These characters are mine, all mine!
We're Off To See The...
I stretched uncomfortably, easing a crick in my neck. Nearly finished…
I entered a few more lines of code into the tiny computer on my desk, then ran a diagnostic. “Yes!” I cried. It was finally done. The translation algorithm was complete. Rubbing my neck, I stood and walked over to the intercom. I pressed the button to call my assistant.
She entered promptly, smiling, as always. “I believe it’s working,” I said excitedly. “Could you test it, please?”
Her eyes lit up. “Congratulations!” She bent down to the microphone, and opened her mouth. I fed her details into the algorithm, then gestured encouragingly.
The screen showed two wavy lines. She spoke a few words in her native tongue. The machine whirred, then clicked. The screen lit up, with text under the lines. I read, “I’m happy for you.”
She nodded. “I’m happy for you, that’s it!”
“I’m happy for you!” I shouted. “It worked! Finally, we have a device to translate any language. From any brainwaves. Now, it’s time to test it.”
She sobered. “If you’re sure, Professor.”
“I’m sure.”
I picked up my miracle, and followed her through the door.
We strode quickly down the corridor towards the beasts. The guard saw us coming, and smiled. “Is it time?”
“It’s time,” I said breathlessly, barely able to contain my enthusiasm.
He unlocked the door for us, then came inside. He stood at attention, but his eyes betrayed his interest. I studied the two beings on the examination tables. The first was a quadruped with tiny sharp teeth. It was covered with fur.
The second was huge. If it stood as I did, it would be taller than I. Of course, we had not given the beasts the opportunity to stand. They had appeared unconscious, and we had kept them that way via drugs, until I had finished my machine for communicating.
The second being scared me. It had four limbs, but no tail. Stubby protrusions from the ends of the hands, an odd pink colour, with vestigial claws. Unlike the other, it was dressed in a tight, confining garment. A slave race, perhaps.
Well, this would be our chance to find out. I adjusted the machine to their readings. Four lines obediently popped into view, two for each creature.
I nodded to my assistant. She flicked a couple of switches on the wall, then hurried to my side.
The beasts began to stir. The larger one woke first. It yawned. It noticed us, and jumped back, staring. It grabbed the smaller creature, and hugged it close, then spoke.
We gazed eagerly at the machine. It whirred for what seemed like an age, then words appeared.
I looked at my assistant, puzzled. She wrinkled her secondary nose, and smoothed her lovely blue crest.
I looked back at the machine, tapping the display with a claw. “It seems to have worked – but what does ‘I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more, Toto,’ mean?”
Fascinating information about me
