After two more days in the chair, Hermione finally broke down and agreed that she needed a way to spend more time at the outpost. She told her parents that she had been invited to spend the last two weeks before school started with her new friend Luna. Luna even provided her with a letter to show them.
She spent the weekend with her parents and packing up her stuff. She told her mom and dad that she would write often and not to worry. She had shown them the paper a couple weeks back about the death of the magical terrorist and his followers.
On August 19th, her mom and dad drove her to the area where Luna's house was near Ottery St Catchpole. Luna meeting them in the town. Luna didn't talk to Hermione's parents; only writing out answers or questions on a pad of paper. Hermione explained that Luna had a speech problem and didn't talk much.
Her mom and dad wished her a good school year and looked forward to her coming home for Christmas then drove off. After they were out of sight, both girls were transported to the outpost.
-oo00oo-
August 20th
Harry provided both girls with armbands that allowed them to mentally link with Rose. Luna obviously had better control over it then Hermione did, do to the full download she had done.
Hermione still hadn't decided what she wanted to specialize in but was considering something in a supporting role to the exploring that Harry was planning on doing. She had finished with the repository until she figured out what that role was going to be. It was tough for her, Harry having the full repository was… intimidating and didn't sit well with her need to be at the top, academically anyway.
Hermione could accept Luna being as smart or smarter than her, simply because Luna was a Ravenclaw and if she had been in Hermione's year would have been giving her a run for her money. It was Harry that she was having trouble wrapping her head around.
Where did his intelligence come from? For five years she had been helping him with his homework, pushing him to study harder, but he always seemed to be on the same level as Ron, chess or Quidditch and just generally goofing off. After she finished with the repository, she confronted Harry, wanting to know what was up.
-oo00oo-
Harry, Hermione, and Luna were sitting in Harry's meditation area. Both Harry and Luna were helping Hermione to try to unlock her potential a little more through Occlumency and centering herself in her core.
"Harry?"
"Yes Hermione."
Hermione looked a bit timidly at Harry. "How is it that… you're so much…"
"Smarter now?"
"It just doesn't… fit with what I know about you."
Harry leaned back against the wall that was behind him and took on a contemplative look. At the same time Luna got up and wandered off, this was a talk they needed to have. He finally looked at Hermione and started to explain.
"Growing up… wasn't easy. You know that." Hermione nodded. "The Dursleys weren't the nicest people in the world to me. I could 'almost' compare them to Voldemort in how they treated me… Anyway… when I first started school at five, I was the smartest kid in my class, special. At least that was what the note the teacher sent home with me for the Dursleys said.
That didn't go over well with them. How could a freak be smarter than their precious Dudley. I didn't make the mistake of looking smarter than him after that. I still learned all I could but I would intentionally fail tests and so on.
By the time I got to Hogwarts, it was basically second nature to me, I had to look dumb. Then, when I met you, smartest witch of our age… my second friend… I didn't want to push you away by… outperforming you... plus I didn't know if the Dursleys would get report cards or something. Grades and being at the top are your thing Hermione… not mine… so I stayed dumb."
"Did you really need my help with homework and studying?" Hermione asked, causing Harry to look down at his hands for a moment then sighing.
"Not really. I probably spent just as much time in the library as you did. You just didn't see me. I had a little private corner to myself. It helped that I was really nice to the librarian."
Harry watched several emotions play across Hermione's face, anger, frustration, he even though for a second that Mount Hermione was going to blow again. Then a look of understanding and something else crossed her face.
"I understand Harry… It's hard for me to not be…"
"The smartest witch?" Harry chuckled a bit.
"Yeah…"
"You are still the smartest witch to me Hermione. I am just the smartest wizard." Harry said with a smile which Hermione returned.
Harry and Hermione spent the rest of the night talking about their childhoods and telling each other those secrets that only friends knew about each other. They both cried for each other and at some point even Luna joined back in, telling them of her mom and dad. It was a long night for all three.
-oo00oo-
THe next day Luna surprised Harry when he had taken both girls in to see the stargate and add them to the wards he had on the room. Luna had looked at the gate for a minute then waved her hand at it. The Stargate instantly formed a stable wormhole to some unknown location.
"Luna where did you just dial the gate to?" Harry ask astonished by her control over the gate. And worried that she had just dialed someplace really bad.
*Praclarush Taonas. * Luna replied.
"Harry, I am receiving a connection from the Praclarush Taonas outpost. It appears to still be powered up. Incoming holographic message." Rose informed the three of them.
"Rose play the message." Harry instructed.
A hologram of an old man appeared in front of the stargate and the three teens. Whoever he was, he was really old, bald and looking like he hadn't eaten in weeks but his eye held a strength that Harry had only ever seen when looking in a mirror.
*Message*
*Greeting descendants. My name is Janus. I am the last living Alteran. If you are hearing this message, then you have found the Terra outpost or it found you and deemed you worthy of the knowledge stored there. I was one of the small group that left Terra the second time ten thousand years ago.
We traveled the galaxy for a time, marveling at the wonders that had happened due to our re-seeding of it. Life had not only returned to the galaxy it was flourishing in many forms.
We finally settle on Praclarush Taonas so that we could finally seek ascension and join our fellow Alterans in the higher planes of existence. I on the other hand waited until the others ascended before taking the final steps in my plan for the legacy of the Alteran Race.
