“All right,” Antonia Bagliarotto remarked, “the first new day went well. But if things continue like this, I’m afraid it will collapse.” Professor Yefimov nodded his approval. “I know,” he said. “You and your colleague Agda Skold are not enough to process everything that our friend from Portugal is sending.” “You could say that! Dorak is very productive, I have to give him that. But now that we’re moving everything to the new headquarters, it’s going to be difficult.” “No worries.” The professor looked confident. “I got the confirmation from the command staff: Tomorrow new employees will introduce themselves. We will put together a large team. And then everything will go as we imagine.” “That would be great!” She smiled. Then she turned to another topic: “How long do you think Jarmo Dorak will be in Portugal?” Yefimov shrugged. “I have no idea,” he admitted. “Why? Do you miss him?” “That’s not the point! He drove into this monastery quite surprisingly, one of the last departments of this kind that ASTROCOHORS still maintains. And his reports contain a few details that strike me as strange. What happens there?” “I wish I knew exactly. You know Dorak, if he smells a secret, he wants to find out. Starting with the Temple of the Wind Harp, after which he was missing for six years and now with this monastery.” The professor took a breath. “However, I have to admit that I’m also quite curious about that. You said it before, it’s the only department of this kind that ASTROCOHORS still maintains. What’s behind it?” “I’m sure,” Antonia said confidently, “if there’s a secret, Jarmo will find out!” Yefimov smiled. “Then I want to share your optimism. Let’s wait and see what else comes out. But for now let’s take care of the headquarters. Starting tomorrow, things will be much easier!”
He smiled to himself. Yes, he thought, this will be a whole New Generation.
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“It all sounds a bit… bombastic, doesn’t it, Professor?” Professor Yefimov looked at the text that was on the screen in front of him. “Hm-m,” he growled in response to his assistant. “But we’ve tried so many things. Maybe it has to be like this. Maybe times demand it. Let’s try.” He pressed a button on his computer and the text was sent and published on the Internet.
ASTROCOHORS CLUB is a worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement of society, culture, and science. Founded with the purpose of creating a better world through education and scientific discovery, the club has been at the forefront of social and cultural change for many years.
In 2023, ASTROCOHORS CLUB is undergoing a transformative period. This year could be a turning point in the history of planet Earth, as the club continues its mission to inform and advance society, culture, and science. The club is positioning itself to respond to the rapidly changing world, and to meet the growing needs of society as we move into a new era of technological and scientific advancement.
The club is open to all individuals who share a passion for learning and a commitment to advancing the greater good. Members come from all walks of life, representing diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. The club provides a platform for members to connect, collaborate, and share ideas, and to engage in meaningful discussions about the future of the planet and our society.
The club’s initiatives are designed to inspire and empower to make a positive impact on the world. Through its various activities and events, the club promotes a culture of scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and creativity.
In conclusion, ASTROCOHORS CLUB is an organization that is dedicated to creating a better world for all. As we move into 2023, the club is evolving to meet the changing needs of society, culture, and science. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply a concerned citizen, the club provides a space for you to connect with like-minded individuals and to make a difference in the world. Join us today and be a part of the transformative change that is taking place in our world.
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And all of that is now in a new place, right here. From now on you can find more of all these ideas, thoughts and analyzes here. To stay up to date, why not subscribe to one of our newsletters or the channel of one of the creative people who inspire you.
Let’s see what happens next!
Deutsch
“Das klingt alles ein bisschen… schwülstig, finden Sie nicht, Professor?” Professor Yefimov blickte auf den Text, der auf dem Bildschirm vor ihm stand. “Hm-m”, brummte er als Antwort an seinen Assistenten. “Aber wir haben schon so viel versucht. Vielleicht muss es so sein. Vielleicht erfordern die Zeiten das. Versuchen wir’s.” Er drückte eine Taste auf seinem Computer und der Text wurde abgeschickt und im Internet veröffentlicht.
ASTROCOHORS CLUB ist eine weltweite Organisation, die sich der Förderung von Gesellschaft, Kultur und Wissenschaft verschrieben hat. Der Club wurde mit dem Ziel gegründet, durch Bildung und wissenschaftliche Entdeckungen eine bessere Welt zu schaffen, und steht seit vielen Jahren an der Spitze des sozialen und kulturellen Wandels.
