The AI initiated a more detailed scan, analyzing the vehicle’s structure and composition. The design was rudimentary compared to modern Valiant technology, yet it was unmistakably a vehicle—wheels, axles, and what appeared to be primitive propulsion systems. The AI cross-referenced the design with historical databases and identified it as a terrestrial vehicle, likely from Earth’s distant past.

  The discovery was astonishing, but the robot’s sensors detected something even more extraordinary. Near the vehicle, encased in a thick layer of ice, was a human figure in a ruptured spacesuit. Sentinel 9 moved closer, its lasers cutting away the ice and the helmet. The face of the figure was revealed, frozen in time, eyes closed, features preserved by the cold.

  The AI initiated a dating protocol, using carbon dating techniques refined for its sensors. The results were conclusive and staggering: the human had been frozen since approximately 9600 B.C., a time corresponding with the end of the last Ice Age on Earth.

  Sentinel 9 paused, its AI processing the implications.

  Because this was a larger AI unit, the Valiants had input reams of data, even adding new information from the Saturn intercept team. It had been a what-the-hell decision that now bore strange fruit.

  According to what it knew, the AI believed this discovery was a direct link to a time when humans were just beginning to form civilizations. The clothing, the vehicle, and the human’s presence on Triton raised countless questions. How had this individual come to be here so far from Earth? What had driven the human to this moon of Neptune?

  The robot’s internal communications system activated, preparing a transmission to send to a low Neptune orbiting automated space station. It had categorized the data as invaluable, a potential game-changer in the understanding of human history and extraterrestrial travel. Sentinel 9’s sensors continued monitoring the cave, recording temperature fluctuations and scanning for additional artifacts.

  As it waited for the signal window to the Neptune space station to open, Sentinel 9 stood vigil over its discovery.

  Sentinel 9’s sensors continued monitoring the cave, recording temperature fluctuations and scanning for additional artifacts. The AI processed the data rapidly, compiling a comprehensive report. Meanwhile, the winds outside the cave entrance began to intensify, sending particles across the icy surface.

  The robot’s subroutine initiated a more thorough geological survey of the cave walls. It identified unusual mineral deposits, possibly indicative of valuable ores. Sentinel 9 marked these locations for further investigation by the mining team. Its sensors picked up faint traces of organic compounds, suggesting that this cave might have been more than just a resting place for the ancient human.

  The robot’s internal chronometer indicated that the signal window to the Neptune space station was approaching. Sentinel 9 prepared to transmit its findings, ensuring that all data packets were complete and error-free. As the signal window opened, the robot sent a burst transmission to the station orbiting Neptune.

  The message included high-resolution images, detailed scans, and a preliminary analysis of the artifacts. The transmission also contained a request for further instructions, highlighting the need for an archaeological team to investigate the site.

  As Sentinel 9 completed its transmission, the winds outside the cave grew stronger. The AI noted the change in weather patterns and calculated the potential impact on operations. It decided to remain inside the cave, where it could continue its work while being sheltered from the elements.

  The robot’s sensors detected a faint vibration emanating from deeper within the cave. Sentinel 9 adjusted its floodlights and advanced further, moving through narrow passages and over jagged rocks. The vibrations grew stronger, suggesting an active geological process or perhaps an ancient mechanism still operating, though the latter was unlikely.

  Sentinel 9 approached a narrow crevice in the cave wall. The vibrations were strongest here, and the AI detected a faint, rhythmic pulse. The robot deployed a micro-drone to explore the crevice, sending back video and sensor data. The drone’s lights revealed an intricate pattern of gears and levers, partially buried in ice and rock.

  The AI identified the mechanism as a type of ancient machinery, possibly linked to the vehicle or the human figure. Sentinel 9 recorded the details, noting the engineering and craftsmanship. This find added another layer of complexity to the mystery.

  As the micro-drone continued its exploration, Sentinel 9’s sensors picked up a sudden shift in the cave’s structure. The vibrations had triggered a minor collapse, sealing the crevice and trapping the drone inside. The robot retracted its connection to the drone, focusing on stabilizing the cave entrance.

  Sentinel 9 hurried to the cave entrance and activated its structural integrity subroutine, using its articulated legs to reinforce the cave walls. The AI calculated the optimal points for reinforcement, deploying quick-setting resin to secure the loose rocks and ice. The process was strenuous, and required continuous monitoring.

  After several hours, Sentinel 9 stabilized the cave entrance. The robot’s power reserves were low. The AI initiated a rest cycle, reducing non-essential functions to conserve energy.

  As Sentinel 9 powered down its secondary systems, it remained alert for further instability. The discovery of the ancient vehicle, the frozen human, and the hidden mechanism had transformed a routine exploration mission into an amazing archaeological find.

  Thus, Sentinel 9 awaited new instructions as it continued to monitor the situation.

  -15-

  SATURN SYSTEM

  Sub-Engineer Eury sat at her console in the control room of Nergal’s Watch, her eyes scanning the array of holographic displays in front of her. As a computer and maintenance expert, she was responsible for monitoring and ensuring the proper functioning of all robotic and automated systems around Saturn.

