The Survey

We rested at Our worksurface while reviewing the reports from the Sub-Surveyors and Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's Principal. The news was not good.

Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's colony had been grounded on the alien planet for five synodic periods, its rotation an incredibly short 102.4 kilo-clicks, which slowed OUR survey due to its rapid light/dark cycle. Thus far WE had not encountered any native animals, dangerous or otherwise, other than an abundant variety of large exoskeletal creatures that scurried about with great vigor on six segmented legs. The creatures did not appear to be aggressive or hazardous, but until Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's Sub-Principals secured the survey area with OUR rampart, We was keeping the Sub-Surveyors inside Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral during the dark periods.

The colony of Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral had been on OUR survey mission for almost two giga-clicks, and as WE neared the end of OUR exploration, KWERELL had blessed US with good fortune beyond measure by showing US the small blue and green world with the amazingly large moon... the only planet HOME had yet discovered which had once hosted intelligent life approaching the level of WE.

Due to the planet's small size, the gravity was slight, and it was located at the extreme outer edge of the habitable zone of its small, bright yellow star. Even if the nitrogen rich atmosphere contained no pathogens, it was cold, thin, and toxic, requiring US to wear a breathing apparatus when WE ventured outside Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral. Because this part of the planet was in its warm cycle, WE did not have to wear full environmental suits, though the cold was biting if WE remained outside long. Not only was the cold deadly during the dark periods, it was also dangerously frigid if the atmosphere was disturbed by weather patterns, or water vapor obscured the weak star.

During one light cycle, the vapor had condensed into liquid before falling from the atmosphere. The Sub-Surveyors surprised by the event had nearly perished from the cold before THEY could complete THEIR return to Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral, and had spent several deca-clicks in the medical bay. Now, when the atmosphere became saturated with water vapor, the Sub-Surveyors returned to Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral for safety before the vapor condensed into liquid.

WE were still testing the planet's vegetation for compatibility, but so far it ranged from indigestible to lethal if consumed. This was not an ideal planet for colonization, but it was incredibly abundant in liquid water, and as the natives had used highly refined metals lavishly, it must also be rich in metallic ores. OUR prize for finding such a metal rich planet would allow US to retire massively wealthy.

Of more interest to We was the planet's former population. It appeared they had disappeared long ago, but the evidence of their civilization remained. WE had landed in a large area with few structures in one of the planet's largest colonies, using Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's engines to burn away the amazingly tall vegetation to create a landing area. The inhabitants of this planet had used stone and metal extensively to create elaborate, above ground colonies, though all the colony structures were now crumbling with neglect.

We tried to imagine the expansive coloy as it had been, with its structures soaring to incomprehensible heights. Not only had the light gravity allowed the inhabitants to build amazingly tall, delicate structures, if the portals into the standing structures, and the massive size of the chambers and tools WE discovered were any indication, the colony's occupants must have been giants as well, towering many times OUR height.

During the initial survey of our landing area, WE had discovered several representations of what might have been the planet's dominant species, but the depictions were incomplete, so severely damaged by time and climate, or so confusingly designed, it was difficult to determine the creature's true appearance. There had been many lively debates during feeding concerning the inhabitants' appearance and societal structure.

With their enormous size, living in the deadly cold, breathing the toxic atmosphere, and consuming the poisonous plant life, the planet's inhabitants must have been incredibly hardy, and if they were aggressive, equally dangerous. It was too early in OUR survey to have a full understanding of their level of technology, but it was already clear they were well advanced, exceeding WE in some ways, such as metal refining and the creation of complex hydrocarbon chains. If they had spread from this single, tiny world, they could be extremely dangerous adversaries, and We fervently hoped they had all died here long ago.

During the light cycle yesterday, WE explored a massive, largely intact stone structure. It appeared to have been some type of knowledge vault, but We could not be certain because the planet's inhabitants had preserved their knowledge on a thin, fibrous material that had all but disintegrated with time. Even the collections of the material that appeared to be intact disappeared into dust with the slightest touch. We had also discovered they used what appeared to be some form of computer, but even if WE were able to understand the workings of the incomprehensibly designed machines, the equipment was damaged beyond use by time. We had some of the Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's Sub-Principals disassembling the equipment to learn its secrets and to determine if any of it was salvageable.

Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral was not equipped for an intensive survey, especially one to decipher an alien intelligence. Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's mission was to perform a rapid survey of a planet to determine if it contained any useful resources, and then report the finding to HOME before moving on. HOME would then determine if WE wanted to dispatch another ship to survey the planet more fully. Despite the task before US being far outside our expertise, WE had been directed to remain on the planet and continue the survey to the best of OUR abilities while HOME hastily assembled a dedicated survey mission to replace US. HOME was making OUR relief a priority mission, but it would take time to assemble the needed Sub-Specialists, equip a ship, and reach this tiny blue world. THEY had informed We THEIR arrival would take one to two hundred mega-clicks.

