NationStates Jolt Archive

Admiral's log, day 453 of the First Contact Directive.

It's been another pointless week. In the course of this operation we haven't picked up a single contact on long-range scans. Our probe telemetry has been lost, so we're going through the universe blind. These stupid alien stardrive won't even let us scan properly in hyperspace, we get such low-res results it's not worth it... Still, I have a good feeling about the next month. Gorman II picked up a blip on long-range, could be a ship.

Wilson saved the entry, and flipped down the small screen back into the armwrest of his chair. He drummed on the leather for a few minutes with his fingers, wondering what to do. He came to a decision.

He stood up, and tried his best heroic pose.

"Communications officer, set our transmitter to full power across the whole spectrum. Use Gorman II to boost the signal further. We're going to hook us some aliens. Begin the recording, ensign."

After a short silence, the ensign complied.

"Aye sir. Recording."

"This is Fleet Admiral Joseph Wilson of the United Nations Star Control, on a mission of peace and exploration. We are here to seek out new life, and new civilisations: to boldly go where no human has gone before! If you wish to make contact, my ships will be at this locations for the next 30 Sol III days.End message."
Wilson sat back in his seat, and turned to his first officer.

"Do you think aliens get Star Trek?"

[Feel free to post :)]

A smallish vessel happened to be travelling from it's prior location to a new location where something interesting was happening when something interesting happened that was closer.

As he listened to the message the sole crewmember burst out laughing. "We've got klingons off the starboard bow." He commented as the ship began playing a song by The Firm.

Flickering into real space, the ship sent a message to the vessel.
This is the USS Enterprise and we come in peace.
The message was followed by a massive smiley face before another message arrived.
But in all seriousness this is the Elancer of Theao. Hello and you've meet a new civilization.

The Bridge crews of Gorman II and Peregrine sat in stunned silence. In all honesty nobody expected to actually find an alien, in spite of the Admiral's unique exploration and diplomacy methods. A few seconds later, they all shook thier collective heads and got back to work. The Admiral activated his personal ship-to-ship comm transmitter.

"Uh, hello alien vessel Elancer. I am the commander of the Earth United Nations Ship Peregrine, the other ship is the Gorman II. You have no idea how relieved we are to finally meet another civilisation out here... We've been out here for over a year, painstakingly scanning, system by system. We're even more relieved that you haven't fired some kind of death ray at us."

One of us seems to be operating under a false set of assumptions. We happen to be humans. The fact that is was parallel evolution was a fact for another day, Death rays aren't really our style, we prefere missiles, but I'm not here for combat. I'm also a scout, or sorts, and I'm going to tell you that your lucky. There are races and nations that'll blow you apart just for looking at them funny.

OOC: Although it does seem more than hostile, it's only a probe, so, chances are, unless you're in a shuttle, it shouldn't be able to overwhelm you. Thus, it won't attack.

The probe moved through space, silent, not making light, nor outputting any energy. It was another new 'contact ship', so to speak. It had been given a simple function. Discover the strengths and weaknesses of other races, and, if possible, use them as raw material for replication. If it was unable to defeat any given ship, it would continue to pretend to come in peace. Every race of the universe was a threat to the maker-sentience. The maker-sentience must be protected.

Message - We come in peace. No threat is meant to you. Greetings. Unit 11645216.B welcomes you.

It was a simple recorded message. Upon contact, the probe would open a direct link with the maker-sentience's mind, and begin analysis of the alien ship. It had been granted a tiny intelligence of its own, but, in truth, it was only useful for destroying non-sentience-spawned beings, and determining when to open a link to the main-mind. It waited for a response. If a response was given, it would open a minor link, and access the data-repository containing the masses of data on alien languages, and appropriate responses to such a message..

"Wow. We have a whole lot of theoretical physicists, exobiologists and assorted academics who've said that there could be counter Earths, random evolutions of humanity, and various other things but... Holy crap, here's the proof! Er, excuse me. I'm just very excited to be talking to a person from outside of the UNSC Sol system. The fact that you're human has wide ranging implications for Star Control policies... Wow. just wow. Ten years ago my people were scudding around our home planet in little shuttles.. One UFO and BAM! I'm sitting on the bridge of my very own starship, talking to someone from ourside of Earth. Wow."

