The Redundant Nomad by Adam Rutter

The Voyager Probe : NASA

In deep space, a round object with two lattice frames extending from its octagonal chassis performs an axial rotation; a black spot against a band of stars expands. It flies past my spacecraft. I pursue the alien entity to take a closer look.

There seems to be no one piloting the vessel. It is unmanned. I am tuned in to all known radio frequencies, although I am not picking up transmissions. Since this unknown space vehicle has flown past, its shape has become apparent. Its main structure is parabolic, white, which has four metal rods protruding from the centre, possibly a transmitter. It is evident that this cosmic wanderer has been on an epic journey through space because the radioisotope, thermoelectric generator is no longer providing power for the vehicle. It stopped generating power eons ago.

The redundant nomad has travelled aimlessly through most of the galaxy for many millennia. Its origins are unknown in this galactic region. I am curious to learn more about this interplanetary passer-by.

So put on my spacesuit, walk through the airlock and float towards the vessel. I fire manoeuvrable thrusters to stabilise my orientation in zero gravity. I am making every attempt to stay in tandem with the vessel, but it is going too fast. A rocket attached to my spacesuit propels me towards it. The engines burn out as I take hold of the vessel’s dish antenna. There are scientific instruments fixed onto the frames, which suggests that it was primarily on a mission of exploration. This automated craft was obviously created by an ancient civilization in another star system many light years away.  An octagon, as dark as space, contains a gold circle consisting of inscriptions of pictorial symbols. One of the symbols is instantly recognisable. It is a representation of a pulsar; a neutron star that emits frequent intermittent bursts of radio waves through space. This confirms that the craft was launched in a stellar system 20,000 light years away. Its journey may have lasted longer however. It has probably taken over a billion years to reach this planetary system judging by its velocity. The craft’s propulsion is not sufficient enough to propel it to this part of the galaxy, and so its only means must have been to use a star’s or a planet’s gravity to sling shot to interstellar space.

There is a comet. The craft is in its direct flight path. I am heading for a collision.

I radio, “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”

No response.

I repeat the same message. No one is answering my distress call. I keep hearing static. I have 23 minutes left until impact. The comet grows larger and brighter as it gets closer. I repeat the message again. The comet moves faster as I approach it.

A voice speaks on the radio, “What is the nature of your emergency?”

“I’ve latched onto an ancient probe, which is going to collide with a comet,” I reply.

“What’s your location?”

“I’m 2,000 miles from the second planet at the centre of the star system.”

“How long have you got till impact?”

“Eighteen minutes; thirty-two seconds.”

“We’ be there in twelve minutes.”

“Roger.”

The comet has become more visible, revealing itself as a typical icy lump of rock leaving a vapour flow, growing bigger.

A giant spaceship the size of a moon arrives. It overshadows me from the bright star. Me and the probe dematerialize, converting from matter to energy and back into matter aboard the spaceship.

Read Part Two: The Golden Disc on Thursday 14th October