Im Jahr 2023 durchläuft der ASTROCOHORS CLUB eine Transformationsphase. Dieses Jahr könnte ein Wendepunkt in der Geschichte des Planeten Erde sein, da der Club seine Mission fortsetzt, Gesellschaft, Kultur und Wissenschaft zu informieren und voranzubringen. Der Club positioniert sich, um auf die sich schnell verändernde Welt zu reagieren und die wachsenden Bedürfnisse der Gesellschaft zu erfüllen, während wir in eine neue Ära des technologischen und wissenschaftlichen Fortschritts eintreten. Der Club steht allen Personen offen, die eine Leidenschaft für das Lernen und eine Verpflichtung zur Förderung des Allgemeinwohls teilen. Die Mitglieder kommen aus allen Lebensbereichen und repräsentieren unterschiedliche Hintergründe, Kulturen und Perspektiven. Der Club bietet Mitgliedern eine Plattform, um sich zu vernetzen, zusammenzuarbeiten, Ideen auszutauschen und sich an sinnvollen Diskussionen über die Zukunft des Planeten und unserer Gesellschaft zu beteiligen.
Die Initiativen des Clubs sollen inspirieren und befähigen, einen positiven Einfluss auf die Welt zu nehmen. Durch seine verschiedenen Aktivitäten und Veranstaltungen fördert der Club eine Kultur der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, des kritischen Denkens und der Kreativität.
Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass der ASTROCOHORS CLUB eine Organisation ist, die sich der Schaffung einer besseren Welt für alle verschrieben hat. Zu Beginn des Jahres 2023 entwickelt sich der Club weiter, um den sich ändernden Bedürfnissen von Gesellschaft, Kultur und Wissenschaft gerecht zu werden. Egal, ob Sie Student, Berufstätiger oder einfach nur ein besorgter Bürger sind, der Club bietet Ihnen einen Raum, um sich mit Gleichgesinnten zu vernetzen und etwas in der Welt zu bewegen. Schließen Sie sich uns noch heute an und werden Sie Teil des transformativen Wandels, der in unserer Welt stattfindet.
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Und alles das befindet sich nun an einem neuen Platz, direkt hier. Ab sofort finden Sie hier mehr von all diesen Ideen, Gedanken und Analysen. Um auf dem Laufenden zu bleiben, abonnieren Sie doch einen unserer Newsletter oder den Kanal eines der Kreativen, der Sie begeistert.
Mal sehen, was als nächstes passiert!
Français
“Tout cela semble un peu… pompeux, n’est-ce pas, Professeur?” Le professeur Yefimov a regardé le texte qui était sur l’écran devant lui. “Hm-m,” grogna-t-il en réponse à son assistant. “Mais nous avons essayé tellement de choses. Peut-être que ça doit être comme ça. Peut-être que les temps l’exigent. Essayons.” Il a appuyé sur un bouton de son ordinateur et le texte a été envoyé et publié sur Internet.
ASTROCOHORS CLUB est une organisation mondiale dédiée à l’avancement de la société, de la culture et de la science. Fondé dans le but de créer un monde meilleur par l’éducation et la découverte scientifique, le club est à l’avant-garde du changement social et culturel depuis de nombreuses années.
En 2023, ASTROCOHORS CLUB traverse une période de transformation. Cette année pourrait être un tournant dans l’histoire de la planète Terre, alors que le club poursuit sa mission d’informer et de faire progresser la société, la culture et la science. Le club se positionne pour répondre à l’évolution rapide du monde et pour répondre aux besoins croissants de la société alors que nous entrons dans une nouvelle ère de progrès technologique et scientifique. Le club est ouvert à toutes les personnes qui partagent une passion pour l’apprentissage et un engagement à faire progresser le bien commun. Les membres viennent de tous les horizons et représentent divers horizons, cultures et perspectives. Le club offre une plate-forme permettant aux membres de se connecter, de collaborer et de partager des idées, et de s’engager dans des discussions significatives sur l’avenir de la planète et de notre société.
Les initiatives du club sont conçues pour inspirer et donner les moyens d’avoir un impact positif sur le monde. À travers ses diverses activités et événements, le club promeut une culture de recherche scientifique, de pensée critique et de créativité.
En conclusion, ASTROCOHORS CLUB est une organisation qui se consacre à créer un monde meilleur pour tous. À l’aube de 2023, le club évolue pour répondre aux besoins changeants de la société, de la culture et de la science. Que vous soyez un étudiant, un professionnel ou simplement un citoyen concerné, le club vous offre un espace pour vous connecter avec des personnes partageant les mêmes idées et faire une différence dans le monde. Rejoignez-nous aujourd’hui et faites partie du changement transformateur qui se produit dans notre monde.
