Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

M314-P3 Status Update: T164/82/53:

The meeting on the planet did not go as planned. However, all first contact protocol was met (avoiding cross-contamination, standard communication channels and criteria, etc...). As reported, there was an acid attack, apparently directed towards the entire meeting party (not only us). We concluded that it was meant to disrupt procedures, and was conducted by random individuals and not part of official Terran contact. It was a minor attack with no casualties or damage, but the meeting was cut short as a result.

As much as we were hoping that everything would go well, first contact is always unpredictable, and it is not at all surprising that we would run into problems, especially given the unplanned and premature nature of this endeavor. The Terrans, for whom this is an entirely novel experience, would have needed more time to prepare. There seems to have been some planning for this eventuality, but a large part of the population still lacks the social sophistication and capacity to fully accept the situation. On the other hand, it is entirely understandable that a species of minor technological development would react with fear and distrust when they cannot know our intentions.

We decided to revert back to our initial mission; one of observation. First contact was inevitable after detection, of course, but we will keep that to a minimum and give them more time to adapt and develop. After the duration of that mission, we will re-assess (see M314-P3 Mission Update and Proposal T164/82/53 by T’hem)

Ska, Strategy and Security Department

Supplement T//54: IMPORTANT! Two new issues have come up: we still need to determine how to react to both situations.

1. Concerning the meeting on the planet: Somehow, in the chaos of the attack and our hasty departure, one of our pads (programmed for communication/translation) remained in the hands of the Terrans. So I have to partially retract my earlier assessment that all protocol was met, at least in terms of technology (that we were determined to not (yet) share with them).
2. We have noticed a slight inconsistency in timing versus calculation in our communication with Tahw. There seems to be a lag, and our best explanation is that the messages might have been intercepted. If this is true, we will have to completely re-think our mission strategy!

-----

The planet outside the Notms’s window is turning just as it did five minutes ago, or five years, or five million. Normally, this fact would illustrate the insignificance of their visit – of their existence, even. But at this moment, such small tiny details, milliseconds, might predict ramifications for this planet, Terra – Earth, that it might not have seen since that one fateful asteroid laid waste to it. Of course, anything that happens to this one small planet, in this one average solar system, in this one ordinary galaxy, etc... is just as insignificant in the vastness of things, so... Well, I had to start this chapter somehow, why not with faulty philosophy as a tool to lure in some reader’s interest. Why do I doubt that worked?

Anyway, while T’hem is still busy questioning her own competence for the first time since forever, Oesc is re-calculating the timing of the message from home for the fifth time, L’bis and C’ce are trying to find a clue in the Terran transmissions as to what happened to their communication pad, and Ska is overwhelmed by the decision of which of these two problems to tackle first.

Now usually T’hem, the professional that she is, would regain composure before anyone has even noticed. But to be swept off her confidence pedestal like that, left her more shook than she deemed possible. How could she forget that pad? It might seem like a little thing to us. And no one in her team blames her. They all didn’t notice, not even Ska, that perfectionist. But she doesn’t make mistakes. And she is known to keep her cool in the most chaotic situations. What is different this time? Does she have to question everything now? All her decisions and all her conclusions? Was their message really intercepted? Her little sapling self is lost among the cliffs again. The animals that she had been following have long disappeared. She smells her family calling her, but there are just too many other odors interfering to be able to find the right direction...

Ska, sensing the confusion, covers for her, “Well, I think it will take the Terrans some time to make any detrimental use of that pad. We should discuss the transmission lag first.”

T’hem closes the files on the console, brings up the earlier model of Terra and zooms out until it displays the entire sector of the galaxy. Is Ska right? He sounds right. “Yes, let’s discuss the lag first. I don’t want us to panic if there is nothing. The comm and tech teams can search for the pad meanwhile.” She waits while the others relay those instructions, “Ok, so can we really rule out a natural phenomenon of some kind?”

Ska has the computer trace the signal on the map, even though he already knows the answer, “Yes. Any distortions in the signal field would have been detected and collected in the transmission data protocol.”

“Hmm... It could also be an error with the chronological readings, some discrepancy with ours and those back home. Did such a lag occur already with prior messages?”

Oesc scrolls through their communication with Tahw, and kind of curses herself for not having thought of that herself, “As a matter of fact yes, it has occurred with the last three transmissions. Everything before that is normal though.”

“The same lag?”

“Yes, always 0.08R. Could an error like that occur suddenly?”

“Not really. That’s very strange! If it were always the case, it could be a calibration error, but something as sudden as this is weird. This makes an interception of the message all the more likely.”

Ska starts picking at that one leaf on his fifth limb that is growing out of line with the others, “But who would do that? Who is even capable of monitoring our communication and manipulating it like that? And why?”

L’bis discretely moves Ska’s ‘fingers’ away, “The Oras could do it easily. I mean, they know our methods. That’s how they contact us, after all.”

“Yes, but, first of all, why would they do that? They can just ask. They also wouldn’t be interested in creatures like the Terrans, except maybe as someone to avoid. And secondly, they would be much better at erasing their tracks. It must be someone with less developed technology.”

“That only leaves the Enott.”

“That’s what I was afraid you’d say.”

T’hem doesn’t want to make judgment that quickly, “Are the Enott even active in this sector? Last I heard, they were lurking about near S235. That’s quite a distance away for their level five propulsion..”

“There are conflicting reports on that. S235 is where they were last seen, but they are known to steal technology from other species. They have attacked smaller level six settlements. It’s been a while since any such attacks, as far as we can tell, so it is entirely possible that they were using this time to adapt their own engines for faster travel.”

“It’s not only about the engines. They’d have to adapt the whole ship. What good is a fast engine, when your hull integrity or your dampeners can’t keep up? But yes, I suppose that is possible. What exactly do we know about the Enott?”

Ska searches the Notms database, “Not much. Basically, only what the Oras told us when they warned us about them.” He finds the file that he was looking for, “So, they are an invasive species, but what type exactly we don’t know. It is assumed that they have exhausted all the resources on their home planet and so adapted a nomadic existence. They travel to other worlds, conquer them, use up the resources there as well, and then move on. They usually take worlds with lesser developed life, but have been known to also attack smaller settlements of highly developed species quite successfully. Their method is unknown, but their attacks are always sudden, so we think that their ships are cloaked. It is definitely a stealth attack of some kind. According to the Oras, they have become more and more bold lately, and are also putting more planning behind it. Whereas before, their only motivation for an attack seemed to have been to harvest resources, they are increasingly searching out technology.”

“We really have no idea about their methods?”

L’bis has her own theories, “A colleague of mine has been studying planets and moons believed to have been devastated by the Enott. It’s difficult to find first hand accounts, since everyone avoids that sector if they can. But the few who have been there say that there seems to be no adaptation of the environment, no change in the way the ecosystem works. Just a harvest of certain metals and minerals, but enough of those to render what’s left behind uninhabitable. It’s very much, like Ska said, an invasive maneuver. One theory is that they are actually parasitic. Judging from the choice of minerals, we think that they are a filter species, meaning that they could be anything from fungus to animal.”

“Ok, uhm... that’s... let’s see if we can find them first.” Composure, T’hem! A herd always needs a confident matriarch. “Oesc, we need to figure out at what point the message was intercepted. Where they are. Could there be some indication within the protocol? I mean, if a natural phenomenon would show up, why not some other delay?”

“It depends on what method they used. That can be way more precise than any natural phenomenon could be. It would only show up if it’s within the frequency or dimension that the transmission is using. And there was nothing like that. But maybe there is some other way to locate them. Only way I can think of now is to send several boomerang messages, and see what comes back when. But that is a bit of a luck game and might take too long. Sensors are probably a better way to go.”

Ska is still unable to get the image of a fungus taking over his body out of his head – I mean, out of his cognitive center, “We can’t just send any bogus messages. Even if we assume that they don’t understand our language, we don’t want them to know that we have noticed them. Especially if stealth attacks are their thing. Same with the sensors. The signals would have to be undetectable.”

T’hem pretends to be on top of it again, “I’d say we try both. We can make the message anything we would typically send – an update, a resource request, a family greeting. That shouldn’t be suspicious in case they do understand. But in a way that we can triangulate. It’s a little difficult to calculate a physical position with a sub-dimensional message.”

Oesc lights up, “I know just the formula! I’ll adapt it to add an optimizing factor.”

“I’m sure you do.” T’hem tries to take in some of the youthful energy, “As for the sensors. They would definitely be faster, especially if they are already closer. But Ska is right, we want to be inconspicuous. We need a creative solution. I’ll put H’or on that task. Ok, get to work. I’ll... be in my office.”

-----

T’hem to H’or: T//54:

As you have probably already heard, we have reason to believe that the last three messages received from (and possibly the ones sent to) Tahw have been intercepted. I would like to use our long-range sensors to see if we can detect someone already in the vicinity of this system. However, we need to find a way to do so inconspicuously. If there really is someone, possibly the Enott, we don’t want them to notice that we are on to them. So we can’t use our usual methods and frequencies. Can you think of a creative solution?

Also, please program our probes around Terra to detect our missing communication pad. Thank you.

H’or to T’hem: T//55:

Ad missing pad: The pad has turned itself off automatically shortly after use, so we cannot scan for emissions. However, there are two alloys used within the pad construction that don’t exist on Terra as such, so we programmed the sensors to search for that. I will let you know when we find something.

Ad long range sensors: I have an idea that might sound a little crazy, but may be our only option if we truly don’t want to risk detection: Dark matter pulse. I know, that has been only considered as a method of propulsion, and discarded as unreliable. But I remembered the theory that this is what the Oras use, and why we can’t detect them. Sensors aren’t propulsion, but the technology behind it is relatively simple to construct, and could be adapted. And what makes it unreliable is irrelevant for the sensors. I might need time figuring out the mathematics of it though, because we would also have to do it without creating obvious gravitational anomalies. Not sure if I even can, but it’s an idea. The only other thing I can think of is to use the technology that the Terrans use, so that they think it’s just some coincidental signal coming from them, but then we can only scan a very small sector at a time, and it’s very slow and limited in scope.

T’hem to H’or: T//55:

Yes! I mean, there’s a reason that we never considered using a dark matter pulse for anything like that, but if we can pull it off, not only would they not detect us, we could also sweep large areas very quickly. I’ll look into it and make some calculations myself as well. Meanwhile, yes, use the Terran methods. Enhance it, but only scan within the system for now. It’s very slow, so we have to prioritize planet proximity.

Chapter Text

When C’ce told her to ‘Go take a photon shower, you’re starting to smell chlorophyll deprived”, Oesc was reluctant to leave her post. But there was nothing really that she could do while her triangulation program was calculating. So she had no excuse. But now, after leaving the strategy room, instead of turning left towards the habitational areas, she turns right, and enters the bridge. She finds Potav there, just as she hoped. He is studying magnetic field charts, and doesn’t seem to notice her come in. To be fair though, Oesc is rather tiny – next to him anyway. Normally her glow would compensate for that, but C’ce is probably right, she does need to recharge.

Oesc has only been to the bridge maybe four times, but she is always intrigued by the complexity of the controls obviously not meant for a four-limber. It is only when she moves closer to Potav that she can tell that he is worried by something. All the more surprising when he actually does acknowledge her presence, “Can I help you with something?”

“I... It can wait. You’re busy.”

“Not really. Just trying to understand... These Terrans are either crazy or really, really stupid!”

“From what I can tell by their broadcasts, they come in all variations of both. I mean, they can be clever and resourceful as well. But yeah... Why? What did they do now?”

“I was looking at the magnetic charts from the area, to see if there is some concealed presence there. Nothing. It’s basically normal for a planet that size, that distance from the star, one natural satellite, etcetera. But take all that unnatural stuff surrounding the planet. There’s so much debris among those satellites and relays, or whatever all that is, that the situation has become extremely volatile. If one tiny piece of debris were to somehow get knocked off course, and hits some other object, that then also... you get the picture?”

“Ripple effect.”

“Yes, Ripple effect. Everything gets destroyed. You’d have chaos in their communication systems, not to mention debris falling onto the planet. And yet, they keep sending new stuff up. No matter how well you calculate that, one little piece of a meteor, and boom! Chaos!”

“Wow. Do you think they’re aware of that?”

“They must be.” Potav resigns to never understanding other creature’s risk-benefit decisions, “So you wanted to ask me something?”

Oesc almost forgot, “Oh, yeah. So, I actually have a level one piloting degree and was planning on adding a level two module. But then I got this commission, so I’d have to do it off campus. Ska told me that you’ve recently obtained an instructor’s license?”

