Moreso than anything said so far, the claim that the creature had attempted to make contact with a location on [i]Rothia[/i] caused a stir among the Rothian delegation. There were quick looks between one another, as well as frantic conversation in their minds between their implants. [i]”The creature attempted to make contact with something on Rothia? Did you see anything that would confirm that, Vreta?”[/i] The Ambassador asked. 

[i]“No, not directly at least.”[/i] Vreta answered. [i]“There was no way for me to examine the comms device before the creature turned hostile. I can say that it did seem to be familiar with me as a Rothian, but its words were vague. One interpretation of those words would imply that the creature, or its creators, was aware of our people early in our evolution.”[/i]

The Ambassador gave a glance towards their technical advisor. [i]“Mras, is what the Humans say even possible? Could a Cradle program even send a message outside the simulation?”[/i]

Mras did not appear entirely confident, but he answered nonetheless. [i]”I would have to study the Cradle directly to give a definitive answer, but conceptually, there would be nothing preventing it. Everything we know about the Cradle suggests that, for all its mystery, it is simply a highly-advanced and ancient computer. A computer that has been linked with almost every aspect of Outremer’s infrastructure. I do not know what limits the simulation imposes, but an artificial intelligence within could attempt to access those connections.”[/i]

[i]”There is always the chance that this is a fabrication, but…to what end?”[/i] Counselor Joll commented. [i]”The patterns of Human behavior regarding the Cradle have been remarkably consistent for as long as we have known them. They want to keep it to themselves. They do not even share it freely with other Human colonies. This revelation, if true, would mean that they will need to go to Rothia to find their answers. They would have no choice but to cooperate with us, which, of course, gives us a great deal of leverage in the negotiations. I simply can think of no motivation for them to lie about this.”[/i]

Once she heard the others’ opinions, the Ambassador wasted no more time. “If what you say is true, this could be a remarkable development, Director-General. You will have to forgive some skepticism, as our planet has been mapped in extensive detail, but there is enough uncertainty that I can entertain the idea there may be something to it. I can say that we are interested in the cooperative study of the Cradle, but it must be a full partnership. If there is indeed something connected to the Cradle on our homeworld, we must be able to study both what is found on Rothia, and the Cradle here on Outremer. With you being afforded the same courtesy, naturally.”