I am the one that upgraded the Terra Outpost, I did this without discussing it with the others and without their knowledge. They were willing to allow our race to fade into history and myth but I saw something in the humans of Terra. I knew that if our people who stayed behind mingled their DNA with that of the humans it could one day bring about the rebirth of our race.
There is a reason I persuaded the others to settle here and to ascend. Praclarush Taonas was not just an outpost. There was a great city here, much like the City Ship Atlantis. We called this city Olympus.
Olympus was built about one hundred years after Atlantis and was occupied for many generations. When the great plague started to wipe us out, Olympus was abandoned, its population moved to Atlantis in preparation of us leaving this galaxy. The information of the existence of this city was then classified and buried by the High Council of that time.
Of course I was not around at that time. I was born on Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy many generations later. I found the information buried deep in the Atlantis computer core during one of my searches for obscure information, a hobby of mine.
I have spent the last one hundred years of my life repairing and upgrading the City of Olympus in preparation and hope that one day you, our descendants, would find this world and reclaim the city. The City of Olympus is now better than its sister City Ship Atlantis. I have also upgraded some of the systems on Olympus with my own designs.
As I have been speaking, the Terra outpost has been receiving all the data on Olympus. It has also received the unlock codes for all information on me and my research which was locked away by the High Council before our return from Pegasus.
Rebuild our race, be our legacy, return to the stars, and advance beyond what we achieved. Farewell. *
The hologram then pulled back so that Harry and the others could see Janus standing in a room. He spread his arms to his side and up. When his arms got about three quarter of the way up he started to glow and then changed into something made of energy and flew from the room.
Harry, Luna, and Hermione were all stunned by what they had just heard. There was a City Ship, here in the Milky Way. Luna was the first to recover and started running toward the gate.
Harry saw what she was about to do and snapped his fingers. The Stargate shut down a half second before Luna could jump through it. She ended up landing behind it on her butt.
"Harry, I swear to Merlin, Luna is more trouble than you ever could be." Hermione commented.
*Hey! I resemble that remark. * Luna shouted from the floor behind the gate.
Harry just turned around and walked out of the gate room making sure to mentally tell Rose to keep it powered down so Luna couldn't go wandering off, to another planet. Hermione was hot on his heels.
Harry walked to the conference room on the other side of the control room and sat down in one the chairs around the table. Hermione followed him and took another chair. Harry seemed to be lost in his own thoughts though. Luna wondered in a couple minutes later with a frown on her face.
*Not fair Harry, telling Rose not to power the gate. * she sat down with a pout and her arms crossed over her chest.
"Well you would have just dialed it again and gone for a swim in the blue water." Harry replied
Luna got this funny looking smile on her face. *Yeah, I've always wanted to swim in a sideways pool. *
"Luna you do know that's not a pool…? Oh never mind, I know you know and I'm not going to get pulled into the craziness that you two always seem to try to drag me into." Hermione huffed.
"Damn Luna, I think she's onto us." Harry smiled at her.
*She was on to us the first time; I don't know why she keeps falling for it. *
"I'm sitting right here you know." Hermione huffed again.
*So now we have a City Ship just waiting for us to come claim it. I can't wait to see it. * Lune totally ignoring Hermione's comment.
"We had Atlantis before we knew about Olympus." Harry replied.
"True, we did, but you didn't seem too keen on going there for some reason." Hermione injected while giving Luna the stink eye.
"I know, I just…" Harry looked at both of the girls for a second then sat back in the chair and sighed. Hermione was right, he hadn't been keen on going to Atlantis. He wasn't keen on stepping through the stargate at all. If he stepped through the gate he would become a part of the greater galaxy and whatever troubles were out there. If he went to Atlantis, he would have to deal with the problems the Lantarians had left behind, namely the Wrath.
If he never stepped through the gate, with all the knowledge he had now, he could start reshaping earth, slowly bring it forward in technology, help the people here get to the stars… Harry mentally sighed again. These were all excuses to the real problem, he was scared of what was out there, the unknown. He was fate's punching bag after all. Harry knew with all his heart, as soon as he stepped through that gate, he was going to catch a right hook from fate right in the chin.
Rose appeared in the room at that moment. "Harry, I have finish compiling the information I received from the Praclarush Taonas outpost."
"Thank you Rose, can you give us a rundown on it please." Harry asked.
"The outpost itself is in perfect working order, its Potentia is at 79.543% since the outpost systems have all been running unlike mine. Olympus is in a standby mode, it has five Potentia, all at 98.9%. That its operation requires five Potentia is a marked difference from Atlantis.
Olympus continually reports its status to the outpost in anticipation of the contact made today. It currently has two nanite constructor swarms that perform city maintenance with three more on standby. There are twenty fully charged Potentia in storage. The Potentia manufacturing and charging platform that was orbiting Praclarush Taonas sun was purposely destroyed by Janus just before he ascended.
The plans to build a new one are in the repository. Olympus's computer core has a slightly more advanced AI, again though like me it is not sentient. I transmitted your command codes to the outpost and Olympus before the gate was shut down.
There are seventy upgraded Astria Porta and three hundred Social Satellites in storage ready for use. As you know the original satellite network stopped functioning not long after Atlantis left the galaxy.
