Star Trek: Nexus

Days had passed since Captain Anzyl Praxas had sent his first reply to the enigmatic Voth scientist, Nolan Rivas. When the familiar chirp of his combadge indicated a private, encrypted message had arrived, Anzyl felt a spark of anticipation. He made his way briskly to the Dyson Communications Lab, his thoughts already turning to the delicate balance to trust forming between them.

Standing before the lab's holographic display, Anzyl activated the message. The image of Nolan materialized—faintly translucent but vivid enough to convey his earnestness. The Voth scientist's words echoed in the quiet chamber as his recorded letter played.

"I am contacting Captain Anzyl Praxas of the USS Hemmer. I was pleased to receive your message, even if I have to keep this conversation a secret from everyone I know. 

There are many topics that have been deemed controversial and off limits by the Voth leadership, but questions need to be asked if we are to maintain any sort of scientific credibility! 

Have you ever wondered at the fact that both our people were able to enter this sphere, from opposite ends; that we could move through halls, through rooms, through entire buildings without finding another living thing; until our factions encountered one another?

The ministry of elders would have me publish papers claiming that the sphere was created by our ancestors, but why would they abandon this place? Why would anyone abandon this place? These spheres could house both of our civilizations and more for countless generations! 

As far as I can tell, this sphere was commissioned, but not built by, a race called the Iconians. A war forced them to abandon their home in favor of this more strategic location.

Imagine how many fleets of warships could fit inside this sphere alone! Fed by food grown on thousands of hectares of carefully constructed surfaces, powered by the entire energy of a star and all waiting to ambush from the dark space of the night sky! 

The Voth are not warmongers, we have taught Doctrine to weaker species, but weapons are usually not required. When the voth have encountered opposition, we have resisted attempts by others to add us to their own ranks; fights between evenly matched adversaries tend to be futile. A sphere, like this one, might convince some that the odds have shifted in our favor. 

Which brings us back to my first question, why did the original inhabitants of the sphere leave? Did they feel safe and not pick a fight against a superior enemy and lose? Or were they forced to leave by some internal flaw in their spherical fortress? 

We may all be doomed to the fate of those that lived here before if we aren't careful. End transmission." 

The message ended on a foreboding note, leaving Anzyl with a sense of shared unease.

As the hologram dissolved, Anzyl straightened and tapped his console. "Computer," he ordered, his voice steady, "begin vocal recording for a reply. Address to Nolan Rivas of the Voth Circle of Archaeology."

He paused, gathering his thoughts, then began:

"To Nolan Rivas, of the Voth Circle of Archeology…" Anzyl speaks in reply, 

"Your words resonate like echoes through the empty halls of this Dyson Sphere. I can feel the weight of your isolation, the precarious balance you walk in challenging the Doctrine of your people. It is no small act of courage to reach out like this, and for that, you have my respect.

The questions you pose are the very ones that haunt me as well. The sheer scale of this sphere, the technological marvel of it, and yet, its silence—it all points to a mystery far greater than either of us can solve alone. The thought that this structure could house not just our civilizations, but entire fleets, is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. And yet, it is that silence, the absence of life or even the faintest trace of it, that lingers in my mind like an unspoken warning.

Why did the Iconians leave? If they were forced out, who or what could possibly wield such power? And if they left willingly, what could compel a species with this level of mastery over the cosmos to abandon such a fortress? The possibility of an internal flaw, as you suggest, is chilling. It reminds me of the old Terran saying: The greater the hubris, the greater the fall.

You mentioned that the Voth are not warmongers, but I would caution you against underestimating the temptation this sphere might hold for those in power—yours or mine. A structure like this could shift the balance of the galaxy in unimaginable ways. If we are to avoid the fate of those who came before us, then it falls to minds like ours to learn from their mistakes.

I propose we escalate our cooperation. I can share sensor data my crew has gathered from the Hemmer and Alliance's exploration of this sphere, and I would ask that you do the same. Perhaps together we can piece together a clearer picture of its history, its purpose, and most importantly, its dangers.

We stand on the edge of discovery—and perhaps disaster. Let us tread carefully, Nolan, for the answers we uncover may not only change the way we see this sphere but the galaxy itself.

Yours in curiosity and caution,

Anzyl Praxas.

End Transmission" 

With a deliberate motion, he pressed the console, encrypting and transmitting the message through subspace. The faint hum of the transmission filled the air for a moment before the room fell silent once more. Anzyl exhaled, his thoughts lingering on the rogue scientist. Nolan Rivas might be a stranger, but in the vast emptiness of the Dyson Sphere, he had become a distant ally—a kindred spirit connected by questions too large for either of them to ignore.