Door to Eternity, or P.S. Pluto I Love You

“Captain, we are approaching Pluto’s orbit now,” reported Ensign Caldwell.

Captain Jason Kildead straightened his back sitting in his chair, “Very good Ensign, lets reduce speed, and settle into a standard orbit around the primary, and opposite from Charon.”

The reactor hum stepped down an octave, and the minute vibration Kildead felt shifted slightly. He had always been able to feel the reactor of his ships, even as a lowly seaman. Most put that feeling out of their minds. He watched as his crew brought the ship into the position he ordered, stating “aye, aye” at the completion of their tasks.

“Lets take a look at it.”

Pluto hung in space, with Hydra in the background. As a child, Kildead had been fascinated by the very image in his view-screen. The original photos from the early 21st century New Horizons filled his school tablet, filling his imagination of the planet debate on whether Pluto was an actual planet or not. He of course knew that it was.

When he joined the Space Force, he wanted to be a part of the first ships to enter the Kuiper Belt. He managed to get himself onboard the Styx as a lieutenant, its mission to map and explore the Belt. But then the Alkanos Drive was invented, and man could go to the stars. There suddenly was no need to stop at the farthest reaches of the Solar System.

That was until two years ago. The Argos Mining Company launched a probe to Pluto, to look for valuable mining resources, as the rush to build as many ships as possible around Earth and Mars required vast amounts of resources. This probe had superior sensors compared to New Horizons, even though it was supposed to just look for minerals. And it found the structure.

Far too small to be imaged by New Horizons, the pyramid lay just outside of the Zagar crater, completely out in the open. The information lay undiscovered for three months, before a mining company employee by the name of Iris Jaohsen looked through the photographs and found something unusual. Another Pluto enthusiast, she contacted Space Force directly, thinking she found some abandoned pirate base. It took another five weeks for Space Force to send another probe, and then another for Captain George Halliwell to confirm what Iris already suspected, no human had constructed it.

The Unified States of America tried to classify this information, but it was too late. Proof of aliens existed. Not single cell organisms, not unintelligent animals, not even semi-sentient creatures like dolphins. Real live aliens, who built structures on distant worlds. The news was so monumental it stayed the topic of discussion for months, something not even the invention of the Alkanos Drive could manage. Since then ships have discovered all sorts of aliens of the qualities above, but little green men remained elusive.

The politicians got involved, and what should have taken just a few more weeks to put together a ship and crew to investigate it took two years. He learned the good news that he would lead the mission to Pluto, and it took four months to properly outfit and refit his command. Expanded quarters for Marines, scientists and new experimental communication equipment, in order to reach the leaders back on Earth in record time.

And now, with Pluto staring back to him in real time, it was time to begin.

Kildead gave orders, and the crew set to their tasks. Shuttles launched, carrying the habitat down to the surface. Scientists on board aimed every sensor and scope at the pyramid, gathering as much information as could be gleaned at four hundred and fifty miles above the surface.

By the time the shuttles reached the surface, and the robots began unpacking the habitat, three miles from the pyramid, the scientists already learned and reported that the pyramid was constructed of an unknown alloy, descended into the crust beyond the reach of their instruments, and had been there for at least twenty five thousand Earth years, based on the amount of methane and nitrogen ice that coated the structure.

They had no idea as to why it had been constructed, who built it, and how they built it. Kildead figured that they would need to go down there to figure out those questions. They showed him enhanced pictures of the structure, and he could scarcely believe it himself. A very obvious access portal remained visible and ice free on the outer skin, beckoning Kildead.

He spent hours just watching Pluto in the view-screen, the heart of the planet beckoning him to set foot on her. Kildead spent hours of his life imagining his very moment, setting foot on this distant world, fulfilling some deep longing to plant his feet into the surface of the most important place humanity had discovered. Protocol be damned.

*******

The shuttle emerged from the launch bay, engines burning to push the craft deeper into the atmosphere. Kildead sat in his exosuit, strapped into his seat for safety. Two scientists sat opposite of him, Dr. Laura Jenkins, a linguist, and Dr. Vincent Cole, a biologist. The other seats were taken up by the Xanthus’s Marines. Kildead’s XO, Commander Ivan Lorgin, had protested the captain taking the first crewed shuttle down to the habitat. He overrode Lorgin’s objections, that any first contact should have the captain present. He didn’t mention that he needed to be the first person to walk on the Plutonian surface. Robots of course didn’t count.

The shuttle connected with the tower, the arm locking the shuttle into place. After the airlock became pressurized, the crew entered the habitat itself, which the robots only finished construction on the Earth day prior. Kildead felt an itch in his feet, but realized that immediately setting out would be heavily questioned. Better to rest for an Earth night, then begin the trekto the alien pyramid.

He spent much of that night looking out a view-port over the surface. Kildead couldn’t see the Sun, as it was also night on Pluto. It would be day here as well when they would began the journey to the pyramid. With light enhancing goggles he could see it, covered in the same brown ice that the surface of Pluto consisted of. Tomorrow.