“I’ve had one for teaching up to level two for a while. The one I’ve recently obtained is for levels three and four.” Potav didn’t know that Oesc piloted, though he really should have, “Do you even have time for that right now though? There’s quite a bit of additional theory in level two. And you will have to spend a lot of time in simulations. Real flights just aren’t possible at the moment.”

“Well no. I just wanted to know if you are theoretically willing. Obviously it will have to wait until things have settled down. And we can’t just be randomly flying around here with our shuttles.”

“Definitely not in this minefield of debris! That’s some level four precision stuff.” When was the last time that Potav raced? He’s trying to remember...

“Ooh! But that would be so much fun!”

“Yeah, no, that’s not happening! But I’d be happy to instruct you, if you’re serious about it. You’d have to send a formal request to the university.”

“Thank you! Will do!”

Potav almost succeeds in replicating the glow emanating from Oesc as she leaves. Almost.

-----

H’or to Tnsso: T//56:

I need to know if we have the following things in storage:

Pulse Generator, large size, with inverter, or

Alternatively, medium size, with inverter and converter spool, type 2

Level six containment module

Magnetic alloy sheets, type 23S

Materials for a suspended mounting and attachment rig

Please let me know, and I will send someone with a more complete list to collect everything. Thank you.

Oesc to T’hem: T//56:

I have adapted the formula for the boomerang messages, and have hidden it within our standard communication with Tahw. I added an optimizer, as promised, as well as a randomizer, to make it less obvious. I’m confident that we can at least narrow down the location of the source of the lag. But, like I said before, depending on where it is, it might take a while.

Also, the tech team has located our communication pad – or at least the general area. There seems to be some interference with the sensors. But it is definitely still off and idle.

-----

T’hem is in her office, physically anyway. But her mind is on the planet, re-living the acid attack. She is trying to recreate the scene, and where she went wrong. She wasn’t panicked – they were prepared enough, after all. She wasn’t even in a hurry. She was rather enjoying the conversation with that Terran. What if that attack was meant as a distraction to get hold of that pad? But that doesn’t make sense! They didn’t even know that this pad would exist. And why would Sara then not run off right away? And the weapon was so primitive, even for the Terrans. No no, her instinct was right! But then, why did she make that mistake? She doesn’t make mistakes. She doesn’t!

And now a new decision is up: What to tell the Terrans about the possible Enott interception? I mean, for now, nothing. Just their decision to stay and observe, and to slow down the contact process. No need to raise panic with something unclear that they can’t do anything about anyway. That’s the logical decision, right? Obviously! ...Right?

She is starting to set up communication with the planet, as Ska, who apparently sensed her insecurity from across the hallway, comes in, “I thought you might need an update, and some advice.”

T’hem tries to seem confident, “Yes. I was about to communicate with Terra. What do you propose we tell them?”

“Definitely nothing about the Enott. Not yet, anyway. They would panic.”

“Well, yes, obviously.” Obviously! “I mean about the pad. Oesc wrote that it had been located. We can’t just go there and get it. And they can’t just quickly send it back up either. But we also don’t want it to stay there. We need to offer some sort of solution for it.”

“That’s tricky, yes. They didn’t mention the pad in any of their messages, did they?”

“None that I received.”

“Maybe they’re hoping that we didn’t notice.”

“They can’t possibly think we’re that stupid. And they also can’t think that we don’t care. We were quite clear about not sharing technology.”

“You’re right. That doesn’t make sense. My guess is that they are unsure what to do themselves, just like we are.”

This speculation is going nowhere. “What are they saying in their news transmissions? They were broadcasting the meeting, after all.”

Ska is picking that one leaf again, “So C’ce and her team are following their transmissions. It’s difficult, because there are so many. But to sum it up: officially they are denying that they have a pad—”

“But they have it on video.”

“Yes. They are saying that she is holding something called a ‘tablet’, that she brought to the meeting herself, and that it just looked different because of reflections and such.”

“But... the images must show me handing it to her earlier!” This doesn’t make any sense to T’hem.

“Yes. Those images are being shown over and over again as well. They say that you took our pad back during the attack. The images are unclear and chaotic there, so that seems plausible. But then somehow apparently her ‘tablet’ magically appeared in her hand. It makes absolutely no sense.”

“And the Terrans believe that?”

“I doubt it. According to C’ce, no one they ask believes that. But they also seem to shrug it off, you know, like they’re used to that.” Shrug it off? He would use a different expression, wouldn’t he?

“They’re used to being lied to by their officials?”

“Apparently.”

“But why? Don’t you want your public to be fully informed? It’s one thing if you want to avoid a panic, like we are withholding the possible Enott threat, but here it’s not only blatant, it’s unnecessary! And you only increase panic when you lose trust.”

“L’bis says that it might be habit. That they just automatically deny everything at first, while they’re still trying to figure out what to do.”

“So basically, she’s saying that lying is their default setting.”

“Not always. Just, like I said, when they don’t know what to do. L’bis thinks it’s a safety mechanism, and not necessarily meant as deceit.”

“Okaay. That is... I don’t know. That whole concept is so foreign to me. Precisely when everything is unsure, I would want to stick to facts. You can’t solve anything if you base it on false information. That will just make it worse.”

Ska gave up on the leaf and has meanwhile passed on to a loose piece of bark. He needs to hydrate, “The real question is, do we honor all that in our official communication? We are using simple radio waves, and their common frequencies, so any Terran with the right equipment can hear it.”

Oh dear! T’hem hasn’t even thought of that! Why hasn’t she? “Ah! Of course, that’s why they aren’t mentioning it towards us either! Well, we have to bring it up somehow. So we have to find a way to send them a non-public message. That is, if we do choose to honor their official position.” Should they though? They can’t know, maybe there is a real reason for lying to the public that they just can’t understand.

“We have to find a way to send them a concealed message. To whom should we send that though?”

Good question. “What does Sara say about the pad? Is she confirming their lie?” That would disappoint T’hem. She really felt like she could trust her.

“C’ce is looking for that, but she found no transmission yet where Sara was asked. Seems strange, because that would be the obvious first hand account.”

“That is strange!” T’hem gives up, “Ok, I’ll think about it and meanwhile send a communication as planned.” She tries to convey clarity, but her mind is a complete haze. She can smell her parents calling, but she can also smell the water, and the animals, and the wind... “Let me know when C’ce found something. I’ll be in H’or’s lab later to help with the sensor adjustments.”

And Ska pretends to be assured.

-----

Comm-link Notms (N) – Terra Official Communication (T):

N: Hello. We inform our decision. Our mission was observation. We stay and continue. But limit contact. Terra population needs time adapt and develop.

T: Thank you for the message. We were worried. We are so sorry about the attack! We are investigating why security failed, and really hope to gain your trust someday.

N: We are not angry. Contact is new. Trust is time function. You trust us?

T: [Pause] You are correct. Trust is a function of time. I will rephrase: We hope that we will have a good relationship of mutual trust one day.

N: I hope. I know time is different for you. But you need patience.

-----

It’s not like Ska never stops working, it’s just that his mind doesn’t, so what’s the point in leaving his post. The only reason that Tsm isn’t on his case is that he always smells exhausted. So who can tell?

Well, L’bis can. So she scowls when he comes back into the strategy room, “I thought you wanted to go get some recreational time in while you can. There’s nothing really that you can do before all the data is in.”

“I did. I mean, I tried. But I talked to T’hem earlier, and she seems unsure. It’s not like her. She always adapts easily to every situation, is always on top of things. If someone like that is wavering in confidence, it gets me thinking that maybe I’m not worried enough about the situation.”

“You think she knows something that we don’t?”

“No, of course not, just that her instincts know something that mine don’t.”

“So, let me get this straight. You’re worried that you’re not worried enough? That, my friend, is what we call a ‘cynical instinct spiral’. With ‘we’ I mean my friends from the psychology department. I’m sure I can find some literature about it somewhere...” She pretends to search for something in the database.

“You do know that I have a level three psychology degree?”

“Oh... well, then you know all about it.”

“It’s not a thing. ...Seriously though, what if we missed something. Why are we so sure it’s the Enott, for example?”

“Because we ruled all others out.”

“Did we though? We think we know all the sapient species in this sector. But what if we don’t. Maybe there’s one out there that hides from us successfully, like the Oras did. We would never have known about them if they hadn’t initiated contact themselves.”

“But they’re unique. That’s highly unlikely. And, as we said, a species so advanced that they can hide from us, would have been better at erasing their tracks.”

“True...” There was a ‘but’ in there somewhere, “Remember all those abduction stories from the Terrans that C’ce and Oesc found? There were so many. What if there is truth to them?”

“Seriously?”

“Well... Just saying, I want to rule out every possibility. That’s my job.”

“Yes. But you can save yourself so much work by just waiting for more data.”

“Yeah, well, I tried that. Got stuck in the cynical instinct spiral.”

“I see. Well, do what you must. Just... stay off that internet thing. Believe me. And whatever you do, do not, under any circumstances, search ‘conspiracy theories’.”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t want to know.”

Chapter Text

H’or isn’t the least bit surprised when T’hem enters the lab. Neither is any of the other members of the lab crew. T’hem visits the tech lab almost as frequently as the engine rooms. He was, however, hoping that she would take her time. As impeccable as her timing is, because he is completely stuck, he was still in hope of an epiphany. H’or knows full well that epiphanies don’t strike without outside input, but still...

The problem is that T’hem has encountered the same issue with her own calculations, “You smell as frustrated as I feel.”

“Well, the rig is coming along well,” H’or gestures towards the center of the lab, where a group of technicians is putting together some sort of contraption out of the parts that he ordered from Tnsso earlier. I would describe it further, but considering that I completely pulled that BS out of my ass... “Like I said, the generator isn’t that difficult to build. I constructed those already at university. That’s not the problem.”

“The problem is how to get the data back.”

“Precisely! The reason that this technology was only ever considered for propulsion is that the pulse, once sent off, doesn’t return. We can’t even really track it – well, unless we deliberately meddle with gravitational fields, but that would defy the purpose. So we can only make mathematical projections.”

“Yes. I have the same problem with my calculations.”

“It’s not really a mathematical issue. We need some other angle to solve this.”

“Listen, if it were easy someone would have tackled it eons ago.”

“Sure. But who else than a divergent mechanics expert like me. It’s almost a matter of pride at this point.”

T’hem perceives a plume of excitement from H’or. Excitement, as well as pride, are not emotions that he emits often. Well, excitement maybe, but he usually suppresses it just as quickly, before it turns into panic, “Well, for now, we are searching within the system with technology similar to what the Terrans are using, like you suggested. Radio waves, photons, all in an array of frequencies, it’s just very slow.”

“Yes, there’s also too much luck involved. What we need is...” There it struck. Well, sort of. Maybe. “If we could program a conventional probe signal to ride the pulse, and then return when it hits something...” He moves back to his console and completely ignores T’hem.

But that doesn’t matter, because she is meanwhile immersed in her own pad.

-----

Tsm to Crew: T//57:

Attention! We have already treated four patients with minor dehydration and twelve with low chlorophyll levels. Nothing serious yet, but before this gets out of hand I am ordering a mandatory check-up and clearance from the Med team for anyone planning on adding extra shifts. Also, the seedlings are reacting to the stress levels. They are producing 20% more venom and stress emissions than normal. This is precisely why we try to avoid reproduction during these sorts of missions! But since this is apparently our situation now, any parents and sitters, please be aware that they can sense your state, especially when they’re too young to be distracted with play. Thank you.

H’or to Oesc: T//57:

Can you please check these calculations for me and then hitch your tracking signals to the algorithm as specified. Thank you.

-----

C’ce is probably one of few who actually have the patience to listen to L’bis’s nerd-outs for as long as it takes before all the tangents multiply into incoherence. Which is surprisingly long. I guess C’ce just enjoys taking in excitement and information – maybe even feeds off it – why else would she be so close to Oesc? So it really takes some effort for her to put the breaks on the lengthy analysis of Terran climate zones that L’bis is conducting: “...so even though this region is too hot, dry and arid for their physiology, they found a way to live there. And this was before they had any real climate control technology.”

“Well, since we noticed interference with the sensors, can we assume that the pad is located in some underground structure?” Bring it back to the subject...