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Et tout cela est maintenant dans un nouvel endroit, ici même. À partir de maintenant, vous pouvez trouver plus de toutes ces idées, réflexions et analyses ici. Pour rester à jour, pourquoi ne pas vous inscrire à l’une de nos newsletters ou à la chaîne de l’un des créatifs qui vous inspirent.
Voyons ce qui se passe ensuite !
Português
“Isso tudo soa um pouco… bombástico, não é, professor?” O professor Yefimov olhou para o texto que estava na tela à sua frente. “Hm-m,” ele rosnou em resposta ao seu assistente. “Mas já tentamos tantas coisas. Talvez tenha que ser assim. Talvez os tempos o exijam. Vamos tentar.” Ele apertou um botão em seu computador e o texto foi enviado e publicado na internet.
ASTROCOHORS CLUB é uma organização mundial dedicada ao avanço da sociedade, cultura e ciência. Fundado com o propósito de criar um mundo melhor por meio da educação e da descoberta científica, o clube está há muitos anos na vanguarda da mudança social e cultural.
Em 2023, o ASTROCOHORS CLUB passa por um período de transformação. Este ano pode ser um ponto de virada na história do planeta Terra, pois o clube continua sua missão de informar e promover a sociedade, a cultura e a ciência. O clube está se posicionando para responder ao mundo em rápida mudança e para atender às crescentes necessidades da sociedade à medida que avançamos em uma nova era de avanço tecnológico e científico. O clube está aberto a todos os indivíduos que compartilham a paixão pelo aprendizado e o compromisso de promover o bem maior. Os membros vêm de todas as esferas da vida, representando diversas origens, culturas e perspectivas. O clube oferece uma plataforma para os membros se conectarem, colaborarem e compartilharem ideias e se envolverem em discussões significativas sobre o futuro do planeta e de nossa sociedade.
As iniciativas do clube são projetadas para inspirar e capacitar para causar um impacto positivo no mundo. Por meio de suas várias atividades e eventos, o clube promove uma cultura de investigação científica, pensamento crítico e criatividade.
Concluindo, o ASTROCOHORS CLUB é uma organização dedicada a criar um mundo melhor para todos. À medida que avançamos para 2023, o clube está evoluindo para atender às novas necessidades da sociedade, cultura e ciência. Seja você um estudante, um profissional ou simplesmente um cidadão preocupado, o clube oferece um espaço para você se conectar com pessoas que pensam como você e fazer a diferença no mundo. Junte-se a nós hoje e faça parte da mudança transformadora que está ocorrendo em nosso mundo.
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E tudo isso agora está em um novo lugar, bem aqui. A partir de agora você pode encontrar mais de todas essas ideias, pensamentos e análises aqui. Para se manter atualizado, porque não subscrever uma das nossas newsletters ou o canal de algum dos criativos que o inspiram.
Professor Ostap Yefimov was the head of ASTROCOHORS CLUB. He had been a member for more than 20 years. Now he was the head of the club and he loved it. He was fascinated by space, and he had helped develop a number of new techniques that would allow humans to live on other planets. Yefimov was a tall man with broad shoulders and long arms that flapped when he walked. His hair was vanishing, but he had bright blue eyes and a huge smile that made him seem younger than his fifty-seven years. He wore thick glasses that sat perched on his nose like two black bugs crawling along it.
Professor Ostap Yefimov on a promotional poster for the ASTROCOHORS CLUB and the new Project Ypsilon.
He also loved his club: it was filled with brilliant people who worked together toward a common goal. They were dedicated to protecting Earth from asteroid the stubbornes of its own inhabitants, and they were dedicated to keeping Earth’s secrets safe from those who would want to exploit them for their own gain.
The club’s IT worker Max Tronic had been at the club for almost 10 years now, ever since Yefimov had hired him after a failed attempt at stealing data from their archive—and even then, it took months before they were able to catch the hacker in question.
But now another hacker attack was under way. The hacker seemed to be targeting only Max Tronic’s home computer: they’d hacked into his email and social media accounts, but nothing else seemed to be affected—yet somehow there was no sign of any damage on Max’s personal computer. And they didn’t seem to damage the information about the professor’s latest project.
