Well I''ve finished. Like you." "Shush. Somebody might overhear" he said in a teasing manner. "I was just about to take a nap. What are you going to do?" "Probably head over to the Physics Division and mess with our resident gorrilla" "You know you could have Staff Resources on your ass if you keep calling him that" "He is the one hell bent on proving to everyone how much of a dillweed he is.Oh look at me. I''m Dr. Eringi. I have 12 PhDs and I know how to operate an automatic solar power grid." Ronin said with a mocking tone. Emily chuckled. Ronin smiled at her. "Well I''m going to head down there. Have a nice nap." "Thanks. See you at lunch" Ronin left and made his way to the Physics Division. "Shit. We''re so far behind schedule" Robert said. "Big whoop. Quit crying and think about it. We have a week in order to find a decent solution" Irene said harshly. "Well we''re screwed. We don''t know how or where to find what we need. We''ve tried everything. Every data center on this colony for something that hasn''t been tried yet and we are running out of time." "Listen. Ease up. If you''re stressing out about this then you clearly need to set your priorities straight. First we need to find a material. Then we worry about the next step and the next step and the step after that alright? Don''t worry about the deadline, worry about the material first." "How should we continue then?" "I''m going to head down to the Chem Division. See if anybody can help us with something." "And me?" "I don''t know. We just need to find a material. So why don''t you just pick some colors to make the design look nicer. I don''t know." "Alright" Robert said sheepishly. "Relax Rob. I''ll be back with results after lunch" "Why don''t you just message him?" "It won''t seem as scummy if I go down there to ask in person." Irene left and began to head to the Chemistry Division. Chapter 2: Here Be Spies Eden had many different scientists from all parts of the Galaxy apart of the staff. However, The Physics Division was certainly varied in the species working there. Dr. Eringi was a Joona, an advanced species of Primate native to the Aeila Solar System. He was the oldest scientist on the colony, and he had many accomplishments throughout his scientific career. He specifically was hired in order to maintain the Solar Power Grid. His age might be the reason why he has no tolerance to any of Ronin¡¯s tomfoolery. While Eringi knew that Ronin would pester him soon, he had a lot more on his mind. The elevator brought Ronin all the way down to the Physics Division. He greeted his fellow scientists and took a deep sense of joy observing their experiments at work. A smirk developed on his faced as he approached the Power Control Station. Upon walking through the door he was immediately met with the eyes of Dr. Eringi glaring at him. ¡°Dr. Eringi. How are you doing today?¡± ¡°Every cycle I awaken knowing you¡¯ll be here to annoy me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice, but what are you doing down here? So far the lights are still on.¡± ¡°There is more to worry about. Not that you would understand Cotts.¡± ¡°Go ahead. Maybe if you told me, we could have a decent conversation and perhaps you could actually refer to me by my full title.¡± Eringi looked towards his monitor and turned it so that Ronin could see what was on the screen.
Galactic Standard Time: 15/3/5016 6:00 From: The Intergalactic Science Society Council To: Dr. Eringi of EDEN Colony Dear Dr. Eringi, As Leader of Physics please prepare for a complete power station shutdown of EDEN Colony on 25/4/5016. Leader of Invention Dr. Ipina and Leader of Chemistry Dr. Vuw have recieved similar messages in order to shutdown their departments two cycles beforehand in order to safely vacate EDEN Staff from the facility on 24/4/5016. It is advised to set a locked timer in order to shut down EDEN after all scientists have vacated. This is not a drill and it is only out of safety for you and your collegues. Please remind your division to create backups of any work done as they will recieve a message three cycles before the evacuation date during the lunch period. In The Name of Science. -The ISS
¡°I¡¯ve known about this for some time now. I have deducted that there is only one reason for this evacuation.¡± Eringi said. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.¡°Well isn¡¯t it obvious? Galaxy is at the peak of stress at the moment. With Abreno growing larger and larger and our military is under heavy replacement. Hell there really isn¡¯t much of another reason for this.¡± Ronin said ¡°But it¡¯s not that we are in direct threat. We have a spy on Eden you dolt. They have access to all of our research. All of your blueprints and creations. We haven¡¯t received a data breech so far according to the logs. The security system has not spotted anybody onboard doing anything suspicious, but they could just be waiting.¡± ¡°Well I would assume that HQ didn¡¯t tell all of us this in order to keep morale up and to have us focused. So you must be only telling me this in order to get me suspicous of everyone and to have me shut myself off correct?¡± ¡°Of course. You¡¯ve been a pain in my side for awhile. Me telling you this before anybody else will psychologically tear you apart. It will pit you against your other lackeys and hopefully will prevent you from pestering me.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ Just wow. I¡¯m sorry but how long has it been since you¡¯ve had a genuine conversation with somebody? Nobody talks like this.¡± Ronin turned away annoyed. ¡°I guess it¡¯s already working Cotts¡± Eringi said leaning back and putting his fingers together ¡°See you in hell Dr. Eringi.¡± Ronin leaves the room closing the door on the way out. He begins to message Irene while making his way back up to the Invention Division.