The planet itself is peaceful and has an abundance of animal life. There are no longer any mineral resources of Alteran value on the planet, they were used to repair and upgrade the city." Rose finished her report.
"Thank you Rose. What about the Janus file the hologram mentioned?" Harry asked.
"Janus was a brilliant scientist, a prodigy by Alteran standards. His theoretical work alone scared the High Council enough that most of it was classified to High Council access only. He did manage to perform a few of his experiments in secret away from the High Council and without their knowledge. Some of his work had the potential to destroy a galaxy if he was wrong in any of his calculations.
He even had theories about time travel and interdimensional travel. He did create two devices for time travel. One is installed on a Astria Porta Ship currently housed on Atlantis. The other is installed on Olympus. He does note in the files that use of the devices should be strictly regulated and only as a last resort." Harry shivered. He was well aware of how time travel could be dangerous. He looked at Hermione and could see even she was frightened by it.
"Rose, lock all Janus files to my command codes only, not that I don't trust you two." Harry looked at Hermione and Luna as he spoke. "The next time we connect to Praclarush Taonas have the city decouple power from the time device there."
"Command acknowledged" Rose replied.
Harry sighed again and looked up at the ceiling. Fate had given him an 'out' when it came to Voldemort but Harry had a feeling that as soon as he stepped one foot in that city, fate was going to hit him with a sledgehammer right in the nuts. He looked at Luna and she had that look in her eyes that told him, 'yup you are going to get it right in the nuts.'
"Hermione, Luna, your thoughts?" Harry asked, he knew he was going to regret the answers though.
"We should go Harry, we can then start exploring the galaxy and seeing what's out there. Knowing you though, we are going to get in all kinds of trouble." Hermione replied.
*Harry, it doesn't matter when we go, we will go eventually, and yes, fate is going to kick right in the butt. That's all the Nargles are telling me right now. Some choices need to be made, that's all they are talking about. * Luna answered.
"Luna language!" Hermione chastised.
*What? Harry is Fates little…, wait the Alterans didn't have a word for that, really? Let's try this again. Harry is Fates little sex toy. *
"Luna!"
*It's true, we all know it, that's why Harry won't go through the gate. *
"I'm right here Luna." Harry interjected.
*Shush Harry. The girls are talking. As I was saying, we both know trouble finds him. I understand his reluctance to go. If I was in his shoes, they are very nice shoes by the way, I'd be quaking in them. This is our Harry though; he always wins in the end. *
Hermione stared at Luna for a second then looked over at Harry, who was also staring at Luna. "Luna I think you're right. Harry whether you choose to go or not go, Fate is going to find a way to give you a headache. She might give you less of a headache if you go though."
*If he gets a headache we can always rub it better. * Luna was pointedly not looking at the head on Harry's shoulders.
"Luna!"
-oo00oo-
Harry had made a quick retreat from the conference room after that. Maybe it was a mistake bring those two here. He had asked himself that question several times already that day. Fawkes was bad enough, that bird never shut up.
No he was happier with them here, even with Luna making small innuendos here and there. They were both right too, Fate was going to sucker punch him either way. Fate had started him down this path the day the outpost transported him here. He may as well follow it and see where it led.
Harry spent a good portion of the night in meditation rooting out his reluctance to use the gate. Hermione had come into his area once to talk to him about it but she knew better than to pull him out of his meditation unless it was an emergency. Harry had laid down that rule the first day she was there.
The next morning during breakfast, Hermione and Luna told him they had come up with an idea.
"Harry, what if we move Olympus to Earth's solar system. Rose informed us last night that Praclarush Taonas doesn't have any raw resources of Alteran value remaining and the planet has been restored to a pristine condition after the mining was finished." Hermione started
"There are no raw materials in the Sol system either Hermione and where would we land it?" Harry asked.
"Well… How about Titan?"
"No good, while it is a good idea, the city wasn't designed to survive in such a rich methane environment, meaning we would have to maintain full shields all the time. It's also possible that the heat from re-entry and the engines could ignite the methane in the atmosphere causing damage to the moon's ecosystem." Harry informed her.
*We could land in the South Pacific here on Terra. We just do it cloaked. * Luna suggested.
"Not only no but Merlin's balls no. Even with the cloak, all the spy satellites in orbit would eventually see the depression in the water and governments would start wondering what is causing it. The cloak doesn't hide the city from physical effects like waves crashing against it…"
*Well p… oh come on, Alteran doesn't have a word for that either! Harry, I am starting to think giving up swearing was not worth it! * Luna exclaimed.
"You jumped in the chair my dear Miss Lovegood. Just make up some words and call them swear words. As for Olympus, we should look at the closest systems to Sol, find one rich in the minerals we need and settle there. It's not like we can't be back on Earth at a moment's notice with the gate. Besides if we can find enough raw material, I was thinking we should build a few smaller ships to explore with. I don't want to take the city everywhere we go."
Luna still had a pouty face going but replied before Hermione could. *I like that idea. Hermione maybe you should specialize in astrophysics and astronomy. Even though I did a full download, I'm more interested in the planetary sciences. We do need a doctor too. The biobeds can only do so much without direction from a qualified physician. *
"I don't want to bring any more of our friends in on this right now. I can handle the Astrophysics and Astronomy if you want to specialize in Medicine Hermione." Harry suggested.
