NationStates Jolt Archive

It was a normal day on Titan, in the region known as "Karmabaijan." The cities were bustling, the milespires hubs of commerce, as caves-of-steel arcologists came up to the surface to conduct business. Outside of the great city of Peace River, capital of Karmabaijan, Shinichiro Watanabe was tending to his farm, putting out some Hey for the Kows.

Suddenly, he heard a sharp sonic boom. While not uncommon these days, it still drew his attention, and as he looked skyward, a small firey streak slowed, deployed a parachute and began to descend. He watched as it floated down, down, down, towards the surface, trying to figure out what it was, and why it was heading for his farm! The probe began its final decent and landed right on top of one of his Kows before rolling off on to the ground!

"That damn TYCS! There isn't a range around here for hundreds of kilometers! What the hell are they shooting stuff at my farm for!"

Just then, a hopper from the local authorities appeared directly over the probe. "Citizen! This object is of an unknown origin! A hazard team is on their way! Stay Clear! Thank you for your cooperation!"

Great, Watanabe thought to himself, That means they are gonna bring in equipment, and tear up my field. Dammit!.

He walked further off a bit, to give room to the inevitable incoming drop ship.

__________________________________

Jet Propulsion Labratory, NASA/ESA Cassini/Hyugens Control Room
"Sir the first image from Hyugens is coming in!"

"Put it up on the big screen, I can't wait to see this!"

http://www.tashian.com/carl/photos/alpine-cow.2.jpg


"What....the....hell?"

http://spaceflightnow.com/cassini/status.html

Scolopendran Independent News
"Because it sucks to be S.I.N.-less"

"The Scolopendran Kow Association, in its prepared statement concerning the unknown probe, stated their belief that the probe is actually a product of KarmaCorp TechSystems. This is their press conference, live, with SKA Chairman Cletus Jim-Bob Al Thyllan."
It must be that damned Zin Karma. We told you he was after our Kows. Kow mutilation? Ain't no damned aliens, it's all KCTS trying to steal something else to sell us. How's a good Allah--Subhanahu wa Ta'ala--fearing rancher supposed to make his trade when he's got megacorp-built probes landing on his Kows?
"KCTS has not yet been reached for comment."

Government Facilities, Peace River, Karmabaijan, Titan.

"Sir, origins of the probe are still being investigated. We have retraced the entry corridor to another small probe in Saturn orbit. Apparently, it is radiating on such a small level that it was classified as junk by the TDF and not investigated." The science officer looks up from his notes to meet the gaze of vonKarma.

"And the origins of that probe?"

"Unknown sir, voyeur sat optical intelligence shows markings in English that read "NASA" and "ESA." We have found reference to these in the old history d-base, from the pre-colonization days. Current working hypothesis: These probes are a product of the fractal universe from an earth that we may have never even existed on."

"Sit on that for now. I want to know for sure before we go public with this. Maintain surveillance on the probe in orbit, and clear a corridor for it. Let's try not to surprise whoever is watching too much."

<<TitanYutLink::BeginLink>>

::KCTS Responds to SKA::

Thrust Horsepower here, reporting live from the Watanabe Farm, where several hours ago, a spacecraft of unknown origin plummeted into a Kow. The Scolopendran Kow Association was quick to place the blame on KCTS, who do operate some nearby test facilities. However, a press release from KCTS had this to say:

"This probe is not of KCTS origins. We were contacted by the TYCS to identify it and were unable to do so. KCTS will be working closely with TYCS and local governments to put discover the origin and purpose of this probe."

In a related note, TYCS has confirmed that the object is not of Saturnian System origin, but did not speculate on where it came from.

Stay with TYL for further updates on this story.
<<LinkDisconnect>>

The experts who arrive to examine the probe are the local TYCS Emergency Containment Team. Unfortunately, this squad is a group of Beaducafas. They have all the paranoia for a good team, but not quite the modern scientific worldview.

Their first priority is to limit possible contamination. To do this they pour rubble on the ground around the device to prevent seepage and to absorbe potentially dangerous chemicals. The next step is to erect an airtight tent over the probe to contain dangerous gasses. This tent translucent orange with brilliant biohazard symbols on the outside.

"Sir!"
"Yes Lieutenant?"
"Apparantly the probe ruptured the Kow's gut which is leaking methane into the containment area at an alarming rate. We're already up to 6% methane."
"Let it be Lieutenant. We mustn't risk contamination."
"Yes, sir!"

OOC: Explains a lot, doesn't it? http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050115/D87KJQ5G0.html