  She had also taken on other duties, more from a sense of boredom. Her current task was to review the status reports from the various exploratory and mining robots deployed across the moons of Neptune.

  One signal in particular caught her attention. It was a transmission from Sentinel 9, one of the construction robots left behind on Triton by the Voyager Akkad. The AI had reported to the automated station orbiting Neptune. The station had sent the full packet. The Sentinel 9’s primary mission was to assess the viability of mining operations, but it had also been equipped to handle unexpected discoveries.

  Eury leaned forward, her brow furrowed as she noticed an anomaly in Sentinel 9’s signal. The data packets were larger than usual, containing not just routine status updates but high-priority data streams marked for immediate review. Given the vast distance between Neptune and Saturn, signals took nearly four hours to traverse the expanse of space. This delay added a layer of complexity to her task.

  “Why is Sentinel 9 sending such a large data burst?” Eury muttered.

  Soon enough, the display shifted, revealing detailed scans, high-resolution images, and a preliminary analysis report. As Eury reviewed the data, her eyes widened. Sentinel 9 had discovered an ancient vehicle and a frozen human in a subterranean cave on Triton.

  Her initial excitement was tempered by a realization—some of the data packets were corrupted. The interference from Neptune’s magnetosphere and the long transmission distance had taken a toll. Eury cursed under her breath, knowing she had to work harder to piece together the incomplete information.

  She activated the Saturn station’s decryption and error-correction algorithms, hoping to salvage the corrupted data.

  Hours passed as Eury reconstructed the fragmented data. Her console beeped intermittently, signaling progress and setbacks alike. The process required her to cross-reference the incoming data with historical databases and previous transmissions from Sentinel 9.

  Finally, the decryption algorithms succeeded in piecing together the bulk of the data. The images and scans were clearer now, revealing the ancient vehicle and the frozen human in more detail. Sentinel 9’s AI had performed a preliminary analysis, but Eury needed to verify its findings.

  “This is incredible,” she whispered. The preliminary dating indicated that the human had been frozen since approximately 9600 B.C., a period corresponding with the end of the last Ice Age on Earth. The implications were staggering.

  Eury activated the station’s comms system. “Group Leader Sabine, you need to see this.”

  Group Leader Sabine appeared on the main screen, her expression curious. She was an older woman with short gray hair. “What is it?”

  “Sentinel 9 on Triton has found something extraordinary. An ancient terrestrial vehicle and a frozen human from 9600 B.C. The data suggests a connection between early Earth civilizations and this moon.”

  Sabine’s eyes widened until they narrowed in calculation. “That’s sensitive information. Are you sure it’s accurate?”

  “I wouldn’t have contacted you otherwise.”

  “I understand. Do you?”

  It hit Eury then. How could she have been so dense? The so-called Evil Seven had once sought peace with Earth. A find like this might have strengthened their position. She should have talked face to face with Sabine about this, not over a channel. Eury would be the last person anyone would listen to about something like this. Could those in power want to cover it up?

  As Eury considered this, her heart hardened as she thought about her dear brother. This might help clear his name one day. This might mean Sarus hadn’t died in vain.

  “Let me double-check the data,” Eury said.

  Through the screen, Sabine studied her. “Good idea. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Eury nodded, signing off. Sabine’s demeanor should have halted her, but Eury couldn’t let this go. The presence of an ancient human on Triton raised countless questions. How had the individual traveled so far from Earth? What had driven him to the moon of Neptune?

  Eury set up a continuous monitoring system for Sentinel 9. The robot’s find could hold the key to unlocking ancient secrets, and perhaps more for Eury. Maybe it would help exonerate her stigmatized brother and his slain friends.

  -16-

  Eury jogged along a track that circled the interior rim of Nergal’s Watch, a space station in low Saturn orbit. The artificial gravity, generated by the station’s rotation, provided a familiar sensation beneath her. Eury enjoyed these moments of physical exertion, a necessary break from the mental demands of her work. The rhythmic sound of her footsteps and the steady hum of the station’s systems were almost meditative, allowing her mind to wander.

  As Eury ran, her thoughts drifted back to the recent discoveries on Triton. Sentinel 9’s latest transmission had revealed something extraordinary—an ancient terrestrial vehicle and a frozen human from 9600 B.C. The implications of these finds were staggering, suggesting a possible connection between ancient Earth civilizations and the distant moons of Neptune.

  Perhaps due to her meditative state, a memory surfaced, bringing Eury to a halt. She stood on the track, panting, as the details of a message she had received months ago crystallized in her mind. Ishkur, a friend and colleague of her brother on the Titan intercept team, had sent her an intriguing message about ancient stone charts discovered in the Persian Gulf on Earth. The significance of that message, forgotten in the routine of daily duties, now seemed monumental.

  Eury jogged back to her quarters, her mind racing faster than her legs. The hum of the station faded into the background as she focused on retrieving the crucial correspondence. She reached her console and accessed her communications archive, scrolling through months of messages until she found the one from Ishkur. The subject line stood out: Ancient Stone Charts Found in Persian Gulf.

