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The beautiful planet of Sirius with its dense low-lying cloud is a source of fascination to scientist and layman alike. It possesses an oxygen-rich atmosphere and a plant ecology which are not so different from our own, but no sign of animal life has yet been detected.

Despite its superficially favourable appearance it is, in fact, suitable for colonisation as it possesses certain extraordinary qualities which have baffled scientific teams since the planet was first investigated.

Its dominant characteristic is that the planet emits sound waves in a range of frequencies. As a result the entire surface is in a state of agitation in sympathy with the various vibrations. Some of the frequencies are within audible range, producing a continuous and unsettling discord. The effect together with some of the threshold wavelengths is to make it impossible to tolerate exposure for any significant length of time.

Many attempts have been made to establish bases on the planet but the constantly moving surface has made this impossible. Geological tests and drillings have failed to disclose any stable stratum which might provide an anchorage for constructions of any permanence. A further difficulty is that soundproofed surface installations would only be habitable for brief periods as the unrelenting resonance has the effect of seriously disturbing mental equilibrium.

Absolutely no clue exists to the reason for this phenomenon, nor do we have an explanation for the fact that the planet has nomadic pockets of gravitational variation. One suggestion put forward is that somewhere near the core there exists a large number of very high density bodies in a state of constant movement.

In 2091 a small research team discovered a complete and apparently undamaged ship of unknown origin suspended above the planet's surface. They had not witnessed its arrival bit it would have been within the previous thirty-five hours. After failing to communicate with the craft they established by means of their density analysis equipment that it contained only electronic equipment. It was noted that the volume of sound in the immediate vicinity of the craft was unusually intense and that the gravitational field around it was weaker than any other measured area. The object was transmitting beamed signals in an organised fashion but these were not decipherable and the team was unable to identify their destination. These signals increased in volume when any member of the team approached the ship, and subsided when he moved away. The hull surface was formed of an alloy similar to steel enclosed in a continuous layer of acrylic material. Attempts to cut an access to the interior were unsuccessful as the lasercutter failed to operate when near the ship.

Within four hours of the first sighting the ship moved rapidly out of sight without visible use of a propulsion system and has not reappeared.

It seems probable that this ship was an unmanned survey vessel of some kind. If so it is possible that our presence deterred it from executing its task as it is unlikely that it could have completed its study in so short a time.