NationStates Jolt Archive

It has been a long time since the first human explorers arrived. They called us "Die Vielen," their words for The Many, because I am of many beings that share their thoughts as a single mind. They wanted to embrace my gift when it was not theirs to have. They wanted only to take knowledge from others, never provide it. So, I forced them to cooperate. It was then I realized that their cells could not operate independantly.

However, I learned much when I seized their thoughts. I learned language, philosophy, religion, potent yet dangerous things in their branch of evolution. I learned science, technology, logic, things that would let me build despite having exhausted my biological resources to a status quo.

Meer decades have passed, and my world is already consumed by steel. I have begun constructing ships to carry my mind to other world, to grow and learn. I shall be cautious, however, and send them with specific instructions regarding what the humans perceived as acceptable behavior. I hope that is the standard throughout the stars.

_-=+=-_

The ships are simple spheres, propelled by technologies crafted from the contemplation of a mind that spans a world. They are propelled across space through breaches in time to reach other stars, searching for life and scanning patiently. If no life is found, the sphere will land and send forth the telempathic cells that form the Vielen.

(OOC: Are you wanting a ship of yours to enter one of our inhabited systems?)

OOC: Or a ship arrives in the Vielen native system. I tried to make things open ended.

Leza Garbino strode back into the control bridge of his vessel, the Theseus, which was on the threshold of a new system that was thought to be uninhabited and was to be colonized in the name of the King. Garbino had been looking forward to this moment for years. He reached the front of the control bridge. “It’s time to see the jewel we have journeyed so far to find,” he said to his equally anxious crew. “Lower the plates.”

Several large metal plates that were protecting the windows of the vessel were lowered. The sparkling stars of the galaxy peered in to the control bridge. Slowly, the entire system came in to view. Cheering broke out and the tension was erased. It is marvelous, thought Garbino, and it is mine. Clear. Blank. Ripe for the picking.

The Theseus, classified as a destroyer, penetrated the outer rim of the system. As the sensory indicators began to light up with detections of radiation, Garbino experienced goose bumps on his arms.

“Send out the probes,” he said. Out from the belly of the ship emerged twenty G-7 droids, which immediately made a beeline for all the celestial bodies in the system. Meanwhile, Garbino decided to hang back and admire the view.

I felt an intrusion among the worlds of my star. Upon my world, in fact. I send out a beacon, a simple transmission in the many tongues I learned from the humans, all with the same meaning.

"I do not know why you come, but it is intruding upon my domain."

The celebration was continuing on the Theseus. Leza Garbino sent out a transmission to Alpha Command stating that he had found the system and was preparing to colonize it. Garbino had just sat down in his chair when a subordinate disturbed him.

“Sir, we have an incoming transmission.”

“My, Alpha Command responded quick. Let us see it.”

The transmission from the Vielen was played.

“That’s not Alpha Command," Garbino observed. "Who sent the transmission?”

“I am not sure, sir. I cannot identify from the frequency.”

“Well, where did the transmission come from?”

“It came from this system, sir.”

“No, I asked where the transmission came from.”

“It came from this system, sir.”

At first Garbino was just silent. Then he said, “But this system is uninhabited.”

The subordinate, who was devastated as well, took his time in answering. “Apparently it is not, sir.”

The cheering had long stopped. The atmosphere of the control bridge was one of disbelief. Finally, Garbino spoke up.

“This system is uninhabited. Send out the standard transmission. No one will send anything back. As to who sent the previous transmission, our transmission locater device must be broken. I want you to check in to that.”

The standard transmission of the Royal Navy to unidentified peoples was sent out. It said:

This is the Theseus, representing the Kingdom of Astral Romia. Please identify yourself and state your affiliation.

Meanwhile, the droids continued studying the system.

I hear their words, and know their language. They speak to me as though I my domain is theirs. I bring the machines of my world to life, making clear my presence to their vessel. I transmit again, this time solely in the language with which I was addressed.

"I am a conglomeration of telempathic microlife called the Vielen by the first life to come across my world. My affiliation is with myself. What business do you have among my stars?"

“Telepathic microlife?!” repeated Garbino incredulously. “Who do these people think we are?”

Garbino had just heard the “reply” transmission, which had been confirmed to have come from the same sender as the previous transmission. Garbino wondered if it was possible to be more angry and confused than he was previously.

A subordinate spoke up. “Sir, I have run scans through the archives on 'Vielen', for which there are no matches.”

“Very well. I will be sending another transmission shortly,” replied Garbino. Garbino wanted to send a transmission back saying “If you are indeed microlife, then you will not mind us taking this system”, but if there were indeed peoples inhabiting this system, it was a threat that was to be taken seriously.

Instead the following transmission was sent:

Attention inhabitants of this system. This is the Theseus, representing the Kingdom of Astral Romia. Please correctly identify yourself and correctly state your affiliation. Also state your intentions.

After sending the transmission, Garbino settled himself in his chair and contemplated the situation. These people do not sound like they appreciate our presence, Garbino thought, however they are not honest honest either and I certainly do not appreciate theirs.

As far as “telepathic microlife” was concerned, certainly God would not allow something as horrible as sentient microorganisms to exist. Garbino quickly dismissed that thought, as he could not be bothered to think about such worthless and forsaken things as germs.