Finally, on the morning of March 15th, you assemble in the control room overlooking the landing hangar where you originally landed and await the arrival of the Jupiter 2.
You do not have to wait long. Amalda1 points out a faint, barely moving point of light out amongst the stars, which rapidly brightens and grows into the shape of the space ship. After a minute it enters the hangar, its legs extend, and it lands.
As you leave the control room and hurry down to the floor of the hangar the main hatch in the underside of the ship opens.
"SORRY FOR THE DELAY, DOCTOR SMITH AND WILL ROBINSON," says the voice of the robot through the hatchway. "I HAD TO MAKE A SIDE TRIP TO JUPITER TO REFUEL."
Zanax looks at Tully, "I take it we are abandoning our quest to clear the vermin from this station?"
Tully says, "I don't know. We can do pretty much whatever we want. What do you want to do? We had mentioned the idea of bringing people to this place. Just think what they could learn over time."
He looks over at Almalda1 and says, "Our problem is that we don't know much about this place and come from a less advanced civilization. Could you train the people we brought here?"
"Train them? In what?"
"How to use the technology here. How to eventually build more of this. I know it will take a generation or more, but imagine the possibilities. We could repopulate these stations and build a space faring civilization!"
She looks blankly at Tully for a moment and smiles sadly.
Tully notcing the subtle body language and being impressed that she isn't real yet again says, "What did I say? I feel like you must have heard this before. Please illuminate me on this."
"It is complicated," she replies. "You have not offended me or anything, Tully. But - to explain it briefly - humans developed the ultimate machines that made everything for them many millenia ago. They stopped building things for themselves...or understanding how the things worked. Eventually they lost the ability to make more of their ultimate machines...and then the ones they had started wearing out...failing due to old age and entropy. That is why our star faring civilisation has collapsed, why so few humans travel the stars now, and why you and Zanax live in the...rustic...fashion that you do."
"There are still some of these machines left, but they are failing. Amalda is the construct of a specialised version of one of these machines, but it is wearing out as well. That is why we have vermin. Back in the old days we could have exterminated them ourselves."
Zanax asks, "Are you saying that humans at one point knew everything? Otherwise, why would they have stopped exploring, researching or building? Are you saying there's a finite amount of knowledge, experiences and places out there???"
"I do not know the answer to your question, Zanax," Amalda1 answers. "But the universes are finite so that would imply a finite amount of knowledge and information that could be learned. But the human imagination is infinite..."
Her voice trails off.
"DOES NOT COMPUTE," says the robot.
Amalda2 adds, "I think it is more likely that humans and their allies finally reached a point where they thought they knew all that they wanted or needed to know."
Zanax harumphs, "Foolishness."
Zanax pauses a second and asks Amalda2, "Would you mind if I tried to make telepathic contact with you?"
She looks at him.
"Of course not," she replies softly.
Zanax smiles and takes Amalda2's hand. He concentrates.
After a moment she asks, "When are you going to start?"
Tully says, "Well, that is sad and I understand a bit better. I understand that they stopped building for themselves and then lost the understanding."
He shrugs.
"Who wouldn't when you lived in paradise? However, has the information been lost? Could it not be learned again by another generation of people who could then fix and eventually rebuild these machines?"
"You mean the information on how to create more nernals? I do not know if it has been lost," She then adds with a wry smile, "THAT knowledge has been lost...at least to Amalda."
Amalda2 adds, "If it still existed then it would be stored on one of the library worlds. But nernals are also closely associated with with the storage of knowledge and information...and if the library nernals have deteriorated..."
Zanax raises an eyebrow, "Please take us to the library. I am very interested in seeing what knowledge and information may be stored there."
"I cannot do that," she replies. "The nearest library world is located near the centre of the galaxy."
Zanax asks, "Perhaps you could provide our ship with directions to the library?"
She pauses.
"I have done so," she replies. "But the Jupiter 2 is capable of only Jumping five light years at a time. The journey would take close to a decade in non-relativistic time...though apparently only a matter of days for those on board."
Tully sighs. "I don't understand what a nernal is. I don't understand much of what we have talked about. However, I do understand that it seems that people once travelled the stars and do so no more. I think it is a shame that any knowledge has been lost, but for it to be lost due to sheer laziness is even worse. Perhaps we cannot return to the place we were once before, but I am hoping that we can get part way there." He then asks, "What kind of teaching could be done here? Do you have to have the libraries to do this? Or do you have your own stores of knowledge?"