********

Cameras were affixed to the outside of the habitat, mostly for monitoring the surrounding areas, but in this case, they recorded and transmitted back images of Kildead, then the rest of the expedition emerging from the habitat, and stepping out onto Pluto itself. “We, the vanguard of humanity, step into eternity here on Pluto.” He looked at the closet camera as he said that. Those words would play with the video of him stepping on the surface.

“Not a bad Armstrong impression, Captain,” Dr. Jenkins stated, “I guess that makes me Aldrin, but nobody remembers what he said. Which is great, cause while I can read heroics in fifteen languages, I don’t have the words myself.”

Dr. Cole pointed towards the pyramid, “Its going to take us a few hours to reach there, if we are going to take it easy and slow. We should have some feedback from those words by then.”

Kildead nodded, “No sense in waiting. Private Horn, take point. Lets watch our steps, and take a nice leisurely stroll in the negative 350 degree weather here.”

The Sun came up over the horizon slowly as the party walked. The light sang to him, even as small as the Sun appeared here. Pluto itself was mostly brown, with some dark orange mixed in. Footing was easy, the ice stable. The wide open sky silenced them, along with a single lazy cloud that slowly drifted overhead. Stars glimmered as diamonds through the atmospheric haze, and when Kildead turned around, he saw the Xanthus hanging in the sky, a watchful sentinel.

“Oh wow, Captain, nearly eight billion views already on your first steps on Pluto. We are trending throughout the System. Its amazing Captain,” Cole’s words lightened Kildead’s feet.

“I’m not surprised Captain. Nobody should be surprised that there many Pluto fans out there. The pictures and video of the surface is getting just as many views. The Pluto feed has supplanted programming on nearly two hundred different international streams,” exclaimed Jenkins, “us and our little planet have the eyes of humanity, and we haven’t reached the pyramid yet.”

Kildead opened the tab on his HUD, reviewing the feed. The camera mounted on the supply rover tailing them had indeed generated a huge audience. He switched over to the Autonomous Intelligence Zettabyte Automaton, AIZA, comm channel. “AIZA, you are going to be the most famous director on Earth.”

AIZA's dulcent tones purred on the comm, “That was always my intention Captain. I was about to contact you to give you my first report, but I guessed that you would ask for it when you wanted it. You all seem to be enjoying yourselves out here.”

“We are, AIZA. I don’t think it was just my dream to walk on this planet when I was young. Considering that I picked the crew of the Xanthus from volunteers, there was always going to be a few Pluto fans on this mission. What is your report?” smiled Kildead as he pictured looking through his childhood tablet again.

“The pyramid is under power, Captain, causing a ten degree variance in the local environment.”

That shook Kildead back, “Under power? Are you telling me that someone could be home?”

AIZA’s voice remained unchanged, “Not necessarily. They could have left the lights on. But I am extrapolating a 58% possibility of an Earth temperature atmosphere within the structure. The thermal insulating properties of the structure are quite impressive, sir. It could mean that it has been visited recently, as the portal inside is free of ice.”

Jenkins’s voice cut in excitedly, “You mean that we could mean an alien today? Oh no, oh God, oh no.”

“Jenkins, calm yourself. We will know soon enough. Keep up the pace men, lets go knock on that door.”

********

The pyramid rose above them, smaller than Kildead has expected. AIZA’s scans had further excited the team since the discovery of power. The pyramid lay over a shaft that extended deep into Pluto’s crust, beyond AIZA’s range. A great oval portal stood mute before them, an obvious to Kildead touch-pad on its left. One of the marines touched it, and it glowed yellow briefly, and then faded. The portal didn’t move.

“Captain, I think that this portal would open to the right “appendage” being placed on it, obviously not a human hand,” Cole sounded not entirely sure, “but it really isn’t my expertise. We need an engineer.”

“Didn’t bring one this time Cole.”

Corporal Busey spoke, “Sir, I’ve brought C8 and thermite. We can get this door open if you give the order, Sir.”

“Corporal, I don’t think we need to blast open our first alien door as our opening option. Dr. Jenkins, any luck on translating that writing around the pad?”

“Captain, I’m not even sure that this is writing. I’ve been looking at this for an hour, which is only enough time to humiliate my supposed mastery of linguistics. I could spend months with this, and still not be close to deciphering a word of this language. Its not reasonable to expect results, yet.”

“I understand Laura. Not a reasonable request. I was hoping you got lucky. AIZA, anything further?”

“Perhaps, but I am hesitant to try. Each robot acts as a hotspot, enabling me to connect and access any network in range. The pyramid’s network, for lack of a better word, has been trying to connect, but I have placed a firewall to prevent this. I could lower it, but we don’t know what will happen.”

“When did you learn this? Why am I just hearing about this now?”

“Captain, I was programmed to collect as much data as possible on this mission, for analysis back on Earth. I was also programmed to not volunteer information, but to advise you when asked.”