Ronin Cotts: I¡¯ve got some bad news for you and Robert. Your deadline has been cut to three days from now. Irene Ukasi: How the hell did you find that out? Ronin Cotts: Don¡¯t worry about it, I¡¯ll help you two with anything you need. Irene Ukasi: We just need to find a material. Anything at this point. We¡¯ve cut down all the unnessessary parts of the suit but no other material can resist the same standards as the polycarbon used in the series 9 H.E.P.S. Which is a shit load of money. Ronin Cotts: Swearing like a sailor. Irene Ukasi: What? Ronin Cotts: Forget about it. I can see if Zendir can help us. I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s finished with his work. Irene Ukasi: I¡¯m already in the Chem Division. I¡¯ll ask him first. Ronin Cotts: Ok. I¡¯m heading back up to our labs. Check up on Robert. Irene Ukasi: He should be picking out colors for the suit. Ronin Cotts: Really? Irene Ukasi: Yes. What else is he going to do? Anyways I¡¯ll see you at lunch. Ronin Cotts: See you then.
Ronin entered the elevator to bring him back to his work station. Chapter 3: Up and Gone Irene was walking to the Chemistry Division which was on the other side of the recreation and dormitory areas. Greeted only by custodial droids on her way. She passed by a hallway that was dimly lit. The ceiling lights down this hallway had gone out, and as protocol Irene notified a droid to come and fix them. Before leaving she used her eyepatch to open the facility map to see what this hallway was. It was the Recognition Hall, and it contained photographs of every staff member that ever worked on EDEN. It also lead to the hanger where ships designs are being built and the landing crater which has the station¡¯s only long distance space ships. ¡°Oh Irene, what are you doing here?¡± a voice came from the hallway. Upon turning Irene recognized Dr. Xilar of Wenndai, an Oorinth. The Oorinth are a race of Avians with many sub species all throughout the galaxy. Many of these subspecies have evolved into being more humanoid in body structure, and some like Dr. Xilar have developed more hand-like wings. ¡°I was heading to the Chemistry Division for some help¡± Irene said ¡°Ah, well a lot of them are very busy at the moment. Some of our synthesizers are acting up. I feel that we are in need of some upgrades around here.¡± ¡°You can say that again. Damn, I hoped something would work out today¡± ¡°Oh what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°I need to find a material that¡¯s cheap, but is capable of meeting the standards of the Series 9 H.E.P.S.¡± ¡°Go talk to Zendir about this.¡± ¡°I was just about to do that Doctor¡± ¡°Alright I¡¯ll be on my way then. I¡¯m just heading to the exercise room to stretch out my bones¡± The two split ways. Irene walked into the Chemistry Division to the sight of multiple repair droids working on the chemical synthesizers within multiple lab rooms. The Chemists¡¯ green coats were covered in a variety of stains from their work stood in the hall. It seemed that a lot of their equipment were on the fritz. Out of the crowd Irene could spot Zendir as he was the only Carparian, a fishkind species related to Koi fish. Zendir¡¯s colors were easy to spot with his light red and dirty white scales. His head though was much more Human-like, if you were to ignore the lack of nostrils and the whiskers above his lip. ¡°Hey Zendir!¡± Irene called out. ¡°Ah Irene, Ronin contacted me about your problem¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s head in my lab to talk about this.¡± Zendir lead Irene into his team¡¯s laboratory. A set of various liquids in different tanks are being observed by some chemists. ¡°Is this the engine fuel that you¡¯ve been working on?