STARSHIP'S SOS STUNS SCIENTISTS In one of the most super secrets in history, a joint Soviet-American scientist team is studying a mysterious radio signal from outer space - a distress call sent from a planet or starship 50,000 yrs. ago. "This is a stunning breakthrough. Our computers have actually translated a major portion of the radio signal," said one U.S. astronomer who discussed the research with a French freelance news service on the condition that he not be identified. Portions of the amazing message were put together in a reasonably accurate form by the team in April, but have not been published. "GUIDE US TO FOURTH UNIVERSE. EXPLOSION. WE ARE IN PERIL. WE ARE IN TIME 117.098 IN 12th GALAXY," was the frantic message. "Very simply, from a mathamatical translation, we can assume this was an ancient spacecraft, or even a planet. It was looking for some kind of beacon, a signal, to guide them out of danger. This whole thing is mind-boggling," said the astronomer. "My Soviet counterparts have done the majority of computer translation and we have been working night and day to pinpoint the source of the signal." "Our initial calculations have shown, and we may may be proven very wrong later, that the signal was sent at least 50,000 years ago, and maybe longer." "My colleagues feel and we must have more conclusive analysis of the message before we publish a report. I disagree. Both our goverments are briefed on our progress constantly. I feel the whole story should be made public now!" "It is conclusive proof, to me, that mankind is not alone. I only wish that I could go into further detail. There is much more to this story and more of the signal to be translated" "But I will say this, when this goes public, it will have one of the greatest effects on the human race in history! It could even bring about world peace", said the unidentified astronomer. Both U.S. and Soviet goverment spokesmen refused to confirm or deny that scientific research into an alien message was taking place. The Soviet spokesman, however, said that "Our goverment is constantly seeking new information from space, and that it includes scanning for radio signals of any kind. It is not inconceivable that our advanced equiptment could pick up a message of this sort. I am just not at liberty to discuss it any further at this point."