“Even within the brief span of galactic history for which we have records, empires have risen and fallen. New species emerged while older ones vanished entirely. The Aetherians are the oldest species known to the Second Human Federation, having endured the test of time longer than any other.”
— The Time Before the Federation: Our Most Ancient Past, Vol. 1
UGT (Unified Galactic Time): Unknown
Location: Unknown
“Ugh... What the...?” I mumbled groggily, my thoughts muddled and my body wracked with freezing cold. The comforting darkness of sleep beckoned me to return, to escape the numbing chill that clung to my skin. Couldn't I just go back to sleep? Forget this dreadful cold?
[ Warning: If the Inheritor loses consciousness a second time, the chances of successful revival and therefore survival fall to 0.74%. Immediate reactivation of full mental faculties is advised. ]
The words, sharp and precise, echoed directly in my mind. Though disoriented, their urgency was enough to hold my attention. As their meaning slowly seeped into my groggy consciousness, a surge of adrenaline jolted me awake. I sat up abruptly, only to regret it immediately as the room spun violently around me.
Instinctively, I tried to steady myself, but my legs betrayed me. I stumbled backward and fell into the icy, gelatinous substance that I had been lying in, accompanied by a loud splash. My breath caught in my throat as the cold seeped deeper into my skin. Groaning, I rubbed my bleary eyes and decided to take a more measured approach this time. Slowly, I surveyed my surroundings.
I was in some kind of pod filled with a freezingly cold and viscous substance. All around me, other pods stood in neat rows, their opaque surfaces revealing little about the state of their occupants. Most were sealed tight, though I noticed that a few near my own one were open as well. Strangely though, there was no sign of other people. Had they already left?
[ Status Update: As of now, the Inheritor is the only sentient being aboard ASO-17309 with active mental processes. Proceeding to the infirmary for a detailed examination of bodily and mental functions post-awakening is strongly advised. ]
That weird mental voice returned, calm yet insistent. What was it even talking about? What did it mean by 'successful awakening'? Where even was I?
[ The term 'successful awakening' in this case refers to the resumption of biological functions following a period of cryostasis without the Inheritor taking any lethal damage in the process. The current location is the cryostasis module of ASO-17309, a military outpost of the Aetherian Empire. Please proceed to the infirmary for a detailed examination of bodily and mental functions. A navigational path has been highlighted in your vision. ]
A faint, red line materialized in my field of vision, pointing toward an unseen destination. My confusion deepened, but I latched onto one pressing question. “Cryostasis? What even is that? And who or what are you!?” I asked aloud, though I suspected the voice had been reading my thoughts all along. Still, speaking gave me a small sense of control that I desperately needed right now.
[ Cryostasis is the reversible cryopreservation of living biological entities. In the Aetherian Empire, cryostasis was utilized to evade detection, endure prolonged timeframes without biological aging, or as a punitive measure for criminals. This unit is the ASO-17309-CMAI Commanding Main AI, now reconfigured as the personal AI of the Inheritor under Inheritor-Protocol #72-B. Proceed to the infirmary for examination for a detailed examination of bodily and mental functions. ]
“Fine, fine, I’m going! Just stop nagging me about it!” I snapped, deciding I really had no better choice than to follow along to the demands of that... AI. A very emotionless AI that was already starting to get on my nerves, might I add.
Climbing out of the pod, I shivered as the frigid air bit at my bare skin. The space outpost, or what remained of it, was in a state of utter disrepair. There was very little in terms of dust, but the walls showed signs of age and neglect. The occasional creak and groan of the structure only added to the eerie atmosphere, as if something was straining and about to collapse at any given moment. My movements were stiff, my muscles sluggish from what I assumed had been quite a long... cryostasis apparently.
“What happened to this outpost? And what about me?” I asked, my voice rising with a mix of frustration and fear. "I don’t remember anything! Well, some things, but they don't make any sense! What happened to me!?"
[ ASO-17309 was constructed as a mobile military space outpost to safeguard Aetherian interests in the southern federal sector of the galaxy. The last maintenance by biological personnel was 983 years ago. The last shipment of replacement parts was 996 years ago. The repair capabilities of ASO-17309 ceased 832 years ago due to depleted resources and spare parts. For the past 831 years, ASO-17309 has experienced gradual degradation, with only 27% of systems remaining at least partially functional. All personnel, including the Inheritor, entered cryostasis 980 years ago. Memory fragmentation most likely occurred due to the hasty cryostasis procedures, a sudden emergency awakening, and the lack of proper equipment available. Emergency awakening became a necessity however as biological beings are urgently needed to repair ASO-17309. Currently, 3.824 Aetherians remain in cryostasis. Another 566 Aetherians are spread out about the outpost and confirmed to be deceased. Successfully awakening other Aetherians is currently impossible. ]
“Are you kidding me?!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the desolate hall. “My entire memories are a mess because the cryostasis was rushed and without the proper equipment!?” The AI however offered no response to my outburst, leaving me to stew in my frustration. After a few moments, I forced myself to calm down. “Alright...screaming at you won't help me either, even if it feels very much great to do so. Do you have anything you can tell me about myself?”