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯ve submitted our formula, and now we are waiting for them to be approved from the council. So about your predicament...¡± ¡°Yeah. How long do you think it¡¯ll take for you to whip something up?¡± ¡°If I had known how dire it was, probably a week to create something here. The fastest way is if we select a handful of known materials and test them to see if they work.¡± ¡°Shoot. Well let me send you the list of what we have already tried.¡± Using her eyepatch she sends him their log of already used materials. ¡°Excellent.¡± Zendir replied. ¡°Alright I better head on back to my station. Tell Rob what are situation is.¡± ¡°Ok. I¡¯ll probably have a narrowed down list before dinner.¡± ¡°Thanks Zendir. I owe you one.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it¡± A small beeping can be heard on a monitor on the other side of the room Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Zendir you might want to look at this.¡± said one of Zendir¡¯s assistants ¡°Well I¡¯ll see you later Irene¡± as he walked with a brisk pace towards the commotion. Irene began to see herself out of the Chemistry Division. A message came from Emily.
Emily Starr: Irene where are you right now? Irene Ukasi: I¡¯m at the Chem Division. Why? Emily Starr: Your station¡¯s lights were off. Irene Ukasi: What? Do you see Robert? Emily Starr: No, I just woke up from a nap. I think he might be doing the same. Irene Ukasi: Please check up on him Emily. Emily Starr: Alright, but I¡¯m going to use the restroom first. Irene Ukasi: Fine, just tell me what¡¯s up as soon as possible Emily Starr: Alright.
Irene then received a message from Ronin.
Ronin Cotts: Hey, do you have a second? Irene Ukasi: Kind of. I need to get over to my station. Ronin Cotts: Is something wrong? Irene Ukasi: Yeah. The lights are off there. Ronin Cotts: Oh Irene Ukasi: Listen, you are on your way up there. Could you check up on Robert for me? Ronin Cotts: I can¡¯t actually. Irene Ukasi: What do you mean? Aren¡¯t you heading back to the Invention Division? Ronin Cotts: I got side tracked that¡¯s all. I am not near an elevator either. Irene Ukasi: Ok that¡¯s fine. Emily was going to investigate anyways. What did you need? Ronin Cotts: Forget about it. I¡¯ll ask you at lunch in person. Irene Ukasi: Alright.
Emily sent another message which flashed a notification for Irene who was entering an elevator.
Irene Ukasi: Emily is messaging me. I¡¯ll talk to you at lunch. Ronin Cotts: Ok. See you then.
Emily Starr: Robert is gone. Irene Ukasi: What??? Emily Starr: I turned on the lights and he wasn¡¯t in the room at all. Irene Ukasi: Check the restroom. Emily Starr: Nope. I knocked and there was no answer. Irene Ukasi: Where the hell did he go? What the hell is that moron doing? Emily Starr: Should I report him to the security department? Irene Ukasi: No. I¡¯ll try to look for him. Why don¡¯t you go and check near the hanger for him, see if he¡¯s screwing around with something over there. Emily Starr: Ok. I¡¯ll be on my way. Irene Ukasi: Keep me posted.
Irene then attempted to message Robert as she went back to her workstation. Chapter 4: Runaway Rat Emily began to make her way to the Hanger, a place where large scale creations are to be built by construction droids. Upon reaching an observation window high up above The Hanger, Emily looked through only to see droids putting together schematics from the other scientists. Then Emily received a message
Ronin Cotts: Where are you? Emily Starr: I¡¯m looking for Robert. Where are you? Ronin Cotts: I¡¯m looking around for him too. Emily Starr: Well I am at the Hanger. Maybe you could check the Rec rooms. Ronin Cotts: I¡¯m going to make my way over there.
