Two slim, grey-looking alien creatures inspected the strange device they found drifting through interstellar space, eyeing its odd shape and design structure. Both beings were puzzled by the simplicity of the technology, yet, the programming was astoundingly complex. Neither one could translate the odd symbols and shapes depicted on its delicate frame. It was a bizarre and quite “alien” language to them.
“We should try to activate it.” One said, as it carefully uncovered the power packs and scanned them with a round blinking instrument. “It is a crude energy conductor, but if we charge it with something similar…”
“All of our energy sources are far too much for this fragile thing.” The other replied while assisting to open it. “Perhaps if we induce the smallest millijoule to it, that would be sufficient.”
Both nodded in agreement. With a wave of its hand, a round floating metallic orb dropped from the top of the room and poised itself over the unknown object. Then a slight arc occurred, a flash of bright blue that touched the dual power cells, and the foreign device was resurrected. In an instant, the pair of beings could hear the odd nosies being transmitted out of it. They stood silently as they connected to the sound and listened intently.
“Finally…” One stated. “This is more understandable. A binary syntax that closely resembles our own.”
“Yes…” The other nodded, stroking its slim pointed face. “It is rather primate, basic even, but… somehow, it has a familiarity about it.”
The two continued to listen. Hands behind their backs and swayed to the hypnotic squelches and beeps that looped over and over. The creatures waved their hands and activated a pair of holographic screens that resembled a keyboard. There were no letters or numbers predominant on the surface of them, only faint blue and red lights that flashed as they touched on them.
In unison, the pair were mimicking the pattern the odd device made, as if they were conductors joining the symphony, entering the complex sequence being played. Once the device was finished its high-pitched song, the two creatures relaxed their arms and studied the code on another holographic screen that appeared.
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“Fascinating…” The one stated, fingering the displayed code. “Its mission is to send data back to that remote system far removed from any civilized world. How curious…”
“Indeed,” The other nodded, tapping on the image as it shifted, and turned into a three-dimensional star map. “I’ve tracked its trajectory from the most likely system close by.”
He pointed at the small dot on the galactic map, the other alien tapped on the section and expanded the image. The system was on the outer arm, an insignificant system with a yellow sun with nine planets in orbit. The third one looked like the only habitable place where life could spawn freely. He enlarged that planet more and studied the information as it started to scroll beside it.
“Class three…” He stated, giving his slender chin a rub. “A primitive species that have yet to achieve enlightenment. It appears our scientific drones have been to this world before. What is the time stamp on that?”
“Two Varcons ago…” The other responded. “That’s well before our replicated birth. I suppose it has been a considerable time since we last checked this sector of space.”
“If this is the highest level of intelligence they’ve achieved in that span of time, then there’s no point in investigating them.”
“I concur…” The other nodded. “They send poorly fabricated technology like this into space, without the power and capabilities to maintain itself, it shows that they have little regard for their own creations.”
The two studied the probe further, opening a section of it carefully with the aid of a complex-looking tool. They touched the circuitry with mild interest and plucked out a few parts that were badly damaged. They placed them to the side, and continued to remove other components they discovered.
“Such a shame…” The one spoke, as it held another burnt out piece in hand. “It can never complete its mission, let alone continue its journey across the vast universe.”
“Then perhaps,” The other said glancing over. “We should give it what it needs to do so.”
“Isn’t that interference with primitive alien culture?”
“Not necessarily,” The being shrugged. “We could simply repair the damage, give a new power source, one that lasts much longer… expand its memory drives, and then, send it back out.”
The other being took a minute to think, glancing at the probe, then back to the colleague. He nodded in agreement.
“I could increase its communication range, as well. It could beam the findings back to the planet of origin.”
The two nodded, agreeing on the idea, and started work on the new repairs right away. They discarded the golden-bronze plate covering that read: Voyager 2.