Eternal Service
[Designing a Galaxy]
Narrative submitted for the [Blankspace - Outerspace 2019] competition
PVP Vessel [Dust]
Narrative Exploration as Projection
This narrative was inspired by the ongoing research titled Polyvalent Perception [PVP]. Dust, the main vessel in the story, exists to facilitate the type of design process discussed in PVP. This occurs in the most extreme, yet freeing, conditions of outer-space on an astronomical scale across time. Further installments may be considered as writing extensively in a more “fantastical” way provides unique avenues for design exploration and projection.
Narrative
2 designers | one vessel | Sweeping through time
E 2 . 373 - LD29
With the total number of expeditions unknown, this one approaches its midpoint with an estimated 4.750 simulated days aboard the Time Sweeper. The vessel sustains itself for a single purpose; to facilitate the crucial design process that requires polyvalent perception, or PVP.
The local date serves as a timer, keeping each cycle approximately on schedule. The sweeper approaches the conclusion of phase one of this star system’s PVP cycle, which averages thirty sim days. By now the designers’ minds are eager to stretch, with norepinephrine levels beginning to decline and activity spiking. Their dire need for rest, since the departure from the previous system, had been met.
Dust, as the ship was commonly known, determined it was time to prepare for phase two.
“Good morning designers,” her voice gently emanating from the very surfaces around them. “It is LD29, our macro scans are nearly complete with energy levels approaching ninety-seven percent. RV Lyrae star data and accompanying system mappings will be available soon “
The surface of the globe, the core of the sweeper, cracked slightly, dimly lighting the space like a tare in the curtains. Close by, the chambers unsealed with the crew of two drifting out into the light. Capri, the younger of this pair, did not amble in her awakening as Michel did.
“You woke us early; what’s the status Dust?” proclaimed Capri as she approached the center of the globe.
“Your minds would no longer rest, an ideal moment for you to begin your routines. There are thirteen hours and counting before phase two will begin.”
As she was so inclined to do, Dust began her opening ceremony for their new cycle; an opera of light. The globe pushed through the back of the sweeper, like a bottle through wet sand. The once small tear dematerialized to the periphery with light beaming across the colossal arms of the hull. This core is the cradle within the five arms of Dust’s embrace; each being a corridor for her dutiful facilities. Stretching outward from the concave backside was a tower of infrastructure lit by what light peered along the nearby mass. The three emissive trails, massive humming streamers in the breeze, pushed them just enough to fill her sails.
The low end of the stars’ pulse provided just the opportunity Michel desired before their decisions were executed for phase two. The last gasp of air exhaled from the airlock and another perfectly timed announcement cut across the comms.
“The Capitulary has been released .”
As Michel pushed himself towards the data cores he felt the robotic emissaries from a capitula guide him closer, taking careful grasp of his arms. A sea of pollen streamed below them from the sails. Capri gazed out to watch them before turning towards the platform as the remaining capitula assembled the station.
“Where do we stand Dust?”
“Collection of vital resources necessary for repair have begun from nearby masses. In the meantime, I suggest looking towards Gamma R3, our local gas giant.”
The last piece plugged in below and immediately an array of data was visualized all around her. With but a simple “hmm,” Dust took the hint and adjusted the hologram to focus in on the planet in question. As time was simulated in unfathomable speed, Capri pulled up a comparison of the additional bodies in the system. This was her favorite part; setting up all the minor moves and studying her opponent before moving in for the checkmate.
“....There, you’re close but there’s one element in need of further investigation. Split the capitula near this local moon for micro scanning, it may be perfect for the relay and dynamics station. Same goes for the body near the giant and we’ll move there like you suggested. “ Capri pushed herself away from the platform and the visualization adjusted to views of the two divisions she requested for scanning.
Michel had found a nice view from atop one of the data cores. He wondered if there was a way of telling if any other had done as he did every other cycle. There seemed no way of knowing how long Dust had even been out here. He watched as the Capitulary fade off into the atmosphere and behind asteroids while the two remained at his rear.
“All good here, we should prepare for phase 3 soon. How’s the view?”
With a slight cock to the head Michel caught Capri standing at the edge of their fish bowl, aglow in blue from trails nearby. An orange glare across the surface provided a clear silhouette for him to pick out - must have been from the navigation projection. As he turned his head back and rest upon the core he cut in, “Not bad, Capri…..not bad at all.”
Phase 2 had been completed with their final re-positioning. All humming receded and glowing faded away leaving only harsh shadows and the subtle white noise of mechanical adjustment. They were dead in the water now. The capitula made their final manipulations to the membrane surrounding the globe. Like hummingbirds running a switchboard they managed each massive cable among the protective barrier converting a navigation station into a temple for thought.
“Preparations complete,” Dust’s announcement surrounded them in vibrations. The periphery began to recede back into the sand. “Phase three will now being. Meditation chamber sealed. Mag field activated. PVP drives engaged. Good-luck designers, remain resolute in your perceptions.”
The pair hovered together watching as the tear in the veil slowly repaired itself. A streak of reddish-white cut across the black void. Their backs against one another, palms aligned, they absorbed every last drop of warmth the pulsing star had to offer as their celestial spotlight faded out. With a deep breath their bodysuits were alight and they pushed off from one another.
A list of design objectives would remain updated along the edge of their vision. While there was no audible indication they could feel the air move as power from across the ship was diverted to them. Two particles in space appeared, abstractions of their focal points - the two planets of greatest importance. Michel gestured at the attribute indicators to move aside and as the abstraction grew in scale, a plethora of diagrammatic graphics were animated throughout the volume. Reorienting themselves the two assessed potential variables within the dynamic field, tweaking the visualization with mere thought. “I’ll start with the field coordination Capri. Why don’t you go have fun with your object orientation and we’ll meet as the sim evolves.” She nodded in respect towards Michel, and with that, it began.
Time meandered through a 4-dimensional stratum of diagrams and simulations. As one’s mind filled with dense algorithms the other steeped in a tea of sculptural philosophy. Heat varied throughout the volume as Capri tended her dynamic sculpture. In the studio, actions were responded to with sweeps of particles and technical overlays. Each brush stroke a solar flare. Light blurred around them as impacts at a galactic scale were accounted for. This did not phase them. The two remained in tune throughout the chaos; not a word spoken, for none would suffice. Sweat was wrung from their temples. By now their ecosystem of design was undoubtedly alive.
Everything had been thoroughly assessed. Dust always kept a close analytical eye during the process. Gazing across an unfathomable dimensional presence filling the central space, Michel and Capri locked eyes and minds. Basking in the glow of another future system, the crew raised their right hands softly. Fingertips rested across their face, as if cradling a mask of porcelain. In one final salute they cast their invisible masks away. Waves of energy rippled from the ship and all lights went out. Their bodies floating limp in the void.
In a dim glow the Capitula converted the core back to its original state and carried the crew back to their quarters. Silently Dust consulted the immense heavens: the Laniakea map, to update it with the designers predictions and plans. With the ships remaining power rerouted, there was nothing left to do in this system and in a blink, they were gone.
Shimmering near their perch was something of a bubble; a pucker of space and time. Its halo contained a pattern, perhaps a message to someone to come. And lying deep within its reflection? That was a familiar sight; one not quite of this star system, not yet.