Brave New World

by EvelynHail

We finally reached the finish line.

After 14 long years of travel, we have entered the star system HD 98618 and in a few weeks we will approach the only planet so far where there is life.

I can't wait. And not just me. We are all impatient.

We know how important this mission is and that our names will be written in golden letters in history books. Along with Gagarin, Armstrong, Rokkan... Well, we will be the first people to witness beings from another planet.

* * *

Captain Roman watched the command screen.

"We're getting closer. We'll be in orbit of our planet in about twenty minutes."

"And when are we going down?"

Lieutenant Runt was the most impatient one. And impatience isn't so strange, the captain thought, taking into the account how long they've been traveling.

"Not soon. Not for at least the next three years."

"Why so much?"

"It was decided that way before departure. It'll take us at least three years to examine everything in detail from orbit. We do not want to endanger neither our mission nor our lives. Or the natives.

* * *

From time immemorial, we have been thinking about what beings from other worlds are like. Do they resemble humans, or do they look more like some insects? How many legs or arms do they have? How many eyes? And no one could answer this question. Till today.

We will get an answer today.

We are just getting ready to launch the first probe and record what the inhabitants of this planet look like.

* * *

Almost all the crew members, at least twenty of them, stood around Lieutenant Runt and stared at the big screen in front of him.

"And what do you think, Captain, what are they like?"

"We've talked about it a thousand times. How should I know?! We'll find out soon."

"The probe is approaching the settlement. We will soon be able to see what the natives look like."

The lieutenant was silent for a few seconds, until a picture of the surface appeared on the screen.

"Here it is."

A shout of delight erupted through the cabin.

* * *

The first attempt at interrogation did not succeed.

The probe we sent to the surface managed to fly over only a few settlements, but then it fell to the surface. We lost contact.

However, what we saw was fascinating. The settlements in which the natives live are very similar to some earthly ones. Those from the 20th or 21st century.

* * *

Captain Roman was sitting alone in the canteen when Lieutenant Runt entered.

"I hope the probe didn't confuse or scare them much. We are here to ask questions, not to sow fear."

The captain picked up a cup of coffee, took a sip, then continued:

"How much have we managed to hear and find out?"

"Enough."

"And? What impact does our device have on the natives?"

"Big. It caused panic among the people."

"Panic among people? People?"

"Yes, people. Captain, these are human beings. Exactly the same as us."

"What do you mean?"

"You heard me. I studied them by listening to what they were saying. It is the only function on the probe that still works. Their language is very familiar to me, as well as the place where the probe crashed. Do you know its name?"

"What is it?"

"Rozvel. And the year is 1947, according to their calculation of time."

"You mean..."

The lieutenant didn't answer, just nodded.

* * *

Voltaire once said that it is no less amazing to be born once than to be born twice. He certainly didn't have what we discovered in mind, but big thoughts transcend individuals. Only now am I sure of that.

In fact, all thoughts transcend individuals. And not just thoughts.

Why?

The planet we have reached is wonderful. The inhabitants call it the Earth, just as we call ours. That is not the only similarity. Everything is similar. States, languages, names... And they have Spartans, Alexander the Great, Henry VIII, Hitler...

Everything looks like an experiment.

A repeated galactic experiment.