“Uhm...” caught off guard there for a moment, “ Yes. That’s a possibility. Under ground would be smart. It’s cooler, closer access to ground water. It would be a major undertaking to build, but... I mean, it could also be in a cave. The terrain is quite flat, so I don’t think so, but that’s cooler as well. Water could be a problem though, and they don’t typically use caves for dwellings. ...Although some findings suggest that it was more common in the past. It makes sense that creatures dependent on sight would prefer over ground dwellings. But in this climate, it might be worth it, especially now that they have artificial lighting...”

“It could also be under ground to be hidden. Some hidden military or research base. They are being very secretive about the pad.” Another attempt.

“Yes. That’s Ska’s theory as well.”

“Ok, and what does he suggest we do with the pad?” Success! Sadly.

“Well, he had this idea: We need to find some sort of covert communication with the Terrans – one that only the officials can see, right? His idea was to actually use the pad. You know, access it remotely. It is programmed for communication after all. The problem is that we’re glad it’s idle and don’t really want to turn it on. And we don’t know exactly who has it either.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I could try activating a remote access. It’s a little difficult with the interference, but if we can narrow down the general position, it shouldn’t be a problem. But yeah, if it’s in the wrong hands, do we really want that?” Hands? Even if it’s the correct term in this case, that wouldn’t be an idiom that C’ce would use, would it?

“Yes, but we have to find a way to get it back somehow anyway. That’s why he asked us to look into it. He wants us to search through the Terran news items to see if there are any clues.”

“Well, the last individual seen with the pad was that female from their contact team, Sara. Oesc and I have been looking for first hand accounts from her, but we couldn’t find any. It’s very strange.”

“And the other Terrans aren’t questioning her whereabouts?”

“They are. The answer is always that she is ‘working intensely on a strategy to move forward’ and that she ‘meanwhile doesn’t want to jeopardize communication, but there will be an update in due time’.” C’ce selects a series of files on the console and wipes them closer to L’bis.

“That is a vague and evasive statement if I ever heard one!” Not only does L’bis have a life-long feud with vagueness, she is also seeing them moving farther and farther away from any solution to their predicament, “So, it’s possible that she is also in that hidden base. Which would be a good thing? I guess?”

“I’d say that even if we turn the pad on, we can always turn it back off if we need to. I think it’s worth the risk. Setting up remote access to the pad is beneficial either way. I’m thinking...” It’s a puzzle, right? Everything in life can be solved like a puzzle. C’ce loves puzzles. “I could program the pad to also read data from where it is located. So we can find out the conditions, who is there, and so on. But we would have to somehow turn it on without the Terrans there noticing. They should think that it’s still idle. I can ask H’or, but I don’t think that’s possible.”

“It might not matter. Like you said, we can always turn it back off. Especially if we can see what’s going on.” L’bis selects the files that C’ce gave her, “I’ll pitch it to Ska and T’hem.”

-----

L’bis to H’or: T//58:

I want to send a cloaked probe closer to the area where our pad is located. We think that it might be underground – hence the interference. I’m worried about sandstorms though, that could reveal the probe, or worse, damage it, if deployed so close to the planet surface. Is that worry warranted? And is there a way that you can enhance the signal to work through the interference?

H’or to L’bis: T//58:

The probes that are currently monitoring the planet could be prone to reveal, but shouldn’t be damaged. They are also equipped with weather monitoring, so sandstorms should be easily avoidable. But if you want, I can deploy a new one with a cloak shield rather than a cloak surface. That could then also work as a repellant for any stray sand. If you send me the geological and magnetic specs of the area, we can compensate for the interference.

H’or to Tnsso: T//59:

I heard that you were working towards a geology/mineralogy 2 module. So I found a perfect task for you: We need a probe to read data from an underground location, and want to program it to compensate for the interference due to geological formations (and possible inorganic Terran-made structures), so we need an analysis of what we could find there. Rudimentary data from the general region is attached. Don’t worry, others are working on it as well, so no rush. I just figured it would be a good exercise, and maybe something that you could use as an elective assignment towards the degree.

-----

Oesc has meanwhile joined the tech team in the lab. Sure, just sending her data backpack would have sufficed, but she wanted to be there when it’s activated. And sure, she could have just monitored the whole thing on any random console, but everyone else working on the project is in the lab. Physically, her presence wouldn’t make much of a difference anyway – well, if it weren’t for that glow.

T’hem, who has returned to the lab after way too short a rest, seems satisfied with the results, “I think we’re ready to try it out.”

H’or, not so much, but that’s just his usual lack of confidence, “Yes.”

“You don’t sound all too convinced.”

“No, yeah, it’s fine. It should work. We’ve done all that we could.” He knows it’s ridiculous, and tries to consciously emit confidence, with marginal success, “It’s time. Let’s bring the rig to the hangar.”

The whole party makes their way down. Not that they’re all needed. H’or leads the charge with another attempt at fake poise. T’hem sends everyone ahead, and brings up the rear like a proud parent would. In reality, she just wants to observe the scene in amusement. Watching H’or trying his best to recognize his own potential is one of her favorite things to do. So is watching Oesc fuel and exhaust him simultaneously with her bubbly character. By the time they reach the hangar H’or has given up on pretending and has instead gone into task-at-hand mode.

It’s not exactly helpful that Oesc is dancing around them asking all sorts of questions, “Where are you attaching the rig? Can it even be directly on the ship? Isn’t there a recoil of sorts? I mean, I know that’s what the suspension rig is for, but it seems flimsy in contrast to the pulse. Even if the pulse is within dark matter, and we’re... I really should have paid more attention in general education physics... This is kind of interesting though. Do you think I should add a physics module to my education portfolio? Or engineering?...”

T’hem finally takes pity on H’or and his team – after all, they have important work to do – so she calls Oesc over to her, “I think you absolutely should add more modules in the science fields. You have all the makings of an academic. Try to make it a mission to surpass L’bis in that regard by the time you reach her age.”

“Well, that’s the plan.” Oesc is a bit torn about that though. It would mean having to compose all sorts of publications, “I asked Potav to help me with piloting.”

“So I heard.”

“... You pulled me away from there because I was annoying H’or, didn’t you?” Oesc is definitely not stupid.

T’hem is surprised at that level of self-awareness from someone so young, intelligent or not, “Maybe...”

“I have no regrets!” Well... “Ok, I do. I was just curious.”

“Oh, I get it. I think secretly H’or gets it too. He does have mentor tendencies.” T’hem explains the process to Oesc while members of H’or’s team proceed to load the rig with the generator onto the launch pad, activate some sort of magnetic field around it and send it out into space towards its determined place near the Terran moon. ...At least that’s what I imagine they’re doing.

As soon as it reaches its destination, H’or reluctantly joins T’hem and Oesc, “So, we’re ready to start.” He hands T’hem the pad with the controls.

She scrolls through the tracking algorithm, “You’ve changed the pattern a little.”

“Yes, because we’ve narrowed location and distance down slightly, we changed it to omit what we’ve already ruled out.” He ‘nods’ over at Oesc, who is trying not to beam too conceitedly, “I also asked Oesc to add a short trial program to the beginning. We sent a small probe out near P4, to see if it would catch the signal, which we obviously hope it doesn’t. I suggest we run that first.”

“Yes, let’s do that.” T’hem presses the go button with hesitant determination. And they wait...

Tnsso, who has been watching the scene from his console at the entrance to storage, takes the chance and comes over, “So this is what you built with all that stuff? I was wondering what you wanted with a pulse generator.”

H’or is really too tense for normal conversation right now, “Well, now you know.”

“Nope, I still have no idea. I only see some strange contraption.” Tnsso has long ago stopped worrying about his own limitations, and prefers to joke about it. “But... I did look into that geological analysis you sent me earlier. I... I don’t know if it’s any good, but I put something together. It’s a bit of a challenge, and a lot of it is speculation, but...”

On the other hand, a distraction might help, “Already? That was quick! Sure, I’ll take a look.” H’or and Tnsso move over back to the console.

T’hem ‘winks’ at Oesc, “See what I mean with mentor tendencies?”

0.4R later, they’re all back in the strategy room. The dark matter pulse contraption seems to be working. Oesc has assembled the entire team of analysts to sift through the incoming data. Each piece of information is double-checked by three individuals, compared to system charts and checked for anomalies. Anything can be a clue.

C’ce has dispatched half of her team to help as well. She herself is writing a program for the comm pad though – or rather, has just finished writing it. She sends it over to the center console where Ska and L’bis are discussing the terrain around the pad location. Ska is moving a small sphere that represents their probe around on the area model currently displayed there. He switches between several different geological and magnetic data (including Tnsso’s analysis) to maximize the probe’s data output. C’ce’s program icon – or something like that – pops up on the side just as she joins them. Ska ignores it while he moves the little sphere to the other side of the only building there, and waits impatiently while the real probe mirrors the movement on the planet.

L’bis pulls the program towards her end of the console with a quick swipe, “Don’t mind him. He’s frustrated because the probe data is only raising more questions than it answers. We were right, by the way, underground building.”

Ska zooms into the model to show several, increasingly unclear, levels of subterranean structures. “That’s an understatement! This looks like a military base. Large, very large spaces. I would have expected tunnels and small rooms. The probe can’t read all the way down, but the pad is located here.” He indicates a faint icon in the blurry third level. He then reaches for C’ce’s program and takes it back, uses one of his limbs to scroll through it, two more to read the probe data, and the rest to sort some other random, unrelated files. It’s multitasking at its best.

C’ce, at her age, hasn’t nearly mastered that skill, and makes a mental note to work on it on her next break, “Well, if this works, maybe we can get some data from the comm pad. It can’t work like a probe, but if we can send this program, it can at least record what’s going on down there.”

L’bis nudges Ska out of his mind bubble, “So, should we go ahead with it? What did T’hem say?”

Ska closes the program. He can’t really read it anyway, “She says it’s up to us.”

“Really?” It seems too important a decision for T’hem to not make herself.

“Well, she just asked if we are sure that we can turn it off instantly if we needed to.” Ska is worried as well, “We can, right?”

C’ce instinctively sends out her calming vibes, “Yes. I also added a failsafe for that to the program. It turns itself off automatically when tampered with, or if we don’t refresh it regularly.”

That seems to work – even on Ska, “Ok, let’s do it.”

L’bis is surprised, “Really?”

“You disagree?” Don’t make him falter!

“No, I agree. I just... Now is actually perfect, because it’s night in that region. Sight-creatures like the Terrans usually rest at that time, even when they have artificial light, so we can expect minimal activity. Let’s do it.”

C’ce moves her program to the comm pad icon, but leaves the ultimate click to Ska.

He merges the symbols – with that same hesitant determination that T’hem displayed with the dark matter pulse, that I just wrote there for the dramatic effect that any cliffhanger deserves. Because I’m evil that way...

Chapter Text

Somewhere in the desert, or rather, beneath it, the young lab technician on duty is peering over some technical sketches. They have nothing to do with his job really, but what else should he do in this lonely night shift. The security guard who passes by every half hour couldn’t care less either. The technician, Hal (not his real name, just the nerd-reference he chose to run with), throws his pencil down in frustration. What was he thinking, taking a government job? He was given an offer in industry after MiT, but no, his stupid idealism made him choose to ‘lend his skills to the good of the country and humanity’ instead. Now he’s stuck in the night shift (albeit in a high-security base, watching a cool alien artifact idly sit there), at a job that pays just enough to live ok, but barely enough to finance his rather expensive hobby.

Of course the Tahw wouldn’t understand any of that. If they would meet him, they would conclude: young Terran, probably male, lives alone in a small dwelling with a PSS4 specimen, works something in the science/engineering field,...

But anyway, Hal erases one of the claws that he drew onto his battle bot design. Just because you use your cat as inspiration doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on the bot’s stability. Three claws are enough to make it fierce looking. Just as he is about to write an e-mail to his superior to ask for funds for a ‘promotional project’, a sudden hissing sound makes him jump. The sound stops just as suddenly, but the source is obviously the alien artifact, the Tahw communication pad. He walks over to check it, and lo and behold, it’s alive! Well, it woke up – or however else you want to put it. It’s not really... it’s an inanimate object. You know what I mean.

Now, obviously Hal, or whoever else would be on duty, was given instructions for such an eventuality: ‘DO NOT, under any circumstances, engage the object’. They were given a number to call instead. He immediately reaches for the secure line phone and starts dialing. He hesitates for an instant though; I mean, who wouldn’t. Scientific curiosity, that inner rebel that is awoken whenever someone says ‘do not’, the worry that whoever is in charge has some ulterior motive (even if ...no, especially if it’s the government), every instinct that a 157 IQ mind like his would conjure up... Ultimately though, the personal risk is too high, just like the hope for a significant raise, so he makes the call.

