We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Book 2: Chapter 6: Contacting Bill

Mulder

April 2171

Poseidon

Subspace Communications Universal Transceiver. Kind of forced, but we had a tradition, going back to FAITH, of bad acronyms. The radio transmission from Bill contained a complete set of plans and operating instructions.

So, I built the SCUT from Bill’s transmitted plans, and now I was ready for the magic mont.

I just hoped it wouldn’t blow up.

I flipped the switch, and the console imdiately started scrolling information.

Sol

Epsilon Eridani

Alpha Centauri

Omicron2 Eridani

I followed the nu prompts and registered myself on the network, then selected Epsilon Eridani and pressed connect. The transmitting icon ca on, and I began to speak. “Hi, Bill, this is Mulder out at Eta Cassiopeiae. I’ve found—”

Bill popped into my VR. “Hi, Mulder. How’s tricks?”

“Holy—” I was speechless. It was just under twenty light-years from here to Epsilon Eridani, yet this was Bill, sitting across from in my VR.

Bill laughed. “It never gets old. Welco to BobNet. Instantaneous communications across interstellar space.” He waggled his eyebrows at in our standard Groucho Marx impersonation and took a sip of his coffee.

I nodded slowly in appreciation. “And is that your standard entrance?”

“Oh, hell, yes. And I’m keeping track. Notches on the holster and all.” We both laughed, and I materialized a coffee of my own. This was huge. Real-ti communications changed everything. No more decades-long turnaround tis for communications.

“So, anything interesting here?” Bill waved his coffee in a vague out there gesture.

“I think so. We have a colonization target. It’s not ideal, but I don’t know if you’re in a position to be picky. Or if we even need colonization targets. Did Riker find anything?” I pushed a file towards him. Bill went into fra-jack for a mont while he absorbed the contents. When his avatar unfroze, he looked pleased.

“Not bad. I see your point, though. Colonists would have to establish a space presence imdiately. Still, to answer the question: No, we’re not in a position to be picky right now. And yes, Riker found sothing. Check out his blog on BobNet.”

We spent several more seconds getting caught up, and I promised to read all the blogs. Bill gave a wave and popped out.

Well, that was interesting. It appeared I should put so effort into preparing this system. The standard plan was to have a supply of refined tals available in orbit when the colonists arrived. And I’d have to write a bestiary, with detailed information. So of the creatures in-planet were truly impressive by any definition. The kraken, especially, needed an entire chapter of its own.

Ti to buckle down and get serious.