"Our stores of knowledge are limited, relative to what you are seeking. We have schools that could teach you how to read and write and how to function in what was once the society of the Ptarton Empire. The technical knowledge to make the machines work, so to speak, does not exist here."
Tully nods. "Well, what I am proposing is something that would be done in many steps. We would colonize and lay the foundation. What you can teach here is the beginning. Next would be seeking out the knowledge that would be required for the next step or, if it is lost, beginning to build it again. The thing that Zanax and I bring to this is that we are what are called adventurers. We do not believe in the impossible and we are seekers. We find that which has been lost. That is what we do on our world. I am a bard which means that I am a bringer of knowledge. Zanax is a holy warrior which means that he is guided by the divine will of a god. The fact that we are here means something. This is a worthy goal for both of us."
"We are servants of humanity and their allies," replies Amalda1. "Anything that would improve your lot we would be happy to assist with."
Tully smiles. "Great. Do you have a way to view the library from here or do you have pictures of an area that might not have changed in all the years since being there?"
There is a pause. A blank expression comes over Amalda1's face. Then she blinks.
"I have searched Amalda's deepest memories. There are no such images," she replies. "I have, though, discovered a bit more information about the place. The name of the world is Zamanthrofear. The library there is actually an outpost - a branch, if you will - of the main library located in Andromeda. I have placed the coordinates inside the memory of the robot. It is the homeworld of The People...later known as The Elves."
"You are a Mystik, then?" Amalda2 asks Zanax.
He turns to Zanax and says, "We should colonize this station. We should bring people here and begin the process of building again."
He turns to Almalda1 and says, "There is much I don't know, but I do know that we could bring people here. Humans, elves, dwarves, halfings and others. They would come here and grow. Would this be acceptable to you? Is there something I should know that would prevent this?"
"I would like that," both Amaldas reply simultaneously, "But remember that Amalda is deteriorating. Eventually it will become uninhabitable unless it is repaired."
Tully smiles. "I have a thought." He pauses. "Have you heard of magic? It is something different from technology. I know an arch-mage that can change anything with something called a wish. I think he can fix Amalda and, if not, he can come up with a way to give us more time. I think he could probably also take us to the center of the galaxy rather quickly."
They both look rather dubious at this.
He smiles. "You will see. He isn't a big fan of technology, but if we can convince him of our noble goal, that might convince him."
"He will not like us, then, Tully."
He turns to Zanax. "We have a quest. It is to restore civilization. We must go home and recruit others, though. Occa will be important in this quest as will getting people to colonize this place. Are you in?"
Zanax nods at Amalda2's question about Mystiks, "Of sorts. I am an extension of the sword arm of my diety."
"Your deity?"
Zanax nods again, "Yes, Votishal. Have you heard of him?"
"...As in a super powerful or supernatural being?"
Zanax looks excited, "Yes! Yes! So, you have heard of him?"
"No."
Zanax looks crestfallen, "If you wish to learn, I can tell you more about him."
"That is not necessary," Amalda2 replies with a small smile.
Zanax smiles broadly, "But it's no problem at all..."
Zanax nods, "Of course! Votishal shall provide law and order to this station! Thieving will not be tolerated on this world!"
Zanax turns back to Amalda2 and frowns, "Perhaps I'm not doing this right."
He moves his hands to Amalda2's temples and tries to make contact again.
He gets no response.
Zanax sighs, "I guess telepathy won't work with them."
"The implant would solve that problem," Amalda2 suggests.
Tully says, "Would the implant help us understand all of this better?"
Amalda1 smiles.
"I doubt it. You are suffering from a bit of cultural shock."
Zanax looks confused, "What's an implant? Is it a fruit or vegetable?"
"Into your brain," reminds Amalda2, "What Tully was asking about a few days ago."
Zanax nods, "Ah, yes. I remember now. 3 questions:
"1) Is it only a communication device?"
"Yes, but a very sophisticated one...by your standards...in most situations. In extreme cases it can be used as a conduit to control the actions of the person so equipped."
Zanax frowns, "WHO controls the actions of the person so equipped?"
"The person, of course."
"2) Will it take long to implant?"
"Only a few minutes."
"3) Can I still leave the station?"
"Certainly."
Zanax's eyes light up at Tully's colonisation suggestion, "Yes! We should bring the followers of Votishal to colonize this station!"