This latest project, Ypsilon — a letter of the Greek alphabet — was different. This time, Yefimov wanted to enlist people from all over the world to fight against injustice and for social issues and environmental protection. The professor believed that if we could unite as a global community, we could make change happen much faster than before.
He stood on a podium, his bald head glistening in the sunlight beaming through a window. He scanned the crowd of people eagerly awaiting his announcement. He took a deep breath, then raised his voice to speak.
“I am happy to see so many people here today! We are approaching an important time in our history. The world is changing, and I want to tell you what we can do to protect ourselves from those changes.”
The professor paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. Then he continued: “We have worked hard over the years to build ASTROCOHORS CLUB into something that is stronger than ever before. We have worked tirelessly to improve our organization’s reputation and grow its influence on society at large.”
He paused again, then continued: “But now we need more than just your help—we need your passion!”
An old poster showing Professor Ostap Yefimov as a pioneer for the ASTROCOHORS CLUB.
The crowd gasped as one, then erupted into cheers and applause. The room with the podium was in a new part of the base, housed in an old ruin. The ruin had been transferred to the club by its previous owner. That was a little safer for the cause. There was only one thing that Yefimov was a little embarrassed about: on a small cupboard against one wall was a picture frame with an old poster inside. He had been younger then. It featured him as one of the pioneers for the ASTROCOHORS CLUB. He had more hair then than he does now. But that was more than twenty years ago now.
Yefimov explained that the new project was just an idea at first. An idea like there have been many ideas before. But ASTROCOHORS and the ASTROCOHORS CLUB had to become even more independent. A large complex of the buildings still belonged to Cuyel. They had the power to dispose of large data stores. The ASTROCOHORS CLUB had to be on par with Cuyel. Then we would be able to continue to cooperate. But it couldn’t happen like that.
The YPSILON project aimed to achieve just that. But the club was discouraged by past failures. Another new idea? Who said it would work this time? But Yefimov reminded everyone present that there really was no alternative. It sounded pathetic, but the planet and human civilization were in danger. In very real danger. Only this time it wasn’t a great dictator or one of the lords of darkness that stories like to present who was behind everything. The danger came creeping from many corners, like the floods that would gradually destroy the shorelines of the continents of the earth in the course of the climate crisis.
“Let’s all unite!”
With this exclamation, taken directly from Charlie Chaplin’s famous speech, Yefimov ended his speech. He left the lectern to thunderous applause from those present. The next speaker would clarify technical details. Yefimov himself left the hall and went straight to one of his employees, Agda Skold.
“Where is this Jarmo Dorak?” he asked her. “He had a few clever ideas, even if we have to start all over again.” “I was told that he went for a walk earlier,” she replied. “Thought he needed to clear his head. Apparently, to be able to come up with more of those clever ideas you were just talking about.” “That’s good,” my Yefimov. “Did he say where exactly he wants to go?” “He wants to see the city. Someone probably told him about the nativity scene here in the church, which he wanted to see.” “It’s not a church,” Yefimov rebuked. “It’s a cathedral. That’s something different.” “Sir, with all due respect,” Skold replied. “These are semantic differences. You know where it’s going from. The information was transferred efficiently.” “Yes,” Yefimov smiled, “it’s okay. Then let’s see with what good ideas Dorak comes back from his walk.”
The Old Internet was the Internet of legend, greater than distance or time. Once, under the wise rule of the Public and the protection of the Common Sense, the Internet throve and grew. But as often happens when wealth and power pass beyond the admirable and attain the awesome, then appear those evil ones who have greed to match.
So it was with the Internet at its height. Like the greatest of trees, able to withstand any external attack, the Internet grew rotten from within thought the danger was not visible from the outside. Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals within and the massive organs of commerce, an ambitious Executive caused himself to be elected President. He promised to reunite the disaffected among the people and restore the remembered glory of the Internet. Once secured in office he declared himself Savior, shutting himself away from the populace. The cries of the people for justice did not reach his ears.
Having exterminated through treachery and deception the Common Sense, a stronghold in dark times, propagandists and bureaucrats prepared to institute a reign of terror among the disheartened worlds of the Internet. Many used the imperial forces and the name of the increasingly isolated “Savior” to further their own political ambitions.
But a small number of systems rebelled at these new outrages. Declaring themselves opposed to the backward-looking politics they began a battle to restore the Old Internet. From the beginning they were not outnumbered, but they were scattered. In those first dark days it seemed certain the bright flame of resistance would be extinguished before it could cast the light of new trust across the Internet. But the tide of events is round – round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever-spinning reel…
This is the time; this is the place when we look for the future. This is the time for YPSILON!
