"This is the scanner ship Verne of the research ship Romulus, requesting assistance. My ship is damaged and unable to fly. My coordinates are as follows: 17 hours, 45 minutes, 40 seconds right ascension, negative 29 degrees, zero minutes, 30 seconds declination.

The planet is uncolonized but populated by intelligent quadrapedal creatures. I have limited my contact with them as much as possible, but they are curious and some technological contamination was unavoidable.

There's something strange about this little planet, but I can't quite put my finger on it."