The Beacon: Hard Science Fiction by Brandon Morris (red white and royal blue hardcover TXT) 📕

didn’t slow down from interstellar to stellar speed soon, the ship would leave this system on a hyperbolic trajectory. Kimikizu shivered because the very idea frightened her. The Iks species had left the home world almost 300 cycles before because the Guardians had finally found a system that could ensure their civilization's survival for the next ten billion years. Where else could you find four gas giants?

Recently, Kimikizu had been dreaming of spreading out her wings in the cloud layers of the largest one and embarking on an almost-endless journey. That was freedom! It seemed almost irrelevant to her that the planets also offered vast reserves of the material their civilization needed to survive. She could just keep on soaring without any other living being, simply flying with her wings outstretched.

This was unrealistic, of course—she also needed food and water. But dreams were a part of life.

“...entering the orbit of the central star as planned.” Oh, dear. Kimikizu was annoyed with herself. She had not been listening to the Supreme Navigator. The control center ceiling changed and a massive white star appeared. It seemed unreal. The home sun had glowed a pleasant red, but throughout the millions of years its energy output had steadily decreased. This star, on the other hand, was in its prime. While they’d always tried to get closer and closer to the home sun to still feel its warmth, they would have to pay careful attention to their distance from this one.

The picture changed, and the star shrank.

“The display is not to scale anymore,” the Chief Navigator announced, although everyone had probably already reached that conclusion. A round object had appeared next to the star, a grayish-brown, rocky planet, its surface bearing scorch marks from the star, and dotted with meteorite craters.

“Temperatures between sixty and a hundred and fifty lini,” explained the Supreme Navigator. Sometimes it was ice cold, and at others very hot. Kimikizu knew what the plan was, of course. As useless as this planet appeared, it was the crucial piece of their survival puzzle. It was only when the Guardians had confirmed that they’d found a terrestrial planet in the proximity of a star that it became clear that their civilization still had a chance.

“You’ve probably already guessed the good news. The planet is completely uninhabited.” The other Navigators clattered their beaks enthusiastically, and Kimikizu joined them. The Supreme Leaders, along with the 10,000 members of the Iks nation, had long discussed what they would have done if they were to arrive at the rock planet only to discover that it was colonized. There was, after all, a cruel fate in store for the planet. It would either collide with its star or spend the next billion cycles alone in the cosmic cold.

“How much time do we have?” asked Lobozinu. The elderly Iks was the only one who dared to ask the Supreme Navigator such direct questions.

Kimikizu tried to remember the last time Lobozinu had spread her wings. As a rule, she only pattered through the corridors of the ark. But she was popular because of her sharp wits. She’d grown up on the home world with the Supreme Navigator, and rumor had it that they’d even come from the same nest—a real nest, at that, since back then nests were still made of almond tree branches.

“The maneuver must begin in two days at the latest,” said the Supreme Navigator. Some of those present clattered their beaks quietly. Kimikizu was surprised, too.

“Yes, it’s not much time,” said the Supreme Navigator. “But I talked it over with the Uncertainty Oracle, which is certain that we will accomplish the maneuver.”

“Then why are we meeting here at all?” asked Lobozinu.

The Supreme Navigator squawked. Kimikizu thought she was going to tell Lobozinu to keep her beak shut. However, it just grew unusually quiet. Could it be that the Supreme Navigator was still looking for the right words? Finally, she said, “The Explorers insist that a Navigator assist the maneuver.”

Silence. The notion flew in the face of the traditional division of labor between the sexes. Kimikizu was frightened. Was it really a good idea to begin their fresh start in the new system with a revolution?

“I know what you’re thinking,” said the Supreme Navigator. “I had similar concerns, but the Supreme Explorer was able to dispel them. It’s not a question of us doing the work of the males. It’s very risky to approach the rock planet from interstellar speed. We can’t afford to make any mistakes, and there will be no second chances. However, it’s not possible to precisely calculate the trajectory in advance. For this reason, a Navigator must be aboard the Explorer ship.”

“Couldn’t the Uncertainty Oracle calculate the course remotely and transmit it to the ship?” asked Lobozinu.

“Because of the distance and the high speed, the margin for error is too great. Someone at the controls of the Explorer ship has to calculate the path.”

“You’re right, Supreme Navigator,” said Lobozinu in a placating tone. “And now?”

“I could designate a candidate from among us,” said the Supreme Navigator. “But I’d prefer to have a volunteer. You’re well aware that it’s not always easy with the Explorers.”

With the males, Kimikizu thought. She means, with the males in general.

“The Navigator who volunteers shouldn’t be the hesitant type, and she should be able to put her birdseed where her beak is in the event of an emergency,” said the Supreme Navigator.

Lobozinu laughed. “Oh, that would have been an assignment meant for me,” she said, “back ten years ago. Imagine the fun you’ll have there!”

Nobody else answered. Kimikizu saw how everyone was trying to sink deeper into their cushions. Time was passing incredibly slowly today.

After what seemed to Kimikizu to be an endless silence, the Supreme Navigator said, “The Explorer ship will start shortly after midnight and will be in transit for two to three days. I’ll give you an hour to think it over. After that, if no one volunteers, I’ll have to choose someone.”

Two to three