Gliese 667: Celestial Hearts Unbound
Posted on August 5, 2023 by Darlene Reilley
Greetings, intrepid voyagers of the cosmos!
Prepare to embark on an exhilarating odyssey through the pages of “The Forbidden Timeline,” where the tapestry of science fiction fuses seamlessly with the intricate threads of romance. Join me on a voyage where the stars align, revealing a story that is both captivating and unforgettable. 🌌✨
In the heart of this cosmic saga lies Lieutenant Kalia Berosana, a valiant soul aboard the illustrious Aurellian Timeship Venture. Her awakening is met with a scene of chaos – a bridge in ruins, comrades fallen, and the enigmatic AI unit, Samma, taking command. Determined to unearth the secrets hidden within the wreckage, Kalia’s quest takes a daring turn into the unknown.
As life’s breath returns to the ship’s veins, a revelation emerges: Kalia is not alone in this perilous voyage. Here, on the enigmatic world known as Earth, she crosses paths with Commander Cam Hayes. Their connection ignites like a starburst, a love that defies the boundaries imposed upon them. But as their forbidden affections come to light, they are thrust into a frantic race across this mysterious planet, where enigmatic aliens dwell and danger lurks in the shadows.
Time dances on a precipice, and the destiny of Kalia and Cam hangs by a thread. Amidst trials that test their spirits and bond, a fire burns deep within them, defying the odds. Yet, a heart-rending choice looms, poised to shatter their unity forever. Guided by the rebel heart of a timeship that dares to defy fate, Kalia makes a vow – to mend the tapestry of time, safeguard her endangered people, and reclaim the love she holds dear.
But shadows loom in her path – the relentless Anelianist threat, a force that hungers for annihilation. Can Kalia stand against the tide of destiny, thwart the doom that shadows her people, and reclaim her true love?
Step into “The Forbidden Timeline,” where the pulse of science fiction converges with the rhythm of an undying love. Brace for an epic that will enrapture not only the hearts of science fiction enthusiasts but also the spirits of romance aficionados. Don’t miss this captivating journey that lies within the folds of “The Forbidden Timeline.”
May your imagination soar among the stars and your heart resonate with the echoes of a love that transcends all.
With boundless anticipation,
Darlene 🌟📚 #TheForbiddenTimeline #SciFiRomance
Forbidden Timeline
Embark on an Epic Sci-Fi Romance in ‘Forbidden Timeline’ – Where Love Defies the Cosmic Rules
Embark on a captivating journey through the cosmos where science fiction and romance intertwine in The Forbidden Timeline. Lieutenant Kalia Berosana, aboard the renowned Aurellian Timeship Venture, awakens to a scene of devastation—a chaotic bridge, her crewmates lifeless, and the enigmatic AI unit, Samma, assuming control. Determined to unravel the truth behind the tragedy, Kalia’s quest for answers takes an unexpected turn.
As life support is restored, Kalia discovers that she is not alone in this perilous odyssey, encountering Commander Cam Hayes, whose magnetic presence sparks a connection neither can resist. But their forbidden love is soon exposed, forcing them into a desperate race across the mysterious planet known as Earth—a world inhabited by enigmatic aliens. With time running out, their lives hang in the balance.
Amidst the treacherous challenges they face, Kalia and Cam’s bond deepens, igniting a flame that defies the odds. Yet, a heart-wrenching sacrifice looms, threatening to tear them apart forever. Rescued by a rebellious timeship defying orders, Kalia makes a solemn promise: she will restore the timeline, save her endangered race, and reclaim the man who holds her heart.
But standing in her path is the relentless Anelianist threat—a force that seeks to bring about the annihilation of her people. Can Kalia defy destiny, prevent the extinction of her race, and reunite with her one true love?
The Forbidden Timeline awaits, merging the pulse-pounding excitement of science fiction with a love that defies all boundaries. Brace yourself for an epic tale that will leave science fiction and romance enthusiasts spellbound. Don’t miss the captivating journey that awaits within the pages of The Forbidden Timeline.
Chapter One
It was silent. The thought repeated over and over in my mind like a red flashing light. My entire body ached. I groaned; something was wrong and I couldn’t remember what. I pried my eyes open—I was on the bridge of the Aurellian Timeship Venture. That in itself was normal, but the dim lights of emergency power cast an eerie glow across the bridge. Life support was online. I set my list of priority and coughed.
“Samma?” I called. If my personal computer was connected to the ship at the time of whatever happened, she would be unresponsive. All I got was silence. I tried to get up, but a sharp pain shot through my wrist. I pulled it toward my chest. I hit the communications button on my shoulder.
