A new update for The Serpent’s Garden. The talks between the Calnians and Red One continue, with both sides getting some surprises, though the Calnians get a few more. Red One will certainly get some larger surprises from her erstwhile allies as the story continues, including [FRAGMENT DELETED] and just what a ‘core release system’ actually does. In the meantime, below is part of the ongoing discussion, where both sides get a bit of a surprise. For the full story, check out the link above and enjoy!

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Automated probes like these were used for charting, surveying and cataloguing system bodies or as long-term observers of interesting celestial phenomena when a crewed expedition was deemed unnecessary. At one point, they had been the vanguard of the Hegemony’s exploration efforts, each of them carrying contact imperatives and including helpful information on the Calnian people for any civilization that they might encounter, such as language keys, mathematical systems, methods of timekeeping, cultural touchstones – everything another species would need to help them understand their new neighbours.

In the aftermath of the Shameful War, most had been recalled or collected, either repurposed for duties within the Hegemony or sent to the breakers. A few had gone missing, but none of them should have gotten as far as this unit had, nor would they be as recent a design as this probe vessel clearly was.

The view shifted to an internal feed taken from Red One’s servicers. It paused at the Welcome Circle, a larger version of the engraved disc that each astronomical probe had once carried bearing information on the Calnian people and their home. The ones on these probe vessels were much larger, as wide across as an adult man was long. Beneath it were two sheets of metal, each engraved with writing. The first, Iljta-Risan immediately recognized as Lellos, the main language of his people. The second didn’t look Calnian script at all – at least, not one that he knew of.

“To those that find this message. In whatever form you are, in whatever language you speak, we greet you in good will as friends,” the cardinal overseer said. He didn’t need to read the engraved message. He knew it by heart. Since he’d been a pup, that message had captured his imagination. It was short but, he’d always felt, powerful. It epitomized everything he’d joined the Pride for. “We, the people of Uherta, wish you health and fortune and invite you to come to us. We will welcome you in peace and companionship. Please contact us.”

“You called to me,” the synth affirmed. “And I answered.”

Iljta-Risan was silent for several moments. He looked to Erenid-Lanquhis. The Court liaison seemed as baffled as the rest of them. “Do you,” he asked their host, “still have this probe?”

“I do,” it told him. “I have it stored elsewhere, but I can bring it to you if you’d like.”

“I would,” Iljta-Risan replied. “We are very grateful to receive you, make no mistake, but the presence of this unit raises questions that I have no answer for, and would most like to solve. I cannot say that we did not send this message – we have done so many times in the past – but this particular messenger is unknown to me. To my knowledge, the Hegemony has not sent a vessel like this beyond our borders for nearly three eight-years.”

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