The Kriseel Ruins

By Michael McCloskey

The Kriseel Ruins is the 16th book in the PIT series.

When Blackhab scientists report evidence of a live civilization in a system known by the Rovans and Vovokans to be an ancient ruin site, the PIT team investigates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael McCloskey
• Release date: Feb 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9780998569772

Michael McCloskey

I am a software engineer in Silicon Valley who dreams of otherworldly creatures, mysterious alien planets, and fantastic adventures. I am also an indie author with over 140K paid sales plus another 118K free downloads.

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The Kriseel Ruins

(Book 16 of the PIT series)

by Michael McCloskey

Published at Smashwords by Michael McCloskey

Copyright 2021 Michael McCloskey

ISBN: 978-0998569772

Chapter 1

Telisa dropped into the meeting room from a Celaran trap door in the ceiling. The trap door closed above her with a thwack. A split-second evaluation told her she was the last PIT member to arrive, though one of five scientists was just sitting down in the artificial gravity. Telisa recognized people they had dealt with before: The Quarus expert Diana, a Rovan researcher named Trevor, a Celaran biology expert named Randall, and Celeste, the Vovokan weapons specialist smitten with Magnus.

Thanks for waiting, she told Keya, the lead scientist in charge of all Terran research efforts at Blackhab. This must be a special meeting, since you’ve asked everyone to show up incarnate.

Keya had her black hair pulled back severely, secured in the back. She looked young, but it had become steadily more difficult to tell anyone’s age ever since Telisa had left Earth.

We’re glad you all came, Keya said. We’ve made a discovery that we hope you’ll all be very interested in. I took the liberty of inviting your whole team to save you from having to repeat the information.

Telisa nodded.

Trevor? Keya prompted.

Thank you for coming, Trevor said. Telisa recalled that Trevor was a Rovan technology expert. He pushed a bit of his thick brown hair back nervously. He briefly pursed the thin lips of his tiny mouth before resuming.

A very remote Celaran device—er, Cyleran, actually—has detected signals from an unknown intelligence, he said. His link sent them the timestamped coordinates of a star system together with a relative motion vector. Telisa’s PV showed her the system’s formal designation as long stream of letters and numbers. The auto-generated informal name of the target system was Kriseel Ieter Imper.

There aren’t very many of the signals, he went on. It doesn’t seem to be enough for a large world filled with advanced aliens. If it were Terrans making this EM noise, I’d say it’s also more than just one small ship; maybe a colony ship or a large expedition.

Trevor waited a moment, then continued.

That alone is quite a discovery. However, there’s more. We cross-indexed the position of this system over time with various alien-sourced system data. It turns out that both Rovan and Vovokan records mark a planet in this system as a ruins site of an advanced, but extinct, alien civilization. These signals are not old echoes from centuries ago that have traveled far across space; they’re local to the probe and of recent origin.

Telisa found that intriguing, but Trevor was not done.

As we started to analyze these signals, we found a new one, Trevor said. A Terran one.

Terran? Out there? Telisa asked.

It’s definitely a Terran distress beacon. It has a bogus identifier, though. Unlikely to be from the Core Worlds. I think it must be an explorer from the frontier. It’s fourteen years old, so I’m afraid that it’s unlikely whoever sent it is still alive.

Telisa shook her head, taking it all in.

Active aliens and a Terran distress call. All on an ancient ruins site.

That’s amazing. Great find, Telisa told him.

We’re hoping your team would be willing to take point and evaluate the situation there, Keya said. We want to know if it’s appropriate to send a science team. By appropriate, I mean we need answers to questions such as: are these ruins from a previously unknown civilization? Is it relatively safe for us to go there? Should we make contact with these aliens?

Keya and Trevor paused for the PIT team’s reaction.

Do you think the alien signals are an intentional announcement? Imanol asked.

Hard to be sure, but it doesn’t look like it, Trevor said. We believe that it’s just regular EM traffic picked up by a Cyleran probe. As far as we know, the probe has gone undetected.

And I assume the alien signals have been carefully analyzed? Marcant asked.

Yes. They aren’t anything we’re familiar with: not Quarus or Trilisk, for instance.

