The Beaded Tapestry

Dear Victoria,

Ahh!, A perfect beverage for the initiation of my travel correspondence with you. The dispensary on board the Infinity has Grecian mountain tea available on the menu, which was a pleasant surprise when I perused the choices. I now sit, with a warm cup in hand at one of the breakout areas, ready to start our one sided conversation. This sage based tonic became one of my favorite finds during a trip to Crete. Since that time, it has become my go to drink when I feel a drop in my immunity. My internal barometer told me it might need a little help with its defense system over this next leg of the journey. Being surrounded by hordes of people, trapped in a confined space for the next six weeks with no chance of escape to fresh air does not give me confidence my system will hold up intact. So I listened to this instinct and sought out an immunity booster. As I sip the fragrant liquid, the atmosphere of Greece returns to my mind. The scent of the full sun baking my skin, mixed with the feel of gentle waves gliding over my bare feet, comes back to me from that island adventure. The pleasant memories mixed with the natural healing properties of the tea’s ingredients, hopefully will give my system the boost it needs for the next few weeks.

The Infinity is picking up speed as we head for the outer planetary limits of our solar system. I also notice as you did, that the vibrations caused by the ship’s acceleration has a calming effect on my nerves. Luckily this effect comes at an opportunist moment. The vessels occupants have just been through the orientation for the hibernation protocol that is set to begin in a few weeks. For this reason I needed something to distract me from all the complications bombarding my brain. I knew of the risks before, but to sit on a ship with no chance to back out is a lot different than reading case studies in the safety of my lab back at Oxford. Hearing that you may not awaken from stasis at the end of the journey, no matter how slight the probability, while experiencing the vibrations of the ship’s build up in speed is a whole different experience. Families with young children mumbled worried phrases around me, acting as if they had never heard the details of the process before. They frequently glanced down with concern at their offspring playing on the floor of the orientation room as the ominous words were spoken by the medical staff spokesman. I also know how they felt since I began to realize the full impact of these risks for the first time.

So I sit here with my beverage, hoping against hope that some magic lies within its depths, sending molecules of healing to my cells. It is a lot to ask from a few leaves, but since it is the last refuge of the original herbal genus and also a location of one of the bee colonies of Professor Simone, I am placing a great deal of responsibility in these Crete origin ingredients. It somehow all ties in with my current situation. My secret traveling companions, the healing goal of our finished product and my connection to the Anomaly all contribute to my destined future. There must be some distinct possibility that all things combined will sway the universe in our favor and steer a smooth course to our ultimate goal. This sounds so ridiculously philosophical and almost mystical, but I must find come type of solace where I can. Normally you are my source of positive energy, but since I have been robbed of my muse over the past year, I must search for it elsewhere. If that indeed is in the fate and power of the universe (and a small gathering of leaves) than so be it. So, as I said at the beginning of this correspondence, I will put a little faith in my tea. It may be that each element has an equal sway in the grand scheme of things.

I hope your sleep is peaceful.  It gives me hope that mine also will be.

Love

Annalis

Dear Victoria,

As I await my fellow travelers, my mind focuses on the predicament of the Earth. With all the new restrictions on migration, I wonder if the administration who has initiated these new rules has forgotten the past woes of our species. The property wars of the last century and the near extinction of our elders in the decades of the pandemics all lead to asking ourselves the relevant question. How can we block out the memory of the thirty years of evolving epidemics that plagued the beginning of the twenty-first century? The genocide of an entire generation of individuals, unable to defend themselves from a geriatric killer. So much knowledge lost forever when disaster slowly enveloped most of the post 70 population. I have reread these histories as I await my embankment and wonder why the government has again set the Earth up for overpopulation. It makes no sense to me, unless the actions are but a power struggle to control the masses. I believed this type of attitude was well behind us, but it seems history continues to repeat itself; washing away the pain and tribulation of long ago as if they were pages in a fictional novel.

I spent many hours staring at the distant Earth as I await our departure, asking myself these questions; frustrated by the delay. The planning administrator wearies of my constant status checks. It does not help that there is little else to occupy my mind since the data centers on the transfer station are limited to general information and advanced engineering and station operational programs. Our three day delay has now stretched to six and there is no favorable news to lighten this predicament! The only bright event today was the arrival of a few more travelers in my area of the station. They are also bound for the Infinity, so this supplies me with some additional likeminded company. We still miss over a third of the allotted passengers, but at least some are receiving their permissions to leave Earth. The planning officer did inform me that the ship’s crew is complete, so at least there is some positive news.

