Transceiver Activated

Explorer 0613 initiating Status Report. Day fifteen.

Have you received the formulas?

…

Indeed, I have created prototypes of these provisions, each identical in nutrition, but different in execution. I had offered these to the Human, to test which one would be most appealing, and it seemed highly amused that I attempted to "cook" and became even more amused when I presented the prototypes. It compared them to cubes of "gelatin", a substance Humans sometimes eat.

This resemblance perhaps encouraged the Human to fiddle with the prototypes before consuming them.

According to the Human, seven of the ten prototypes are suitable at varying degrees, but it states that Formula Three and Formula Five would most likely appeal to the general populace, given their natural gravitation towards sugars, salt, and fat. Formulas One, Eight, and Nine proved inadequate and the Human expressed obvious discontent with these despite its attempts to hide it so as not to be "impolite" and "insult my efforts".

The frivolousness of Human social taboo continues to know no bounds.

…

Yes, experimentation will commence with a larger sample size. I had produced many prototypes of each formula and had instructed the Human to offer them to its fellows during our journey and record the results. It was mutually agreed that I should keep my presence hidden from the general populous, until the higher Human powers determine otherwise.

As a consequence of this, I cannot use my Handling Machine for transport, and would have to endure the Human vehicles. This, however, did not stop the Scientist from requesting we take my machine back to the settlement. It seemed eager to compare and contrast our two very different methods of travel. I allowed this, once more modifying my machine with the cage attachment to hold the Human passenger. As I did so, the Human explored the occupational chamber, noting with interest how the levers and switches used for control were designed for a tentacular grip. It also inquired about the use of legs on the machine.

I responded that unlike their 'wheel', we designed our machines after the biological structure of our native organisms and as such, the limbs that we have built have more than a billion years of fine-tuned evolutionary development behind them. With modifications to suit our needs, our machines can transverse any environment with ease.

After the adjustments, I set about preparing for my last departure. I have sent all the notes I have accumulated, collected my essential devices, and had shut down both the main and reserve power. The Human seemed troubled by the latter and stated that it was having difficulty seeing in the darkness. It would seem the vision of Humans is incapable of functioning in low-light areas; another weakness we can exploit.

I guided the Human into its basket and hurried my Handling Machine from the pit. As I left, I took one last visit to the Red Weed; the white discoloration has claimed more of its leaves, but it was still growing immensely well. Its purpose served, I removed it from the earth by its roots and disposed of it with the Heat Ray modification of my Handling Machine.

Making my way through the forest, I disassembled all the other Heat Rays from the perimeter, placing them in the storage unit, and headed back out to the Human settlement.

Upon our arrival to the prison that once held me, I released the Scientist from the basket and programmed my Handling Machine to self-pilot back into the cylinder and deactivate its power as soon as it reached its destination. As the vehicle departed, the Human spent an unnecessary amount of time sharing its excitement from the experience, to which I feigned interest but paid no mind to. The Scientist was quick to return to more important business as it called to its Student.

The younger Human soon arrived with another vehicle, this one noticeably larger than the last, with more of the quadrupedal beasts pulling it. It stated that it managed to work out a deal with the locals to give more room for our supplies and myself. As the Scientist loaded the containments holding both of our supplies, I opened the occupational chamber to examine the interior. It is still equipped with the small platforms, but had adequate floor space. With the Humans help, I pulled myself aboard.

I waited here for some time, as the Scientist and Student spoke at great length to the locals and disappeared deeper into the city. The Scientist later informed me that it was sending messages of our departure to its observatory via a crude device called a "telegraph". So these creatures are indeed capable of long-distance communication, however this should not prove to be a disadvantage.

After some time, the Humans returned and we soon departed, this time with the Scientist sharing the occupational chamber alongside me. The Student was still noticeably nervous of my size and appearance, and so had taken it upon itself to steer the beasts.