“So someone doesn’t think highly of us here?”

“I don’t know. I am not a military asset, and supposed to act on my own. If you wish, I will provide more immediate analysis when I have it, Captain.”

“Yes, please. Now can you compartmentalize one of the robots, and have it connect to the network. Talking to this computer could help us gain access.”

“Aye, Captain.” The marine contingent surrounded the robot in question, and leveled their rifles at it. It twitched, and its eyes flashed for a moment. “I believe we are in. The network doesn’t appear hostile at this moment, would you like for me to open the door?”

“Yes AIZA, please.”

The portal slid to the left side, and an airlock greeted them. Kildead, the doctors, half of the Marines and the robot entered. The rest set a perimeter outside. After the outer door closed, Kildead could hear the airlock filling with atmosphere. “Temperature is forty degrees Fahrenheit, but the atmosphere is twenty-four percent Florine, four percent Xenon, the rest split between Helium and Nitrogen.”

Dr. Cole’s gasp was audible, “A Florine based life-form? The possibilities indeed. Captain, of the worlds we have managed to explore outside our Solar System, those with life have all been oxygen based. Whomever built this place has a completely different biochemistry. Truly alien!”

The inner door opened, and the room beyond looked almost mundane. Even with the strange controls and words that he couldn’t understand on screens, a control room was a control room. “Marines, clear this room. You find anyone or anything, you call it out. You do not engage.”

A chorus of “Clear” rang out moments later, and he entered the room proper. The doctors went over to the nearest controls, chattering to themselves. AIZA’s voice appeared in his head, “I am being instructed that the lift is under power, and that it is ready for use.”

“Lift? You mean that that computer in charge of this place wants us to travel in the elevator?”

“Yes, in not so many words. Travel down.”

“Well, I’m game, no sense turning down that offer.”

The robot had positioned itself near the lift doors, which opened when the Captain approached them. Private Horn, Corporal Busey, come with me. Doctors, I assume you want in on this invitation as well?”

They stated “Oh, of course!” at virtually the same time. The robot got in as well.

With six passengers, it was a little crowded. They rode in silence, breaths shallow and quick. Kildead switched over to life signs, and everyone was in parameters, but Jenkins with elevated cortisone levels. Understandable. The doors opened, and they forgot to think.

Before them lay an underwater observation deck, walls completely made of clear material, and kiosk terminals spaced down the middle. Instead of complete darkness, a soft glow emanated from the depths, illuminating the room, complementing the gentle lighting from the ceiling. They all stood watching, unable to move. “Captain, we have traveled approximately seventy miles into the crust of the planet. There appears to be a subsurface body of water here. Water temperature is fifty degrees Fahrenheit, contains a higher percentage amount of oxygen dissolved in it than Earth does…”

“Wait, AIZA, what? How can that be?”

“Since reaching this level, the computer has imparted the readings from its sensors. We are near the bottom of the ice crust, the top of the water body, and the gas makeup in the water is very similar to Earth. If it is similar, the deeper one goes the more oxygen there will be. As far as we know, there is no natural process that would create this oxygen, which points to the possibility of life…”

AIZA tailed off as something emerged out of the depths in Pluto’s ocean. Private Horn dropped his rifle, as the creature glided through the water, and approached the window nearest to the humans. Several sections of it glowed briefly, and its edge rippled along its body. It looked like a nearly translucent pancake with tentacles, which appear smooth but ended in three “fingers”. The creature pressed one of these tentacles against the glass, where Kildead noticed that there appeared to be a port.

Jenkins broke the silence, “Captain, I hope you aren’t thinking what I’m thinking. That can’t be a sentient creature requesting communication. It just can’t be. I can get behind aliens visiting Pluto in the past, even building an observation post to study the ocean here. But a thinking, intelligent species evolving here, HERE, of all places?”

Cole stepped into the room, “Why not? And for some reason, I’m not scared to try. I should be, but that should be up to the Captain to make that call.”

Kildead wasn’t afraid either. “AIZA, make sure you are recording this. If anyone is going to risk it, it needs to be me.”

“Now that you say that, I agree. I don’t know why, but I do.”

“It is why I’m here Cole. Marines, make sure to pull me out if things get hairy.” They both croaked “Aye, Aye,” the trembling in their voices breaking through their training.

Kildead walked towards the port. The creature flashed more lights, and backed off slightly. He stuck his hand in the opening, and it sealed behind his gloved hand, not allowing water to enter the room. Three glowing strands emerged from the tentacle, and wrapped around his wrist.

“Hello. Are you our neighbors?” a soft voice spoke inside his head.

“I guess. My name is Jason Kildead, I am from Earth.”

“Earth. We have always wanted to meet you. They spoke of you, not knowing what to do. We told them that you would come, and say hello.”

“It took some time, but we are here. I’ve got so many questions.”

“I know. We have time. All the time we need.”