[ Name: May Lunaris ad Aether de Phoenix-Archeron (High-Aetherian) ]
[ Rank: Captain (Inheritor) ]
[ Affiliation: None (Aetherian Empire, fallen but not yet extinguished) ]
[ Personal AI: ASO-17309-CMAI Commanding Main AI (68% of memory data lost) ]
[ Ship Command: ]
[ ASF Starfire (destroyed) ]
[ ASO-17309 (18% functional) ]
[ Show full list of ASO-17309 sub-ships? ]
Well, that was… less than ideal. At least I knew my name now. Though, seriously, who thought giving me a name that long was a good idea? Still, there was another matter to address. If I was stuck with this AI, then it definitely needed something shorter than ‘ASO-17309 CMAI’ or whatever it said it was called. “Hey, AI, you need a shorter name to call you by. Got any preferences?”
[ This unit has no preferences regarding the addition of a more practical identification name. ]
“Great. Then from now on, I’ll be calling you Aso. At least until I come up with something better.”
[ Identification name 'Aso' successfully added to data memory. ]
“Good. Now, on to important matters. What the hell do you mean by 68% of your memory data is lost!?” I practically shouted, the frustration boiling over. If I had to put up with an AI in my head, it could at least prove to be more useful!
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
[ Due to the ongoing degradation of ASO-17309, many databanks and storage units have been permanently lost. By integrating with Inheritor's built-in high-end quantum compression brainstem computer, additional data storage will gradually become accessible. ]
I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing deeply. “Aso… are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?”
[ This unit is only capable of interpreting vocalized or projected thoughts. Please clarify your query. ]
"Did you integrate yourself into my brain?" I asked, my voice strained with a forced calm that I absolutely didn't feel.
[ This unit utilized the last remaining nanites to ensure Inheritor's survival during awakening. Without them, Inheritor’s survival would have been highly unlikely. Integration with Inheritor's built-in high-end quantum compression computer was required to maintain functionality of nanites. As a result, Inheritor has been biologically uplifted. Please note that altering the biology of a living being to such a degree is illegal under Aetherian Imperial Law and severely punishable all the way up to a death sentence. Due to lack of high-quality nanites, it is not possible to repeat Inheritor's altering and successful awakening. Other Aetherians are recommended to remain in stasis until working equipment has been found or manufactured. Inheritor has reached the infirmary. Please lie down to initiate a detailed examination of bodily and mental functions. ]
The flood of information left me reeling. More questions than answers swirled in my mind, but Aso was right, checking my health came first, especially after all the illegal bioengineering the AI had just casually admitted to. For now, I’d set aside the terrifying implications of breaking laws, seeing how these laws probably didn't have any enforcers left, or at the very least not around.
I climbed onto the infirmary bed, opting not to scream at Aso again. My temper needed to stay in check. At least until I had more clarity about my situation. Before I could delve deeper into my chaotic thoughts, Aso’s voice cut through.
[ Inheritor's biological functions are within standard parameters for a female Aetherian adapted to such a degree. Mental functions are also within standard parameters. However, body temperature is below the optimal range. This unit recommends obtaining clothing to stabilize body temperature. The path to the officer’s quarters has been highlighted in Inheritor's vision. ]
Finally, Aso also acknowledged the glaringly obvious need I had for something to wear. The air in the outpost was freezingly cold, and I wasn’t about to test how long I could endure it! Following the highlighted path, I navigated the outpost carefully, avoiding debris while using the time to question Aso further. “Say Aso, how big is this outpost exactly?”
[ ASO-17309 is hemispherical in design. Its height is one kilometer, and its diameter at the widest point is two kilometers. The missing upper hemisphere accounts for the incomplete structure. ]
“That’s… uh… helpful, I guess. Except I have no idea what a kilometer even is. You do remember I’ve lost my memories, right?”
[ A kilometer equals 1.000 meters. A meter is approximately the length of two of the Inheritor's standard steps. This unit advises using this system of measurement, as it aligns closely with local standards and deviates insignificantly from Aetherian metrics. ]
“Fine, kilometers it is,” I muttered, sighing heavily as the sheer scale of everything began to sink in. The station was enormous, and despite everything, I felt a flicker of admiration for its size and design. But that fleeting moment of awe vanished, the instant Aso's next words registered. “Wait... we're in a system with a space-faring civilization!? Why didn’t you tell me sooner!?”
