Transit: Constellation Pegasus, #1

By V.M. Andrews

An introduction to a new series exploring alien worlds

 

Set in the Pegasus Constellation, this new series of science fiction novellas follows the plight of Su'Real, a genetically engineered being who can transit from one planet to another in an instant. It's fun, until something goes terribly wrong.

 

Su'Real is one of many genetically engineered beings from Okada who use their planet's electromagnetic energy to travel to other worlds in the blink of an eye. Created for one purpose, the covert collection of data from the worlds she visits, Su'Real longs for the freedom to explore the galaxy on her own terms. But when that opportunity comes, she finds herself alone in a cold, hostile world where she's not welcome. The more she learns about the place, the more her life is at risk. Should she remain and fight for her life with her beloved by her side? Or should she escape to another unknown world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Opal Tree Press
• Release date: Sep 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781739658151

V.M. Andrews

Despite being armed with science and business degrees, V.M. Andrews has always known that her true passion is creative writing. She has often been told this makes her a ‘well-rounded individual’ which she interprets as ‘boring’ so she lives vicariously through her characters. The key themes explored in her books are artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, climate change and reproductive technologies. Her narrative is fast-paced and imaginative with surprising plot twists and character epiphanies.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

TRANSIT

The top floor of the marble palace was as shocking as ever. The flashes of bright white light against the neon purple floors and ceiling were difficult to look at, especially in Su’Real’s frame of mind. She’d arrived for duty on time but spent longer than usual circling the cluster of transit chambers, looking for one not already occupied by a sibling. Finally , she found one, entered, and bowed before the creature in the center.

‘Good rising, monitor,’ she said.

The monitor dipped its huge head, returning the greeting, then wrapped its undulating limbs around Su'Real. Without touching her, it released a soft white light from the round protrusions on its arms that told Su’Real the pre-transit scan was in progress. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and tried to be still. She also tried to convince herself she had nothing to worry about, despite her high number of rotations, a problem that could result in her decommissioning at any moment.

When the soft white light finally dimmed, and the gentle humming ceased, Su’Real knew the scan was complete and she opened her eyes. She watched the pink lights on the surface of the monitor’s massive head flicker while it merged with the ceiling console. And when the lights all glowed at once, Su’Real knew the monitor was sharing its intel with the network it shared with the other twenty-three monitors in the palace.

Slowly, the lights dimmed on the monitor’s head then it returned to the floor. What it would say, Su’Real couldn’t begin to guess. She only knew she felt the usual desperate urge to flee, an urge she had to fight.

'Your physical and cognitive integrity remain high,’ said the monitor, blinking slowly. ‘You’re fit for transit.'

S’u’Real gasped with relief. ‘Thank you, monitor,' she said.

'We’re going to send you to a world we’ve not yet investigated,’ the monitor continued. 'As always, your purpose is to collect sensory and observational data. You may interact with the natives at your own discretion.’

'Yes, monitor,' said Su'Real.

‘You’ll travel with a sibling this time,’ the monitor added.

Su'Real had never traveled with any of her siblings before. ‘Thank you, monitor!’ she said, feeling a rush of excitement.

'Ha'Tien will accompany you,' said the monitor, pointing at the adjacent chamber.

Su'Real gazed at Ha'Tien, her favorite sibling, standing as rigid as a tree, while her pre-transit scan was in progress. Then she stepped inside the transit ring of bright white light, took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and waited for transit.

CHAPTER 2

GOLDEN TRIANGLES

Su’Real found herself standing in an open space surrounded by trees. The lake before her was filled with orange, blue, and green plants. Tiny luminous creatures flew from one plant to another, the fluttering of their wings almost in sync with the scratching sounds made by some unseen insects.

The soft clicking and whirring of the sensors in Su’Real’s transit suit told her it was adjusting to the new environment. Although the sounds were less beautiful than the sounds of nature, they brought her comfort. They told her she was safe, and that her sensory data was being transmitted to the monitors on her home world. With a bit of luck, the sensors would send the monitors something of interest. With even more luck, they’d reward her with an extra rotation of rest upon return.

'Hey!' said Ha’Tien from the far end of the lake.

‘Come here!’ Su’Real shouted.

The instant Ha’Tien was in touching distance of Su’Real, the sisters grabbed each other’s hands and jumped up and down, laughing and squealing.

‘I can’t believe we’re together!’ said Ha’Tien. ‘This is going to be so much fun!'

‘Totally!’ Su’Real giggled, linking her arm into the crook of Ha’Tien’s arm.

