Page 253 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

The chamber beyond seemed to extend for two to three kilometres and went down for many
kilometres. On each wall of the hexagonal chamber were several columns of stacked Sarcophagi. In
each one was a form. This was stasis on a truly tremendous scale…

… The endeavour bridge crew were watching remotely the outputs from several of the
Venosian Mini Globes. The network of “tunnels” seemed to traverse the entire planet’s
underground. There was a flow to the air in these. And periodically they entered larger chambers. In
one of these they discovered a hexagonal cross sectioned cylindrical carriage.
“Oh; I get it now. It’s a form of pneumatic transport system. Though it would appear to be for goods
rather than people” one of the techs said.
“A Pneumatic what?” Dagnor asked for a better explanation. The Technician went on to explain that
it was a trans-global network system that could whisk items from one location to another rapidly
between locations discretely using air pressure and partial vacuum.
“Back in the early decades of the twentieth century; old calendar, office buildings, department
stores, even Banks would use these tube ways to move orders, paperwork, currency and small items
from floor to floor in a building or even between buildings. Remarkably efficient apparently” he
finished explaining. The image flow was interrupted by a Vid from T’luha. It showed the vast
chamber and its contents
“I hope you’re seeing this. My guess is this is where the population are; in hundreds of chambers like
this. And Captain; we have found the “maintenance crew”. The signal was interrupted and the
screen went blank before the feeds from the Mini-globes returned.
Was that recorded?” Dagnor asked. The Coms tech nodded “Then relay it to Midas and his team;
they need to look for the same where they’re at” he barked. The Coms officer did as she was told…

Chapter 7
A change of perception

On the platform Myra and Zyra were heading up the continuing exploration of the
surrounding systems with the aid of the fleet. The Third Galaxy was proving to be a fascinating place.
When Zuul had the Unity mission explained to him he came back with a statement that almost
floored the two of them
“The Great beam can be used for communication a well as transportation. Most of our system
worlds have much larger; more powerful versions of the technology. It may be possible for your
friends to use the stations to communicate with some old outposts in your galaxy” he said and did
the same enigmatic smile that Twinkle did. “You have the same strangeness about you as your
mother; I wonder what it is you’re hiding” Zyra thought. Zuul turned and looked right at her
“Not hiding; just holding back until you’re prepared for the revelation. Mother will decide when that
is” he said out loud making Zyra gasp.
“You’re telepathic?” she exclaimed looking aghast. Myra laughed
“I was wondering when you’d pick up on that Zyra. I had a similar experience with Twinkle; by the
way her proper name is Miah Kang. She’s a Matriarch elder. She explained some of it. Matriarchs
and their first born female children are always telepaths. Zuul is unusual in being a male and
telepathic. Males generally require the headbands. In his case it acts like a limiter; Miah uses one for
the same purpose. In many ways the Eloi are very child-like. That comes from their ancestors needs
to simplify their forms so as to reproduce naturally again” Myra explained “As to what else Zuul
referred to… I suppose we’ll just have to wait until they regain contact with the Eloi Home World”
she added. Miah; who had been present during this exchange, smiled and nodded
“Our people and my family in particular have not had any contact with Xeron for over six centuries;
using your measure of time. The last communication stated that the Civil war was over and peace
negotiations were under way. Xeron is so distant even using one of the larger beam stations; it
would take years for a reply” Miah answered Zyra’s unspoken question.