Signal from Europa
An illustrated story by Neon Harbor · Science fiction · Futuristic · 13+ · English
Under Europa's ice, a biologist hears a song, and dives to answer it.
At Tethys Deep, a research station drilled into Europa's ice, the station AI KITE picks up a pattern that repeats every eleven minutes. Dr. Amara Reyes is sure it's a song; Commander Lin fears a warning. Amara takes the submersible down into the black ocean and meets the singers: creatures the size of cathedrals, glowing in the dark.
Characters
- Dr. Amara Reyes (Xenobiologist): The station's xenobiologist, who has waited her whole career for this moment.
- Commander Lin Hao (Station commander): The calm commander responsible for every life on the station.
- KITE (Station AI): The station's artificial intelligence, shown as a floating hologram.
Episode 1: The Song Under the Ice
KITE detects a repeating pattern. Amara says it's a song; the commander worries it's a warning. Amara suits up.
KITE: Dr. Reyes, the pattern repeats every eleven minutes.
Dr. Amara Reyes: It's not noise, Commander. It's a song.
Commander Lin Hao: Or it's a warning.
Commander Lin Hao: One hour. Then I pull you back up.
Dr. Amara Reyes: Deal.
Episode 2: The Singers
Deep in the black ocean, the singers rise around the submersible, and Amara sings back.
KITE: Signal source: two hundred metres. Directly below you.
Dr. Amara Reyes: Oh... they're beautiful.
For the first time, humanity answered.
Dr. Amara Reyes: Hello.