This could be very bad, Adair said. Its body stood balanced atop a Terran chair across from Telisa. The arrival of the Terrans or the Cyleran probe may have awakened something very old.

The warning sounded ominous enough to make everyone pause to consider the ramifications of that.

Sounds like a line from a horror VR, Telisa thought.

I don’t think that’s the case, Celeste said, looking straight at Magnus as if he were the only other person in the room. The frequencies being used are relatively low and the information being transferred is very limited. I believe these aliens are less advanced than we are.

That only indicates that their communications are less advanced. It’s not conclusive about their other technologies, Telisa said.

Doesn’t that kind of conflict with the Rovan data that says there was an advanced civilization there? asked Siobhan.

Maybe other aliens have gone there to learn from the ruins, the same way you do, Keya suggested.

Or maybe it’s something older that’s wise enough to disguise itself, Marcant said.

The suggestion matched Adair’s comment in a way that made Telisa assume that Marcant and his AI friend were having a private side conversation.

Intriguing hypotheses all, Telisa said. I’d love to take a team out there and find out what’s really going on. Her gaze swept over the team. "Each of you let me know privately if you’re in or out, please. We’ll prepare the Synergy and Iridar to leave soon."

***

The entire team had told Telisa they were on board for the next expedition by the time she returned to the Celaran house she shared with Magnus. Their meager collection of possessions was packed and ready to go in the main room. Magnus smiled when he saw her.

Oh! You already gathered everything, she said.

I figured you’d rather spend your time on planning the expedition, he said.

Telisa shook her head.

It’s so exciting to prepare for another mission, she told Magnus. I love packing everything and taking it to the ship. It’s almost better than the hour we arrive at the system!

Sorry. We have to brainstorm about how it might be different this time. We know there’s an active presence there. And possibly other Terrans.

We can do that on the trip... Telisa said. Her tone revealed that she knew he had a point.

Maybe it should change what we bring from here at Blackhab, Magnus pointed out.

A Space Force ambassador, maybe, Telisa said. She could manage to say it in any positive tone; it must have been clear to Magnus she hated the concept.

We’ve never done that before, and we’re not going to start now, Magnus said.

We’re so arrogant.

This is an old conversation, he said. Instead, let’s talk about what equipment and supplies we should bring, knowing that there are aliens active there. More ships, maybe. Given the presence of a Terran distress signal, I’d say the chances of unfriendlies is much higher.

More ships are just more threatening. We’ll be stealthy and learn the lay of the land.

Magnus nodded as if he had expected that response.

"What then? I applied for some new robot production resources and got approved immediately. The Celarans granted us five thousand rovlings from one of the Rovan battleships, and I have a run of our own designs scheduled in a Blackhab factory five hours from now. Synergy will be chock full of them by the time we leave... assuming you’re willing to wait, say, nine hours?"

For that, yes, she said. We also need lots of attendants. We’re going to be playing the communication game again. That means sending out attendants to gather details about all their conversations—audio, visual, or whatever—and piping it to Marcant and Adair.

Celeste asked to go with us, Magnus said.

Are you kidding—

I already told her it’s out of the question, Magnus said. However, I believe that you mentioned someone more qualified who wanted to join?

Kang, he said his name was. But I haven’t—

He’s contacted us. From here on Blackhab. He still wants to join us, Magnus said.

Telisa frowned. Is that a little too... convenient?

Maybe, Magnus said. Or maybe he’s just resourceful and motivated. I asked Adair to check him out. He looks good on paper.

On paper? Where does that saying even come from, anyway?

Magnus shrugged.

Data used to be stored on paper, right?

Yeah... oh, I see. Got it. It’s kind of short notice to bring someone new. But he’s competent. We’ll have to keep an eye on him.

Yes.

Okay I’ll talk with him and Taishi about it over by the Trilisk column... and tell him, his first expedition with the PIT team might be his last.

Magnus smiled. Our recruiting methods are top-notch.

Ha! Yeah.

***

Telisa found Kang staring at the Trilisk column from a distance. Taishi waited much closer to the precious Trilisk artifact, eyes closed. She walked over to Kang behind the rows of chairs that faced the column.

