Sep 19th, 2344
In the end, they decided that if there was an entrance, it was too alien to be perceived. Brenda made a lot of assumptions from that and took notes of them. But Richard was growing increasingly frustrated with their lack of progress. He couldn't understand how Brenda could be content with simply studying the exterior of the alien artifact.
The ship's sensors could not tell them much about the structure beyond what they could see. Either the hull materials did not conduct heat, or it was near absolute zero inside and out. There was solid logic to land on either hypothesis. As for the atmosphere inside, it was anybody's guess.
Richard and Brenda found themselves at an impasse. He was growing increasingly impatient with Brenda's slow and steady approach, while she couldn't understand his insatiable need for instant answers. Tensions mounted as they spent more and more time trapped together on the vessel, isolated from the rest of humanity.
But despite their differences, they were united in their curiosity about the alien artifact. They both craved answers about the mysteries of the universe, even if their methods were vastly different. And as they continued to explore the artifact from the outside, they both secretly hoped for a breakthrough that would lead them to the unknown secrets inside.
Eventually, after weeks of frustration and dead ends, Richard and Brenda agreed that they would have to burn their way into the alien artifact. They had the ship make two space suits - a flexible inflatable dome and some molecular glue. They decided against attempting to burn their way in, in case there was anything flammable inside, and instead went with a molecular corrosive.
The dome inflated and attached around them, and they set about applying the corrosive in a three-meter diameter circle. As the liquid ate through the outer layer of the structure, Brenda was stunned at how easily it gave way. The newly created manhole cover fell down into the structure, disappearing in the distance.
"Well, there seems to be some kind of gravity in there," Richard observed.
"Could just be the mass of the structure," Brenda replied, noting that the dome was deflating. "Not much atmosphere inside."
As Brenda took readings, she couldn't help feeling an adrenaline rush of excitement. This was why she had dedicated her life to exploring the unknown, to be the first to uncover the secrets of the universe. Richard, on the other hand, was more pragmatic. He understood the significance of their discovery, but his focus was more on the practicalities of surviving in the unknown environment.
"Three degrees Kelvin and hard vacuum. It's going to take three to four weeks to terraform heat and air in an area that large. Ready to live in your suit or want to go back to the ship and wait?" Brenda asked, aware of the answer.
"I'll stay here," Richard replied, his thoughts already turning to the next steps they needed to take to survive.
"I've attached a beacon here, so even if we lose contact with the ship, we can find our way back out. Hey, get your ass out of that hole, you're going to help me set up the terraforming equipment. Plus, you might want to upgrade your lifters in case there are some real gravity spots in there. I swear, I think you are trying to kill yourself," Brenda said, half-jokingly. She had saved his life once, she wasn't about to let him throw it away nearly 300 years later.
But underneath the banter, there was an unspoken understanding between them. They were still two vastly different people with differing views of the universe and their place in it. But they had united in their curiosity and desire to explore the unknown.
As they worked together to make the alien artifact habitable, a new sense of respect and appreciation emerged between them. They each brought their unique skills and perspectives to the table, allowing them to tackle the challenges of their new environment with ease.
As Richard and Brenda floated off in separate directions, their sense of awe and wonder at the unknown persisted. They carefully logged everything they saw, their observations and recordings sent back to the ship's AI.
Their interactions became more harmonious as they explored separately, each trusting the other to look out for and stay connected with them with the beacon systems and upgraded suits. Brenda used her scientific acumen to analyze the strange structures they found, and Richard's engineering skills helped them navigate the complex terrain.
As the weeks went by and the alien artifact began to transform, they relished in the freedom to explore, moving deeper into the unknown with each passing day. It was now just a little too cold and not quite enough oxygen. It could be livable but not very comfortable. Like being on top of Mount Everest without the wind. Richard was tempted to rip off his suit, but he had waited this long he could endure another week. Besides when the suit came off, the randomness that had served him so well in his life would end.
As they worked, Richard and Brenda gradually built a new life for themselves within the alien artifact. They had created living spaces, found food sources, and even set up a rudimentary communication system, allowing them to stay connected as they continued to explore.
The environment was harsh, but they persisted, driven by their insatiable curiosity and desire to understand the universe. With each new discovery, their sense of wonder and awe only grew stronger. And as they moved through the strange structures of the artifact, they couldn't help but feel a connection to the unknown forces that had brought them there.
As their habitat began to transform and terraform, Richard and Brenda eagerly awaited the time when they could finally remove their suits and live freely within the alien artifact. Richard couldn't help but daydream about everything he would do once the suit came off, from exploring the deepest depths of the artifact to christening their new world with Brenda in many areas of the station.