Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Junction

CARTER

Once Allison finished explaining all she’d kept from him about the capture of her sister and her plans to rescue Larika before the Tharons could take her off planet, all Carter could do was whistle. “Damn. And I thought my little sister was a handful.”

“She is my twin sister,” Allison corrected, though in a friendly way. “We are precisely the same age, so neither of us is older than the other.”

“And you were right about one thing. After getting to know you, I’d have insisted on helping you rescue your sister whether we partnered or not. These Tharons really do sound like dicks, and I can’t see how either of you has done the least bit of harm. She doesn’t deserve to get shipped off to some Tharon jail.”

Allison smiled. “Hence why I didn’t tell you about Larika’s predicament. Until now.”

“Still, it sounds to me like you’re the more...” He stopped before he said “mature”, because he wasn’t sure how she’d interpret that. “Cautious, of the two of you.”

They sat now on his blue couch, with his arm around her and her snuggled against him. They had finally gotten dressed, in basic sleep clothes, after Allison finished telling him all about Larika and her capture by the Tharon bounty hunters. Even with this new and possibly dangerous complication, Carter didn’t regret his choice to partner with her.

This just meant things would get crazy again a bit sooner than he’d expected.

Carter had to go back to work tonight, at Subway, but he didn’t have to leave for the night shift until around 4:30 pm. They still had six hours to strategize before then. They also needed to go grocery shopping. Carter figured he could show Allison how to do that, too, though his insides were already aching again. He’d take some pain killers before they left.

As Allison gently traced her fingers across her midriff, any remaining ache disappeared. She’d sensed his discomfort simply by being close to him and immediately fixed it. He loved how she took care of him.

“To say that I am the more cautious of the two of us is a fair statement,” Allison agreed. “Larika has always been reckless, which is why I have done my best to temper her more hedonistic impulses whenever possible. Sadly, she tends to ignore most of my advice, and so problems like this do happen.”

“Right. Problems.” Getting captured by space bounty hunters was definitely a problem. “And to confirm, we’ve got until the end of the month to get her out of there, right?”

“That is when the next junction opens, yes. With another week of steady…” She paused, then smiled shyly as she traced two fingers down his leg. “With steady donations, I will be back at full mental and telepathic strength. We will then locate my sister and plan a rescue.”

“So could you tell me what a junction is?”

Allison blinked, then stared apologetically. “I am sorry. I was so wrapped up in our conversation this morning, and then in relating all that I kept from you, that I forgot that I have not explained the specifics of how we arrived.”

He grinned to assure her he didn’t mind. “Hey, I haven’t even taught you how to work the washer and dryer yet. So it’s fine.”

“Simply put, a junction is what makes interstellar travel possible. The one in your solar system is currently closed. Until it opens at the end of this month, it will be impossible for the Tharons to take Larika to another system.”

“Got it,” Carter said, and frowned. “Still... there’s got to be more to it than that.”

“How so?”

“I mean, I’m interesting in more than the basics.” Now that they were actually going to be partners, it was time for him to learn about how space travel worked. “I wanted to ask you about... well, a whole lot of stuff. Alien stuff. Now that we’re officially partners, I assume it’s okay for you to tell me about the rest of the universe?”

She nodded. “I can offer thoughts on systems I’ve visited and scientific and philosophical theories related to the galaxy at large. Beyond that, I know no more than you.”

Carter truly doubted that, but he appreciated how concerned she was about intimidating him with her vast store of knowledge. Her knowing more than him didn’t bother him—of course she knew more about the universe, given he’d traveled here in a starship—but her hesitance was just another way she cared about him.

“Let’s start with talking about how interstellar travel works,” Carter said. “Beyond ‘we use junctions.’ Like, can you give me a basic overview of all that goes into that?”

“I can certainly try. But before I do so, it may be easier if I know what you know and believe now. Could you give me a brief summary of your current understanding of how travel between solar systems might work?”

“I can tell you what I remember being taught.” Carter took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Based on what I remember, the closest solar system to our own is something like... four or so years away from us, assuming we could travel at the speed of light.”