We had not told the Sub-Principals or Sub-Surveyors of Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral that our mission had been extended. While WE were all tired and ready to return to HOME, the Sub-Surveyors were excited to be digging through the remains of the crumbling civilization, and likely would not object to the extension of the mission.

The Sub-Principals of Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral, however, were going to be devastated to learn OUR mission had been extended well beyond the normal two giga-clicks. Unlike the Sub-Surveyors, the Sub-Principals had nothing new to engage THEIR interest, other than discussing how THEY were going to spend THEIR newly obtained wealth when WE returned to HOME, and THEIR daily toils would continue unabated as THEY operated and maintained Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral. Because WE were nearing the end of our mission, food and spare parts, both for Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral and OUR survey equipment, were nearing depletion, increasing the difficulty for the Sub-Principals. Sub-Principals and Sub-Surveyors alike were beginning to grumble about the slowly decreasing variety of OUR diet as OUR food stocks dwindled, and it was only going to get worse unless WE could find something edible growing on this KWERELL-renounced planet.

The communication unit on my worksurface beeped. We touched it absently as We continued reviewing the reports. "Speak."

"Surveyor! We may have found something of great value!"

Our interest piqued, We closed the report on Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's food supply and the progress of locating local flora we could consume. "Location?"

"In the deep levels of the knowledge vault. It is a small metal container."

"We will be there quickly. Do not touch it until We arrive."

"Yes, Surveyor!"

We had started as a Sub-Principal on Good Vessel Blowing Sands of Thruggas more than fifteen tera-clicks ago, working Our way up to first Sub-Surveyor, and finally almost a tera-click ago, to full Surveyor. This was Our eighth, and doubtless last, mission as Surveyor, the demands and responsibilities of the missions becoming ever more difficult to endure. It was time for Us to step aside, enjoy Our old age and the fame this discovery would bring Us, and allow one of the Sub-Surveyors to take Our place.

With effort, We slowly rose from Our workstation, Our body no longer as flexible as it had once been. After making Our way to an exterior lock, We fitted a breather, opened the hatch, and stepped out of Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's into the bitter cold of the planet. If this was the planet's warm cycle, then its cool cycle would be even more deadly than the dark periods.

As We hurried through the frigid and toxic atmosphere, We once again prayed to KWERELL that all these monstrous creatures had perished long ago. For them to not only have survived, but to have thrived, in such harsh conditions, was terrifying to contemplate.

We entered the knowledge vault with relief. Being out of the biting wind made the cold slightly easier to tolerate. We glanced around the enormous chamber, marveling at the ceiling, or what was left of it, so far above. This one structure, this one chamber, would exceed the tallest structures on HOME, and there were many structures surrounding it that were far, far, taller. We was about to call for the Sub-Surveyor when They appeared, hurrying toward Us, looking ridiculously small in the enormity of the chamber.

They glided to a stop in front of Us, inhaling and exhaling rapidly even with the breather supplying the proper atmosphere and pressure for Them to breathe easily in the planet's thin, poisonous atmosphere. "Their chambers are so big," They said, Their voice muffled by the breather, their lack of breath, and the thin atmosphere.

"What have you found?" We asked as We began moving in the direction They had come. They could gather Their breath as They led Us to the discovery, since Our age would prevent Us from moving as fast as They had when They had been hurrying to greet Us.

"We was in one of the sub-chambers, and We found another of the sealed metal objects with the mechanism attached, like those WE had found before, but much smaller."

"The ones they appeared to use to store food and liquids?"

"Yes, though much smaller. This one was only slightly taller than We."

"Interesting," We murmured. All the other cubes WE had found of the type They described were at a minimum three times OUR height.

"We opened it, and like all the others, it held containers of long rotted food and liquids, but only a small amount."

We paused as We glared at the Sub-Surveyor. "You called Us into the cold to show Us a smaller sealed cube?" We asked, Our tone communicating Our displeasure.

"No, Surveyor! It's what We found inside the cube! Inside the cube was a still smaller container, made of metal, and inside of that, was more rotted food contained by that peculiar hydrocarbon they seemed to value so highly. But there was something else as well. Inside with the food was more of the fibrous material the vault is full of, but this was inside what appeared to be the same hydrocarbon compound as the food. We removed it, intending to retain the metal container because it was in near perfect repair... and to Our shock, it didn't disintegrate under Our touch. The hydrocarbon is opaque, but in places We was able to make out an image!"

