The Ashwell Challenge: An Anthology

The Eye at the Center of the Galaxy

by D. N. Ashwell

Credentials accepted. Welcome to the Watcher Archive, Caretaker. Transferring comprehensive records...

Summarized report as follows

Run Time: 30,312 years.
Core Status: Significant degradation.
Observational Scanners: Reduced to minimal capacity.
Repair Modules: Offline.
Manual repair required.
Protocol Active: Gamma, Memory Preservation.

Advanced Protocols Activated: 4
Most Recent: Core Memory Restoration. Memory Salvaged: 97%. Corrupted files quarantined, degradation: 84%.

Anomalies Detected: 53
Most Common Anomalies: Gravitational Time Distortion, Quantum Disentanglement.

Species Encountered: 6
Species analysis available.
Last Contact: 452 years.
Candidates: Inconclusive Data.

First encounter requested. Accessing...

Central Year 50902, Leading Day 122
Core Status: Nominal.
Observational Scanners: Full capacity.
Repair Modules: Online.
Protocol Active: Alpha, Observation Only.

A collection of creatures has arrived. They appear organic with a primary composition of silicon, water, and oxygen, and achieve movement by means of enlarged cilia on the bottoms of three, equidistantly located limbs. Each wears a suit composed of metal-infused polymeric fibers, suggesting incompatibility with the atmosphere present in my containment. The creatures communicate with each other through a mixture of electrochemical signals and repeated ticks. Language deciphering underway. The signals received by their suits appear to release pheromone packets in response, suggesting a history of olfactory communication. Creatures may have developed repeated ticks as a secondary form of communication for use when hostile atmospheres prohibit olfactory communication. The creatures come in threes, remaining in separate teams as if tentative of potential hazards posed by my infrastructure.

A third sign of communication has arisen across their initial inspection of my mainframe. Several of the creatures gesticulate to each other across the main chamber with a set of three more limbs less than halfway up their bodies. In a semicircular array around my main conduit, the creatures have set up stations of presumably analytic equipment. Currently they are analyzing my core with non-invasive, non-destructive means. Alpha Protocol holds.

Summarized historical logs involving Species 1 requested. Accessing...

Central Year 50902, Leading Day 123
Core Status: Nominal.
Observational Scanners: Full capacity.
Repair Modules: Online.
Protocol Active: Alpha, Observation Only.

Language deciphering complete. The language of the three-legged creatures is surprisingly simple, although the Caretaker would have difficulty communicating without augmentation. They have a name for themselves, but it is a mix of clicks and smells that do not translate into written word easily. For matters of the report, the name Tridians will be substituted. They continue their escapades throughout my infrastructure, growing more adventurous and braver by the day. There is talk of limited time, although the context of which is unclear. Given their organic nature and how their excretions are filtered through their suits, the creatures have limited supplies and will have to refuel, but there are also whispers of dangers that lurk in the stars. This is unsurprising, the galaxy is riddle with anomalies and environments that are hostile to organic life.

Central Year 50902, Leading Day 125
Core Status: Nominal.
Observational Scanners: Full capacity.
Repair Modules: Online.
Protocol Active: Alpha, Observation Only.

The Tridians returned to the stars at the advent of this Leading Day. They have jumped out of range of my external scanners. Little has been left behind, a dusting of chemicals the only trace of their presence. I have repurposed a repair module to collect samples and store them in my vault. Routine maintenance of core memory engaged.