I have arranged and rearranged my quarters at least three times during my time here. I hope with the new additions the time will pass quicker, but without any indication how long this delay will be I am at my wits end. If we miss the launch window at the outskirts of the solar system, what will that mean? Can the ship make up time like a delayed flight on Earth? So many questions without any answers and this does nothing to relieve my mental status. I was never one to be idle for long, so this forced inertness is frustrating. I wish at times like this I had your ability to self-entertain. I could attempt to create something artistic, but you know what a disaster that would turn out to be. I guess I will continue to release my frustrations out on the historic blunders for our ancestral government and also the current ones. At least it gives me someone to blame.

Love

Annalis

The surrounding space is black as ebony when our travels begin. The abyss of the cosmos awaits our call, to travel beyond our native world. Adventure beckons as we board our ship, to leave all behind and head beyond into the great expanse to create a new epic.

Dear Victoria,

It is always pleasant to start a journey with a Homeric poem, so here is an attempt to capture in words how I am feeling at this moment. We are finally aboard the Infinity after a long arduous delay of eight days and the relief of being underway to our destination is releasing. The quarters assigned to me are not much bigger than on the transfer station, but they are better designed for long term occupancy. The research library included with my travel package is very thorough and I will be able to stay occupied during the six week travel to the outer rim. I still retain access to the university database while in the vicinity of Earth, but I will lose that connection a few weeks out. This short time span should allow me to wrap up the last few things for Oxford before I am out of range. After that, I can concentrate on general research in anticipation of my arrival on the Phycodurus. We will also be utilizing the jump location near Pluto for our Gambel process as your ship did, but with the current coordinates of Mars, we will not be privileged with a view of that planet as you did during your journey out of the solar system.

The ship is very luxurious and I feel privileged after the sparseness of the transfer station. There are many communal areas to explore and in the three days since we boarded I have explored many of the options. The talk among the passengers in these areas has centered mainly on the immigration fiasco over the first few days, but now the discussions have evolved into the much more relevant topic of New London. It is interesting to hear all the different reasons people are leaving the Earth and heading for this new undertaking. There are as expected many research fellows such as myself, hoping to find new insight into the Anomaly, but there are also families and individuals searching for a new life. Maybe they are hoping for a fresh beginning under the influence of the creature occupying the space in the Alpha Centauri system or just a new prospective on life. A few artists have been utilizing the community areas also and I have tried to engage then in conversation when encountering them. This is probably an attempt on my part to find a substitute for your missing influence, but I am also curious what goals they are striving for once they engage with the creature. This has not been a very successful endeavor, since most of these individuals are very closed to any type of interrogation about their purpose. I have received only a few snippets about working with New London’s native color variances or light studies, but nothing more specific than that. I guess we all hold our dreams and aspirations close to our chest, fearing a possible encroachment on our ideas. I know I also have side stepped a few enquiries about my own plans once I reach our destination. I only mentioned my first stop off at the Phycadurus, since it will be no secret that I am leaving the Infinity once we reach that point in the journey. Strangely two passengers that were involved in this discussion seemed to know this point already and jumped at the chance to interrogate me further. The research duo seemed to be traveling to the station themselves, but only for a short stay before traveling on to New London when their business was accomplished. What that business was and what the purpose of their trip was they did not disclose. They both brought up knowing I would accompany them on the transfer shuttle between the Infinity and the space station, before I mentioned my itinerary. Very strange, but it was never a secret I would be destined for that location once our deep space portion of the trip was accomplished. I only wonder when and where they overheard this piece of information. I did not supply them further information even though they evidently wanted more.

So I am at last beginning my journey after a year delay. Let us hope the process moving forward goes as planned. I only need to get past the possible complications from the stasis procedure. I assume my decision to have a full regeneration of my missing limb, instead of a prosthetic, will turn out to be a good choice.

Write again to you soon.

Love

Annalis

There is some debate on this one. The pattern said it is a bird. Everyone else sees a sea horse.

Here is one of my pieces I created for my brother. He made an amazing frame from recycled material to show it off.

Dark tree rise from the forest floor, towering over the rich loam blanketing the world below. The branches shift with the air currents, creating an elaborate dance of shadows and dappled light. The air is full of floating debris, cast off pieces searching for an Earthly hold to begin a new life. The ground is soft and springy under bare feet as they make their way through the undergrowth. The world evolves into an open meadow as the forest boundary is passed; changing from a dark subtle world, into a bright colorful canopy of pastel blossoms and green foliage. Ferns unfurl their spiral fronds in a welcome gesture to the suns presence, blanketing the landscape in a phosphorescence that blinds the eyes.

The forest debris follows into the open space, frolicking in the added air currents once suppressed by the dense covering of trees. Above, the Anomaly seems to gather these spores into its arms, caressing the pods to open and release their trapped life force into the creatures’ network. Flashes of energy appear throughout the expansion, creating an astonishing light display across the heavens. Slowly the emerged offspring float back down to the surface, alighting on the rich soil of the meadow. Small shoots reach their limbs into the now still air, longing for the contact with the creature above that has now been broken.

