Report Number 11

Entry: Transportation

The majority of transportation in the Western Hemisphere of this planet occurs within small metallic boxes (linguistic term: “car”) attached to a set of four wheels, or long metallic boxes attached to a set of eight wheels (linguistic term: “bus”). The majority of these vehicles utilize internal combustion with fuel extracted from the planet to propel them from point A to point B. As part of the infrastructure of each landmass, this species has poured a hard, flat substance in paths connecting city centers in order to allow the vehicles to propel smoothly from one destination to the next.

Observational sketch: Metallic box on wheels transports species

Secondary forms of transportation also utilized (although not as frequently) include very long boxes on sets of wheels that run on predetermined metal lines called tracks, or long boxes that run underground on electrically charged tracks. These long underground boxes are only found in places with a high concentration of the species population, but seem to be a preferred method for short distance trips when available.

Observational sketch: Metallic box on underground tracks transports species

A last major form of transportation occurs in long cylindrical metallic objects that have large flat wings protruding from both sides of the cylindrical shape. This form of transportation occurs in the air and can transport multiple individuals from one destination to another much more quickly than any metallic box that carries this species on the planet’s surface. The winged cylindrical object appears to be the preferred method of transportation for travel of longer distances.

Observational sketch: Cylindrical object with wings transports species by air

The primary fuel this species uses for transportation is extracted from the depths of their own planet with massive mechanical machines that drill deep into its interior. Initial research surveys indicate that this liquid is depleting. The species seems to be aware of this depletion, as alternative forms of fuel are slowly being introduced into the transportation market, but it is unclear at this time why the species is not transitioning to an entirely new fuel source more quickly.