Hello again, Kang. I assume you want me to call you that since it’s how you introduced yourself.

Hello. Yes, Kang is what I’m used to. No one’s called me Repri for a long time.

So you more or less know what we do?

Explore the galaxy, Kang said. Learn from aliens.

So that’s something you’re interested in?

More than you know, he said.

Telisa raised an eyebrow.

Do you know what that column is?

I know the PIT team uses powerful Trilisk artifacts.

"You know it, or you’ve heard the rumors about it?"

I’m sure of it, Kang said, his voice level, his face neutral.

Fair enough. Especially after the PIT team’s recent antics in getting the Core World’s attention.

The Space Force had labeled their series of pleas and demonstrations a success, though Sager and Telisa both knew it was only a short term reprieve.

I’m obligated to tell you that this is a very dangerous job, Telisa said. We’ve had a lot of people die.

"I didn’t know that, Kang said. It seems like you’re all still around?"

No. We’ve had a lot of people die, Telisa repeated firmly.

Kang’s look became very serious. He nodded.

I still want very much to join you.

"Given your excellent qualifications, we’ll tentatively take you on the team. Do you have any questions?"

I assume I won’t have a body like yours unless I prove myself? Kang asked carefully.

A body like yours. Funny way to put it.

We’re here to back you up with Trilisk technology and get you into your new... body, Telisa said.

Kang looked happy to hear that.

That’s good news. Thank you.

The team does a lot of incarnate training. I’ll schedule you in with everyone, Telisa said. She sent him a few pointers.

Rolling? he asked.

That’s part of the physical combat training, Telisa said.

May I ask why you do so much of that? We have advanced weaponry, so why train for unarmed fights? he asked. I’m not complaining about it, he hastily added. Just curious.

Because we want you to be tough, resourceful, and... Telisa considered the PIT team’s tradition. The team originally needed to train and stay physically durable, but having host bodies took care of that.

It’s also a team building thing. Some friendly competition to get to know each other. I know you don’t shy away from competition!

Kang smiled. I do not.

Okay, follow me, Telisa said. They walked over to Taishi.

Hello, Telisa called out.

Greetings. Good to see you again, Taishi said. Is this your latest team member?

He is, Telisa said. This is Kang. Kang, this is Taishi, our local Trilisk artifact expert.

Oh, I’m hardly the only one, Taishi said.

Nice to meet you, Kang said. He smiled at Taishi and looked genuinely fascinated.

Please back him up and put him in a host body.

You don’t want to do it yourself? Taishi asked.

Telisa smiled. I kind of do want to, but it’s important enough that we should probably stick to you, since you have the most experience.

Whatever you want, Taishi told her. He turned to Kang.

I’m going to copy you into the column and put your consciousness into a new, very powerful and immortal body, Taishi told him.

What do I do? Kang asked.

Do I have your permission? Taishi asked.

Yes.

Taishi paused as if checking something off-retina.

Then that’s it! We’re done.

Hrm? Kang said politely.

You’re good to go. Trying taking just a little hop forward. Just a small hop, maybe a meter?

Telisa stepped out of the way.

Kang leaped about ten meters forward, landing atop two chairs out in the sitting area. He balanced himself perfectly, each foot perched on the narrow back of a chair. He stood there frozen, as if afraid to move again.

You two aren’t joking, Kang said. At first, I thought this conversation was some kind of test.

Kang raised his hand and flexed it.

Thank you, he said. He looked quite confounded.

Sorry to belabor the obvious, but you should exercise some caution for a while; your new strength and speed will take some getting used to. I suggest you take your things and head over to the ship to become familiar with it and get acquainted with the team, Telisa said. We’re leaving soon.

Kang nodded and hopped down to the floor daintily. He walked away very slowly.

Telisa turned to Taishi, who returned her gaze as expectantly as any dragon-bodied entity could.

So... have you unlocked any amazing new powers of the column here, or the AI?

Yes. I’m able to back up more than just individuals now. I think very soon, I’ll be able to store the state of all of Blackhab.

