The Appraisal
report from mission A-96, sir."
"Summarize it for me."
"Life detected. They are awaiting orders."
"Is that a research-capable vessel?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell them to proceed with as thorough an investigation as possible."
"Orders, Captain. Proceed with investigation of System V144 H67 D779, no attached title. Gather all information possible. Send full report upon completion. Following verification of receipt, continue survey of region V1 H6 D7 and previously planned. End."
"Good. I'm glad they didn't tell us to skip it. We're getting a hell of a lot of radio signals off this one. Navigator."
"Sir!"
"Take us to the nearest point on the system's heliosphere. Information officer."
"Yes, sir!"
"We'll begin standard, thorough investigation procedure. All emissions, cartography, life typing, etc., etc. And get me an approximate age on the star."
"We have entered the heliosphere and are now stationary, captain."
"Radiation?"
"Low."
"Star's EM strength."
"Normal."
"Good, we can begin. About how long, information?"
"Already getting substantial readings, captain. About two days, I would guess."
"Good. I'm beginning to like this system more and more."
"Sir, I have something you'll want to see."
"What is it?"
"A report from a new system supporting life. It's really fascinating."
"You read all this? It's very long�"
"Well, I skipped some. But it appears we've have a highly development world practically on our doorstep this entire time."
"How far is it?"
"Only, wait, let me see�about 4,500 light years."
"Well! These new exploratory missions certainly are paying off. How many is that now, eight new living planets found?"
"Yes, sir, but this one is different. They are intelligent. They've been given Class III status."
"Damn, that's up there! Well, give me that report. I'll look it over and present it to the minister tomorrow. He'll be happy. He's defended these missions for years, and now it looks like he's as if right."
"Class III, eh, admiral?"
"Yes, your honor. Exciting news, indeed."
"Yes. I'm glad you've brought Dr. Sortos along. I'd like to ask some questions."
"Certainly�doctor."
"What would you like to know, your honor?"
"How far behind us are they? I mean, if they're even comparable."
"I'd say about 10 centuries, your honor."
"Only ten? But they're so primitive. They haven't harnessed even one-tenth the energy sources we have."
"Yes, but they've broken the information threshold. That means they will progress exponentially now. In my opinion, soon we'll be calling them brothers."
"That's optimistic. In light of that, we maybe should go further. What do you think, admiral? Should we land something there? Have a look around?"
"Very risky, your honor. We'd have to have very narrowly defined objectives."
"Oh, certainly. But I'd like it to be considered. I'll bring it up the next time I have a private meeting with our great leader. So, doctor, what else of interest can you tell me?"
"Well, they're progressing as would be expected. But they have not followed any rules of colonization. Their population distribution looks more like the pattern exhibited by fungus."
"Dear me! What are these things? You said they were intelligent."
"But there is a mitigating factor. They have non-uniform terrain. Their world is not flat like ours."
"Amazing! So their surface isn't flat? How can anything live like that?"
"They do quite well, your honor."
"I must know more. We will definitely do a physical investigation now. Barring disapproval from our great leader, we'll be landing on this non-flat planet very soon!"
"Your honor, information is beginning to come in about the intelligent planet."
"Oh, excellent! These past two months have been stressful waiting! Ha, finally I get to see this place!"
"Here are photos taken from the seas inward. See here it begins."
"What an odd mess! There are gigantic pools of standing water? This is the oddest thing I have ever seen."
"The researchers at naval command were just as astonished, your honor, and they've seen plenty of worlds."
"I have to see more. Let's go to the command."
"By all means, your honor!"
"We are greatly pleased by your presence, your honor!"
"So where can I see the insertion team's incoming information?"
"Here is a viewing module, your honor. Please have a seat."
"It's coming in very fast."
"Yes, on this screen is the live visual feed. And here is atmospheric information. Over here we have�"
"What was that! Why has� Is the signal lost?"
"We don't know, your honor. Technician! What's happening?"
"Sir, we have lost all information streams from the research vessel. Reason unknown."
"I'm very sorry, your honor."
"Find out why this happened."
"Yes, your honor, just a moment."
"What's taking him so long, admiral?"
"Shall I go find out, your honor?"
"No, here he comes."
"Your honor, we've analyzed the films and have found that the intelligent life destroyed the ship."
"Oh, my! They did? Is there any way to find out the status of the ship?"
"No, your honor. Only by sending another research vessel."
"How many personnel were on board?"
"Three, your honor."
"Where did it happen?"
"Here is a map, your honor. The craft moved over the dry land from this body of water. It was proceeding slowly in this direction when hit."
"What is that place?"
"We do not know exactly, but we know that this land along the body of water is called� I forget, where is that complete cartography report? Yes, that one. Here it is, your honor. It's called California. So the crash occurred further toward the interior of this large land mass, name unknown."
"This is atrocious! I assured the great leader this would go well!"
"It was planned as best it could be, your honor."
"I know admiral. Please do not get nervous. I don't blame you. But from now on, if I am able to send more research vessels, they will not be able to move slowly as this one did. We'll have to insert ourselves surreptitiously from now on, never staying to long it one place. This damn life form is dangerous! We'll have to debate whether to allow it to continue existing or not. It may be a threat to us."
"Well, your honor, they've proven themselves violent. And now they know about us, as well."