"I was thinking of doing that anyway since mom and dad are in the medical field even though it's only Dentistry." Hermione replied.
"Then we have a general plan. Rose open the gate and have Olympus come out of standby mode and start launching the Social Satellites. Have the computer start with systems closest to the Sol system and then use the rest on planets that have high Astria Porta usage. The satellites should remain cloaked and phased."
"Command acknowledged." Rose replied.
"How about we go see the city tomorrow. Hermione can do some time in the chair today. Luna you can do whatever it is you want to do, no going through the gate though." Harry stated. Luna pouted again. She loved open ended suggestions. "Hold on, Rose, prioritize a satellite for Heliopolis, it was primarily a water world and have it scan neighboring systems for resources."
"Acknowledged." Rose replied. "Commands sent and acknowledged by Olympus."
Harry went off to do some more meditating, Hermione headed for the control room, and Luna just bounced out of the room to Merlin knew where.
-oo00oo-
August 22nd
The next morning, Harry and the two girls met in the gate room ready to go to Praclarush Taonas and Olympus.
"Everyone ready?" Harry asked. He made sure they each had armbands and personal shield belts. He then waved his hand at the gate causing it to instantly form a stable wormhole. As soon as the gate was active, Hedwig and Fawkes appeared in two flashes of white light and they flew through the gate.
"Crazy birds!" Harry called after them. "No choice now, I guess." Harry started grumbling as he walked toward the gate. Luna was just giggling and Hermione had that smile on her face that told Harry the two girls had something to do with the birds.
"Let's go before I leave those two over there." With that Harry stepped through the gate for the first time. Luna gave a yippee and skipped through the gate while Hermione hesitated for only a second before walking through in a dignified manner.
-oo00oo-
When Harry stepped out of the gate it was onto a totally different world, covered in trees. It looked to be about noon on the planet as the sun was high in the sky. He reminded himself to check the rotation of the planet for the day/night cycle.
Harry could see Hedwig and Fawkes high up in the sky circling the gate and each other. He took a step forward just as Lune came skipping through. As soon as her feet touched the ground though she lost her breakfast.
Hermione came through a moment later and almost tripped over Luna. She didn't have the same reaction to gate travel that Luna did though. A few seconds later the gate shut down.
"Luna, are you ok?" Hermione asked. Luna just waved a dismissing hand at her and proceeded to eject the rest of her stomach content onto the ground.
Hermione pulled a small device from the backpack she was carrying and waved it over Luna. "You will be fine in a minute Luna, it's just gate sickness, like getting airsick." Luna just held her hand up again this time giving Hermione the universal sign of the bird. Hermione just huffed. "Luna!"
Harry let Hermione deal with Luna. He was concerned but knew it sometimes happened the first time a person used an Astria Porta. He looked away from Luna and turned to their surroundings. The Astria Porta was on a small hill overlooking a pretty dense forest. He looked back at the gate and found it to be one of the upgraded models used in the Pegasus galaxy.
Next to the gate was an upgraded dialing device as well. What was beyond the gate though was what had his attention. A few miles away was the city of Olympus, the central spire and the towers surrounding it glistening in the noon sun. It was a view that Harry found hard to turn away from.
He finally looked at the two girl and found them also starring in the direction of the city. It was absolutely beautiful.
"Wow…" Was all that he could get out.
*It's beautiful. *
"Absolutely gorgeous." Came from Hermione.
All three stood there for a few minutes just admiring the city. "What do you say we walk to the city?" suggested Hermione.
"I wish we could." Replied Harry.
*Why can't we. *
-"There are some extremely dangerous animals on the planet, I am currently tracking several in the area of the Astria Porta. I would like to beam you out of that location as soon as possible."- All three heard in their minds.
"That must be Olympus's AI." Observed Hermione.
-"You are correct Miss Granger."- Replied the AI.
-"Computer, Initiate transport."- Harry thought.
In a flash of white light all three disappeared from the forest gate and appeared in the city's main control room. Harry and the girls looked around and were all in awe of what they were seeing. This was the height of Alteran technology. The room was large with one large window going all the way around the room so that no matter which way you looked you were looking out over the city and the surrounding area from the top of the central spire.
Arranged around the room were several computer terminals for the different operations of the city. The room was form, function, and beauty in one. Luna and Hermione walked to the window and looked out over the city and countryside.
"Maybe we should keep the city here, It's beautiful." Hermione suggested.
"Welcome to Olympus. I could remain here if you so wish. I have been here for millions of years. I have watched life develop on this planet from the seeds scattered throughout the galaxy by the builders after they left." Spoke a voice from behind them.
Harry and the girls turned around to see a hologram standing there. The image was a male version of the image used by the Terra outpost, blonde, blue eyes, and Alteran robes. "High Councilor, I hope this image is satisfactory, I can change it? The Terrain outpost suggested it to me when we communicated."
"No its ok. Don't change."
"As you wish High Councilor."
"Olympus, status?"
"All systems are at 100%, social satellite launch is 20% complete and will accelerate as soon as the city is in orbit." Olympus reported.
