Well -- it had to happen. The Thargoids have returned.

I remember these beings and their technologies from 3120. A select group of humanity had already begun to make inroads toward a peaceful agreement with this proud and incredibly-complicated race.

I am fortunate to still be alive nearly two hundred years later where I can lend my expertise, but saddened that events have taken such terrible turns.

Ishmael Palin, a man that I now call a good friend, found my life capsule floating in space out near Maia in 3288 and carefully revived me out at Christian Dock in Nganji. I later learned that he was heading up a research program at Fort Harrison (sadly aborted due to politics) to study some alien artifacts that he had run across in 3285 near Maia, hence explaining how he encountered my miniscule capsule. Though the program at Fort Harrison pretty much never got off the ground, I am glad he was able to re-establish himself out at his eponymous research center in Maia.

Once I was back to full strength, he filled me in on the history of the Thargoids during the time wherein I was forced to hibernate. All I can say is this: Trigger-happy commanders will be the death of humanity. I remember those idiots at Veliaze who attempted to hold the Thargoids hostage for their knowledge, firing upon their vessels simply because they weren't human beings -- simply because they were truly alien and were thus feared.

The caustic nature of the Thargoid weaponry is something I discovered shortly before my forced emtombment. Thus, the response that Ish and I are mounting focuses upon resistance to such attack. The problem, however, is that the caustic nature of the attacks is not simply chemical. It is biological.

The rogue engineering group from INRA that developed the so-called "Mycoid virus" that was used against the Thargoids and also developed its subsequent "cure" are, of course, aware of this. They remain quiet. Traitors, all of them.

Ishmael and I have a dark and foreboding feeling. The feeling that the virus that was used against the Thargoids has now been re-engineered to be used against humanity and its technologies. Though he has publicly retired, he and his successor, Cora Shaw, continue to work with myself and a team of several dozen dedicated people, people of whom I am immensely proud. We also have the great fortune to be in frequent contact with Dr. Arcanonn and his incredibly talented group in Varati.

I know you wish to read more. To hear more.

I am sorry. I must keep my remarks brief. Perhaps one day I can recount all of the details to you.

But for now -- I and the others must do what needs to be done. Not only to save humanity, but also to attempt to re-establish diplomatic relations with the Thargoids. I hope it is not too late. The Thargoids have the capability to eradicate human beings from the cosmos, and by means both offensive, defensive, and diplomatic, I must do my part to prevent that from happening in the spirit of the true INRA.

-- Dr. David Sterling, Professor Emeritus, Astrophysics and Astrochemistry, Intergalactic Naval Research Administration, Palin/Shaw Research Institute, Maia