Part 2: The Expedition
After a period of time of analysis, the Avaru scientists identified the star system indicated on Yarok-17’s map. It was a yellow star located in a neighboring galactic sector. The High Council approved a daring plan: an expedition to uncover the origins of the probe. A small starship, the Veylar’s Dawn, was constructed, utilizing artificial wormhole technology and a nuclear fusion drive to ensure that enough energy is applied to open a safe passage through the space.
The journey through the artificial wormhole was a spectacle of light and distortion, a testament to Avaru engineering. As the ship approached its destination, Commander Vaelin convened the crew in the central chamber.
“We’re entering uncharted territory,” Vaelin began, his tone measured. “This star system could hold unimaginable discoveries—or dangers. Stay alert and rely on each other.”
“Do you think we’ll find the creators of Yarok-17 here?” Kelan asked, his voice tinged with both hope and trepidation.
“If they’re still alive,” replied Lareth, her gaze fixed on the projected star map. “But after 200,000 years, it’s more likely we’ll find their remnants… if that.”
As the ship emerged near the yellow star, which the crew designated as Sol, the sensors revealed a vibrant planetary system. The third planet immediately caught their attention.
“It’s lush,” Kelan remarked, analyzing the readouts. “But… the atmosphere’s composition suggests some kind of disaster of biological origin. Possibly of microbial or viral nature.”
“Signs of life, but nothing intelligent,” added Lareth. “We’ll need to investigate carefully.”
Vaelin nodded. “Prepare for descent. This could be the place we’ve been searching for.”
Descending through the atmosphere of the third planet, the Avaru expedition encountered a world both exciting and desolate. Vegetation sprawled across vast plains and crumbled structures, but no signs of intelligent life remained. Scans revealed remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Ruined cities dotted the landscape, their skeletal remains a haunting reminder of the planet’s former glory.
“It’s eerie,” Kelan said as the team stepped out onto the planet’s surface. “There’s so much life around, and yet… it’s empty.”
Lareth crouched near a shattered piece of what appeared to be a sculpture. “These ruins… they tell a story of a species that reached great heights. Look at the craftsmanship. Whoever they were, they were builders and dreamers.”
The team landed near the ruins of a massive structure resembling a tower. Inside, they discovered artifacts: fragments of what possible once were data storage devices, faded pictorial records, and tools of extraordinary sophistication. Kelan held up a small device that flickered with faint light – clearly driven by long-lasting radiation source.
“This might still work,” he said with excitement. “We could retrieve data from it.”
As they worked on extracting data, Lareth noticed a symbol engraved on a plaque within the ruins. “Vaelin, this looks like the same markings from Yarok-17.”
Vaelin approached, his expression intense. “This could confirm the link. It’s almost poetic—we’ve come full circle.”
Hours later, they succeeded in accessing holographic records recorded by the ancient device. One projection showed bustling cities, vibrant with activity and culture. Another displayed grim scenes of chaos caused by the unknown biological hazard spread. All seemed to happen quickly and by surprise for the former inhabitants of the planet. They experimented on the microbiological life and one day it turned against them. And they were not prepared…
“To those who find this,” a human scientist said in a final recording, their voice filled with despair and hope, “we leave behind our story as a warning. May you learn from our mistakes.”
As they reviewed more data from the probe Yarok-17, the team finally decoded its original designation: Pioneer-10. Through historical analysis, they learned it was one of humanity’s first interstellar emissaries, launched in 1972 by a civilization eager to explore beyond its own solar system. Its mission was to study the outer planets and serve as a cosmic messenger, bearing a plaque that detailed Earth’s location and its creators’ hope to connect with other intelligent life.
“Pioneer-10,” Lareth murmured. “A fitting name for a vessel with such a purpose.”
Vaelin’s expression hardened. “They reached the stars but couldn’t escape their own hubris. It’s a sobering thought.”
“Yet they dreamed of something greater,” Lareth countered, her voice tinged with admiration. “Perhaps Pioneer-10 was their way of reaching out, of ensuring they would not be forgotten. Their mistakes may guide us, but their dreams… those can inspire us.”
“Commander!” Kelan called from another chamber. “We found something else. You’ll want to see this.”
They rushed to Kelan’s location to find a large, intact device that hummed faintly. Again some kind of nuclear source was driving it for all these millennia. Symbols similar to those on the probe adorned its surface.
“It’s still active,” Kelan said, awe in his voice. “A piece of their legacy, still alive. These could be their history records!”
Vaelin placed a hand on the device, his gaze distant. “Let’s take it with us. The story of this world isn’t over yet.”
Before leaving the Sol system, the expedition made a detour to the planet’s solitary moon. There, they discovered artifacts and remnants of old Earth spacecraft preserved in the Moon’s near-airless environment. Among these relics were landers, rovers, and the imprints of humanity’s daring reach beyond their planet. The Moon, untouched by the biological hazard that ravaged Earth, had kept these treasures intact for tens of thousands of years.
“These are monuments,” Lareth said softly, running her fingers along the cold, metallic surface of a lunar module. “A testament to their will to explore, to dream beyond their world.”
Vaelin nodded solemnly. “We’ll preserve this legacy. It deserves to endure.”
With heavy hearts, the expedition gathered what they could and departed the silent world. The story of Earth’s rise and fall would become a solemn chapter in the chronicles of the Avaru, a lesson in both caution and aspiration, as they carried the memory of humanity into the stars.
Just what I was searching for, appreciate it for posting.