I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible, Jew, Gentile, black Men, white… We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. In this world there’s room for everyone and the good Earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way…
Charlie Chaplin: “The Great Dictator”, Final Speech, Beginning
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Greed has poisened men's souls
Has barricaded the World with hate
We think too much and feel too little (We think too much and feel too little)
More than machinery we need Humanity
More than cleverness we need kindness
Without these qualities life will be violent
And all will be lost (All will be lost)
Do not despair!
The hate of men will pass
And dictators die
And the power they took from the people
Will return to the people
Let Us All Unite!
Let us fight for a new world
To do away with greed
Now let us fight to free the world
To fulfil that promise
Let Us All Unite!
Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes
Men who despise and enslave you
Tell you what to do, what to think, and what to feel
Who drill you, tire you, treat you like cattle!
Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men
Machine Men with Machine Minds and Machine Hearts!
You are not machines, you are men!
You the people have the power
To make this life free and beautiful
Let us use this power
To make this life a wonderful adventure (A wonderful adventure)
Let Us All Unite!
Let us fight for a new world
To do away with greed
Now let us fight to free the world
To fulfil that promise
Let Us All Unite!
Let us fight for a new world
To do away with greed
A world where science and progress
Will lead to all men's happiness
Do not despair!
The hate of men will pass
And dictators die
And the power they took from the people
Will return to the people
Let Us All Unite!
Charlie Chaplin, from that same speech, as a Poem of Hope
It was a time when the people rose up against an evil dictator and took back their planet from the clutches of tyranny. It was a time when people fought for freedom, for justice, and for the right to choose their own destiny. It was a time when the people were able to rise up against those who would oppress them and take back what had been stolen from them: their freedom!
Fla’mic, Ruler of Anarthia.
The dictator who ruled over this planet had long ago become corrupt and vicious—but he wouldn’t stop until he had conquered everything in sight and destroyed all who opposed him. He was known as Py-Wa Fla’mic, an ochre-skinned humanoid with dark hair whose hatred ran deep into his heart. He ruled over Anarthia with an iron fist; there were no dissenters in his empire, only those who supported his rule and wished to remain under his protection until their dying days on Anarthia, on Earth known as Titan, on of Saturn’s moons. Long time ago, they conquered one of Jupiter’s moons, Himalia, and called it Anarthia Minor. From there they attacked their neighbour, called Ruvalara by its own inhabitants, but known as Amalthea by the people of Earth.
It was a fierce battle. But there were those like the rebel leader Bawyn Wyslaker, who refused to be silent. Who refused to just let it happen. Resistance! Right from the start, the odds were slim for the little Ruvalara folk. But fueled by the courage of desperation, led by their president and the intrepid rebel leader Wyslaker, they not only managed to resist the invaders, but even pushed them back a little. But they knew that in doing so they had provoked the dictator’s wrath.
It was only a matter of time before Anarthia would strike back…
Ostap Yefimov, the head of the ASTROCOHORS CLUB, looked concerned. He sat behind his desk and kept looking at the graphics that appeared on the computer monitor in front of him. There was no doubt. Of course it had happened. The enemy had really spoiled the organization’s day. The crystal sphere had been put into operation. Who knew those old devices were still in place, out in the Oort cloud? As a result, the solar system was now finally cut off from the rest of the galaxy. Everything would become more difficult now. As if it wasn’t difficult enough already.
Yefimov called for his assistant. Antonia Bagliarotto came to her superior’s office very quickly. “This is maybe an evening,” said Yefimov. “Did you hear it?” “Who hasn’t noticed?” the young woman replied. “So it’s true?” “We’re completely cut off – forever, if you will.” “And what now?” “I’ve already spoken to Admiral McCloud,” Yefimov explained. “We’ll keep going. Until we run out of ideas. Unfortunately, that will mean you have to work harder than we initially thought.” “What? How so?” “The Crystal Sphere is disrupting our communications. You will have to hand-curate the members of the club. At least until we have a new communications facility installed on VERIS BASTION.” “But… how long will that last?” “Unfortunately nobody can tell you that. I hope not for too long.” “Then I shall have to do it.” Yefimov nodded. “What irony. We wanted to celebrate today. It even had a motto: Tempora muntantur, nos et mutamur in ilis.“ “That… is Latin, isn’t it?” “Yes. Times are changing and we are changing with them. Seems we have to prove how well we can change. How well we adapt to changed conditions.” Antonia shrugged. “Then we will. What alternative is there?” “None, exactly.” Bagliarotto gazed into the distance, out the window of Yefimov’s office, at the vast landscape of Iceland. “I… feel like I’m standing on a beach holding the Book of Sanity while a storm comes over the sea.” “It’s a powerful image,” Yefimov confirmed. “Keep that for motivation. No one knows what will happen next. More trouble spots have opened up. Pestilence, wars and uprisings. We have to keep morale high and carry common sense.” “Yes, sir.”
