Official Transcript: HNN News Update: 07/24/2175
LERMAN: From HNN News in Tokyo, I'm Carrie Lerman with a breaking news update from geostationary orbit above North America. The unidentified starship known to the media as the "black ship" has, as of three minutes ago, launched a small probe from an internal launch bay mounted on the ship's underside. The probe, seen here on raw video recorded by the Terran destroyer the TSS Monte Casino, separated from the main ship at about 5 in the evening Earth Standard Time and appears to be on course to enter the atmosphere above Mongolia. We'll be bringing you live updates as the story unfolds. We still aren't sure what this probe is; it could be an unmanned probe, or it could be a manned shuttlecraft, or there is a possibility that it might be a weapon of some kind, a nuclear warhead of for example. Again, you're seeing images recorded by orbiting warships recorded four minutes ago. There is no reason at this time for panic, and the TIA is advising everyone to go about their business as they would on any other day.
Ambience Tactical Mainframe: Strategic Command Operation 1227 BLACK SHIP INTERFERENCE: 07/24/2175
Air Squadron 14 Air Squadron 18 Air Squadron 4 Responding to direct instruction. Target 11473 "Black Ship Probe" designated low risk target. Units ordered to observe and escort but not engage target.
Official Transcript: HNN News Update: 07/24/2175
LERMAN: Once again, I'm Carrie Lerman with HNN News in Tokyo. We've been following the probe from the black ship as it has made its descent into Earth atmosphere. It has now entered the atmospheric threshold over Mongolia at high velocity. It appears to be on course to China that will bring it approximately towards Beijing. It has yet to activate any sort of weaponry or warheads that Terran sensors can detect, and the Air Force has yet to engage it in any way. Three squadrons of Tzu class fighters have made a steady approach but seem to be holding back from making aggressive moves.
Official Transcript: Phone Call: From Nobuyuki Ito: To Dwai Chen: 07/24/2175: Translated by Zhou Hanshen-Yao
CHEN: Admiral, we're a bit busy right now.
ITO: Why have your fighters not engaged that probe? I'm watching from the Icarus station through a telescope. They're just flying around. Why are they not attacking?
CHEN: You've fought these things. Do you really think it would make a difference?
ITO: That doesn't mean we shouldn't try! That could be a weapon and it's flying straight for the capital!
CHEN: Look, Nobuyuki, the Tactical Mainframe classified it as a low risk target. They must have picked up on a pattern that we haven't seen yet. The fighters are keeping a distance unless that assessment changes.
ITO: The Mainframe isn't infallible. We still don't know what the ship is here for. We need to defend ourselves!
CHEN: The Mainframe may not be infallible, but it's about as close as the army and air force has. It's a hell of a lot better running unmanned fighters than I am. But if you think you're smarter, please, ask the President to override its instructions.
ITO: You have those codes, General. This can end with you!
CHEN: Well, I'm not going to use them. If the Mainframe doesn't think that probe is a threat, then I don't think I should either. So if you really want it done, you'll have to go over my head.
ITO: You're going to let a glorified computer do your thinking for you?
CHEN: Maybe the Air Force just isn't as smart as you Star Fleet admirals. Maybe you should give the orders from your space stations. You should suggest that to the President. In the meantime, don't tell me how to do my job.
ITO: It will be your fault if people die!
[End Transcript]
Diplomatic Dispatch: 07/24/2175
Ambassador Dumarith-President Yan An-Sing: I am watching the arrival of the black probe. Is your military responding to its arrival? What sort of risk is expected for the city? If necessary, I would like to begin arrangements for evacuations as soon as possible. End dispatch.
07/24/2175: Transmission Sent Icarus Station: O Earth: 07/24/2175: Transmission Received TSS Katsumoto BCC 1011
Begin Transmission
Captain Agami, prepare a precision missile launch targeted at the black probe. Arm a single tactical warhead with the same target. Await my order to fire. Admiral Nobuyuki Ito, authorization A73FTR20.
End Transmission
Personal Communication: From President Yan An-Sing: To Admiral Nobuyuki Ito: 07/24/2175: Translated by Zhou Hanshen-Yao
Admiral Ito, you are not authorized to launch a preemptive strike against the black probe. Order the battlecruiser Katsumoto to stand down its weapons.
Signed, Yan An-Sing, President of the Terran Hegemony
Personal Communication: From Ambassador Dumarith: To Praetor Almarith: 07/24/2175: Translated by Shenmarizh
My lord Praetor,
An unidentified probe from the black ship approaches the Terran capital as we speak. I have asked the Terran President what sort of threat this device poses but have received no reply. Having no eagerness to die in the event that the probe proves to be a missile, I have ordered my diplomatic staff to relocate to the embassy in Tokyo. Please have some military ready to transport myself and my staff to Yveran in case the black ship decides to eradicate Earth, as well as ample military resources to avenge it if necessary.