OOC: Heh. There's a bit of deja vu for you. Star Control. Guess which game I got the idea of the self-replicating probe from?

[Everyone loves Star Control! As it is, it's a coincidental naming. No earthling Cruisers for me :D]

Well give yourself a bit of time and many of them can cease the theory and start trying the practical. In point of fact there are a rather large multitude of humans nations out here, and quite a few none human nations. There is, or was, I'm not quite sure, a purely robotic nation out there as well. Are you interested in a face to face?

ooc: If your probe thinks it can take a 50m long(single crewed) vessel, it's welcome to try(thought it'd be close to certain suicide)

"Yes. I'm probably stretching the limits of my powers, but to be honest, what with transmission lag and pointless squabbling the UN General Assembly would take about a month to agree to face-to-face contact. I might as well bypass them entirely."

Which vessel would happen to have a docking bay or airlock. Also, we would suggest that, as a precaution against possible biological contamination and respiratory complications, we compare atmospherics and any ill crew members aboard your vessel be isolated. There will be two of us, unless that would be a problem.

ooc: It's still single crewed.

OOC: Heh. Every time I typed 'probe', I had this implacable urge to type 'Slylandro' in front of it. If I ever create a nation based off a game, it'll be a Spathi nation. "And, after that, we made a tactical retreat to Pluto."

IC: "Repeat message: We come in peace. Attempt to establish contact has been made. Second attempt in progress... Waiting for reply"

"Uhh, neither of my ships have airlocks, we use matter-transport systems ripped from alien wrecks. As for atmosphere, my environmental station says we've got nothing but benign bacteria, but you may want to check that out yourselves. I take it your people breath 70% nitrogen, with the rest a mix of oxygen and noble gases? If the environment on my ship is suitable, if you have any shielding you can turn it off and I can have you onboard Peregrine inside of three seconds."

Atomospherics checkout, as for bacteria quite likely to be handleable. Unfortunately, even with shields down, the hull incorperates materials that make mat-trans unfeasible. If you can pick up an object in space with that system, than we're back in buisness, otherwise...o

"We should have no problem picking up an object in space, barring the sudden appearance of a black hole."

[Must..Sleep...]

The ship entered 'auto'-pilot mode, the airlock cycled throught and suddenly there were two people shaped objects floating about in space some meters away from the Elancer.

ooc: Sleep good, get some(still not that late here)

[Sorry for lateness of posting, life intervened.]

As the two objects exited, they were quickly picked up by lifesign detectors on the Peregrine.

"Commander, they've left their ship. Orders?"

"Bring them in to beam array room two. I'll be there in a minute."

"Aye sir."

The two crew members of the Elancer became engulfed in a blossoming cloud of blue energy, and seconds later found themselves in a small, bare room with an overall grey theme to it. Admiral Wilson stood at the entrance to the room, smiling.

"Welcome, visitors, to the UNS Peregrine. The nausea should wear off soon."

"What nausea?" One asked as he took off his helmet, revealing a brown haired man with a mustache.

"Good lord... I guess there are some serious physiological differences between us then. My entire crew had to be transported onto the ship using those damn beam transports, the array rooms were plastered with vomit. In fact, Array Room One still smells, which is why we're using Array Room Two."

"Or differences in training, conditioning, and enhancements." He replied as the other removed her helmet, revealing exceptionally long blonde hair, a flawless complexion and all-around loveliness.

Wilson bowed to the visitor as she removed her helmet.

"Perhaps, but it's likely to be physiological. These transport beams weren't designed or built by humans, and as a result they can have a wide varety of entertaining, but usually temporary effects. Not that it matters."

"You mean like this?" The woman asked with a smile as her hair changed from blonde to blue, to red, then back to blonde.

[Crap, forgot to relpy for a bit, sorry. :headbang: ]

"Ah, yes. At some point the techs might have a look at them, but for now it's just fun to watch the results."

"Actually that's more because of what she is rather than any possible glitches in your transporter." He replied, "My name's John, while this is Elancer, or more commonly Elan." He said gesturing to the woman.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." She commented

Exterior: A flash, a hole into Semi-Space with a flaming streak coming out, the hole closing and the blue plasma discharges peel away from the disc shaped vessal (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/jeudesprit/trinity/Bandoredux.png)emerging. The craft slowed to crawl at something less than an AU distant.

