Page 8 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

They examined their surroundings for any signs of monitoring equipment. Bria was close to the dais
and noticed one of the figures was slightly out of alignment. When she touched it she found it could
be moved. With a turn it inverted and a clunk came from inside. A panel recessed and slid away. It
revealed a concealed control panel. “Hey; look at this!” she called to the others.

“Great Maker! That looks like one of the Hagunenon Cryo-system control panels found on that
moon. It’s much simpler though. Try the controls to the top right Bria” Chloe prompted. Bria turned
two of the controls and a loud hiss came from behind them. They turned round to see the frosted
glass slide away. Inside the cavity was a most curious form. It wasn’t Hagunenon, they were
reptilian. This creature was almost feline looking in its features. It was still held in a stasis field.

“Host or prisoner?” said one of the Mechanoids, voicing what the others were thinking.

Just then a small box like object on wheels trundled in via one of the other doors. It bristled with a
complicated array of devices and telescopic instruments, some of which looked decidedly menacing.
It whisked its way to the inert figure. Another chime sounded nearby and the voice was back. “I’m
sorry about that, I’m kept busy by all the demands from the vessel’s systems and… Oh! Ah! I see
you’ve managed to find her. She’s formerly a “pet” of the crew, she was injured in the crash and I
had a droid put her in the replenishment chamber. I’d completely forgotten about her. I’m
dreadfully sorry…” the voice stammered.

“Computer; are you aware of how many millennia have passed?” Georg asked

“I’m not sure my circuits were also damaged in the crash. I… Hum… Sorry I have no idea!” another
chime sounded “Oh my circuits! Whatever’s wrong now?” and the voice left again with an electronic
moaning sound.

“I’ll see if I can get a Mechanoid crew to come over and assist with
maintenance, sir” said the Mechanoid that had piloted the shuttle.
The “droid” had finished reviving the creature and whizzed away
back through the door. The cat creature stirred and moaned a little.
The creature was not uneasy on the eye, having a lithe female
looking form, as already stated the being was feline looking, and
covered in a golden brown short length fur, with a luxurious “mane”
replacing what would have been hair. A bikini style top and a sarong
style bottom formed the only apparel. Her “padded” clawed foot
paws were in a simple open sandal. She was opening her eyes – they
were the most stunning green eyes any of them had ever seen. She
emitted a low growl when she finally managed to focus on them
then a yelp as she stood up and clutched her head.

“Weerow, frrrr hufft!” were the first spoken sounds she made. She
staggered and Georg and Kelvin rushed to catch and support her.
They carefully guided her to one of the seats at a table. She didn’t resist their help, rather she
seemed distracted.

“What do you make of all… this Kelvin?” Bria asked

“I… well… I have to say I’m stumped. We have an obviously sophisticated and advanced piece of
technology; with a defective control system that, although artificially intelligent, seems to not know
itself that it is malfunctioning. An alien that is not one of the builders yet is intrinsically linked to the