Emily began to take a catwalk that lead to a set of stairs that brought her down to the bottom floor of The Hanger. She closed her messages from eyesight so she could focus on searching for Robert. Containers full of building materials were all along the side of the construction zone. A piece of a ship¡¯s hull was suspended in the center. The Droids were constructing some sort of ship room out of this piece of hull. In smaller compartments to the sides of The Hanger were smaller projects. There were only a few scientists in the area, none of which were Robert. Emily kept walking around trying to find Robert. She heard the laughing of scientists behind a few material containers. It was a group of scientists from the Invention Division gathered around a table playing some sort of game. Emily took a look and spotted Ronin at the table. ¡°What the hell?¡± Emily murmured. She walked out and greeted the other scientists. ¡°Uh. I can explain.¡± Ronin said. Emily took his arm and pulled him away. ¡°What are you doing down here?¡± Emily snapped. ¡°I was working on a project, then I got sidetracked.¡± ¡°One of our colleagues is missing and you are down here playing games?¡± ¡°Oh come on. Robert is older than both of us. I am sure he¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Age has nothing to do with it. But¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter? What do you mean ¡®but¡¯?¡± ¡°But what were you working on down here by yourself?¡± ¡°I can show you later, but you are right. We should go search for Robert.¡± The two left The Hanger and made their way over to the Recreation Centers. It had pools, exercise equipment, and VR tech for any scientist wanting to relax after working. They began to search only to find that Robert wasn¡¯t there. The notification for lunch was sent to all of the scientists. After a bit everyone was heading over to eat. ¡°What do we do now?¡± Emily said ¡°We could check the Canteen. It¡¯s closeby. Plus we could eat lunch and talk to Irene about this.¡± ¡°Alright. Lets go.¡± The Canteen was not separated by the science divisions, yet it all gravitated to a majority of the scientists that worked together sat together. Ronin and Emily got their food and went on to sit underneath the stairs that led to the second floor of the Canteen. A little after sitting down, Irene walked into the Canteen and immediately walked over to them. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Hey Irene¡± said Emily ¡°We couldn¡¯t find Rob¡± said Ronin ¡°Really? Fuck. Whenever he shows up I¡¯m going to punch him right in his face.¡± ¡°Woah¡± Emily and Ronin said at the same time. ¡°Wait a minute. Look over there.¡± Irene pointed at Robert walking by the Canteen. ¡°I¡¯m going after him¡± Irene said as she began to take off in Robert¡¯s direction. Ronin and Emily followed. The three confronted Robert as they were able to stop him in front of an elevator holding a case of some kind. ¡°Robert. Where did you go?¡± Irene said angrily. ¡°I just went down to the Chemistry Division to look for you¡± ¡°Why? Why didn¡¯t you just stay at our station?¡± ¡°What if I wanted to go for a walk? Picking colors isn¡¯t exactly the best job¡± Robert said as he glared at Irene. Ronin and Emily joined in. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Emily said. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m going to head back to our station so I can finish my work¡± Robert said as he called the elevator. ¡°Stay right there Robert.¡± Ronin said. The group turned towards him with concern. ¡°There is a spy aboard Eden. Eringi told me when I was down there. It¡¯s such an issue that we are prepared to leave Eden completely soon.¡± ¡°What are you trying to say? That I¡¯m some spy?¡± Robert said with a tinge of rage. ¡°You vanishing like that makes you seem suspicious. Where were you really and what¡¯s in that case?¡± The elevator arrived. Robert entered and immediately hit the close door button. Ronin put his arm in the way. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Ronin said. ¡°Robert¡­ Step out now.¡± Irene said commandingly. Robert punched Ronin in the face sending him reeling back. Emily and Irene grabbed him before the elevator shut. ¡°I¡¯m going to get help.¡± Emily said about to get up and head to the Canteen. ¡°No, everyone is going to panic and that¡¯s the last thing we want. He probably went up to our station.¡± Irene said. ¡°That asshole is going to get it. I should tell Eringi and the other division leaders to see if we can prepare for an evacuation. I have no idea what he is planning.¡± Ronin said. