First Contact (Galactic Axia Adventure)

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Authors: Jim Laughter
speeded up pattern is their carrier signal,” he continued. “From our analysis, we determined that it goes at a frequency many times the speed of light.”
    “But that’s not possible!” one of the others commented.
    “I’m afraid it is,” the scientist standing at the bench replied. “We have proof on that disc.”
    “So how were you able to tap into this signal?” someone asked. “Such a signal would be beyond any equipment we could even build.”
    “Normally, I would agree with you, but the evidence shows the folly of our own self-imposed limits. However, in that evidence also came the opportunity.”
    “What opportunity?”
    “Since we know it is possible and not just theoretical, we don’t have to grapple with trying to change reality as we understand it,” he answered. “Simply put, if they can do it so can we.”
    “Given that, how did we end up being able to record their signals?” someone asked. “Physics is not fuzzy, so we can’t just fudge our way into receiving their carrier or signals as much as we might want to.”
    “As vaunted as their technology appears to us, they are not perfect,” the first scientist declared. “We discovered that apparently their signals bleed a little bit, too. In fact, it was a bleeding harmonic that the radio telescope picked up. If it hadn’t been for the bleed-over, we never would have detected their signals.”
    “It’s nice to know someone else in the universe has problems with signal bleed besides us,” someone quipped. Others chuckled. The scientist at the bench smiled.
    “What I did was separate each of the signals from the original disc,” he explained. “Then I ran them individually through the signal transformer and into a second recorder. This enabled me to run each as often as I needed without straining the equipment. By modulating the inductive ratios, I was able to speed up or slow the signal as necessary.” Several others nodded.
    “Basically using a harmonic feedback loop as a frequency amplifier until we reach their level of transmission,” someone summated.
    The first scientist continued his lecture. “Some of their signal did turn out to be machine language in some sort of code,” he announced. “But a couple of the signals were voice transmissions. Here’s what I got.”
    He turned on the machine and a monitor crackled the unmistakable sound of a human voice speaking in an odd language. They all listened intently to the proof that there was not only someone out there, but that they were apparently human.
    One of the scientists suddenly spoke up. “Stop the disc and run it back a bit, please,” he asked anxiously. They again heard the strange language replay from the speakers.
    “I think I recognize some of the words,” the other scientist said excitedly. “It resembles an ancient dialect that is only an academic curiosity today.”
    “Do you think you can make a translation?” someone asked.
    “Yes,” the second scientist answered, “but I’ll have to do some research and get audio copies from the language department at the university.”
    “Could you use some help?” one of the other scientists asked. “I have a minor degree in linguistics.”
    “Definitely,” the first replied.
    “How soon might you have a rough lexicon we could work with?” the lead scientist asked.
    “Give us a couple days. Syntax and structure will be important. After all, we don’t want to insult whoever is out there, now do we?”
    ∞∞∞
    The computer monitor scrolled through the various menus available on the local computer net. Stan found the one for History and typed in his selection. The screen switched to the specified menu and asked Stan whether he wanted to just read what was already posted or go online with the current discussion. At the prompt, Stan typed in his access code to join the conversation.
    The screen immediately switched to show what was currently being discussed. Stan let it run so he could get an idea of

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