The Open File - Alien Customs
Submitted by
NM Zug on Mon, 09/08/2008 at 5:38am.
The Open File
by Life Master Mike Petersen (Zug)
Alien Customs
Report to Central Space Committee, Commodore Grelp
From Scout Vessel Plegner I, Observer Ledon Reporting
We made orbit of Sol III as scheduled and used the cloaking device to prevent detection of our vessel and crew as per orders. The transfer point was adjacent to a large edifice around which were situated many primitive vehicles. Upon entering the structure, we discovered it to be some form of temple, for inside we observed a number of beings gazing with rapt attention at one of their number standing on a raised platform. He appeared to be addressing the crowd, and was paying particular attention to a piece of metal in his appendage to which was attached a long wire. After he fell silent, he carefully inserted the metal object into a vertical stand, whereupon the worshippers seemed to express their devotion by rapidly beating their upper two appendages together. This rather loud noise seemed to gratify the high priest, and he immediately called them forth to another area of the temple.
In the next temple area were many flat surfaces upon which were situated flat squares which seemed to have been subdivided into 64 smaller squares. Upon this square surface were placed identical sets of wooden idols, 32 in all, of which 16 were white and 16 were black. The identical setups seemed to be symbolizing the powers of light and darkness. Soon the creatures started seating themselves two by two at each of the surfaces and commenced to move the idols about the surface in irregular patterns. This must have been a very sophisticated religious ceremony, as all beings were concentrating mightily upon their tasks. There was also an instrument with two dials at each surface, obviously a recording device, as each being would touch it immediately after moving one of the idols. This touching was done with the same appendage that moved the idol and possibly measured the performance of the individual in the ceremony. No doubt the touching of the object relayed some vital information, possibly to the high priest who was watching all of the action from a vantage point at the head of the temple area. Some time later each pair started to become quite agitated and began to move the idols around the surface much more quickly. It was apparent that the climax of the ceremony was about to take place. Suddenly, one of the beings would stand up and grasp the appendage of his opposite number, and the high priest would come over and make a mark on a sheet of white material. This was obviously to indicate the religious significance of the touching of the two beings.
The above ceremony was repeated five times over the next two solar passages, and the most devoted participants were rewarded at the conclusion of the fifth ceremony with large replicas of the idols on the surfaces. It was never determined what significance the number of squares held in the ceremony, or which of the idols represented the supreme deity of the species, although the relative heights of the idols may be of significance.
After observing their religious ceremonies, it is the humble opinion of this observer that the species indigenous to the planet known as Sol III are not yet ready to enter our galactic civilization. Any race with a religion consisting of 32 deities and such complicated ceremonies cannot possibly have the mental capacity necessary to join us. There is no intelligent life on Sol III. Beam me up.
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