Phantasm 1: For the Light of the Stars (one)

After wandering a few feet clear of the ramp, Silverburgh used a tiny remote to activate a closing mechanism within the shuttle as well as the security system. They travelled across the hangar, stepping over puddles of leaked coolant and fuel and grime, weaving a path through the scattered assortment of people and craft, heading to the elevator in the far corner. Laura didn’t concentrate on her movements, she simply followed Silverburgh. The variety of vessels gathered together held her attention more than anything else. The difference in various designs was astonishing. Not only were they made for many different concepts of ideal shapes and sizes but also for irregular concepts of anatomy. Some were little more than hulking freighters deformed into matching whatever parameters were deemed necessary for their custodians. Others were simple creations yet remained remarkably elegant. Disoriented by a combination of the sights and the smells and sounds, Laura decided not to ask questions, rathe r she tried to take in everything herself. Silverburgh did not really seem like a person who would give her the answers she sought, anyway. He was a man who acted close to his own agenda, didn’t reveal much in the way of kindness within his heart, only a fierce sense of loyalty. His words were carefully constructed, not lies but not the entire truth, either. It was probably to be expected but Laura still felt a little threatened by that, she’d been honest with him and he wasn’t being the same in return. Not completely honest, anyway.

They reached the elevator. A scanning device up top of the entrance probed them with beams of light invisible to the eye, analysing their respective passcards and checking the results. The entrance slid aside, revealing an enclosed tube, which they stepped into.

"Residential, living quarters," said Silverburgh, apparently to the air.

Rings of blue-white light pulsed through the tube in constant succession, and the tube began to move. The sensation was vague and hard to grasp but it felt like they plunged straight downward. A steady, uncomfortable pull tugged at Laura’s legs. She felt disconcerted by the descending motion and concentrated on the tube itself to retain her balance. Much of her life before now had been dominated by everyday types of technology, objects like analyticals, and her immediate exposure here was too sudden. She had difficulty adjusting, comprehending, felt like an addict during the low that came after the high. The drug of wonder… It was just as addictive as any other, she decided.

The pulsating lights ran across all surfaces, scurrying with a peculiar vividness. They gave the effect of reflecting off the tube walls, a grand optical illusion that partially blinded her.

Unexpectedly, the walls became startlingly transparent. Details and silhouettes took shape. Views were intersected by the steadily flashing lights but no longer were they menacing distractions. Space was open and any feelings of constraint or claustrophobia disappeared.

Ghostly figures appeared against the background of mismatched constructions. A maze of sorts had been created here, winding paths leading this way and that, surrounded by small stalls. This entire area was large and a divider at the end separated it from another section.

"The promenade," Silverburgh said. "It’s joined at the far side by the residential section, the living quarters. This part of the promenade tends to sell independent produce while others vary. Some are much larger establishments, others are just stalls like these. As you might expect, if you walk far enough along, you’ll find businesses or stalls that deal with all manner of interests, from recreation and the inventive to the flesh and the exotic."

The view disappeared, the walls become opaque once more and blocked off the sight of all outside. Once more the blue-white glimmerings governed her attention.

"Why’d the walls turn opaque?" Laura asked.

Silverburgh shrugged casually. "Just in the design, I suppose. Some mysteries will always remain unanswered, even to me."