The Last Song
by R. Bermanseder


Caar Graack examined the space probe thoughtfully.
'A pity' he said.
'Only this escaped the exploding sun. So little left of the civilization of Earth.'

'Fear Not' said Umrr Chicqq, his assistant.
'It appears to follow the standard pattern, and should reveal much of their nature. Most information has been lost to time, only the last record remains."

The Voyager 53 probe lay entangled in the analysis frame. The accumulated knowledge of the Empire's Scientific and Cultural Division mechanically applied itsef in silent efficiency to extract some understanding of one more extinct people, one more example of a culture that achieved interstellar travel but not escape, before their aging sun wiped their existence from the memory of the universe.

"So often this happens" said Caar Graack. "Why do they not take the next step?"
"And yet the nature of a civilization reduced to one record does our job for us. Only the essence remains, and tells us all we need to know!"

A stirring from the analysis frame, and a holographic projection appeared in the readout chamber. Caar Graak and Umrr Chicqq's visual hoods raised in anticipation as the record began to play.

A small bipedal lifeform appeared before them, and began emitting the only remaining record of earth, in a series of modulated sounds.

"Excellent!" said Caar, "It is song. The purest expression of culture. Let us see, and know their nature!"

Caar and Umrr listened in wonder as the translated and adjusted recording was presented to their highly trained senses. Caar's emotional response was greater than usual, while Umrr stood with his oral cavity agape. They listed three more times before closing the record for later study.

"Such a pity" whispered Caar. "So rare to find such artistic resonance. Do we have a source title?"

"Yes" replied Umrr, discretely wiping his running nose, Though I don't understand it" - "Nessun Dorma, Jackie Evancho, 2023".

They left the lab early that night, both strangely introspective,
and pondered all that had been lost.