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s here to see what all of us are doing. Maybe he is here to steal something.¡± Emily said. ¡°Beats me.¡± Irene said helping Ronin to his feet. ¡°But I¡¯m going to head down to the security room to see what he is doing.¡± The three went to another area nearby. Emily and Ronin took the elevator to their division floor. Irene began to run to the Administration office. Chapter 5: Comm Down Ronin and Emily were on the elevator up. Ronin tried to send messages to Dr. Eringi, but no messages were going through. Emily tried the same to other scientists onboard Eden and the problem persisted. They couldn¡¯t even contact the maintenance droids. By the time the elevator brought them up, no messages were going through. ¡°You¡¯ve contacted anyone yet?¡± Emily said nervously. ¡°Nope. Not yet¡± Ronin said as he opened the door to Robert¡¯s lab. The lights flicked on as Ronin searched the room. Emily was breathing shakingly, but as Ronin searched the room she went over to the sink and began to wet her hands and splash it in her face. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ronin said across the room. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It just seems like fiction. Robert is a spy¡­¡± Emily said. ¡°Yeah it sure is. But there¡¯s no reason to get melodramatic. I know how you are under even the slightest stress.¡± Ronin said as he opened a drawer and felt a piece of foam attached to the roof of the drawer. ¡°Well I¡¯ve been getting better. It¡¯s just¡­¡± Emily said sassily as she turned around to Ronin. Ronin pulled the foam out to reveal the indentation of a key in the foam. ¡°I think we need to head to Robert¡¯s room.¡± Ronin said holding up the foam for Emily to see. Without words Emily and Ronin went to the elevator. Upon entering the floor destination the elevator door closed shut. The descent was at normal speed, but it began to slow down. It stopped right in between the floor which contains the Canteen and Recreation centers above them, and the Dormitories and Maintenance Department below them. Emily began to worry. ¡°Oh god.¡± Emily said. ¡°Shit.¡± Ronin replied. He still couldn¡¯t communicate with anyone. Emily backed up into the wall. She untied her hair and began to fidget with the hair tie. She had always kept her dark brown hair tied up. It had always seemed more professional. Ronin upon seeing Emily took notice to her hair as it draped across her face. He almost immediately turned away and combed his short black hair to his right using his hands. He began to fiddle with the panel to the elevator. It seemed as if it was stopped via a control panel. There wasn¡¯t a manual release, and the ¡°Call For Help¡± light wasn¡¯t turning on to show that they had a connection. Ronin looked around for anything he could use. This moment got the two thinking of what was going to happen. ¡°If this is going to be the last moments. Is there anything you want to share?¡± Emily said. ¡°Not really, is there anything you wanted to know?¡± Ronin said jokingly as he too put his back against the wall. ¡°I mean¡­ I know a lot about you already. You¡¯re an open book Ronin.¡± Emily said turning away. ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡± he said in response. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.¡°It¡¯s just. Nothing¡­¡± she sighed as she sank to the floor with her head in her hands. ¡°Come on-¡± he came down to her level. ¡°You can tell me.¡± ¡°Did you ever like me?¡± Emily said bluntly. ¡°I mean¡­ I did. I am not going to lie.¡± he said as he slightly blushed. ¡°Well why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Emily asked sincerely as she looked to him. ¡°It was. I mean.. I fell for somebody else. Plus I didn¡¯t want you to be all focused up on a relationship. You are in your prime. Relationships can wait, but people like you are rare. I didn¡¯t want such a beautiful mind to be focused on just some other scientist like me.¡± Ronin said as he looked right into Emily¡¯s light blue eyes. ¡°What about now? In this moment? If this was the last moment you had. What would you do?¡± Emily said as she looked too into his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not going to be my last moment. Nor yours. We¡¯re going to survive.