-----

Oesc to Ska and T’hem: T//61:

Seems like we found something! Our signals are bouncing off an object roughly half the size of the Notms. It is located way too close for comfort at the outskirts of this stellar system (see attached map and data)! As far as we can tell, it is also moving this direction, slowly, but steadily.

-----

T’hem doesn’t even bother to write an answer. She races straight to the strategy room, where Ska has already asked Oesc to display the data on the middle console. “Ok, so where are they? And can we confirm that it’s the Enott?”

Ska feels the same urgency, but quick assumptions are not his thing, “We can’t really confirm anything, but something is definitely moving in this direction. The data suggests an unusual composition of mixed components – metal as well as organic material – and a super-photonic propulsion using some modified spacial warping. It’s relatively slow, but much closer than we expected. They have almost reached the outer belt of planetoids and meteors of this system. Once we have more data coming in we can give you more details.”

“That sounds very much like the Enott.”

“Yes.” The appendage that will once become Ska’s sixth limb is twitching.

“And they are closer than expected.”

“Yes.” He doesn’t bother to try to control it.

“How long until they reach us?”

Ska doesn’t answer, so Oesc jumps in, “Well, if they keep this speed, they will reach us at around T//73. I assume they’ll slow down though before that.” Her glow has changed color, and the odor has that hint of toxic that only someone so young can produce.

T’hem definitely can’t, but she can emit panic. A human would take a few deep breaths to avoid that. No idea what she does, but it works. Centuries of practice, “Does that take into account any gravitational flyby maneuvers and the like?”

Oesc has meanwhile calmed down as well, “Yes, that’s all factored in. Their trajectory and... well, that is the soonest that they could be here.”

“Ok... keep tracking them. And I want a complete analysis; their propulsion, the materials, weaponry, if you can, uhm... everything!” She sends Oesc to her data console.

“Weaponry.” Ska seems to be coming out of a trance.

“What about it.”

“We don’t have any. None to speak of anyway. We’re a research vessel.” Well, there’s a trope! Sorry about that! “I mean, our shields are state of the art, and what weapons we do have are probably superior. Enough to ensure an escape. That’s its function. It’s not meant for battle though, let alone protecting an entire planet.”

“Are you suggesting we run?”

“No, we’ve already established that we don’t want to leave. I’m saying that we might have to, if we don’t come up with a solution before they arrive.”

Sapling T’hem is running in a field now, a vast, endless field full of distracting smells... “Any suggestions?”

“My plan, before I knew that they were this close, was to apply stealthing to the Notms. Assuming that the Enott don’t know who we are, it would be best to hide, and make them think that they are only up against the Terrans. But there’s too little time to apply a stealth casing. Same with paint... I really wish we had Oras shielding know-how!”

“We could use a stealth field, like we do with the probes, using shield modulations.”

“Yes, but is shield and cloaking possible at the same time?”

“It is, if we use magnetic fields.” T’hem thinks about it, “But those are easily detectable. We can hope that the Enott aren’t advanced enough to read that.”

“I think even the Terrans could.” Ska’s half-limb is almost flailing by now, “On that note, what do we tell them?”

More plans to trash, “We’ll have to say something. But I don’t want to have to tell them: sorry, you’re on your own, good luck and good bye. Especially considering that our presence here is the reason why the Enott even know of this place. We have an obligation now.”

“You’re not seriously considering giving them our technology, are you?”

“No. That would be useless in such a short time anyway.” Her parents are calling her, faintly, somewhere in the distance, at the edge of the field... “But maybe we can find something in their own technology that we can help them adapt somehow. Wouldn’t know what, but that’s all we can offer.” Yeah, so much for the Terrans. Pity! “We should start thinking about taking a group of them in to preserve the species.”

“L’bis was starting to comprise a plan to collect genetic data from as many Terran species as possible. That assumed way more time though. Like our entire planned stay more time...” Oh dear, now I’m going full Noah! Why is that where my wannabe scientist logic is taking me?

“Yes. Sadly, we’ll have to limit this to the one species with the highest confirmed degree of sentience.”

“Even if this species is socially questionable?” Ska is only half joking here, “I know, I know. Ethics! Just, have you seen what’s on their internet?”

T’hem doesn’t think it’s funny. “I’ll ask L’bis to see if there’s some sort of digital genetic database on all the other species that we can download. Speaking of L’bis, what’s the status on the comm pad?”

Ska ‘looks’ over to L’bis at the one end of the strategy room. Her emissions and body language let him conclude that there has been no new development since he last checked with her, “So, we activated it. It’s located in a relatively large space in that underground facility. From what we can tell, there was only one individual there at first, but now there are between five and seven, and a lot of bustling. No one has interacted with the pad yet though, and it hasn’t been moved.”

“Ok, we’ll have to use that pad to inform them. No public panic. ...I need to... go gather my thoughts,.. see how we best formulate this. Write a few memos... I’ll... be right back.”

-----

T’hem to H’or: T//62:

I’m sending you calculations for shield modulations to provide a rudimentary stealth field. Please have your team check them and try it out on a few probes. Let me know how we can optimize it and employ it on the entire Notms.

Them to Potav: T//62:

I need you to place the Notms so that it is hidden from whatever is approaching. Use the planet’s magnetic field. I know, it takes more energy than to just keep it in orbit, but it’s temporary until we have added stealthing.

T’hem to Tsm: T//62:

Please help L’bis search through the Terran internet to see if there exists some sort of genetic database on their planet’s species, they should be technologically developed enough for such a thing to exist. Thank you. Also, I’m having trouble concentrating. I’m sure it’s just lack of rest, but I don’t have time for that now. Any suggestions?

Tsm to T’hem: T//62:

Come see me as soon as possible.

-----

In a relatively large space in that underground facility on Terra, five to seven individuals are immersed in a discussion about what to do with the Tahw comm pad. Well, not all of them. Hal is just watching the nodes on the pad form strange patterns, and Sara has given up on the annoying conversation. She walks over to Hal and tries to find what he is seeing, “Mesmerizing, huh?”

Hal isn’t used to people actually addressing him, “Uhm... I don’t know. Maybe I was hoping to have an epiphany about it if I look at it long enough. I’m just surprised they haven’t thrown me out yet.” He finally looks up and nods at the group, “You’re not joining in on the discussion?”

“Oh, they’re just doing their every single sci-fi movie scientists versus military trope thing. I guess they need to get that out of their system. In the end they’ll decide to give science a chance, with a way too short deadline. It will seem to not work, so the military nuclear option gets the go ahead, but in the last second, science saves the day anyway...”

“Uhm...”

“Sorry. I’m annoyed. They’re all talking past each other. Reverse engineering this, moral responsibility that... It’s a waste of time. And all my injections are falling on deaf ears.”

“It’s ‘cause you’re a woman. I mean, while we’re following tropes, then no one listens to the woman, who then in the end turns out to have been right all along.”

“Haha! Yes, probably.” She sighs, “I should go back and tell them that – save everyone a lot of time and energy.”

Just as she is about to turn around, the pad hisses again. The nodes and relays form the words: “Hello. Talk to Sara? No public.”

The others, who have obviously heard the sound, run over as well. But before anyone can make a useless suggestion, Sara snatches it out of the security casing, “The call’s for me. Sorry guys!”

-----

Comm-link Notms (N) – Terra Secure Communication (S)

S: Yes, This is Sara.

N: You say you are Sara.

S: I don’t know how to prove that. You will have to trust me. I really didn’t mean to take anything. I know you don’t want to give us technology. There was the attack and chaos. I am so sorry.

N: Why Terra officials not tell public about the pad?

S: Because we are unsure how to proceed with it. Some would have tried to find it, to pressure us about showing it, or tried to steal it. It is always better to keep these things hidden.

N: Hidden? Hide is better? You can see it on video transmissions.

S: It’s complicated. I don’t know how to explain. We couldn’t contact you about it either without the public finding out.

N: Yes. This we understand.

1. What do you suggest we do now. I assume you want the pad back.

N: Yes. This is secure? Hidden?

S: Yes.

N: We come to your location.

S: I have to clear that with my superiors.

N: What is superiors?

S: The ones who make the decisions. The ones responsible. I am not responsible for this location, only for contact. Can we meet somewhere else?

N: Your location is secret. We come secret. We hide.

(pause)

S: Is there a problem?

N: Yes. New problem. We come we tell you. No panic.

(pause)

S: What do we need to prepare?

N: We send list.

-----

When someone says not to panic there absolutely is reason to panic. What if this is a ruse? The Tahw might want to assess human technology – recognized this base as a secret facility – to destroy any possibility to defend ourselves... But then again, what do they have to fear from us humans? Why this sudden hurry, when they said that we will need patience just days ago? They seemed trustworthy, but that might be a trick. Or have we all seen too many science fiction movies? Letting aliens that we hardly know visit our to-be-honest-not-so-secret base rings all sorts of tactical alarm bells. What choice do we have though? They didn’t seem to accept a no. What if they’d been on the planet more often already than just that once? If they have stealthing technology...?

If T’hem hadn’t pulled her out of the way of that acid bomb, Sara would have spent hours asking herself these questions. Now it was just part of the discussion that Sara needed to quench. But even if there is nothing nefarious in play, what problem could have come up that they needed to meet secretly? No panic indeed...

But I won’t let myself down the road of what we humans think – that’s a whole other story. Back to the Notms...

Chapter Text

That frown that doctors sometimes display, that makes you think that there is something terribly wrong with you, when in reality it’s something minor and benign – there’s a Tahw equivalent for that. Tsm is emitting it right now, while looking at T’hem’s lab results, “Hmm...”

“So what’s the verdict?” T’hem doesn’t usually fall for that sort of thing, but she would lie if she said that she wasn’t worried. Although she is downplaying her symptoms somewhat.

“You have the health of a five-limber.”

“Ok. So why the hmm...?”

Tsm points to some symbols on the results chart, “Your stress emissions are a little higher than usual, obviously, and you definitely need to recharge. But it’s nowhere near the levels that are worrying. Yet, anyway.”

“Ok... Again... why the hmm?”

“You shouldn’t have trouble concentrating. A little, yes. But you wouldn’t have mentioned it to me if it wasn’t impeding your work. If it’s that bad that you actually feel the need to tell me, there’s more to it than what the lab results show.”

“Aaand... What wouldn’t they show?” T’hem always thought that Tahw medical diagnosis technology was exhaustive and indisputable.

“The psychological element. It shows some of that, of course, with pheromone levels and such, but not everything. And the older the patient, the more difficult to interpret, because you learn to control these things with age.” Tsm has a rare moment of real personal interaction, “I always judged you as someone immune to psychological stress.”

“So did I. As conceited as that sounds, I kind of take pride in that.” T’hem thinks back to recent events, “Honestly, I still do – I mean, yes, a lot is going on, we had to improvise, change plans, deal with stressful situations, but that is what I’m good at. I’m actually enjoying myself. But I am questioning some of my decisions. I haven’t done that since... ever, I think. It’s weird, but I feel fine otherwise.”

“Well, something threw you off.” Tsm decides to hide her worries – no one wants to hear their boss say that they question their own decisions – and ‘shrugs’. She presses a few buttons on the medication panel and hands T’hem the small parcel that comes out, “Here’s a mix of minerals to add to your water, as indicated. That should help with the physical reactions. If it doesn’t, I’ll give you something stronger. I’d advise you to rest, but that’s not happening, is it?”

“I’ll try.” Sure...

“Sure...” Tsm is back to her cynical self, “Anyway, let me know if it helps or gets worse. You know what – I’ll test you again in, say, 3R. Meanwhile, you should try to log the instances where your concentration lapses, if you can. That should help you find the source. Maybe there’s a trigger of sorts.”

T’hem starts to leave, but stalls at the entrance, “This is... between us, right?”

“Of course.” Tsm doesn’t need to disclose that Ska has already come to her with his own worries about T’hem...

-----

Potav to T’hem: T//64:

I’ve programmed the Notms to keep us behind the planet. I would suggest, though, that we temporarily move to P2 (after the shuttle to Terra launched, of course). P2 is relatively close in its stellar revolution right now. That would keep us more easily hidden while we apply stealthing and would be more energy efficient in the long run.

T’hem to Department Heads: T//64:

I’m calling a meeting for all department heads in order to finalize plans for the trip to the planet, in 0.1R, meeting room 2. Please bring all relevant data and info.

