Patrick van Horn

**Patrick van Horn** has no tolerance for small talk and want's everything around him done immediately and without fail with the threat of the aliens lingering on the colony ship.

## Dialogues

* Description of Maximus
* Why are We Here?
* Inaccessible Entrance
* Operation Mechanism
* Life in Biospheres
* Van Sant's Group?
* The Black Nebula
* Small Accident

The Maximus ship was constructed for colony biosphere transportation. Its plans were accepted personally by Earth's political leaders and they were designed by Dr. Blackmind himself. The politicians strongly believe this was the only hope for humanity. I know none of us wanted to beo n this ship and face the unknown, but they had to solve Earth's overpopulation somehow.

What? You think that sending people into the far reaches of space with limited chance of success isn't a good idea? There is no other way. And the fact that I'm here with you is a pure coincidence. I should have been more careful and not let them draw me into these bloody political games.

Well, enough small talk! The ship's carrying fifteen biospheres. Each biosphere is prepared to help people adapt to any new climate existing on distant planets. Be ready for various environments.

People in the biospheres come from all walks of life. Thanks to this ship and its mission, and the others like it, Earth's population remains at a safe level. A lot of us have already settled space. We are amongst those, who can have a whole planet to ourselves. Maybe we'll be lucky and we'll find one for those you've saved.

You're saying you don't give a shit? Just remember, guys like you and I can't go back to Earth. This is the life chosen for us and we have to make the best of it.
The biospheres don't have a direct connection to the "Mother" module. Our small teleports can take you to all biospheres, but the entrance to the "Mother" module is inaccessible. Plans show that one biosphere has a direct connection with the prohibited area. The aim of your expedition will be to find this entrance. And remember! People are counting on you, don't let them down.

Scientists on Earth assigned people to specific biospheres so that they could be useful while exploiting natural resources of a given planet. That is why for example, in one biosphere you might find more miners or geologists and in others only farmers. The procedure is simple. Astronomers discover some new solar system and they pass this information over to the Home Office. then the civil servants decide whether people can be settled there or not. If they say it's an ideal place to live, they assign a grant to the group of Astroexperts who then prepare a habitability report for each planet.

In the army we call this reconnaissance. At least half of these people are doomed. The conditions on these distant planets do not always correspond with the Astroexperts' hypotheses. If the colony catches on, which means people survive there the first month, a second batch consisting of particular professions are assembled on the Earth and will soon follow.

Unfortunately our ship is the first batch. Do your best, Hack. We can't die before executing the given mission.

You've been with us during the entirei nvasion of our ship and know how things work in this biosphere. I know, I know, you're the hero of Mars port, but this time we have to follow procedure.

During the alien invasion, the "Mother" module turned a blind eye to your plight. They didn't life a finger to help, letting hundreds of colonists die. Now it is our time to plan a counter offensive.

The situation has changed now and they're asking for our help. We will help them in the name of saving the rest of people who are still alive.

I don't know anything about Van Sant's group? They are a figment of the security chief's imagination. I sometimes think that Roland is trying to take over power in our biosphere.

I didn't nominate him as the base security chief. The designation came from management. I was unable to do anything. I would never appoint anyone like him to such a post, even if he was as smart as Roland. And coming back to your question, I'd say once more - I know nothing about Van Sant's group.

Just leave this case. You've got an important mission to complete and it should engage you completely.
I looked through the Astroexperts' conference records from the last five years. I found there was a lot of material concerning Black Nebulas. Undoubtedly, one of them has sucked us in. You would never believe what it is. It's a primitive universe. The embryo of a new cosmos. It sucks in all matter and energy it comes across and thanks to that, it's growing. We were lucky it was a Black Nebula and not a Black Hole. Maximus, although huge, is just a speck of dust compared to the whole universe and this fact is the only thing that saved us from total annihilation. The forces, which had an effect on us weren't as strong and therefore we entered the Black Nebula in one piece. Indeed, if you get to the "Mother" module we will have a chance to escape. A small rescue ship and enormous engines - it should work.

We had a small accident. Somebody died, but I don't think you'll be interested. We may have more and more such cases. People live with this amount of stress and their nerves start to crack. We'll find the killer and that'll be the end of it.

Van Sant's group is under the control of Roland and are carrying out his secret missions. I cannot control him right now, but he will certainly undergo the verification process before we will teleport ourselves into the "Mother" module. I don't like this man. His cold look sometimes reminds me of the first combat mission I had - suppressing the machine rebellion on the moons of Saturn.