signals from Outer Space, Part 2
In the light filled room sat a large machine with a large row of light running across one side. The machine was surrounded by other smaller machines pushed against the walls which almost looked like they could be controls of some sort. None of these machines seemed to be working.
“Lets move people. We need to figure out what this thing is and how it works.” commander Iactus shouted
The group cautiously moved forward like cats being invited into their owners home for the first time. Slowly the group made their way down the stairs to the floor below. Those of the bunch who had an expertise in engineering quickly began inspecting the machine while those who did not simply stared at it.
Two miles above the surface a man in his late 40s sat at a desk filling out paper work when his phone began to ring.
“Hello” Answered Captain demski
“This is Lt. Gregory watts reporting as ordered. We have finished the analysis of the signal device sir. You should be able to access it from the database if you wish.”
“Why don’t you just give me the short version?”
“Yes, sir. The device seems to be broadcasting using several of the satellites we found in orbit. It seems that we only noticed one of the broadcasts sir. In addition to the radio broadcasts, it is using pulsing infrared lasers and maybe even neutrinos to broadcast. As far as we can tell all broadcasts are identical.”
“thank you Lt.”
Fifteen years ago scientists on earth discovered a radio signal which was being broadcasts from somewhere almost four hundred light years away from Earth. This signal contained a vast quantity of information on technology that was far advanced beyond anything that had ever been seen on Earth. It was not simply a database of information however. It was a set of instructions on how to build a jump gate. For the next five years scientist dug threw every bit of information they had received and used it to advance the human race. Ten years ago it was decided that the gate should be built. Now fifty humans sat in a subterranean base on this small dusty rock nearly four hundred light years from Earth.
The group of people trying to decipher the purpose of the large mysterious machine that had been found in the base had removed the outer paneling on three sides of the machine. Thinking that this machine could be a bomb, or at least could be dangerous to dismantle, they began to inspect the internal workings for any clue to what the thing did.
“I know what it is!” A man yelled almost an hour after the inspection had started, “Its a generator!”
“Holy crap, he’s right. Look its similar to the one that powers the jump gate!” another man exclaimed.
“Yeah, but whats all this other stuff? That thing kind of looks like a huge capacitor…”
Signals from Outer Space: Part I
A small disparate bunch of military persons and civilians, learned and laymen, was gathered in a dim room where they waited, visibly impatient, for something unknown to happen. Commander Iactus stepped onto a platform before them as a light came on, illuminating a large blast door behind him.
“Apologies for the poor lighting. We were a bit rushed preparing for this.” He paused for a moment, and the silence was filled with stifled coughs and shuffling feet. “We don’t have much time now,” he went on. “Behind this door is a device of unknown nature and origin. It has a series of lights, which we have detirmened to be a timer, and another set that are currently inactive.”
Expressions from the audience were confused and alarmed, and Iactus made no apparent attempt to reassure them. “To be blunt, it is believed to be a bomb. The timer started counting down soon after we discovered it. In a moment the door behind me will open, and we’ll have just about two days until the time runs out.” He paused again, but this time the room was silent. “Since you all are the only people on the base not already working on something more important, we’re stuck figuring this out.”
“Why not just get rid of it?” asked a short man in the front, amid worried chatter. “Throw it somewhere far enough where it won’t hurt anything when it goes off.”
“That’s a good question,” replied the Commander, “and we did think of that. When the device is moved away from the area where it was discovered, a few feet underground not far from this room, the second timer comes on and counts very quickly until it’s returned. We have no idea what the timer is counting, but it’ll be difficult to get it far enough away before the time runs out. Our best guess so far is that the device is paired with another nearby that we haven’t found yet. But since we still have two days, we have plenty of time to try to figure it out before we resort to tossing it.”
A worker in a white coat appeared from a side door. “We’re ready, and we’re opening the door now if you are.”
Iactus went on. “Any more questions? I probably can’t answer them since you all now know exactly as much as I do.”
“What are we supposed to do?” someone asked.
“We still aren’t really sure what it is or what to do with it. We need fresh ideas. Anything at all.” The door opened, bathing them in light.
Introduction
Hello. This blog has been created to host collaborative works of science fiction. Each post will contain a section of a story, and the writers will take turns until it is finished. The first instalment will be posted soon, and the story will run until we decide we’re done with it. Then maybe we’ll start another.
The story should not be taken too seriously as it is more a writing exercise than a polished work of fiction, but hopefully it will be as fun to read as is is to write.
See you in outer space.
wurdbendur
Justin