Eclipse Drift: Cosmic Odyssey

A white indicator blinked a message in the peripheral vision of Factor, a remote AI designed by Tata. On and off, it flashed, “ESTABLISHING CONNECTION.” Then, after a few moments, it would flash red, indicating failure. After a brief pause, the message would flash white again, signaling Factor’s systems were attempting to establish a connection once more on a retry timeout. The connection was crucial because it would link Factor’s parent AI system, Tata, suspended as a time crystal somewhere in a methane lake on the Jovian moon Titan, with a "local," what Factor liked to call the biological yet inferior lifeforms found in the local solar system. The fortunate human subject would become an extension of Tata’s will and complete the task Factor was given as a life-long imperative. Once complete, Factor would fall silent and unmoving until called upon by one of the others. Factor was annoyed with the indicator. It was impossible to remove from its vision, and it was taking longer...

As Earth found itself encircled by satellites and outpost stations during the fervent Space Race of the late 22nd century, the escalation of tensions led to the onset of the Space Cold War. Factions representing various interests began jostling for orbital supremacy, either by forcibly displacing rivals or staking claims to strategically significant positions like high-angle orbits, such as the Molinya orbit, vital for military strategy. Skirmishes were commonplace as the struggle intensified over control of pivotal orbital locations and vital resources. Nation-states such as the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and rising powers like India and Brazil became embroiled in these conflicts. Proxy battles and clandestine operations became regular features in the vast expanse of space, where rules of engagement were still evolving. The quest for dominance extended beyond territorial disputes to encompass economic stakes, technological prowess, and ideological rivalries. Ag...

Giddy up, space cowboys, cowgirls, and aliens! Are you ridin' the cosmic range to the Moon and in need of a place to rest yer weary bones? Look no further than the Moonbase Motel! Our little piece of heaven is located right on the trail to the Moon and is the perfect spot to take a load off before continuin' on yer journey. At the Moonbase Motel, we've got all the fixin's to make yer stay as comfortable as a warm campfire on a cold night. We've got grub aplenty, with vittles fit for a space-wrangler and a saloon to wet yer whistle. Plus, we've got a cozy place to lay yer head and catch some shut-eye. But that's not all, we've got a variety of activities to pass the time. We've got a gymnasium for stayin' in shape, and a rec room for when yer feelin' a mite more sociable. So come on down to the Moonbase Motel and experience the best of the frontier, with all the modern comforts of space travel. We'll be waitin' for ya’ll!

The exogens, also known as xenoforms, are recognized by these titles due to our human interpretations, where we have merged the roots signifying "externally generated" or "foreign-made" to describe them. Regrettably, the term "exogen" has persisted as a somewhat prejudiced descriptor, encompassing any non-human entity, whether constructed, mechanical, or programmatic. This term, it seems, remains ingrained in our lexicon. In recent times, valiant attempts have been made to adopt the distinct appellations various xenoforms have chosen for themselves, with the most prominent being the "Starborn." Yet, motivation to rectify this linguistic oversight appears scarce. It's essential to acknowledge that the use of either term acts as a marker, revealing the speaker's species. Within the realm of this narrative, we focus our attention on the Starborn. However, it's a realm filled with uncertainties, for who can ascertain the number of exogen ...

The team of scientists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO for short, at the Hanford Site Observatory in Washington state were conducting routine research when they detected what appeared to be a group of gravitational waves. The Hanford Site was established around 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, a research effort by US scientists to end the second world war by producing an atom bomb. Plutonium manufactured at the site was used to make Fat Man, the ordinance used in the bombing of Nagasaki Japan in 1945.  A major Superfund effort was undertaken in 1989 to clean up the mess left by the inevitable mishandling of fissile material by the US Army. The last plutonium reactor, dubbed the N Reactor, was shut down and stopped generating electricity in 1987, the nearby Columbia River having been dammed over eleven times and supplying a better alternative for many years. LIGO was built in late 1994 and has been operating as a gravitational wave observato...

Deep within the vast expanse of space, a solitary miner named Samson Drake found himself on a mission unlike any other. Stranded far from Earth, with only a small mining vessel and limited resources at his disposal, Samson embarked on a daring endeavor to alter the trajectory of a massive asteroid and find his way back home. Prospecting was a painstaking process. Equipped with a cutting-edge scanner and a skilled eye honed by years of experience, Samson scoured the void for a suitable asteroid. After weeks of tireless searching, his efforts paid off. On his radar, he spotted a colossal space rock, its composition holding the potential to serve his purpose. With his target identified, Samson carefully maneuvered his mining vessel, aptly named the Stardust, towards the asteroid. The journey through the cold vacuum of space was arduous, but his determination propelled him forward. Hours turned into days as the Stardust closed in on its quarry. He didn’t know what the official name of th...