-----

T’hem chose meeting room 2 on purpose. She felt like the strategy room was getting distractive. And they all need a break from there. Ska seems to disagree, and choses to place himself near the entry. L’bis didn’t even try, and just took her work along, with a pad each in four of her five limbs. Well, work in a wide sense of the word... Research for future publications... In the Terran internet... it’s research. Tnsso and H’or are discussing some list displayed on the corner console. Potav doesn’t even know why he’s there. And Tsm would be shaking her head and rolling her eyes at the scene, if she had any. T’hem tries her best to emit some calming energy, with mediocre success, but does somehow manage to get everyone’s attention, at least.

“Ok, so, I want get a team to the planet as soon as possible. We need to tell the Terrans what’s going on, assess their technology, figure out what we can do.” T’hem swallows the insecurities that are trying to surface, “I want to use shuttle 2, and I need it stealthed. H’or, how quickly can we accomplish that?”

“Well, that depends. But if you say as fast as possible, we’ll have to use the shield projection modulations that we’ve been using on the probes, and I’ve been testing for the Notms. That’s just a matter of programming. The Terrans shouldn’t be able to detect that, unless they are specifically looking for it. The only problem is during entry into the atmosphere. Even if we hide the shuttle, the heat developing around it will be easily noticed.”

“The Terrans can probably even perceive it with their sight organs, if their attention happens to be toward that direction.” L’bis multitasks her way through the meeting just enough to give her input, “If we can pass through that entry phase quickly enough and over some remote area, we should be ok though. I suggest over that large ocean. Even if a few notice it, it will be put off as some conspiracy nonsense.”

“As what?” T’hem doesn’t get an answer, but she needs to move on, “Potav, can you please calculate a flight plan for the shuttle to account for that?”

“Ok. It’s shuttle 2 for sure?”

“Yes. We’re keeping the team small, and I want to land as close to the base as possible, so we won’t need the cruiser.”

Ska, still perched at the entry, is separating the different types of soil between the room and the hallway, grain by grain, “If you say ‘I want to land’, that doesn’t mean that you want to come along, does it?”

“No, I can’t. And neither can you. We have to enter the base, and we don’t fit. The rooms there are very tall and large for Terran standards, true, but the passage ways are tight. We’ll have to send a young team.” T’hem stops Ska’s protest in its tracks, “I know, I’d also prefer to send someone more experienced for a crucial mission like this, but we don’t have a choice. We’ll have to stay in constant contact anyway.”

“Ok, I guess, but I want to send at least four from my security team along.”

“That would scare the Terrans. I don’t want them to think that this is an invasion. I’d say we send two of your four-limbers and one more experienced member who stays on the shuttle to monitor things. Preferably someone with piloting experience, in case the shuttle has to be moved.”

“I have a level one piloting degree, and I’ve brought us there last time.” Ska doesn’t want to give up, “Just saying.”

“Ska, I need you in the strategy room.”

“Ok, well, ...I have a few in mind I can send.”

Tsm feels the need to interject, “Uhm, one of the four limbers in your security department is blooming right now. Be sure not to send him, that’s against protocol.”

“Aren’t they going to wear protective suits?”

“Yes, but still. The risk of pollen cross-contamination is too great.”

“Ok, let’s keep that in mind and assemble a team.” T’hem takes a second to refocus, “I want to send C’ce. She’s been communicating with the Terrans, and they already know her, so we’ll need her as that interface between the species. I also want to send Oesc, because we will need to sift through a lot of data in a short period of time. She has already been on that since we’re here, and she is quite capable for her age. We’ll just have to task C’ce with keeping Oesc calm enough to not scare the Terrans with her excessive enthusiasm. Then, of course, we need a technology expert.” She puts a schematic of the base on the console screen, “H’or, do you think you can fit?”

H’or is horrified on first instinct, “I... I doubt it!”

“It would be quite tight in the hallways, but you’re still fairly young, you should be fine otherwise. You’re the divergent technology expert, and just the most qualified, otherwise I wouldn’t ask you.”

On second instinct... nope, still scared, “Uhm... yeah, I... you’re probably right. I mean, I have a great team, but...” he straightens himself up, and tries to get his scientific curiosity to take over, “Yes, it will have to be me.”

“Great. L’bis, how’s the terrain there? It’s a desert, right?”

“Yes, very dry and hot. It’s cooler at night, and there’s a chance of a little humidity, but it’s still a very hostile environment for us – even more so than for the Terrans. We’ll need protective suits anyway, but maybe even environmental suits outside the base. What do you think, Tsm?”

“If they stay outside for longer periods of time, yes, but the protective suits should be fine for short exposure. I’d prefer a higher class suit, but the class 2 ones already have stealthing applied. Arrive at night, keep it brief, and equip them with a hydration pump. That should suffice. Also, they will want to keep them on inside as well, unless the Terrans sterilized everything inside the base, which I doubt.”

Tnsso has been listening intently, as always, eager to contribute somehow, “Should I add some sterilization capsules to the shuttle inventory?”

“Yes, do that. Can’t hurt.” T’hem feels that urgency again (and I am bored with this scene), “Ok, I’ll give each team member a task list. Prepare everything and assemble in the hangar in 0.2R.”

-----

Tsm to landing party: T//65:

I put together two med kits for the trip. One should be taken along into the base. It includes medication for pressure and temperature compensation, hydration and mineral depravations, and several other issues that you might face there. The other, larger one, is a more extensive backup package that can stay in the shuttle. Familiarize yourselves with the content, and don’t hesitate to contact me if something comes up or is unclear. Don’t take symptoms lightly!

T’hem to Potav: T//65:

I’m sorry, we didn’t have time during the meeting to discuss your suggestion of moving the Notms to P2. I‘ve been thinking about it, and for now, I don’t want to be that far away in case something goes wrong on the planet. Depending on how things develop there, and how long they will stay, I might reconsider though.

-----

C’ce looks tiny next to T’hem, but she is by no means the smallest of the landing party members waiting to enter the shuttle. Nor is she the tallest, but somehow she does feel like the chaperone of a university excursion. T’hem has taken her aside for some last minute instructions, and for some tips on how to keep that group grounded. Oesc is glowing brighter than ever before. The two four-limbed security specialists are trying, yet failing, to exude professional stoicism. Their five-limbed colleague and level two pilot, the tallest of the group, is more successful, but he also looks a little short compared to Ska, who is handing him a pad with way too much data than he can process – well, at least it’s probably well organized. H’or, the only other five-limber, is standing aside, hardly emitting anything, absent-mindedly scrolling through his own data pad.

T’hem is battling her own insecurities. Is this really a good idea? “Seems like H’or checked out. I hope I didn’t overwhelm him earlier.”

“Oh, he’s fine. That’s when he works best.” C’ce lives up to her role, “Oesc told me that once, while they were working on the UN1 and 2, I think. She said that he functions best when that is all he’s capable of.”

“That sounds bleak.”

“It does, but I think that she meant that positively – like that he gets overwhelmed with inner conflict between excitement and insecurity, so at some point he just consciously turns it off and just ...does.”

“Yes, that’s my observation as well. It’s a common coping technique for insecurities.” One that she’s been using lately, “Not the healthiest though. Well, he assured me that he’s ‘got it’, so...”

“We’ve all ‘got it’. Don’t worry.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t send you all if I didn’t trust in that.” T’hem lies to herself. She hands C’ce a pad, “So here’s the message that I prepared for the Terrans. They will be hesitant to let us into their secret base, but once they understand the reasons, they will comply. Hopefully.”

The shuttle is prepped, the Notms is turned so that the bay entry faces away from the planet, and all instructions are placed. It doesn’t take long for the team to file into the shuttle through the decon-cabin. They fly out equally quickly, and stop only briefly just outside the Notms to turn on the stealth projection. It works flawlessly, because of course it does, it’s not like they haven’t been testing and tweaking it all day.

H’or still isn’t convinced though, and moves over to the pilot, “Did Potav calculate the flight path to take us by the orbital station? I want to see if they notice us.”

“Yes, he did.”

Oesc, who has been standing next to the pilot, watching every one of his moves, can’t help but add her input, “The station is at quite a low orbit though, so we can’t pass too closely, or else they’ll see us when we enter the atmosphere. I made the calculations myself. I mean, Potav checked them, of course, but...”

H’or exhaustedly tries to trust the assurance and goes to the back of the shuttle, where the others are doing some equivalent of looking out the window.

C’ce senses confusion and joins him at his screen, “You seem worried.”

“I’m trying to assess their technology. All those satellites, they’re not the same. I mean, some are older than others, of course, but even the ones that seem to be new are using various methods. Similar, but different.”

“How can you tell which ones are old, and which ones new? Maybe it’s just development.”

“They’re all not very old. I mean, maybe by their standards they are. A lot of them don’t seem to be functioning properly anymore either. I can tell what’s been up here longer by the scarring on the exterior plating. They are trying to use durable materials, but space debris is still leaving quite a few dents.” He ‘points’ at a solar panel on one of the satellites, “Those are panels designed to harness energy from the M314 star. These are particularly vulnerable, and also surprisingly inefficient for their level of technology. Other things seem way more developed, like their computer systems, for instance, at least from what I can tell. It’s strange.”

“Priorities, I guess.”

“Yes. I’ll have to check when we’re there, but I think that they might be just steps away from quantum computing. It kind of makes sense prioritizing that, because it would put everything else in place, in terms of efficiency. But I would never have guessed they’d be that far, judging from the UN units that we first encountered.”

“So that’s a good thing, right?”

“I don’t know, because it seems to come at a cost.”

Just then, the ISS comes into ‘view’. H’or almost forgot, “Oesc wasn’t kidding. That station is at a very low orbit.”

“Yes. The scientists aboard told me that they have to adjust their orbit constantly to counter the planet’s gravity.”

“Talk about inefficiency... wait, you kept the conversation going with the Terrans on the station?”

“A little, yes. We hardly talked technology though. Mostly basic stuff, like how long they stay there, what their job is, stuff like that. But I can give you the transcripts of the conversations if you want.”

“Yes, please do that.” H’or zooms in on the station and takes extensive notes. The rattle while they enter the atmosphere almost wakes him into reality, but he can’t allow himself that right now.

The ocean that they are flying over lives up to its name, but the peacefulness is short-lived, and they soon pass over densely populated land (judging from the city lights, anyway). The cities make way for a massive mountain range, which in turn opens up to a desert. The members of the landing party on the shuttle follow the terrain on their screens. Even if they had eyes like we do, they wouldn’t be able to make any of that out without those screens once they’ve passed below where the sun peeks over the horizon. It’s very early in the morning at their destination, and the plan is to land just before that sun rises.

So when they arrive, the Terrans waiting at the site can hear the light thump of the surprisingly soft landing, and they can feel a vibration and some gusts of disturbed air. But they can hardly make out the whirls of sand around the shuttle, or even the non-stealthed landing shutes. Not that they need to. ...And I can’t think of a good chapter ending, so I’ll leave it at that.

Chapter Text

Sara is annoyed. The US military (citing local authority) had insisted on a strong presence. She was able to talk them down to just a dozen or so soldiers, using the premise that the aliens shouldn’t be made all too aware of the importance of this base. She took the Tahw translation pad along to where they are now standing, outside the poorly concealed entrance, in hope that the Tahw would decide not to come in after all. Of course, there is a whole squadron hidden inside, just in case, as if the aliens couldn’t detect that. It’s all not ideal. On top of that, John from the UN was held up at airport immigration despite diplomatic status (some inconsistency with his travel documents) and only arrived like five minutes ago – so that was another unnecessary stress factor. And it all wouldn’t matter if she wouldn’t have this knot in her stomach. What problem could possibly have come up that created this urgency?

But back to our POV characters. They are taking a little longer than usual to exit the shuttle. Assessing the situation outside while at the same time slipping into the protective gear is a level of multitasking a little too high for the young security team. But anyway, the consensus is that, while there is military presence, the weapons aren’t drawn. Of course the large number of weapons and personnel that they can detect just inside the base has a bit of an ambush character to it. But all that isn’t unexpected – and let’s be honest, aren’t the Tahw really ambushing the Terrans by just showing up like that?

They had announced their coming, yes, but there was no back and forth about when and where, like last time. So obviously, that would make the Terrans uneasy. Desperate measures. They recognize Sara and two others from the first meeting, so at least they weren’t lied to about her being there. So the pilot (let’s call him that, because honestly, if I’d give him a name, I’d have to add character depth and a whole story arc... ugh)... extends the projection around the shuttle, similarly to how Ska did on the first trip, and keeps the ‘finger on the button’ that would change the stealth projection to a shield. The rest of the team is ready to exit.