URGENT ++++ URGENT ++++ POWER GENERATOR 2287 STOPPED WORKING ++++ EMERGENCY FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS OF ASTROCOHORS CLUB ++++ INVESTIGATION STARTED ++++
Professor Ostap Yefimov activated the screen. “What happened?” he wanted to know. “An explosion,” replied the officer who appeared on the screen. “It looks like the power generator has been malfunctioning for at least four days. Now it’s blown up.” “What about the security mechanisms? Didn’t they work?” “No. We suspect sabotage. All departments are dead at the moment. We have no idea when that will change. But we’re working on it.” “Work faster!” “Yes, sir!”
“Believe me, we at Cuyel are your friends!” Professor Yefimov didn’t move. It looked like he had become a statue of himself. The expression on his face was unreadable. But there was a rumbling behind his forehead. What was that stupid sentence he just had to hear? “Friends”? Cuyel, a multi-million dollar corporation, is anyone’s friend? The man who said this sentence sat across from Yefimov. A suit wearer. That was what Yefimov had called him in his mind. His name was… something… The professor hadn’t remembered it. Wasn’t important anyway. All the giant companies had people working, but somehow it was a faceless crowd to him. Nobody who stood out from the crowd. And certainly not the suit who had just said Cuyel was his friend. “Oh yeah?” Yefimov struggled to answer. “Then please explain to me again why our friends are so unfriendly?” “Yeah… uh… you know… the situation… the pandemic… the blockade… the armada out there in space… all that doesn’t make the transport routes easy,” the suit stuttered . “After all, we have to get our money’s worth. And after all, we’re not increasing the rent or anything. We’re just restricting the services a bit.” Yefimov gritted his teeth. “Well, firstly,” he snapped, “the limitation of the data line deprives us of vital information channels. And secondly, I read just about five minutes ago that your company reported 2.5 billion Solari in profits at the end of last year. I don’t believe that you have to starve. And yet you give us these restrictions?” “Well… the pandemic… the blockade… the armada…” “…out there in space,” Yefimov finished the half-hearted explanation of his counterpart. He realized there was no point. Not anyway, since this suit was just a small light in the company. “If that was all…” the professor began. “Oh uh yes!” said the suit. “Then you may go. I understand that our services will be drastically reduced.” The suit murmured some goodbye, then disappeared from the room. Almost like a ghost. Yefimov scratched his chin. And what now? He activated the terminal on his desk. “Computer, contact Commander Jung on BASE ATLANTIS.” Commander Jung’s image appeared on Yefimov’s screen shortly after. “What can I do for you, Professor?” she asked. “Calm my nerves if you can,” Yefimov said. “One of Cuyel’s pencil-wielders, one of those ink-pissers, was visiting here. And he brought a message.” “And it was so bad that you need to calm your nerves?” “Cuyel restricts our data transfers.” You could see how Natascha Jung slid forward in her seat. Her eyes widened. “What?” she blurted out. “You heard me right. Cuyel will throttle the data lines. That’s what we get from being dependent on these stupid ‘private partnerships’. At least they won’t increase the price for the services. But we have to reckon with the fact that the The speed of the data line is reduced by a third.” “But… that’s completely unacceptable! It makes our work immensely difficult!” “I know that,” said Yefimov. “But we have no alternative at the moment.” “What if we take matters into our own hands?” “What do you mean by that?” “It will certainly not be easy, but what if we set up a department. ASTROCOHORS SOLAR is still in the start-up phase anyway. What if we set up our own technical department for this?” Yefimov scratched his chin again. A sign that he was thinking hard. “That sounds tempting. But keep in mind that this means investing a lot of money in the first place. We have to take over Cuyel’s entire infrastructure or rebuild it.” “But then we would be independent.” “Hm. Can that be done?” “I have to ask around. But maybe I can find someone.” “Then give it a try. I have a bad feeling this won’t be the last time we’ll have to accept either restrictions or price increases.” “I’m afraid so too.” The professor thought back to the moment when he was offered the leadership of the ASTROCOHORS CLUB. That had been a beautiful moment. But slowly he felt like he was stuck in the mud and couldn’t make any progress. Maybe it was time to pull yourself out of the swamp by your own hair.
