Space, Time, and The Entities in Between - Vol. I: Space, Time, and The Entities in Between, #1

By Tomo Umer

A wish granting fickle djinn. A brain implant that stores your thoughts. Demonic little creatures. Tales of conquest and love. What do all these have in common? They're just some of the fifteen short stories present in this neatly arranged volume. Ranging in style and content, I hope they will delight and surprise in equal measure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tomo Umer
• Release date: Jun 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224953011

Tomo Umer

There are two aspects of my life that consistently go hand in hand: science and fiction. I was born in Koper, Slovenia and studied Particle Physics in Trieste, Italy. Meeting the love of my life, Claire, on Reddit took me on a journey over the Atlantic Ocean. I ended up working in behavioral health in mid Tennessee untill a Data Science bootcamp with the Nashville Software School opened the doors for me to continue applying my love for data and science. Parallel to all that, I've also explored countless fantastical (and real) worlds. From Asterix and Obelix, through Age of Empires and Civilization, all the way to Elden Ring and Oppenheimer. If there's a good story, I'm there for it!

Book preview

Introduction

I first dabbled with fantasy writing as a teenager, working on a few different ideas, but never finishing them. Years later, in 2014 to be precise, I realized how much I missed it, and wanted to write some more. I was worried that I would, once again, begin a novel and not see it through to the end.

Instead, I decided to write a few short stories. Moonlight Madness, I.N.D.E., Lovestruck, The Saga of Nobunaga, Digital Brain, Checkmate, A Land Beyond, Core Crisis, Of Fire and Water were some of the stories I either wrote, or begin to write back then before tackling my first novel Lambda. Years later, I revisited them and rewritten major portions (in some cases, almost the entire story). The other stories in this collection are instead, completely new, that I’ve devised and written since living in the U.S.

I really enjoy writing short stories, so I envision this Space, Time, and The Entities in Between as Volume 1, with others to come! I think it’s a great way to express various ideas and different styles, without having to fully commit several months for a single tale.

Furthermore, I fervently believe that people should read more. There is one excuse that I keep hearing again and again, I want to read more, but I don’t have the time. This is me calling your bluff - anyone has the time to read a short story or two. No additional commitment necessary. Read one per week and in 15 weeks, you’ll be done with at least one book!

Thank you for reading and I hope you have a blast!

Moonlight Madness

Travis Johnson was one of the only two human beings remaining on an otherwise abandoned lunar base called Lume One. As a result, his appearance was signaling a complete lack of care. A castaway with an unkempt bushy brown beard and tangled messy hair falling to his shoulders. When he recently noticed his pale cheeks and bewildered blue eyes protruding through the jungle of facial hair, he jokingly named himself the first homeless astronaut.

In truth, he could’ve used the station’s tanning beds to help his skin get the sun produced vitamins. He could’ve also asked the fully automated Lume One to give him a haircut and shave. Instead, he proudly wandered around in a casual T-shirt displaying the NASA logo and shorts, both of which wore stains of unknown origin. Most likely from food, or attempted repairs. There was something that Travis found oddly satisfying in being the complete opposite of the otherwise exceptionally sterile environment.

The lunar base was designed as a rectangular grid in a modular fashion; 21 domes that contained the important areas (like the kitchen, dormitories, etc...) and the rest were plus shaped corridors. Each of these could go in the four directions of the sky, connecting to either another corridor, or a dome. The reason for this bizarre labyrinthine structure was that the layout could be rearranged. If a part was breached, each intersection had sliding doors that would shut and then move the part to the edge. Another undamaged part would take its place. That way, the Lume One Artificial Intelligence would be able to repair the damaged part, while still leaving everything else operational. What’s more, even the domes could be moved - although slower - if needed.

