Step Lightly
Heading Home
You know, it soon became quite unnerving that I had become so complacent about the persistent, deafening silence of space. Passing through an asteroid belt makes no noise, nor does a micro-meteorite, nor the tail of a comet. The craft itself is void of sound except for periodic news updates from home, and some insignificant, annoying sensor alerts. Fortunately, this was my journey back and a long one it had been too. Each moment would blend into the next and I had become almost numb to my own existence.
Celebrating the birth of your little scamp is always a wonderful event, but to miss many such celebrations is more than I was prepared to handle. That said, I just had to… for the cause. How much our commanders could ask of us was inconsequential… we always took the assignments anyway. To make matters worse, the separation from my better half shortly before my departure was inevitable, and I had experienced a painful detachment and loneliness because of it.
I know it may seem a bit strange to send just one of us on a deep space mission but our scientific community has determined that the hibernation requirements, living quarters, food supplies and even risks associated with interactions can all be minimized without jeopardizing the mission or the sanity of a single traveller. Those factors, in turn, permit the construction of the smallest craft possible which also saves on fuel and such. And as to the selection of travellers, well let’s say I’m not exactly the largest among my comrades.
All things considered; I feel I am well suited for space travel. I stay calm under pressure, and the long periods of boredom have not driven me insane, yet. I don’t spend a lot of time talking to myself, out loud, and I can still perform my duties with an efficiency rating that hasn’t wavered much from when we left. Oh, did I say we?
Must Stay Sane
That’s right. I am lonely, but not alone. I am accompanied by the latest innovation in artificial technologies; a customizable shape shifter commissioned specifically for this space mission. Earlier versions were able to change their behaviour and reactions to stimuli, but this incarnation can also change shape to assume the appearance and behaviour of any individual I might care to communicate with. Needless to say, there are some aspects of this which can alleviate the stresses of extended space travel. I can fantasize all I want, and in fact, it is encouraged. I can even act on my fantasies. Later, having the unit change into one of the commanders or a similarly unappealing entity is enough to remove the risk of any emotional attachment.
The shapeshifter is part of the craft, an extension if you will. Losing it would be more costly than losing me, so it doesn’t get out much. The unit’s intelligence, although artificial, has been pre-configured with all that may be required for such a trip and any supporting technologies; but enough about that.
Home is coming within range and I’ll be so happy to finally see my sparkling blue planet after all this time. I wonder what the officials will think of the artifact I’m bringing back. I wonder if my theories will satisfy them. After all, I have had enough time to ponder what it might be, yet I’m completely stumped. I haven’t got any idea what it really is.
There is always the risk that it might open and reveal something I can’t handle, but thus far it appears to be inert. If I could determine its composition, I might figure out what its purpose is or was. And, likewise, its purpose might help me understand its construction. All I can say for sure is that some beings have inscribed an intricate message on its shell. There is no way that this object and its symbols came to exist naturally. Nothing about it resembled its surroundings.
Discovery
I guess fate led me to find it because I had flown miserably off course. The problem began when I had finally entered the atmosphere of the planet that I was to explore. The entry through the atmosphere was routine enough, but then something went wrong with the controls. Some radiation or other must have jammed the sensors that assist with navigation, and I spun out of control aimlessly, levelling off just before it was too late.
The resting place of the craft was such that the landing, although physically jarring, was successful and I ended up on a huge landmass replete with dense foliage. Lift-off would be achievable from this position. A routine systems assessment ensured that navigation, fuel, environmental status and thrusters were within acceptable ranges for my return voyage.
I set up camp, assembled the sensor arrays and surface crawler, established a warning perimeter and plotted my search grid. Communications were not affected by the ‘radiation’, so I was still in touch with my commanders, though I had little to report since the landing and the delays in transmission did not lend to chatting.
Once light squinted through the green canopy above, I would awaken, refresh myself, eat a light meal, consult the nav-grid system and set out. Methodically, and relentlessly, I searched the entire area. It didn’t matter which direction I explored in, there was no sign of any intelligent life. Granted, a single traveller can’t do the work of several, but my equipment did allow me to scan vast sections of the terrain in short order.
I learned to barricade myself in the craft when I felt it necessary as there were sometimes disturbing noises, pounding and vibrations in the distance, presumably made by lumbering beasts. Beasts that I did not want to see close up. Fortunately, my craft, quite obscured, was of little interest or concern to the passersby. I watched for them off and on but never picked the right moment. Their repulsive screeches and grunts led me to believe that they were not the intelligent life I was seeking.
The Artifact
My excursions continued until I happened upon an ominous sight. A large cylindrical object loomed up before me. It was like nothing I had ever seen before, on any planet, on any assignment. The object had a uniform shape and was clearly manufactured by some intelligent life form. I say clearly, because it was not indigenous material, and the surface was smooth to the touch. At first, I thought it might be very old, but the surface did not appear overly weathered or cracked. For the most part, it seemed intact. The near end was flat while the other was damaged to the point that its original extremity would be undiscernible. The casing or shell was somewhat porous, and the bulk of the cylinder was light in colour with a darker shade at the undamaged end. At least my mission objective, the discovery of intelligent life, would be a success. I hoped.
It seemed possible that it might be some religious or ceremonial artifact because there was a brightly coloured ring near one end of the casing and an unfamiliar inscription beyond that. I thought it might have been a monument or obelisk that was once standing upright and had fallen some time ago. It was relatively low in mass so, with the help of the crawler’s robotic arm, I was able to move it into the cargo hold. I have not detected any harmful radiation since then and the quarantine scanners have taken care of any biological threat that may have existed.
