Free First Contact (Galactic Axia Adventure) by Jim Laughter Page B

what was being currently argued between several different users. That some sort of debate was in progress was not unusual on this particular computer net. Invariably, someone would make some sort of assertion that would be quickly challenged. It made for some interesting arguments and frequently involved as many as a dozen users at once. This was not Stan’s first entry into a fray over Thetan history and he enjoyed the stimulation.
    Stan’s frequent foray into the online discussions and his solid understanding of computers in general had quickly earned him the moniker Mr. Computer. Stan liked the nickname and adopted it as his online name, or handle as it was commonly called. More than one user found a note about some subject from “Mr. Computer.”
    Stan’s ability to understand the confusing intricacies of computers was also discovered. He soon began to find his electronic mail drop on the computer net full of questions about various systems and programs. Some nights, Stan devoted much of his time to answering his starmail and trying to demystify computers in general. In more extreme cases he used the net to access another user’s computer and remotely effect repairs. Stan enjoyed improving what he called computer-human relations, although privately he thought that computers were gaining the upper hand through default.
    But tonight was different. Mr. Computer wasn’t in the mood for the technical side of computing. Stan wanted to immerse himself in the ongoing discussion about history. He continued to watch the battle between three users scrolling across the screen.
    The subject was the history of Theta’s space industry with two users obviously ganging up on a third. Stan studied the arguments being employed by the pair and quickly spotted a flaw. The beleaguered user was being hard pressed and had apparently not seen the opening. After a moment, Stan decided to weigh in and even the match. Pulling his keyboard over, Stan prepared to answer their next accusation.
    IT’S OBVIOUS THAT THETA’S EARLY SPACE EXPLORATION PREDATED THAT OF THE AXIA, one of the two antagonists typed across the screen.
    PLEASE STATE YOUR SOURCES, Stan typed.
    WHO IS THIS? came the reply.
    AN INTERESTED THIRD PARTY, Stan answered. AGAIN, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE STATE YOUR SOURCES FOR YOUR DATING OF THETA’S SPACE EXPLORATION VERSUS THAT OF GALACTIC AXIA.
    For several seconds neither of the two who had previously been so certain of their position replied. Finally an answer appeared.
    THE ENTRIES ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST, BUT WE’RE CITING FROM THE BOOK OF ANCIENT THETA.
    I AM NOT COMPLETELY FAMILIAR WITH THIS WORK, Stan typed. COULD YOU GIVE ME AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR THE REFERENCES YOU’RE USING?
    THERE IS NO ACCURATE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE ANCIENT THETAN CALENDAR AND THE MODERN STARDATES, was the answer. SO IT CAN’T BE DETERMINED WITH ANY CERTITUDE.
    THEN HOW CAN YOU BE SO POSITIVE IN STATING THAT THETAN SPACE EXPLORATION PREDATES THE GALACTIC AXIA? Stan asked.
    BY USING ESTIMATED DATES AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMPARISONS, WE ARE ABLE TO CONFIDENTLY STATE THAT THETAN SHIPS WERE IN SPACE BEFORE THE AXIA CAME ALONG AND CLAIMED THE CREDIT, they answered. Stan smiled. Now the trap was set.
    BUT THERE IS A MORE ACCURATE DETERMINATE THAN YOUR TECHNOLOGICAL ESTIMATES, Stan entered. IF YOU’LL LOOK AT THE EARLIEST COPIES OF THETAN WRITTEN LANGUAGE, YOU’LL SEE THAT IT SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED COMPOUND WORDS AND CONCEPTS. THAT’S CONTRARY TO NORMAL LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND IS CONSISTENTLY THE RESULT OF OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, YOU’LL DISCOVER THAT THE SAME CONSONANT PATTERNS, GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE, AND COMPOUND CONCEPTS AS WERE FOUND IN AXIA RECORDS EASILY PREDATING THETA’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE CONCLUSION IS OBVIOUS - THETA WAS VISITED AND INFLUENCED BY EARLY GALACTIC AXIA EXPLORERS.            
    There was no reply for almost two minutes. Stan was afraid he might have scared off the two antagonists. Finally a