Often unseen, underneath the floor and in the walls, there were countless wires and connecting mechanisms, transporting materials and robotic arms where needed. The mechanic Travis was just a backup in case the self-sustaining system failed - which never did. Not during his entire 10 year stay. And so he was frequently found standing in his favorite place in the whole base, the observation dome. Half of the dome was was made out of thick glass, allowing for a spectacular view of the Earth when the timing was right. At present, he saw a rocket leaving its orbit and pass him by. He waved at it, knowing that if someone was looking his way, he’d surely be seen. A lone insignificant speck of a person against the background of the massive observation dome.

After ten years, he could not remember which happened first: did he lose interest in Earth, or did the Earth lose interest in him? The Moon base was meant to be a pivotal point for space travel. To use Lume One as a launching pad for rockets to depart further into space, using less energy due to lower gravity and no atmosphere. Travis would’ve been at the centre of it all. But instead, the pioneering atmosphere-piercing rocket technology was discovered and it made the lunar base obsolete in less than a year. It became much easier to depart from Earth directly, just like the rocket that flew by him.

The technician Johnson still replayed the initial announcement in his head. Three businessman greeted the Lume One crew in the reception dome. Not even in person, not even live. The message was prerecorded. Merely an afterthought. The essence of it was: sorry, the Moon is completely uninteresting for us now. Leave the base to self-sustain until it won’t anymore. Time to go to Mars! Mostly cheers from the audience and a few groans. In a matter of days, the only two remaining people on the station were Travis Johnson and Brina Layne. Both had a similar background of repairs and same belief that kept driving them: after the space race in the 20th century, the Moon was forgotten for a while until the interest was reignited. So too would it happen with Lume One. Eventually, the base would regain its purpose as a space hub, or perhaps find a new purpose entirely. And Travis and Brina would be there to see it happen.

As years rolled by, so did the distance between the last two crew members. They stopped communicating and kept to themselves. One way they entertained each other however, was by inventing puzzles to solve. Travis couldn’t say for certain when was the last time he even saw Brina. A week ago perhaps, or was it a month already? Either way, as he turned around and away from the transparent half of the observation dome, he took in the latest challenge that she left for him. This half of the dome used to be a completely white curved surface that covered its entire field of view. When the dome was oriented towards the sun, the rays would make the wall seem resplendent and a complete opposite of the black void of space. Just like his defiant look, the whiteness of the dome seemed somehow out of place. Not belonging and yet oddly inspiring.

Now, the wall had some sort of drawing instilled upon it in squiggly red lines. Seemed to be drawn with some kind of oil paint and big enough to be observed from the rocket that just passed by. The thickness of the lines varied and when Travis almost thought he found a pattern, the next stroke would break it completely. Knowing Brina, this was supposed to signify something and yet he couldn’t figure it out. Typically, he’d take at most a few days to solve one of her most difficult puzzles and then find her to discuss it with. Not this one. He’d been coming to the observation dome for days and felt like he wasn’t nearing any possible solution.

Finally, he acknowledged he’d need to find her and ask for a tip at least. A starting point. Something. Mostly his desire was selfish as he did not want to risk the paint getting too attached to the dome, perhaps permanently altering how it looked. He knew that the robots would not clean up the mess - it was ugly sure, but not interfering with any of the facility’s functionality and therefore, inconsequential for the AI.

And so Travis walked through one of the two automatic doors situated at opposite ends. Into the nearest corridor. As he was walking along, he noticed a few robotic arms emerging from its walls, ceiling and even the floor, checking and repairing the integrity of the structure, before retreating away from view. He liked to pretend to give them orders, despite it being a fully autonomous process. He came to the crossroads in the corridor and stopped for a moment, trying to think what he knew about Brina. Where would she most likely be? Best answer he could think of was, not in the same room as me.

He pressed on, taking a left turn three times and then a couple of right ones. Actually, he got so immersed in thought that he wasn’t sure about that middle turn he took. If it was indeed a left one, he should’ve arrived at the cafeteria now. And that clearly wasn’t the case. There used to be signs on the walls, but that was one of the few things maintained by people and with the station deserted, the signs were all replaced and painted over.

