What follows is the first known mention of sentience on TSR1-97-4.
It is the transcript of a chance encounter between a terrestrial surveyor, Melach Nu, and their superior, terrestrial steward, Zakr Ahn, both in orbit around the planet.
Likely due to the fact that over 700,000 stewards and tens of millions of surveyors operated in just this quadrant, this was their first and only meeting.
This transcript was among the 49,682 documents presented as part of the official invitation to the Galactic Conference, or our Ascension.
If it pleases you. May I welcome you to the system? It would. You have my thanks. Though I have never personally visited the system I understand members of my immediate colony performed the expedition some 320 million years ago, perhaps... 400 megacycles locally. No doubt due to its position so deep in the habitable belt. Indeed. And its proximity to the gas giant, I would posit. Ah very good. Steward, had I known you were of Feyahn origin I might have. I was not expecting. It’s an honour to speak with one of the first swarm. Nonsense, we all scuttle in their legacy, Feyahn and Murnu alike. Now to the rock at hand. My cursory scan has found a little more in orbit than our predecessors. Can I assume there are more complex lifeforms than the barely aerobic beings of the last outing? Oh yes, the change is undeniable. Life continues to thrive in the oceans and is extant on all landmasses, even reaching the ice caps. And how many of these beings have added to the flotsam surrounding their world? Just one species, Steward. Primitively land-dwelling. It seems to be a relatively new species of an order possessing above average dexterity and brain size. You are sure? Land represents a relatively small portion of the surface. I would have expected at least another amphibious lifeform. I am certain. I have spent the requisite full cycle. Well, then they join us in the minority. An even smaller minority than you may think. Though some very recent technology has somewhat imitated the effect, the species does not operate as a superorganism, and never has. Mammalian? Yes. They do tend to struggle with the paradigm. Indeed, their disparate colonies seem to maintain territories with borders often established arbitrarily across landmasses. It is strange how a species with so few distinguishing features, save for mild changes in hue, finds cooperation so demanding. It is as if they do not see- It is not our place to pass judgement, Melach Adept Nu. Remember we too have flaws inherent in our nature. Just one misguided Gyne can reap extraordinary grief at a galactic scale. I apologise. May we never forget. I suppose pheromonic communication with them would be ineffectual? The subtleties would be lost on them yes, Steward. The odds appear stacked against them. How does all this affect their Progress? As ours is predictable, theirs is sporadic. It seems Progress hinges upon inter-colony cooperation or accidental breakthrough. A frightening thought... I’m receiving your readings. Steward, are you still there? If I am interpreting these appropriately, the lifeform is now the dominant influence on the ecosystem. Yes, Steward. And these mass extinctions and supernatural planetary warming, their doing? Yes, Steward. Then I understand your earlier brusque manner. I have seen enough. Please complete your floral observation before heading for the Core. Thank you. Steward? Yes, Adept? Are we to offer them our help? Without it they cannot survive another kilocycle. You are suggesting an Intervention. I. Steward. I will not dismiss it out of hand. But we must consider their influence if they are to Ascend. A lifeform so advanced yet so short-sighted is rare, and their callous disregard for their home. I have seen nothing like it before. Thank you for your work here Melach Adept Nu, I will retreat and seek counsel.
johannes 