The taxi stopped in front of the building. Jarmo Dorak got out. So that was it … the new place. Although he had never been here before, Jarmo found this place incredibly familiar. He went in …
What was it all about? Jarmo Dorak paced up and down his room again. They had been very kind. They had gradually given him access to the Internet and other information. But not more. He still couldn’t get in touch with the outside world. Yes, he no longer had a family, but there were sure to be friends who were worried about him. He had found it was six years since he disappeared. He had to catch up these six years first. And he couldn’t believe what had happened on earth. One of the biggest countries on the planet on the brink of a civil war that was forced by fanatical gun enthusiasts. The climate change. The pandemic. And it was precisely this moment that the curator had chosen to let Jarmo fall back into this reality from the “between space”.
The people at ASTROCOHORS had said they would need to consult. Then they would make a decision. Oh yes, he had completely forgotten that with the other catastrophes: The blockade of the solar system by an unknown force that called itself the HIGH HAND. The solar system was thus cut off from the rest of the galaxy. And as before, the earth was on its own. With all these crazy people … Jarmo’s mind whirled back and forth again. They wanted to make a decision. But about what? Okay about him. But what exactly should this decision concern? Would you finally let him go? Or should he stay here in the ATLANTIS base, locked up in this room? Just what he’s the last … He counted in his mind. August September October November December. Five months! It’s been five months. He had tried to distract himself like they had said. He had done research about six missed years and penned a few reports, just as he had done in the “between space.” “Computer!” He called into the room. The ATLANTIS base computer was specially configured for him. He couldn’t address the system directly. Everything he asked for was checked beforehand by a monitor program. That’s why he couldn’t address artificial intelligence by its real name – ARNOLD. The computer beeped in response. “Play me a song,” ordered Dorak. “The Song of the Language of Shakespeare …” The computer beeped again and shortly afterwards a strange song could be heard, parts of which Jarmo sang softly along.
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“Hello, you bloody anglophonians, from London to L.A…. Among you are very few who speak a foreign language, but we do… The language of Shakespeare you can smoke in the pipe…”
He sat down again. Wasn’t it New Year’s Eve today? Would they at least wish him a happy new year? As far as he understood, the fireworks were off this year anyway. But then he heard a noise. Was there someone coming?
Captain Piquet registered the signal. A simple sound and picture on her screen. In addition there was a writing: “HEXAPHYRON”. She nodded. She knew it had happened and hopefully everything had gone well. It had been planned for a long time. The battle for the sensible people of the earth was not yet lost. It had just really started. And that happened with this action, this operation. HEXAPHYRON …
The captain of the BOURGOGNE and Professor Yefimov stood in one of the conference rooms of the headquarters of ASTROCOHORS CLUB. Both wore the prescribed mouth and nose protection and kept their distance. The mood was a bit depressed. “We have good prospects, I would like to say,” said Yefimov. “But we still have a lot of work to do. What happened to the HIGH HAND 13th Fleet?” “They have retreated to the edge of the solar system,” replied Captain Haddock. “So we are still cut off from the galaxy. I will restructure my team and then we will look for ways to break the blockade.” Yefimov nodded. “I’m sorry to have to decimate your crew, but we also need staff here at headquarters,” he said. “It’s a sad thing,” said Haddock. “But it was only a matter of time. You see, many of the people who work on board the BOURGOGNE were already here under my predecessor. We were actually just waiting for something to change. That seems to have happened now. “ “I hope you don’t hold it against me.” “No, as I said, it was a matter of time. And with special challenges awaiting us, renewal is perhaps more important than ever for the ship’s crews too.” Haddock looked directly at Yefimov. “Take good care of my people,” he said then. “They are good people. They do an excellent job.” “Definitely,” Yefimov confirmed. He raised his hand. “Since we still have to keep our distance due to the pandemic, I do not shake hands,” he added. “But rest assured, it would have been a particularly warm handshake.” “Thank you,” said Haddock. “I appreciate that. Good-bye, maybe we’ll see each other again.” “Good luck for the future.” With that, Haddock left the room. He went to his shuttle that would take him back to the BOURGOGNE. Yefimov stood alone for a while and thought. Then he set to work on the tasks that awaited him and his people.