Allison spoke a couple of words—or perhaps a name—that scrambled his brain a bit. At his shocked expression, she grimaced. “I’m sorry. Until I spoke it aloud, it did not occur to me that my pronunciation could be audibly uncomfortable. We will use human terminology. I believe you call the system... Alpha Centauri?”

“That sounds right,” Carter agreed.

He was still trying to wrap his mind around whatever it was she’d just said—her species’ name for Alpha Centauri?—which had sounded like some sort of combination of a chittering dolphin and a balloon squeaking out helium. Was that what it sounded like when she spoke in her native language? Did she even have a native language, given she was telepathic?

Still, given everything else her mouth and tongue could do, he wasn’t surprised she could make sounds he couldn’t make himself. Carter moved past it. He mentally went back over all he’d read on the topic of interstellar travel over the years.

“So right now, as I understand it, humanity has two problems that prevent us from traveling to other systems. The first is that we have no spacecraft that are capable of reaching anywhere near the speed of light.”

Allison simply nodded.

“While it should be possible for a ship to eventually accelerate to the speed of light, providing we had some way to produce endless thrust, that would require a self-sustaining reaction of some sort. Endless fuel. We don’t have any sort of tech like that.”

“That you are aware of,” Allison said archly.

Now he peered at her. “Are you saying you’ve seen secret stuff?” Had she snuck into Area 51, or some similar secret military facility?

She giggled and kissed his arm. “Now, I am teasing you. You are correct about the state of your species’ technological development in regards to interstellar travel. Hearing you speak on the subject simply endears you to me. In short, I like it when you talk science to me.”

“I’ll remember that next time you’re ready for some dirty talk.”

“Please do.”

“Also, there’s the family problem,” Carter continued. “Like... I don’t remember the specifics of why it all works like this, but I do remember hearing that if humans were able to travel at light speed, those traveling would age slower than those we left behind.”

“Time dilation,” Allison agreed. “What does that mean to you?”

“So... like... we could theoretically travel to Alpha Centauri if we built a ship that could sustain us all for years and get it up to light speed. But anyone who went would be taking a one way ticket so far as their family was concerned. Even if they made a return trip in another four years, by the time they got back, they’d be meeting their descendants.”

“You are well informed on this subject. Have you studied it?”

Carter shrugged. “We learned about some of this stuff in high school. And I read a few scifi books back then too, some of which had FTL or hyperspace.” He watched her for a moment. “I didn’t read any books with a hot alien shapeshifter in them, though. You’re new.”

Allison laughed quietly. “Perhaps you simply haven’t read enough books. Still, I appreciate the compliment, and I hope that with these concepts fresh in your mind, it will be easier for me to explain how interstellar travel differs from your human understanding.”

“I’m listening.”

“The scientists of your species have often speculated about the existence of wormholes. These are posited as fixed points in space a vessel could pass through to instantly travel hundreds or thousands of light years in a moment.”

Carter nodded thoughtfully. The word “wormhole” rang a bell.

“The concept shares some similarities with junctions, though your species’ understanding of this concept remains incomplete. Rather than delve into the technical and scientific details of junctions, it may be better to describe how these work.”

“Sure,” Carter said.

“Junctions are similar in basic operation to the idea we have already discussed... wormholes... except that they are constructed rather than naturally occurring. They allow ships to cross vast amounts of space in a short time, but also require an almost incomprehensible amount of power to run. Therefore, they do not remain open at all times. They are remotely opened and closed for short periods at scheduled intervals.”

“So who does the opening and closing?”

“There is no way I can directly translate the designations of the organizations responsible to English. I will offer an approximate translation based on your language and your political systems that I hope will serve. Please forgive its crude nature.”

Carter squeezed her hand. “Allie, stop. You’re translating your thoughts to English for me in real time, all the time. I love the way you talk. Don’t ever worry about how you translate stuff. If I don’t understand it I’ll let you know, but you’re doing great.”

She blushed and smiled in his arms. “Thank you, honey.”

“So who opens and closes these junctions?”

