Accidental Discovery

He knew the password, but didn’t know what it would unlock. What a surprise it was to find himself surrounded by neon gasses forming and unforming masses of light, like nebulae but with less order. He sat on an old trunk and watched the show, thankful for the protection of his oxygen suit. It wasn’t long before he realized the whole history of travel was being told in the space all around him – from ancient longships to land skimmers and beyond. Some ships he didn’t even recognize. And the wheels —

oh! the wheels!

An idea began to form.

He spied what looked like a stellarscope and positioned it just so.

The wheels spun and the nebulae made way for planets to emerge. Lines connected each one, in succession.

Coordinates! This is a map! The whole room had transformed into astral navigation. It all seemed to emanate from a circular object that looked more like a gateway than a simple data storage device or objet d’art.

“Whatever this is, it’s coming with me. And the scope.”

The universe was now Conrad’s to explore.