RAMAN PRIDE
© by Rick Hutchins
From his lab in the Alpha Ring of the L5 Observatory, Professor Anjan Chandrasakhr continued to observe the progress of the alien artifact as it exited the solar system. In the weeks since perihelion, the hi-res images had accumulated in the database and, ultimately, the processing software tagged two dim elements in the background sky for further study.
Duly intrigued, Professor Chandrasakhr took several long-duration exposures of that section of the sky over a period of days. At the same time, he obtained a number of images from the Palomar Archives, some dating back as far as the Twentieth Century.
All these data were combined and processed by the station’s AI, using the most sophisticated algorithms available. Concurrently, the professor solicited expert consultations from his most knowledgeable colleagues at Sagan University and Hammel College, Farside. Many hours were spent in error checking and time-delayed video conferencing.
At last, there could be no doubt: Identical artifacts had passed through the solar system, unseen, in 2070 and 2010.
Fascinating, thought Chandrasakhr with deep sadness. The Ramans really did do everything in threes.
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