Zanax then looks puzzled, "Ummm...is there a ship here that could take us there any faster?"
"Not in the Toliman system."
Tully says, "I have a few more questions. First, could you teach colonists to repair Almada or would we need this information in the library to do that?"
"You would need a library."
"Are there parts that can be found in the other space stations around here that might help?"
"I do not know."
"Is there any way to find out or do we need to go over there? Do you know what it would take to repair this station?"
"I can communicate with the active ones, though remember that their original intent was much more specialised than Amalda. The inactive ones you would have to visit."
"Or maybe knowledge stores?"
"I do not know."
"Is there any way to accelerate the learning process?"
"Not here on Amalda."
"If not here, then where?" he asks.
Amalda1 one looks helpless.
"The library worlds, perhaps?"
"How long until this place is no longer inhabitable?"
"I do not know."
"Will bringing others here speed that process up?"
She pauses.
"That is possible. It may put a greater strain on the station resources. How many are you planning to bring?"
He thinks for a moment. "I don't know. What would be a reasonable number to start a new colony with? How many could live here?"
"Without straining the environmental systems? Probably no more than ten thousand."
Tully says, "I doubt we can get that many to join us, but maybe."
He thinks for a moment. "I am just wondering if there is some way to get to a branch library faster. We need an image Occa can use for teleportation. Any thoughts on this?"
He thinks for a moment or two and then says, "Are there any stations similar to this one nearby that we could find parts and the like at?"
"Parts for what purpose?" asks Amalda1.
"To repair Almada," he says.
Both women look blankly at each other, then look back at Tully.
"How can 'parts' repair Amalda? Only a new nernal could do that...and then it would not repair the existing station but create a new one."
Tully shakes his head. "I clearly don't understand. What is a nernal again and why would it create a new station instead of fixing the existing one? That seems like a waste."
"A nernal is a cybertransmuter," explains Amalda1. "There are many different kinds...from extremely specialised units to general purpose personal nernals. Each contains a computer, a memory bank, a vacuum energy power source and a matter/energy converter. It uses the knowledge stored in its memory to create things using the energy source and the converter."
Tully nods. "I see. Are they alive?"
"No."
"All of this," Amalda2 says, with a wave of her hand which encompasses the hangar and beyond, "Was created by the Amalda nernal."
"Very impressive," he says.
"Thank you," they reply as one.
"As for creating a new station rather than fixing this one," concludes Amalda1, "That is a practical application of an ancient scientific theorem, called the Wal-Mart Principle."
"The name of the genius who came up with the Principle has long since been forgotten," adds Amalda2.
He nods. "Ok."
Zanax looks on with awe, "Surely you must be jesting. Arch-mages couldn't even create a place this huge! Can this nernal create living things, too?"
"Not the Amalda nernal. Other, more powerful nernals could," answers Amalda2.
Tully says, "What would happen if we brought a Nernal here? Would it try to harm us or would it do as we asked?"
"That would depend on the type of nernal that it is...and the circumstances."
"And where are these nernals located? Are there any nearby?"
"Each station has a nernal, including Amalda."
"And it is breaking down?" He thinks. "How long do you think this place will be functional?"
"The deterioration began several millennia ago. The nernal will probably last only another thousand years."
"CAN WE GO NOW, DOCTOR SMITH?" asks the robot from upstairs.
The robot's plaintive wails are ignored.
"Will the nernal re-build Amalda before full deterioration?"
"No. The nernal itself is deteriorating."
Zanax looks at Tully, "Shall we start populating this station? The station could support a force of 100, which should be sufficient to remove the vermin..."
"Sure. If they have a thousand years to figure out how to repair the nernal, that will motivate them. We will need to go back home. I wonder if there is a way to speed up our ship?"
He looks over to Almada1 and says, "Any suggestions? If nothing else, we will need to refuel."
"It is a primitive design," Amalda1 says, "Anti-grav drive powered by a type two fusion reactor. The low energy output and high fuel consumption of the reactor limits its performance. Even the best ones could only manage a Jump of perhaps 50 light years...and this one is far inferior to one of those. The only good thing is that it fuses hydrogen which is everywhere."
"You would be better taking one of those ships," Amalda2 adds, motioning to the half dozen ships parked off to the side of the hangar that you noticed when you first arrived. "Anti-grav drives, but powered by vacuum energy. The scout there is probably capable of a 75 light year Jump."
