Work Text:
The screen buzzes to life as the recording starts. In front of the camera sits a rock-like creature. Five spider-like legs protrude from its brown carapace, turquoise accents and carvings decorating its body. A ball made up of glass-like triangular panels surrounds it. Behind it is a view of the laboratory in a state of messy disarray.
The creature holds up one of its limbs in what would be interpreted on Earth as a greeting.
“Hello, Earth humans,” a computerized voice says from somewhere nearby. “My name is-” a symphony of trills, whistles, and wails fill the following silence for a moment- “Rocky.”
It puts its leg down.
“Grace say recording will be sent to humans with Taumoeba on Beatles. Rocky wants to talk to humans!”
The carapace of the creature tilts upwards as if excited. “Earth is beautiful beautiful beautiful planet!” It stomps one of its legs three times for emphasis. “Grace show Rocky many beautiful moving pictures! Mountains and forests and beaches and ocean and San Francisco! Rocky happy happy happy Earth safe! Rocky love Earth!”
Then it pauses. Its carapace lowers. Despite having no eyes or facial expression, it gives off the distinct feeling of glaring.
“Rocky hate hate hate humans.”
The computerized voice has lowered to match its discontent, sounding almost threatening.
“Rocky know what humans did to Friend Grace. Humans hurt Grace. Humans attack Grace and force to sleep alone and forget who Grace is. Send on ‘suicide mission’ and make short lifespan shorter. Hurt hurt hurt Grace.”
The creature continues to ‘glare’ down the camera and shifts forward.
“Grace say Grace accept. Not forgive, accept. Rocky does not accept. Rocky watch Grace dream bad and attacked by panic. Grace leak and breath fast. Grace say Grace is fine. Grace lie.”
Rocky slams down one of its legs in perceived anger and an angry trill builds in the background.
“Grace not go back to Earth. Grace go to Erid with Rocky. Eridians will love Grace. Not call Grace coward or hurt Grace. Make home for Grace. Not hurt Grace.
“If Grace wants to return to Earth, Rocky go with. Rocky protect Grace.” It tilts its carapace upwards again as if proud. “Humans never never never hurt Grace again.”
It tilts its carapace back down and presses itself against the glass, trying to get as close to the camera as it can.
“Humans fortunate Earth atmosphere hurts Rocky. Rocky live long and have long memory. Rocky will go to Earth after Grace die, statement. Rocky will-”
Whatever the creature says isn’t translated as it lets out shrill trills and angry whistles. It stomps around in its ball and heat radiates from its vents.
“Everything okay over there, bud?”
The voice of Ryland Grace comes from off camera. The angry symphony ceases.
The creature tilts its carapace to the side as if to look off screen. “Everything good, statement!”
“Are you almost done eating? I’ve got the movie loaded up and ready to go!”
“Yes, Rocky almost done!”
Rocky turns its carapace back towards the camera.
“Grace is hero. Brave brave brave. Not coward. Grace and Rocky save Earth and Erid. Grace save Rocky and not go home. Humans wrong wrong wrong. Never coward.”
The creature raises one of its arms and rubs it with the other.
“Rocky see Earth humans soon.”
The recording ends.
Eva Stratt takes a deep breath. That was the final recording sent from the Hail Mary with the probes. Mixed emotions crash through her like waves on a beach. Relief at the discovery and recovery of the Astrophage predator, and the safety and continued life of Ryland Grace. Guilt at what she had to do to get these results. Hope for Earth and its future.
She takes the mouse and deletes the video file with the message from the creature known as Rocky. She is also grateful that by the time the Eridians will reach Earth, she will be long past dead and gone.
