Chapter No.2

Living in a space capsule is not for those who are claustrophobic. Everything necessary to sustain the life of astronauts is crammed into it. Zero gravity is also a challenge because there is no lying down on a bed or sitting in a seat, at least not in the normal gravity sense. Sleeping is done in a body bag like contraption that is strung between the top and bottom of the capsule. It's sort of like being a bat hanging from the ceiling of a cave.

Eating is accomplished by use of squeeze bottles and containers of solid foods. Elimination of the products of digestion requires using a suction contraption euphemistically referred to as a zero-gravity toilet. Bathing is done with a sponge attached to a suction device. None of these operations are convenient, but there is no easy way for a human to live comfortably in zero gravity.

After a well-deserved sleep, the three astronaut scientists began the process of going over their previous scan data from the Chandra radio telescope, which had been launched five years earlier. Six months ago, a signal that was not considered to be natural, was recorded from the telescope as it surveyed candidate exoplanets in the Aries constellation. The signal was considered a spurious anomaly, but on further investigation, it was believed to contain information. However, the resolution of the data was not sufficient to make a reasonable translation.

"We've been over this data many times but come up with the same conclusion that it's not good enough to call it an alien communication signal," Janet said. "I don't see how we could change that conclusion."

"My problem is that it might contain data that we don't understand because it's alien," Margaret said. "How can we assume it's not a communication signal?"

"The only way I can see that happening is if we come up with a completely new idea of what information consists of," Janet said, tapping a finger to her lips. "Maybe it's not changes in frequency or level. What if it's a change in energy or quantum spin?"

"The quantum spin is a probability, but energy is not."

"Why?"

"The quantum spin can be seen as twists in the frequency plot, but the actual energy level would be too subjective."

"Okay, let's assume that. How could we detect the quantum spin effects?"

"That would require a better resolution," Margaret said.

Janet blew out a disgusted breath. "We're back to square one."

"How would an alien civilization come up with a method to change the quantum spin of the photons that comprise a radio signal?" Carl asked.

They both stared at him. Margaret did the honors of replying. "Good question, but if they're intelligent enough to send out a signal that could be intercepted, they would probably have that capability."

"It's just a theory," Janet said. "We won't know if it's what we're dealing with until we improve the telescope's resolution."

"Let's assume that we can do that," Carl said. "What could we learn from the signal?"

"Another good question. Maybe they just want to see how intelligent we are."

"I don't see why they're sending a signal. The source is only twelve light years from Earth. That's essentially a skip and a jump away in cosmological terms. We're not even sure it's a habitable planet. Teagarden's star b is orbiting a M class red dwarf star. If there is an alien civilization on it, it won't resemble ours. Red dwarf stars are much dimmer than our Sun and they tend to emit flares that are many times the power of the flares our Sun emits."

"I believe that this red dwarf is not emitting dangerous flares," Margaret said. "That would suggest that its planet has water on it, but since it only circles the star in five days it could be tidally locked."

"Maybe they're searching for a new home," Janet said. "I wouldn't be surprised if they're surveying Earth."

"You're assuming that they've been here before," Margaret said. "We have no idea if they have that capability."

"If we go by the Drake equation, there's a good chance they could have that capability," Carl said.

"The Drake equation is just a wild ass idea. It's not based on science," Margaret retorted.

"Let's say we do find something that proves that it's an intelligent alien species," Carl argued. "What then?"

"We're only in charge of determining that," Margaret said. "What NASA does about it is up to them."

"I think you're jumping too far ahead," Janet said. "We have a lot of work to do once we upgrade the telescope."

"Yes, and that work will not be easy," Carl said. "It will involve several EVA's where there will be no salvation from errors. We're a long way from any assistance."

His statement sounded apocalyptic, but he was justified in bringing up the possibility of failure

Being stuck together in a confined space is not consistent with good mental health. All three of them realized that what they were about to do was not a normal NASA operation. It was essentially a knee jerk reaction to a possible threat from outer space.

Even more important is the fact that they are not experienced astronauts. They were relying on instructional courses and some training in a swimming pool EVA simulation. Basically, they were expendable.