Long Distance

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Long Distance; short story
Topic Started: 2 Jul 2008, 02:03 PM (458 Views)
Cameron	2 Jul 2008, 02:03 PM Post #1
Administratinator Posts: 1,740 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: 20 December 2007	President Graves walked into the situation room both excited and filled with dread. A series of flat-panel displays mounted on the wall showed the reason for his anxiousness. It displayed a spherical spacecraft about 100 yards in diameter hovering above an isolated area over the Pacific Ocean. This thing was millennia beyond anything mankind was capable of; it was an alien spacecraft and it had just arrived in Earth’s atmosphere a few hours ago. Around this spacecraft there were 52 U.S. warships. There were cruisers, aircraft carriers, and submarines, as well as a few smaller ships. In addition, a research vessel sat among the ships and was constantly receiving new scientists and equipment to study this visitor. The President watched all this activity while listening to his advisors. “Mr. President,” said Admiral Cogan, “if necessary, our fleet is prepared to bombard the alien ship with nuclear missiles. I know this is the last resort, but if their intentions prove hostile…” Graves nodded, “What about the danger to our own men?” “They’re many miles away. The ships would take a pounding but the men should be safe.” “Good.” The scientific advisor stood behind him anxiously. The look in her eyes told Graves that whatever she had to say was important. “Go ahead Miss Avelan,” Graves said. “Sir, I just got back the results from the readings we took. The ship seems to be emitting several kinds of radiation. There doesn’t seem to be any danger, at least so long as we keep our distance, but it does tell us a lot about the spacecraft.” “Well?” “The emission and absorption spectrums indicate that less than one thousandth of a percent of this radiation is actually escaping. Most of it is being contained inside. Furthermore, taking into account other evidence, we believe that the majority of this radiation is being contained by the ship’s hull itself. We think the average temperature inside would be around 30,000 degrees Kelvin.” “What does this mean?” “Well, sir, anything aboard would be bombarded by gamma rays, x-rays, infrared and visible light waves, not to mentions several types of exotic particles. Nothing we know of could survive in there.” “So the aliens can survive that?” “Possibly, sir, but it’s far more likely that the ship is unmanned.” “So what’s it doing here?” “Well, in addition to the normal radiation it’s leaking, it seems to be sending out highly organized information on a variety of wavelengths and channels. I could explain, but it’s easier to show you. Listen, turn your radio to 680AM.” The President motioned to his secretary who went over to the radio and turned it to that frequency. Instantly, it began to squawk and make a repetitive pattern of annoying high-pitched noises. “What’s that?” Graves asked, “It sounds like an old dial-up computer connecting to the internet.” “That’s essentially what it is,” Avelan replied. “We’re fairly certain it’s a transmission of digital information, like a modem. The CIA has some of their computer experts and linguists trying to decode it. They’ll no doubt let you know as soon as they come up with something.” “Okay. What else can you tell me about the ship?” “Well, the hull seems to be one solid piece, with only communications devices on the outside. Our preliminary hypothesis is that this is some sort of unmanned communications relay.” “Communications relay?” “Like a cellphone tower or television satellite. It sends information from one place to another. And, well, it might send information back.” One of the secret service agents came up to President Graves. “Howard DeVries wants to talk to you. He says it’s urgent.” DeVries was in charge of the CIA’s cryptography department. “Let me talk to him.” “You’re in charge of trying to figure out what they’re saying?” Graves said to Devries. “We’re not trying anymore. We cracked it five minutes ago. It’s using binary, machine talk, the closest thing to a universal language there is.” “What’s it saying?” “Well, it was just a basic query. It was a computer thing, looking for any compatible systems on the network. I hope it’s not going outside our bounds, sir, but we sent them a system ID number. Y’know. Like a URL. It lets them connect with us.” “And?” “Well, before, they were sending a repeated signal, looking for other computers to talk to, like I said. Now, they’re sending a lot of information. They’re trying to talk to us. We’re trying to figure out what they’re saying. If you could come over here, we thought you would want to be there as soon as we’re ready to send a response.” The President went over and stood nervously for several minutes as a team of computer experts tried to translate the data. There were a few spurts of short, awkward, basic conversation that ended in failure. They just couldn’t make out what was being said. Then, they hit a breakthrough. “They want to know what devices are currently in the room,” Devries said. “We’ve got computers, fax machines, cell phones, and Palm Pilots. And there’s that refrigerator in the corner. Tell them that.” “Okay,” he said. A pause. “They want to know the operational status of the fridge.” “Are you sure that’s what they’re asking?” “Pretty sure.” “All right. Tell them it’s running.” Another pause. DeVries said, “They advise catching it.” “Wait a minute. What?” “It appears to be a prank phone call, sir. What do you want us to do?” The President thought for a minute. “Fire the missiles.” Attached to this post: Alien_Communication.rtf (10.98 KB)
	Note that Cameron is not Patrick and does not run Godlimations.


