Work Text:
Contents of Eridian-Earth Communication Package:
-
Approx. 1TB of digital data, including but not limited to Eridian culture, scientific discoveries, history, art, and photographs.
-
Approx. 800kg of physical items, including but not limited to Eridian ceremonial wear, sculptures, written works, scientific equpiment, samples for study (Eridian soils, atmosphere, oceans, preserved plant matter, preserved animal matter), and scientific models
-
One very advanced unmanned Eridian craft meant to be sent back with similar human information
***
Dear Humans,
We on Erid hope this letter finds you well. I am “Stable-weaver / Xenolinguist-Linguist-Author-Orator-Southeast River Basin” and my human name is “Gregory.” I have decided to use the he/him pronouns in English, as well as the masculine pronouns (where applicable) for the translations of this letter into Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Hindi, Xhosa, Russian, Yoruba, Ojibwa, and Haitian Creole. I can write fluently in all of these languages and would be able to speak them if not for my unfortunate lack of vocal chords.
As of the time this letter is written, it has been four years and ten months since Saviour Grace and Saviour Rocky returned to Erid and rescued our star system. We hope that when this communication package finds you, your “Beetles” will have returned and your star will be at it’s full luminosity. If not, we have included a few cultures of Taumoeba in this package, though we worry that it may be too late if you have not grown your own yet. We apologize that we cannot help you more at this time.
Using your research, we have been able to construct this craft to Earth specifications. You should receive this radio message a few months before landing. Saviour Grace has said that as long as nothing goes catastrophically wrong during the descent, all of the data should be recoverable and the ship itself would only need a simple refuel and launch time set to get back home. Please see the manuals included in the package for proper relaunch.
Now that we have the formalities out of the way, we have a few requests. Please put as much as you can into the ship, and include as many cultures that you can. We Eridians are aware of some of humanity’s unfortunate habit of ignoring certain peoples, and while we somewhat understand as you are unable to Thrum, we do not wish for this pattern to continue.
Please also include children’s work in this process, as we have included the letters and art of many pebbles (Yes, Saviour Grace did name them that) in this package. We also would love samples from all over your world. Saviour Grace tells us that certain parts of the world are cold enough that they remain frozen for millions of years, and we are very interested in those types of samples. Of course, we understand that your planet was much more vulnerable to the astrophage than ours, and if certain requests are impossible, we understand.
Finally, do not hoard this knowledge. It is intended for the entirety of humanity, just as any message you may send back is intended for all of Erid.
With love and admiration from across the stars,
“Stable-Weaver / Xenolinguist-Linguist-Author-Orator-Southeast River Basin” also known as “Gregory”
***
Item #ECP-01924-A
Weight: 1.2 KG
Dimensions: 30cm x 8cm x 10cm
Item Description: A scale model of Doctor Captain Grace’s Eridian Biodome Home, complete with a very small Doctor Captain Grace and Engineer Rocky. Includes both the interior and exterior of the Biodome, showing the various mechanisms keeping a human alive on Erid. These mechanisms include complex lighting, air and water filtration systems, the area where Grace’s synthesized meals are made, and a large complex where Eridians are able to learn about humanity.
Item #ECP-01924-B
Size: 12 MB
Alt Text for Image(s): Three images of Doctor Captain Grace holding the replica of the biodome while standing in the biodome. The first, just his hands are visible. In the second, his entire body is visible. He is sitting in a wheelchair with the model on his lap, a large smile on his face. In the third, the majority of the shot is the biodome itself, with Grace off to the right holding out a ‘thumbs-up.’
***
Dear Humans,
My name is “Shelter-wish-might-titanium-singer / Child of Grow-mind-sharp-protector-Scientist-Physician-Researcher-West Plains / Child of Calm-charge-root-determined-bringer-Engineer-Architect-Mechanic-West Plains” and I chose the human name “Lion.” When I get older, I will have my own titles like my parents! I turn 41 human years on the day that this letter will be sent up into space. I am so excited!
I was asked to share about my life on Erid. Because I am still a pebble, I have to spend time in the caves so my carapace will harden properly. It’s been 41 years though, and I think that I should be able to hang out with my friends instead of sitting in a cave all the time! But Parent is a Physician and says that young pebbles must go into the caves for at least two earth hours every time after they sleep. But they say that when I am 50 I will be strong enough to stop!
I live in the West-Plains, and I am in Saviour Grace’s class right now! He is so interesting and good at teaching, even if he is so young. He says that humans are usually considered adults when they turn 18, but that is so little! Especially for a people who do not even have hardened skin. Me and my siblings are all in his class, but we are not allowed to sit next to each other because Saviour Grace says that ‘you are already friends with your siblings, in my class you make new ones.’ He doesn’t understand that I am not friends with my siblings. We are like… enemies and friends combined. But I do not mind, because they are distracting all the time.
After class we can do many things, like explore city, visit parents at work, go to see a show, practice hunting, make art, or even sign up to watch over Eridians without family to sleep! I like to do that one, because I can complete my homework that Teacher Grace assigns while I watch. Is important.
What do humans do all day? Doctor Grace says that you spend almost two Earth hours of your day eating (ewwww) and almost 10 hours sleeping! Is so strange. By the time you send a letter back to me, I will be a grown-up Eridian! Is amaze!
Thank you,
“Shelter-wish-might-titanium-singer / Child of Grow-mind-sharp-protector-Scientist-Physician-Researcher-West Plains / Child of Calm-charge-root-determined-bringer-Engineer-Architect-Mechanic-West Plains” also known as “Lion.”
Translated by: “Stable-Weaver / Xenolinguist-Linguist-Author-Orator-Southeast River Basin” also known as “Gregory”