The probe entered their system many years before it was detected. Once it was, it changed the fate of the planet irrevocably.
The machine swept through the outer planets, broadcasting its message, with no intention of stopping.
The radio enthusiasts received it first, but had no idea what it meant.
It was passed on to the government, and then the military. Was it a warning? Was the machine a weapon?
Their science and technology had to step up to the plate.
In the years that followed they developed the skills and theories that could track, and listened to, the probe. They learnt how to ping it in order to answer more of their questions. And finally, they reverse plotted its course, and discovered a planet.
An alien planet where intelligent life existed!
And their world was changed, irrevocably, a second time.
They disposed of all national borders and formed a single world power whose soul directive was the betterment of the species. This ruling power could be overthrown at any time – should the people decide that it wasn’t following that goal. This happened many times at the start of the process, where the Old Guard had their nationalism hard coded into their consciousness.
The aims of this power were huge; the goals far reaching. They knew it would take many generations to achieve them, so they set about transforming of the planet for itself to that work could carry on over generations.
They because proficient in living both now, and in the When that their work would be complete.
After many generations of planning, building and deciphering they finally perfected a ship that would take a crew across galaxies to meet their brothers.
They knew they were not alone. And they would answer the call that they had heard.
***
Three generations lived and died in the time it took the pilots to cross the inky wastes. The crew’s families had had birthed children and grandchildren, and should the crew return, they would meet their great, great grandchildren.
It was the closest thing to divinity the race had ever seen.
It was a sense of great anticipation that the Contact Ship, “We Come In Peace” slipped out of hyperspace and plotted a course for History.
The crew had scanners set to maximum and navigated to the system’s inner ring of planets with no problems.
“Visual on the third planet, Nuk’tok,” the Captain ordered.
The science officer piped the visuals from the scanners to the main screen.
All over the planet, small explosions could be seen.
“Tactical…what’s going on?”
M’k-toth checked his read outs.
“Sir, they appear to be firing explosives into the near atmosphere. Millions and millions of bombs.”
“Great Chaos!” The 5 man crew panicked. “Why would they do such a thing? Have we been detected? Didn’t they get our messages?”
Tactical offered the most reasonable explanation. “Sir, Perhaps, they don’t want anyone to come near them. That probe could have been a trap!”
The captain’s voice replied with a dark overtone. “Or a warning. Helmsman, Mark this planet as Dangerous.”
“Aye, aye, Capt’n.”
The Science Officer sat, looking crushed. “Sir, all this work, all this time? The planet will…how do we go back? What do we tell them?”
“We work that out on the way back.”
And with that, the ship turned round and returned home.
***
Planetside, amidst Oooohs an Aaahs from the crowd, a girl huddled closer to a boy.
Her lips found his cheek, his neck, and finally his ear, into which she whispered, “Happy New Year, my love.”
