The Beaded Tapestry

Waves propagate through space, rocking the ship to a calming frequency. The creature tracks the small vehicle as it nears her position, giving her a view of the occupants pressing their faces to the viewing ports. Their wide eyes take in her magnificent vibrant form and she increases the emanations that propagate down her many limbs. The effort increases the reaction from her audience, adding to the flow of emotions being released from the ship. The resulting waves increase the rocking of the vessel and the forms on board grasp for better hold on the rails of the observation deck.

The being catches a glimpse of a kindred light shining from the orbs of one of the tiny creatures peering at her from behind the multitude of watchers. A common frequency emanates from its optical nerves, adding to the harmonics she receives reflected back from the surface of the ship. The orbs of the being enlarge with surprise as it also senses the connection and experiences the feedback. An elated expression passes across the features of the being as it moves closer to the viewing port, pressing its form to the transparent surface.

Dear sister,

I can still feel the cold glass beneath my fingers as I exited this dream of the Anomaly. These images are always enjoyable, especially when I experience them through the perspective of our research subject. To imagine that one day it will respond to my presence brings excitement for what is to come. 

The journey has been quiet so far and the ship is a little over two weeks from the scheduled start of the stasis phase. I thought the tension would elevate as I approached this stage of the journey, but strangely I am relaxed about the upcoming medical process. I believe because you gave such a vivid description of your experience that I feel I know what to expect. We will see if I feel the same and remain calm once I am strapped into a medical cubical being pumped full of foreign substances.

For most of the voyage I have mainly stayed isolated from the rest of the passengers. I spend my conscious hours traveling the decks or utilizing the public areas designated for single travelers. This practice is definitely a change from my first weeks on board. After my encounter with the other passenger during the first few days on board, I quickly lost my enthusiasm for changing my solitary nature and making acquaintances. One definitive event during my fourth week on the Infinity solidified my decision to remain aloof from the rest of the ship. I was having my midday meal in the common dining area, hoping to catch a final glimpse of Earth through the observation viewer that is located there. My fellow table mates were unknown to me, so I was left to my meal as the others conducted private conversations amongst themselves. As my eyes strayed from my last glimpse of the Earth hoovering in the view screen, I caught the two women across from me at another table studying me. One of the pair was the same researchers who had tried to interrogate me during the first days onboard. I thought it odd that their attention was focused on me since the man next to them was relating a very interesting description of the effects the Anomaly had on the weather patterns of New London. Since this is a favorite topic for most of my fellow ship mates, the man usually kept everyone’s attention. When they caught me looking at them, they both looked away, seeming to continue a conversation they were having between the two of them. It seemed innocent enough on the outside, but something about the way they were studying me made me feel like a lab specimen. That and the fact that at least one of them will be accompanying me to the Phycodurus sent my alarm bells ringing. I tried but was unable to catch any of their further conversations, but they both spent the remainder of the meal diligently avoiding looking in my direction. Somewhere in my memory I also recognized the second woman. Something was familiar about her varied expressions. I tried but could not place her. Maybe it was possible I had seen her at one of my lectures or possibly a recent conference. I do not specifically remember ever having dealings with them before, but after the two left the table, I discreetly asked a few of the other researches if they knew anything of them. No one knew anything about them or seemed to be connected with their expedition to New London. Also, no one knew, or admitted to know what their occupations were or their scope of study. I did not want to delve any further in case my interest raised suspicion and got back to the two women and their companions ears, so I stopped my enquiries after a few negative attempts. It was at this point that I made the decision to spend the rest of the voyage as isolated as possible. I have enough research backlogs to keep me occupied as long as we are still in the vicinity of Earth’s universal access network. After that is no longer available, I can delve into my private questions about the Dark Anomaly.

Fortunately there are many private areas, such as the coffee corners you described on your voyage, that I can utilize if I get cabin fever. They do not seem to be as artful or entertaining as you described on your ship, but that is always what you focus on. I have had no further incidents with these three individuals, but I have remained out of the public view as much as possible; even going as far as eating most of my meals in my quarters. The food is the same from all the dispensaries and I assume no better than the cuisine you described on your trip, but I would welcome such conversations of edibles as you experienced with Nickolas. I would enjoy the distraction, but also the chance to discuss the disturbing event I have experienced with you.

I hope you both are slumbering peacefully for the next stage of your life. I miss you immensely.

Love Annalis

Starlings’ jet and dance above my prone form, pacing the clouds streaming by. A storm is gathering on the horizon and the dark billowing forms quickly gobble up the last light of the day. Soft music accompanies the movement of the weather, bringing back memories of our mother earth. My time aboard the Infinity has now reached the end of the third week and already the thoughts of rain and thunder from my past existence are distant and vague. I find myself spending more and more time in these simulation modules, watching the images that will soon be my only reminders of my previous home. It is hard to imagine how indistinct these things will become after my prolonged stay on the space station. Now I acknowledge the need for meditation practices that you have been driving into my head for the last decade. I will begin at once, when the memory of how raindrops feel on my face and the sound of the distant rumble of thunder are fresh in my mind.

The vessel’s constant vibrations have become a calming companion to the silent lonely hours in my living unit. Although I do venture out for most of my meals, a growing unease is keeping me confined to my solitary quarters for what remains of the ships day. This quiet relaxation station which I just described to you is near my quarters and is the only exception to my forced solidarity. The area only accommodates four individual occupants at a time, so I find it mostly vacant when I venture from my room. It is an ideal location to converse with you; similar to the coffee corner you described on your transport. The scenes of Earth provided are a quiet reminder of what I must focus on during my future meditation sessions on the Phycodurus 8. This practice, according to you, should keep my sanity intact. Some of the music is unknown to me, so I will have to add them to my embedded programs. Sound has always been a memory trigger for me, so it will be a favorable addition to the routines I loaded when still at Oxford.

Frost stars are now forming across the plasma screens, accompanied by the sounds of Liszt’s piano works. I can almost smell the chill air of the forest during one of the many winter walks we took in our childhood. The stone raven cradled in my hand as we explored the frosty countryside. How mother would scold when we returned home, covered in mud without our gloves or hats. I carry your frog with me even now and hope my talisman gives you the same comfort on your journey. It seems an eternity since I saw you. To you it has only been a few weeks, for me it feels like a lifetime. So much has happed to me in the last year, that it feels like I am a different person from the sister you left. I guess you will feel the same once I arrive from my long voyage. We will both have so much to catch up on. How will you have altered after spending an entire year on a new planet? Eating strange food and meeting native New Londoner’s, all these things will have a definitive influence on what you will become. That should be the first thing on my agenda when I arrive. Even before I visit my new lab, and yes it will even take precedence over the inspection of my home. I cannot promise you that I will not first take a peek at the Anomaly, but you will be hot on the heels of that amazing sight. I know my lab will be in good hands when you complete the work there, even when that task was originally slated for me. There is no doubt in my mind that you will have left me with an entire year of incredible data on our research subject. Even as excited as I am to review that information, when I arrive I will contact you first and get an earful of what your life has been like on this new adventure.

Ohhh!!! I am doing what I should not, living in the past and future instead of focusing on the present. Life is too short to not seize every moment and give it my full attention. I will close for now and disregard my nagging worries. I am now heading for the observation deck to take a look around before heading to the last meal of the day. Be proud of me for moving outside of my comfort zone. You know how difficult I find that to do.

Love 

Annalis