From 79d6967f2080155acabd30efd53a270f880d83dd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: BodgeMaster <> Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:34:58 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] 'pk' : start writing a new chapter --- pk--lena_first_contact.html | 82 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 82 insertions(+) create mode 100644 pk--lena_first_contact.html 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 @@ + <Lena first contact>
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+

<Lena first contact>

+ +

+ 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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