“Medical, communications, anyone, respond.” There was no response to my hails.
“Pull yourself together, Lieutenant.” I told myself. “Status report.”
I winced as the pressure on my arm changed slightly, and I ran through a head to toe self-exam. Blood seeped from my forehead. My foot was sprained. I reached into my pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and staunched the flow. A trip to the medical unit onboard would be in order later. The medical kit was strapped to the wall near my console on the opposite side of the bridge.
From my prone position, I saw the flashlight strapped to the First Officer’s chair. I grabbed it.
Okay Berosana, I told myself, see if your other leg works.
Chaos. It looked like a tornado hit the bridge, but that was not possible in space. I swung the light to the other side of the bridge and gasped.
“Captain?” I called out, but there was no answer, no movement. “Captain?”
He was hunched over the science officer’s terminal. I scooted over to him, using my good arm and my leg for leverage. The science officer’s body lay on the floor next to the console. I made my way to the Captain, felt for a pulse. He was warm to the touch but gone. I checked the science officer; he was gone.
The console in front of the Captain was lit; his last orders were still on the screen. He had sealed the bridge, and he had put the ship into stealth mode.
“Oh, no.” I said, remembering something. We had just finished a mission. Most of the officers were off duty; we only had a skeleton crew on the bridge. The bulk of the crew would have been in crew’s quarters—on the other side of the lounge. If life support only worked here, then they were all dead.
I didn’t have the strength to move the Captain’s body off the chair. I looked over at my station—I could slave the data across and gain access there; I just had to cross the tossed bridge with strewn mangled metal.
I pulled myself across the bridge slowly making my way to my console. I wondered why I was clear across the bridge and not at my station when whatever it was happened. I grabbed the first aid kit off the wall and continued on my way to my station.
I boosted myself up onto the seat and looked at the flat illuminated console. I pulled up the ship’s status on the terminal; it was a duplicate of the information I had seen on the science station. I sighed, grateful that it was working properly—for once. I attempted to retrieve the life sign’s detector, but it wouldn’t open; instead the computer went blank and scroll type rolled across the screen.
Kailia? It’s Samma. The text appeared. The screen flashed for a moment, then stabilized.
“Samma, what are you doing in the ship’s computer?”
I cannot see or hear you; the ships internal sensors have been damaged. The scroll appeared.
I typed the question into the computer.
Captain Togra transferred my program into the computer before he initiated the last orders for the ship. It was the only way to save my programming and ensure his plan successful.
“So you’re controlling the ship?” I typed.
Yes.
“What happened?” I typed. Somewhere on the other side of the bridge, a console exploded. I ducked as debris flew across the bridge. The fire suppressant system kicked in and white foam covered the console.
The ship was struck by an object once it reached the timestream. The object punctured the hull in the aft section of the lounge and exited the other side of the ship. There was an attempt to seal the breach; however, the seal was not completed. Instead of loosing the entire ship, the Captain chose to pressurize the forward compartment and rear compartment.
“The rear compartment is still intact?” I typed.
That is correct.
The rear compartment was workspace, as well as engineering. There could be people in there.
“Thank the Gods.” I said aloud.
“Send nanobots to seal the breach.” I typed.
The assumption was made that the next command would be to do that. Nanobots are working now.
“How long until the breach is sealed?”
The breach should be sealed within the hour.
“Samma, Display the last twenty minutes of bridge activity.” I typed.
Unable to process. Samma responded.
“Why?” I typed.
The data is corrupted.
I gasped. There was no way to corrupt the data of a timeship unless someone had deliberately sabotaged the ship. Several protocols were in place to assure the data recorded was an accurate account of what happened. There was an entire field of study at Aurellian Headquarters just for the system.
“Samma, can you link up with your mobile unit?” I typed.
Yes, however that would cease all ship actions.
“Slave all controls to my station here and continue where you are. Keep me updated.”
Yes Kailia. She responded and the screen blinked back to the previous screen. As she got to work on the computer system, I decided it was time to see to my wounds. I patched them up as best I could until I could get to the medical unit in the lounge, and went over the data that was there.
The odds that something could get past the shields and impact the hull were astronomical. And yet, it had happened. Someone had to have adjusted the shield frequency in order to let it in.
It took a few minutes, but I stopped the bleeding on my forehead and had bandaged it. I was putting a temporary splint on the ankle when Samma reported.
Kailia.
“Yes.” I typed.
Nanobots have sealed the breach in the lounge. The seal is now repressurizing.