Interior: Commander Jason Savin (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y293/jeudesprit/trinity/savin.jpg) absent mindedly rubbed the back of his neck. He had wrenched it slightly with the decceleration. He stood behind his chair and watched the system hologram fill-up as data came in from the sensors. *What were those three objects?*

He opened his mouth to ask as Ops said:
"Captain, two small vessals and what reads as a probe at sub 10."

"Do they match any types?"

"A Hyperspatial automated probe. Unknown on the two craft. They do appear to be manned."

"Bring the defense field up to strength and send on known contact bands:"

To the near by craft:
"This is Jason Savin commanding the Trinity Prime survey cruiser Ba'Kerr. Greetings and solicitations. We are on a mapping expedition and did not expect to encounter any ships in open space.

Are you experiencing difficulties or in need of aid?

"Uh, Elancer? As in... Your ship?"

Wilson was visibly taken aback by the possibility. Thankfully, he didn't have time to start gawking. An ensign ran ino the room, turned to the Admiral, and spoke.

"Sir, our sensors have just been hit with a pile of readings. More spatial distortions indicating FTL travel, swiftly followed by incoming signals. More aliens sir, we need to respond."

The crewman handed Admiral Wilson a small data terminal. He immediately began typing out a message.

In response to the unknown alien craft identified as Ba'Kerr:
This is the United Nations Ship Peregrine, out on deep-space mapping operations. Thank you for your concern, but we are not currently in need of assistance. We are currently conducting diplomatic operations.

In response to the probe:
This is the United Nations Ship Peregrine. We also come in peace. What is your purpose in this system?

"Precisely." She replied, "Or rather the ship's avatar."

The Elancer's sensors picked up the arriving vessel sent out a reply
No, no problems here.

To the Peregrine:
"Excellent.
This area lies along the way being surveyed for a new Semi-Space travel route. We will be having at least a semi-permanate presence in this sector, thus it would also behoove us to at least establish agreements of mutual aid for ships in distress and free right-of-ways.
While we finish the survey of the area, would it be possible for one of my officers to come over and present our standard Emergency Aid Treaty as well as our standard diplomatic greetings packet for your home government?"

To the Elancer:
" We're not used to seeing a one crew craft setting so far out in space.
"As the commander of the Peregrine noted, you are engaged in diplomatic talks. When you conclude this session, and if we are still nearby for the survey, would it be possible to meet and exchange basic greetings?

*****
Savin sat in his chair and drank some dark and slightly bitter cha'kc from a large cup. The bridge crew continued its survey routine with some joking. There was a slight undertone of strain about the two new races, but so far deepscans had not shown any approaching war fleets or dire pronouncements of "No Trespassing." Savin turned and asked:

"What is the theme at tonight's dirty shirt party?"

" 'Who do you love', skipper."

"If Johns starts with the song again, I'm out."

We aren't really that far out, at least not by our standards. As for your request, one second,

"John, the new's are interested in meeting you, yay or nay?"
"Sure." He replied before turning back to the captain, "Sorry about that, ship buisness."

That would be a positive.

To the Elancer:
" We're far from our home. Sometimes it's easy to forget not everyone lives in your neighborhood.

" We can dock with your craft or send our representative over in a small boat. She'll have some diplomatic papers to pass on to your government and talk with you about reaching an agreement on mutual aid for vessals in distress and any transit issues we may have between us in this sector.

"As soon as we agree on the transportation method we can proceed."

****
"Get that shavetail up here for a briefing and have Hanson go with her," Savin ordered to the OD.

While I do not have the authority, I would suggest you ask the Peregrine's captain for permission to dock and thus your rep, thier rep, and John can all discuss it at the same time.

The Elancer sent the message while it's 'mouse bots' began cleaning in case they'd have visitors. Few ships liked having guests when they were messy.

To the Peregrine

"Permission to send an emissary for talks requested. Manner and place of arrival is of your choice.

" We look forward to our meeting."