Tully looks over. "The problem is that we don't know how to...how do you say...oh, pilot them. Robot has been teaching us with the Jupiter II, but he doesn't know how to pilot one of those I expect."
"They are self piloting," Amalda1 replies reassuringly, "You tell it where to go and it takes you there. Of course, an interface would make it more seamless."
"BUT WHAT ABOUT ME?" bemoans the robot.
Tully says, "Robot, we would take you with us. The new ship would be the Jupiter III, but I am not sure if we will be able to do so."
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"Oh, a thought...do you have any gold or precious gems we can use to finance this recruiting effort?"
"Gold? Gems? Finance?" repeats Amalda1, apparently not comprehending.
"Yes, in our world we have to give something for good and services. This is usually metals and gems that are considered valuable. These include gold, platinum, silver, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and so forth."
"What a primitive concept," observes Amalda1. "How many of these minerals and elements will you need?"
Tully says, "Well, I am not sure. More is always better for getting the word out. How much do you have?"
She smiles.
"As much as you need."
Tully, a bit agog, says, "Uh, I am not sure. Zanax, do you have thoughts on it?"
Zanax shrugs, "What were you planning to use the money for? It seems like we just need to transport people here..."
"Recruiting mostly. It will help for paying for riders and supplies. I expect we will have to ferry them here unless you all have a larger transport ship. How many will one of those hold?"
The scout is the largest ship and it is much smaller than the Jupiter 2. It could carry perhaps a half a dozen people, you suspect.
"Also, we may want to think about using some of it to get some mages to help us. Maybe Occa or that mage in Sandas would be willing to help for a very large diamond or something."
Zanax ponders for a moment and then responds, "We should probably restrict access to this station to those we trust."
Tully nods. "I wonder if we could get a gate created between here and there. It would make it much easier to move folks. I agree, though. Since you are a paladin, we can make sure no evil people come through."
Zanax shakes his head, "It's not just a matter of good and evil. You want to make sure that people are willing to follow your agenda...or at least not have a hidden agenda that may impact your own."
Zanax continues, "There seems to be a lot of power here that could be easily mis-used...even by good folk."
Zanax turns to Amalda2, "Can this station be moved to where we come from?"
She shakes her head.
"Not by any technology available in these parts."
Zanax raises an eyebrow, "Your statement would indicate that this technology exist somewhere else. Is it obtainable?"
"We do not know," they reply.
Tully thinks for a moment and then says, "You bring up some good points. I was thinking we would settle this station with enough people to build a thriving community, but really, it is likely to be the next generation of people who actually do the work on the station. This first generation won't know enough about this technology to help. So, we really need to be able to isolate the folks from the technology, but let the younger generation have some safe access to it."
He thinks for a moment. "First, Almada1, does this facility have training and education for the young available?"
"As I explained before, schools are available to teach people how to function in society," she replies.
"Ok, I understand that, but I wanted to know if you teach them more about technology. Not how to use it, but how it works. Or maybe something where they could start figuring that kind of thing out. Maybe we will have to go find a library, but I want to know how far we can go here."
"We had this discussion a few moments ago, Tully. For technical knowledge you would need to find a library...and I am not even sure if they have what you seek."
"Second, is there a way to isolate the more primitive members of the folks we bring here? It will likely be the next generation that will be less dangerous to the station and themselves."
"Isolate? What do you mean?"
"I mean...prevent them from going into certain parts of the station. These people will be pretty primitive. They will adapt in a few years, but it will take a while. Before they do that, they could hurt the station and/or themselves if they have access to everything."
"I suppose so," she says with a shrug.
"Not that we would let them hurt Amalda," adds Amalda2.
"Third, is there a way to power robot with this vacuum energy?"
She looks up the stairs at the robot.
"No. He is too primitive."
"Are there any robots on this station?"
"Like him? No."
He turns to Zanax again, "Maybe our first order of business should be to find a very powerful mage and see about fixing this nernal with a wish. What do you think? Then we can figure out next steps. Maybe trying to colonize immediately is too big an initial goal."
Zanax looks skeptical, "Considering this nernal can seem to do things that even arch-mages can't, so you really think a mage can fix it? If we have to ask someone, perhaps the arch-mage known as Stiff would suffice. I know that he has personally saved me and many of my comrades."
Tully says, "I know that is true, but think of it this way...they aren't creating a nernal. They would be repairing or fixing or whatever the current one. That should take a LOT less power."