Dumarith, Ambassador of the Grushan Federation
Official Transcript: HNN News Update: 07/24/2175
LERMAN: Welcome back to this breaking news story. We have been following the arrival of the black probe to Earth. Since it entered Earth atmosphere it has maintained a steady flight path to Beijing. However, the President and Vice President and members of congress have not yet been evacuated. The Air Force continues to monitor the probe's progress in high alert status. We have had no statement from the Terran Military Command or the Terran Interstellar Authority as to the nature of the probe or its intentions. Again, the President and members of congress have not been evacuated from the city. We are getting word that the Grushan ambassador Dumarith and his staff are leaving the city in Grushan cargo helicopters provided by his government, and the Grushan diplomatic corps has released a statement to Grushan businessmen and women as well as Grushan citizens in Beijing advising them that they had asked for details regarding the probe from the TIA and the TMC but received no reply and urging them to leave the city. Many Grushan are following the ambassador's message. However, Terran citizens have received no such warnings from the President or the military. The black probe is expected to reach Beijing in approximately ten minutes.
Official Statement: Gennady Semyonov: 07/24/2175
People of Earth! An alien probe is approaching the capital city. And what is the government doing to stop it? Nothing at all! It has gambled the lives of millions in hopes that the aliens have not come to destroy all of Earth. They are wrong! People of Beijing, flee the city while you can if you value life and all that it stands for!
The Thoughts of Yong An-Hong: Translated by Alexandra Yuan: Copyright 2205, Centauri University Press: Hanson Harbor, Nova
07/24/2175
Once again, I am forced to write in action. I wish there was more that we knew about the incoming probe. However, the Tactical Mainframe has indicated that it is not a threat; the military has responded accordingly. Several generals and admirals have requested permission to override Mainframe orders to autonomous combat units. The President has refused to grant that permission, however. I doubt this decision; prudence would seem to demand a military response. The Mainframe has not provided a chain of logic to justify the decision; under ordinary circumstances, it provides a clear data and logic readout. If it were possible, I would wonder if someone had altered the Mainframe somehow, but the technology does not exist that could countermand the Mainframe itself. However, this time, it only repeats that the probe represents no significant threat. I think it is imprudent to obey this vague judgement. But the President has made his decision.
So, as the probe approaches, the military, the diplomatic corps, and the police do nothing. I am even forbidden to leave of my own accord; the President believes that the government should be united. While I agree, I also wish that my presence was not included in this unity; I am Vice President, I should be alive in the event that the President comes to harm himself.
For now, though, we await the coming of the black probe with baited breath.
Official Transcript: HNN News Update: 07/24/2175
LERMAN: We're bringing you live updates on the black probe in Earth atmosphere. It just entered Beijing airspace and has arrived above Tiananmen Square. We're watching it now, and it appears to be hovering above the currently empty square plaza. It doesn't appear to be using any kind of jet propulsion to land. [pause] It's coming in for a landing now. It looks like those are landing gear sliding out from the main body of the probe. It's landing, so for now at least, it looks as if it isn't going to turn out to be a bomb or a weapon of some kind. [pause] As you can see, the TIA and TMC haven't deployed defenses here, so it's unlikely that they consider this probe a threat. In fact, we're receiving word that the President's motorcade is en route to Tiananmen Square, where the probe has landed. Yes, it has landed. [pause] The black probe has landed in Tiananmen Square. Civilian traffic has not been cleared out of the area, either, it should be noted. It looks as if... wait, what is that? Something is...it must be a door of some kind, opening up, and...oh my! Something's coming...good heavens! What is that thing?
Speech Delivered by Zahal: 07/24/2175: Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China
I am Zahal of the Zaha-Katchem! I speak for the last of my people. I speak for the greatest Empire to ever rule the stars, that was destroyed, but has returned from the void. I have come from the depths of time, and have come to you oh rulers of Earth, with the last of the Zaha-Katchem, to you who have wakened us from our endless sleep, for it was a Terran science ship that set foot upon our devastated world and brought us back from our deep and listless sleep.
Humans, my people owe you a great debt of gratitude. For to us, it was only yesterday when the last Zaha-Katchem world was set on fire by our mortal enemies. Yet for you, a thousand years have past since the last Zaha-Katchem traveled the stars. For all of that time, we have slept, waiting for time to summon us again. Today, they have! A Terran science vessel set foot upon our last, ancient world. Your scientists awoke us. My people owe the Terran Hegemony a great debt. And so, we traveled here. Our last scientists have labored day and night since our arrival to understand your language and culture, and I speak to you now in all human languages as a result of their efforts. Yours is truly a magnificent culture, founded on reason, compassion and liberty for all; such a nation as our empire aspired to be once upon a time, before it was snuffed out by our enemies, jealous of our strength and our greatness, and they betrayed us.
My people come before you, humans, the last wayward sparks of a long-extinguished flame. Our lives are in your hands, humans. But we know that you are a just, fair race, a race of kings among a brutal galaxy of petty thugs. May this day serve as the first in the history of the Zaha-Katchem and the Hegemony of Man. Long live Man! Long live the Zaha-Katchem!
The Thoughts of Yong An-Hong: Translated by Alexandra Yuan: Copyright 2205, Centauri University Press: Hanson Harbor, Nova
07/24/2175
The President has greeted Zahal of the Zaha-Katchem and welcomed him to Earth. The crews of 17 Terran warships died in vain.