The signal was first thought a hoax, then government propaganda, and then we believed.

In the vastness of space, humanity made a remarkable discovery—a signal from far away that repeated itself, accessible to even the most sceptical given the right tools. After careful analysis, we determined that it originated from Barnard's Star, probably sent 6 years ago.

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The message was plain and easy to read. The first bytes of were the primer needed to decode the body of the message. As we delved deeper into the transmission, the messages hinted at something extraordinary: the potential for faster-than-light communication developed by an emerging spacefaring civilization in our galactic neighbourhood.

An intergovernmental committee was set up immediately and the best minds diligently followed the instructions provided, piecing together a mechanism for instant communication. Using the device, we initiated direct contact with the enigmatic beings from afar.

To our astonishment, we soon discovered that the alien civilization, despite possessing advanced knowledge, had not ventured into deep space like we had imagined. Their explorations were limited to probes that had only reached the planets within their own local system. However, amidst their scientific endeavours, they intercepted our radio transmissions and became aware of our existence, leading them to seek our aid.

As our communication with the extraterrestrial civilization continued, they revealed the true extent of their predicament. Their messages carried a sense of urgency and a plea for assistance. It was evident that they faced formidable challenges and looked to us for guidance.

They implored us to lend our collective intellect in solving a perplexing mathematical puzzle, one that held the key to free energy, required to overcome their own problems of overpopulation and environmental destruction. They needed our "calculating machines", our computers, a capability they had only developed to the most rudimentary level.

The urgency of their request became apparent as they explained that it would take an excruciating 50 years for any physical probe to reach their star system—a delay that their civilization simply could not afford. With a shared understanding of the significance of time, we embraced the weight of their plea, knowing that our collaboration held the potential to shape the destiny of both our worlds.

As the magnitude of the task dawned upon us, scientists and policymakers engaged in heated deliberations, weighing the risks and costs entailed in extending our assistance. The price tag attached to aiding the alien civilization loomed large, demanding a significant investment into the development of custom processing chips. Within our ranks, a division emerged, with one faction advocating for a cautious approach—sending probes as scouts to gather more information before committing fully. In contrast, another group urged for a unified and forceful arrival, asserting that swift and decisive action was crucial. Amidst the impassioned debates, we grappled with the implications of our choices, acutely aware that the decision we made would reverberate across the annals of history.

In the face of uncertainties and lingering reservations, the collective resolve of humanity prevailed, as we made the momentous decision to embark on a path of collaboration. Uniting our computational prowess and harnessing the world's resources, we devoted two years of the world's collected computation to unravel the intricate web of the mathematical puzzle presented by our interstellar counterparts.

Eventually, elements of the solution were collected like a radiant beacon, an offering of our raw computational abilities. With anticipation, we shared the fruits of our labour with the alien civilization, hoping that our efforts would bridge the gap between our worlds and forge a bond of trust and mutual understanding.

The alien civilization responded with a final transmission.

They revealed the truth: the entire exchange had been a meticulously orchestrated test, a crucible to assess humanity's capacity for benevolence, collaboration, and selflessness. They were not located at Barnard's Star but instead had set up an unmissable repeating message and a costly and urgent request for help. It was a profound realisation that we were pawns in a cosmic experiment, subjected to scrutiny to determine our worthiness as partners.

They painted a bleak picture of the universe, suggesting that the true nature of the cosmos was one of indifference and malevolence. And in a solemn moment, they confessed that most civilizations contacted in this manner failed this seemingly simple test, falling prey to self-interest, discord, or open hostility. It was a sobering realisation that humanity had defied the odds, emerging as a beacon of benevolence amidst the countless stars that littered the night sky.

Recognizing the capability for goodness within humanity, they reciprocated our efforts by sharing the unexpected knowledge of their faster-than-light travel technology. Like a divine gift, the secrets of interstellar travel were laid before us, offering a glimpse into a realm of boundless exploration and discovery.

But before we could fully comprehend the implications of this newfound knowledge, our awe was abruptly interrupted. They arrived.

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