LCP 1, MCP 3, SCP 4
General - Nafil, Ship's Captain
After a journey that lasted a hundred Large Cycles, we have finally reached the seventh planet of the Helios system. In six Large Cycles, we will enter for the first time in our history the atmosphere of an alien planet in an alien solar system. I am confident that all staff members will continue to demonstrate their characteristic professional behavior throughout the journey.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
The last pre-landing warning was given.
LCP 1, MCP 4, SCP 1
Personal - Nafil, Ship's Captain
The Scientific Expedition of the World Science Council, on the other hand, is a totally different story. All I can say is that professionalism is alien concept to them. As soon as I gave the last pre-landing warning, they started trampling each other in their mad dash to be the first out of the door, and now they are huddled near the hatch. Even their commander, Kabir, is unable to persuade them to disperse and wait patiently. The worst of them is senior xenologist Adir (what is a xenologist anyway?) He may be an expert in his field, but for sure, he has absolutely no idea about running a ship
Notes:
LCP 1, MCP 4, SCP 2
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
This date will go down forever in our history. My head spins when I envision the list of awards, decorations and personal honors waiting for each of us back home. Sion, that ugly miserable ** toad **, will now be forced to eat all of his ** hats ** in front of everyone at the Universal Science Council's gala - as he pledged to do if I win the bet. I won, and that's all that substances.
Well, all the calculations turned out to be almost completely accurate. All the equations and formulas I memorized from the moment I was concieved for this moment have passed all the tests, although I must point out that this system's star is much smaller and the seventh planet seems much closer to "blue" than I imagined (I'm sure an old curmudgeon like me would be forgiven for these two completely unscientific comments - I promise they will be the last)
.
After the long research period, the endless observations, the repeated disappointments, the almost unbearable wait, we found them! We have found another intelligent life form in the galaxy!
Notes:
LCP 1, MCP 5, SCP 5
General - Nafil, Ship's Captain
Adir, the senior xenologist, announced immediately after landing that all the tests he conducted indicated that the atmosphere is completely breathable, and the **outside temperature** is even more pleasant and comfortable than in our home planet. He asked for permission to send out immediately a first recon mission, but we need much more information than we have before we can risk going out. Mission Parameters are very clear at this point.
Notes:
Eitan, the communications officer, should be instructed to send one simple message in all channels and in all known languages: "We are here, where are you?"
LCP 1, MCP 5, SCP 7
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
I just sent out a mobile sample collector without asking for the commander's permission. I'm sure he will forgive me when I bring him the test results.
Notes:
LCP 1, MCP 6, SCP 8
Personal - Kabir, Mission Commander
Reminder: Enter a severe reprimand in Adir's service record for performing experiments without authorization. He must learn to respect the chain of command.
Notes:
LCP 2, MCP 2, SCP 1
General - Sagiv, Chief Engineering Officer
While we wait for a reply to the message, I bring up the question that preoccupied me from the moment we got here - what is this substance that surrounds us and what gives it its "blue" color that looks deeper up close. My heaviest suspicion is that the "blue" substance is related to the intense tremors we experienced only a short time ago. The tremors may have subsided in the meantime, but they are still felt. If the suspicion is confirmed, we may be in trouble.
On the orders of the Captain, I closed some non-essential parts of the life support systems and transferred the excess energy to the shock absorbers. For now, it seems to be helping. I have no idea if this is good or bad, but Kabir, the mission commander, claims that there may indeed be a pattern, although he has not yet been able to determine its nature.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
The commander will convene a second situation assessment meeting as soon as possible.
LCP 3, MCP 2, SCP 2
Personal - Sagiv, Chief Engineering Officer
No unequivocal answer has yet been found to the question of the tremors, but I did tell them from the beginning that if they had a problem with the shock absorbers, they should go look for another ship.
Notes:
LCP 3, MCP 2, SCP 4
Personal - Nafil, Ship's Captain
Ever since we set out, I'm doing my best to avoid the company of these crazy scientists. I let my engineering officer deal with them. But this time I had no choice. They wanted me to join their situation assessment meeting again.
At least this megalomaniac, Kabir, already understands that the problem is not with the shock absorbers. He wants to send out a scouting party right away, but I persuaded him to wait at least until those who sent the message that brought us here would notice that we had arrived and come to meet us.
Notes:
LCP 4, MCP 3, SCP 1
General - Adir, Senior Xenologist
The mobile sample collector returned with the samples. The lab crew is working overtime. According to the initial results, the "blue" substance consists of two main elements that also exist in our atmosphere, but in opposite ratios. This also applies to our initial calculations.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
There is some basis to the hypothesis that the "blue" substance is indeed related to the tremors, and that there is a certain pattern to them. The analysis will continue.
