History Lesson 4.5

Our Neighbors.

In 2018, at Ross 154, (a red dwarf star 9.7 LY away) we encountered the Saurians, a race of lizard people. The same ones who had secretly been on Earth for some time. This was not entirely unexpected, exploration plans included first contact scenarios for both Grays and Saurians. The problem was communication. A working program of Lingua-Translator, Alien Edition had been created, but did not really help in this situation. The encounter was a short peaceful one, with very little accomplished. It seems the Saurians had no idea who we were. 

The follow up was a covert mission that reviled a lot more. Ranger 7 jumped in at the far edge of the system and quietly sat there scanning the area. It learned a lot. Ross 154 was not their home system, they were conducting asteroid mining there. Most importantly, after 2 months of analyzing Saurian radio signals, the translator program now offered a working matrix. Communication would be possible. So a diplomatic mission was sent in late 2019.

Thus began Humanity’s introduction to the galactic stage.

In other news.

It is an interesting result of FTL mechanics that, the attacking ships will almost always be smaller than the defending ones, thus the conquest of any advanced world will be very difficult. With this in mind, there was a rush to build a new class of ship, the Defender. A non FTL warship, its role would be the protection of the solar system. At 100,000 tons, it was about the size of a Nimits class aircraft carrier. Construction began at the recently opened Luna Yard in 2012, near moon base Alpha. They were not intend for atmospheric use. Heavily armed and armored, with a crew of 200, the Defenders were each made to take on a half dozen hyper capable warships.

Meanwhile the UN-EDC promoted civilian activity in the solar system, including the colonization of Mars and the mining of the asteroid belt. Unemployment was a thing of the past, for anyone brave enough. Jobs in space were always being posted. Although good paying, they were dangerous and often very uncomfortable. A lot of work was still done in 0 gravity.

The 2010-2020 decade was a happy boom time for many people.

Mars Direct became the major corporate player in the colonizing of the red planet.

Ceres Rock Hopping became the big boy corporation of the asteroid belt.

Then there was Star Seed a company already aiming for the day we would colonize new stars. For them the decade was all about design and theory. The UN-EDC firmly said no one but official scout missions is allowed use of FTL ships. 

The First Diplomatic Mission.

 

After contact was accidentally made with the Saurian at Ross 154, and a follow up covert mission sent to gather info, a formal diplomatic part was sent in late 2019. A pair of Rangers made up the mission, with one being converted to carry a fancy VIP cargo pod. The selection of diplomats was a tricky issue, as only a very limited number could be sent. In the end it was agreed that 2 UN officials would be accompanies by 2 scientists. 

Strict guide lines would be in place regarding what info could be shared and what deals could be agreed on. In short it was more of a fact finding mission with hope of opening a dialog. The delegates were not empowered to make any meaningful deals.

The pair of Rangers called “Hello” to the Saurian mining station in Ross 154, when they arrived. Already knowing that the Lizards likes Earth culture as a form of entertainment, some gifts were on hand. The Diplomats struck up a conversation as the ships slowly neared the station. Gaining landing clearance and arranging a meeting. Of course the Saurian CO there was only a minor mining officer and had no authority regarding diplomatic deals.

What was interesting is the fact that the Saurian were not shocked to meet us. They had experience with other aliens, so this visit was more a welcome oddity that broke the work routine, not a momentous event. It did surprise most of them that the “Evolved Apes” they had seen in some vids, were now flying around in star ships.

In that meeting it was relieved that the nearest inhabited Saurian system was Sigma Draconis (rather ironic). We asked for permission to visit them and talk to someone with authority. The local CO said he would relay the request when the next cargo ship made its round. But it would be fine if we just dropped in. This rather causal attitude was a bit confusing but our diplomats tried to take it in stride.

With the first encounter counted as a success the pair of Rangers returned to Earth to examine everything in fine detail. The scientists requested to stay but were refused by our mission leader. Among the gifts left with the Saurian was a translator, as it was necessary for communication.

Unlike some science fiction, talking with aliens involved a computer box on the table doing the translating and waiting some seconds for it to process complicated or unfamiliar terms.

Second Mission.

In mid 2020 the pair of Rangers set off for Sigma Draconis, a system 19 light years from Earth. It was something of a mixed blessing that they were so close. As the ships were still using the 1LY/week hyper drive it was a long but manageable trip. However for some in the UN-EDF the distance seemed too close for comfort.

This time the talks were more serious and productive. The system government could speak for itself but not make any promises on behalf of the Home World. It was quite interested in opening trade with Humanity. Something we were happy to talk about. Our initial exchange was a lot of art and entertainment products for info about the galaxy. “We are tourists exploring and we dont know what to expect. Can you tell us the nice places to see and the dangerous places to avoid?” They provided sizable files, and a portable unit for reading them. Unfortunately reading the Saurian language was still a work in progress. So we had to pick up get a crash course in that.

This time the mission was split. One Ranger returning home after just a short stay, while the other lingered so the science team could gather more data.

As far as aliens go, the Saurian were mostly intelligible to our ways of thinking. That is to say they did some things differently, but the same general patterns of thought and behavior existed in them. We did not have to do mental gymnastics to understand them.