They say that you can’t feel it when a ship repressurizes. At least that’s what the scientists say. As for me, I felt the change as soon as it happened. I heard the seal to the rest of the ship from the bridge pulse; saw the blue shimmer of the seal between the bridge and doorway. Another note appeared on the screen.
Repressurization complete. Would you like me to open the seals?
“No. Maintain seals for the moment. Can we get a message through to engineering? See if anyone is down there?”
Previous attempts to raise engineering staff have failed. I will step up request for a response.
“Atta girl, Samma.” I typed for a moment, and then something hit me. “Has anyone logged onto any computers in engineering since the impact?”
Unknown. Insufficient data.
“Next priority is sensors, external and internal. I want to know if someone or something is out there.” I typed.
Rerouting systems. Recommend visual inspection of breach area and rear compartments. Samma said.
“I’m heading to medical compartment and then to engineering. Secure computer per my authorization.” I typed.
Confirmed. Computer secure. The letters flashed on the screen.
It was strange seeing them there. Imagine that you’ve had a computer’s voice inside your head for two months; after a while, you get used to it, even if she is a know-it-all. Samma was a prototype of an artificial intelligence interface I was volunteered to try out for the scientists at Headquarters. She was programmed with every bit of data one could ever need, and a bunch more which you didn’t. Her databanks included military, science, and civilian data. What irked me most was how she had an answer to a question before I finished the thought.
“I’ll see you in engineering.” I typed.
Yes Kailia. The response came.
I looked around, wondering what I could use as a crutch until I got past the lounge, and saw a busted rail. I picked it up; it was a bit long for me, but it could work. I hobbled over to the doorway and at my approach it opened.
The lounge was as disheveled as the bridge—it looked like someone had picked the whole room up, shook it, and set it down. The only difference was the bodies.
I swallowed a sob. The Venture had a crew of 23. It looked as though most were in this room. I swallowed the grief, locked it up, and moved on. I picked my way to the medical chamber for medicine and crutches, then made my way to engineering. I passed more bodies as I walked down the hallway of the sleeping quarters—each of the doors was open, and each of the rooms looked like the last. At first glance, the engineering bay looked like the rest of the ship. At second take, I noticed it was a bit tidier. I heard movement towards the side and reached for my weapon.
I approached the area the sound originated from and rounded a pylon. I heaved a breath as I saw him.
“Chief Rorque?” I asked. A small, brown-haired man stared at me with wrench in hand. The beam of my flashlight bounced off his glasses. I lowered my weapon. He was on his knees in front of the stardrive with the guts of the engine spread out across the floor in front of him. The chief was dirty; grease and blood covered his uniform.
“Lieutenant Berosana?”
I holstered my weapon. Some people had children; the Chief had the ship. He wouldn’t harm the ship he thought of as his own let alone the crew.
“Thank the Gods,” he gasped. I handed him my canteen of water and he drunk deeply. After he caught his breath, he handed it back. “Where is the Captain?” He looked behind me as if expecting the rest of the staff to come through the door.
“No one else made it off the bridge,” I said. My voice hitched. I told myself to tamp it down; I would deal with the fallout of the situation if and when we were back on Aurellia. “Everyone in the lounge and private quarters was killed on impact.”
“Damn,” he answered.
“What do we have here, Chief?”
“The belly of the beast,” he said. The Chief waived a wrench at the parts in front of him. His handheld computer beeped. He touched a few buttons on it and looked back at me. He cursed. “Diagnostics reminder was set to automatic. Problem is, I already know the issue—the drive is out, Lieutenant, and we won’t be going anywhere until its fixed.”
“How long, Chief?”
“Two weeks, three at the outside. What hit us?”
“Unknown. Whatever it was, it flew straight through the shield, through the ship, and out the other side. It’s probably halfway to Bidline by now. Is there anyone else down here?”
“No. Shepplari was for a few minutes once we lost life systems, but he couldn’t handle the reengagement of the life systems. It’s just you and me, Ma’am.”
I nodded. Between the two of us he had more space-time, but I had the education and the proper rank.
“The last thing the Captain did was transfer Samma into the computer; secure your area and the bridge. Whatever it was, it fried the ship’s systems. The Captain transferred the only AI we had on board into the system.”
“That little bot of yours is running the ship?” he asked, pointing to the pack I had on my vest.
“I wouldn’t say that where she can hear you, Chief. ‘That little bot’ is the only thing that’s keeping the both of us from becoming space dust.”
