A hyperwave caster allows you to talk to them if used while you're over the planet. The thing that frees the Chmmr is the last artifact in the game and you'll know it when you have it. Getting it involves the Mycon.
Great idea. Howabouts we compromise: you go play the game rather than bothering us for the answers to the puzzles (or hell, go to http://www.star-control.com/ and look and any of the various walkthroughs that have been available for 10 years now) and I'll be nice.