He knew how to traverse the station by the turns he took and needed to update his mind map any time the domes were rearranged. The last time that happened was a month ago, so getting momentarily lost somewhat annoyed Travis. And worse still, even as he’d eventually find his way again, that wouldn’t bring him anywhere closer to finding Brina who could be in any of the other 21 or so domes and tens of interlacing corridors. With slight frustration in his voice, he began calling Brina's name. The sound would travel through the well insulated corridors and he’d hear a faint echo coming from behind with some delay.

Expecting no response as usual when he called out to her, it was a complete surprise when he heard, Yeah? What do you want?

The perplexed Travis did not respond at first. Coughing a little to clear up his voice he asked, Where are you Brina? I need to talk to you. He listened intently for a reply and ignored his own echo. Finally, I am in the observation dome.

In only two spoken sentences, Brina managed to disorient Travis even more. Had he just stayed where he was, it would’ve been his co-worker who’d come to him. What’s more, there’s a pretty slim chance of missing anybody else walking in corridors close by. He should be able to hear her steps. He abruptly turned around, following the same path backwards. As he remembered the importance of communication, he shouted, Wait for me please, I'm almost there! He only got a short and somewhat cryptic response, Ok, but hurry up.

Something compelled Travis to run. In doing so, he had to take care to avoid the robotic arms working on the structure. There were more than usual and he almost bumped his head into one of them. On his way to the observation dome, he confirmed he previously definitely took a wrong turn. What’s more though, coming from the other end, there was a red line leading to the dome. This one was of the same width and it would be how Brina occasionally marked where she’d walked recently - a way of communicating with Travis without saying a word. He’d do the same, but in blue. Upon entering the dome, he caught a glimpse of the doors closing on the other end as he shouted, Brina?

He sprinted to the other side, the door slid open and revealed just more corridors. No sound of feet in front, nor any replies after he repeatedly called her name. Eventually he needed to regroup and went to the middle of the dome. From there, the Earth was still visible, only having moved slightly to the side.

He attempted once more, Brina, I'm here, in the observation deck. Where did you go?

Maybe this was her way of adding clues to the puzzle? He returned to observed the perfect white surface, with red lines chaotically spiraling across it. Except now, there seemed to be two shapes on there as well. Really terrible sketches of a stick figure arm and a leg. The head, torso and the other side were missing, the artist giving up halfway through. Was this a sign from Brina, or was she just not able to finish it before he arrived and interrupted her?

While pondering those and other questions, scanning every new little detail of the painting, he finally heard, Travis? Where are you?

What do you mean where? In the observation dome, where I said I would be. What happened to you? he replied, turning around just in case she’d pop up.

No response.

He began to travel his eyes, attempting to follow a single line. Was it always connected like this? Three left turns, two right, then arriving at the edge and going back. There were different sizes and turns for sure, but overall there was a flow to it. He got so immersed that when he heard the voice again, he didn’t even register at first, Come out of the dome and follow me.

As if to confirm the truthfulness of the statement, the sliding doors on his left opened. The opposite side where he had left earlier. Despite his initial skepticism, he decided to obey. Perhaps this was all part of the puzzle?

Entering the life-absent corridor he asked, Where should I go now?

The response was prompt, Try to keep up!

And with it, he he could see someone moving just out of sight, towards the part of the corridor that was curving right. Still no footstep sounds besides his own, no matter how intently he listened.

By the time he caught up to the intersection and turned, same story repeated as before. He could only briefly see a glimpse of a hand waving and disappearing right on the next intersection. Hey Brina, why don't you wait for me?

Because you're the one who needs to catch up. What would draw attention to the Moon again? What ever could make this place interesting?

The game of cat and mouse went on for several more turns, making Travis starting to feel the exhaustion and forced him to slow down to catch his breath. He and Brina had conversations before about this very topic. What would make Lume One interesting? From discovering a hidden mineral of some kind, to again reclaiming it as a station for outer space travel, to possibly some kind of catastrophe, or tragedy. But what was she getting at? By the time he reached the next intersection, there was no more movement that he could see so he had to ask, Where did you run off now Brina? This isn't very funny you know.

