CHAPTER 1
ATHINKOBATOR ACTIVATES
The story begins when Cosmo and Bronte complete a test run inside Athinkobator's Techtronic Simulator Conversion Capsules. They have successfully transformed into their alter egos, Omsoc and Etnorb. Their schedule now required them to do some training in the transgalactic simulator. The session was brief as they had already devoted considerable time to this training during the past few weeks. Because of their important rank within the astronaut programme and because they have to be on a constant level of preparedness for any emergency, they have to maintain their piloting expertise at optimum levels. The simulator is directly linked to all Athinkobator functions and can therefore replicate any condition that astronauts could face at any given time and in any quadrant of space. Its visual displays are given in real time and encompass all three dimensions so as to provide an absolutely correct spatial differential that places the pilot in a true-to-life experience. Omsoc and Etnorb decided that a bit of relaxation would be a good thing, and so they decided to start a game of advanced three-dimensional holographic Minecraft with Athinkobator. It's at that moment that a strange hissing sound is heard coming from Athinkobator's main power source. Thinking that it was probably just a minor malfunction and that Athinkobator's self-diagnostic repair functions would locate and repair the problem, they ignored the sound at first and continued with their game. "I don't think it's anything to be worried about" said Omsoc. "I agree" replied Etnorb, "We'll check later to see what's causing the strange sound."
It wasn't long before the hissing sounds started again—Omsoc suddenly became concerned when the noise grew louder. The main screen on Athinkobator's panel became fuzzy. He turned to Etnorb and, with some urgency in his voice, said, "I think we had better check this out. There might be something technically wrong with Athinkobator's linear circuitry."
Athinkobator was able to understand voice commands, so Omsoc located the Language Universal Translator (LUT) switch on Athinkobator's control panel and switched it to Voice Recognition processing mode. The LUT is capable of recognizing and translating any language no matter how obscure. To process any translation, the meaning of a text in the original (source) language is fully restored in the target language by the LUT. It interprets and analyzes all the elements in the text and knows how each word influences another. The LUT software always produces quality translations of any alien language. It is equipped with the latest rule-based machine translation technology algorithms. It relies on countless built-in linguistic rules and billions of bilingual dictionaries for each alien language pair. Etnorb took a position at the controls and spoke clearly into Athinkobator's supersensitive voice receiver, "Athinkobator, conduct self-diagnostic of all technical, bionic, and main computer functions, and report."
It only took an instant from when Etnorb's command was received to when the report was given. Athinkobator was equipped with the latest central processing unit (CPU), which was capable of performing billions of tasks at the same time, and so it only took a matter of milliseconds for Athinkobator to acknowledge Etnorb's command and for it to then conduct a thorough diagnostic check of all its functions. "The report is ready for your analysis," came the computerized voice from Athinkobator. The report showed all of Athinkobator's systems functioning perfectly, but as Etnorb and Omsoc watched the graphic display of complicated algorithms or processes on one of the screens, they noticed that there was a glitch in one of the readings. "Athinkobator has conducted a step-by-step problem-solving procedure, as expected," said Etnorb. Athinkobator had done this through a specially established, recursive computational procedure designed to enable it to solve a problem in a finite number of steps. "But, there must be something that Athinkobator could have missed," replied Omsoc. It took the trained eyes of the two super space cadets to notice the cause of the disturbing anomaly. It was in one of the peripheral communication systems located on an observatory on top of Mount Everest. Etnorb directed Athinkobator to focus on the nature of the anomaly and to diagnose further. This time, Etnorb requested that the report be given verbally by Athinkobator so that a finite comparison could be made with the written report already provided. Before Athinkobator could respond to the order given to it by Etnorb, its main screen filled with a host of hieroglyphic images that made absolutely no sense to either Etnorb or to Omsoc. At the same time, Athinkobator issued a warning that something, from an unknown source, was trying to communicate with them. It could offer no information as to the identity or the nature of this communication. "Warning: Intruder Alert!" Athinkobator issued this message with an urgency in its voice not heard of before by either Omsoc or Etnorb. It shook them from head to toe and their faces became as white as those of a corpse. They both knew that this was something that was quite out of the ordinary and that it demanded their immediate attention.
CHAPTER 2
ALIEN X-MANKANE
In that instant, a massive energy beam came straight out of Athinkobator's three-dimensional, 302-inch 3.25:1 display ratio screen. It was so intense and of such proportions that it completely filled the room in which they were standing.
