Chapter 4. Secrets of the Ancient Artifact

The girls looked at the wondrous artifact with disbelief. This mysterious object had saved their lives, teleporting the ship across enormous cosmic distances to their home planet, Dragana.

"Iris, analyze this object," Darina asked, holding the artifact up to one of the sensor terminals.

The onboard AI Iris ran a scan at once.

"This is a very ancient artifact, giving off an energy signature unlike anything I've encountered before," Iris reported. "It seems to be what caused our sudden teleportation."

"So it's some kind of super-powerful teleporter?" Bronislava asked, astonished. "But how is that possible?"

"By all appearances, the technology of this device's creators far surpasses our own," Darina suggested. "It's vital that we find out its origin."

"One thing's for certain," Bronislava nodded. "This artifact is a real treasure. Thanks to it, we're alive."

"I recommend delivering the find to the Dragana science center immediately," Iris advised. "The scientists there will be able to study it thoroughly, under safe conditions."

"I don't know, but it seems to have some kind of binding field, capable of manipulating space and time," Darina suggested, examining the artifact closely. "Maybe the scientists on Dragana will be able to unravel its secrets."

Bronislava nodded, feeling her heart beat faster with excitement.

"We need to get it to the lab as fast as possible," she said, holding the artifact so its light wouldn't interfere with their piloting the ship.

The "Aurora" entered Dragana's atmosphere, and soon they landed on the familiar landing pad.

"Let's hurry," Darina said, stepping out of the pilot's cabin. "I want the scientists to start studying this artifact as soon as possible."

The girls headed for the laboratory, unaware that the artifact they had discovered had drawn the attention of more than just Dragana's scientists.

In the laboratory, the research team waited impatiently for the girls' return. As soon as they entered, the scientists rushed toward them.

"What is this object? Where did you get it?" asked Professor Larisa, head of the research department.

"We found it on Celestia," Darina answered, handing the artifact to the professor. "It seems to have some connection to space and time. It helped us return to Dragana when foreign ships attacked us."

Professor Larisa took the artifact in her hands and began examining it closely. After a few minutes she looked up, admiration in her eyes.

"This really is an astonishing artifact," she said. "I have a hypothesis that it may be part of an ancient technology allowing the manipulation of space and time."

"But how is that possible?" Bronislava asked, astonished.

"That remains to be found out," Professor Larisa answered. "But I'm confident we'll be able to unravel all its secrets."

Darina and Bronislava went their separate ways home. That evening, the girls called each other to discuss plans for the next day. The AI Iris joined their conversation and informed them that General Vladimir would be waiting for them at headquarters in the morning, for an important discussion. Then the girls said goodbye and ended the call.

Darina sat in the garden gazebo. Soon she got up and headed for the house. It was already growing dark outside. Darina was walking toward her house when a tall young man in silvery clothing, with white hair, suddenly appeared before her. Startled, Darina was frightened and quickly pressed the button on the holo-watch on her left wrist, trying to call Iris for help.

"I've blocked your holo-watch," the tall stranger said. "No one will hear you. I need to talk to you."