Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim - