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named it “ Dis Pater ” after the Roman god of the underworld, who was later renamed Pluto.
     
    Origin:
    Unknown—not of human manufacture.
     
    Age:
    Unknown.
     
    Location:
    Pluto. Longitude 120:14:04. Latitude 42:98:31.
     
    Composition:
    Unknown. Specific gravity of 100+. Impenatrable by ion bombardment (laser drill ineffective). Spectroanalysis inconclusive despite repeated test. Uncharted, or uncharteable atomic composition.
     
    Dimensions:
    35.02 meters NS by 49.38 EW at base of nucleus. 168.27 meters in diameter including electron cloud. 75.91 meters in height.
     
    Remark:
    Foundation/base rests on surface of planet; no indentation identified.
     
    Mass:
    Estimated 1.44 terratons.
     
    Apparent color:
    Translucent. There is a subtle disruption of light flowing through object.
     
    Animation:
    None. Object is inert.
     
    Distinguishing Marks:
    Every curved surface of the nucleus is covered in glyphs, inscribed by unknown means. Extensive photo catalog included with appendix to report.
     
    Observations:
    Obviously of alien origin. We’ve tried every test we can think of, but none have given us any more than cursory data. Until we can interpret the glyphs we have no idea who the architects are, or for what purpose they erected this monument. Ekwan Nipiwin believes the shape is meant to represent an element, though it is nothing like anything in our current table, or like anything we have ever encountered.
     

__________
     
    USA, Inc. Exploration Site :
    Mission Orcus 1 :
    Pluto :
     
    “ Captain.” It was Helen.
    In her command chair, Justine, lost in thought, blinked and turned her attention to the Canadian.
    “Yes?”
    All eight of them had been maintaining a silent vigil, waiting for a reply from Earth. Occasionally, someone would point out a reading or an image and make a comment, but in subdued tones. The enormity of their discovery sank in deeper as the day progressed.
    To pass the time, Justine had composed a few messages to family and friends, and one or two colleagues. At a time when a single person’s existence dwindled to near-insignificance compared the knowledge of over thirty thousand alien races out there, Justine felt she needed to reaffirm the connection to the ones she loved and respected.
    It made her feel better knowing she was a part of something that might reveal the awesome secrets of outer space. Never in her wildest imagination had she believed the Orcus Mission would bear such cosmic fruit.
    The others perked up as Helen spoke. “We’ve got a binary EPS from Mission Control. Huh.” She glanced up, her eyes wide in disbelief. “And a confirmation of translation of glyphics on Dis Pater !”
    There was a moment’s hesitation. George Eastmain blinked rapidly.
    Ekwan’s mouth opened in a silent O.
    Then Justine spluttered, “A what?”
    “I repeat: A translation.”
    “That can’t be!” Dale Powers stood up. “Those glyphs prove there is life out there, and they’ve visited here.” He pointed to the ceiling, and his voice took on a note of incredulity. “But I know for a fact that our life has never been to Pluto!”
    Justine regarded him for moment, contemplating his tirade. “I tend to agree with you, Dale.” She scanned the group. “But if Mission Control says they have a translation, we’d best hear it before discounting its validity.”
    “Helen?”
    “I’ll put it right through.”
    They all turned their attention to their workstation monitors.
     

__________
     
    Luna Station :
    Luna :
     
    Chow Yin had spent every one of the last seventy-nine years of his life on Luna. If anyone was aware of that, it would certainly make headline news, and break records. That was the last thing Chow Yin wanted, however.
    At the age of three and a half, accompanying his parents on a posting to Luna Station, he had laughingly escaped the grasp of his mother one day and run off. As most accidents happen, he had run through a construction zone and fell under the tires of a