1. A Xenohistory team’s first task is to confirm whether intelligent life still exists at the mission site. This is almost entirely a formality, since Corps explorers have never encountered intelligent nonhuman life, and if an alien civilization were still thriving on a planet, it’s likely that the Scouts would have made this discovery before any other visitors arrived. Nevertheless, researchers should investigate any evidence that might lead to humanity’s first contact with the children of another star.
2. The team’s next task is to search for Sentinel facilities. These will be the places most likely to have information relating to the Sigma Event.
3. If the planet’s inhabitants were not the victims of the Sigma Event, the team should attempt to identify the planet’s Omega Event. Information about the extinction of an alien species, whatever the cause, is vital for the survival of humanity.
4. If the Sigma Event was responsible, the team should look for information that might help explain the Sigma Event. Did the aliens have any advance warning? What caused them to suddenly vanish? Where did they go? So far, no Xenohistory team has made progress toward answering these questions, and finding even a single clue would be a major breakthrough.
5. The team should investigate any anomalies or items of scientific interest at the mission site. Technology that surpasses human science is valuable, even if it does not directly defend against the Sigma Event. The team should also document hazards that might endanger future visitors.
6. After the team completes the above objectives, the site becomes a lower-priority item. Unless instructed otherwise, the research team should leave the site at this point and prepare a complete report of its findings. This report should contain the team’s recommendations for further action and future research.. A Xenohistory team’s first task is to confirm whether intelligent life still exists