LCP 4, MCP 3, SCP 2
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
I mean, "my initial calculations", and I still stand behind them, but is that possible? Can life really exist in such conditions? And if so, what kind of life?
Notes:
LCP 4, MCP 3, SCP 3
Personal - Eitan, Communications Officer
I'm sure behind my back, they're blaming me for the intelligent creatures that invited us here not answering our message. "If they had the ability to send the message, how can they not have the ability to respond?" they say. But I'm sure the reason we've not yet received a response to the message is quite different - the structure of the layer we are in is probably what prevents reception. We must rise above this layer as soon as possible.
Notes:
LCP 6, MCP 2, SCP 4
General - Kabir, Mission Commander
At the second situation assessment meeting, with the participation of the Captain, we came to some important conclusions. First, the "blue" substance does contain elements that are identical to those found in the atmosphere. Second, it turns out that the atmosphere of this planet is divided into several layers, about the same as at home, but in each layer the concentration of the elements is different, which is what confused us at first. Third, the chief engineering officer believes we can fire the engines, and by creating an opposing pressure to the pressure of the substance, we will be able to take off and rise above it, and the Captain gave his authorization to maneuver.
Notes:
In consultation with the Captain and the chief engineering officer, an order was given to perform an engine test firing ASAP.
LCP 6, MCP 7, SCP 3
General - Kabir, Mission Commander
The maneuver was successful. We finally managed to rise above the "blue" layer. We are currently in a layer of "yellow", and the tremors have almost ceased. The environmental data are much more in line with our original atmospheric measurements, both in terms of composition and temperature.
We are waiting for the final results of the last tests, and then we will leave the ship and move to the landing vehicle.
Notes:
It was decided that the first scouting party would set off as soon as possible. The scientific delegation was represented by the Mission commander, the senior xenologist, the Inter-Species communication expert, and two other assistants. On behalf of the ship's crew, they will be joined by a communications officer and two security guards who volunteered for the mission.
LCP 6, MCP 7, SCP 5
General - Adir, Senior Xenologist
We're about to exit the ship into the atmosphere of an alien planet. None of the members of the delegation had embarked on such a journey before. We will finally have the opportunity to put to all our observations and research to the test, and I believe we will soon receive the answers to many of the questions that have troubled us since the beginning of the journey.
(See Personal Log for more)
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Notes:
LCP 6, MCP 7, SCP 6
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
I try very hard to show self-confidence, and I usually do not care that it makes everyone think I am arrogant and conceited, since I am the one who bears responsibility. But the questions run around and do not let up and I know they haunt every single member of the delegation. Who are the ones who invited us here? Why do they not answer us? What if we do not find them? What do we do if we find them?
Notes:
LCP 7, MCP 1, SCP 4
General - Nafil, Ship's Captain
The scouting party is ready to set off. I am proud of the volunteers among my team members and wish them complete success in the mission. I have given clear guidelines, in accordance with the Mission Parameters set by the Science Council, and I trust everyone to obey them in full.
Notes:
In the final pre-departure briefing for the party, the instructions given were to try to contact only the creatures who sent the message, while avoiding any behavior that could be interpreted as hostile and any deviation from the route or the schedule.
LCP 7, MCP 1, SCP 4
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
The Captain told us in no uncertain terms that if we are not back at the meeting point on time, he would not hesitate to leave us here and return home without us. I'm pretty sure he's capable of making good on his threat. On the other hand, none of us want to miss the time window for going home, especially Kabir, with all his exaggerated enthusiasm.
Notes:
LCP 7, MCP 2, SCP 3
General - Kabir, Mission Commander
We're out! We progress through the "yellow" layer. It looks endless. At least the temperature is pleasant and comfortable. Everyone is alert and ready for a possible encounter with the locals, but so far there is no sign of them.
The route we have outlined should lead us directly to the point from which the message was sent. By the end of the next Large Cycle, we will get there
Notes:
Progress continues as planned, without interruptions.
LCP 8, MCP 1, SCP 2
General - Nafil, Ship's Captain
The landing vehicle set off as planned, and the ship took off back into the atmosphere. We will orbit the planet for ten Large Cycles and then return to pick up the landing vehicle at the pre-determined meeting point. We will use this time to make our own observations and measurements. According to the recommendation of the Science Council, we will focus on the only satellite orbiting the planet. I know there are disagreements as to whether it is natural or artificial. In two Small Cycles, it will become visible and maybe we will get the answer.