Zanax nods in agreement, "Amalda2, speaking of power, do you or this nernal have the ability to heal the sick or bring the dead back to life?"
"We have a fully equipped hospital here on Amalda," she replies. "However, technology never managed to bring the dead back to life."
Zanax muses, "So, technology does have it's limits. Magic has the ability to bring the dead back to life. What do you know about magic, Amalda2?
"It is just myth and folklore...fairy tales and children's stories."
Zanax smirks and turns invisible, "Then how do you explain this?"
"Mind manipulation can create the illusion of invisibility," she answers calmly, "Or a manipulation of visible light can have the same effect. However, you do not have access to that technology so it must be the former."
Tully says, "Zanax, maybe we should just invite our friends. Get some women and populate this place ourselves. I could take a few dozen wives."
He smiles at the thought.
Zanax laughs, "Well, based on how those wenches reacted, I'm not sure you could convince too many women to come here. Inviting our friends sounds like a good start. Most of those at Occa's mansion have at least been exposed to technology."
Zanax turns to Amalda2, "So far, you and Amalda1 have done exactly as Tully and I have asked. Is there something or someone that would ever prevent you from doing this?"
"Of course," she replies. "Anything that threatened Amalda would be refused."
"What kinds of precious gems do you have and how large are they? Mages like gems they can use for their spells and such."
Zanax frowns, "Are you talking to me or to Amalda1?"
Tully says, "Amalda1, of course."
He chuckles.
Amalda1 smiles.
"I don't think you understand, Tully. We can create whatever gems or minerals or elements you need...probably up to several thousand tonnes in mass."
Tully's jaw drops.
"Ah, ok, well, then how about a few gems of various types the size of my fist? That should be way more than enough to lure a mage or two here."
Zanax shakes his head, "We don't need the gems. An arch-mage is likely to already be able to just Wish gems to appear...or would be able to ask Amalda to create them once they arrive. We need to enlist mages with the view of establishing a new stronghold for good or for exploration. Those who are only tempted by wealth are not likely to have either views."
Tully shakes his head. "What they get from a wish is variable and can be dangerous. Especially greedy wishes...at least that is how the legends go. I do agree, though. Let's find Occa and then see about establishing this as another base of operations. Maybe we could attract people slowly. If we can get a gate created between here and there, then it might be a lot easier to get people to come."
Zanax nods, "It certainly can't hurt, but it only takes the ships a day or two to get here, doesn't it?"
There is a pop of displaced air and several enormous gems appear at Tully's feet (2 diamonds (50,000gp ea.); 2 sapphires (75,000gp ea.) and 2 rubies (50,000gp ea.).
"Is that sufficient?"
Tully's jaw drops for the second time. He says, "Uhm, I would think so. It is more wealth than I have ever seen."
He picksa them up and puts them in his pouch.
"Another question: do you have a robot that could pilot one of these other ships or teach our robot how to do so?"
"As I said, they are self piloting. You tell them where to go and they take you there."
"Do they shrink like the Jupiter II?"
"The Jupiter 2 shrinks?"
"AFFIRMATIVE," says the robot.
Tully adds, "Yes. Maybe it is magical too."
"How often do they have to be refueled?"
"Never. They are powered by vacuum energy."
Zanax looks surprised, "They never have to be refueled? What other devices run on this vacuum energy?"
She smiles.
"Everything you see."
"NOT ME," corrects the robot.
Zanax asks, "So, you have a vacuum energy source inside you?"
"No," Amalda2 replies. "Energy is beamed to me."
Zanax nods, "I see. Is that why neither you nor Amalda1 can leave this station?"
"Yes. One of them."
"And what are the other reasons?" Zanax inquires.
"Oh, ok. How long would a trip back home take in one of them?"
"Roughly two days...the same as in the Jupiter 2. Since Toliman and Sol are so close together there would be no difference in the travel time."
"Are you leaving, then?" asks Amalda1.
"The communication link between us and Amalda is constrained by the speed of light."
Tully says, "Well, what do you think, Zanax? Should we go find Occa or Stiff? Or do you want to continue to check this place out?"
Zanax replies, "I think we should find Stiff. However, I do not know where he is, how to contact him or am sure that he would be interested in this station."
Zanax then asks, "Amalda2, does Amalda know of a mage called Hardboard?"
She shakes her head.
"I have never heard of him."
Eventually you board the Jupiter 2, bidding farewell to Amalda.