All characters are 18 years old or older.
*****
Yellowstone:
Miles above the Earth's surface Numenor Echo III hung in orbit over its target Yellowstone National Park. Its refined sensors scoured the area for the location of the power plant. The data received from the Watcher was quite specific about certain geological structures that would be critical for success. The satellite transmitted its data to the newly refurbished Echo Base in the Painted Desert. Below the surface of the desert a cluster of A.I.'s dedicated to crunching the Echo's data poured over it looking for the elusive elements needed to construct the geothermal plant. Nothing was left to chance and three human technicians scanned the same data hoping to see something the machines might have missed.
"Anything?" Karl asked closing his eyes and taking a break from staring at the holographic images.
"Nope," Zoe replied straightening up which was followed by the sound of her back popping.
"You and Robinson huh?" Karl asked with a sly grin.
"I never should have said anything. I was drunk and stupid when I told you that."
"I don't care Zoe," I said speaking through Gregory. Her expression was priceless.
"Greg... I heard a rumor that you could connect with him... I am sorry." Zoe apologized her cheeks red with shame.
"It's more complicated than that. I will explain later."
She smiled and returned her full attention as a new hologram appeared and she studied it. I was spending time helping them. Nick had repurposed Gregory to help in finding the site for Yellowstone as soon as possible. My growing mastery of bilocation had improved over the last few weeks. I could split my attention between Greg and Gregory with little effort now. It was a little surreal at times but kept me on my toes. I dismissed the current image for another when green lights began to flash, and an electronic alert came over the speakers. One of the A.I.s had done it. They had found our building site. After three weeks of sleepless nights and ungodly hours we were done. The real work began now.
We pulled up the location the A.I. had tracked on and began double checking the results. It could have been a false positive, it wasn't. It became clear that we had what we needed. Only then did we confirm with headquarters and set the wheels into motion. I watched the team cut lose and celebrate saving hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives. We were still racing the clock. Yellowstone was showing activity and we needed to beat it to the punch. I was amazed at how quickly party politics had been thrown out when, so many lives were on the line. The funding was taken from all the excesses that many governments refuse to admit. A new budget had to be adopted to push this project forward and I helped sculpt that budget. It drew mainly on black projects, military spending, and of course a huge unused entitlement called discretionary spending.
Now that we had a site location, I had to finish translating the schematics for the vehicle that would lay the steel. In this case it would be the machine that spun the steel. The spider-like machine would exude molten steel from its spinnerets and weave webs of steel to form the base for the power plant. Much of the plant's structure would be created in this fashion. It would have a lighter but stronger foundation. I brought up the two holograms. One was the original alien design and the other was its terrestrial counterpart. Zoe plopped down in my lap causing a few of her coworkers to openly stare. She ignored them and asked me what I was working on.
"This is the worker bee that is going to form about sixty percent of the plant."
"Why a spider? I hate spiders."
"It allows for the spinning and weaving of the steel. The tensile strength is multiplied and allows us to use less steel just by the weaving technique alone."
"Okay, they don't tell us more than we need to know. I heard a rumor that the plant isn't just for power. Is that true?"
"Yeah, it will also mine the magma for materials giving the plant a twofold purpose. Think of what we can manufacture on the spot."
"I hear they already bought up old steel mills for the project."
I nodded. The steel mills had been purchased and reconfigured the moment the data had been translated. The metal required for the plant was a new steel alloy and after two weeks the first test bars had been fashioned. They were shipped off for testing. Once they passed, we would begin a full production run. We calculated that if would take six months for the steel for the infrastructure to be made ready. The seven plants were up and running while others were acquired for the project. If this worked key locations across the globe would benefit. Japan and Italy would be eager for this technology. I thought of the lives it would save.
Despite the gift of knowledge from the Watcher, Nick had withdrawn almost completely from public life. I feared the words of the alien A.I. had struck home and he was searching for a cure to the human condition. How could one man bring the entire world together? I didn't know if it was possible. While we had two virgin worlds within our reach it would have been a sin to claim them. What kind of strategy was he contemplating? Could I come up with a scenario that could bring the many tribes of humanity together? It was a daunting task. First things first we needed to tackle the most immediate threats first.
I had not limited myself to searching for the Yellowstone site I was also seeking a way of intercepting the alien derelict that was fast approaching Watcher's asteroid. I needed a way of returning without Nick or NASA learning of my presence. My research took me in a surprising direction. Even as Zoe sat in my lap I delved deep into my memories. Those sometimes-shadowy recollections that might offer salvation. I needed to get aboard that ship. I needed to learn its secrets. It was a once in a lifetime, no, it was more than that. It was an opportunity that presented itself once in the life of an entire world. I would seize it no matter the cost. I turned my gaze inward and let my instinct guide me.
"I need to cross vast distances without the aid of ship or gate." I said and let the ripple of my desire spread outward.
"You have forgotten the basics Voidsinger." A voice replied. "You who have earned the favor of the Old Ones and benefited from their tutelage are found wanting."
"Is that you Kurelen?"
"Who else is so bold?" He replied with a laugh. "I was your teacher and your friend. What need burns so bright you would seek me out?"
"There is a ship, a derelict, that predates the J'Nai. I would have it and its secrets."
He stepped out of the shadows. It was Kurelen Nighthammer, Iru's brother. He looked splendid is his priestly robes. The triple light of the moons illuminated him. He was of the old blood and was tall and majestic as the gods whose blood flowed in his veins. He traced his lineage to the Phoenix King himself and because of that he wore crimson and gold. I reached out and clasped his arm. In this vision, I wore the livery of the Laughing God. We walked together upon the home world amidst gardens of ancient wraith bone trees. I remembered haunting this place a time far removed from the present. It was my favorite place and it was here that I first met Iru. Kurelen was speaking now. His voice a soft tenor that carried far in that darkling wood.
"I miss her." He said speaking of his fallen sister. "She was so bright and strong. I thought she would live forever. She slew the Silent King and ended the Great War. Iru chose you as her sword brother. I think she picked the perfect person. You are so much like her you know. Hungry for the truth and willing to do whatever it takes to reveal it. I have taken you here for a reason Voidsinger. It is here you will find your solution."
He vanished but the trees remained. I walked a familiar path to a moon lit pool of contemplation. How many times had I stood here when I thought a lesson eluded me? It was the perfect place to decipher my dreams and find a way to the asteroid. I moved to the edge of the pool and looked upon its unbroken surface. It was like a mirror. But the J'Nai had no word for it. I cleared my thoughts and regarded the water. There, in the top of the trees, were the webs of the great spiders that called this forest home. The terrestrial descendants of the Old Ones. The solution presented itself, the web or in my case the strands. The great intergalactic roadway fashioned by the Old Ones and expanded upon by the J'Nai. It was that very same means I could use for my purpose. It wouldn't be easy, but it could be done.
I returned to Gregory and watched the festivities. Zoe was still in my lap and was sipping champagne from a plastic cup. The wine was inexpensive, but it did its work. She was whispering in my ear that she wanted to make up for bragging about bedding me. I glanced around the lab at the others and smiled. I slid an arm around Zoe and asked her how bad she wanted it. Her body began to quiver and that was answer enough for me. I placed my hand on her leg and she looked over her shoulder at me. I slid my hand under her skirt and I watched her expression change. The look of pleasant shock changed to bliss as she chewed her lip in anticipation. I nudged her panties to the side and traced her labia with my index finger.
"Are you serious?" She gasped as I teased her.
"Abso-fucking-lutely," I replied. "I can stop if you want."
"No," she said looking around to see if anyone was watching us. "God no, it's been so damn long."
