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“Data suggests that it’s over a million years old and has no functional ability.”

“So shattered bits of red carbon-based material is simply floating through the cosmos for no reason?”

“It appears so, ma’am.”

“But why would you say it’s a religious relic?”

“We know sacrifice is a part of the early belief system. The sacrifice of beings in the name of religion happened for thousands of years. And because of this, a few have even argued that the mummified remains…”

“Major Tom, you mean?”

“Yes, ma’am, Major Tom is – or was – a sacrifice to a god named ‘T.’ This is known from the cross-like symbol on the what remains of the crafts forward compartment found amid the debris and this unusual vocalization. Let me play it for you.”

“…Ground Control to Major Tom, take your protein pills and put your helmet on…”

“Furthermore, we’ve learned their golden rule was ‘Don’t Panic.’”

“Then what is the ‘Foundation,’ and what or who is this Issac Asimov?”

“Current theory holds that Asimov is a Prophet and that his mathematically based writings are the underpinnings of this religion, thus ‘Foundation.’

“And so, is ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and Adam Douglas more teachings of yet another Prophet?

“We believe it maybe supplemental to the original teachings, ma’am, but we’re still analyzing it, and it’s going to take some time due to the fragile nature of the material it’s made from.”

“What about the plaque?”

“A very interesting artifact, indeed. It reads, “Made on Earth by humans.”

“So this space debris or whatever it was – or is – was made by us?”

“Yes, ma’am. And that leaves us with even bigger questions to answer.”

“Like?”

“What’s an Earth, can we find it and is ‘T’ still there?’”