"Olympus, begin preparations to launch, we are moving Olympus to Heliopolis orbit until we have more information. Beam the Praclarush Taonas Astria Porta to storage, we will not be leaving any trace of Alteran civilization on the planet. Where is the control chair? And I don't see an exit out of this room. Oh and beam those two crazy birds in here."
"Preparations underway, five minutes to launch. Astria Porta has been beamed to storage." Fawkes and Hedwig also appeared in flashes of light in the control room. Hedwig landed on Harry's shoulder while Fawkes landed on the back of one of the control stations.
"Locking clamps engaging on Praclarush Taonas outpost, all nanite swarms in standby mode until after launch, city shield engaging." Outside the windows of the room, Harry and the girl watched as the shield formed over the city.
"High Councilor, access to this control room and the two levels below it are restricted to command level code beaming only. The Command Chair is in the level below us with Auxiliary Command below that."
"Olympus, designate Luna Lovegood as Councilor of Planetary Sciences and Hermione Granger as Chief Medical Officer. Both are to have Command access." Harry instructed.
"Commands acknowledged. Welcome Councilors. Four minutes to launch." The hologram then did something Harry nor the girls expected, it walked from the center of the room to the edge and looked out the large window. "I have been on this world for millions of years. After the great builders left and re-seeded the galaxy, I watched over this planet. I have seen two civilizations rise and fall on Praclarush Taonas.
The first was a small humanoid species. They developed to a pre-industrial age before being wiped out by their own foolishness. The second I thought would someday discover this city, they learned from everything around them, though their population remained small, they grew to the atomic level. I spent two years cleaning the planet of radiation after one of their experiments destroyed them." Olympus reminisced. "One minute to launch. I will… miss this place."
Hermione had a tear running down her cheek while Luna walked up next to the Olympus Hologram and took his hand in hers. *You have been a steward to this world long enough. It is time for you to help shepherd in the next generation of Alterans. It is time to take to the stars. *
At Luna's last statement the City Ship Olympus started to rise out of the ground it was built on and within a few minutes it cleared the atmosphere and entered into orbit of the planet. Harry and the girls got there first look at a planet from space. Luna plastered herself against the window with Hermione and Harry standing behind her.
*It's a beautiful world. Some day in the distant future, another race will develop on this planet and ponder its origins. If they make it into space and begin traveling the stars, our race will be waiting for them and we can give them their true history. * Luna spoke solemnly.
"Olympus, set course for Heliopolis." Harry commanded.
A hyperspace window opened up in front of the city, the city disappearing into it.
-oo00oo-
Olympus exited hyperspace over Heliopolis in a whoosh and settled into a high orbit. Harry and the girls didn't get too much time gawking at hyperspace travel since it only took them about ten minutes to get there. All three looked out the window at the new world below them. It was mostly a big blue ball with only one large land mass. It was still beautiful to see from space and they took a few more minutes to enjoy it.
"Olympus, resume satellite launches." Harry told the hologram. He then watched as small flashes of light started to be seen from the South east pier of the city.
"Harry, I am going to go check out the city medical bay. Let me know if there is anything you need. You know we are really going to have to think about long term plans soon. This city can hold two million people. It's going to get very lonely here very quickly."
"I know Hermione. I just don't know what we can do yet. Even if we brought every one of our friends in on this, it wouldn't be enough. Let's talk about it later and come up with some ideas. Maybe we can ask Dumbledore what he thinks when we get back."
Harry and Hermione looked to Luna to see if she had anything to add and found her with that look in her eyes. *First generations. * she finally spoke.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other then back at Luna who was once again staring out the window at the planet below before she walked over to one of the control stations.
"Luna do you care to elaborate on that?" Hermione asked.
*First generation wizards and witches, it's obvious that with a few exceptions like myself, that the first generations are getting closer to the threshold in Alteran DNA and mental potential, so why not recruit them and their families to join us. The kids can be taught the Alteran way and their families can also learn enough to be useful in an Alteran society. It's just a thought right now. I don't have a clear vision of it yet. *
"I knew there was a reason I brought the two of you along on this ride." Harry laughed. "Brilliant idea Luna." Harry walked over to her pulling her into a hug and then kissing her cheek. When Harry let go Luna just stood there with her hand on the spot Harry had kissed, a stunned look in her eyes.
Harry didn't seem to notice her reaction but Hermione sure did and she smiled. Hermione wondered why she wasn't feeling jealousy toward the blonde girl at that moment but something told her this was the way it should be. She did wish it was her that had gotten the kiss though.
"Olympus, transport me to the medical bay." Hermione called out and was gone in a flash of light.
Fawkes also disappeared in a flash of light. Hedwig though stayed in the control room with Harry and Luna. She was happily looking out the window into space from the back of a work station.
Harry meanwhile had walked over to one of the work stations and was running his hand over the controls. "Luna can you get a scan of the planet please." Harry asked. It was better that they start doing things themselves instead of always asking the computer to do it.
*Sure Harry. * Luna walked to another station and started working the controls. *75% of Heliopolis is covered in water with a single landmass taking up the rest. This is extremely different than the historical records, something major happened on the planet. The oceans have very minimal life. * Luna reported.
