Peng-Pau
14-03-2004, 03:54
Aeledikos Square, Deiaiy, Peng-Pau...
The Capitalia took her position behind the podium at the far end of Aeledikos Square, the very heart of the Pene-Pese capital.
"Citizens of Peng-Pau" she spoke, her voice echoing through several loudspeakers placed around the plaza, the reverberation dulled slightly by the tide of watching people.
"Today marks the dawn of a new age for our country."
She tapped a button on the podium, and a hologram of the Peng-Pese Exploratory Fleet logo materialised beside her.
"We have made many triumphs in our time, from the creation of the device which produces this image beside me, to the discovery of thirty-six new naturally occuring elements."
She gestured towards the image, currently rotating aimlessly.
"The dedicated work of the P.P.E.F. has bought us countless new things - the plantlife discovered on Tharia VIII which may hold the key to a cure for cancer, the rock samples from Muhuro V which provided the basis for us to create the technology we now use to synthesise metals - but their greatest discovery to date blows these out of the window."
The 72 year old pressed another button on the podium, and the image changed.
"We see but stars afore us, wi' nae but rock ahind us.'" she quoted, and turned her body to face the hologram.
It animated.
----
The hologram shows the interior of a small vehicle, manned by four Pene-Pese, driving down a dried ravine. The one holding the camera is telling a story of carnivorous fauna, and one of the female members is laughing in amusement as he trues to mimic the plants movements.
The vehicle turns a corner, and one of the vehicles inhabitants gasps, and points out of the forward window towards a streak of fire flying through the air at an incredible speed.
It impacts with the ground, and the vehicle shakes, the camera going to static shortly after.
A few moments later, the camera cuts to a view of three of the people. The vehicle, battered slightly, is behind them. They ask if each other is ok, then a unanamous decision to find the impact site is made.
The team sets off walking, and the cameraman says he's going to shut off the camera.
It cuts to static for a second, then restarts. Sound returns first, with a loud expletive from one of the two females as the cameraman removes the lense cap.
Shown in the cameras view is a crashed spacecraft; a purple saucer shaped mass of bent metal, one end almost entirely obliterated.
----
The Capitalia turns back towards the podium.
"This was recorded during a mission to probe for minerals on a 6th class planet. We have proof, my people. One of the oldest questions asked has been answered.'
She shuts off the hologram.
"We are not alone."
A loud cheer arose throughout the plaza.
----------------
The Capiralia's Office, Parliamentary Headquarters, Deiaiy, Peng-Pau...
"Nice one, Del," stated Kierea, the Capitalia's aide.
"Indeed," came the reply. "But do you think they'll believe it?"
The Capitalia took her position behind the podium at the far end of Aeledikos Square, the very heart of the Pene-Pese capital.
"Citizens of Peng-Pau" she spoke, her voice echoing through several loudspeakers placed around the plaza, the reverberation dulled slightly by the tide of watching people.
"Today marks the dawn of a new age for our country."
She tapped a button on the podium, and a hologram of the Peng-Pese Exploratory Fleet logo materialised beside her.
"We have made many triumphs in our time, from the creation of the device which produces this image beside me, to the discovery of thirty-six new naturally occuring elements."
She gestured towards the image, currently rotating aimlessly.
"The dedicated work of the P.P.E.F. has bought us countless new things - the plantlife discovered on Tharia VIII which may hold the key to a cure for cancer, the rock samples from Muhuro V which provided the basis for us to create the technology we now use to synthesise metals - but their greatest discovery to date blows these out of the window."
The 72 year old pressed another button on the podium, and the image changed.
"We see but stars afore us, wi' nae but rock ahind us.'" she quoted, and turned her body to face the hologram.
It animated.
----
The hologram shows the interior of a small vehicle, manned by four Pene-Pese, driving down a dried ravine. The one holding the camera is telling a story of carnivorous fauna, and one of the female members is laughing in amusement as he trues to mimic the plants movements.
The vehicle turns a corner, and one of the vehicles inhabitants gasps, and points out of the forward window towards a streak of fire flying through the air at an incredible speed.
It impacts with the ground, and the vehicle shakes, the camera going to static shortly after.
A few moments later, the camera cuts to a view of three of the people. The vehicle, battered slightly, is behind them. They ask if each other is ok, then a unanamous decision to find the impact site is made.
The team sets off walking, and the cameraman says he's going to shut off the camera.
It cuts to static for a second, then restarts. Sound returns first, with a loud expletive from one of the two females as the cameraman removes the lense cap.
Shown in the cameras view is a crashed spacecraft; a purple saucer shaped mass of bent metal, one end almost entirely obliterated.
----
The Capitalia turns back towards the podium.
"This was recorded during a mission to probe for minerals on a 6th class planet. We have proof, my people. One of the oldest questions asked has been answered.'
She shuts off the hologram.
"We are not alone."
A loud cheer arose throughout the plaza.
----------------
The Capiralia's Office, Parliamentary Headquarters, Deiaiy, Peng-Pau...
"Nice one, Del," stated Kierea, the Capitalia's aide.
"Indeed," came the reply. "But do you think they'll believe it?"