Notes:
According to mission parameters, waiting time will be devoted primarily to atmospheric measurements and astronomical observations, focusing on the planet's satellite.
LCP 8, MCP 3, SCP 5
General - Eitan, Communications Officer
I try my best to do my part in this mission - to make contact. Just make contact. I keep sending our message - "We are here, where are you?" But in vain. I had hoped that the reception would improve as we got closer to our destination, but in the meantime we getting only white noise. The messages from home, however, are well received and we keep forwarding current reports in accordance with the preset schedule.
I have to admit that I do not understand how it is possible that we were able to decipher their initial message, but we did not receive a response to our message. Do they not understand the message? Did they change their minds? And maybe they are trying to tell us in their silence that the invitation is revoked?
Notes:
LCP 9, MCP 3, SCP 6
General - Ushia, Inter-Species Communications specialist
Eitan's hypothesis - that the locals' silence means that the invitation was revoked - is very interesting. But in this case I'm not sure I agree with him. Even Adir and Kabir are not convinced. But at least it is agreed that the cause of communication problems is not equipment malfunction.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
Eitan and Ushia will continue to work together, each in his area of expertise, until a solution to the problem is found.
LCP 9, MCP 3, SCP 7
Personal - Ushia, Inter-Species Communications specialist
Although I am an Inter-Species communication expert, I am not a wizard. I do my best but it's very hard to deal with the white noise. I have been working with Eitan a lot lately and I have learned to respect his professionalism. His hypothesis is indeed interesting, but the big question is why? This is contrary to everything we know. I'm pretty sure there are lots of more efficient ways to revoke an invitation. What are we missing here? And maybe the message we received was nothing but a deception, or some technical malfunction, or we made a mistake and reached the wrong destination?...
Notes:
LCP 10, MCP 4, SCP 2
General - Eitan, Communications Officer
There is still no direct contact with the locals, but finally success! An answer to the message has arrived! Or rather, we were able to filter something out of the white noise, from the approximate direction of the destination point. We picked it up quite by accident, and still do not understand the full meaning of what happened. I consulted with Ushia and he thinks it is actually a repeat of the original message, but with slight modifications. They probably know we're close so they've adjusted the meeting point. We asked the Captain's permission for a course correction.
Notes:
Permission for a course correction was granted. It is estimated that the correction will not affect the duration of the journey, but it was clarified there is very little room for maneuvering and the Mission Parameters have not changed.
LCP 11, MCP 2, SCP 3
General - Kabir, Mission Commander
After our long journey, "We have reached the Meeting Point" seems like a simplistic and empty remark, but that's what happened. We're right at the designated meeting point. Now we have no choice but to wait.
So far we have not seen any locals and there is no sign of their presence. We do know they are huge, but to be honest, I'm not at all sure we will be able to identify them if we see them.
Notes:
The time for getting back to the landing vehicle is seven Large Cycles.
LCP 11, MCP 3, SCP 6
General - Adir, Senior Xenologist
We have reached the meeting point. After a brief consultation with Nafil and Kabir, it was decided that at least in the meantime, we will folow the instructions.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
The instructions have not changed - wait. The Science Council does not authorize any further changes in the Mission Parameters.
LCP 11, MCP 3, SCP 7
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
So we have reached the meeting point. Now what? I know we have been ordered to wait, but for what? And for how long? I thought we set out on this journey to get answers... It's beginning to look like someone in the Science Council does not want us to come back with the answers.
Notes:
LCP 11, MCP 4, SCP 7
General - Eitan, Communications Officer
We repeatedly send out the message "We are here, where are you?" At a regular frequency of once in a Small Cycle. So far, there is no response. Too bad we we're forbidden from making contact except with the beings who sent us the invitation. It could have been an interesting experiment. I tried to suggest it to Kabir but at this point, he is not willing to consider it.
Notes:
LCP 11, MCP 10, SCP 3
General - Ushia, Inter-Species Communications specialist
After much effort, we were able to detect a repeating pattern in the white noise, in same frequency as ours. They reply, but they are only repeating the coordinates of the meeting point.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
LCP 11, MCP 10, SCP 4
Personal - Ushia, Inter-Species Communications specialist
It seems like they are trying to say, "We're waiting for you", but why? Don't they know that we are already here? It does not sound like a live transmission. Maybe the original transmission was, but since the coordinates of the meeting point were corrected, it sounds more and more like a pre-recorded message transmitted in a loop. I cannot explain it. I know it bothers Eitan too, otherwise he would not have his suggestion to Kabir.