“Professor! Professor!” Fulmen sounded excited. Not excited about the situation, but because something else, unpleasant, had happened. Professor Yefimov averted his eyes from the screen and turned to his young associate. “What’s going on? Don’t we even have a small ceremony?” “Scurra … his henchmen … it’s not over yet!” Yefimov sighed. That was expectable. Of course, Scurra’s supporters would still cause problems. But actually these problems were now outside the scope of ASTROCOHORS CLUB. “What happened?” The professor wanted to know. “Scurra must …” Fulmen Grancolline stuttered. “He must … he must have owned one of the icosahedra!” “WHAT?” Yefimov turned around. He saw that Fulmen was holding a pad in his hand. He suspected there was a note on it, so he snatched it from his hand. “One of the twenty icosahedra? The artifacts that …” He started to read. Fulmen said: “It’s about Oberon and the battle zone. He had the icosahedron of the Cita Nalur activated. Then the battle zone of Oberon …” “… moved to Earth, of course it did …” Yefimov muttered. “Scurra doesn’t care now. He lost anyway, so he can set the worlds on fire too.” “So we now have a new island in the Pacific,” added Grancolline. “Her name is Cita Nalur and it includes areas A, H and D, as well as PU.” “Can we get to this island?” “Not according to the reports. We know that the icosahedra have great power. Cita Nalur is surrounded by a kind of force field.” “And inside there live people who will henceforth be condemned to wage a kind of eternal fight against the enemy.” “The enemy?” Asked Fulmen. “What kind of opponent?” “It has to do with the history of the icosahedron,” explained Yefimov. “The icosahedron have a personality of their own. If you activate an icosahedron, you release this personality. The way I see it, there are several different zones on this new island.” “Cita Nalur!” “Cita Nalur, exactly. The zones are separated from each other and exist side by side. And something is happening there.” “Is there anything we can do, Professor?” “We can only try to get to Cita Nalur. But I can’t tell you how to do that. Do we know where Scurra got the icosahedron from?” “No, unfortunately not.” “Then maybe that’s the first thing we should find out.”
This is not how Professor Yefimov imagined the new beginning. And for those trapped in Cita Nalur, something new started too.
Actually there are no ages. An “era” is always something someone has come up with. The universe didn’t really care what any individuals thought of the passage of time, especially when those individuals lived on a small, blue-green planet in third orbit around a yellow sun. Moreover, what these individuals called the “era” was no more than the blink of an eye to the universe. It also made no difference whether there were revolutions on this planet, people were killed or oppressed, or whether these people destroyed their own living space in an insane manner. The universe didn’t care. In fact, the universe didn’t give a shit. A scienctist named Murelov once said it and since then this quote was known as “the law of Murelov”.
But the people who inhabited the small, blue-green planet cared about it. At least most of them. Admiral McCloud stood in front of the image of the earth in his office. He liked it. It was a picture taken by NASA to show the beauty of the planet. In the dark hours he stood in front of the picture and looked at it. Because in the dark hours he felt how he didn’t care. The whole lousy filthy planet. And all of damn humanity. Do you want dictatorships? Then erect it and leave me alone! Do you want to destroy the environment out of greed? You don’t care about the climate crisis because climate protection stands in the way of your profit? Then please, go to hell with your fucking planet! Yes, McCloud just wanted to give up in those dark hours. Doesn’t make sense anymore. Doesn’t do anything.
Then he looked at the picture of the small, blue-green planet and thought of all the people who stood up for others. Who oppose the criminals, the gullies, the corrupt and the depraved. Just at the moment when McCloud was standing in front of this picture, children and young people around the world were protesting for better environmental protection. There were people who stood up against dictatorships, even if it meant being arrested, beaten or even killed. If others did that and had little chance of anything changing in the near future, why should he give up?
Yes, that day an era came to an end. The end had been particularly dark again, for the earth and for other planets. But with the death of the night, the day came. And maybe the new sunrise would light the way to a better future. The chances weren’t bad, at least better than in recent years. And McCloud remembered that Seneca saying: Per aspera ad astra. Through trouble to the stars. Didn’t Yefimov say the phrase in a conversation today? Yes, and he got it from his new colleague, Kaluwa Effiong. What a fitting sentence.
I’ve seen fire. The new era may now come.
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