2 >> nerd life is hard

[recopy]

Who: Megaman and you!
Broadcast: Fleetwide!
Action: Moping at the desk in the engineer's office on the SS Golden, lights on as usual
When: RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW somewhere around the space equivalent of midnight

Hello, I'd like to ask a question for anyone still awake. Some of you have been here for a little while now, right? I was wondering...has anyone ever been able to contact people they know back home here? Has Atroma ever allowed it, I guess.

My friends back home are probably really worried about me by now...I don't think they would know what's going on. To them I might have suddenly become missing! And I'd like to let them know that I'm okay, if I can. But I don't know if there's a way...

And also, since [ah] maybe I'm going to be here for awhile too. Does anyone have a database about outer space that I could borrow for a bit? A book or a data file you'd be willing to lend? Just, something that gets detailed about how things work in general out there. I have basic knowledge on the subject, but I'd like to learn more of I can.

Thank you.

Comments

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Oh, I see...that's a nice name for the moon! I guess it was about time we got around to naming it eventually. Three hundred years late isn't too bad. But that's still really amazing to try thinking about--I bet the world in 300 years must be incredible!

[Oh this is a good question though, let's see--]

We definitely have many satellites up there by now, I believe! And, according to my records, the International Space Station was also occupied in low orbit around ten years ago and has been ever since. [ah what else--] We were also able to somewhat retaliate against an extraterrestrial threat at one point very recently? The initial laser they tried to use didn't work, but they were able to beam a program up to the computer of the meteor being directed at us and change the settings of it! Ah, that was a pretty close call, though...does that sort of thing happen more often in the future?

[BECAUSE THAT SURE WAS A REAL HASSLE AT THE TIME he kind of hopes not...but then again, a future in space....]

[dancingmd]

Not often, but there have been a few attacks on Earth. We were fortunate that our first contact with an alien species - the Vulcans - was peaceful. They've been our allies ever since. We try to initiate peaceful contact with all the people we meet and only resort to fighting as a last resort. In fact, along with the Vulcans and countless other species, we have formed an interstellar federal republic. I can't guarantee that's the path your Earth will take but I suppose it is one possibility.

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Oh, I see... [WELL, that's. Actually a lot better than expected, all things considered.] An entire republic with all kinds of aliens? Then, you guys must have all kinds of information shared between all of you right now! The advancements must have been crazy...but I'm really glad to hear that!

Honestly, I think our own first encounter might have been a bit of a misunderstanding? The program they sent to us on that meteor was told to destroy any place with too much darkness in it, and I guess Earth does count for that in a way. But that's not really something we can completely get rid of either, I think. And that should be okay! But to the program, it wasn't. I can't really imagine a place where no one ever does anything bad, or hurts anyone else...but I guess that's what it's supposed to be like? Trying to learn about what aliens believe?

[dancingmd]

Yes, we believe in respecting, learning from, and celebrating cultural differences between species... even those who seem to be in direct opposition to us, there is always something to be learned from them. And things may change, even between enemies. Many who are members of the Federation now started off at war with one another, whether ideologically or literally. So perhaps you will one day in the future be able to reach out to these aliens and find a solution.

[recopy]

If that's the case, then I really hope that happens for us too, yes! If not with this first encounter then maybe with future ones...it'd be a lot nicer than being enemies, anyway.

[If only because it was already hard enough dealing with one hostile alien ambassador of sorts. Just trying to imagine repeat hostile encounters is a bit exhausting...yeah, he'd definitely rather have aliens as allies than enemies, he thinks. And it's nice to hear that it still might be possible, at the very least...

But wait--]

Oh--that's right though, I'm sorry! All this time we've been talking, and I never even got around to introducing myself! I don't think we've met before, anyway. My name is Megaman, and it's been very nice speaking with you, Dr. Crusher. I think I've learned a lot already!

[dancingmd]

No, we haven't, but I hope we get the chance to soon! I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have.