Back on Silvalia…
“The regular daily report on the “deep void” signal investigation: ‘Once again, we have found nothing. The crew has been investigating the possibility of alterspace rifts as a possible explanation for the transmission. It was proven theoretically impossible, as the wavelength spectrum was to thin to have come from that chaotic dimension, and no physical evidence has hinted at such an event occurring. We are no closer to figuring out the mystery.’
Just like yesterday, and the day before, and a week ago, and a month ago, and before that too. The project is visibly pointless, it must be discontinued. It is a waste of our resources and time, and the time of the researchers. That concludes my statements, thank you.”
The debate in the technology Congress Hall was hotter and tenser than it has been since a very long time, possibly hundreds of years. A councilor stepped out from the lectern and walked up to the wall, where he clibmed up to his seat, like 76 had done before that day. The “deep void signal”, as it had come to be called, had been detected weeks before, yet the research project gave no results since. It truly seemed… pointless. Then, after a long debate of mostly agreeing voices, demanding to shut down the deep void investigation program, the Grand Councilor of technology, Alverd Galdam, stood up from his seat and slowly walked towards the lectern in front of the room. He turned on the microphone and started speaking.
“It has been a long day today. We’ve said many things, but we mostly agree on the matter we are here to discuss. The deep void project is so far unsuccessful. Nothing has been found. No clue, no sign, no anomaly, simply nothing. And I hear your voices clearly. The Council, and the people, want the program shut down. And it breaks my heart o say this, but, given what we’ve seen so far, it is a waste of time. Our time, the scientists’ time, everyone’s time. So now, as for the law, we must cast our votes on the matter: Should the Deep Void Investigation project be shut down? You may vote n-”
Wait!
A Lesser Councilor shouted. He had been silent for the whole meeting, up until then.
“We got a new report! It’s not a daily one, since it’s not the right time for that, I think we finally have results!”
“Huh? A new report you say?”
Alverd walked away from the lectern and gestured to the Councilor to come down, which he did
"Please, show it to me. We need to see it.
Let’s see… It reads: ‘Emergency report on the “Deep Void” Signal Investigation Project, we had found something. It appeared on the radar suddenly, somewhat near where the signal was first heard. Examination revealed it to be a wre-’ … No, am I reading this right?
“I belive yes, sir”
" ‘A wreckage of an alien spaceship unlike one we recognize from any nation we’ve encountered so far. It seems to have been abandoned long ago and posesess rather primitive technology, being powered likely by nuclear fusion and solar panels. Most electricity was powered down, but one screen remained, displaying some kind of planet and writing in a language we don’t understand. We ask for linguists to translate the cryptic message, as our ships aren’t equipped with Universal Translators.’
Well, that’s quite the turn of events.
The Grand Councilor walked back to the lectern and spoke out loudly into the microphone.
"Well then! We shall now cast our votes on the matter: should the Deep Void Investigation project be shut down? You may vote now!
The councilors took about 20 minutes to think and cast their votes on the holographic screens built into the “desks” in front of their seats. Then the final result was announced.
“The voters decided, with a 98 percent majority, that the Deep Void Signal Investigation Project will be continued!”
Everyone cheered and clapped. The project might bring something useful after all. After the meeting, Galven and Maia were told to stand by, as the linguists got to work.