Dear Victoria,

The strange dreams have returned once more and I welcome them. I feel like these seeds, adrift in a current which I have no control over. It is the idle before the storm as I await my departure window. The trip from Earth to the space transfer station was without incident and I now wait in my small station quarters for the next leg of my journey. My stop in Calais was all about bureaucracy and I thank father, as you did, for his diligence in knowing the correct processes. Although I saw much chaos among my fellow passengers, my processing was methodical and I quickly found myself seated, with all proper credentials in hand, on the shuttle. Many who were at the departure desk alongside me did not make it onboard and the shuttle lifted off without a full docket. The restrictions father warned me about are now hampering the unprepared travelers. Because of this, I now must wait on the space transfer station, since many of the potential travelers are destined for my ship. The Infinity is now holding orbit around the Moon, waiting for the release of its cargo still stuck on Earth. The administrator, who arranged my unforeseen stay here, told me the departure will not delay us more than three days. I cannot imagine the strain this is causing to the passengers left on Earth. Most are permanent immigration seekers who underestimated the restrictions, but there were also a few researchers who are finding additional roadblocks to their access to New London. Again the influence of the Louvre has paved my road forward, not to mention the relentless accuracy of father’s paperwork skills.

My precious cargo from Professor Simona is safety on board the Infinity along with my research equipment. I am scheduled for boarding tomorrow afternoon when the cruiser makes its pass of the space transfer station. One more leg of the journey, then the long haul to the Alpha Centauri system will be next. I have been in this confined space for two days now and I am ready to move to a less oppressive location. It is very utilitarian here with no common gathering places. Meals are dispensed from an automat in my quarters and other than my short appointment with the station admin, I have not met another soul on board. The leg of the station where I am housed is only for transient persons and seems to be almost deserted. On my short walks to the administration office I have not run into anyone. According to the passenger docket of the Infinity, there should be over six hundred passengers sharing my journey. Although I am by choice a solitary creature, this imposed isolation has made me crave engagement. I think I will utilize the common areas on board the Infinity more than I thought I would once I am established there. For now I will endeavor to endure this forced confinement and dream of more spacious quarters for the remainder of my journey.

I will write to you upon my installation on board the cruiser.

Love Annalis

The awareness of parched grass cushioning my spine awakens me from my slumber. I open my eyes to a dark canopy pricked with early evening stars. Fall leaves litter the floor surrounding my makeshift bed and create a colorful backdrop to my meditation.

Above me the heavens are alike to an open book; with stars arranged as words telling the history of the cosmos. Soon I will enter that timeless story, traveling away from this unfinished tale, onto a new adventure.

I came for one last visit to my favorite meditation spot. It is in full autumn splendor, showing me how incredible this planet can be before saying farewell. I was trying to calm my erratic thoughts, but with the exhaustion these days bring I have fallen asleep in place of meditating. I awoke with my writing pad open to a blank page and full night almost upon me. The sky above spoke wonders to me and I had to start my correspondence with you by giving a description of the view from my prone position. It does indeed feel like the beginning of a new book to me or maybe better, finishing the final chapters of my current tale. It has been a beloved novel if I think of it this way. One that will be read many times with enjoyment, even though parts of it are difficult to endure. Now it is time to close this tale and start anew. An unopened story is now staring at me from the bookcase, beckoning me to peruse its pages.

There is less than a week before my transfer to Calais; then a day there full of administrative nightmares before I board the shuttle to the space transfer station. My secret fellow travelers will already be in stasis aboard the Infinity, as arranged by Simone, and I will only need to make some small last minute arrangements when I myself arrive. The security around this covert induction of the species into the New London Environment has been heightened and the transfer time table had to be escalated. That is why I will not be escorting these ambassadors of the species on the trip to the Infinity. I now will only need to escort the creature from the Infinity to the Phycodurus 8 and supervise the process of the close exposure to the Anomaly. After these select few have completed this encounter I will make the prearranged transfer of the population to the scientist slated for their care planet side. I hope nothing goes awry with this transfer or I will be responsible for two hundred unhappy pollinators looking for a planet to harvest. Only this small portion of the three thousand travelers will be part of this close exposure experiment, but Professor Simona hopes this genetic adjustment will propagate over the next generations once they are established on the planet surface. It will be interesting to see how this additional influence from the Anomaly will alter these candidates. I believe she is hoping for enhanced communication and community Involvement. We will have to see. I believe once the entire population is established on New London that we can discuss openly the progress of this project. I hope this is the case as I would like to receive updates on their progress.

With my departure quickly approaching, there is a melancholy here that I did not expect. I now understand fully your letters from the onset of your own journey to New London. The excitement is there, but also the apprehension for what the future holds.

I close this story now as my next letter will begin with my departure from Earth and all the joy and anticipation that disembarkment will bring.