Omsoc and Etnorb became transfixed by this blast of energy and found themselves unable to move. They then noticed that something very strange was starting to form inside the beam. As the object began to take shape, it became clear to Omsoc and Etnorb that it was beyond any reality that they had previously encountered. The apparition became fully formed within the beam of energy in the shape of a hologram. It had a body that looked like rough stone and was shaped like a long macaroni noodle. There were six spindly tentacle-like around its body, and it had a face that resembled a computer chip. They had never seen anything like this.
Etnorb turned to Omsoc, saying, "Do you think that Athinkobator is combining its sophisticated computer matrix with its bionic components with the objective of making living matter and computer hardware into a singularity?" Omsoc couldn't believe what Etnorb was saying, much less understand it all. "I read something about this kind of thing in a science book at the school library some years ago, but, I thought then that it was just science fiction and something that could only happen in the distant future. When I mentioned it to one of the teachers, I was told that my mind was twisted and that I should concentrate more on books about singing."
"I can't see why Athinkobator would do that without first receiving some instruction to do so from one of us," said Etnorb. "Even though it has advanced learning capabilities, it should not extrapolate any of its developments into any form of reality without receiving our clearance."
Omsoc and Etnorb stared at the creature for quite some time. Neither of them spoke. The creature also looked at them, perhaps trying to establish who was uglier between Omsoc and Etnorb. After what seemed an eternity, the creature spoke in a language that was very foreign to both Omsoc and Etnorb. It sounded like a combination of machine language and obscure Greek etymology. Thanks to Athinkobator activating its built-in Language Universal Translator (LUT), Etnorb and Omsoc were able to understand what this alien being was saying. There was a bit of a delay in aligning the right synchronization of the alien and the English languages, but Athinkobator soon fixed this to ensure proper alignment of the two languages. The creature's voice sounded like it was coming from a long way from where they stood. It also sounded hollow. Nothing had prepared them for this eventuality. In all their past adventures through the vastness of space, this was the first time that they had actually encountered something that seemed to defy all the laws of probability. Yet here it was, staring them in the face in a manner that was bewildering yet not threatening.
"I am X-Mankane," said the creature.
"I come to you from the edge of your known universe with an urgent request for help. My world is called Xulud, an ancient planet ten thousand times the size of your world. The people of my world are the Sebemo, and we are facing a great danger from a race known as the Cyclopzorgs, from the planet Ocat. They have been threatening to change the way we live. We cannot let this happen. My leader, Grayluke, has heard that you are able to solve problems in a way that benefits everyone. It has taken us one thousand of your Earth years to find you. The Cyclopzorgs believe their way of life is better and that all worlds should follow their example. We have never been to their world, but we have seen images sent to our ancestors, by the Cyclopzorgs, many thousands of years ago. They have an animal shape with bear- and giraffe-like features. They do not look friendly. They have visited many other worlds and have succeeded in changing their way of living. As yet, they have not come to our planet, Xulud. However, we do believe that it will only be a matter of time before they do come. When this happens, there is certainly going to be a lot of resistance by my people even though they are not used to fighting. The loss of innocent lives will be enormous. We are very happy with the way things are on our world, and we do not want this to change."
While X-Mankane was explaining the plight of the people on planet Xulud, Omsoc and Etnorb were joined by many high-ranking officials. One of them was a five-star general who came and stood beside Omsoc and Etnorb. "This is highly important with national security implications," he said.
CHAPTER 3
ALIEN AGGIE-BUG
As Omsoc and Etnorb were trying to comprehend all of what X-Mankane had said to them, Athinkobator flashed a warning that something else was coming through another of its visual portals. With no time to react, Omsoc and Etnorb were again startled by another huge beam of energy. This one was very colourful and filled with lots of stars and swirls of clouds. The hologram taking shape in this beam of energy was very pretty indeed. She looked almost human, except her head was pointy, and she had wings. She spoke with a soft voice. "Hello," she said, "I am Aggie-Bug. My home world is called Esile, and it is not far from the world of X-Mankane, only two million light years. My people are called the Gubeigga, and I would like to say to you that what X-Mankane is saying is correct. My world is also being threatened by the same race of Cyclopzorgs. We don't know what to do. The ruler of my world is Queen Becca, who loves her people very much and wants to make sure nothing bad happens to them. Can you also help us?"
CHAPTER 4
INFORMATION PROCESSING
All this was happening so fast that Omsoc and Etnorb were having difficulty in processing all the information. "Make sure Athinkobator is recording all of this," said Omsoc with a voice that echoed urgency.
"Okay," said Etnorb. Athinkobator's LUT was working in overdrive to translate the languages of the Sebemo and the Gubeigga.
