Watching For the Quiet Ones

 

We scan the galaxy for noise and din
Solar civilizations that proclaim
Power, glory, ceaseless fame
Such vainglory presents a threat to
All and every true intelligence

Our main concern the quiet ones
They already know it’s best to hide
Most attempt to cloak electronics
Others subsist on cached hydroponics
They hope you can’t see them far in space
That all your surveillance must turn to waste

Those who hide best are most perilous
Once we discovered five small gaseous planets
Within lay stacks of giant ringworlds
We rang them out

Machine intelligences are subtly sneaky
One survived in a maelstrom of asteroids
Masking its metal inside iron ore
Forcing it out a massive chore

And a major mistake
It possessed inter-dimensional weapons
Nearly wiped us from the galaxy

All information creates noise
Too little and we suspect you’re stealthy
Until the day we pierce your heart

As for you, friend humans
Long years past we measured your coffin
Projected that you’ll build your own
Yet if you survive know we are watching
Your future silence will then speak for itself