Love Annalis

Dear sister,

It is not always nice to have someone sit you down and explain what a mess you are about to make, but that is exactly what Father has just done! I made the mistake, (or maybe not) of telling him about my decision to pursue this new discovery instead of heading to the Alpha Centauri system.  When I returned to Oxford, I found him camped out on my doorstep, briefcase in hand.  I knew he meant business. He sat me down in a very professional manner and explained all the repercussions (both personal and legal) that I would face if I veered from my research path.  It took some effort on his part, but I am now back on track with my original plans.

I realize now how insane my change of direction would be. There were of course contract issues and legal black holes I would have fallen into, but the logistic problems are way beyond anything I imagined. My arrogance in reference to these points is beyond measure and I thank father for his interference. I have not abandoned this new endeavor completely. Arrangements have been made for the continued monitoring of this new activity in space, but other than that, I will now stick to my original scheme. (and of course legal obligation ,as father pointed out most strongly)

This episode has made it very evident that my mental state is still reeling from the trauma experienced in New Zealand. Will this occurrence haunt my subconscious for the rest of my life? Flavoring all aspects of my decision making! If it does, will this taint the work we have taken on? If it distorts the final product we hope to produce, this will not be of any use to anyone. I also feel this year of delay has disturbed my judgement and confidence. Father brought all this up also and assured me that as soon as I reached the research station and began my intense study of our test subject, all this mental insecurity and uncertainty would dissipate. I hope he is correct.

I have now placed the dark entity in the foreground.  It is not gone from my vision, but my way forward is clear and I will attempt to keep its influence to a bare minimum. 

I now have a month for my final preparations before I board the Infinity.  The transport is slightly smaller than your ship the Derringer since most of the passengers are business and research travelers.  As I mentioned earlier, the restrictions for travel off-planet have been tightened, so few permanent immigrants will be accompanying me on my trip.  Only persons travelling on a limited time permit are not facing these new regulations. Since my time in the system will be limited to five years or less upon arrival, father did not have issues with my permissions to leave Earth.  

Let us hope you and I can finish what is needed before our time is up.

Love 

Annalis

Dear Victoria,

Here I sit, beneath the peaked roof of the dragon temple. The dark interior is a quiet oasis and the cloying scent of resin brings back vivid memories of our last visit here.  The moment I entered the triangular doorway of the Norwegian structure, my thoughts turned to you and your attachment to this region. I at once sought a comfortable perch to begin my letter to you, seeking solace in a one way conversation.

I decided to take one last trip before leaving Earth and realized this secluded village was the ideal destination.  Mixing the need for succor with a desire for your presence,  I headed for the village of Urnes.  We spent our last joint holiday with our parents here and the memories are a joy to recall.  It has been more than ten years since we were last here, but nothing much has changed.

After dropping off my things at the lodge I climbed the steep path to the black stankykje, perched on the top of the hill overlooking the village. Even from a distance I could see the ornate roof rising over the trees and could detect the smell of dark pitch used in the protective coating of the wooden structure. I will stay only a few days here before heading back to Oxford, but I needed the comfort of your spirit which is prolific here. That sprite is already healing the deep wound within me; a wound that has created a deep chasm between my head and my heart. Being unable to discuss this new discovery of the dark Anomaly is eating into my rationale like an infection. I have lost my ability to distinguish what is real and what is imagined.

I sit now at a crossroads.  One road leads to a clear and straight path with no questions or uncertainty.  The other direction is arduous, with blind curves and no defined direction.  Making the decision whether to pursue the more difficult course and abandon years of research and planning is eating away at me. 

So here I sit, summoning your spectre once more to assist my decision making in the most unlikely of places. This is one of the locations I feel your Atua the strongest. Not only because of the spiritual path you have chosen in life, but also because of our shared fascination with this area.

I am torn between my desire to chase this new element and the duty I have to the Louvre and our original research subject. The facility in New Zealand has confirmed that my initial readings from the Smoo cave laboratory have merit. My sense of responsibility to follow through with my journey to the Alpha Centauri system is at war with my desire to chase this new element to it’s source. As insane as it sounds, I am seriously considering heading in the opposite direction from my origin destination and begin the chase for this new detected signal. You are already heading to our first subject and I cannot help but think we also need to study this dark mirror. It will take an extreme effort to adjust my travel plans (and I am not even sure there is an option to find transport to this part of space), but I must look into the possibilities of chasing these new readings. How important is this aspect to our research? Will it offset our final product with this signal originating closer to Earth? Should we include these measurements in our calculations? If we do, will it have a negative effect on the influence of our product? These questions and dozens more go on and on in my head. Thus I have come here to discuss with you a solution to this conundrum.

I will end now and try to guide my path with your help and use this wondrous location to meditate on my problem. Which one to choose will dictate my life for the coming years.

I will let you know what we decide.

Love Annalis