Robyn Michaels
I’m trialling a new series of three-part stories, the first of which, The Resonance Protocol, will be published in three parts over the next few hours. Future three-parters will be spread over consecutive nights. Individual stories will still also be posted. Enjoy the Scatterverse!
Part 1: The Call for Help
Aline Greaves stood on the observation deck of Aris Relay Station, staring at the churning storm in the distance. The Quantum Maelstrom was a dark, swirling mass of energy that stretched across the void, devouring space-time itself. It was a rare phenomenon—deadly and unpredictable—and it was heading straight for the station.
Behind her, the relay’s inhabitants bustled in panic. The station was a patchwork of alien cultures, a neutral trade hub orbiting a gas giant. Normally, it thrived on its diversity: Skalath traders bartering crystalline artifacts, Xenn engineers repairing worn starships, and void nomads exchanging stories over bitter rakt. But today, fear ruled.
“We’re sitting ducks,” muttered Korr, a reptilian merchant with iridescent scales. “The Maelstrom will tear us apart before we can evacuate.”
Aline turned to face the gathered crowd, her sharp features etched with calm determination. “What if I told you there’s a way to stop it?”
The room fell silent. Skepticism hung heavy in the air.
Aline’s crewmate, Jessa Quinn, stepped forward. A human like Aline, Jessa had a wiry frame and an engineer’s perpetual grease stains on her jumpsuit. “It’s not a wild theory,” Jessa said. “We’ve seen the records. The resonator beacons can stabilize space-time anomalies like this.”
A Skalath engineer clicked their mandibles. “Ancient devices. Broken for millennia. What makes you think you can fix them?”
“Because we’re human,” Aline said simply.
The Sunchaser hung docked at the relay’s battered port, its hull a testament to years of hard living in the Scatterverse. Inside, Aline gathered her crew in the dimly lit command deck.
“Here’s the situation,” she began, tapping a holographic map. “The Maelstrom is expanding. If it hits this sector, it’ll obliterate everything within three light-years. That includes this station, its inhabitants, and every trade route they depend on.”
Jessa chimed in, “The resonator beacons are our best shot. They were built by a pre-scatter civilization to stabilize space-time. Problem is, no one’s managed to activate them in centuries.”
Harlan Vesh, the ship’s medic, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “And you think we’ll succeed where entire species failed?”
Aline smirked. “That’s the plan.”
Harlan sighed. “Great. Certain death it is.”
Jessa grinned. “That’s the spirit.”
The hologram shifted to display three key locations: a jungle moon, an asteroid field, and an oceanic planet. “The first beacon is on Volen-3,” Aline said. “Dense jungle, toxic atmosphere for most species. Luckily, we’re not most species.”
Hours later, the Sunchaser detached from the relay station and accelerated into the void. The trade hub shrank behind them, its lights flickering like a distant beacon of hope.
“Entering Volen-3’s orbit,” said Jessa, her hands deftly working the controls.
The planet loomed below, a swirl of green and gold. The jungle canopy was alive with bio-luminescent plants, their glow visible even from orbit. As they descended, the ship’s sensors buzzed with warnings about corrosive air and unpredictable storms.
“Atmosphere looks nasty,” Harlan remarked, scanning the readouts.
“It’s toxic to most species,” Aline said, strapping on her oxygen mask. “But humans evolved on a Deathworld. Our lungs can handle worse.”
Jessa chuckled. “Remind me to put that on our business cards.”
The ship landed in a clearing, its landing gear sinking slightly into the loamy soil. Outside, the jungle was alive with alien sounds—a cacophony of clicks, trills, and the occasional low rumble.
“Keep your eyes open,” Aline said as they disembarked. “We’re not the only ones interested in this beacon.”
The resonator beacon was hidden deep within the jungle, its structure partially overgrown with vines. As they approached, the air grew heavier, charged with a faint hum of energy.
“There it is,” Jessa whispered, pointing at a towering spire of alien metal. Its surface was etched with intricate carvings that shimmered faintly in the dim light.
Aline stepped closer, examining the base. “It’s inert. No power source.”
“Wait,” Jessa said, kneeling to inspect a crystalline panel embedded in the spire. “This looks like… inertium. But it’s drained.”
Harlan whistled. “Drained or stolen?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Aline said. “We’ve got a solution.”
From her pack, she pulled a small shard of inertium scavenged from an old Conglomerate outpost. The crystal glowed faintly, its luminescent edges catching the light.
“You brought inertium?” Jessa asked, incredulous.
“Call it a hunch,” Aline replied, slotting the shard into the panel. The beacon shuddered, its carvings flaring to life as power surged through its circuits.
The hum grew louder, resonating through the ground. Above, the clouds swirled as a pulse of energy radiated outward, stabilizing the atmosphere.
“It’s working,” Jessa said, a note of awe in her voice.
Aline smiled. “One down, two to go.”
The team’s victory was short-lived. As they made their way back to the Sunchaser, the jungle erupted with activity. Shadows moved among the trees, and a low, guttural growl echoed through the canopy.
“Company,” Harlan muttered, drawing his sidearm.
A group of alien scavengers emerged, their reptilian forms bristling with weapons. They wore mismatched armour and moved with the confidence of predators.
“Humans,” their leader hissed, his yellow eyes narrowing. “You activated the beacon. That was… unwise.”
Aline stepped forward, hands raised. “We don’t want trouble. The beacon stabilizes the sector—it’s in everyone’s best interest.”
The leader sneered. “Stabilization means order. And order means no more profits for us.”
Jessa sighed. “Always about the money.”
The scavengers raised their weapons, and chaos erupted. Aline ducked behind a tree as blaster fire lit up the jungle. Jessa fired back, her shots precise and deliberate, while Harlan used a grenade to scatter their attackers.
“Fall back to the ship!” Aline shouted.
They sprinted through the undergrowth, dodging fire until the Sunchaser loomed into view. As they scrambled aboard, Jessa powered up the engines, and the ship lifted off just as the scavengers reached the clearing.
Back in orbit, Aline leaned against the cockpit console, catching her breath.
“That was close,” Harlan said, slumping into a chair.
“Too close,” Aline replied. “But we got the beacon online. That’s what matters.”
Jessa turned to her. “And the next one? Think it’ll be any easier?”
Aline stared at the holographic map, her expression grim. “No. But we’ll handle it. We have to.”
The Sunchaser turned toward the stars, its crew preparing for the next challenge as the Maelstrom loomed ever closer.
Part 2 posted in 2 hours!
Endless Horizons 