A Fesarian Reality

Earth's Reality Chain.

 In 2023, I began experimenting with the idea that there could have been a Reality of Deep Time in which our galaxy more closely resembled the Star Trek fictional universe (see my blog post Carbon Creek).

Reality Chain. I've long pretended that Earth's Reality Chain includes the Foundation Reality, a Reality in which the positronic robots of Earth managed to create Galaxia as a defense system for our galaxy. The Foundation Reality is thus a playground where I can indulge in Isaac Asimov fan fiction. Similarly, the Asimov Reality includes a future that is similar to the setting of Jack Vance stories such as his Demon Princes novels and his Araminta Station saga. 

image source

When I want to write Jack Vance fan fiction, the stories can easily be set in the Asimov Reality. It is called the "Asimov" Reality because when Isaac Asimov became a time traveler, he helped end the Foundation Reality and bring the Asimov Reality into existence.

Star Trek fan-fiction. So, it would be nice to have a Reality in Earth's Reality Chain where my Star Trek fan-fiction stories could be set. My idea was that in "City on the Edge of Tomorrow", Marda and Tyhry might discover that some of the rapid technological advances of the Ekcolir Reality were made possible by a Time Loop that involved a "Guardian of Forever". Back in 2023, I wrote: "City on the Edge of Tomorrow" is part of my Exode Saga, so there are tryp'At instead of Vulcans and other major changes that might render the Star Trek elements nearly invisible (see my blog post: The Tyhry Clones).

in the Ekcolir Reality: a tryp'At

However, a funny thing happened on the way to creating a safe haven for my Star Trek fan-fiction inside the Ekcolir Reality... I got distracted... first, with a new way to bring an end to the Ekcolir Reality (explored in a story I call the Mosy Saga) and then I began experimenting with large language model chatbots as story writing collaborators and took a detour into writing The Nanite Smuggler. After that major diversion, I began to write a sequel story for The Nanite Smuggler (called Vythoth the Chresmoscopist) that would allow me to complete the Mosy Saga. Finally, in June of 2024, I was again in the mood for Star Trek fan-fiction (see my blog post: "The Fesarians"). 

Once again, I found myself collaborating with Gemini. Gemini quickly threw a wrench into "The Fesarians" by leading me to insert a descendant of Jack Vance into the story (her name is Talia Vance). 🔧 Some elements of the Asimov Reality, such as the Phari, can be carried over into the Ekcolir Reality.

The Phari Reality

 Fixed Points in Time. So, how can a descendant of Jack Vance end up in the Ekcolir Reality? There are actually two ways that such a thing can happen. First, in my Exodemic Fictional Universe, Asimov and Vance were both "fixed points in Time" with analogues in every Reality of Deep Time. 

Also, previously, I've depicted both Asimov and Vance as spending part of their lives inside the Eternity space-time bubble where people can escape the effects of Reality Change. Thus, it became possible for a single analogue of Asimov to exist in both the Foundation Reality and the Asimov Reality and for analogues of Jack Vance to exist in both the Ekcolir Reality and the Final Reality. The details of Talia Vance's origins need not be specified in "The Fesarians". She is aware of the versions of Jack Vance's science fiction stories that were written in the Ekcolir Reality.

9483 BCE in the Ekcolir Reality

 Sequel with a twist. "The Fesarians" is a sequel story for "The Corbomite Menouver", but it is set in the future of the Ekcolir Reality, not in the Star Trek fictional universe that exists here in the Final Reality. There are many differences between these two versions of Star Trek, such as the Vulcans being replaced by the tryp'At. 

Readers of "The Fesarians" should not be surprised to learn that one of the major characters, Talia, is a human-tryp'At hybrid. Talia plays the role of a telepathic human hybrid, similar to the Spock character from the original Star Trek.

Also, in "The Corbomite Menouver", Balok says that he is all alone and wants company, but in my mind it would be absurd for Balok to travel around the galaxy in a mile-wide spaceship that has no passengers except himself. For "The Fesarians", I imagine that Balok is a bumpha, thus inserting Balok into my Exodemic Fictional Universe.