In the 1010102 system a pair of frigates and a cruiser attempted to jump to toops to take up there patrol duty in grid 72A. after the jump was completed instead of seeing the burned out hulks of destroyed toophian ships left from the toops-1010102 War,the crew saw space with several ships from known races and 2 from unknown race(s).Commander Johnson CO of the cruiser sent the following message to the unknown ships:


We come in peace.Please send information about your nation(ie location,races,language,ect.) so you can be added into the Nation Archive of Planets,Races, and Nations. After that please accept our official welcome into the galaxy.


Then he sent a message to the other ships

"Does anybody have 3 spare FTL computers as ours are malfunctioning?You will receive payment from our goverment when we get back to 1010102 or toops.

What are you offering for the FTL computers?
Also, in answer to your first question set. Location: Undisclosed, Races: Undisclosed, Language: Basic, others Undisclosed.

The Elancer sent the message to the new arrival, wondering it the first ones were expecting so many so soon.

Commmander Johnson read the reply and sent the following response:

Whatever you deem as a fair price.

We must ask what form of FTL you utilize as incompatiable technology is the cause of most frequent intersteller mishaps, that and spatial debris.a

Johnson read the rely and send the following:

Standard Starwars FTl drives.Don't you hate it when your nation plugs all your nav computers into a single network before they work out all the bugs?

We regret that our systems would be incompatible with yours as it sounds like an profitable deal.a

well can you jam the connection to the FTl nav comp system so we can mannually jump?


hahahhaha

Not sure exactly what you mean, but could you not simply rip it out if it's causing problems and run any calculations through the ship's computers?Say My Name

We would but if we remove it it melts redlines the reactors blowing up the ship. this is a anti piracy fail safe.

if you are reading this then your eyes are fine.

Then I am unsure if it'd be possible to aid you at present beside suggesting destroying it if it can't be removed.Obviously my eyes are fine

thats why i want you to jam it. we are getting signals right now and if you jam them we can do the jumps manually.



thats good.

Unfortunately we do not have jammer capabilities. Try one of the others.

The fact that they did was an emergancy only useage.

well then i will wait for the others to reply.


123

snip
ooc: You broke the 'wall'

occ:what do you mean?

occ:what do you mean?
ooc: You made it so the screen stretches far larger than normal. Not sure how, but think it's the massively long white 'word'.

To the newly arrived Taskforce:
" Greetings.
" This is Commander Jason Savin of the Trinity Prime Survey Cruiser Ba'Kerr. We communicate in Milky Way Basic, and are capable of a wide variety of media transmission. Encrypted in this transmission is the Semi-Space coordinates of our Diplomatic and Cultural Exchange Center, also the standard galatic coordinates of the nearest Gateway entry into our transport system and a pass key for a one time use of the Gate. Sorry, but we do not use your mode of FTL travel.

"If you wish, after a survey and meetings are completed, we can escort you to the Gate and take you to the Center. We could also have our science labs work with your technicians to come up with a temporary solution to your FTL problem.

"We are bi-pedal humanoid stock that is geared toward survival on "Class M" type planets. All other information can wait until we have exchanged basic diplomatic amenities.

"Would you happen to be machine based lifeforms?"

****

Savin looked around the now quiet bridge. The three ships were obviously on more of a military patrol than surveying. At least no one was being rude.

"This is what we get paid for people. Nav, make sure to have an updated escape vector ready to lay in. Guns, I want the maximum number of primaries aimed at the new taskforce at all times. Don't arm the weapons, but keep close scan and targeting active. Helm, make sure we don't run into anyone."

In response to the probe:
This is the United Nations Ship Peregrine. We also come in peace. What is your purpose in this system?[/i]

Message, Automated:
Probe Purpose:
(1) - Seek out sentient life and establish communication links
(2) - Destroy hostile beings
(3) - Find raw materials for replication
(4) - Scan and identify stellar phenomena
- In order of priority

Probe Replicate 974, 2, 4
Purpose in this system - Sentient life considered to be in this region. Seek out sentient life and determine hostility status.
End Message

The probe hung in space, scanning the ships that were there rapidly. Destroying them all would prove nigh-impossible, even with the element of surprise, and the best luck in the world. A 0.0000578% chance was not considered good. It quietly broadcast an energy signal back through the lattice, trying to establish a strong link with the maker-mind.