“Junctions are operated by what we shall call Controllers, as translated to English. While the organizational body in which the Controllers operate includes token representatives drawn from the races of the Interstellar Congress... what I shall henceforth abbreviate as the ISC... the vast majority are composed of a species I can only translate as ‘the Ageless’. All we really know about them is there is no known species older.”

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“And these Ageless are the folks who figured out how to create junctions.”

“Or they are the only species old enough to remember,” Allison agreed. “Regardless, the Ageless do not involve themselves in the affairs of the ISC or those of individual species governments. Their Controllers simply maintain the junctions and control travel through them.”

“They’d need to stay neutral to avoid getting pulled into any conflicts between other species.” That made sense. “So does that happen often? Interstellar conflict, I mean?”

“Rarely, if ever.” Allison grimaced. “I may have mentioned this, but it is all but unheard of for any species to gain the ability to access interstellar travel without first solving their resource problems at home. Unlimited resources eliminates the need for competition, so while interstellar commerce is robust and wonderful, it’s mostly about things beings want.”

“Not stuff they need.” Carter smiled. “It’s actually good to hear the rest of the settled systems and races out there are mostly peaceful. Kind of gives me hope for us humans.”

“I have great hope for humans,” Allison agreed fervently. “But, back to the junctions.”

“Yup.”

“We’ve established that the Ageless operate the interstellar junction network. Their Controllers flip the junctions on an off. Also, junctions do not naturally occur. The Ageless create them through methods unknown to even the most advanced spacefaring species.”

“And I bet they want to keep that secret. Gives them a monopoly.”

“It is more about keeping the peace,” Allison corrected gently. “To construct a new junction requires an astronomical investment in time and resources, but it is still possible when one or more spacefaring civilizations decides to do so. However, the Ageless must approve and then construct all new junctions. Each species who claims the space on each end of a new junction must also agree before the Ageless will construct it, unless the system is unclaimed.”

“Don’t want your neighbor to have a key to your back door unless you both agree,” Carter said. “So given we aren’t spacefaring, who approved the junction for our system?”

Allison smiled wide. “I love your brain, Carter.”

“I like yours too. Especially all the dirty parts.”

“You’ve asked an excellent question. Before the Ageless will construct a junction to a system with a population that is not already spacefaring, a member of the ISC must sponsor your species for adoption in much the way your planetary governments would ratify a new state. They must also get two additional ISC sponsors to join as well.”

Carter nodded as each new fact she offered about the galaxy at large sank in. He could listen to her talk about this stuff for hours. It surprised him how eager he was to learn about worlds beyond his own. He’d never been a huge science fiction fan, but this was real.

Allison continued. “These three species become the guardians of your space until you venture out on your own or proceed to a sufficient social and technological level that a majority of ISC races vote to uplift you. At that point, the races who sponsored you officially induct you into the Interstellar Congress, provide you with any technology you lack, and bequeath your space to your species.”

“And they get a new ally in the bargain and all the resources we bring to the table, for trading and everything else.” They might be aliens, but alliances worked the same everywhere. “So who sponsored us?” He belatedly raised a hand as Allison moved to answer. “At least one of the sponsors was the Tharons.” It explained why they were policing Earth.

Allison now looked very proud. “Correct.”

“And the others?”

“Approximate translations to English would be ‘Darzelian’ and ‘Succubi.’ Both are bipedal humanoid species with—”

“Hold up,” Carter said. “Did you just say ‘succubi’?”

Allison’s smirk turned naughty. “I did.”

“So, hot demon ladies who love sex?”

Allison’s laughter warmed him all over. “They are not demons, but they do love sex. And yes, they do resemble the mythical creatures from your histories. Can you guess why?”

It took him only a moment to figure it out. “Because one or more of them visited after they sponsored our system junction, and then whoever they hung out with wrote about and drew them... in our old books?”

“Sadly, those drawings do not do them justice. They are much more appealing in person. One day, if you like, I could shape myself into a succubus body for you to investigate further.” Her momentary horny gaze eased as she visibly pondered. “Though, we would need to figure out a substitute tail. For you. Double penetration is the standard with their species.”

Carter was a bit too overwhelmed to focus on the specifics, even sexual specifics. “So that means you aliens have been here for... what? Thousands of years?”