The gravitation hits them more than the dry air does. Their type 2 suits aren’t equipped to compensate for that. C’ce, who has been on the planet before and has braced for it, is the first to walk towards the assembled Terrans. Even though the stealth field hid the open shuttle door, and their suits are stealthed as well, the Terrans have clearly seen something, because one of them is pointing in their direction. It’s probably the sand that they’re propelling. So much for bad night vision. But that’s ok, this group is allowed to see them. This group.

C’ce sends a message to the pad that Sara is holding: “We talk where satellites cannot see us?”

Sara consults with one of the others and then points to an open hangar.

The scans show an all clear, so C’ce affirms and they move across the paved (thankfully cooled from the night) runway to the building. It still takes them forever, well, by Terran standards anyway, so when they arrive, C’ce turns off the stealthing on her suit first, to not startle the Terrans too much. Oesc and H’or follow. Then the other two. “I am C’ce. We met.”

Most Terrans react with a jerk, as expected. Oesc’s glow and H’or’s size are slightly intimidating. But Sara, like the pro that she is trying to convey to be, takes a step forward, “Yes. I recognize you.”

“I have a message from T’hem.” C’ce presses something on her own pad, and a projection of T’hem appears holographically in front of her (half of her real size, though), followed by scrolling words:

Hello. I am sorry this not planned visit. It is not our intention come suddenly. I said last message we give you time and make contact minimum. But there is a new problem. We tell only you. No public, we want no panic. We believe there is other non-terran species coming here. We detected them enter your stellar system. We know not much about this species. We know that they invade. We are more advanced. We help, but we are one Tahw ship here. I sent this team see what can do with Terran technology. C’ce help communication, tell you details. H’or is technical expert. We remain contact for strategy.

The Terrans have gone very quiet after an initial gasp. C’ce isn’t sure what to do, but enough to know to give them time to process. Oesc starts moving to her side, but C’ce stops her. H’or just feels his fears confirmed, and resorts to searching out the various doors off the hangar – wondering if he could fit. The two others move in a little closer. Sara feels her knot confirmed as well – not that she could see this coming though. She looks over to John for advice, consolation, ideas, something? But he has gone as pale and frozen as she has, ...as most of them have.

Of course, the military commander of the base is completely confident in his assessment of the situation, “This is a trick! A trick to get into the base!”

Sara is too worried to be annoyed again, “If they wanted to get into the base, they just would. It’s not like we could stop them. And why would they even-“

“It’s like I told you countless times, they want to assess our technology to destroy any capability of defending ourselves altogether! I mean, what are the chances of another alien race coming at the same time?”

“And I told you just as often: What on earth could they fear from us? If they wanted to destroy us, they just would. This charade that you’re implying would be totally unnecessary.”

“We have more means than you think.”

“I am not having this discussion again. They had access to this pad while it was 50 meters below ground.” She waves the comm pad at his face, “It’s presumptuous to think that we would have a chance.”

“This is my base! And I’m not letting them in.”

“That’s not your decision to make!”

John is woken up by sudden determination. Maybe it’s his reaction to the five Tahw clustering closer together, “That’s right, it’s not.” He takes out the satellite phone that he has taken along, and dials. After some deliberation with whoever is on the other end, he nods at Sara.

She thwarts the protests from the military commander and takes another step towards C’ce, “This is... I’m sorry, we are a bit overwhelmed. Uhm...” She takes a longer look up at H’or, looks around and points toward the cargo truck entry into the base, “This way.”

-----

Meanwhile, on the Notms, Tsm and L’bis are working on plan B. They are hunkered down in the mad lab again, searching their way through the internet. Tsm is a little surprised at how easily L’bis finds what they’ve been looking for, “And here I thought that we would need someone from C’ce’s team.”

“Oh, I’ve already checked earlier,” L’bis feels exposed, for some reason, “Research! You know, for future essays... That’s... You know.”

“Yeah...” This kind of thing can become an addiction.

“Yes. It’s fascinating. It’s not only a database, it’s communication, entertainment, games, socializing, uhm... the cultural studies alone that you could make... the impacts, positive and negative... Did you know that -“

“Well, what we’re interested in right now is a genetic database.” Phew!

“Right.” L’bis displays her findings on the console, “So, they actually do have several physical collections of genetic samples. Some universities and research facilities have seed samples, cell samples, various genetic material, stuff like that. There is actually this huge underground facility that stores- “

“Ok, but that doesn’t help us.”

“Well, no. I’m getting to that. So meanwhile, they are working on decoding genes of several of their species. They even have rudimentary cloning technology. As far as I can tell, they haven’t tried that with their own species, but they have been successful with other complex animals. Get this, there is a whole discussion on the ethics of cloning going on, because they don’t trust themselves to not misuse the technology...” this time she beats Tsm to her interruption, “Anyway, point is, they haven’t fully decoded which gene is responsible for what yet, but they do have the genetic makeup data for millions of terran species, animals, plants, bacteria, everything.”

“Ok, well, that’s what we need. Can we download it?”

“Yes. ...That’s what I should have led with, huh?”

“Your words, not mine.” Tsm almost smiles – well, no she doesn’t have a mouth, so... you know what I mean.

“I’m still looking for a page where all the data is in one spot. I’m sure it exists, but I didn’t find it yet. I mean, some pages are locked or encrypted. I’ll need C’ce for that. Also, What I need your help with is understanding and translating their way of displaying the genes.” She shows Tsm a page with a DNA model and some long lists of letters.

“Hmm... It’s always the same four symbols. Base combinations, probably. Protein makeups... I can work with this.” She transfers the model to her own medical database for later study and watches, with increased worry, how expertly L’bis maneuvers her way through the internet. Hopefully this doesn’t take too long, but hey, at least it’s quiet.

-----

H’or to T’hem: T//67 Update:

We have entered the Terran subterranean facility. As predicted, they were reluctant to let us in, but ultimately they seemed to understand that they had no other choice. I don’t know how to interpret their reaction to the Enott threat. I am sure that they understood the existential magnitude of this threat, yet they just stood there uncharacteristically still. Some of them seem to be skeptical. They are also clearly not showing us everything in the base, stating that it’s either an unimportant service area, or that those rooms are too small for us to fit. That might be true for me, but Oesc isn’t much taller than their tallest individual.

Anyway, all that said, they are accommodating, and some, like Sara, clearly do believe us. They led us to a large room that we were told is the scientific control center. It is full of screens and oversized computers, and has several laboratories coming off it. One of those is actually a sterilized environment. The ceiling is too low for me, but maybe our four-limbers can use it for their work, so that they don’t have to wear their protective gear the whole time. I will be staying in this control center, where I have access to their computer systems and can study their technical data. We are teaming up with Terran experts. Like I said, I doubt that we can find anything useful against the Enott, but we’ll see.

-----

Oesc has finally managed to somehow interface her data pad with the Terran computer, and is trying to explain to Hal that she needs access to their sensor data. C’ce, who has just entered the lab after helping H’or with his setup, senses some confusion and joins them.

Hal isn’t sure whether to be relieved or more scared, “What kind of sensor data do you need?”

Oesc should have spent more time learning to use the translation program, “Find Enott.”

“I thought you knew where they are.” Wait, he’s smarter than that, “Oh, you mean to track them. Don’t you have that too?”

C’ce finally helps, “We track them. We will give you our data. You also want to track them. Yes? We need this for later. To coordinate.”

“Ok. I see. But there is a reason that we haven’t detected them yet. Our means are limited.”

Oesc tries her luck again, “You collect data?”

“Yes. We can’t search the entire sky at once though. It depends on the method, but we have to turn our ...uhm, sensors toward the right direction.”

Oesc addresses C’ce, “I think he means those large parabolic antennae. That’s a problem. They take forever to move towards the right direction. And if we use a method like sonar, the Enott will know that we are tracking them. It has to be random, and only occasionally pointed at them. Maybe we can cross-check with other methods, magnetic, spectral, whatever they have.”

C’ce types into the translation pad, “We have a trajectory calculation. We give you, and you can point sensors. Can you program your computers to combine data from many methods?”

That’s not really Hal’s area of expertise, “Yes, I think so. If we can make a trajectory model, that would be much easier. But they will notice. Wouldn’t it be better if they thought that we didn’t know they were coming?”

“Your sentence is... confusing. You mean tracking must look... like accident? That is the wrong word. But you understand? Oesc will write a program.”

“Yes, so it looks random. Coincidental.” Hal looks through the window of the lab into the control center, “I’ll talk to our astrologists and programmers. ...and get some coffee.” He leaves the lab.

If they could see through that same window, they could watch him talk to a few people, and then disappear into the hallway where the bathrooms and vending machines are located. But since they can’t, they just go back to work, trying to remember what coffee was. L’bis did mention it to Oesc in one of her ‘isn’t this fascinating’ rambles, but she had stopped listening at ‘did you know that’. In any case, Hal soon returns with two others, who quickly get to work on the main lab computer. Hal himself places his lidded mug onto a table and starts rummaging through some paper.

C’ce, who kind of feels obsolete right now, remembers the task that L’bis assigned her, “What is your name?”

Hal jumps a little, “It’s... Hal. I mean, not really, but you can call me that?”

Ok, that’s weird, but ok. “What is this material?” She moves one of her limb nodes over the stack of papers.

“It’s—“ Oh no! “Uhm... paper. it’s ... plant fibers, somehow chemically treated and glued. I think?” Now he’s kind of glad that the furniture in the base is all aluminum and plastic. Although... plastic... Hopefully she doesn’t ask about that...

C’ce doesn’t understand why Hal is nervous. It is wasteful, but the plants here aren’t sentient, so what’s the big deal? “It is for information storage?”

“Yes, and communication. We... before we had computers, paper was used much more. Now... Well, paper is still much more lasting than computer storage. Digital data decays relatively quickly. There are some better methods that we are working on improving, but they aren’t viable enough yet for everyone to use.”

“Viable? It is a money concept? I do not understand money.”

Oh dear – that’s another sore subject. “Uhm... we use money to purchase things. Like ... trade. Instead of an object, I use money. Like.. this coffee.” He holds up his mug, “I gave money and got the coffee for this.”

“I understand trade. How do you get the money?”

“Well, I work and then I get paid. That means I get money in compensation for my work. And I use that money to buy drinks and food, and pay rent... uhm for my accommodation, and so on.”

“And if you cannot work? If you are ill?”

“Then you have a problem. Because the medicine costs money too.” I’d like to say that Hal is an idealist – I mean maybe he is – but today’s anti-capitalist anger is more of a direct result of the exorbitant battle-bot competition entrance fee.

“But you need food and drink. Are there other ways for money?”

“Yes. And... you can get help. It’s... it’s complicated.” Hal nervously takes a sip.

Oesc joins them, mercifully interrupts and taps at C’ce, “So, they’re setting everything up. It’s painfully slow. ...What’s that smell?” The source is the coffee, and even through the tiny slit in the lid, it smells eerily similar to the infantile venom that the poor little stressed seedlings in the med lab nursery are producing.

Chapter Text

L’bis is back in the strategy room, and somehow managed to pull a very reluctant Tsm along. They are showing Ska what they’ve been working on. “Honestly, I think that we should just download the entire internet. It’s a cultural, historical, scientific, everything database. We’d have everything we need to re-introduce not only the Terran flora and fauna, but their entire world, if we needed to.”

Ska somehow has other worries, “That’s a lot of data.”

“Yeah, in some primitive, binary format. Our computers can handle it.”

“Yes, but it’s dynamic data, which complicates things.”

“We should at least try, why wouldn’t we? It’s a no-brainer!” Would L’bis use that expression? Do the Tahw have some organ comparable to our brain? Some cognitive center? Do I really have to specify every detail of how their bodies work, just so I don’t run into these issues? I didn’t consider that when I started world-building!

“I get it. It’s... quite the opportunity. Just remember that we have limited time.”

Tsm just wants to get back to her comfortably secluded med lab, “It’s still probably faster to try to download everything than to search through it for some selected data. Especially since much of it is false. This way we can search through it in peace when we have more time.”

Those were the right words to convince Ska, “You’re right. Ok, I’ll ask Oesc to get her team on it. She should be back from the planet soon. Hopefully, anyway.” Ska’s urgency is warranted, because the screen that he is monitoring is showing that the Enott have meanwhile passed P5, “One thing though, you say that much of the data is false. I’ve made similar observations. The problem is, how do we recognize what’s false and what’s fact?”