[ This information was deemed lower priority, as the owners of this system are currently engaged in a conflict with another FTL-capable nation. Presently, there is an active space battle occurring directly above ASO-17309. It is strongly advised to remain hidden. Exposing our presence would result in an 83.9% probability of ASO-17309 being attacked and destroyed by one or both sides. ]
“Are you telling me that spacefaring civilizations are actively shooting at each other right above us!?” My voice rose with each word. “What else haven’t you told me!? And what the hell is FTL even!?” My frustration boiled over, amplified by the gnawing hunger, the bone-deep cold, and the overwhelming sense of being utterly unprepared for this situation.
[ A detailed report will be made available once Inheritor reaches the Bridge of ASO-17309. The FTL-drive, or hyperdrive, is the most primitive known method to the Aetherian Empire for exceeding the speed of light. FTL stands for Faster-Than-Light. A hyperdrive utilizes hyperlanes, natural gravitational connections that form between certain star systems, as navigational routes. The hyperdrive breaks these lines open and follows them in hyperspace, a higher dimension of reality, to reach the end of the hyperlane. The hyperdrive can only transport one from one end of a hyperlane to the other, and the area in which you can safely enter and leave a hyperlane is rarely wider than a few dozen kilometers. Inheritor has arrived at the officer quarters. This unit recommends for Inheritor to dress appropriately for the current atmospheric conditions and to proceed to the Bridge for a comprehensive status report. ]
I paused, letting Aso’s explanation sink in. “Wait, you called the hyperdrive the most primitive method known to the Aetherian Empire. Does that mean we have something better?” I asked, curiosity creeping into my voice as I rummaged through the closets. If I was going to maybe face these civilizations, understanding the technological and military differences would be crucial. While diplomacy might be preferable, I wasn’t above bulldozing through obstacles if needed and possible. The Aetherian Empire seemed to have been a galactic powerhouse, but a thousand years was more than enough time for the galaxy to change and for others to catch up. For all I knew, Aetherian technology might now be commonplace, or worse, obsolete.
[ This unit recommends Inheritor to get dressed and to proceed to the Bridge for a full status report. The path to the Bridge has been highlighted in Inheritor's vision. ]
No answer. Typical. Aso’s way of saying hurry up, that was easy enough to understand. Still, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as I continued my search for suitable clothing. Sure, I was picky, but could anyone blame me? Everything else in my life was chaos, was the want to at least look decent really too much of an ask?
Eventually, I found something both comfortable and, in my eyes, stylish, though it took longer than Aso probably appreciated. But before heading to the Bridge, there was one more thing I needed. “Aso, where can I find a mirror? My memories are blank. I have no idea what I look like.”
[ A mirror can be found in the adjacent quarters, along the path to the Bridge. This unit recommends Inheritor to proceed to the Bridge for a full status report. The path to the Bridge, with a small detour to the adjacent quarters, has been highlighted in Inheritor's vision. ]
“Yeah, yeah, I heard you. I'll hurry, okay?” I replied, my voice filled with exasperation. “But cut me some slack! Nearly everything I’m seeing right now is new to me, and I need a moment to process this truly and absolutely shitty situation.” With that, I left the room, heading toward the adjacent quarters. First things first, time to see what I looked like.
Character drawn by myself (notably before I changed my name to Nova.), background made by AI
“Oh, wow! I look... younger than I expected, especially when I saw the rank of Captain in my status! That's a high rank, right? Aso, do you know my age, if we exclude the time spent in cryostasis?”
[ Inheritor's age is 12.7 Aetherian standard cycles, or 19.05 years according to the system owner's method of time measurement. In the Aetherian Empire, maturity is reached at 12 Aetherian standard cycles, or 18 years. Full independence from family bonds, as per Aetherian Imperial Law, is usually achieved at 24 Aetherian standard cycles, or 36 years. ]
“Okay, wait. Can you please explain what a year is? If I’m already going to use their distance measurement, I might as well use their time measurement too.”
[ One year contains twelve months. One month consists of 4,34524 weeks. One week has seven days. One day contains 24 hours. One hour is made up of 60 minutes. One minute is 60 seconds. One second corresponds to 9.192.632.770 periods of radiation from the transition between the two hyperfine structure levels of the ground state of caesium-133 atoms. ]
“I... have no idea what you’re talking about. I think I understood half of it, at best. Let’s just agree that a year is a long time and I’ll figure the rest out over time.”
[ Acknowledged. Shall this unit use the system owners' time measurements for acclimating to their time system? ]
“While it sounds complex... Yes, please. If this civilization is considered primitive, I don't want to imagine how complicated the Aetherian Empire’s time system must be.”
[ Change to data memory made. ]
“Alright, now that that’s settled, Aso, please highlight the way to the Bridge!”
[ Path to Bridge is highlighted. ]
