Wide field camera: seventh frame

The camera has now completed its horizontal pan: this image therefore could have been automated, although we must assume it was not.

This image is, quite clearly, one of the most extraordinary results of the programme.  As before much of the colouring appears to be iron oxide; as before this image originated on a planet illuminated by two stars: one extremely red – probably a red giant – and one much bluer and fainter – presumably a white dwarf.

But that is not what makes this image extraordinary.  Notice first the multiple, mostly dark, linear markings running in many directions over the surface?  What made these?  They cannot be natural.  Also notice the many small disturbances to the surface which also cannot be natural.

Then observe the four parallel, lighter markings, with part of a fifth visible at the top left.  It is not clear what these may be, but there is no chance that they are natural.  Nor is there any chance that these are merely the very obvious traces of life previously observed: these markings can only have been placed here intentionally, by some intelligent being, for purposes which are unclear.

Finally, study of the image leads to the conclusion that the surface is rather flat.  Although this is compatible with, for instance, dried up lake beds, when combined with the linear markings an obvious conclusion might be drawn: this is a landing or take-off area for spacecraft.

There were more phone calls from withheld numbers today: I could hear only, perhaps, breathing, and in the background the curious and haunting sounds made either by some animal or perhaps a human tortured beyond sanity.  And the horrible soft sounds as some vast unspeakable thing slowly rouses itself from its diseased dreams and endless consumption, to eat, to drag itself slowly but inevitably ... where?  I know not what it may be, but fear it may be the johnson itself in all its terrible, stinking, frightfulness.  And it is now aware of me: of that I am sure.