Three Xylo clones.

 Rules. The bumpha are an artificial life form that spends all of its time helping to develop interesting forms of life on the planets of many galaxies. The bumpha have been on this mission for billions of years, spreading outwards from their original home galaxy. 

The bumpha have a few rules that they follow (Rules of Intervention) such as not allowing primitive creatures to develop resentments over the fact that the bumpha have fantastic technologies that they refuse to share. In fact, the largest problem faced by the bumpha is working millions of years to help a species like we humans evolve and develop a technological society, only to see such a tool-using species find a way to destroy itself in a technological catastrophe. The Rules of Intervention also restrict how and when the bumpha can reveal themselves to other species.

Flying anti-gravity vehicles of the Ekcolir Reality

 Clones. Also, cloning is a feature of the Ekcolir Reality. After arriving on the exoplanet Elemacha-z, Dave Bailey discovers that all three of the colony's power engineers are clones. However, the story begins with the first visit of Balok to Earth...

Part 1 of The Fesarians

When the Fesarius first arrived in orbit around Earth, many people soon noticed the new "star" in the sky. It was the year 9483 BCE, as humans would later count the years and there were no city lights to interfere with star gazing. Of course, in 9483 BCE, nobody actually used the name "Earth". However, embedded inside Earth and all of its residents were sub-nanoscopic devices (zeptites) that allowed the alien bumpha to continuously record everything that happened on Earth.

The Rules of Intervention. Skaña

As expected from the reports that had previously been compiled by other bumpha who had long ago visited Earth, conditions on Earth were quite primitive and Balok the bumpha was not surprised to arrive in orbit and observe that there were no radio signals emanating from Earth. This meant that Balok need not adhere to the strict restrictions imposed by the Rules of Intervention that normally required the bumpha to disguise themselves when visiting planets with a developing technological civilization.

 Balok was eager to teleport to the surface and did so without any attempt to disguise the bumpha body form while visiting Earth. Had it been necessary, Balok, being a bumpha, could have taken on any required physical form.

Furthermore, dozens of other passengers onboard Fesarius also teleported down and experienced the wildness of Earth, taking advantage of this opportunity to see a beautiful "garden world" that was, as yet, unspoiled by technology.

Using the vast computational power of Balok's mind (which was itself composed of zeptites), the bumpha had reviewed the available data concerning the extant human population of Earth. Balok was able to select a breeding pair of humans who were young, healthy and adequately isolated from other humans.

Zeptites and infites are types of nanites.

The question for Balok was: how to help advance the primitive human species? The planning and development of a sentient species for Earth was a long-term bumpha project stretching back 2,000,000,000 years, to the time when the first bumpha spaceship reached the galaxy that was home to Earth. And now, preparations had to be made for the coming technological civilization of the humans and their space age.

The first human that Balok approached was busily fishing with a spear and gathering edible invertebrates while wading along the shore of a lake. Balok sent a swarm of mind control infites into the human's brain. Balok guided the infites on their nanosurgical mission by means of a gentle telepathic touch. The form of telepathy used by Balok was made particularly efficient by the zeptite endosymbiont that resided, unnoticed, within every human being. By the time when the human finally took note of Balok standing on the shore, her mind was already completely under Balok's control and she was only permitted to feel amusement at the form of Balok's alien bird-like body.

9483 BCE

Balok telepathically communicated with the human, taking care to shape the communicated thought impressions according to the human language that she was familiar with. Thus, the ideas telepathically transmitted by Balok were easily understood by the woman: It looks like the fishing is going well today.

She lifted her catch bag out of the water and proudly showed off its heavy load of fish, some still twitching. Unfamiliar with telepathic communication, she spoke out-loud, "Yes, it is. Tell me, silly Blue Bird... am I dizzy from the bright sun?" She climbed out of the lake and approached Balok. After a pause, she reached down and stroked the soft purple feathers on the top Balok's head. 