She then continued. *The continent has some plant and animal life as well. Harry there is one human life form on the planet at the ancient meeting place. The building housing the Great Races repository is not structurally sound and could collapse in any of the storms the planet is bound to have due to the large ocean mass. *
"High Councilor, my reading indicate that the Clavis is severely damaged. The Astria Porta on Heliopolis is not operational." Olympus reported. "Heliopolis itself is out of its normal orbit and will eventually spiral into the Heliopolis Star. We could adjust the planet back to its normal orbit if needed. The Heliopolis system is barren of all formally known mineral deposits. It appears to have been mined out." Olympus finished.
"Thank you Luna, Olympus. Olympus beam the gate and Clavis up to the city, have the nanites salvage it for scrap materials, we will replace it with an upgraded gate later if we stay. I am going to go down there and meet Ernest Littlefield, we can discuss if we are going to stay here or not after."
-oo00oo-
Harry appeared on the surface of Heliopolis about forty feet from the entrance to the Great Alliance Meeting place. He was dressed in what former High Councilors would call casual robes of office. They were white with a gold trim and gold inlaid symbols. He also had what looked like a duffle bag with him. He looked around the area and marveled at the structure before him.
Calling this place, the Great Alliance Meeting place made it sound like Earths United Nations headquarters in New York but it wasn't. It was just the first place the four great races meet to learn each other's languages and basic sciences. The history of Heliopolis was well documented. The four great races meet here for many years learning from each other before the alliance was officially formed. After that Heliopolis was practically abandoned.
It saw some use as neutral ground when the leaders of the four races met over major disputes. No alliance was without its problems after all. Thankfully those disputes were always resolved in a way that was beneficial to all involved. Surprising how socially and technologically advanced civilizations could always seem to work through their internal problems without bloodshed, Harry thought.
"Dr. Littlefield." Harry called out. He didn't want to frighten the man since he had been here alone for so many years. Harry waited patiently for Dr. Littlefield to come out of the building. He called out one more time then waited.
It was about three minutes before the completely naked Ernest Littlefield cautiously emerged from the building. He took a few tentative steps toward Harry before stopping. Harry watch the man come out of the building. He was expecting the nudity since scans from Olympus show he didn't have clothing.
"Dr. Ernest Littlefield, I am High Councilor Potter. My people only recently found out that you were stranded here. I have come to help you get home." Harry introduced himself and explained.
Harry watched the emotions playing over Littlefield's face. There was first skepticism, which Harry understood, the man probably thought he was hallucinating.
"I promise you Dr. Littlefield, I am real. I have clothes here for you." Harry dropped the bag and stepped back a few paces. "Please, allow me to help you get home."
"Gggaaatttee gggooonee…" Littlefield spoke for the first time.
"I know doctor; we will get you home a different way." Harry didn't want to have to explain that he took the gate and that it was going to be replaced.
"Whhhoo arrrree youu?" Littlefield asked, he had taken a few more steps and picked up the bag. Feeling that it was real had made the situation real and Harry saw that realization on his face. Happy, scared, happy, crazy happy, it all played out without a sound coming from the man.
"I will tell you who I am after you get dressed, that sound ok to you?" Harry asked him.
Dr. Littlefield turned a bit to the side and looked to be having a quiet conversation with someone. "Catttthhherinee says ok." He then turned and walked into the building holding the bag of clothes. When he came back out he had on gray pants and shirt with a comfortably warm red jacket on.
He walked closer to Harry this time. "Wwhhho arre youu?" he asked again.
"First it is nice to meet you Dr. Littlefield." Harry held out his hand to the man. Harry wasn't expecting the simple handshake to turn into a bear hug from the man. After Littlefield let go Harry continued.
"Dr. Littlefield, that building you have been living in all these years. It was my ancestors that built it and the gate that you traveled here through." Harry explained. Dr. Littlefield's mouth dropped open and then he started dancing around as best as he could. Before Harry could speak again, the Doctor ran back inside the building.
Harry decided to follow him this time. When Harry finally caught up with him, Littlefield was in the Meeting Hall and was clinging onto what looked like a very old notebook. Harry walked up to the control pedestal and placed his hand on it activating it. The room lit up and Harry got a firsthand look at a part of the history of his ancestors.
As he flipped through the information stored in the pedestal he started reading it outloud in Alteran. Dr. Littlefield just stared at him the entire time. After getting over the nostalgia of being in this place and reading the data first hand, Harry turned to the Doctor.
"Are you ready to go?" Harry asked.
Dr. Ernest Littlefield just nodded his head vigorously. Harry smiled at him and they both disappeared in a flash of white light.
-oo00oo-
Harry beamed them both directly to the medical bay where Hermione was waiting for them. "Dr. Littlefield, I'm Hermione. Can I get you to lay down on this bed for me? It's ok, it's a medical bed, I just want to make sure you are doing ok."
Hermione was dressed in standard Alteran medical robes and had been waiting for Harry and the doctor since Harry had beamed down. She had a good idea of what to expect from her first real patient, malnutrition and deprivation psychosis from being alone for so long. She could handle the malnutrition and any other physical issues, the sycosis would take much longer to treat though.
Littlefield looked from Harry to Hermione and then to the bed. Harry could tell he was frightened. Being transported the way he was for the first time could be traumatic. "You can trust Hermione. She won't hurt you, she is a medical doctor. After she looks you over we will go get you some good food and I'll show you something really special."
