Posted by Gamemaster Robert Archer (GM) in Main Sim - Elsewhere - First Contact?
[snip]

As soon as the group appeared William looked directly at the Captain then directly following his orders he turned around and raised his arms and flattened his palm, gently turning his hands around trying to display a non-threatening attitude “I’m afraid we don’t understand all’yall” He pointed at his chest “I am Will” His hand turned to the Grey-Brown Laleri next to him “This is Mwezi” He then pointed to the Betazoid Commander closest to them. While he spoke he took a few careful steps closer to her “That’s our boss Taiya” He introduced knowing full-well they wouldn’t understand his words but introductions could possibly help them, if not he was certain that Mwezi was capable enough to fight several of them. Although they were around Will’s height he did not share their muscular physique, in a fight, he would be next to useless But I wouldn’t A voice in the back of his head whispered, a caged voice that he ignored.

CSO

The round of introductions seemed to confuse the aliens, the large male alien who seemed to be the leader barked sharply something at the group who stood back stiffly though continued to surround and eye the Chernov group. The computer voice spoke then again from somewhere above =/\= Contact between alpha and beta study groups has begun. Awaiting final testing results. =/\= It said, then oddly seemed to repeat it in a form that was likely native to the aliens in front of them who snapped their heads up then to the Chernov group.

This time the leader seemed to deeply furrow his large brow. A slightly clawed like nail pointed to Will. Again the alien spoke in ways no one could understand. But at least for the moment the spears and axes weren’t pointed their way. The male then pointed to himself and a large trio of rocks, gesturing to Will then one right hand rock while the male took a hunched over seat on the left side, with the table like larger rock between them. The large male alien picked up several small stones placing two on Will’s side and two on his side. Before using a fifth to scrawl a line down the large rock’s middle. He then tossed that one aside and looked as if hopefully to Will for some expected response.

GM CockRoach

O’Dell stood at the ready to follow the orders given to him by the Captain.

O’Dell

Chris smiled. “That looks promising Will. It looks like a game of sort like Go, Othello, chess or checkers. Or something completely different. But that’s me being Captain Obvious. Be careful but see what the dude wants. He might give us the keys to the Last Starfighter.” Chris laughed at his little joke.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Will followed the alien and sat down across from him, at the Captains comment he looked back and nodded slowly, he didn’t want to indicate any one thing or another.

Mwezi stepped over to look at the rock table, studying it quietly and trying his best to decipher their meanings. Two rocks on either side of a line. It had to have some meaning. The question was what the meaning was. He guessed from their general clothing that the aliens weren’t a particularly advanced civilization, as he couldn’t see any sign of artificially manufactured materials.

He was certainly glad that he had taken the time to learn Starfleet Standard and hadn’t depended on the UT to allow himself to understand the crew though, otherwise the past few hours would have been much more difficult. He tried to catch the attention of one of the auxiliary aliens, leaving the leader alien to interact with Will.

He grunted slightly at one reptilian alien, then grabbed a handful of berries from a nearby bush and held his palm towards the alien. “Berry. Food.” he spoke in his native tongue, knowing the alien wouldn’t understand the words, but hoping he would get the meaning. He plucked one berry from his hand and ate it. “Food.”

If they could establish a baseline, they may be able to communicate eventually. It was times like these he wished an expert like the legendary Sato were on their crew.

Mwezi, CTO

Will carefully picked up one of the rocks on his side and examined it shortly. He looked at the alien and spoke “So we have sides and two rocks each” He spoke with curiosity in his tone. Will lowered the rock back and looked at the Alien, indicated to the ‘board’ between them with a gesture “So what now?” He asked the ALpha group leader.

CSO

Reid stared at the board. “The Captain is right. It looks most similar to Go. Don’t move anything yet. I’m guessing… in this culture, this is diplomacy. And right now, if we lose, we die.” The board starts out in perfect balance. Two stones each. Centre stone divides the board. What’s the objective? Reid studied every facet of the proposed game, hoping to understand. He played Go and Chess for amusement. Maybe this was similar.

-Dr Alex Reid, CE

The game didn’t seem so much a true ‘game’ though after more study if anything it seemed the alien was using it more in a ritualistic like fashion for some means of hopeful communication. The number 2 seemed important in some way to him. Perhaps a clue was in the amount of groups currently on hand? Alpha group with the aliens and Beta group with the Chernov crew? Then the question was which rock on either side represented if this was true which group? And how might moving them imply things to the brute like aliens?

The leader while waiting for Will to make his move seemed to finally sense the confusion coming off him and the others. Seeming to let out a grunt of irritation or sigh it moved both his rocks forward halfway to the middle point line. Then looked to Will as if questioningly again in some form.

GM CockRoach

Blaze was Studying the Aliens weapons and armor thinking of possible defense and weaknesses against their armor and weapons. The leather armor was a good. Lightweight easy to move in and provides a good amount of protection especially depending on what Leather was being used. Maybe he can make some wood armor if we can’t find any animals to harvest leather from.

Dr. Alexander Blaze (Engineer)