Star log Sec.7 Sub.24-1
From a distance, all you can see is the rings. The planet is impossible to land on, but we managed to get one probe through the mess.
It found ruins on ruins and in the middle, a society of child-looking humanoids.
I don’t know if rescue is even possible, but we got a message pod through, and, based on discrete sampling by our probe, an aid packet.
Where are the adults? What can we do for these kids?
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 24-2
It’s hard not to drool at this planet; it’s hard not to sigh.
The atmosphere has too much methane to be survivable for any length of time, and there are three caustic agents which ate through even our probes in record time – much less the materials our encounter suits are made of. We would not survive on the surface for more than ten minutes
But for ten minutes, we would be RICH! The surface is jutted with outcroppings – before the last probe died, it confirmed that they were, indeed, sapphires.
We marked it in three ways AND logged it for a finder’s fee. Our Engineer Hotena is already working on a way to mine it safely & remotely.
Just a fist-shape rock and I’d never have work again.
(Although I still would, of course)
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 24-3
This planet is so close to the holy grail of planetary exploration.
There is one large continent, bordered along both sides by several island chains, that stretches from north to south pole and back around a short bit.
There are no buildings, no underwater structures, none of Yaret’s 10 Signs.
The dominant species are long-legged, long-necked quadrupeds. They might herd some of the smaller creatures; they are definitely omnivorous. They MIGHT be sentient.
They don’t inhabit the islands. We sent a team to one of the largest, furthest islands.
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 24-4
With some work, we could probably colonize this planet.
Someone else did, at some point. From the looks of things, it was a long, long time ago.
There are statues and the tips of buildings poking out of the sand – and there is sand everywhere, or so it seems.
Lakes are bordered in wide crescents of greenery, and the largest lake has enough land to support life.
We scanned for sentience three times before we sent down a team.
Everyone remembers 6-12-2 and the problems there.
Star Log Supplemental: Private
The crew needs a break and we need to take a trip back and pick up some of our exploratory teams.
People are getting antsy.
I will set down for R&R on the next suitable planet we find.
But in the meantime, what do I do about the rumors that we’ve ditched the colony teams & are never going back for them?
Star Log, Sec. 7, Sub 24-5
At the edge of this subsector, we found a beautiful planet with a wide, uninhabited stretch and population that, where it existed, was low-tech enough that they might very well not notice us if we landed.
We set down our largest shuttle as far away from the settlements as we could – they look to be on to iron but not yet on to steel, and the signs say they’re in the middle of a plague – and set up a force-field perimeter, just in case. Then, adhering to all nineteen protocols, we partied.
We needed it. 7-24-5 might be ready to talk to us in 100 years, but until then, we might note it as a way-stop.
7.24.5