Jupiter hanged in the tapestry of stars, Sol just a bright dot in the distance, the massive gas giant's atmosphere swirling violently churning in hues of whites, yellows, and reds. Titian in contrast was a frozen ocean world of whites and blues as Discovery glides into the moons orbit with it's patched hull and thrusters running full power as the warship entered into a high orbit above the ice.
The bridge was silent as the grave as everyone coming to a baffling conclusion, "Where's Titan Station?" Nolan asked hoping his sinking and uncomfortable conclusion is wrong. ALI manifested on the Halo-Pedestal, her image still glitching as repair crews were focus on far more critical areas of the ship. "There is no sign of the colony nor station or even remains of one. No probes or any man-made materials anywhere on the moon or CIS-Jupiter space." ALI responded frankly in her usual way.
Nolan stared at ALI's luminescent eyes, "How's that possible?" ALI looked back and replied frankly, "It's not sir." Nolan's mind raced, 'What the hell happened to us? Or did something happen to the Solar System?' he turned to the young ensign manning the engineering console, "Engineering, can we make it back to Earth with our remaining fuel?" The ensign snapped out of her thoughts and scrolled through a few status screens, "Yes sir, with thirty-five tons remaining barring any hard maneuvering."
Nolan stood straight and turned to Halsey, "Very well, set course to Earth, maximum possible speed. Senior Officers to my ready-room." Nolan ordered. "Aye sir!" Halsey replied as Nolan left the bridge.
Nolan sat at his desk as a few moments later Halsey enters the office, "What are you thinking Jim?" He asks a little confused. Nolan takes a deep breath as his theory is becoming all too likely. "You know the warp drive creates a bubble of space-time and in doing so ever so slightly puts us out of phase with normal matter." Nolan said, pausing to let Halsey reply, "Yea, kind of? I don't completely understand it. I just know it allows us to go faster than light and not hit anything." Halsey said as he sat in a chair across from Nolan.
"Have you heard of Super-String Theory?" Nolan asks seriously. Halsey was confused. Nolan continued, "Well basically it suggests that there is multiple universes existing in different dimensions of space. Each one separate yet connected. I think we somehow slipped into a different time or universe in a different dimension then our own." Halsey startled, "Wait. What are you saying?"
Nolan sighed, "If I'm right, we're screwed." Halsey just staring in a growing look of shock as he began to comprehend what Nolan was saying.
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Michaelson, Victoria, Forest, Halsey, and Risenburg sat at the conference table with varying degrees of shock, confusion, and disbelief. "What are you saying Captain? That we are in another dimension?" Chief Michaelson said in disbelief. "Can we get back?" Valerie said with concern. "How else can you explain Titan Station? There wasn't even any evidence it ever existed." Nolan said calmly.
Halsey sighed, "But it is a bit of a stretch isn't it sir?" he was calmer but still reluctant to fully except his Captain's theory. "At least we haven't found a threat." Forest added trying to find any upsides to the situation, but then Dr. Risenburg shifted in his chair, "Nothing physical at least." The statement drew all eyes to the doctor who cleared his throat, "I started picking up strange radiation from the raw materials being processed in the cargo bay. It's harmless as far as I can tell, but it's nothing like I've seen before. It seems to emanate from bacteria and organic compounds in the asteroid's substrate."
Nolan thought about it for a few seconds, "I thought DE-CON kills any bacteria and active organics on and under the surface?" Nolan asked. "It did, I merely discovered the dissipation of that energy. It seems that all life emits it, down to the sub-cellular level." Victoria looked puzzled, "But you said the radiation or energy is harmless right?" she asked for clarification.
Doctor Risenburg nodded, "Yes, as far as i can tell. I never encountered an energy signature like it. Similar to a bio-energy filed, but different in function. I don't know the long-term exposure to this radiation, however so far there's no ill effects observed by the engineers processing the ore, even when I scanned them extensively." he continued with a tinge of excitement at the new discovery.
"I'll have to add that to evidence," Nolan sighed, depressed that his theory is unfortunately true, "However we won't know for sure till we reach Earth. Chief, I need you to get the Warp Drive repaired. I also want you to document and carefully record the damage to the unit and possible failure." Nolan said sternly. Chief Michaelson nodded seriously, "Aye sir." Nolan then scanned the room, "Very well, if there's nothing left? Dismissed!"