Admiral Becker- commander of the deep space vessel "Athena" was frustrated. After several weeks of exploring what appeared to be a promising solar system of twenty three planets, he had almost nothing to report.
The first six planets surveyed were nothing more then barren rocks with no life whatsoever. The seventh planet did not look much better, but his original orders were to check each planet thoroughly.
After establishing an orbit around the planet, Becker put his science crewmen to work and then he went to bed. After sleeping for a few hours, the Admiral was awakened by his communication device buzzing loudly.
Becker answered the call and was told he was urgently needed on the bridge. Once on the bridge, the Admiral was told that there was some some kind of disturbance in the vicinity of the tenth planet of the system.
Becker ordered that they leave the orbit of the seventh planet and set a course for the tenth planet. As The Athena approached the tenth planet, the ship's sensors detected several high energy beams being directed at the planet from a craft in orbit.
The Admiral ordered that The Athena maintain its' current position until he could find out what was going on. The last thing Becker wanted was to stumble into an alien war.
A quick survey of the tenth planet showed no signs of life, but it would take days to verify that. Becker ordered that a general greeting be transmitted to the alien craft. A reply was received in moments, but it was in the alien's language. The message was put into the main computer for translation.
Several minutes later, another message was received from the alien ship, but in this case it was in the form of images rather then a written language. All of the images were of works of art, some from Earth and some that were clearly alien.
Becker struggled to understand what the aliens were trying to communicate and then it hit him. The surface of the tenth planet was being used as a painter would use a canvas. The Admiral transmitted photos of the Egyptian Pyramids to the alien craft to show that he understood.
The Athena remained in the solar system for several months and gradually established a friendship with the art-loving alien race.
The first six planets surveyed were nothing more then barren rocks with no life whatsoever. The seventh planet did not look much better, but his original orders were to check each planet thoroughly.
After establishing an orbit around the planet, Becker put his science crewmen to work and then he went to bed. After sleeping for a few hours, the Admiral was awakened by his communication device buzzing loudly.
Becker answered the call and was told he was urgently needed on the bridge. Once on the bridge, the Admiral was told that there was some some kind of disturbance in the vicinity of the tenth planet of the system.
Becker ordered that they leave the orbit of the seventh planet and set a course for the tenth planet. As The Athena approached the tenth planet, the ship's sensors detected several high energy beams being directed at the planet from a craft in orbit.
The Admiral ordered that The Athena maintain its' current position until he could find out what was going on. The last thing Becker wanted was to stumble into an alien war.
A quick survey of the tenth planet showed no signs of life, but it would take days to verify that. Becker ordered that a general greeting be transmitted to the alien craft. A reply was received in moments, but it was in the alien's language. The message was put into the main computer for translation.
Several minutes later, another message was received from the alien ship, but in this case it was in the form of images rather then a written language. All of the images were of works of art, some from Earth and some that were clearly alien.
Becker struggled to understand what the aliens were trying to communicate and then it hit him. The surface of the tenth planet was being used as a painter would use a canvas. The Admiral transmitted photos of the Egyptian Pyramids to the alien craft to show that he understood.
The Athena remained in the solar system for several months and gradually established a friendship with the art-loving alien race.