L’bis is way too confident to understand what the issue is, “We compare it with our sensor data, and with whatever other knowledge we have collected.”

“Yes, that’s fine with, say, scientific data. But all the cultural stuff, for example, we have no idea. It’s confusing and misleading at best.”

“True. We need experts.”

“Terran experts.”

Tsm doesn’t like the sound of that, “Are you implying that we should take Terrans on board with us to help decipher the data?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying. We have to invite a few of them here anyway to coordinate the Enott defense. If we can convince some to come...”

L’bis, on the other hand, loves the idea, “That shouldn’t be a problem. They are a very curious people. They’d probably line up in thousands for that opportunity.”

Tsm still isn’t convinced, “First of all, it can’t be just anyone. They have to be qualified and trustworthy. Secondly, there is no way that any Terran can sift through even a fraction of that data in their lifetime! We can’t take them with us anyway – that would be a logistical nightmare.”

Ska has his own trepidations, “They wouldn’t have to go through the whole thing, just to teach us how to recognize what data is usable. Listen, I don’t like it either. We’d need more than one Terran too. Is that doable though, theoretically? Fix them a temporary space with a suitable environment that they can work in, and all that?”

“The one room we would usually use for hosting foreign species is currently occupied by the nursery. But we’ve been meaning to move that to habitational, so yeah, I guess it’s doable.”

“Well, please look into it, and I’ll ask T’hem what she thinks.”

Tsm leaves, but L’bis feels more needed here, “Speaking of T’hem, where is she?”

“In her office, I think. I said I’d update her once the Enott reach P4,” he takes another ‘look’ at the screen, “which is soon. I really want to have a good strategy by then.”

“Any ideas?”

“A few. It would be so much easier if we knew more about them. I’ve been studying every info I could find. It’s not a whole lot. I think that our team is almost done on the planet, maybe H’or has something usable in his update.” Ska tries his best to not let his inherent pessimism get the better of him, “I’ve been thinking, we don’t know how much the Enott know about us, but I doubt that they know anything about the Terrans. So sure, there’s probably not much that we can use in terms of Terran technology, but they might have some unpredictable strategic ideas.”

“Predatory tactics?”

“Maybe, or maybe just different ones from ours.”

-----

Ska to Oesc: T//69:

We’ve decided that it is faster to download the entire internet than to search through it for useful data. Could you please coordinate with your team and see if you can make that happen. Use a separate data module that isn’t connected to the Notms’s system. That way, if we run into viruses or just plain digital errors in the compatibility process, it can’t damage anything vital.

H’or to T’hem: T//69 Update:

We have completed coordination and communication setup. C’ce has relayed our suggestion to the Terrans of taking a few of them with us to facilitate coordination on the Notms. They agreed to send three individuals. Our security team here is arranging with Tsm to set everything up on the shuttle and on the Notms. We are waiting for Terran environmental suits (that they are bringing in from another facility). We told them that they won’t need any pressure suits and that protective gear would suffice, but they don’t want to take any risks. Tsm also agreed that it’s probably better to test it out on the Notms to be sure. Meanwhile, we are packing up and will be ready to leave in about 1R.

I have also assessed their technology, as planned. And, while their computer systems are surprisingly advanced, their defensive capabilities are quite limited. In conversation, the Terran military officials repeatedly plugged the use of their nuclear missile arsenal. And while that is quite destructive, I think that they over-estimate the efficiency and under-estimate the danger. A missile shot into space from the planet is slow, detected easily and thus evaded easily. And if any of the fallout contaminates their atmosphere, well... it’s definitely not worth the risk. I am sure that they are keeping it as a last-resort option, if all else fails, but all I can do is advise against it.

-----

Just like H’or in the control center, Oesc is packing up all their equipment in the lab, while the security team is double checking everything with their inventory. They definitely don’t want to leave anything behind again. The Terrans that are coming along are making their own preparations. Sara had insisted on being part of that team, which is just as well, since she’s the only one T’hem at least somewhat trusts. In general it is preferable to send people who the Tahw already know. John was reluctant, but really didn’t have a choice, given that he has political authority as well as a military background. Hal volunteered, because obviously he would, and they did need an engineer. Asked why they agreed to send a young, relatively inexperienced (albeit smart) technician for this important task, Hal answered that it’s because he’s the one who coordinated everything on this end, but if pressed further (because it really isn’t that complicated) he would admit that it’s probably because he’s expendable. They all are. Ok, actually I chose these three because I’ve established them already as characters. I’m definitely not inventing new ones!

Anyway, C’ce finally has a break from all this translation chaos, and is curiously observing Hal pleading with his superior about something. She can’t make sense of it, because he really seemed to want to come along. Maybe she’s misinterpreting.

He comes back somewhat distraught, mumbling to himself, “...paranoid idiots...”

If C’ce understood these words correctly, that might be worrisome, “Is there a problem?”

“No no. Nothing to do with this. They just won’t let me call my sister. I need her to feed my cat while I’m away.”

“It cannot feed itself?”

“Well, she’s a house cat. She is used to being fed. And she needs someone to play with her.”

“Play?”

“Yes. Uhm... entertain her. So she doesn’t miss me, or gets bored and starts tearing up my furniture or pissing on my bed.”

“The relationship between Terrans and other animals is ...interesting.”

“Other... yes. Well.” Why is this alien asking him these questions? It’s only a matter of time until he creates some stupid misunderstanding, “You should ask Sara about these things, I... well, she is more of an expert.”

C’ce was just about to ask Hal about the battle bot designs that he is rolling up and stuffing into his locker. But truth is, she isn’t the expert here either. If L’bis hadn’t tasked her with observing Terran behavior, she probably wouldn’t even have noticed Hal’s contradictory demeanor. She makes a note to add this to her task report. “I say we are ready?”

-----

T’hem isn’t really hiding, and she hasn’t really had these reclusive tendencies since she was a four-limber, but this break is doing wonders. Of course she won’t admit that to Tsm, because who needs that smugness. She laughs at herself about that childish thought – maybe she is regressing to her younger self after all. But now is not the time to neglect her duties, so she calls in Ska.

She is studying the Enott flight pattern as he enters, “Am I interpreting this correctly? It seems like they have slowed down considerably.”

“Yes, well, we predicted that. I think that they are hiding between the asteroids while trying to assess the situation. What is very strange is that they keep disappearing and reappearing from sensors.”

“Well, you say that they are hiding.”

“Not in a way that should fool our sensors. I don’t know how they do it. They are there and suddenly not there. There’s no pattern to it either. It seems random. If it were stealthing of some sort, why do they reappear again?”

“Hmm... that is strange. Maybe their system is unreliable.. No, but that doesn’t make sense either. Stealth attacks are their thing. Do we know yet how large a force it is?”

“Not very large, it seems. The data keeps changing. Sometimes the ship seems smaller, sometimes larger, but the maximum we’ve detected is only about half the size of the Notms.”

“Could there be others out there?”

“I doubt it. We continue constantly sweeping the system.” It’s not like that hasn’t crossed Ska’s mind either, “I know what you mean. This could be a decoy to distract us, and all the other forces are evading our sensors, but they aren’t nearly advanced enough to pull that off. The Oras could maybe, but not the Enott. Of course, they could be posing as Enott and be someone entirely different, but...”

“But that would be highly theoretical speculation.” Please don’t scare T’hem into her sapling self again... “That is... we should rule out other possibilities first.”

“Agreed.” Not really, but Ska can’t afford to be insecure right now either, “From what we know, the Enott don’t do large scale attacks. And against small settlements or lesser advanced worlds like Terra here they don’t need to.”

“So you’re saying they’re just that confident.” Maybe they have a chance after all, “Or cocky. Which can be anyone’s downfall.”

-----

Oesc to Ska: T//71:

My team has run into several issues trying to download the internet. One is that it is ever-changing and dynamic. We tried to choose a point in time, and download that, but then we ran into the next problem: The internet isn’t one set of data stored in one place. There is not one server or even a few. All the data is split and each attached device works as a proxy server or data module of sorts. And it doesn’t stay there either. All the data gets moved around all the time. It’s impossible to find that moment in time for the entire internet. So I told them to prioritize fixed data first, historical, cultural and scientific databases, archives, things like that. Identifying these and collecting from various sources takes time. Luckily it’s all my team’s been doing since we’ve arrived. We’ll see how far we get, and maybe move on from there, but I can’t promise that we’ll obtain everything.

I’m on the way back from the planet with the rest of the landing party. I hope you’re ready for us when we arrive.

-----

T’hem, Ska and Tsm are standing there, kind of awkwardly in a row, like the greeting party that they are. Ska wanted to send everyone else out of the busy hangar so that the arriving Terrans aren’t overwhelmed, but Tsm used some sort of Tahw ‘that ship has sailed’ analogy, and T’hem decided that everything should be as it always is, because otherwise it would be even more awkward. So there they are, impatiently watching the shuttle slide into its parking and maintenance station. It takes forever until the door opens. But then things go quickly, way too quickly considering the significance of this situation. At least it seems that way to the Tahw. The Terrans perceive time differently in their uncomfortable space suits. Then again, it’s impossible to take everything in when there is a more imminent issue to tackle.

Sara is the first to step out into the space, looks around and smiles. Never in her life time would she have thought... as if to drown that cliché thought, she turns around and beckons John out of the shuttle. He takes a few steps along with her towards T’hem, before he too has to hesitate. He manages to translate impending panic into awe, and takes in the atmosphere just long enough to not let it impede his professional vigilance. So he resumes his diplomatic duty and joins Sara to greet the Tahw. Hal has seen the clips from the first contact meeting, but still wasn’t prepared for the size of some of these beings. But as annoyed as he was that they couldn’t properly see Earth during the flight, as excited he is about the inside of this vessel. He just tries his best not to become too childish about the lower gravity, and eventually joins the others, as Tsm leads them to the med labs.

The bustling atrium really is overwhelming, but there is no time for that. The group separates. T’hem and Oesc make their way to the strategy room, and H’or and Ska go to the Tech labs, while Tsm and C’ce help the Terrans settle in next door.

C’ce translates, “This room is adapted for you. Temperature, pressure, air composition, gravity. You can take off suits.”

Sara does so immediately, takes a breath, nods at the others and they copy her movements.

Hal looks almost disappointed, “You could have kept the lower gravity.”

Tsm disagrees, “It is not good for body.”

“Tsm is our doctor. She is always ...she wants everyone healthy.” C’ce has meanwhile spent enough time with the Terrans to sense the uneasiness.

John isn’t exactly assured by the fact that they are being accommodated in a medical area. Or has he just read too much science fiction? He looks around the room. They tried to make it comfortable, added a table, seats and bedding in some undefined material that looks organic and synthetic at the same time. The soil underneath their feet is compacted (other than the looser soil floor everywhere else). It’s clean and sterile, and much lighter than the dark corridors and atrium, but still comfy. They had all almost let their guards down when Ska appears at the entrance. Suddenly the room is tight and oppressive.

It doesn’t help when Ska explains the situation with the Enott in detail. Yes, the Terrans had already been briefed, but they thought that it was more under control. But despite having left the military a long time ago, John’s training wasn’t for nothing, “So they are just a small force?”

“Yes. They are not many.” Ska doesn’t want them to be too complacent, “But very dangerous.”

“Ok, so what if this is just a scouting mission? You say that they have never been here. If I would want to attack a place that I have never been to, and I don’t know how strong the enemy is, I would send scouts ahead. They assess the enemy and report back. And I only then can prepare the real attack and come back with a larger force.”

“You are right. This is good. So we have more time.”

“Yes. But then they will take that time to prepare as well. Our advantage is that we know that they are coming. What we want is that they don’t go back and report about what an easy target we are.”

“You say we kill them?” Ska doesn’t like this at all. The Tahw don’t kill. At some point predatory tactics go too far!

“No. That’s useless. They’ll just send more scouts and be even more stealthed about it. No, we have to discourage them from attacking.”

“But as you say, Terra is easy target.”

Hal interjects, “Maybe the pollution will turn them off anyway.”

“The Enott want minerals. They do not care pollution. They just find minerals.”

But John knows all the military movie tropes, “No, we have to make them think that we are much more developed than we are. Fool their sensors somehow, I don’t know, but they should think that we are dangerous.”

Deception. Now that is a predatory tactic that Ska can get behind, “Yes! Enott like easy. This is good.”