  Eury opened the message and read it again. Ishkur had intercepted a news broadcast from Earth detailing the discovery of ancient stone charts in a temple at the bottom of the Persian Gulf. The stone charts, which showed star maps and references to a “homeworld,” had sparked interest among Earth’s historians and scientists. The discovery had been a major topic of discussion, suggesting that the ancient civilization had possessed knowledge far beyond what had been previously documented.

  Eury’s heart raced as she made the connection. The star maps on the stone charts could be related to the artifacts Sentinel 9 had discovered on Triton. It seemed early humans had developed space travel thousands of years ago and then lost the technology. She needed more information, and Ishkur would be the best person to help her.

  Eury initiated a secure communication link to Titan, hoping that Ishkur would be available. After a few moments, his fleshy face with its large nose appeared on the screen.

  “Ishkur, it’s Eury. I need your help,” she said, skipping formalities.

  “Hey, Eury. What’s going on?”

  “I remember the message you sent me about the stone charts found in the Persian Gulf.” She hesitated, remembering Sabine’s response earlier. Might Ishkur do the same thing? Eury decided to risk it. “Listen, a robot on Triton has discovered something extraordinary—an ancient vehicle and a frozen human from 9600 B.C. I think there might be a connection to those charts.”

  Ishkur nodded, seeming to get it. “You’re saying the charts and these artifacts might be linked?”

  “Yes. I need all the data you have on those stone charts. If there’s a connection, it could change a lot,” Eury said.

  “I’ll send you everything. Give me a moment.”

  Eury waited, her fingers drumming impatiently on the console. After a few minutes, Ishkur’s transmission arrived, containing detailed images, scans, and analysis of the stone charts.

  “Got it. Thanks, Ishkur.”

  “Keep me posted,” Ishkur said. “I want to know what else you find.”

  Eury ended the call and began cross-referencing the star maps on the stone charts with the data from Sentinel 9. She overlaid the ancient maps with modern astronomical data. As she worked, she called up stellar databases and used algorithms to match the star patterns from the charts to known configurations of constellations visible from Triton’s position in the solar system around 9600 B.C.

  Hours slipped by as Eury delved into the data. The room around her darkened as the station’s artificial night cycle began, but she remained focused, her eyes fixed on the glowing screens. The patterns began to align, and the realization hit her. These charts weren’t just maps; they were navigation tools used by ancient humans to possibly reach Triton and even beyond the solar system.

  The charts suggested that early humans had developed space travel. They had ventured into the outer solar system, leaving behind clues about their journey. This was more than just a historical curiosity—it was a revelation that might reshape their understanding of human history and possibly the origins of the Valiants.

  -17-

  Chief Marshal Assur was tired of thinking about the Chess Master and the approaching fleet, which were decelerating hard.

  His mind hurt from trying to ready himself for all the scenarios he imagined. He had spoken with Security Chief Vaul about all this. They had gone over endless possibilities. But until the former invasion fleet reached low Titan orbit—

  Assur sighed, sitting in his office, staring at a painting, thinking suddenly about the elders.

  Some of the elders understood the ramifications of the murders of Baal and Sardu on the Enkidu. Others wondered what terrible events were taking place aboard the flagship.

  Assur had played on that, later telling Vaul to work that angle on the most susceptible elders. The wise ones were looking at him with calculation, some with fear. That was also good.

  Despite feeling uplifted, Assur groaned and rubbed his painful forehead. Then he straightened his back. His stomach hadn’t hurt the last few days, but his poor head—all the sitting around and heavy thinking made it throb without letup.

  Assur now rubbed the temples. He needed a break to relax and regroup. Stress would destroy him almost as fast as a knife to the heart. He needed to walk, exercise for a while.

  With that in mind, he put a call through to Security Chief Vaul.

  “Let’s play some golf today,” Assur said. “Make it an hour and a half from now.”

  “I’ll be there,” Vaul said.

  After the call, Assur got up. It was time to unwind, have a beer before lunch with some higher-ranked officials.

  He did that, meeting Vaul later at the crawler park entrance.

  Vaul was tall and lean like a strangler, with strange blue eyes, and dyed his short hair blond. He wore a black security uniform, complete with belt and covered holster. He had a slow way of talking, whispering when he did, and gauged matters to a nicety.

  Assur liked him better than Sardu. Not that it mattered now, as the old dog Sardu was dead.

  “Are you ready for some golf?” Assur asked.

  “Yes, Chief Marshal,” said in Vaul’s slow whisper.

  They went through a lock and moved into a padded-seat crawler. Once the driver boarded, the crawler’s hydrogen engine roared to life. Soon, its tank-like tracks propelled it across the bay’s floor, through the garage hatch and onto the surface’s frozen turf.

  It was a short trip of several kilometers along a worn path lined by rocks to a newly raised dome.

  The colony’s population was growing. Despite the thirsty need for every warm body possible—often for monitoring teams of drones and robots—pregnant mothers received extra rewards and privileges. Mothers with young children received even better treatment.

  Assur wanted the Valiants expanding. That had slowed with the destruction of the bio-center birthers on the Akkad. That meant everyone was counting on old-fashioned procreation.