“Your sponsors, and other interested parties, have been observing humanity for many centuries. However, contact was initially limited by interstellar law. It remains so, though more visits and closer observation are now allowed than when the junction was first opened.”

“And you said that Tharons, Darzelians, and Succubi are all bipedal. Two legs. Are they similar in other ways?”

“Very. All three species have two arms, two eyes, and a single mouth. While Darzelian women have three breasts instead of two, Succubi have two which tend to be, on average, larger than those of human women. Both Tharons and Succubi also have rather limber tails.”

“Can’t even think about tails now,” Carter said softly. “Still thinking about space boobs.”

Allison giggled. “Ultimately, the diversity of life across the galaxy is enormous, but like still attracts like. Sponsors for newly discovered races tend to be those who are physically similar. It is easier to cooperate and share resources with species built similar to one’s own. Bipedal races build habitations and ships suitable for other bipedal species.”

“Okay,” Carter said. “Damn. There really is a lot more to this than I expected.”

“Have I alarmed you?”

“Only in a good way. You’ve given me a lot to think about.” Carter considered a moment more. “Let’s go back to these junctions. Given how expensive they are to construct, and all the red tape, I imagine it’s rare for the Ageless to make a new one.”

“Not on the time scale by which the galaxy operates,” Allison agreed. “Moreover, there are still millions of systems that all the races who making up the ISC, collectively, have yet to explore. Your own solar system was only discovered two millennia ago. It took another five hundred years before you advanced to the point where the Tharons, supported by the Darzelians and Succubi, sponsored your junction.”

“And these Ageless can just open up a junctions anywhere they like?”

“No. A junction requires contact on both ends, and may only be opened after an Ageless exploration drone has arrived in that system through standard travel. These drones are also the way the ISC learns about new species.”

“Got it,” Carter said. “So the drone spots a new species and civilization, calls home with the details, and then folks on the ISC decide if they want to build a junction to us or let us evolve a bit more.”

“That is the gist,” Allison agreed. “Even Ageless drones cannot exceed the speed of light. They tumble through space for thousands of your years, and each discovery of a new species is heralded across the systems. New planets and people are interesting to the galaxy at large.”

Carter chuckled. “Which is why we get all those tourists you mentioned. We’re novel, by galactic standards, and we’ve got a brand new highway off ramp. That’s also why there’s actual space cops hiding on our planet. To make sure the tourists don’t try and take over.”

Allison nodded. “While I hate that Larika is now in Tharon custody, I do not hate the Tharons as a species. They are not evil, nor are they in the wrong. By the accords of interstellar law, we are the ones who are in the wrong. I and my sister are both here illegally.”

“I get that.” Carter sighed. “How you feel about the Tharons, I mean. I don’t hate the cops who want to take me back to Texas. I know they’re just doing their jobs, but even so, I still don’t want to get caught and sent to prison.”

“Nor do I,” Allison agreed softly. “If I could bear it, it would be safer for us to simply flee to another location and allow the Tharons to take Larika off planet.”

“But doesn’t that mean she’ll be tossed in prison?”

Allison shrugged. “Only for a time.” She didn’t elaborate. “Even so, I cannot stomach the idea of being without her. I would miss her, for lack of a better translation. All syren twins are incredibly close. I would no more wish to be without her than I would wish to be without you.”

“Family’s family,” Carter agreed with a small smile. “And you don’t need to worry on that account. I’m with you a hundred percent. We’ll bust her out of there together.”

“I know,” Allison said softly. “Your generosity continues to astound me.”

Carter shrugged. “Hey, that’s what partners do. Now, let’s go some grocery shopping done. After that, I’ll drop you off at your new job.”

“Oh!” Allison brightened. “Two Times Around! So I can accept Miss Ellen’s offer!”

Carter nodded. “Figuring out how to get both of us to and from our jobs with one car is going to be interesting, but it can’t be as complicated as interstellar travel. Since I’ve got the night shift today, I’ll just give you cab fare to get home.”

“And after we’re both home, you will fuck me again?”

Carter laughed. “Definitely. That’s one thing you’ll never have to worry about.”

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