And maybe ... and maybe the root of the problem is something else entirely? So far we have operated on the assumption that the locals have only one language of communication. Could we have gotten that one wrong too?
And maybe they are responding with an automated transmission because we sent them an automated transmission and they think that's all we know to send?...
I must consult with Eitan. Maybe if we both approach Kabir together, he will change his mind.
Notes:
LCP 11, MCP 10, SCP 5
Personal - Eitan, Communications Officer
All the time I've known Ushia, I have never seen him so bewildered. I agree with him that the search range must be expanded. Kabir must be persuaded to request the Science Council's authorization for this.
Notes:
LCP 11, MCP 10, SCP 6
General – Kabir, Mission Commander
I forwarded the joint request of Eitan and Ushia to the Science Council. I pointed out that circumstances justify this minimal change in Mission Parameters.
Notes:
Expansion of the search range authorized by the Science Council.
LCP 12, MCP 1, SCP 3
Personal - Eitan, Communications Officer
We have expanded the search range. In vain. The white noise is getting louder. However, there is no change in the reception of the message. This reinforces my assumption that this is an automated transmission.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
Request for a further expansion of the search range was denied. Out theory that this was an automated transmission was logged and documented in the daily report to the Council.
LCP 12, MCP 6, SCP 4
Personal - Eitan, Communications Officer
Something's going on here. We cannot continue to waste our time requesting the Science Council's permission for every little step, and I do not understand why they insist on tying our hands. Do they know something we don't? They did not seem so surprised by our theory that this is an automated transmission. I think Ushia, Adir and Kabir agree with me, but for some reason they are still afraid to speak up. We have to go to Nafil.
Notes:
LCP 13, MCP 3, SCP 7
General - Nafil, Ship's Captain
After a few Cycles' break, I convened a small staff meeting at the request of Kabir, Adir, Eitan and Ushia. They tried to explain to me why the automated transmission issue is so troubling for them.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
It was agreed that some procedures can be circumvented and some processes shortened as long as this does not endanger the safety of the ship and its crew.
LCP 13, MCP 9, SCP 2
Personal - Nafil, Ship's Captain
To be honest, the fact that those four managed to reach an agreement on something is beyond me, but it's a refreshing change, so I decided it was a good idea to listen to them, especially to Eitan and Ushia. I will never tell them that, but they made some interesting observations, though nothing definitive. One thing is certain - I too am tired of asking for the Science Council's permission for every maneuver...
By the way, I am glad that my decision to let my engineering officer deal with the scientific delegation has proven itself.
Notes:
LCP 14, MCP 4, SCP 7
General – Kabir, Mission Commander
One of the important conclusions we have reached is that the most urgent question at the moment is indeed whether this is an automatic transmission or not. Eitan and Ushia are examining the possibility that the transmission started out as live and at some point became automated, but at this stage they are not prepared to determine how and why, and especially when, this happened. If this is indeed an automated transmission, that changes the whole picture completely. We all understand that now.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
It was decided that Ushia and Eitan would continue to concentrate on trying to find an answer to the question.
LCP 14, MCP 6, SCP 9
Personal -Kabir, Mission Commander
At this point, I have no choice but to respect the expertise of Ethan and Ushia. I agree that it would have helped us a lot if we had definitive answers to the questions they raised, but it is not clear to me what all this has to do with the white noise that keeps getting louder. I'm starting to get concerned.
Notes:
LCP 15, MCP 1, SCP 2
General - Adir, Senior Xenologist
Our local contact point is "dead". We are now trying to figure out what this means. As it turns out, for the locals, anything, living, vegetative or inanimate, that for some reason has ceased to communicate or function, can be called "dead". What complicates matters is that probably, in some cases, but not always, this transition can be one-time, final and irreversible, and in the meantime we have no way of knowing what causes it.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
It was decided to wait and see if this "death" is a one-time, final and irreversible phenomenon,
LCP 15, MCP 3, SCP 5
Personal - Adir, Senior Xenologist
I remember one of the most important and complex concepts we discussed in the briefings before departure was "death". In local terms, "death" is a concept similar to our concept of "transitioning". We have always known that creatures built for transitioning are incapable of existing alongside those not built for it, but could it be that all our studies and observations have not picked up on this phenomenon? Could it be that in our eagerness to get here, we have ignored such a vital part of the life cycle of these creatures? They are so large, and because of their dimensions, they seemed so durable to us... If it turns out that "death" is indeed one-time, final and irreversible for them, and if it turns out that contact with us is what caused it, I can not even think of the consequences. For that. On many cycles of research, work and preparation that will go down the drain. Not to mention that we'll have to go home and face the Science Council. And it's pretty clear who they'll blame for the failure.
