Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

“We believe that we eliminated all of the creatures... But... The devastation left in the wake of our greatest weapons...”

“Our world was ravaged, and even the atmosphere was changed!”

“Our people could not survive what we had done to our own home... And so, we were forced to build ships... Ships like Star's Hope. Massive Arks, to evacuate as many of our people as we could... Before our own actions brought about our extinction.”

Omi sighed sadly, shaking his head. “Almost a hundred Arks, each carrying millions of our people... We barely saved one percent of our people... And more have been lost since... At least, I know that is true for our ship...”

After a moment, Omi straightened his back- though it was clear their past stilled weighed heavily on him. “Each Ark set out in a different direction, all of us with the same orders: to find a new home!”

“Even with as advanced as our ships are, it still took centuries for us to reach another star system... But none of the planets there were suitable for our people, so we continued on.”

“And, considering we have not received the message to gather from any of the other Arks, it is doubtful that others have met with success... Though, our experts have told us that, because of the distance, it would likely take decades for us to receive such a message if it is sent...”

Omi walked silently for a moment before shaking his head. “But that brings us to what truly matters now, our present predicament...”

“Several months ago, there was a malfunction. By itself, it would have been easily fixed... But the timing was truly terrible, and our ship was struck by a meteor shower. While the damage was not severe, our current situation exacerbated the problem...”

“You see, many of our supplies were already low, and the meteors caused damage to several of our systems... Which, and I am quoting our experts, caused a cascade that damaged others. The worst hit by the meteors were our sensor equipment... And the most damage from the cascade was to our grow chambers.”

“The damaged sensors was already classified as catastrophic as, without our sensors functioning properly, we are at greater risk to other hazards. And the damage to the grow chambers... Well, what would we do without food?”

“Buy it.” Oliver nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. “Which would further strain your resources... That is why you started salvaging? Trying to get materials to repair the ship and hopefully get your sensors back?”

Omi nodded sagely. “Exactly. But salvage has proven... difficult. We have run into several problems, our lack of sensors being the biggest.”

He gestured widely as he spoke. “Without sensors, we are forced to send down small exploratory vessels to inspect the planets, which has increased the danger level significantly. We have been forced to abandon many planets for a variety of reasons: hostile environments, toxic atmospheres, a lack of viable resources, dangerous flora and fauna... And two planets because they were inhabited, and the natives proved to be hostile...”

Omi waved vaguely at his injured eye. “And while they were not as advanced as we are, they were far from primitive.”

He growled in frustration, all four hands clenched tightly into fists. “I'm one of the few true soldiers remaining, the rest having passed one by one over the years... While we have attempted to train some of the younger generation to fight, they are all still rookies with little experience... Life on the ship is just too peaceful...”

“That is why I requested help... We lost nearly a dozen on the last planet... And, with me injured, it would be worse next time...”

A hint of his previous enthusiasm returned as Omi turned to look at Oliver. “That is why I requested help. And with you here, friend Silk, I believe things will take a turn for the better.”

Before Oliver could respond, they opened another hatch... This one leading out into what looked like an open concourse.

He was stunned by the sight. It almost looked like a town square. Sitting in the center, water sprayed the air from a fountain. Small strips of grass ran along the pathways, more to give life to the surroundings than for any real purpose. Towering around in all directions were buildings, though whether they were living spaces or work spaces he couldn't tell at a glance.

And, dressed in a variety of clothes, were more of the Rach, each moving about as though on some important errand. The lack of people strolling about casually made Oliver lean towards it being a work district or some such, but he couldn't be absolutely sure.

“This is Sector 42. It is primarily used for logistics, due in part to all of the supplies we purchased from you appearing in the adjacent storage area, but there are some other functions... Though, most of them I don't really know much about. Other people's responsibilities...” Omi waved vaguely.

“Also, Bay 7 is nearby, which is where we launch our salvage operations from...” He paused, as though a thought had just occurred to him. “Ah, I should get you settled. I need to report to my superiors about you agreeing to help us.”

A hint of surprise slid onto Oliver's expression. “Wouldn't they want to meet me?”

Omi couldn't help but chuckle. “There are a couple million of us on this Ark, and my boss oversees about ten percent of them. The only reason he was willing to spare me to meet you is because I was the only one that could figure out how to send the request for assistance!”

He shook his head in amusement. “We do not mean any offense, friend Silk, but managing so many people... and dealing with our current predicament... Means little time for most of us. Well, except the civilians. We try to keep things as close to normal for them as we can.”

“Don't get me wrong, they contribute to our well-being a great deal... We just try to shield them from the worst of it, you know?”

Oliver nodded sympathetically. These people had lost their world and were set adrift in the Universe... A sense of normalcy for the civilians was understandable... And the remnants of their government, and military, taking the brunt of things to protect them made sense- even if it was a bit depressing.

“No worries, Omi. I honestly can't even imagine everything your people have been through... Though, I can imagine that trying to explain to them where an odd looking stranger came from would be a challenge.” He chuckled softly, having already noticed the looks he was drawing from even the small number of people passing by. While some were clearly curious, confusion and a touch of fear were obviously more common- which wasn't a surprise to him. He looked drastically different from the Rach, after all... And much more similar to the creatures that brought about the fall of their world, even if he didn't have claws. Most of them had likely only heard the stories, anyway. “Just point me where you want me. I can relax for a bit while you report in...”

“I am eager to get to work, though.” Oliver said, his eyes burning with excitement. As curious as he was about a literal alien spaceship, he was even more excited about the prospect of visiting an alien planet.