As we left the settlement, the Scientist presented me an opportunity to feed when it handed me several of its primitive syringes full of blood. I did not show my contempt of these simple devices nor of the meager rations as I fed.

The Scientist spoke restlessly of its life as we moved, to which I listened but did not encourage with responses. There wasn't much significant information to be gleaned from the account of its early years, only to confirm our knowledge that the Human species are incredibly vain, petty, and dim-witted.

I had more interest when it told me of its studies in astronomy and its experiences within the scientific community. It told me of the various beliefs, theories, and hypotheses the Human race had come up with and it frequently asked me to confirm or deny these claims. I have done so, debunking several of their silly speculations of the universe and reaffirming what facts they had managed to gather.

When it asked for reciprocation with my life stories, I allowed it whilst omitting some detail. It seemed astonished by our method of reproduction, and our lack of separate sexes. Its disbelief grew even more when it learned that our young are not only fully independent upon budding free, but inherit all the knowledge of their parent.

Its interest only intensified when I informed it that from birth, I was trained as an explorer and have visited many celestial bodies in my life. It wanted full accounts of my travels, and I filled its tiny mind with wonder as I gave it visual transmissions. I told it of my expeditions to Venus and Mercury, of Earth's moon, of the asteroid belt, and of Jupiter's moons. I fabricated the end result of these explorations should they involve other sentient races, continuing to paint our race as a peaceful one.

We spoke like this for some hours, after which the Scientist finally fell silent and I watched the landscape outside pass by. The sun was no longer visible as it was veiled behind thick cloud cover; even with this, I judged that it was approaching evening. The Human stirred into activity once more, pulling a small box from its portable carrier. It made quite a peculiar offer, asking if I would like to indulge in several "games" to pass the time.

I told it that play behavior was beneath our race, but it insisted again and again. It seemed these "games" were for the Human's well-being rather than an attempt to occupy me. I at last relented, and after it told me the incredibly simple ideas and rules, it boasted that it's an expert in these activities, but intends to show leniency towards me. I said nothing, but I demonstrated the superiority of our race through action and defeated the Human in every one of its games.

…

Agreed, it was too easy, a fitting representation of what's to come.

When the Human decided to give up these diversions, it attempted to hide its obvious distress at its consistent losses by suggesting we break for provisions. It communicated this to its Student, whom brought the vehicle to a stop. As the Human stepped out, I remained inside the occupational chamber as a precaution whilst observing the Humans settle on the ground.

After a time, the Scientist attempted to coax me from the vehicle, to which I refused. Night has only just fallen, and I had no wish to be caught out in the open by a wandering stranger. I instead insisted that the Scientist share the formulas with its Student, upon which, it did so. The Student seemed hesitant to consume the samples, but with continuous prompting and reassurance from its teacher, it complied.

Its responses to the prototypes reflect that of its superior, although I still desire a larger sample size.

When the Humans at last returned to the vehicle, we resumed our trek, the Scientist leaving me in peace. We did not stop again until later in the night hours and the two Humans had a rather heated debate as to where to stop. Apparently, we were drawing close to a Human settlement and the Scientist wished to keep going.

However, the Student was growing increasingly weary, wishing to rest for the night, and pointed out that the settlement was still several hours away. When the Scientist insisted that the Student rest in here whilst it takes the reins, the Student fervently disagreed. It would not share why, but I knew it was because it did not feel comfortable falling into its resting state alone with me.

After much repetitive arguing, the Humans growing loud enough for me to actually hear them, the Scientist relented. Once more putting a halt to our progress, I was still nonetheless patient as I observed them setting up the temporary settlement, both constructing their own shelters.

As the Student fell silent in its refuge, the Scientist suggested I keep watch of the area while they rested. I agreed to this.

There has been no activity since then, and I have decided it is safe to transmit this message. Tomorrow, we will be arriving to the Human settlement, and I will have a more definitive conclusion to the formulas and perhaps an opportunity to-

…

I am fine. The sky, it… It is… raining.

Transceiver Deactivated