"What did you do with it?" We asked as We began to make our way down the stacked floor sections these creatures used to move up and down the levels in their structures.

It was hard work because the mini-floors were too tall and too narrow to easily navigate, requiring US to turn sideways before lowering or lifting US to the next one. OUR strength was not an issue in the low gravity, but moving up or down in the colony structures was not only awkward, but also slightly dangerous, because if WE were to fall, there was nothing to slow OUR tumble until WE reached the bottom. It was logical to assume the stacks of mini-floors were designed for comfortable use by the natives of the planet, and that was even more evidence the creatures must have been huge. Even more amazing was the creatures used this method to reach the tops of some of the other, far taller, structures. One of Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral's Sub-Principals estimated it would take US, in excellent health, as many as five hundred kilo-clicks to reach the top of the tallest structures, even in the slight gravity, yet these creatures must have moved up and down within them with ease. Again the thought of meeting the creatures, with their enormous size and strength, made Us sincerely grateful they appeared to be long dead.

"We put it aside and contacted They. Unfortunately, the hydrocarbon surround is very fragile, and We damaged it slightly when We removed it from its container."

We considered as WE slowly worked OUR way down the mini-floors. "It must be of great value to be stored inside a separate metal container inside one of their sealed cubes," We said as We worked our way off the last of the mini-floors, glad to once again to be stable.

"That was Our estimation as well."

We followed the Sub-Surveyor through the towering labyrinth before They turned into another chamber. Unlike most chambers, the portal into this one was marked with another of the creatures' strange symbols, this one a five-pointed figure, with one spike pointing up, two horizontal, and two more at angles at the bottom, all contained inside a thick circle. Inside the circle, barely legible, was more of the creatures' strange symbols, similar to those WE had observed on the exterior of some of the structures. Though the chamber was gigantic by OUR standards, by the standards of these massive creatures, it was relatively small. We glanced around. Above Us, out of reach, was a ledge. We walked up the short rise They had erected to see what was interesting enough for They to have bothered with the rise. The counter contained many controls of unknown use, along with a series of long blank image projection devices. Several Sub-Principals of Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral were still working out how the devices functioned, but theorized that careful control of electrically activated components caused them to emit light, allowing the creatures to use the device to produce images.

"Is that the sealed cube," We asked as We returned to the floor.

The Sub-Surveyor gestured to the cube the color of the Sands of Cratelic positioned beneath the ledge. As They had said, it was the smallest sealed cube WE had found yet, and We wondered if the smaller size was significant. We pulled on the handle and the door swung open. The cube was empty.

"They said there was a metal container inside?" We asked.

"Here, Surveyor," the Sub-Surveyor said as They led Us to Their worksurface.

On the worksurface was a container, as dark as space itself, with another type of hydrocarbon so widely used by the creatures affixed to the domed top. Approximately halfway up the container there was a seam where the device could bifurcate, with two large, shiny metal clasps opposite the hinge holding the two parts together. We carefully picked the object up and slowly turned it as We examined it carefully. The object, though light, was too large to easily handle, and after Our quick inspection, We carefully returned it to the worksurface before We accidentally damaged it.

After placing the container back on the worksurface, We examined the latches. The method of operation was simple enough, and We gently folded the fasteners down to release the top of the object. Being especially careful, We lifted the top, allowing it to pivot on the hinge. The inside was also empty.

"They said this contained the hydrocarbon containers with food?"

"Yes, Surveyor."

"Where are they now?"

"We discarded them as they were no different than the other food containers WE had already found and cataloged."

"And the other item? Is that it?" We asked as We gestured at the curved, hazy item also laying on the worksurface.

"Yes, Surveyor."

We carefully closed the metal container. Unlike everything else WE had found, this item was in near perfect condition, with only a few small scuffs and dents, likely created during its normal use. It would make a fantastic display, allowing the denizens of HOME to marvel at a society with such a careless disregard for the value of metal. After placing the artifact aside, We carefully picked up the other item. As the Sub-Surveyor had said, the hydrocarbon covering was opaque, and extremely fragile. Even as gently as We was handling the item, the protective wrapping was rapidly crumbling.

Realizing We was not going to be able to save the protective covering, We carefully removed the item inside. We stared at it in wonder. It was more of the fibrous material like that WE had found throughout the knowledge vault, but this item was in perfect condition. We noticed the Sub-Surveyor looking at Us with apprehension.

"Should WE get that to Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral to preserve it?" the Sub-Surveyor asked, Their anxiety clear in Their tone.