¡± Ronin said triumphantly. Ronin noticed that Emily¡¯s eyes reflected the ceiling to the elevator showing an emergency hatch. Ronin hoisted Emily up to the release which she pulled dropping a ladder that allowed the two to easily climb to the roof of the elevator car. Upon climbing up the two reached over to start climbing on the emergency ladder to the floor above. Hitting the emergency button that opens the doors was able to get Emily and Ronin to climb into the Canteen and Recreation floor. Scientists immediately took notice and began to help their comrades up. All of the scientists were stuck on this floor because the elevators wouldn¡¯t come up from the very bottom floor. The doors that lead to the stairs were also sealed and locked somehow. Upon doing an area check the scientists revealed that only a handful of scientists were not on the same floor. That included Dr. Eringi, Dr. Irene Ukasi, Dr. Robert Orlanga, and three more scientists in the Physics Division. ¡°Told you we would be fine.¡± Ronin teased. ¡°Shut up. Man I guess I really do get deep.¡± She said and turned away as she blushed slightly. Ronin blushed as well, but the two were talking as the other scientists were making their way to the Canteen. The other leaders of the Invention and Chemistry divisions began to fill the other scientists in. Most took the realization well. The rest were easily calmed down. They knew the galaxy was in a tense time at the moment, and they knew that they had to evacuate now. A scientist from the Invention Division had hacked into Eden¡¯s mainframe. It was apparent that something from an outside source was trying to remotely hack into the data storage room which was on the same floor as the Solar Power Station. Now it was other computers with administrative permissions that were tampering with the doors and elevators. Ronin took a look at the data logs and discovered that Dr. Eringi¡¯s computer had made a direct command to upload the research data and blueprints to the Intergalactic Society of Science HQ before shutting down all connection to the Macronet. Explaining why the staff¡¯s eyepatches wouldn¡¯t connect. Emily upon hearing all of this went out into the Hall of Recognition to see if she could make her way to a shuttle from the landing craters in order to call for help. Ronin realizing she left went to follow her. Chapter 6: Not A Pushover Robert was in the Physics Division. His eyepatch was removed. He had thrown it away a while back. All of the Physicists were still stuck on the Canteen¡¯s floor as he was nearing the Power Control System when a voice came on over the intercom for the floor. ¡°What are you doing Robert?¡± Irene said. ¡°...¡± Robert was outside of Dr. Eringi¡¯s office. The door was locked from the inside, and it wasn¡¯t accepting a code to unlock it. ¡°What the hell are you up to? And what were you thinking? Get the hell out of there!¡± ¡°...¡± Robert opened his case. It revealed a FN-75 Blaster Pistol. He picked it up and loaded the charge pack. Robert shot out the tinted glass of the door. Dr. Eringi was still sitting at his desk. ¡°Well well well. If you are the spy Robert, you¡¯re too late. I¡¯ve contacted The Federation Military. They¡¯ll be in this solar system within the hour. I¡¯ve wiped all physical data on this station as well. All backups have been¡­¡± Eringi said before he was shot in the chest. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Robert stood there. Disappointment filled his face. He put the pistol on safety and walked over to Eringi¡¯s computer. Eringi had not signed out before dying, and Robert accessed the Administrator Control Program over the Power Station. He disabled the solar panels, and began to discharge any stored power on the colony. Finally, he shut off power to the temperature regulator and central heating. Before he left, Robert took Eringi¡¯s eyepatch and attached it to the connectors around his eye. As he left, the temperature immediately began to drop. Robert walked into the elevator as a few lights began to flicker. He was taken to the Hanger where the droids were following their procedures and making their way to their charging stations. Robert used an automated crane to bring down a Military Stealth ship that lacked weapons. Using Eringi¡¯s eyepatch, Robert called to reserve droids to fuel the ship. He then began to message Irene.
Julius Eringi: Get to the Hanger now. Set a lockdown procedure to activate before we leave.
Robert threw the eyepatch off and stepped on it. Chapter 7: Tears Dont Fall Ronin and Emily sat by each other on the floor outside of the Canteen. They were worried about everything going on and this feeling was made even worse when the realization that no signal was making its way out of the colony. A meeting was being called in the main eating area by the Division Leaders. Ronin and Emily stayed put, they had agreed if they saw anything suspicious, then they would be the first to investigate. Ronin received a message from Irene.
