Jack was summoned by Argos Station officials for a private meeting with representatives of the Hythari species. The message he received was concise and puzzling:
"Jack Done, you are invited to join the reception committee for the Human Council on Argos Station and the Hythari Council. Further details will be provided at the meeting point."
Andy accompanied him for protocol purposes, and along the way, the two discussed speculations about the Hythari. Jack learned from Daisy that the Hythari were considered enigmatic, even among advanced civilizations, and their arrival in the sector had sparked both curiosity and tension.
In an isolated room with semi-transparent walls that pulsed in violet hues, Jack was greeted by a Hythari diplomat. Their appearance was striking: towering at three meters, slender, cloaked in floor-length black mantles, and wearing uniforms resembling reversed leather with faint, glowing patterns. These patterns shifted and vibrated with light as they communicated, despite lacking a visible mouth. They exuded an aura of calm authority.
"Jack Done, son of Mars, descendant of pioneers, we are honored to meet you. I am Dawnbearer Zoryan," said the Hythari diplomat through glowing patterns on their uniform, translated by an advanced spherical translator to their right. As a gesture of gratitude, Zoryan offered Jack a gift.
From a black granite-like box on a floating grav-cart, a glove of human proportions emerged. It was crafted from a flexible, light-conducting material that pulsed faintly with energy, as though awaiting its rightful owner.
"This is your grandfather's legacy. It functions solely with the genome of your family," Zoryan stated.
"Pioneers? My grandfather?" Jack asked, bewildered. "How do you know this?"
"Your legacy is written in the stars and the technology that reached our lands. Four thousand years ago, your grandfather was found in the sacred temple of our home planet, Nira. Our solar system, a lone traveler for millennia between two galaxies, faced extinction as our sun, a white dwarf, neared its end."
"That would make your solar system ancient—trillions of years old. How old is your civilization?" Jack asked in awe.
"We witnessed the birth of the Milky Way and shall remain when it merges with Andromeda to become one," Zoryan said with solemnity.
"I don't understand. What happened to my grandfather, and why have you brought me this glove?"
"Your grandfather was our salvation. Emotions, for us, are a source of energy. In the vastness of intergalactic space, nothing ventures or survives—at least not where we traveled. We helped him find your grandmother, and he helped us escape the Void."
"How?" Jack's mind raced with questions. None of it made sense.
"The story is long, Jack. When you are ready, the glove will explain. It contains your grandfather's memories."
Jack felt a mysterious force compelling him as he slid his hand into the glove. It activated, adjusting perfectly to his forearm and speaking directly to him:
"User confirmed: Done lineage. Ready for integration and future projects. Designation: Aetherion."
Shocked, Jack asked, "What is this? Why me?"
"This is your legacy, Jack Done," continued the Hythari diplomat. "It is the finest creation your grandfather could devise with the life he had. Perfected with our technology and knowledge, it encapsulates his ingenuity and love. He hoped to aid humanity. This is his treasure: Aetherion."
The Hythari diplomat excused himself, and the delegation withdrew to prepare for the diplomatic meeting.
Meeting the Human Council
After his encounter with the Hythari, Jack was summoned before the Argos Station Human Council. The vast chamber had holographic walls projecting scenes from various parts of the station. The five council members, dressed in white robes with golden accents, scrutinized him closely.
"Mr. Done," began the Council President, an elderly woman with white hair tied in a bun, "we understand you have received an item of great significance from the Hythari. Do you have any idea why they chose you?"
Jack clasped his hands, striving to maintain his composure. "They said it relates to my grandfather and the technologies he created. Honestly, I don't fully understand it myself."
Another council member, a man with stern features, interjected, "Have you considered the implications of this gift? The Hythari are mysterious and rarely cooperative. Why would they offer such technology to you?"
"I don't know," Jack replied. "But if this technology can help humanity, we shouldn't ignore it."
The president nodded in agreement. "For now, we urge caution. Please ensure the glove poses no danger."
Later, the Human and Hythari Councils convened in a grand hall with a translucent floor revealing a breathtaking view of the galaxy below. The Hythari representatives moved in synchronized motions, resembling a subtle dance.
"Council of the Hythari," the human president began, her voice calm but firm, "we appreciate the gift you have bestowed upon our citizen, Jack Done. However, we do not fully understand the reason for this gesture."
A Hythari diplomat with a more solidified form replied through a translator, "Your legacy found its way to us. The instrument we presented is our debt to Ethan Done, Jack Done's ancestor and grandfather. The relationship between our peoples can grow stronger through understanding this legacy."
"And if this 'key' poses a risk to us?" another Human Council member asked.