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Caution would be imperative because it will be a long trip home and the scanners we use can only be as good as our expectation of what any foreign bodies may carry. Furthermore, the hibernation process may damage or awaken what’s inside.
I am sure some might think it to be a form of entombment for the intelligent life on that world but then why would I find only one of them, and why no intelligent life forms present anywhere else that I searched? I must remain confident in the fact that this, at least, proves that there is intelligent life out there. Unfortunately, after all my efforts to search around the landing site, I couldn’t find any further evidence of sentient life, no structures, no remains, no identifiable wave signatures, nothing! My commanders may not be altogether pleased. The artifact was the only proof, in my way of thinking, and what if that is not enough to convince them.
Ready to Leave
I’ve done what I can. It will have to be enough. I can only stay here so long. I packed up the gear and secured for lift-off. I programmed the navigation system for home, and initiated the countdown for hibernation and departure. I settled in for a long nap and went to sleep, albeit not without a little help.
Coming out of hibernation takes place too early in my estimation, but it’s required for re-oriented and to get prepared for any problems with re-entry. It’s a boring time but it affords the chance to really feel where you are. And this is where my story left you earlier.
Entering the atmosphere now and all conditions appear to be suitable for an automated landing. I merely adjust the trim when I enter the glide path and the guidance system takes over. These craft are amazing in that as re-entry friction builds up on the exterior surfaces, the outer shell begins to expand in size causing a proportional drag and rapid deceleration before the temperatures get out of range. The navigational planes change shape as well but only marginally, affording the proper control and stability. That’s why they pay us the big bucks.
My AI companion has just taken on the form of the assistant to the regional landing authority and has cleared me for approach. It has been collecting dust, so to speak, and now decides to get cheeky. The descent has been uneventful and hopefully, the cargo has not been affected. I took a quick look around and the artifact was still in one piece, so judging from the fact that I was still thinking, nothing came out to eat me during hibernation. And finally, touchdown! Great to be back! Now I must face the typical barrage of technicians, counsellors and, of course, the commanders with their swarm of scientists in tow.
Welcome
Such a surprise; all of them streamed right passed me and went directly for the cargo hold. You’d think a simple welcome back might be in order but No! Fine, so maybe I’ll get my welcome home party and cheers later. For now, I had better show them the artifact.
At least they gave way enough to let me get to the cargo hatch. From there I can access the outer cargo doors and open them via the control panel on the wall. And with a whoosh, there it was before us, my job security for a very long time to come. I’ll be set for life after this adventure; I mean it all must be good, right? We will probably be able to develop a vast array of new technologies, further our exploration efforts and maybe make some amazing medical breakthroughs. This discovery will undoubtedly have a profound effect on our entire species.
It lay on its side, then wobbled and almost rolled out of the cargo bay due to a slight list of the craft. That certainly stirred the crowd and caused some to skitter back to what they thought would be a safe distance. Even lying on its side in this manner, it was several times taller than any of us. The many technicians were curious but scared at the same time. I just hoped that no idiot among them would damage it. That would be so unfair after all the trouble I went through to get it.
The scientists were eager to get a look at the object and began making cursory measurements and examinations. Scurrying from end to end they looked confused but elated at the same time. All eyes were on the object now and all blinked in amazement and almost in unison. They were amused by its lack of apparent mass and immediately bandied wild theories back and forth. Some poked and prodded and others tried to peel off the covering. For a moment I thought samples of material were going to be extracted on the spot. Luckily, the senior among them quickly set the others straight. This would not be the time or place for experimentation.
Unlike the rest, the commander was more intrigued by the shiny band that encircled the object at its undamaged end. Others were requested to join along, and I felt I would soon fade into the background. Determined not to be forgotten, I announced that I would show them the mysterious inscription that was currently out of view around the other side. I invited two of the sub-commanders to assist in repositioning the object so we might all see the inscription at the same time.
The sub-commanders got the nod to proceed and came forward to position themselves at each end. The crowd slithered ever so slowly back some more until no longer in the object’s shadow. After quickly testing the air, the sub-commanders appeared ready. Standing upright now, each using their tails for balance, they rolled the object toward the gathering until the inscription came into view. I have done my best to reproduce it for you here, it looked something like… Marlboro.
Everyone was ecstatic. They scurried about in amazement and the area was abuzz with multiple conversations. Technicians and scientists alike were re-examining all aspects of what they had been presented with and mild confusion was replaced with exhilaration. As though bound together, the commanders came over to me and, in unison, gave me their clicks of approval.
I can finally say that I am excited and very proud that I could bring back actual proof that a truly advanced civilization does or did exist on that planet. We may never discover who they were, when they lived or what they looked like, but to have built such a splendid object, this marvel of engineering, is an awe-inspiring event.
With the environment on the planet being ideal for our species, and in accordance with our occupation initiatives, we should be able to transport all our remaining breeding stock to the planet, immediately following the next molting cycle.
Progress
I am happy to report that much time and countless transport runs have taken place since that fateful day when I became a hero. News updates indicate that my comrades and their offspring have proliferated as expected and expanded occupied territory rapidly. They have apparently encountered many more areas of green foliage and have done away with it. They have also come across immense structures, some mobile others not, and have targeted those they can for infiltration or destruction.
Our planet had become too small for us. Once we had found a way to eliminate our only predator, life became too easy. The decision of the elders was to discover a suitable planet that we could help. We could help it by eliminating the overburden of foliage and plant life, so all, even the existing inhabitants, could see more of the terrain around them. The structures as well must come down as they block the light. These efforts will take time but now we have a new beginning and all the time we need.