At the center of the lake, a jet of water leaped high into the air then broke into six smaller streams before returning its fine spray to the surface. Far beyond the lake was a dense conglomeration of buildings, but behind the city was something even more interesting. It was a cluster of triangle-shaped structures on the horizon unlike anything Su’Real had ever seen.

'What do you think they are?' she asked, pointing.

'I was wondering the same,’ said Ha'Tien. ‘They look like they’re made from gold. Let’s go check them out.’

'I doubt we'd be able to walk that far,' Su’Real argued. ‘And I doubt they’re made from gold. It’s too soft a substance.’

‘Whatever they’re made from, they look beautiful,’ said Ha’Tien.

Mesmerized by the golden triangles shimmering under the light from the sky, Su’Real barely noticed the voice behind her. But when she turned, she found herself staring at two men. Standing side by side, they were identical: both male with black hair on their heads and jawlines, and both wearing long white gowns.

Ha'Tien was quick to smile and bow at the natives while Su'Real tapped the left side of her forehead to activate her language processing center. A moment later, she understood the natives had asked what her sister and she were doing.

‘Hello, we’re just admiring this beautiful place,’ she replied.

The natives nodded and smiled but said no more. They lingered, keeping their gaze upon Ha’Tien and Su’Real. It wasn’t comfortable, but Su’Real sensed no bad intentions from them, so she tried to think of something interesting to say.

‘Do you wish to see more?’ one of the natives asked, pointing at the triangular structures in the distance.

It was an offer too good to refuse.

CHAPTER 3

AN ENCOUNTER LIKE NO OTHER

As the sisters followed the natives onto their oval-shaped aircraft, Su'Real knew they were in a tricky situation. On some worlds, visitors were expected to accept offers of tourism without question. On other worlds, running and hiding was the only sane choice. But if things went well, Ha’Tien and she would capture some useful data and for that, they’d be rewarded by the monitors.

Su’Real kept her eyes on the native at the front of the craft, aware that the cells in her retinas would be transmitting to the monitors everything she saw. The view would be awesome, she knew, from the transparent craft. She and Ha’Tien shared a seat and held hands as the auto belts moved around them before securing them with a satisfying click.

A moment later, the aircraft lifted off the ground and flew across the lake and gardens. The view was so beautiful, Su’Real felt her cheeks rising with her smile. And when they approached the triangular structures, she could see the sky, trees, and even the aircraft in which they were traveling, reflected in the golden surface of the nearest structure.

'It's definitely gold,' Ha'Tien whispered.

When they flew over the top of it, Su'Real could see it had four walls of equal width at their bases. But the walls rose on a sharp angle and met at a fine point at the apex.

'Are they pyramids?' she asked.

'I think so,' Ha'Tien replied. 'I've heard of them, but I’ve never seen one.’

‘Me neither,’ said Su’Real.

The instant the aircraft landed, Su’Real ran outside and stared at the nearest pyramid. Her eyes moved from its thick base all the way up to the narrow point at the top, so high, she had to crane her neck to see it. So fascinated by the structure, she was aware of nothing else but the sensation of Ha’Tien holding her hand. Until someone touched her other hand.

'Are you ready?' the native asked, rubbing his little finger against Su’Real’s.

Su’Real glanced at Ha’Tien, curious to know what she felt.

‘Let’s do this!’ said Ha’Tien.

As the four walked toward to the massive pyramid, Su’Real became aware of the hot breeze moving around her and the heat on her skin. The closer she got to the shimmering wall, the more she expected to peer through it, but it was completely opaque. Within touching distance of the wall, she expected to see a door, but there wasn’t one.

'How are we going to enter?’ she asked.

Before Su’Real’s question could be answered, the four had simply walked through the wall. And what she saw inside was both surprising and confusing. The walls of the pyramid were completely transparent, providing a perfectly clear view of the sky, the trees, and the smaller pyramids nearby. Scattered around the floor of the pyramid were several thick stones slightly taller than herself.

'May I approach them?’ she asked.

When one of the natives nodded, Su'Real moved in closer. So close, she almost brushed the stone with the tip of her nose as she peered at its surface. Partially eroded and covered with roughly carved lines, the stones seemed to be telling a story.

‘What does it say?' Ha'Tien whispered.

Su'Real turned to ask one of the natives, only to notice there were scores of natives wandering among the stones. All identical, they had to be clones. Su’Real nudged Ha'Tien but before Ha’Tien could respond, two natives approached the sisters and led them away.

Standing with their