Help or observe?

Help or observe?

     Everyone woke up from the fact that Alice sent a message to everyone to immediately appear on the bridge. Even without breakfast, everyone gathered without delay.

• What happened? - Ram asked first.
• Message from SCSA? - added Bob.
• Everything is fine - Alice reassured - there have been no messages since yesterday. We are already at an unattainable distance...
• Yes, so what? - Dave was annoyed.
• I received a signal from this JOL satellite (it projected onto the main screen). Encryption is very similar to what we learned on Earth, but not complete.
• The shape of this cosmic body is very strange, it is not round. - said Ram.
• But we do not have a JOL landing program . Maybe a crash? - thought Eva in her voice.
• Let "Vivak" (the AI of the shuttle) scan - Ram.
• I already started it. He somehow recognizes the ciphers that were found under the pyramid of Cheops in Egypt.
• Delusional - said Bob - it doesn't make much sense.
• Okay, before continuing the expedition, let's study in more detail.
• But this is not according to the program - emphasized Zlata.
• Well then we have to make changes – Ram left the room.

     The signal was brief and faint, but different from the usual noise of space. Everyone worked on deciphering the signal for several hours, using different methods and hypotheses. They determined that the signal was a gamma ray that had a very high energy and a frequency of 1020 Hz. This signal was modulated, that is, it contained additional information that was encoded in its amplitude or phase. As far as is known, such a phenomenon does not exist in nature, which makes it unusual. The supply periods were short, that is, it was repeated at certain time intervals. By the method of observations, it was established that the signal was directed, that is, it was emitted in a certain direction, and not in all directions.

     There was only one explanation - the signal was of artificial origin, that is, it was created and sent by someone or something. They assumed that the signal was a message that had some meaning and purpose. Since the broadcast was from a satellite orbiting the planet, it was sent from close range. The problem was that these are high-energy waves that can irreversibly damage molecules. that make up cells, causing genetic mutations and even death. On Earth, we can observe natural sources of gamma rays during the decay of radionuclides and the interaction of cosmic rays with the atmosphere. This kept them at a distance from the source.

     Brandon's team tried to decipher the signal and determine its meaning and purpose. Having applied various algorithms and codes to no avail, they realized that they were behind schedule. It was decided to record and send to Earth for detailed study.

• Let's try sending our frequency back - Dave suggested unexpectedly.
• But what exactly? - Alice exclaimed in surprise.
• Just redirect the same signal back.
• Sounds stupid for an intergalactic expert - said Bob sarcastically.
• We're just improvising, everything ingenious is simple... - Dave answered disgruntled but restrained.

In any case, Ram had the last word. They sent their message through a powerful radio transmitter.

     To their surprise, they got an answer. Unexpectedly, the silhouette of a large whale-like animal with a long tail and large fins appeared. The animal also had several light organs on its body that emitted multi-colored signals. Its dimensions were twice the size of "Celestia". The animal just floated in the dark space, surrounded by stars and planets. The sounds also changed their frequency and amplitude depending on the light signals emitted by the animal. The whale was fixed to the satellite all the time with the help of its tail. He looked peaceful.

• It's not possible - Eva exclaimed.
• I thought it was a myth! - added Bob.

     The team was shocked and delighted by this turn of events. According to short stories in the SCSA library, space whales could exist, but only in theory. Their existence was not confirmed by anything other than similar records received as far back as 2012. In the same year, one of the scientists of SCSA - Ben Avdin, tried to superimpose the frequencies of the signal from space on the sounds that make up terrestrial whales. How this thought came to his head no one knows to this day. Ben described them in his writings, and devoted the rest of his life to hunting them through a telescope. Celestia 's knowledge base was reduced, which added to the problems with determining the origin.

The detachment confirmed the existence of whales, although the similarity with the descriptions was about 9.5%. Ben Avdin's work for 9 years could finally be recognized. Unfortunately, the creator of this theory will not see what he himself so diligently researched. It seems that this creature had its own consciousness and emotions. Single signals began to appear on the radar. There were more and more of them.

• Um, guys, I don't want to scare anyone, but we seem to have guests - said Alisa.
• But where are they? - Dave asked, running from one side to the other.