He didn’t answer. The Chief’s position on AI tech was clear when I first boarded the Venture at Aurellia Station—he took one look at my vest, shook his head, and left me to my own devices.
“Is there a terminal up here, Chief?” I asked, looking around. I hadn’t spent much time in the bowls of the ship.
“Yes Lieutenant. There’s a terminal over there.” He said motioning to the corner where Shepplari’s body lay near two others.
“I’ll be on the computer, Chief.” I turned and the Chief went back to his engine. I guess we all show grief in our own way, I thought. I hobbled past the bodies of my colleagues to the terminal. I logged on and after a few moments, the connection linked.
Kailia?
“Yes Samma, it’s me. What’s your status?” I typed.
Exterior sensors are online. Nothing detected in the vicinity.
“What about the internal sensors?” I typed.
Five minutes to internal sensors. Bypasses complete. Propulsion is offline. Records indicate that the star drive is offline.
“I am aware of that.” I typed. I shot a glance back to the Chief’s location, but he had his back to me and his hands buried in the drive. “Chief Rorque is alive and working on it.”
Interior sensors are online.
“Report.” I typed.
There are three life signs aboard the ship.
“Three?” I typed.
Yes. Samma said.
“Samma, there are only two of us here. Where is the third?”
In the rear of the compartment twenty meters from the plasma exhaust station.
“I’ll be right back. Lock computer.” I typed in. I stood and made my way past the bodies, toward the rear of the compartment.
“Lieutenant?” Chief Rorque asked.
“Just stretching my legs, Chief,” I said. He went back to whatever he was doing. I passed him and headed toward the rear. Once I was out of sight of the Chief, I pulled my weapon from its holster, and readied myself for any possibility. I wondered if I had done the right thing instead of telling the Chief, but if he didn’t already know about the other person in the room, there had to be a reason. Perhaps he was afraid of whoever was back there.
I moved towards the area where life signs were detected and saw a wall of boxes stacked three deep which went clear to the ceiling. I made my way deftly over to the wall of boxes and squeezed to one side; I wondered how the Chief had not seen this entrance. I turned to the right and walked two boxes in, then turned to the left and walked down a few boxes. I made a turn to the right. He lay on the floor, holding a gun at me. I looked into the steel gray eyes of the Security Officer, Commander Hayes. Once he confirmed it was me, he lowered his weapon. He bled profusely from a thigh wound. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head. I holstered my weapon, walked to him, and stopped.
“Commander?” I whispered.
“Lieutenant.” He said.
“What’s going on here, Sir?”
“Rorque.” He said flatly. His weapon was still pointing at my heart.
I looked at him, but he was staring past me; something was wrong.
“Commander.” I heard from behind me. I saw the Commander’s eyes move briefly to the right, and I acted without thinking. I rolled to the right and fell on my bad leg. I screamed as my leg contorted at an awkward angle as I crashed into the boxes to my right. A firearm discharged behind me, and I saw a discharge of blue light behind me. Another weapon whined and discharged.
I whimpered. My training took over and I blocked the pain out. I turned to see that Rorque had fallen. Commander Hayes sat up and covered the Chief. Rorque’s body was thrown back onto a pile of boxes. Blood oozed from his wound. His weapon lay on the ground near his right arm. I regained my footing, and with the help of my crutches, collected the weapon. I looked down at the setting—it was on kill. The safety was off.
“Commander?” I asked. I shot him a look. He knew. A brief flicker of emotion crossed his face before he hardened.
“Rorque was the saboteur.” He said roughly. The Commander’s weapon was still aimed at the Chief. “Check him.”
I leaned over and checked Rorque’s pulse.
“He’s gone.” I reported. I straightened and looked over at the Commander. His leg wound looked bad. “Sir, we’d better get you to a medical unit.”
“Medical unit is in the lounge, Lieutenant. It’s gone.”
“No, Sir.” I said. I hobbled to him. “The holes have been repaired, the shields intact, and interior and exterior sensors are online.”
“That’s how you knew I was here.” He said as he lowered his weapon and secured it.
“Yes Sir.” I replied. I lent him one of my crutches.
“Who else is on board, Lieutenant?”
“No one, Sir. We’re it.” We made our way to the engineering station.
The Commander swore. “He tore it apart. Report.”
“I was unconscious on the bridge, Sir; when I came to I saw Captain at the Science station. He had everything slaved there. The Captain transferred my AI to the computer.”
“Your AI?” He asked.
“Yeah.” I answered. “We lost everyone Sir.”
“I know, Lieutenant.” He said.