Balok waited while the woman grew comfortable with the miracle of Balok's existence and sudden appearance. Balok telepathically informed the woman: I'm quite real... a visitor from far away. Balok was favorably impressed by the woman's appearance. She seemed to be in generally good health, her curiosity dominating over her fear of Balok's unusual appearance and ability to place words in the woman's mind. 

9483 BCE

Just then, Balok's genetic scan of the Earthling was completed and Balok's mind noted several interesting new gene alterations that were present in this specimen. Using efficient quantum calculation algorithms, Balok contemplated all of the subtle new gene patterns that had grown in prevalence among the humans during the 16,000 years since the last visit to Earth by a bumpha. Having already Viewed the future of Earth using bumpha Reality Viewer technology, Balok knew that these genetically improved humans would soon experience a dramatic technological explosion. However, due to the danger of Temporal Paradox, Balok had resisted the temptation to View his own immediate future.

It was the goal of the bumpha to not only guide the evolution of species like these humans of Earth, but also to protect them against the possibility that they would destroy themselves in some technological catastrophe.

Balok spent the rest of the day with the woman and her mate. By evening, Balok had decided to take these two humans up to the Fesarius. The two humans were both excited to have met Balok and had spent hours peppering Balok with questions about Balok himself and also the mysterious world that humans lived in. Finally, with gentle nudging from Balok's nanites, the two humans fell asleep and then Balok teleported them up to Fesarius.

Upon arriving inside the Fesarius with the two human captives, Balok summoned one of his newer passengers, a skilled telepath recently collected from another nearby planet of this galaxy, a being named Jihlius.

9484 BCE

Jihlius telepathically probed the minds of the two sleeping humans then told Balok: I suppose you expect me to teach them to use a written language.

Balok gazed at the blue face of Jihlius. Balok was pleased by how efficiently Jihlius could now follow thoughts in Balok's mind. In less than a month, Jihlius had learned to tune into Balok's unusual mind pattern and achieve a close telepathic resonance between their two minds. Yes, I'm sure that these creatures have minds that can process written language, but I they simply have not gotten around to developing a writing system on this world.

As a member of a species with powerful telepathic abilities, Jihlius was quite comfortable with telepathy and the advantages that it provided for communication between people. Jihlius asked: Why not skip writing and push these two creatures towards developing telepathic communication?

Balok explained:  Their brains are not very well designed for telepathy. In order to give these creatures useful telepathic abilities, I'll have to work on some major adjustments to their gene patterns that will allow for some major modifications to their brain structure. That will take time. In the short term, let's give them writing. I want you to take responsibility for this project. Maybe you can get help from your mate.

9484 BCE

Jihlius again complained: I still don't like the fact that you expect me to breed and produce offspring who will be trapped aboard Fesarius. You make me feel like a zoo animal.

Balok once more massaged Jihlius' mind with infites, reducing the resentment that Jihlius felt over being a captive onboard Fesarius. However, Balok took care not to damage Jihlius' creativity and self-centered ambition. Balok also worked carefully to conceal from the telepathic mind of Jihlius the fact that Balok was systematically modifying the structure of Jihlius' brain. I hope you will soon learn to enjoy serving onboard Fesarius. We have much useful work to do, curating primitive species in this galaxy. Indicating the two Earthlings, Balok added: These wild creatures will not be happy living here inside Fesarius. I'll leave it up to you to provide a new home for them and release them back into the wild.

9484 BCE

During the past month, Jihlius had almost forgotten what it was like to reside comfortably within the Hierion Domain, but had to admit that the work carried out by Balok and the residents of Fesarius within the Hadron Domain of the universe was interesting. For the hundredth time, Jihlius felt a twinge of shame for how Balok had enticed Jihlius into moving over to the Hadron Domain and then Jihlius had been cleverly trapped onboard Fesarius. As quickly as that shame had blosomed in the mind of Jihlius, it was pushed aside by Balok's nanite probes and replaced by a burning curiosity about how to most efficiently teach these humans how to read and write. Now, gazing at the blue and white face of Earth's great ocean from space, where Fesarius still hung in orbit, Jihlius told Balok: If your intention is to transplant these two creatures to a new world, then I'd like to make a copy of this world for our prisoners. 

