“I don’t understand, Spock. Starfleet thoroughly charted the planets of Alpha Centauri hundreds of years ago. After all, this is in Earth’s backyard!”
“Indeed
Captain. However the level of development the inhabitants of Alpha Prime
demonstrated at that time prevented us from contacting them. We could only
monitor from a distance.”
“But
how in the name of Hades did they become more advanced than us?” Bones queried.
Spock
arched one eyebrow, “It would seem they were always more advanced, and didn’t
wish us to know.”
“Spock,
is it possible these really are the descendants of Earth explorers, sent out at
the end of the 20th century to colonize the Alpha Centauri system?”
“Logic
would dictate that they are indeed descendents of the Robinson family that left
Earth in 1997. Radiation exposure accelerated gene mutation…”
“Of
course! Given the radiation catalyst, they evolved… and in order to
survive, they evolved to an advanced state!” Bones interrupted.
“That
and the limited gene pool they had to work with,” Spock agreed.
Kirk
turned from his pacing to face them. “… and they allowed us to discover their
ancient spacecraft on that small moon. Why, Spock?”
“Why
indeed, Captain. It would seem to be their way of communicating their presence,
and they now deem us worthy of communication.”