We made our way past the guts of the star drive and towards the lounge. Even with the crutches, it took forever to make it through the door. I stopped just inside the door
“Rest here for a minute, Sir.” I said, helping him onto a stool. “I’ll be right back.” I made my way past the bodies and to the console.
“Samma?” I typed.
Who is this?
“It’s Kailia.” I said and rattled off a code we worked out earlier.
Kailia, someone tried to access my systems from the same terminal seven minutes ago.
“That was Rorque. He’s no longer a threat. What did he try to access?”
Light propulsion. He was unable to do anything because he did not have the proper access code.
“Atta girl, Samma.” I typed. “Commander Hayes is here with me, Samma. He’s injured. I’m taking him to medical. I’ll get access there.”
Confirmed. System secured.
I turned and walked back over to the Commander. We made our way through the lounge and to the medical unit.
“There isn’t time for this. We need to get to the bridge.” The Commander said as I helped him to a seat on an empty bed in medical.
“Sir, you’re not going to be much use to me if we don’t get your leg fixed. I know there’s a lot to do, but we have to ensure that we are alive in order to do it.”
The Commander gave me a curt nod and stayed on the bed while I readied the side of the bed for the recovery pod.
“I’ll head in, but only to heal it.” He said.
I nodded.
“And then you’re getting in.” He said as I hit the last few buttons.
“I’m fine, Sir.” I said. I pumped so much anti-pain medication, I could fly us back to Aurellia under my own power.
“It’s an order, Lieutenant.”
“Yes Sir.” I answered. I shut the pod. His eyes closed as the pod display came up with a list of his wounds; it would have him out for at least three hours. I hobbled over to the wall unit, sat on the chair in front of it, and was about to check with Samma when I heard her voice.
“Internal communications are online.” She said over the intercom.
“Samma? Good to hear you.” I answered.
“And you, Kailia. Communications throughout the ship have been restored as well as mobile pods.”
That gave me a thought.
“Is the transfer station running?”
“Affirmative.” She said.
“Good.” I said, thinking for a moment. “Are we still near that gravitational eddy?”
“Yes.”
“Transfer the remains of the deceased to the eddy.”
We couldn’t hold a body in the ship for more than six hours. It was custom in the Guard to have a burial in the timestream when killed on duty.
“Transfer complete.” Samma said after a moment.
“Can you get an eye on what Rorque was doing in engineering?” I asked as I made my way toward the door. Her voice followed me through the lounge and towards engineering door.
“Affirmative, Kailia. The Chief disabled the stardrive.” Samma said.
“Can we fix it?”
“I have the knowledge.” Samma said.
Of course you do, I almost snorted out loud. I paused for a moment, almost at the engineering door. I hadn’t eaten since lunch the day before. I stopped in the lounge and got a tray from the kitchen, placed it under the food drop, and ordered a sandwich on the console. I ordered juice with it, and ate the meal as Samma reported on our status. I was quickly on my way to engineering.
Three hours later, I heard the swish of the door behind me. The Commander appeared by me as I worked.
“Lieutenant.” He said as he approached. I turned to him with sonic adjust in hand. “I’m here to relieve you.”
“Sir?” I asked. The Commander looked rough around the edges still; his uniform was torn, bloody, and holey.
“It’s your turn at the egg.” He said, referring to the medical pod.
“I’m fine, Sir.”
“No, you’re not. You are punchy and probably haven’t slept since yesterday, right?”
I let that go. I stood and handed him the tool.
“What were you doing, Lieutenant?”
“Repairing the ‘fix’ that Rorque did to the stardrive, Sir. He did a number on it.”
“Samma?” Commander Hayes said. It was the first time he addressed her directly. I wondered if my AI would be as sassy to him as it was to me.
“Yes Commander.”
“Can you explain to me how to patch the stardrive?”
“Yes Commander.”
“There you have it. Go and get in the pod, Lieutenant. I need you at top condition too.”
“Yes Sir.” I said, handing him the tool in my hand. He helped me to my feet, and I saw that his wound was repaired. He would need a few more sessions in the medical pod, but he would do for now.
“The bodies?” He asked.
“The bodies were placed in the eddy, Sir. Samma recorded it.”
He nodded. “Good work, Lieutenant.”
I walked to medical and climbed on the bed. The Commander preset the pod. The lid was about to come down on me, but I stopped it.
“Samma?”
“Yes Kailia.”
“Set pod for three hours. Open it immediately if I am needed.”
“Yes Kailia.” She said.
The Commander may have the rank, but it was my computer that was running this show.
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