Having carefully examined the future by means of bumpha Reality Viewing technology, Balok had known that this was the choice that Jihlius would make. Very well. Scan the planet and then we will be on our way. Begin the task of identifying a nearby star where the new copy o Earth can be placed. You have five years to complete this project.

__________

9488 BCE

 9488 BCE. Five years later, the two humans who were living onboard Fesarius had learned to read and write using a simple script that Jihlius had invented. The two humans had also produced a son. The boy was something of a terror inside Fesarius, although the creature had become friends with the young daughter of Jihlius. Now, Jihlius knew it was time to get these humans back to Earth.... their new copy of Earth. Jihlius had delayed their release as long as possible while trying to teach them as much as possible about how to use tools, hopefully without allowing them to become too reliant on the luxuries that were available onboard Fesarius.

Jihlius was again given access to the teleportation system of Fesarius. Now, Jihlius pulled a copy of Earth out of the teleportation buffer, placing it in orbit around a star located 48 light years from the original Earth, a star that had only a few small planets of its own. The three humans were there with Jihlius in the teleportation chamber, watching their new home come into existence. 

Seeing Earth appear on the display as a beautiful blue and white orb, the woman asked, "No Moon?"

Jihlius (right)

Jihlius had not bothered to duplicate Earth's Moon. During the past five years, Jihlius had grown comfortable speaking the human language. Not bothering to use telepathy, Jihlius spoke out loud: "That is true... I'm not making a copy of the Moon. I hope it is not too disruptive for the shore-dwelling species not to have tides in your oceans." 

The two humans had decided to return to the same place on Earth where they had grown up. Now, the two adults both carried small tool kits that they were being allowed to take with them. The young boy held only one of Balok's purple feathers. The boy and Balok had grown to be good buddies. Jihlius and his mate had tried to maintain a formal working relationship with the humans, but Jihlius knew that a bond of trust and respect had grown between the humans and dozens of the Fesarians, including Jihlius. Jihlius said, "Good luck." Jihlius teleported the three humans to their new copy of Earth.

Balok was watching as Jihlius completed his five-year-long mission with the humans. In the near future, Balok would deposit copies of these three humans on the original Earth, completing this little interventionist project and ensuring that written languages would soon proliferate on Earth. On both copies of Earth.

Wondering what might become of the humans on this newly-created planet, Jihlius exited from the teleportation chamber and immediately ran into Balok. Jihlius told Balok: Mission accomplished... the humans are back on Earth. Were you watching?

Balok (center)

The truth was, Balok continuously watched everything that took place onboard Fesarius. Or, more accurately, the Fesarius and Balok were one, all part of an ancient artificial life-form that could effortlessly rearrange its zeptite components into any convenient form. For the convenience of the passengers, Balok maintained Fesarius in the form of a mile-wide spaceship with specialized habitats for hundreds of different species. Congratulations. Balok told Jihlius: I did not want to distract the boy, so I waited here while you teleported them away. We had our goodbyes yesterday. I'm pleased with how you carried-out and completed this mission.

Jihlius said: I am a bit worried. In the future, people from the two copies of Earth will meet and be amazed by the fact that there are two Earths, dozens of light years apart.

Balok and Ylyndra

Balok was not concerned. Balok assured Jihlius: Earth is an interesting world. There might be a dozen copies of Earth by then. Those first space-faring humans will have to learn that they exist in a complex galaxy full of beings who are more technologically advanced than they are. Duplicate Earth's will be only one of many mysteries they confront as they explore the galaxy.

The Fesarius had already left Earth orbit. Feeling somewhat deflated by the end of the five year mission with the humans, Jihlius asked Balok: Now what will I do with my time? Jihlius had long since abandoned the idea of leaving Fesarious and returning to the comforts of the Hierion Domain.

Balok suggested: This is a good time for you and your family to take a vacation. I will have use for you in the future. Relax for now. We'll see what new project comes along. Balok intended to let this new copy of Earth and its inhabitants evolve naturally for a few thousand years with minimal intervention from outside. The bumpha knew from long experience that species often suffered catastrophic technological disasters, so it was wise to have backup copies of primitive species on multiple planets. 

