Porthole

Stardate: 4157 22. The Eyes of Kat

beeep FLASH beeep FLASH beeep FLASH

We are in the middle of nowhere. Uncharted space they call it. There's little to chart.

As I mentioned yesterday, we had a meeting. Mostly routine. All the Landers1 have been snoozing peacefully.

The Wings2 have been taking turns guiding us and doing what Wings do best ... stare into nothingness.

A few have been making multidimensional models of where we've been. Our path looks like a worm through a tube. One Wing who's very tactile made a physical model of the area we left. Impressive. Most of us have great spatial capacities; but, still impressive. Another has made a virtual three D model that a group of children have made into a hide-and-seek game. Plus each spot emits a musical note ... one child dances through the space playing her own song. More than impressive.

But I digress.

beeep FLASH beeep FLASH beeep FLASH

Those beeps and flashes? A bit annoying but they are muted to not disturb anyone. It's a minor alert signal that crew needs to gather to discuss something of interest, nothing urgent.

It began as our meeting wrapped up.

Wing Jaafaar: We are no longer sure where we are. We caught an unexpected wave. We're 95% sure that we aren't far off course.

Wing Sheima: We have re-calibrated and we are closer to our goal than before. The exact heading is a concern as we'll brush close to a system we'd rather avoid.

Wing 902103: I estimate that we can go around it and still be where we need to be when we choose4 to be there.

Wing Jaafar: Cook.

Cook: I'm making up a special meal that may help us think. It's been awhile since any of you have eaten a decent meal. (applause) Now let me speak. I've added nutrients and herbs that will help you all think. You'll need the boost. I also summoned Officer Kat5 to help us.

Wing Sheima: Well, last time ...

Wing Jaafaar: Was last time.

beeep FLASH beeep FLASH beeep FLASH

Officer Kat: Yes, I know some of you don't trust me. You feel that I should merely follow you. I don't. And that's why I'm on this ship. Look at this.

(she brings up specs)

We all know that what we see is merely from our own position in space. These two glowing spheres that look like my eyes, one green, one golden, are the ones we must avoid. If they begin to draw nearer to each other we're off course. The way forward for the next couple days lies between them; as we approach they will look different.

Until then I'm assuming command when Wing 90210 will take over to steer us around the nearest one pulsing green. (shuffling)

Now turn off that annoying flash-and-beep. It's time to follow the Kat.

(utter quiet)

And with that I went back to my chambers, perchance to sleep.


Two prompts: "Invalid Item"  "Not all those who wander are lost". What do you think this means? Analyze and report. YES AND NO. IF YOU HAVE A GUIDING STAR YOU'RE NEVER LOST EVEN IF YOU DON'T WHERE YOU ARE.
For:

FORUM

Space Blog  (ASR) Cruising WDC cyberspace and raiding ports for blog prompts! #2223838 by Sharmelle's Expressions

Day 2790: July 7, 2020 Prompt: “That’s the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.” ― Ray Bradbury. What do you think is the secret of creativity? MY REAL ANSWER ... NO, YOU FOLLOW THEM.
For:

GROUP

Blogging Circle of Friends   (E) A group for WDC bloggers. #1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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Footnotes
1  those who explore planets
2  interstellar crew that prefers dark quiet
3  Real name Beverly Liatris Hill; I don't get the joke but she does.
4  we aren't needed anywhere at the moment so 'time' is ours to play with
5  A feline engineer who prefers her solitude