[a/n]An unapologetically Asimovian conclusion to SoHDD#164 & SoHDD#166

Harry Does Different CDIa

Silly Asses

The world-city-capitol of what Humanity called the Milky Way Galaxy was an artificial structure as near the supermassive black hole as safe. Orbiting it once every million Earth years. With a population of trillions, in many different environments. There are insectoids, Jovian class giant gas creatures, water and land mammals, and sub-zero peoples. Two quite physically dissimilar members of an important division were in conference.

"Shah Guido G, I greet you. One of our most successful species registrar. How soon can your crew be ready for action?" the being greeted her visitor.

The explorer shuffled his feet in embarrassment "Thank you, Admonistus. I owe my success to my people. They were hoping for 20 or 30 cycles leave."

"Take 50. It is well deserved. Your next mission will be to the J2Y9 arm. There are potentially many new civilizations. Dozens perhaps."

Abcij

In Human terms it was almost a thousand years before Shah Guido G's ship approached a G type star. There were lots of stars between the core and the Orion Arm [as it was known to Human astronomers] And she was reporting "Captain's log: Galactic cycle 14008625 Nine civilizations contacted and fully integrated into the Union. Fourteen pre-FTL species listed for longterm observation. Receiving two, possibly three, signals from J2Y9-6T084. A gas giant, an absolute zero world and an oxygen-nitrogen. The ship will leave hyperspace and split into three to investigate."

"The lightspeed radio waves we detected in J2Y9-4R84T came from the third planet." The communication officer reported. "Carbon-oxygen-nitrogen lifecycle. Always enjoy meeting the locals."

The captain barked in his direction "None of that until we've confirmed FTL capability, Timov."

"The signals have ended, completely, Shah Guido G." Timov followed up "One of the earliest bursts came from the large island west of the largest landmass."

She frowned "A disturbing development. Have you assimilated the world language?"

"Multiple landmasses resulted in multiple languages, but I am fluent in the ten largest we have samples of."

The science officer reported "Scans show large land dweller cities typical of stage five development. Moderate power production. Negligible power usage."

"This feels very wrong." Said the Captain who quickly decided "I'm going down there. Science and communications join me." The officers obeyed and soon they were on the surface.

The city chosen for the expedition was by far the largest on the island. It displayed evidence of engineering skill and artistic awareness. Such a people would enrich the galaxy. But there were no sounds of the usual bustling activity. The other problem the explorers noticed was wilderness coming into the tamed areas.

"Hello there." The communication officer spoke to an approaching native who was similar in body form only to receive a growl in return.

Another member of the party caught a wind-blown paper. He was fluent in the written form of the local language and read "The London Times. November 7 2002. Fourth wizard terror attack of the week. Skyscraper collapse. 600 dead 850 wounded."

"The native we just encountered was not the ruling intelligence." The guard announced "It was a quadruped. The beings depicted are bipeds."

Captain Shah Guido G shook her head in disgust "Silly asses! I want to get off this miserable planet yesterday!"