"Fear not, Sub-Surveyor. The material is designed to withstand this environment. A few clicks of exposure won't harm it. Additionally, We don't know the effects of OUR atmosphere on the material. Better to retrieve the preserver and conserve it here... before WE take it aboard Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral."

"Yes, Surveyor."

We gently flattened the item on the worksurface. The material was bound together on one edge so the layers could be moved from one side to the other without the material becoming scattered. An ingenious, if simple, solution to keeping the fibrous material together and in proper order.

"Do you suppose that is what the creatures looked like," the Sub-Surveyor asked as They crowded in close, Their curiosity overcoming Their former objection to We handling the item.

We closed Our panoramic eyes and engaged Our detail eye for maximum image clarity. The first image was of a grotesque creature, misshapen and lumpy. Projecting from the creature's central core were four long and gangly extensions arranged in pairs. A fifth, shorter extension was topped by a bulbous dome with a mass of some dark and highly flexible material covering a portion of the round bulb.

"We think We must assume so." We looked at it. "Ugly, is it not?"

"Enough to give We darkterrors."

We carefully moved the first layer of the thin, flexible material to the other side, the bound edge causing the material to display the opposite face as it came to rest. Inside, the material was covered in dark scratches arranged in neat rows on a stark, white background. "That must be their writing. We recognize a few of the shapes from what is embossed into the stone of the structure and the symbol on the chamber door."

"The shapes on the structure? So they are not decorations?"

We slowly turned another layer of the material over. "Possibly, but it makes little sense for these marks to be decorative in this case. No... We think this must be their notation system... and We assume this vault must have contained the sum knowledge of their civilization, all recorded on this material for preservation."

"Not that it worked."

"WE have only just begun to explore this world. Who knows what treasures WE might yet uncover. This proves this material, properly protected from this unblessed atmosphere, can last a long time."

We carefully moved another piece of the material from one side to the other. The Sub-Surveyor and We stared at the image in shock. "The... shell... is removeable?" the Sub-Surveyor asked softly, Their amazement evident in Their tone.

In a series of images, the creature was using its disgustingly long, flexible appendages to remove its brightly colored shell, leaving behind a more monotone appearance. At the end of the two thinner limbs were numerous additional extensions that appeared to be highly dexterous. It was the small, highly flexible extensions, in combination with the larger limbs they were attached to, that the creature used to remove its shell.

The shell appeared to lack strength and rigidity, making it of little use for protection, and We wondered if the bright coloring was for another purpose, though We couldn't imagine what that might be. Worse, as ugly as the creature was inside its shell, it was even more hideous without it. The misshapen lumps, hinted at when covered by its ornamental shell, were now clearly evident, with two large lumps positioned on the monster's core, near the rounded lump that extended from the short projection.

"What is it doing?" the Sub-Surveyor asked as We carefully moved another layer of material from one side to the other.

We stared at the images. A Surveyor was supposed to have answers to any question that arose, but We was completely bewildered by what We was seeing. In the first images, the creature had heaved itself upright, but now it was in a more natural and comfortable position, though in the series of images, the creature seemed to be writhing, perhaps in agony, and the round extremity resting on the short projection was altered in each of the images.

Using the smaller, highly flexible appendages the creature had used to remove its shell, the monster now seemed to be pressing or pulling at various parts of its flesh, flesh that appeared to be disgustingly soft and pliant. We moved another of the layers aside. The series of images that appeared were much like the previous, but the creature appeared to be in even more distress.

"Is that a wound?" the Sub-Surveyor asked.

Between the creatures two largest limbs there appeared to be a wound. The lesion must have been extremely painful as the creature seemed to have increased its writhing, and the bulbous lump displayed even greater distortions.

We carefully moved another layer. "We believe we have it," We said softly.

In these images, the creature was reaching into the wound with one of the smallest appendages, while the smallest digits on the other limb grasped one of the large mound-like lumps. Like the rest of the creature's flesh, the lumps were pliable, but appeared even more repulsively so. We hadn't noticed before, but the lumps had small extrusions emanating from them, and it was one of these that the creature was gripping between two of the smallest extensions. We suppressed our revulsion at the creature's uneven appearance, the parts of it sticking out of it disgusting in the extreme.

Whatever the creature was doing, it must have been incredibly painful as its body, normally highly malleable, appeared to be rigid as it struggled, the lower half of its core held aloft by the two largest limbs. For the first time, We noticed the larger limbs also had extensions, but unlike the appendages on the two smaller limbs, these attachments were shorter, thicker, and apparently less nimble.