Really? How does that work?

Taishi turned his sinuous body back and wrapped around himself.

For example, if Shiny appeared here with an army and decimated the place, perhaps I could reset Blackhab to the way it was before the attack.

By the Five. Things just get crazier. That’s great though—I think.

Yes. It creates possibilities that make projecting the future more and more complex, Taishi commiserated.

More complex. Yes. That’s life, Telisa said, staring at the column. She sighed.

Scarier and more complex all the time.

Chapter 2

Kang stepped on board the PIT ship Synergy. The ship looked very much like a Space Force cruiser from the outside, though it got a bit wider in the middle like a hollow Celaran vessel. Once inside, though, it was nothing like the few images of Celaran ships he had seen. Rather than niches and a hollow center, he found a rectangular bay with shuttles of Terran, Vovokan, and Celaran design.

Wide walking paths and continuous rows of equipment cabinets in the corridor walls spoke of a warship, unlike the many private exploration ships Kang had been on in his life. It reminded Kang of his short time in the UED as a damage control officer. The cabinets offered link services to tell him what they held. A quick query revealed the ones nearby were packed with the little alien robots that abounded at Blackhab.

At first, he followed the instructions provided by Synergy guiding him to his quarters. The ship was large, though not battleship or space station-sized. When the PV map displayed a robotics lab along his route, his curiosity led him astray. Kang wondered if he would have access. He headed up to a sealed portal. The dark carbon door slid aside to allow him in.

Kang walked in and found a row of six work tables filled with mechanical parts. Robots stood near the tables in various states of assembly. He saw a dog-sized insectoid machine that looked Terran in design. Next to that stood a taller, sturdier quadruped that looked somehow alien in its sleek, vaguely turtle shape. Another table held four delicate octopeds with different types of equipment mounted atop each.

Kang caught movement in his peripheral vision. He whirled to regard another table.

A many-legged machine sat there. Kang stared. He could not guess at its purpose. The body was mostly composed of spheres held together by a light skeleton. One thick, square plate in the center held a larger sphere. Sensor clusters had been attached to each end of the body.

Hello! the machine said enthusiastically both aloud and to Kang’s link.

Hello, Kang said flatly. He assumed the robot was simply responding in case he needed... whatever it had been designed to do. What is your function? he asked.

I’m Adair. I’m a member of the PIT team, it said.

Oh! Ad-AI-r.

I help out in many different ways, sort of a Jack-of-all-trades... though I try to master them all rather than none of them!

Jack of... I haven’t heard of that one. It means you do everything?

A lot of things, yes. I help Marcant with analyzing large bodies of data, such as when we’re cracking a new language! I also help Magnus with new robot designs! Sometimes I go on-point with the combat team too.

The words flowed out with the distinct flavor of pride. Kang’s instincts were to nurture that.

It’s amazing that you have so many skills, Kang said. His flat voice had become very expressive.

I’m an AI with many interests, Adair explained. The PIT team encourages all my endeavors, and I can learn from the best here.

The PIT team... yes. I’ve heard of those names... Marcant and Magnus... but I don’t know them for real as you do. I want to know more!

Kang took a couple of slow steps forward and scanned the area for other active robots.

Well Magnus works in this lab, Adair said. Not because he has to. He just likes to make robots to help out on missions. He figures if a robot can die in the place of one of us, all the better.

Logical, Kang agreed. Those over there must be alien.

Adair hopped through the air and landed several meters away on the scant open space of the farthest table. Kang was shocked at the grace and ease with which it had moved.

This one is a mixture of Terran and Vovokan tech, Adair said proudly.

Kang nodded.

Adair danced over to the next quadruped, the taller one with a turtle shape.

This is a Rovan design, very powerful. These little ones over here are also Rovan. We call them rovlings.

Kang walked over to take a closer look at the sturdy Rovan machine. A door cycled behind them. Kang turned to see a muscular man in a Veer suit regarding him. He recognized the newcomer as Magnus Garrison of the PIT team.

Kang straightened up. He almost saluted.

I was showing him the robots, Adair said. Magnus nodded, though a certain stiffness made Kang realize that Magnus