| Good Tidings We Bring The following piece is a transcript from tapes recorded in the lab at Ohio Sate�s �Big Ear� receiver. These tapes were the beginning of a UN archive compiled as we learned more about what we had discovered. The actions described were added to the transcript based on the testimony of Banksmann and his associates. Banksmann: Alright, we�ve been tracking that star for a while, and it looks pretty bare. I think we only sent radio signals in that direction, anyway, so it�s not likely we�re going to pick anything up at this point. Marshall: What about that other star? I�ve got it down here as one of the stars we sent the new form-targeted messages to. It�s about 25 light-years away, and the pulse was sent right about 50 years ago. (Turning to a second computer terminal). I say it�s time to check if anyone was home to get the message. (Looks up at Banksmann, who is standing.) Banksmann: (completing his notes on the last star) That sounds like a perfect place to look. Let�s just make sure that everything is cleared and reset. We want to have our best reception for this one, hmm? Marshall: (with a slight smile) We�re all set. (He types into the computer and this aims the satellite array at the star after a few minutes of rotation.) Your computer should be getting the data any second now. Banksmann: (seated at the computer) Jim.... where�s our data on this star before our transmission? This star has the oddest emission pattern... Marshall: (standing behind Banksmann, also staring at the screen. His voice has a rather absent tone.) Here..... That is rather odd, isn�t it? Banksmann: Is this the right data? Marshall: Mm-hmm. Banksmann: Oh, my God. I don�t think that�s the star doing that . Quick, get everyone else you can on the line! (Marshall whirls around to grab the directory and starts dialing.) I think we�ve just got our reply. My God... There it is! Tell them to filter out the star�s normal emissions. What�s left over is.... it has to be something sent out deliberately. (Banksmann turns on the printer, which frantically begins to spit out data.) Marshall: (shouting) They�ve got it! Three of the other observatories are picking up the exact same thing. They�re waking everyone up on the west coast. (calmer) Is there any way we can double check this stuff to make sure it isn�t one of Ma Nature�s shenanigans? Banksmann: Ask the others if they have any ideas. I�m not sure how we�d check this signal. It looks so extremely artificial that I have no idea what we ought to do to test it. Marshall: (after speaking on the phone) They don�t have any ideas, either. Once the people on the west coast pick this signal up we probably ought to go the UN with this. We�ve got to confirm this and get it worldwide before anyone starts trying to hide it or something. Banksmann: Yeah. OK, see how they�re doing out west and let�s get this ready to show the world. I almost can�t believe it.... That morning everyone woke up to the report of a suspected transmission from another civilization. While the signal was not at this point officially confirmed to be artificial, experts believed it to be highly likely. The UN held a special session and was briefed on what was later to be called the Banksmann-Marshall Discovery. After several weeks, the signal repeated itself, and computer analysis revealed a code embedded in the transmission. It held the message �We send our welcome. We wish to share in peace.� It was deciphered in the year 2641 on December 21st. |