Irene Ukasi: Ronin you need to warn everyone about Robert. Ronin Cotts: Irene! What the hell is going on? Where are you? Irene Ukasi: Robert just killed Eringi. I saw it on the security cams. He just did something to the power. You need to warn everyone. Ronin Cotts: Thank god you¡¯re okay. I thought something horrible happened to you. Irene Ukasi: Listen you need to warn everyone to barricade the Canteen. He¡¯s got a blaster pistol and he¡¯s not going to spare anybody. He¡¯s on my floor. Ronin Cotts: Get the hell out of there! Irene Ukasi: I¡¯ve given the evacuation rocket clearance to disembark from Eden. I¡¯m going to try and make it out.
Emily was startled when she noticed Ronin was horrified at what was going on. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± She asked. ¡°No. Robert has a blaster pistol and he killed Eringi.¡± Ronin said as he got up. ¡°Oh my god.¡± Emily said in shock as she followed Ronin to the Canteen. Right as the two got to the entrance, the pneumatic doors slammed shut. ¡°Hey! What¡¯s going on?¡± Ronin shouted through the looking glass of the door. ¡°It¡¯s not opening.¡± Emily said as she tried to unlock the door using her security clearance. Scientists began to crowd around the other door on the other side of the Canteen. They began to bang against the solid door and people began to panic. At this time the temperature began to feel a lot more colder. People on the inside were freaking out. Just then Ronin received a message from Irene.
Irene Ukasi: He¡¯s here. Ronin Cotts: What? Irene Ukasi: Robert is in this room with me. He¡¯s tampering with the admin terminal. Ronin Cotts: Stay still. I¡¯ll be there soon. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Irene Ukasi: No. Don¡¯t. Ronin Cotts: Everything is going to be okay. I¡¯m heading down there now.
Ronin walked away from the door as Emily was still trying to unlock it.
Ronin Cotts: I can sneak through the elevator. Irene Ukasi: No. It¡¯s too late. He¡¯s found me. You need to run Ronin. Ronin Cotts: No. Irene Ukasi: It¡¯s going to be okay, but you need to get out while you can. Ronin Cotts: No. Irene Ukasi: I love you. Ronin Cotts: No, I¡¯m going to save you. Ronin Cotts: Irene?
A few moments went by as Ronin stood still. Emily had to stop fiddling with the door lock. She was getting too cold. The scientists on the inside of the Canteen had stopped trying. They huddled around one another sobbing. Emily began to cry and Ronin went back to the door and began beating the window with his fist. Zendir went up to the glass, and pointed behind them. When the two turned around they saw that the power was going out for the lights. Eventually the Canteen switched to emergency power lights. Ronin and Emily knew they would die here if they stayed. Zendir placed his shivering hand on the glass. Ronin and Emily began to run. They ran down the Recognition Hall on their way to the evacuation rocket. The door opened slowly as the power drained from Eden. The two were able to squeeze through. They ran like hell to the rocket. Luckily the Rocket had its own power supply and engine. Upon entering the spacecraft Emily shut the door sealing it from the cold. She sank down to the floor and began to cry heavily. Ronin walked to the ship¡¯s computer and authorized the emergency launch. Ronin had to lift Emily up, but he too began to sob. They sat in the front row of many chairs and lock themselves in. After initiating a countdown sequence, the rocket took off from Eden. Upon exiting the exosphere, Ronin and Emily¡¯s tears began to stick to their faces and ball up around their eyes. The two were rescued shortly after. There was a lifescan of Eden which showed no living organisms on the entire colony. Emily and Ronin were questioned and they retold the events from their perspective. Eden was declared a Federal Cover-up. While the work of these scientists were recovered before the incident, The Federation redacted their names from the work. After a year of therapy, Emily was able to recover from this tragedy. She continued to work for Solare Incorporated, and contributed in the field of Robotics leading to the adaptation of Droids to The Federation¡¯s jobforce. Ronin refused any sort of therapy, and went out of his way to find out what happened to Robert. He would go on to join one of the last non-droid Special Commando Squads as a combat-medic. The two wouldn¡¯t meet each other in person for another six years.