Dani

However, Balok had Viewed Jihlius' future and there was no doubt in Balok's mind about the next project for Jihlius to tackle. There was another nearby planet that Balok was already using as a breeding center for developing the telepathic abilities of primitive humanoid species of this galaxy. Balok wanted to start a new human colony on that world. Balok intended to offer Jihlius the chance to help with the task of breeding telepathic humans. 

________________

2265 C.E.    Balok was carefully monitoring the thoughts of Dave Bailey while the human watched the Enterprise depart. Balok inactivated the viewer and told Bailey, "Come with me... I want to show you something."

Using long-range teleportation, Balok quickly skipped the small pilot vessel a few light years through space over to where the bulk of Fesarius was waiting, out of range of the sensors of the Enterprise. The pilot vessel quickly and smoothly docked to the huge bulk of the Fesarius. The zeptites components of the two parts of Fesarius seamlessly merged and then Balok led Bailey through a portal into one of the larger residential habitats of Fesarius. 

Ienaghwy and Ylyndra

Bailey stood there on a balcony, enjoying the view of the interior of the vast cavern, his curiosity about what might be inside the vast bulk of Fesarius now being satisfied. The roof of the cavern formed a simulated sky. Far below, moving figures could be seen. Bailey exclaimed, "So, you are not really alone?"

Balok admitted, "I misled your Captain when I said that I was lonely. The truth is, I do enjoy company and I am seldom alone. It has been thousands of years since I've had human passengers to entertain onboard this ship, but there are thousands of others who live inside the Fesarius and many of them function as my helpers."

Balok was carefully following Bailey's thoughts, watching to see how this human would react to the idea of becoming a collaborator with Balok and the bumpha in helping humans deal with the challenges of spreading outwards into a mysterious galaxy and confronting other types of intelligent creatures. Balok mused, "I arrange matters so that I'm never lonely, but there are many varieties of loneliness. I've learned that humans are quite susceptible to the effects of loneliness. It is easy to feel sorry for poor Captain Kirk, Spock... every young Starfleet officer who must balance advancement up the ranks against the alternative of quitting Starfleet and enjoying family life."

Bailey commented, "I may not have a family and children, but rest assured, I have many friends, even lady friends." Thinking about his current lovers among the Enterprise crew, Bailey smiled.

Balok noted, "The Klingons don't allow themselves to lament the rigors of military service. They use the same brain stimulation technology that Earthlings use to treat mental illness as a tool to enforce discipline on their officers. They also use mind-control to force their scientists to endlessly develop new weapons. However, I'll eventually get the Klingon menace under control and then Starfleet will allow families to live onboard starships."

Klingons

Bailey asked, "You'll deal with the Klingons?"

Balok explained, "It is useful to let the Klingons terrorize this part of the galaxy for a short period of time. Such reckless behavior has a way of forcing primitives like you Earthlings to think seriously about the wisdom of placing restrictions on advanced technologies. The Klingons serve as a useful lesson, a learning opportunity."

Bailey complained, "That seems like a cold-hearted attitude. Millions of people suffer and die in wars with the Klingons, just for the benefits of this lesson?"

Balok smiled. "Mr Bailey, I'm an artificial life form, a bumpha... I have no heart. This galaxy is like an omelette, a complex mixture of species... I'm not afraid to break a few eggs. I suggest that you try to view this as a form of what some humans call 'tough love'."

Balok continued speaking while also simultaneously using infites to push Bailey's thought patterns in useful directions, "However, it is true... I am the only one of my kind onboard." Balok reflected on the old saying: more than one bumpha in a galaxy is a crowd. "Forget about me and my personal situation, Mr. Bailey." Balok pointed to the moving people far below, "I want you to meet some of my helpers... your new colleagues... the residents of Fesarius."

