What More Do They Want?

by Mark Reasoner

“You cannot be serious!” Rintearian Captain Jomnroe said to his First Officer. “You have to be kidding!”

“I wish I were,” First Officer Asaggi replied, “but all the reports we are seeing and hearing say they are still calling us a comet.”

Jomnroe should have realized Asaggi was serious because her antennae hadn’t moved when she was speaking. Rintearians had a ‘tell’ seen by others whenever they spoke with any emotion: their antennae involuntarily waggled.

“Stars and nebulas!” Jomnroe said. “Even with all the clues we gave them while passing through. What more do these creatures want?”

“Perhaps they still aren’t ready for contact with another life form,” Science Officer Red’efer said, joining the conversation.

“If that’s true,” Jomnroe said, “I have no idea when they will be. Great galaxies! They’ve mastered space travel and low-planet orbit. They’ve even broken out of their solar system.”

“I really wouldn’t count four minor uncrewed probes as ‘breaking out,’ Captain,” Asaggi said. “Those things are just drifting along and could have ended up anywhere.”

“Still, they did supply the things with images and information on their origins,” Red’efer said. “I think they knew what they were trying to do.”

“I’d like to think so,” Jomnroe said, “but do you honestly think they couldn’t figure out what we were? I mean, look at all the stunts we pulled. First, we come roaring in at a speed they’ve never seen before, then we slow down, speed up, change directions three times, break into sections and put ourselves back together...”

“And stop dead, posing for pictures from their remote observation platforms,” Asaggi added, “along with shooting out a visible plasma jet in the wrong direction. I’m starting to agree with you, sir; it does seem like these creatures don’t want to face the possibility of what is really happening.”

“We even had to loop around their star to regain all the momentum we lost,” Jomnroe muttered. “I’m not even sure we’ll have enough fuel left to make our rendezvous.”

“There could be other possibilities,” Red’efer said.

“Like what?” Asaggi asked.

“Well, we could have just landed and knocked on their door to introduce ourselves, though I doubt that would have worked.”

“I think we should have,” Jomnroe said, chuckling. “At least we would have really gotten their attention.”

“But which door?” Red’efer said. “There is no one central authority on this world; they are still fractured into around two hundred different jurisdictional entities.”

“From what I’ve read, they don’t even get along with other,” Asaggi said.

“That’s true,” Red’efer continued. “Even if we chose the most important ones to contact, the others would likely not believe it, calling it fake. Our data and information show they tend to do that.”

“What else?” Jomnroe asked.

“Our appearance,” Red’efer answered. “We did give them opportunities for clear and up-close pictures, but let’s face it: we still look like a regular space body.”

Rintearian ships covered their outer hulls with rock plates mined from their moons and nearby asteroids. This was the best protection against micrometeorites and other normal space debris without having to use power reserves for energy shields. It also made hiding in plain sight easy when stealth was called for.

“So, what do we need?” Jomnroe asked. “A flashing neon sign on the outer hull?”

“I don’t think we need to go that far,” Red’efer chuckled, “though we might want to consider some marker or navigation lights. The creatures are used to those.”

“Why didn’t we send them a welcome message while passing through the system?” Asaggi asked. “After all, we understand their languages.”

“You’re right, ma’am,” Red’efer answered, “but that’s only because we’ve been able to acquire so much information from them. It’s been really easy to download all their history and knowledge.”

“They don’t seem to hide their history or protect their information,” Jomnroe said.

“They also have the ability to translate one language to others,” Asaggi added, “so why didn’t we send them greetings?”

“If we sent a message in one or all of their languages,” Red’efer said, “many of them — if not a majority — would say it’s fake.”

“For a species calling themselves curious and interested in new knowledge,” Jomnroe said, “these characters are rather skeptical, don’t you think?”

“Based on my research,” Red’efer said, “they are complete contradictions in many ways.”

“We could have sent it in our own language,” Asaggi said. “They do have translation capabilities.”

“Except the Rintearian language is so different that their apps wouldn’t be able to find a basis for a translation,” Red’efer replied, “probably making them conclude it was just gibberish or static.”

“So that leaves us with what?” Jomnroe asked. “Giving up on this system? Coming back and trying again?”

“That would really get their attention,” Red’efer added.

The others agreed.

“We certainly do not want to leave them for someone like the Ulnarians,” Asaggi said. “Who knows what those clowns could do?”

“Didn’t they already try just over one of this planet’s ‘centuries’ ago?” Jomnroe asked. “I think I remember reading about that.”