Giul	2 Jul 2008, 05:03 PM Post #2
World Traveler/Fighter Posts: 1,792 Group: Moderator Member #28 Joined: 15 February 2008	LOL! That was a great short story. YES! FIRE ZE MISSILES!!!!!!! XD
	"This is our world. Look after it. We can make a difference." -Spot the Difference final stage Giul Michael and Jen. The Slicing Students. Godlimations RPG


Cameron	7 Jul 2008, 03:23 PM Post #3
Administratinator Posts: 1,740 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: 20 December 2007	I was wondering if it would annoy people that I took so long to get to the punch line.
	Note that Cameron is not Patrick and does not run Godlimations.


Blaze	7 Jul 2008, 03:53 PM Post #4
Health: 600/600 Posts: 1,573 Group: Admin Member #8 Joined: 6 January 2008	Didn't see that coming. Nice job. xD
	"One day we'll get married. What do you think of that? My best man will be Harry. Your bridesmaid will be your cat!" -Ron Puppet


Andrehydra	13 Jul 2008, 01:12 AM Post #5
Shrum Posts: 40 Group: Members Member #52 Joined: 28 June 2008	Short but cool story, nice job!
	"Why do I feel so suggish, tired..." -Zombie Inglor Yeah, sig pic I use in ALL of the forums I go to.


ARAZEC	13 Jul 2008, 06:50 AM Post #6
This Person Has No Life Posts: 4,049 Group: Members Member #48 Joined: 18 June 2008	nice work -good buildup and yes a little slow to start. didnt see it coming in the end either. Do you ever write non-fiction?
	OTTOR never BE SORRY


Cameron	14 Jul 2008, 05:59 PM Post #7
Administratinator Posts: 1,740 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: 20 December 2007	Yeah. I write non-fiction. It just usually isn't as fun. Plus, it doesn't have the same appeal to everyone the way a good short, funny story does. I'll see if I can dredge up something interesting in the non-fiction department.
	Note that Cameron is not Patrick and does not run Godlimations.


ARAZEC	15 Jul 2008, 04:15 AM Post #8
This Person Has No Life Posts: 4,049 Group: Members Member #48 Joined: 18 June 2008	i guess it would depend on the topic i mean real things/topics can be the most funniest or i guess it would depend on whats fun for you to write or what things/topics you find most funniest
	OTTOR never BE SORRY


Petal	20 Jul 2008, 05:46 AM Post #9
Horned Rogue Posts: 125 Group: Members Member #54 Joined: 1 July 2008	liked your non-fiction got any more?



Cameron	21 Jul 2008, 05:45 PM Post #10
Administratinator Posts: 1,740 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: 20 December 2007	Maybe. Rummaging time.
	Note that Cameron is not Patrick and does not run Godlimations.


Giul	26 Aug 2008, 08:47 PM Post #11
World Traveler/Fighter Posts: 1,792 Group: Moderator Member #28 Joined: 15 February 2008	So Will your next story be a comedy?
	"This is our world. Look after it. We can make a difference." -Spot the Difference final stage Giul Michael and Jen. The Slicing Students. Godlimations RPG


Cameron	31 Aug 2008, 11:44 AM Post #12
Administratinator Posts: 1,740 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: 20 December 2007	Possibly. My non-comedic stories tend to be along darker themes.
	Note that Cameron is not Patrick and does not run Godlimations.


ARAZEC	3 Sep 2008, 05:48 AM Post #13
This Person Has No Life Posts: 4,049 Group: Members Member #48 Joined: 18 June 2008	my non-comedic themes tend to be pore cleaners,blackhead strips and exfoliators
	OTTOR never BE SORRY


Unluckynumber13	6 Sep 2008, 09:03 AM Post #14
Zombie Posts: 23 Group: Members Member #93 Joined: 6 September 2008	Great story man.
	Credit to Carman1390 from hallpass for the signature


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