Just then, what appeared to be a woman joined Balok and Bailey on the balcony. Bailey smiled at the woman. She was quite cute; tall, with amazing red hair. Baily felt an immediate sexual interest in the woman and he loved the way she was smiling at him and gazing intently into his eyes. Balok said, "Dave, this is Dani." Dave and Dani shook hands.

Dani placed a hand on Bailey's shoulder and squeezed, seemingly enjoying the feel of his muscles. She told Balok, "I suppose he'll do."

Bailey asked, "Do what?"

A Merovae of Elemacha-z.

Balok explained, "I have a mission for you two. There is a nearby human colony, located in the Elemacha star system, that is having troubles with native creatures of the habitable planet, Elemacha-z." Balok waved a hand an a holographic image appeared, hovering in the air above their heads. This is an image showing one of the nocturnal amphibian-like native residents of the planet... the Merovae. Dave and Dani, I want you two to deal with this problem. You must find a way to make it possible for humans to live on Elemacha-z without disrupting the lives of the Merovae."

Dani told Bailey, "Balok has already provided me with details about our mission. I'll fill you in on the delicate problem that has arisen on Elemacha-z." The image of the Merovae vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. Bailey shifted his gaze back to the pretty face of Dani. He nodded in acknowledgement of Dani's words, but he was already fantasizing about getting her in a quiet place alone. With his eyes appreciatively gliding along the sexy contours of her body, Bailey grinned and told himself: your mission is to fill her in...

Now, two other people came out on the balcony and their physical appearance and features startled Bailey. They both were obviously aliens with humanoid body plans, but one had a very large head. The other one was blue while the one with the big head had skin that looked almost human. Balok told Bailey: "Meet Ienaghwy and Ylyndra... they'll be your orbital support team while you carry out your mission on Elemacha-z. They are both telepaths and will be able to help guide your actions on Elemacha-z."

 While working with Balok onboard Fesarius, Ylyndra had learned to fully use her telepathic abilities to move information in and out of the brains of primitive creatures like this human who had no perceptible telepathic abilities of his own. Bailey's mind was an open book to Ylyndra and she sensed his revulsion at her blue skin. Ylyndra could follow Bailey's thoughts and so she knew that Bailey was imagining how sweet it would be to become Dani's lover. Ylyndra warned Dani, "He's a horny devil. He's already fantasizing about the possibility of ravishing you."

Dave Bailey and Xylo on Elemacha-z.

Dani giggled, took Bailey's hand and squeezed it. "That sounds like fun." Boldly, she got on her toes and places a brief kiss on Bailey's lips. She whispered in Bailey's ear, "We'll be working very close together for this mission."

Ienaghwy telepathically placed a thought into Bailey's mind: Control your sexual appetite... you don't know what you are getting into. We can't trust Dani.

Now Bailey's curiosity shifted. He did not know who had telepathically placed a warning about Dani in his mind. He blurted out, "Who's inside my mind?"

Ienaghwy spoke in a high-pitched, girlish voice, "Mr. Bailey, you are going to have to begin defending your mind against telepathic signals. The natives on Elemacha-z have the ability to telepathically disrupt human thought patterns." Ienaghwy told Balok, "I question the wisdom of using this naive boy on this mission to Elemacha-z. He'll have no telepathic defense against the native creatures. The Merovae will be able to telepathically disrupt his thought patterns."

Balok said, "I understand your concerns, Iena. However, the Merovae are rather comical figures. Because they have been protected against predators, they never evolved very much intelligence." Balok chuckled. "They will certainly have no reason to disrupt the function of Bailey's brain. This mission will be a great learning opportunity for Dave and he will enjoy himself on Elemacha-z, completely free of the restrictive rules that constrain the behavior of Starfleet officers." Balok winked at Bailey and grinned.

Bailey had been thinking of himself as a representative of Starfleet, assigned to pursue cultural exchange with Balok, but now he began to wonder if he would ever really return to the Enterprise. He wondered: Maybe I'm no longer part of Starfleet. He gazed at the pretty face of Dani and was quite eager to "work" with her on this mission to Elemacha-z.

Jump ahead to: Part 2 of "The Fesarians".

Next: mid-summer fun with Baseball and Aliens

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