“You’re right, Captain,” Red’efer answered. “They sent a pre-invasion scout ship down, but it exploded in the atmosphere. Caused a small ruckus when the site was discovered.”

“Those idiots never have figured out how atmospheric friction means you have to slow down when trying to land on a planet,” Jomnroe chuckled. “I think it’s why they aren’t very successful conquerors.”

“I think you are right, sir,” Asaggi said, “but that still leaves us with what to do.”

“If we aren’t going to write this system off,” Jomnroe said, “we need to come back around. However, we need to try some different things, next time. I’d like each of you to think on it and come up with ideas on how to do it. Let’s talk again in a couple of days.

“Meanwhile,” he continued, turning to the First Officer, “we’re going to be late for our appointment in the Centauri system. Helm, set your best course and make all possible speed.”

* * *

The three met in the captain’s small conference room two days later.

“We’ve talked to most departments on the ship and even to each other,” Asaggi began. “We think we’ve come up with some good options.”

“Most of them are variations on the same theme,” Red’efer said, “making contact in an undeniable way, while not being so blatant they cause panic among their general population.”

Asaggi brought two images up on the view screen. “The first option is to us one of these large observation platforms currently off-planet. The first — called ‘Hubble,’ though I’m not sure what it means — orbits high over the planet beyond synchronicity, so while it orbits, it does so in a relatively retrograde manner. The second platform is called ‘Webb,’ and it is positioned much farther away. So much farther that it can remain in one position, though it can change location and orientation as needed.

“I propose we position ourselves right in front of one of these, such that they must take images. At the same time, we also transmit a digital message to introduce ourselves.”

“Interesting,” Jomnroe said.

“There’s also another option available that is closer to the planet,” Asaggi continued. “They have an orbiting outpost which has been constantly occupied for over twenty-five of their years. We could drop by and introduce ourselves to them.”

“That sounds like fun,” Red’efer said.

“There is a problem, however,” Asaggi said. “The outpost is scheduled to be de-commissioned in about five of their years, so it might not be available by the time we get back. The Hubble poses a similar problem, but isn’t scheduled to shut down for ten to fifteen years.”

“What about the Webb?” Jomnroe asked.

“According to the information we’ve seen, it’s expected to be operational for up to fifty of their years.”

“Alright,” Jomnroe said. He turned to Red’efer. “What does the Science Team have?”

“Similar ideas, Captain, but instead of using space-based means, I’m going to propose making contact through some planetary probes and sites.” Red’efer brought up new images on the view screen.

“Let’s consider these,” he said. “They are currently operating on the fourth planet in the system, the smaller red planet, and I suggest we send a team there to land close by, then march right up to these probes so they can see us clearly. We can even hijack the programming to make sure the images are transmitted, along with a digital greeting. It should be easy, as neither of these probes move quickly, though they do move.”

“Would there be any issue with these probes not being operational by the time we could get back?” Jomnroe asked.

“Both of the probes are already operating beyond their expected cycle,” Red’efer answered, “though neither shows any indication of shutting down soon. In any case, their most likely failure would be due to no more power, and we could easily correct that.”

“No disrespect, First Officer,” he continued, “but unlike the space-based options you proposed, communication to their home world would still be possible. According to the records I’ve seen, when their orbiting outpost and that Hubble thing are decommissioned, they will likely be de-orbited as well, and no longer available at all.”

Red’efer changed images. “There are also several potential sites on their one moon. Records show the creatures mounted expeditions to this moon several times, and those landing sites still exist. We could send a party to one or more of them, take images of our team with their relics, then transmit the images to one of their satellites in orbit around the moon.”

“But couldn’t those also not be functioning by the time we get back?” Asaggi asked.

“It is possible,” Red’efer answered. “However, the creatures are likely to send successors.”

No one spoke for almost a minute while Jomnroe considered the options.

“All of these are good ideas,” he said, finally. “And I think any of them would accomplish what we want. However, in the end, I think we should go with the Science Team. I think they are more likely to still be available whenever we could get back to this system.”

“Given the lack of a stable wormhole to help us along, who knows when we’ll make it back,” Red’efer said.

“Exactly,” Jomnroe said.

“No problem,” Asaggi said. “The things I brought up could still be available when we do get back here.”

“I do wonder one thing,” Red’efer said.

“What’s that?” Jomnroe asked.

“Depending how long it takes to come back to this system,” Red’efer replied, “do you think the creatures will remember this first visit, or will they think we are something totally new?”

“If they think we are something new,” Asaggi said, “they might at least give us a better name.”

“You are so right, First Officer,” Jomnroe said. “I mean, what kind of a name is ‘31/ATLAS’?”