February 2033, Rocket City, Bright Nation
Michael Max and Dr. James led a team developing a spacecraft to travel to the edge of the Solar System. They named the spacecraft VESSEL, meaning "great ship."
Since 1977, creating a second "calling card" for human civilization had become an exciting undertaking, though it couldn't compare to restarting Mars.
Times had changed. Everything had gone digital, so naturally, this second "calling card" wouldn't be like the first, with its almost primitive pictographs engraved on a metal disk.
Michael was considering what material to use for the medium on which the data would be engraved, and what numeral system to use. The question of numeral systems had come up because, besides binary, Michael's computer now also used ternary.
But he had a vague feeling that other possibilities must exist.
Daphne reminded Michael, "There's still a small envelope in Mirov's Maya Notes that hasn't been opened. Isn't it time?"
Michael had complicated feelings about the Maya Notes that were hard to describe: admiration for Captain Mirov, a lone wolf who had deciphered Maya Script, and astonishment—even awe—at how the mysterious Maya Calendar aligned with the computational logic of modern computers.
Michael wanted to open the envelope with a sense of ceremony, in Irene's presence. He had also invited Irene's daughter, Mandy, and Dr. James.
Irene was delighted to hear that, inspired by the Maya Notes, Michael had successfully developed a ternary computer that was faster and more energy-efficient.
Mandy cleared her throat lightly to get everyone's attention. She picked up two pens and six of Vito's jelly beans from the table, then said:
"I visit Maya villages every year, so I'm very familiar with the Maya counting system. Let me show you how amazing it is."
Mandy picked up a jelly bean in one hand