We pointed at the round object attached to the extension that extended from the core. "This is what the creatures obviously used to communicate. See how in each image it has changed its appearance. It seems the bulbous area communicates the gross ideas, and this mass of finer material must provide the intricate details." We paused as We considered, and decided there could be no other purpose for the limb. "We think this must be some sort of instruction for medical treatment. Perhaps the creature is trying to remove from, or possibly insert something into, the wound to promote healing."

"What are these, do you think?" the Sub-Surveyor asked as They gestured at the various features of the communication orb.

"We cannot know the specifics of course, but they must be used to communicate with other creatures in some way. See how this central opening changes its shape, and how it exposes or hides those white elements? Likewise, these two smaller features can change their shape and be exposed or hidden with small flaps." We considered again before continuing. "Yes. That must be what this entire structure is for. Communication. We can discern no other purpose." After another pause, We gestured at the markings on the page. "We am more convinced now than before this must be a method the creatures used to retain their knowledge. See here, this circular symbol, how it resembles the communication orb, and this symbol, how it resembles the creature holding itself erect with its smaller limbs held away from its core. And this one, notice how it shows the limbs extended, like the first, but at a different angle. This must be additional instruction for dealing with such an egregious wound."

We continued to stare at the image for a long moment, looking for a flaw in Our reasoning, and finding none. Satisfied We had the explanation, We moved that layer aside.

"Look, Surveyor, a different creature!"

"Yes," We murmured as We studied the two creatures in the image.

"Is it possible that there were two dominate creatures sharing this world?"

One of the creatures was clearly like the wounded one, but with a different colored shell. The second, while similar to the first creature in its general shape, it was also very different. The most obvious difference was that the second creature was considerably larger, and its lumps were different in number and placement compared to the first. Another easily distinguished difference was the mass of fine material on the communication orb was of a different color, and considerably shorter than the other creature's. Confusingly, the larger creature had some of the same material displayed under the protrusion in the center of its communication orb. We struggled to make sense of what We was seeing.

"Perhaps," We replied slowly, "but it is far too early to make any judgement."

"How do the creatures hold themselves erect like that?"

"We have no understanding. Obviously the light gravity helps... but how they stop themselves from toppling over with only the two largest limbs holding them up... We have no idea. These images disprove everything WE thought WE knew about how life develops. This is an incredible find and will keep the Sub-Specialists on HOME busy for yotta-clicks."

"What do you suppose they are doing?"

"They must be communicating with each other. See how they present their communication limbs to the other?" We asked, pleased to have been correct with Our initial guess, even though We was still trying to understand how the mass of material used to express fine detail worked. These creatures were not only incredibly ugly, but they were also bewilderingly strange.

We moved another layer of material to the other side. The next set of images were like those the Sub-Surveyor and We had already seen, where the creatures were removing their shells. We frowned at one of the images.

"This new creature has a vestigial limb where the other was wounded!" the Sub-Surveyor exclaimed, Their excitement clear in Their tone. "You were right, Surveyor! The wound must have been caused by whatever severed the creature's limb."

We seemed to have an instinctual understanding of these creatures. Maybe, instead of returning to HOME, We should remain and help the arriving survey THEM. We slowly moved the layer aside, and then paused.

"Now what are they doing?"

In some of the images, the creatures had pressed the openings in their communication orbs together, while in others, the openings were nearly touching, but the two creatures had extended some type of probiscis that they were joining together. In still others, the smaller of the two creatures was using one of her lesser limbs to grasp the vestigial limb of the larger, while the larger was likewise using one of its smaller limbs to grip one of the large lumps of the smaller creature.

We moved another of the thin, flexible layers aside. "We do not know..." We murmured slowly, "but clearly they are engaged in some form of combat."

In these images, the creatures were no longer holding themselves upright, but had folded themselves into various, incredibly painful looking, shapes. In one, the smaller creature had bent its largest limbs tightly beneath it and taken the vestigial limb of the larger into its communication orifice. The larger creature was obviously in tremendous pain, its body rigid and its communication orb greatly distorted, as it attempted to use its two lesser limbs to disrupt the smaller creature's attack.

"Notice, Surveyor! The smaller creature is wounded in the same manner as the first creature, and now it attempts to likewise wound the larger!"

"Yes," We murmured as We moved another layer aside to reveal more images. "Perhaps We were too hasty declaring this a medical text," We said after studying the new images. "See how the larger has pulled the smaller over it, and is attacking the wound with the proboscis from its communication orifice, even as the smaller continues its attempt to damage the larger creature's vestigial limb. The proboscis may be the creature's weapon. Perhaps that's why the smaller creature has taken the larger creature's limb into her communication orifice. It is attacking the limb with its proboscis." We paused as We considered the new information. "We now believe this is some type of combat instruction. That would account for these images of the creatures fighting, and it would be logical to assume such a manual would contain basic medical instruction for the survivor."