X-Mankane then added, "I have a very capable Sebemo warrior who can formulate an attack on the Cyclopzorgs. His name is Emo-Demo and commands the starship Kert1701. We are prepared to fight for our world if you, Omsoc, and you, Etnorb, are prepared to lead us."
Then Aggie-Bug, with some alarm in her voice, said, "I don't think violence is the answer. I also have a capable warrior who can do the same thing. His name is Majac, who commands the super–galaxy starship JJ57, which is capable of destroying entire galaxies with its array of quantum fusion solar articulated weaponry. He has also helped to develop a new dimension of avionics, which can be activated directly by the alignment of his own brain wave patterns with his ship's onboard computer. But there must be another way. My queen, Becca, believes Omsoc and Etnorb can come up with a solution that will not lead to fighting between our worlds. We do not want to lose any of our 50 billion Gubbeiga population on our planet, and I'm sure, X-Mankane, your leader, Grayluke, would prefer not to lose any of his 120 billion Sebemos."
Athinkobator took this opportunity to project some images of the starships Kert1701 and JJ57 together with their associated fleet of specially equipped warrant-class fighter ships.
"They certainly look formidable indeed," said Etnorb.
"Yes," said Omsoc, "but I agree with Aggie-Bug in that we should find an alternative solution. The use of force ought to be the very last resort."
Omsoc and Etnorb remained speechless but only for a few moments. They spoke together. It was like they had already rehearsed their answer. "Of course we will help," they said.
They couldn't believe what was happening. This was like a dream come true. To be able to travel across a universe of uncharted space to help two giant worlds attain a peaceful resolution to a conflict that a planet inhabited by the Cyclopzorgs race was threatening. Omsoc and Etnorb were pleased but, at the same time, surprised that their reputation had spread to such limits of the universe. They knew that they could help. But they were diligent enough to realize that this venture into the vast unknown could pose dangers never before experienced. It would be very foolish of them indeed if they did not first ascertain what could be in store for them. Yes, their intentions were admirable, and this was a trait inherent in these two intrepid adventurers, but they knew that they had to be cautious in their approach.
"Let's check with Athinkobator as to how it's processing all of the information it has been recording," said Etnorb.
"Good idea," replied Omsoc. "I'm sure we'll be OK, but it always pays to be careful."
X-Mankane and Aggie-Bug remained in their respective energy beams while Omsoc and Etnorb positioned themselves at Athinkobator's control panel and deactivated the LUT. They did not want X-Mankane and Aggie-Bug to know what they might be planning just yet. They switched Athinkobator to manual control and to report only to their audible frequency and asked it about the possibility of success and what levels of danger they could be facing, knowing that this adventure would stretch their skills to the limit. The five-star general and other officials also gathered around Athinkobator. Everyone was hoping for the best outcome. Athinkobator soon gave them the answers based upon all the information it had so far collected since the appearance of the two aliens. Its computer systems went into hyperdrive as Athinkobator analysed the aliens at a subatomic level and researched their origins, taking into account all aspects of their home worlds. It also conducted an evaluation of Ocat, the Cyclopzorgs' home planet. However, it had some difficulty in establishing the real nature of the inhabitants of this strange planet; something didn't seem quite right and didn't compute effectively within its database of logic algorithms. Athinkobator processed the report and was careful not to create any alarm by admitting a lack of credible information about the inhabitants of planet Ocat.
The verbal report delivered directly to Omsoc and Etnorb, by Athinkobator, was as follows: "The first danger will be travelling to the far distant worlds from which X-Mankane and Aggie-Bug have come. Will you survive the journey? You will be travelling in the same energy beams that brought X-Mankane and Aggie-Bug to planet Earth. These beams are like 'worm holes within worm holes,' and according to my findings, the gravitational stresses inside are so great. They cannot be calculated with any degree of acceptable accuracy. Travel within these will require an almost infinite amount of energy because, at such speeds, objects become infinitely heavier. It is uncertain as to whether my in-built faster-than-light transporter array is powerful enough to create the energy required for such conditions. It has an initial parsec range of 1,500,000 km, at which point the beam would require boosting."
X-Mankane and Aggie-Bug sensed Omsoc's and Etnorb's concern.
X-Mankane was first to speak. "I sense some kind of concern, is there a problem?" Omsoc explained about the huge amount of energy that would be required to enable transport to their destinations. "Do not worry about the possibility of your transporter array's limitations," said X-Mankane. "Our advanced technology for hyperspace transport will be able to provide the boost required at all intervals through the use of our own energy beams, which can link to Athinkobator transporter array to provide all the energy required to get you to any destination." These beams consist of Quaser particle streams that are powerful enough to shift even the positions of objects as dense as neutron stars.