However, I have to acknowledge the fact that the cultural gap between the locals and us is much wider than we estimated, and I have no confidence that we can bridge it. We are still unable to call most of the things we see around us by names corresponding to them in our vocabulary, even the simplest elements. So how can the locals grasp the complexity of "transitioning to another state of existence"?
Notes:
LCP 16, MCP 6, SCP 3
General - Kabir, Mission Commander
It is no longer possible to trace the source of the message and it is completely engulfed in the white noise. It turns out that our contact point is not the only one among the locals who... Well, I have no choice but to use this strange word... "dead" since our arrival. As the white noise intensifies, it becomes more difficult to extract significant information from it.
Having no choice, I accepted the Eitan and Ushia's recommendation to expand the attempts to make contact to the maximum range
Notes:
A full report was sent to the Science Council,. Eitan and Ushia continue their joint efforts to break through the white noise barrier. At the same time, it was decided to hold a discussion on whether we should consider returning home.
LCP 16, MCP 6, SCP 9
Personal -Kabir, Mission Commander
I'm pretty sure Ethan and Ushia would not agree with me, and even Kabir would be convinced I was out of my mind, but as the Mission Commander it is my duty to see the big picture. By and large, so far the team has suggeted two options - a technical malfunction or a misunderstanding due to the cultural gap. I am thinking of a third option, which makes the question of whether the original transmission was automated or not irrelevant. Could it be that the locals were trying to lure us into the trap? Have they suddenly decided that we are a threat and therefore they are blocking every attempt on our side to get to the source of the transmission? Is that why they invited us here in the first place? If so, we may have underestimated their level of sophistication.
Notes:
LCP 16, MCP 8, SCP 2
General - Ushia, Inter-Species Communications specialist
While we wait for the range expantion autorisation, Eitan and I are having an informal emergency disccussion. I srongly believe that for now, this is the only possible course of action.
(See Personal Log for more
Notes:
Autorization recieved, but the new orders are that we only have one Large Cycle.
LCP 16, MCP 9, SCP 4
Personal - Ushia, Inter-Species Communications specialist
Who am I kidding? I have already conceded that even though I am an Inter-Species Communications expert, I am not a wizard.
Is there really a connection between white noise and "death"? And if so, what causes the white noise? No one dares to raise the question openly, but it is clear that it's on everyone's mind.
I'm afraid the authorisation was recieved too late.
Notes:
LCP 16, MCP 9, SCP 7
General - Eitan, Communications Officer
The authorization for expanding the serach range to the maximum was finally received. We are making a concentrated last ditch effort to make contact.
(See Personal Log for more
Notes:
The scanners are operating to maximum capacity, trying to home in on the source of the transmission.
LCP 16, MCP 9, SCP 9
Personal - Eitan, Communications Officer
The authorization was finally received (much to my surprise, I might add), but I too am afraid it's too late. It would seem that extanding the range is not yielding the desired results, and frankly, I don't see how one more Large Cycle would make any difference.
All our hopes are gone, and this time probably for good. The white noise covers everything.
Notes:
LCP 18, MCP 7, SCP 3
General - Nafil, Ship's Captain
This will be the last entry before departure. The bridge crew is about to complete the final preparations. Systems check completed successfuly. Everything is ready for takeoff.
(See Personal Log for more)
Notes:
General Log closed.
LCP 18, MCP 7, SCP 5
Personal - Nafil, Ship's Captain
I must point out that I am very surprised. As soon as they got back on board, the scientists hurried to lock themselves in their quarters, without their usual protests and bickering. They did not share with me all their dilemmas during their stay on the planet, so I do not know what worries them more - the issue of "death", or the need to deal with the Science Council when they return home empty-handed. I guess they will spend the entire journey writing their reports. For me this situation is actually very convenient. The the journey home might be boring without their incessant bickering, but at least nowI can concemtrate on prepping the ship for the journey.
Truth be told, I'm pleased we're leaving this system and returning home.
Notes:
LCP 120, MCP 4, SCP 1
Personal - Kabir, Mission Commander
Ten Large Cycles have passed since we got back. The debriefing lasted longer than I expected, and only now did I find out that the seventh planet of the Helios system suddenly stopped transmitting and responding to transmissions. The white noise also stopped. I was reminded of the rumors we heard during the preparations about the last expedition that returned from the third planet of the Canis system, which also abruptly stopped transmitting and responding to transmissions. Despite all of my and Adir's joint efforts, I have found no basis to these rumors.
Notes:
Personal Log closed.