Ernest finally got up on the bio-bed, still holding his notebook to his chest. "I won't take your book Doctor. You worked a very long time on that. You will be able to take it with you when you get home." Harry reassured him.
Dr. Littlefield finally smiled and laid back on the bed. "I'll let you know when I've finished, Harry." Hermione told him.
"Ok Hermione." Harry replied then turned and walked out of the Medical Bay.
-oo00oo-
After leaving the Medical Bay, Harry transported to the Control Deck and walked to one of the control stations. It didn't matter which one he used, they were all real-time configurable to whatever operation you needed. Luna was still sitting at another of the stations doing something.
Harry looked up from the station he was sitting at just in time to see Fawkes and Hedwig flying by the window of the Control Room.
*They are getting to fly among the stars, every birds' dream. * Luna informed him without looking up from what she was doing.
"We should set up perches here in the control room so that they can always be at the top of the city." Harry replied as he continued to watch the two birds.
*That's a great idea Harry, I'll take care of it. I assigned you, Hermione, and myself living quarters. They are in the Council Spire, yours is at the top. I'll make sure there are perches in your quarters too. *
"Thank you Luna. How bad is Heliopolis's orbit? And how long do you think the keep with the Great Meeting Hall will last?"
*The planets orbit is decaying; it will be outside the habitable zone in about six thousand years and will fall into the sun in about three hundred thousand years. Orbital science really isn't my thing though. You could run the math better than me. *
"Your calculation is accurate enough Councilor Lovegood." Olympus informed her.
"Olympus, can we retrieve everything from the Great Meeting Hall and find a place in the city to set it up. I do not want a part of our history to be lost forever." Harry inquired.
"Everything that is in the hall is in my databanks High Councilor."
"Yes but this is more than just data to be learned. This is physical history, it is something that you can touch and feel…" Harry started.
"I understand High Councilor. The city does have museums. I will transport the Great Meeting Hall to one of them so future Alterans can experience it firsthand."
"Thank you Olympus. Remain in orbit for now. I don't think we will be staying here long. Inform me when all the social satellites have been launched and are on station. Luna you should get some rest. I am going to head over to my living quarters and get some sleep."
*Ok Harry. *
"Command acknowledged High Councilor."
With that Harry transported to his new living area, cleaned up, and fell into his new bed.
-oo00oo-
August 23rd
Harry was woken up hours later when Hermione chimed his door. Harry answered the door still in his pajamas.
"What's up Hermione?"
"I thought you would want to join us for breakfast."
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Eight hours. I guess you needed it for a change. You normally only sleep, what four?"
"Yeah, the meditation and Occlumency make it so I don't have to sleep as long. Guess yesterday took more out of me than I thought."
"Mental exhaustion can be just as bad as physical. You have been dealing with a lot the past few days."
"I know. I'm kind of hoping that things will quiet down a bit for at least a few days. How is our guest doing?"
"Dr. Littlefield is resting at the moment. For a man his age, he is doing surprisingly well. He was malnourished, which was anticipated. He also had a few other small issue but they have been taken care of. If he takes care of himself and eats right from now on, he should be fine for another couple of decades. You can go see him after breakfast."
"Thank you Hermione. Where are we having breakfast?"
"Luna is making it now in her quarters. Olympus apparently has a thriving hydroponic bay. She found all kinds of food, no meats though. We will have to find a way to get that."
"Ok I'll be there is a few minutes, I need to get cleaned up and changed." Harry turned, returning to his bedroom to shower and change.
He chimed Luna's door fifteen minutes later. *Come in.* Luna called out. Harry opened the door and was assaulted by many familiar and unfamiliar smells. He made his way inside to Luna's dining area only to be greeted by the sight of a table full of different foods.
"Luna, how much did you make?"
*I got started and I just couldn't stop. There are plants in hydroponics I've never seen before, I wanted to try them all. * Luna was talking in that dreamy voice of hers. *Olympus gave me instructions on how to prepare the food. Some of this was created by the civilizations he talked about back on Praclarush Taonas. It all smells so good. * Luna was really bouncing around.
Hermione was seated at the table trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably. She was getting along much better with Luna since this all started happening. She had accepted Luna for who she is and was finding the younger girl to not only be a kindred spirit when it came to learning but also that Luna just had a way of making you smile or laugh at the worst possible times.
Contrary to what his relatives thought, Harry actually enjoyed cooking. He would say otherwise but his skills in the kitchen could be compared to that of a master chef, thanks to the way said relatives treated him growing up. Harry walked around the table looking at all the dishes Luna had prepared, there had to be at least a dozen and there was still at least one she was working on.
"Luna this all looks wonderful." Harry winked at Hermione which made a giggle escape from the girl that she quickly covered up by also clearing her throat. Harry sat down and waited for Luna to finish what she was doing and join them with the last dish, he hoped it was the last at least.
Nothing of real importance was talked about during breakfast. Harry made comments and suggestions on some of the dishes Luna had made. The three of them laughed when one of Luna's comments caught Harry off guard while taking a drink of water.
"That was a wonderful breakfast Luna." Both Harry and Hermione told her.
*Thank you, thank you, and for my next performance… * Luna pulled out her wand and tapped the top of her head with it transforming into a white bunny rabbit and hopped out of the room. Hermione and Harry just looked at each other for a second before laughing and getting up to follow the white rabbit.