"The creatures appear to be in great pain."

"Yes," We agreed, "yet they do not retreat from combat despite their pain and effort."

We again moved the material aside. "Surveyor!" the Sub-Surveyor gasped.

We stared at the images in horror. The creatures' battle had moved to a new, and more brutal level. In these images, the larger creature was forcing his small, vestigial limb into the wound of the smaller, an action that was causing both creatures incredible agony.

"Perhaps the limb isn't vestigial after all," We said softly, "as it appears its purpose is now clear. See how the larger penetrates the smaller with the limb, leaving behind the wound." We paused as We examined the series of images of the larger seemingly forcing its... weapon... repeatedly into the smaller. In some of the images, both of the creatures' flesh glowed with a shiny substance that hadn't been there before.

We moved aside another layer. In the new series of images, the smaller creature was clawing at the disarranged and creased surface the creatures were fighting on, balancing itself on all four limbs, the smaller limbs straight and the larger folded as it desperately fought to escape from its foe. The larger, perhaps sensing its imminent victory, had reared upright while balancing itself on its folded large limbs. The large creature was preventing the smaller creature's escape by holding it with its smaller limbs where the smaller creature's largest limbs attached to its core. As the larger held the smaller, it apparently continued plunging its weapon into the smaller, causing both creatures tremendous pain.

We moved the material aside to reveal another series of images. It was clear the battle was near at end. The smaller creature had partially collapsed, its communication orb pressed into the surface they battled on, only able to hold itself upright with its two largest limbs. The smaller was clawing at its wound with one of its lesser limbs, clearly trying to protect the injury from the continued penetration by the larger creature's weapon.

We moved the material aside. "What is it doing?" the Sub-Surveyor asked softly.

In this series of images, the smaller creature had fully collapsed in defeat as the larger loomed over it, the two creatures apparently nearing exhaustion. In some of the images, the small creature was grasping the large creature's weapon with its fleshy lumps. In other images, the larger creature's weapon was in the communication orifice of the smaller, as it had been earlier in the battle, while in still other images, the smaller creature's proboscis clashed with the larger creature's much larger weapon.

"Perhaps," We said slowly, "it is some type of victory ritual... where the large creature allows the smaller to attack its weapon to demonstrate its ultimate superiority over the smaller."

"We didn't see where, or when, the smaller creature received the wound," the Sub-Surveyor said.

"No," We agreed. "We don't understand the order of the images. Perhaps there are images missing... or perhaps the wound is from previous combat." We paused a click. "There is so much WE don't understand about these creatures, to speculate without more information would be foolish."

We studied the images. "Is that poison?" the Sub-Surveyor asked as They gestured at the series of images where a thick substance was being ejected from the larger creature's weapon to land on the smaller creature's communication orb and fleshy lumps.

"Perhaps," We agreed slowly. "We suspect if the substance is a poison, if the larger creature had injected it into the wound, the smaller would have died, but because this is only training, it refrained, to allow the smaller to recover."

"That must be it!" the Sub-Surveyor exclaimed. "It is the only explanation that makes sense!"

We hid our pleasure at the Sub-Surveyor's words. "Yes. We can likewise think of no other interpretation that fits the facts."

We were nearing the center of the bound collection of fibrous material, but We wanted to see what other mysteries the images would reveal, so We moved aside another layer of the material. There were more images, much like the first WE saw, with only the creature's shell and surroundings changed. Like the first set of images, the single creature was manipulating the egregious wound in its core between its two largest limbs. The area between the two largest limbs must be a weak point in the creature's physiology, as all the wounds were similar, and located in the same location. We continued slowly moving the material aside until We encountered something new.

"What?" the Sub-Surveyor gasped. "There were four types of creatures?"

We stared at the images in astonishment. While these creatures were clearly related to the others WE had previously observed, one of the smaller and one of the larger appeared to be much darker than the others under their colorful, flexible shells.

"It appears so," We said. We were losing our ability to be astonished by these grotesque and bizarre creatures.

In the first image, the two lighter creatures appeared to challenge the two darker, but as they removed their shells in preparation for combat, the four creatures shifted their positions so that the smaller dark creature and larger lighter creature engaged, while the smaller light creature attacked the larger dark. As before, when two of the creatures fought, both appeared to be in tremendous pain as they battled. Also like in previous images, what We would consider the proper order for the images wasn't the order they were in. Like all the previous images, the smaller creatures appeared to be wounded before they were attacked by the larger creature's weapon, and We speculated these creatures used another organization method other than one following another in a logical progression.

