Another week passes, while Tully fiddles with the robot. Finally, he discovers that he inserted an O-washer backwards. Reassembling the great machine, he reactivates him. "THAT COMPUTES," says the robot. "Zanax, try and contact Occa again. It's been about a month since we last talked." Zanax nods and tries to reach out to Occa's mind again, "Occa...Occa...can you hear me?" Zanax shakes his head at Tully, "No response. I will try again tomorrow." Tully says, "I am bored." The takes a long sip of his apple martini. "Let's do something, guys!" "What would you like to do?" asks Darian. "Anything different." Zanax suggests, "Perhaps we should get back to exterminating the vermin from the station." Tully nods. "Yeah, let's do that. I wonder if there are any other dragons on this station." Zanax nods. "Perhaps we should plan and equip ourselves a little better before we go hunting." "In what way, Zanax? I have a full complement of magical spells, my psionics are at their peak and we have both magical and technological weapons. Plus, we now have some working knowledge of these new weapons." Zanax nods. "Well, I don't think we fared that well against the dragon. Perhaps we should inquire about better armor or shields." Tully says, "We already asked about that. We have the best they have. If we want better, we have to find a working military establishment." Zanax nods. "So, why aren't we doing that?" Lo asks Amalda where the nearest working military base. "I don't know," she replies. "There are none in this star system." "Most occupied star systems had at least a small military outpost," adds Amalda1. "To protect against raiders. It was the cost of maintaining all of that military that eventually led the empire to withdraw from this part of the galaxy." "Where is the closest star system that has a major outpost, including science, military, and entertainment?" he inquires. "There are none to our knowledge in existence at this time," replies Amalda4. "The largest such complex in this area in the days of the empire was in the system of Shaula." "That system is about 210 light years away from Toliman," adds Amalda2. "How many complexes are still functional?" he asks. "I don't know, Lo. We lost contact with the other complexes over a thousand years ago." Zanax asks, "Can you hypothesize the likeliest complexes or stations to still be remaining operational based on how the empire the deteriorated?" "I cannot," replies Amalda2. "But the empire collapsed towards the centre of the galaxy, so you would have a greater chance of finding one in that direction." "How far off are we from the center and can we bring you with us?" Lo asks. "We are about 25,000 light years and no, we cannot come with you." Tully says, "We have been here so long, we have all asked the same questions again. I think there is something in the water. It is time to depart." He gives Almada a kiss and says, "My dear, we will be back as soon as possible, but we must venture out and do some exploring." He says, "Let's take one ship, guys. It will be safer that way. I say we head to the nearest star system and see what is there." Zanax nods at Tully, "Sounds good." "Works for me." Zanax turns to Amalda2. "Quick question, how long will it take us to get to the center of the empire at our top speed?" "Do you mean the centre of the galaxy?" Tully says, "No, what is the next star system besides our home system? How far is it away and how long will it take to get there at fastest speed?" "The closest star system to Toliman is a brown dwarf named BDC1209. It is three light years away. In real time the X class scout would take zero time to take you there, plus a day to clear the Lipsey Barrier of this star system. In the relativistic time frame within the ship the voyage would take less than half an hour." "Does our ship have warp speed at least?" Lo asks with a sigh. "What is warp speed?" He is going to miss Amalda 4. "See you sweetheart," he says as he leans her back and kisses her deeply. "I will miss you, Lo, and your Wang," she replies. "Yeah," says Wang. Suddenly Tully and Lo pause. Glassy-eyed expressions come over their respective faces. Then, they return to what passes for normal with them. Zanax frowns, "Are you guys ok? You both looked a little...well, you weren't acting like yourselves." "I think information was being given to their chips," explains Darian. "Wow, that was cool," Lo says in an awe inspired voice. Tully smiles and says, "This is true. We have been told a bit more about how space travel works. It was very helpful. In a nutshell, each 25 light years of distance will take a day to those we know. It won't make any difference to us, but to friends and family, a day will pass. As an example, if we travelled to the center of the galaxy, we could do it in an instant....at least it would appear that way to us. To our friends and families, though, a full 3 years of time would have passed. Don't ask me to explain to you why it works that way, but it does. I suggest we hit the nearest star system and see what is there and maybe some other nearby star systems after that." "Okay, that's fine, but no excursions to the center of the galaxy, then, without first checking with our friends and family." Tully smiles, "As long as they don't mind us being gone for at least 6 years, I guess it is ok." "I think Jesse would have a problem with it." Tully nods, "Although I bet she would be happy to see you only a day or two older." He chuckles. Darian grins. "I'm an elf, my friend. Six years doesn't make me look much older." Tully nods. "Yeah, I guess that is true, but not really for Jesse." "Exactly!" Tully says, "Ok, let's go then." He rounds everyone and heads to the ship and makes for the nearest star System post haste all the while singing "on the road again..." Gathering up your equipment, you head for the Steve Jobs. Soon you are spaceborne again and heading out of the Toliman system as you recline comfortably in the cabin of the X class scout and eat deep fried tofu sticks. Black-eye of course has steak. As soon as you clear Toliman's Lipsey Barrier and enter Sparksian space you Jump...
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