diff --git a/pk--lena_first_contact.html b/pk--lena_first_contact.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bb2e870 --- /dev/null +++ b/pk--lena_first_contact.html @@ -0,0 +1,82 @@ +
+ Missing: them cobbling their equipment together, + sending the remote activation sequence +
+
+ The oscilloscope shows a thick wobbly line. Michelle slightly adjusts
+ the knob for the trigger frequency and the image turns into a continuous
+ sine wave, slowly rolling to the left.
+ She says: I think that's their carrier.
+ It worked.
+ Jack flips a switch on the project box.
+ Ringing.
+ Michelle picks up the receiver and listens.
+ Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeeep.
+
+ A female voice greets her: Hello?
+ She gestures for Jack to flip the switch back and says:
+ This is ground support facility 53. Do you
+ hear me?
+ Yes, I can hear you. So good to hear
+ someone's voice.
+ Jack who had heard it says quietly: And I
+ thought we were the ones facing unexpected difficuties...
+ Michelle notices the carrier strength gradually dropping and says:
+ Listen, we don't have much time.
+ We're on makeshift equipment. Please turn on the radio in front of
+ you and tune to some frequency or
+ channel.
+ The person on the other end says: Understood.
+ Please stay on the line.
+ As long as possible. If not, we'll be
+ back in 24 hours.
+ Michelle hears her quietly mumbling to herself:
+ How's this thing work...
+ She turns the receiver away from her mouth and says:
+ Jack, I need the manual.
+ He opens it at one of the bookmarks and hands it over. The page depicts
+ what the control panel on the other end should look like.
+ Speaking into the phone again, Michelle says:
+ There should be a button labeled
+ EGCR-1. Push that in and flip the switch next to it up to
+ AM. Turn TXP to max, then search
+ for the frequency.
+
+ The voice comes through slightly choppy:
+ Th-ank-s.
+ The wave on the oscilloscope is now almost flat.
+ The phone plays an automated error message:
+ Dish unresponsive. Attempting network
+ handoff.
+ Relays click inside the comms unit and some status indicators light up
+ red. The green lights next to the network ports flicker for a moment,
+ then turn off again.
+ Another error message: Handoff failed.
+ Consult operational manu...
+ Michelle puts the receiver down.
+
+ The following dialog would benefit greatly from
+ proper radio protocol. Unfortunately, that is sonething I have yet to
+ learn. Feel free to send me a fixed version of it.
+ James aims the antenna at the moon. It's
+ resting on some kind of stand. Jack takes the microphone off a
+ desktop radio and pushes the talk button a few times. An indicator light
+ on the radio blinks as he does.
+ Looks good...
+ He speaks into the mic: This is ground
+ facility 53. Do you copy?
+ He waits for a response.
+ Nothing.
+ He repeats himself: This is ground
+ facility 53. Do you copy?
+ A few repeats later, the female voice answers:
+ There we go... Loud and clear.
+ Missing: they introduce themselves, Lena says
+ something along the lines of "everyone is dead"
+
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