As the two followed the rabbit down the hall, Hermione asked Harry a question. "Harry do you think we are seeing more side effects from Luna doing a full download of the repository?"
"How would you tell Hermione? Luna was already odd before she did it." Harry gave a good humored chuckle as he said the word 'odd'. "You're the Chief Medical Office, you tell me?"
"No I guess not; I didn't know her as well as you did before. I tried to avoid her as much as I could. I was less tolerant of her imaginary creatures and odd ways before."
*It's ok Hermione, I forgive you. I am an acquired taste after all. That's what Ginny told me the one time she kissed me to find out what kissing was like. * Luna had popped up behind them as they were talking causing them both to jump a little.
"Luna!" Hermione screamed. Said girl just shrugged and ran on ahead of them again as if nothing happened. Harry and Hermione both laughed.
-oo00oo-
Harry and Hermione walked into the Medical bay to find Dr. Littlefield sitting up on the bio-bed. "Good morning Doctor. How are you feeling today?" Hermione asked in a professional voice.
"Bbetter thaan I have in a long timme." Littlefield replied. He was still having trouble talking.
"Your speech will get better with time Doctor. You were alone for a long time so it is expected." Hermione informed him. Littlefield just nodded.
"So Dr. Littlefield, are you ready for a short tour before we return you to Terre?" Harry asked.
"Tterrre?"
"Sorry, Earth, we call it Terre, it was once one of homes in the Milky Way. I would give you a full history on it but, honestly you don't need to know it. Before we start though, I have to ask you a favor." Harry asked. Dr. Littlefield nodded.
"What you see and hear here today, cannot be talked about back on Earth. You can tell them you don't know how you got home. I will allow you one exception to this, Catherine Langford. You can tell her but you have to get her to swear it to secrecy and Doctor, we will know if you tell anyone else. Can you do this for us?" Harry asked.
Littlefield looked between Hermione and Harry for a moment, then asked a little fearfully. "Iif I sayy no?"
"Don't worry doctor, we won't hurt you or put you back on the planet. We will still return you home. We are a peaceful people, we just don't want our existence to become known yet, Earth isn't ready for it. If the existence of 'aliens' became known publicly, it could cause panic and other problems in your culture." Harry explained.
Dr. Littlefield thought about what Harry told him for a few minutes. "I unndderrstand. I promise to not teell anyyone."
"Thank you Dr. Littlefield. Earth has a lot of potential and is advancing in technology very quickly. When Earth is ready, we will introduce ourselves. Ready for the tour?"
Littlefield picked up his notebook and then nodded. Three flashes of light later and they appeared in the Control Room of Olympus.
*Welcome Doctor. * Luna greeted from the control station she was sitting at. Littlefield didn't even look in her direction. He wouldn't have understood her anyway. He was staring out the window at the planet below him, a tear starting to fall down his cheek.
"It is a beautiful planet Dr. Littlefield. It is a shame that it will be not be around for much longer." Harry said while standing next to Littlefield. Littlefield looked at him questioningly and with a bit of dread.
"The planet's orbit is decaying; it will be swallowed by the sun in about three hundred thousand years. That sounds like a lot but compared to the age of the universe, it is a drop in the bucket."
It was at this point that Dr. Littlefield noticed he was looking down on a spaceship the size of a city. "My god!" he exclaimed. He just didn't have the words to describe or ask questions about it.
"Well now that you have seen a bit, how about we get you home. Olympus, set course for Earth." Harry smiled. Mentally he told Olympus to cloak the city as soon as they came out of hyperspace. The hyperspace window opening in front of the city had Littlefield's complete attention. The city then jumped into hyperspace.
A few minutes later, the city dropped out of hyperspace just outside of Earth's moon's orbit and then shimmered out of existence as the cloak engaged.
"Well Dr. Littlefield this is your stop. I hope you enjoyed the short trip. Are you ready to go see Catherine Langford again?" Harry asked.
"Thannk Youu."
"Your welcome Doctor." Harry then held out his hand. Instead of shaking Harry's hand Littlefield pulled him into another hug. When he let go he pulled Hermione into a hug as well.
"Be safe Doctor." Hermione told him. When he let go there was a flash of white light and he was no longer on Olympus.
*Thank you for flying air Olympus, we hope you enjoyed your flight. * Luna sounded just like a stereotypical flight attendant. *Where to now Captain? *
"Olympus, keep us cloaked and in extreme high orbit, replace the Astria Porta at the outpost with an upgraded one. What is the status of the satellite network?"
"All three hundred satellites in storage have been launched and have reached their destinations. I am already receiving data."
"Luna, as Councilor of Planetary Sciences, the network is yours. See what you can find close by that fits our needs, and get a general overview of the galaxy. Once we find a suitable place for Olympus, we will expand the network and then try contacting our old friends in the Alliance."
*Ok Harry, I'll get started on that. * Luna replied.
"Hermione, why don't you go down to the outpost, take Hedwig with you and send a letter or two to your parents.
-oo00oo-
Catherine Langford answered the door to her home after hearing the bell. When she opened the door she found a man standing there holding an old notebook.
"Cattherinne?" The man spoke in a voice she hadn't heard in 50 years. He smiled at her and she knew.
"Ernest!"