CAPTAIN'S LOG Stardate 100780.6
Reyga’s arrived in the D-2137 System for follow-up exploration. The second planet was flagged by unmanned survey probes for the presence of non-natural satellites in orbit. Nothing else stands out in the astrometric report and the planet itself doesn’t seem particularly hospitable, so it’s an interesting anomaly.
CAPTAIN'S LOG Supplemental
We’ve confirmed that the satellites are sentient-made. They appear early space-age in construction, chemical rocket engines and solar panels for power. The orbit’s cluttered with them, many decaying. Obviously, they’ve been unmaintained for quite a while.
Reyga’s moved into a standard orbit to conduct a full planetary survey. While there are no signs of life at present, we have detected the ruins of a civilization. I’m taking an away team to a point of interest on the surface to investigate.
CAPTAIN'S LOG Supplemental
We’ve arrived at some kind of ancient temple. It’s … it’s beautiful, even worn as it is by time. It must have been an incredible sight when it was whole. Statues, carvings in the stone depicting creatures, scenes, people.
I’ve ordered the away team to spread out and start exploring.
PERSONAL LOG Stardate 100781.2
I can’t stop thinking about …
… try again. I can’t stop thinking about the experience I had on the surface. I touched a stone, which somehow transferred a set of memories. A lifetime’s worth, in a few seconds. It’s not-- it’s not literal. Not like watching a holonovel, or even actually living it. More like
feeling it.
I- I miss this kid’s toy. I can’t tell you what it was, I can’t describe playing with it. The more I think about it, the more the details become fuzzy. I don’t know any more about these people than I did yesterday, but
snnhah
god, I miss that toy.
CAPTAIN'S LOG Stardate 100782.4
I think we’ve found something really special, here. Of course there’s the usual archeology and anthropology studies worth doing, but the memory stones - what we’re calling them informally - represent a whole different kind of insight. Now that we’ve confirmed it’s safe and nondestructive, I’m convinced that Sadaann’s right, they were left here to be experienced. Maybe not specifically for the end of their civilization, but provided we treat them with respect and care, I suspect our use is in keeping with the spirit of their original purpose.
I’m allowing anyone on the crew who wants to volunteer to beam down and touch the stones, and asking them to recount their experience. There’s bound to be valuable insights into the inhabitants and their culture in the experiences, but more than that I want to give the crew the opportunity to engage in a form of exploration that doesn’t come along very often.
Not just seeing something no one in our society’s seen before, but feeling it. It’s something profound, and it’s exactly why we’re out here.
–
Since we have the luxury of taking our time on this survey, I’ve decided it’s a great opportunity to let the junior officers log some leadership time and take point on investigating the satellites and ruins to piece together a picture of the planet’s civilization.
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