First Contact

Chapter 6

Gob, Kar and Mul stand waiting in a field not too far from the Stargazers HQ, waiting for the Kom to arrive. They had sent the site's coordinates to them some time ago and the Observer stations reported that one of the smaller capsules was on its way to the planet. They had all agreed that as the seniormost ranking member of the Elders, Mul would be the one to approach and speak to the Kom with Gob and Kar standing by to assist.

They didnt have to wait long, as one of the smaller capsules entered the planet's atmosphere. It slowed as it came closer and descended exactly at the coordinates that were sent. The capsule seemed larger than Gob imagined based on the data they had collected, it was almost as high as two floors of the HQ building and wider than any field on the planet. Even though it was late in the day, the smooth white surface shined in the light. It rested on small but sturdy metal supports that has slowly been extended from the capsule's surface during its descent.

"I think we should wear the communication devices Drak provided us" said Kar.

Before arriving at the field, everyone had gathered to discuss the Kom's arrival. One of the matters of discussion was how they planned on communicating, to which Drak provided a solution. The Observers had been busy studying the objects from space to understand how they transmitted data to the Kom, and had developed communications equipment capable of translating for them. They had also transmitted this information to the Kom capsule so that they can understand the local language.

Gob equipped the device, it felt as if a small round object had been pushed into their skull. It would take some time to get used to it, but a small price to pay Gob though. Gob looked around to see if everyone was ready and then followed Mul as he stepped towards the capsule.

Before they got too close, a panel swung open from near side of the capsule's surface. It opened slowly and some sort of gas hissed out of it as the door swung wider and wider. The inside was dark with a small red light flickering at the top of the opening, after a few moments the flickering stopped. Another door on the inside of the capsule opened revealing a bright light, Gob had to focus a little bit to realise that there was a silhouette of a large creature standing in front of the light. A small ramp extended from the first door down to the surface, and a large creature walked down slowly. It had a big round head with a dark crystal in the center, the crystal reflected light back at Gob who had to look away for a second to avoid being blinded. For a moment Gob thought there was something behind the crystal, but chalked it up to reflections and ambient lights. The Kom has loose and wrinkled greyish-white skin that seemed to fall of their bones and move with a mind of its own ad the Kom walked down from the capsule. Their feet large and heavy, making low thuds against the metallic ramp it walked on. Gob had seen all the data about the Kom and knew what to expect, but seeing them in person was a different feeling entirely. Maybe it was excitement, maybe it was fear. It was, Awe.

It took a few moments before Gob realised there were two Kom standing outside the capsule, not saying or doing anything. Waiting for us? Or Observing Us? Gob thought silently. Mul was the first to come to his senses and approached the Kom, gesturing to their communication devices Mul said "Welcome! Can you understand me?"

The Kom were silent, they looked to each other and then looked to Mul again.

Mul looked confused, glancing at Kar and Gob in hopes for a suggestion. Kar pointed to the power button on the device, trying not to verbally call out Mul. Mul, looking embarrassed, switched the device on and tried again.

"Welcome, friends! We hope your journey was not too harsh. If you can understand me, please acknowledge" said Mul

"Acknowledged. We understand." replied one of the Kom. Their voice was strange and heavy, almost sounded metallic Gob thought. There was no tone, nuance or intent in their speech, it was simply words without thought or emotion. The Kom stood silent again, as if they were waiting to be spoken to. They didnt move or twitch or show any signs of normal life, they simply stood and stared.