Chapter Text

The Terrans didn’t have much time to settle in. Tsm had them test out some light protective suits in the atrium, so that they don’t have to walk around in the clunky space suits outside of their room. That seems to work out fine, but she did insist on the “adapted composition air tanks”. Those are annoying, but at least they muffle the weird smells, like that burnt bitter coffee one that’s lingering in the med lab. Anyway, once cleared to go, Ska and H’or lead the Terrans straight to the strategy room. T’hem is already waiting there, and sends Sara to the corner where C’ce, Oesc and L’bis are trying to categorize the internet. Everyone else gathers around the middle console, where a section of the solar system is floating above.

Hal stares up at it in awe, and tries to reach towards it, but it’s too far away. Which is a good thing, because he really shouldn’t manipulate any controls. At least he’s consumed enough science fiction to swallow his instinct to press all the symbols on the table. Luckily, most of those are out of reach as well.

John’s curiosity is more fixated on the icons at the edge of the main asteroid belt, “Is that the Enott? Why are those symbols flickering?”

Ska uses the translation panel on the console, “Yes. They disappear and reappear on our sensors. We don’t know why. They also seem to change in size. It is very strange. Maybe a glitch in their stealth systems.” Luckily, the translation program has finally been updated. It was getting very annoying to have to write normally when the Tahw talk to each other, but using off grammar when talking to the humans. Very annoying!

“Maybe. It could be a trick too though. You know, to make it difficult for us to assess them, kind of like what we are planning to do.” He thinks about it, “Do they know that we have seen them? They don’t seem to be moving.”

“Actually, they had started to move towards your fourth planet, but then turned around. Now they are hiding behind some asteroids and waiting. I think that, initially, they wanted to sling around that planet to get here faster, but then they saw that you have objects there and changed tactics. They are doing everything to not be detected.”

“That’s good though. If they would come closer to Mars, they would be able to tell that our rovers and orbiters there aren’t the most advanced technology. I was worried about that. Plus, it means that they are overly cautious, and would rather turn around quickly than to look any closer. Our plan might actually work.”

T’hem needs more reassurance than this, “Ok, so let us go through that plan. They will eventually start moving again, and I want everything in place before they are too close. So... firstly, how do you want to fool their sensors? Emitters?”

H’or zooms in on Earth, and overlays the model with his own file. Some of the satellites (and the ISS) are somehow highlighted, “Yes. I want to place emitters on selected satellites and debris. These will simulate defensive weapon emissions. It will be a little tricky, because we have to place them one by one. The simulation itself isn’t so much a problem though.”

“Ok, well, I will ask Potav to put together a team for that. I am sure he will figure something out.”

John isn’t quite so optimistic about the idea, “Have you considered communication between the emitters? A strong defensive force would have to function like a grid or array of sorts. It should at least look like that. Same with the offensive weapons.”

H’or actually has thought of that, “Yes, and there should be detectable communication with the planet surface as well. That is where you Terrans come in. We only have limited time to place everything.”

Hal is just now waking up out of his fascination with the Tahw technology, “But... we don’t have to set up communication. It’s there already. We communicate between the satellites and the planet constantly. That’s what satellites are for. It’s only a matter of sending the right signals and coordinating... oh, I see the problem.”

John seems equally skeptical, “They are trying to set up an international control center down on the planet as we speak, to coordinate between all involved nations. It’s difficult, but I think that given the situation...well. But we have to also somehow avoid any other random emissions coming off the planet, anything that doesn’t fit into the picture that we’re creating. This means civilians as well.” The Tahw don’t seem to understand why that is impossible, so he elaborates, “To ban all unwanted emissions off the planet, we would have to inform the public, but if we inform them, there will be panic and curiosity. Both of those lead to stupid decisions, like ignoring our ban. So it would just be counterproductive.”

“Can we scramble unwanted signals? Only let certain frequencies through? Something like that? Isn’t that what we do to avoid miscommunication with satellites, and such? Like, how do we deal with spies or hackers who try to use them nefariously?”

“You’ve seen too many movies. It’s not quite that simple. Hackers don’t use the satellites directly. They hack into the satellite controls. Well, they try to...” John looks up at T’hem, “I’ll need to talk to our specialists on the planet.”

T’hem pretends to have understood all the BS that I’m construing, “Yes, communication with Terra is set up.” She extends a limb to point towards C’ce at the communication panels, “You think it cannot work?”

“Well, the whole plan seems flimsy. But it will have to work. It’s all we can do with the limited time we have.”

“Flimsy?”

“Every deception fails if you look too closely. Don’t get me wrong – I trust that your emitters work. But you said yourself that you don’t know what the Enott capabilities truly are, how their sensors work, all that. Basically, our plan banks on them not looking too closely.”

-----

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, L’bis cheerfully informed Sara about their idea to download the internet, in case they don’t make it. Luckily, the Terran can’t read that cheerfulness, or else she would have deemed L’bis a sociopath. I mean, she might have those tendencies, because sometimes, with in-depth scientific research, you just have to turn off empathy to not go crazy. Nonetheless, even though they have talked about collecting cultural and genetic data, and even though the prospect of ‘not making it’ had crossed her mind, this just-in-case scenario does make it a little too real. Even Sara somehow lost her cool there for a second. But self-preservation prevails, and so she is currently trying to explain to the Tahw what Wikipedia is, and why even that isn’t fully reliable.

This is when they are called over to the communication console, where John and Ska are already waiting. The plans are finalized and have been relayed to the international team on the planet. John can’t help but stare up at Ska’s soon to be sixth limb that’s seemingly erratically swaying above his head. Ska sets up the comm link: “They asked for your clearance.”

Comm-link Notms (N) – Terra Secure Communication (S)

N: This is John. Have you received the details of our plans?

S: Yes. We’re debating them at the moment.

N: Debating? If you have any better ideas, I’d love to hear them.

S: That’s not the issue. Some of us are just not comfortable with how much the Tahw are taking control of our defense.

N: Well, are these “some of us” aware that for one, we developed this plan together? That’s why we’re up here. And secondly, that we have no chance with our limited capabilities, and really have no other choice but to rely on the Tahw.

S: That is true, but we also don’t want to be indebted to them. That gives them leverage in the future.

N: Don’t we first have to make sure said future even exists? And the Tahw say that THEY owe US, because they are the reason that the Enott became aware of us in the first place.

S: I see. Well, I agree, but it will take some convincing. It’s not that easy.

N: You do realize that there is no time for debate? We have to implement the plans now!

S: Yes. I will convey the urgency.

[pause]

N: This is Sara. I just spent the last hour helping the Tahw collect and sort genetic and cultural data. Why? Because Earth is being threatened by an alien force that we have no chance against! BECAUSE WE MIGHT NOT SURVIVE THIS! AND YOU ARE DEBATING?? “Convey the urgency...”. REALLY?? Listen to me! We will start applying those emitters, and whatever else we need to on this end, right now, whether you are still debating or not. And I sure hope you do the same down there. Can we for once come together, live up to a challenge and not fall into pettiness? FOR FUCK’S SAKE! WHY AM I FORCED TO USE CAPS LOCK AND CUSS WORDS?!

[pause]

S: Understood.

John stares at Sara, and even manages to smile, “This is what I hate about being a diplomat. Do you have any idea how many meetings I’ve been to where the signing of a treaty was hung up for hours because they couldn’t agree on one word? And I don’t mean an important word. Things like: should we write ‘they’re’ or ‘they are’? Meanwhile there’s people dying left and right. I think you might have helped those dipshits snap out of it.”

Sara smiles now too, “I didn’t know that the word ‘dipshit’ belongs into a diplomat’s vocabulary.”

“Oh, but that IS the diplomatic way of putting it.”

-----

Potav insisted on piloting the shuttle himself. And Oesc insisted on joining him. They are flying between the orbital debris to check the remotely placed emitters for accuracy, and to gently nudge the satellites back into their original position in case that placement had altered it slightly.

Oesc double-checks the data, “This one is set. We can move on to the next.”

“Good. That’s the last one.” Potav almost seems disappointed as he slaloms unnecessarily close between some pieces of debris. Something, maybe a tiny magnetic force, alters the shuttle’s course by a hardly noticeable margin. Potav does feel it though, and corrects it expertly (despite not really needing to). It was probably just his imagination.

“You’re flying manually? How are you calculating the angles so quickly?”

“I’m not calculating. I’m going on instinct.” Still, that was weird...

“Ah. So that’s what you meant with level four precision stuff.”

“Huh?” He checks the sensors. Nothing out of the ordinary. All good.

“You said... never mind.” Oesc scans the area for the last satellite, “There it is. In front of us, towards the right.”

Potav stops the shuttle besides a beat up looking thing that astonishingly seems to still be operational, “It’s a miracle that they’ve got anything working up here with the materials they’re using. Is that supposed to be a solar panel?”

“Yes. Even without damage they work at maybe 20% efficiency.”

“Wow. They obviously have other priorities in their technological research.”

“H’or says so too. Anyway, this emitter is placed perfectly as well. The satellite hasn’t been affected.”

“Ok, good.” Potav moves the shuttle to a higher orbit, “You wanna fly us in?”

-----

Ska to T’hem: T//74:

The Enott are on the move again. They are avoiding P4, but approaching rapidly nonetheless, using short-distance warp jumps. I think that they are hoping this makes it difficult to be detected, because they are only at one spot for mere moments, and they are using a seemingly erratic pattern. Ironically, this is actually making it easier for us.

1. This pattern is a simple mathematical algorithm that helps us predict where they will show up next, and when they are bound to arrive (unless, of course, they change it until then), and
2. We figured out that they are, in fact, not stealthed at all. They are actually a group of about 30 smaller ships clustered together. The reason that they’ve evaded sensors is that each of these ships is too small to register on long distance scans (about the size of a small cruiser). They cluster into one larger structure when they travel at super-photonic velocity. This also explains why they seemed to change size and kept going in and out of detection. The small size of the ships suggests that the Enott themselves are very small in size.

I will let you know when they are close enough for us to determine more details on weaponry, number of individuals, etc... Our projections have them arrive in 1.7R, but we will monitor that closely in case they change tactics.

H’or to T’hem and Ska: T//74:

All our emitters are set up. The Terrans have programmed their communication to those satellites and their sonar emissions as instructed, so our coordination seems to be working. They say that they are still struggling with keeping other emissions off the planet, but are working on that. We have also placed 12 probes around the planet that we have stealthed with an easily detectable projection field the size of the Notms. The Notms itself has been equipped with a similar field. This should look like we actually have 13 large cloaked vessels positioned around the planet as extra protection. So the grid looks solid, and everything is ready to be activated.

-----

The residue of glow that Oesc was emanating after her shuttle flight dissipates quickly as she enters the strategy room. It’s not the tension – she had expected that – it’s the fact that C’ce doesn’t seem to be able to spread her usual calmness.

“NO, no no!” In fact, C’ce seems rather agitated.

Oesc reaches her quickly, “What’s wrong?”

“They found out!”

Ska, who noticed the change in mood and immediately feels vindicated, joins them, “Who? The Enott?”

“Oh! No, no.” C’ce remembers her role, and calms down, “No, the Terrans – the... general population. They somehow found out about the Enott coming, and all that. The internet is ‘blowing up’, like they call it.” She moves the data to a larger console, where a visual display had been set up for the three Terrans huddling there. Images of news reports and social media streams replace the defense grid data that they had been looking at.

“Whoa!” John, who was actually the only one really paying attention, is taken aback by the sudden change. But his demeanor quickly switches to resignation, “Oh no. Of course!” The other two follow suit quickly.

Even Hal manages to finally take his eyes off the center console model, “So now can I call my sister?”

“Really??”

“What? Did you think this wouldn’t come out? All the activity, the secrecy... kinda inevitable, if you ask me...”

“Yeah. Too many people involved too. It was bound to leak at some point. I was just hoping it would happen later, after the threat has passed.” John shrugs.

“Or after we’re all dead.”

“If everyone dies, so be it. But I’d rather that happens in oblivion than during some panicked looting sprees.”

Sara scrolls through the videos of said looting, “Can we not have a conversation about everyone dying, and worry about keeping the illusion up for the Enott instead?”

Hal, probably for self-preservation, goes into video game mode, “On the other hand, if everyone knows the threat, maybe we can at least hide in the woods and prepare to fight the bad guys with guerrilla tactics. You know, preserve humanity-“

He gets interrupted by Oesc, “They’re here! And they’ve stopped.”