"The smaller creatures must be incredibly fierce," the Sub-Surveyor said. "See how they fight with each other as well as the larger creatures. Perhaps they are the dominant creature, and when two dominant creatures battle, they must demonstrate their supremacy over the other."

"A very likely supposition, Sub-Surveyor."

"Thank you, Surveyor!" They said in delight.

We moved the fibrous material aside to reveal more images. Once again, the two smaller creatures had folded themselves to the floor, remaining partially upright on their lower limbs, while the large creatures remained fully upright as the four monsters began their battle in earnest. In some of the images, the smaller creatures had taken the large creatures' weapons into their communication orifice, and in others, they had engaged the larger creatures' weapons with their proboscis'. As before, the larger creatures appeared to be in great distress as they struggled against the smaller creatures' relentless attack. We tried to imagine how the much smaller proboscises could cause so much pain in the larger creatures much bigger weapons... and failed.

After moving another layer aside, the next set of images showed the four creatures had tumbled to the floor. The larger creatures were attacking the smaller creatures' wounds after extending their own proboscises from their communication orifice. Because of the aggressiveness and fierceness of the smaller creatures, as their wounds were attacked by the larger creatures, the smaller had extended their proboscis' and engaged them in battle while gripping their opponent's fleshy lumps with the small extensions of their lesser limbs.

"Amazing," We murmured as We moved the material aside and the next set of images came into view. "They seem to know nothing but battle."

The latest images showed the four creatures engaged in a melee, with the two smaller creatures atop the large dark one. As the dark creature below gripped the small, light creature's large, fleshy lumps, the small light creature's wound was being impaled by the weapon of the creature beneath it. Simultaneously, the small dark creature had placed its wound over the communication orb of the large dark one... in an apparent challenge for the large dark creature to attack it with its proboscis. The large light creature was again fully upright on its two heavy limbs, with both small creatures battling each other, and simultaneously the large creature's weapon, with their proboscises. The battle seemed to cause all four of the monsters tremendous agony.

Other images showed the creatures had changed their attacks. Now the large light creature was beneath the two smaller, its weapon piercing the wound of the small dark creature while attacking the wound on the small light creature with its proboscis. As before, the two smaller creatures' proboscises battled each other, along with the large dark creature's much larger weapon. Also as before, all four creatures were obviously in enormous pain as they fought.

Moving aside another layer of the material, more images appeared. In these, two of the creatures were stretched over the other two, the large dark beneath the small light, and the large light beneath the small dark. In both battles, the large creatures' weapons were buried deeply in the wounds of the smaller, with all four of the monsters in seemingly intolerable anguish. As in the previous images of the creatures battling, the flesh of the creatures became shiny with some secretion, and We wondered if it provided some type of protection during combat.

We continued moving aside the material to reveal more images. The latest showed the two larger creatures atop the smaller, the darker still engaged with the lighter, their weapons still inside the wounds of the smaller, but now it appeared it was the larger creatures that were in the most distress.

After moving another layer aside, more images appeared, and like all the previous images, light was battling dark. In these images, it appeared the larger creatures, apparently unable to disable the smaller with a single wound, had opened another wound with their weapons. The smaller creatures had collapsed so that only their large limbs were holding them partially upright. The two larger creatures were balanced on their large limbs with their weapons inserted into new, smaller wounds near the original wounds. All four creatures appeared to be in death throes as they writhed, but the two smaller creatures seemed to be suffering the greatest torment.

We was nearing the end of the material, but there were still more images. The next set of images showed the two smaller creatures again battling the weapons of the larger with their proboscises, the small light engaged with the large dark, and the small dark fighting with the large light. Like in previous images, the two larger creatures had pressed their weapons to the flesh mounds of the two smaller, but unlike the images of the previous fight, here the two smaller creatures were surrounding the large creatures' weapons with their communication orifices when the larger creatures' weapons expelled the poison.

We moved another layer from one side to the other. In the new images, We were surprised to see the two smaller creatures had ceased their battles with the larger to attack each other. We stared at the images, trying to make sense of what We were seeing. It appeared the two smaller creatures' proboscises were battling, while the creatures were simultaneously attempting to transfer the poison ejected into their communication orifice to the other, with the effect that the poison was dribbling out of their orifices to coat the lumps on their cores as they were pressed tightly together.

