The Nemesis-6 system promised to be another candidate for colonization. Until the Conqueror's Star's long-range sensors picked up something unexpected: radio emissions. Weak, distorted, but structured. A language.
"Coherent signals confirmed," Data stated, his fingers tapping the interface. "Origin: the fourth planet of the system. Linguistic analysis in progress... It is a dialect derived from Low Gothic. There are humans down there."
A new excitement ran through the bridge. After the hostile xenos and the engineer monkeys, the prospect of encountering humans, distant lost relatives, was a profoundly different prospect.
When they arrived in orbit, the planet, automatically designated "Aethelgard" by the system, revealed itself. From afar, it was beautiful. Deep blue oceans, continents in shades of rust and ocher.
"Nice planet," commented Julius, observing the peaceful globe.
"Your statement is misleading, Commander," Data corrected. "Detailed scans reveal an extremely hostile biosphere. The planetary axis is unstable, causing temperature swings of over 100 degrees Celsius between day and night. The days are marked by intense solar radiation and heat capable of melting lead. The nights see ice storms and katabatic winds exceeding 300 km/h. The surface is a sterile desert scoured by the elements."
Julius squinted. The beautiful oceans were actually toxic soups, and the colored continents were stretches of irradiated rock.
"So... where are they?"
"Life signals and heat emissions originate from massive underground networks," Nova announced, displaying a geological map. "Cities dug into the continental crust, several kilometers deep. Scans show extensive infrastructure: geothermal power, hydroponic farms, and... signs of pre-industrial level technology, but adapted."
"They survive underground," murmured Caleb, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "Like our ancestors during the Long Night. They must have adapted."
"Analysis of transmission archives," Data continued. "The fragments we can decrypt indicate a continuous human presence for approximately a millennium. Their tales speak of a 'Great Shelter,' a migration underground to escape the 'Sky's Wrath.' Their society seems to have stabilized its population and developed a unique culture centered on community survival and respect for geothermal cycles."
Julius observed the data, impressed despite himself. These humans had no ships, no lasers, no psionic powers. They only had their ingenuity and tenacity. And against all odds, they had not only survived, but built a functional civilization in the bowels of a planetary hell.
"No signs of xeno contamination? Any deviance?" he asked.
"No detection, Commander," Nova confirmed. "They are... remarkably pure, genetically and culturally. Isolated."
"Then we do not land in force," decreed Julius. "This is our first contact with an independent human society. We will proceed with extreme caution. Data, prepare a message. Simple. Friendly. Tell them they are not alone in the galaxy, and that we wish to open a dialogue. No threats, no demonstration of force."
He turned towards the view of Aethelgard, this world of suffering and resilience.
"These people deserve our respect, not our missiles. Send the message. Let's see how the toughest humans in this sector react to the news that an empire is at their door."