The patterns on the Hythari diplomat's uniform shifted subtly, changing colors. "The instrument can bring knowledge, but only if used wisely. We harbor no hidden intentions—only the desire to share what we learned through you."
The session extended late into the night.
Unveiling the Glove's Power
Back in his workshop, Jack examined the glove, which appeared to have advanced functions: molecular scanning, gravitational manipulation, and a quantum AI module. How it all fit inside baffled him. Normally, such computational energy and storage capacity required massive infrastructure—Argos Station's AI occupied a building the size of ten stories and ran on two dedicated fusion generators.
To his astonishment, the glove's design bore a striking resemblance to the quartz sculptures his grandfather had crafted during Jack's childhood.
As Aetherion projected intricate holograms about Ether energy, Jack felt a faint vibration in the arm wearing the glove. When he tried to activate its gravitational manipulation functions, he experienced muscle tension and a dull ache in his shoulders.
"System indicates partial incompatibility. Your current physical resilience may limit prolonged use of advanced functions. Strengthening musculature and improving cardiovascular endurance is recommended," the glove's AI informed him.
Jack chuckled lightly but felt a mix of frustration and determination. "So I need to get stronger just to use this? Fine, Aetherion. Get ready; it's going to be a long road."
As Jack contemplated what to do with this legacy, a general alarm blared across the station, and an explosion shook the area nearby. The deafening noise shattered the workshop's silence, and the walls trembled slightly under the impact. Jack stood abruptly. Daisy's voice echoed from the speakers:
"The explosion originated in Sector D, auxiliary power module. High radiation levels and chemical leaks detected." A detailed holographic map illuminated.
Jack glanced at Aetherion, which began glowing with a blue-green pulse. A stream of holographic data emerged from the glove, connecting to the nearest control panel by the door.
"No time to waste. This could escalate quickly," Jack said, clenching the glove's fist. He felt an unfamiliar energy coursing through his arm—something he had never experienced before.
As Jack hurried toward Sector D, the station's corridors grew increasingly chaotic. Lights flickered, and people rushed toward safety zones. The station's white walls amplified the red alarm lights.
"Jack, radiation levels are rising exponentially. You can't enter without protection," Daisy warned.
At that moment, the glove's pulsing intensified, forming a translucent layer over its surface, extending around Jack like an energy field.
"Looks like the glove has a plan," Jack said. "Let's see what it can do."
The epicenter of the explosion was a vast technical chamber filled with bent pipes and sparking panels. The air was dense with toxic vapors swirling under the flickering lights. At the center, a massive rupture in the main reservoir released a luminous blue substance that evaporated rapidly.
"It's a liquid plasma leak! If it reaches the power circuit, the entire sector could explode!" Daisy explained.
Without hesitation, Jack raised his arm, and Aetherion fully activated. Geometric holograms surrounded him, analyzing the reservoir's structure and the substance's composition. The glove vibrated gently, spreading a comforting warmth through his arm.
"Recommendation: Utilize Ether for molecular stabilization," a deep voice from the glove instructed.
"Ether?" Jack murmured, instinctively acting on the impulse.
Extending his arm toward the rupture, the glove emitted a thin, glowing beam that seemed to bind molecules in the air. The rupture began to close, as if the material were being rewritten. The blue plasma was safely reabsorbed into the reservoir, and radiation levels steadily decreased.
"It's working!" Jack exclaimed. "The glove doesn't just repair—it reconfigures material structure at the atomic level."
Jack felt a deep connection with Aetherion. The Ether energy seemed to flow through him, enhancing his focus and intuition.
"The reservoir's sealed. What's next, Aeth?"
A new stream of holographic data appeared, outlining damaged circuits across the station. Jack realized the glove had not only repaired the rupture but stabilized the auxiliary power network.
As Jack exited the chamber, the station's systems were already stabilizing. Lights returned to normal, and the alarms subsided. A group of technicians awaited him in the corridor, staring in astonishment.
"What did you do in there? The radiation… the substance… How did you manage?" one asked, voice trembling.
Jack raised his arm, showing the glove, which now emitted a soothing light.
"I had a little help," he replied modestly.
An older technician regarded him with respect. "I've seen a lot in my time, but this… This isn't just a tool—it's something more. You need to speak with the Council."
Daisy chimed in: "Incident records have already been transmitted. Jack, it seems you've just become even more popular on Argos."
Jack smiled wearily but felt a mix of pride and unease. The Ether energy was something he barely understood, and Aetherion seemed to hold many more secrets.
"Let's see what else it can do," Jack said, gazing at his glowing arm. He knew the adventure was only beginning.