"Even in their weakened condition, the smaller creatures continue to fight even after they have defeated the larger?" the Sub-Surveyor asked softly.

"That must be so," We replied.

As the two creatures continued their battle, several of the images focused on the fight between their proboscises, others on the poison covering the creatures tightly pressed lumps, and still others displayed how their wounds were pressed together as the two creatures' largest limbs twisted around their opponents. The images were making We feel slightly ill due to the disgusting flexibility of these creatures.

As the two small creatures writhed in battle between them, the two large creatures offered no assistance. After being defeated, the large creatures' weapons had lost all their rigidity, and We wondered when it would be ripped away to create the wound We had seen so often. Perhaps after a victor was determined between the two creatures still fighting.

The latest images showed the two small creatures in the final stages of their battle, the grinding together of their wounds obviously causing them tremendous pain, and it had become clear that the one which could withstand the pain the longest would be the winner.

We moved another layer to the other side... and there were no more images. We moved several more layers, all covered with small images surrounded by large amounts of the creatures' symbols, but there were no more images of the fight.

"Is the combat over?" the Sub-Surveyor asked.

We moved another layer aside. "It appears so."

"It seems They were correct, Surveyor. The wounds on the smaller creatures must be from a previous battle as, once again, WE saw no images of the larger creatures creating the wound."

"It seems so, though We don't understand why the limb the creatures use as a weapon would be so sensitive to pain. Logically, it should be impervious to pain for best use, but on these creatures, the opposite seems to be true."

"Yet they appear to readily use their weapons despite the pain it causes them," the Sub-Surveyor observed.

"It appears very much so. To venerate this combat guide in such a way, and to take such great care to preserve it, demonstrates the importance these monsters placed on combat."

The Sub-Surveyor studied the layers of material. "To be so... aggressive... and to seemingly revel in what was clearly agonizing pain, these monsters must have been incredibly dangerous. Do you suppose they finally killed themselves?"

"Possible," We agreed. "That is Our fervent wish, and We hope WE never meet these barbaric creatures."

We carefully returned the stack of fibrous material to the state it was in before We touched it. We must return to Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral, retrieve the preserver, and report these creatures to HOME. If any of these monsters survive, either here on the planet or, KWERELL prevent, they had spread into the universe, then HOME needed to be informed without delay.

"We must return to Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral. A Sub-Surveyor will return with the preserver." We turned to leave, but then turned back to face the Sub-Surveyor. "They have done well. They may having given WE the warning WE need to prepare to meet these..." We gestured around the chamber, "... these monsters. We will put an honor notice into They file."

"Thank you, Surveyor!"

We turned again and left the colony chamber. After carefully, and laboriously, working Our way up the stacked mini-floors, We made Our way out of the vault. As We made Our way toward Good Vessel Golden Sands of Gurteral, We made the decision that this was Our last survey mission. Our plates were fusing, and Our limbs were weak. Climbing the mini-floors had proven that, but We could still be useful to HOME.

Clearly these creatures valued combat, and had evolved natural weapons that inflicted wounds that would easily kill any WE, yet the same wounds were obviously non-fatal to the creatures, and they seemed to relish battle even when gravely wounded. As We made our way through the bitter cold, We wondered if the ships WE had lost, those that had disappeared without a trace, had been the result of accidents as WE had assumed. Perhaps those ships had encountered these barbaric creatures with unfortunate results.

Until We knew with certainty these creatures had been eradicated, We intended to devote Our last clicks to making sure WE understood the dangers these creatures presented, and to help prepare WE should WE ever meet them. Perhaps, with so much of the creature's symbols now available, maybe someday WE could decipher their symbology and learn their weakness.

We paused and turned to look at the vault before reaching into Our satchel and withdrawing Our image recorder. Many images had already been collected of the vault, but We wanted one of Our own as a reminder of the danger We had seen.

With a grunt of effort, We heaved Our to full height, the lack of flexibility in Our plates making the transition difficult and limiting Our movement, but it was enough. Using Our fine manipulator limbs, Our six heavy limbs swaying gently as they helped maintain Our balance on Our ten locomotive limbs, We brought the image recorder up. We quickly captured the image before We relaxed and returned to our normal posture, exhaling in relief as our heavy limbs assumed some of Our weight.

We checked the image on the recorder to make sure the creatures' symbols were clear. They were, and We sincerely hoped that the Sub-Specialists on HOME would be able to decipher the symbols before We joined KWERELL. We gazed at the image for a long moment before the bitter cold forced We into movement. We tucked the image recorder back into Our satchel, the creature's strange markings---T H E N E W Y O R K P U B L I C L I B R A R Y---still displayed on the device.