You’re almost there, I promise. Don't give up now!

The answer did not give Travis any guidance as he was looking in all directions. Until he saw some movement from behind - the exact corridor he just went through. What the Hell? Are you leading me in circles?

Upon receiving no response, he shook his head and followed. How come we did not come across any other domes? Why do these corridors seem repeating forever? He was pretty sure those were just thoughts in his head and yet he got a response, Now we're getting somewhere.

The engineer stopped cold in his tracks, losing all interest, I had enough of this. Time to get back to my observation dome and clean up your mess.

And where exactly do you think all of these corridors end up?

I don't know! The cafeteria, the artificial garden, the gym, other stuff maybe? responded an increasingly agitated Travis.

Is that what you truly believe? See for yourself then.

Eager to be done with it, Travis intentionally took a wrong turn, away from the newly added red line on the wall, only to arrive back the observation deck. He told himself he just got lost due to the chase. He then turned around and retraced his steps, one intersection after the other. At the end of it, he found himself in the observation dome again. Three right turns and two left shouldn’t have gotten him to the same room. Confused and slightly angry he uttered, Brina? What is this? What did you do to me?

Me? To you? he heard a response mixed with laughter.

Yes you! Who else is there? asked Travis and when he got no response he decided to check the other two pathways leading from the intersection. And despite the corridors being slightly different, all of them led to the observation dome after exactly five passes. He fell to his knees at the entrance, shoving his hands into his hair and shook his head violently as he spoke, Something is wrong. I remember this place had numerous other domes. Where did they all go?

Nowhere.

Oh how convenient, are you speaking only to irritate me? he asked and surveyed the area without any luck. Not even a glimpse of her.

She did at least reply, As I said, see for yourself. It is something that only you can resolve.

The unnerving answer had slowly started to creep up on him. If the only thing he could do was walk along the corridors and keep reaching the one destination, there was something he was not seeing - or not wanting to see. Every step he took felt like walking through mud. His mind wanted to turn away from it, but his body slowly and inexhaustibly continued forward. The Earth had since disappeared from view, leaving only space and the Moon’s surface in its wake.

And then there was the other half of the dome. The majority of which was covered with red chaotic lines. In the centre of it all was a bad outline of a human, with an arm and a leg somewhat detached from the rest. More complete than earlier, yet something was still missing.

Soon after, he started having images appear in front, as if he was inside a camera that now moved outside of his body. He saw the homeless astronaut from behind, walking and running through the same corridors, always choosing the exact same path, in one direction or the other. Clockwise. A double left, straight and double right. Or counter-clockwise, starting with a double right. He wanted to shout, but couldn’t. He tried waking up, but wouldn’t. All he could do was watch and accept his fate.

Like a ghost following a crazy person. Occasionally the Travis in front of him would stop, look around, and call for Brina. After countless repetitions, finally the body of Travis would come to the observation dome and stand in front of the empty white wall. He was there for the longest and then produced a knife from his pocket which he used to cut his index finger. He then used the bleed to draw a squiggly red line on the wall. But he was not content. He then cut two additional fingers, using them together to vary the thickness of the line. He would also exploit the Moon’s gravity to jump and reach as far up the dome he could, dragging the stroke with.

And then it got worse.

The person picked up a nail gun from the floor, able to shoot out nails that were the size of his hands. He stood there contemplating for a moment and then switched it for a laser welder. He quite clearly had this all prepared, just couldn’t go through with it - until now. He used the welder to sever his left arm and leg and barely emitted a sound, almost as if he were completely numb to the pain he was causing himself. Using the remaining leg to balance himself, he used the nail gun to pin the arm and the other leg to the wall, before placing the rest of his body as close as he could, turning towards the ghostly spectator and proclaimed, I know! This will get the Earth’s attention! Goodbye Brina.

Lastly, he jumped and shoot a nail through his heart, pinning his body to the dome. Seconds later his head fell on the chest, numb. As the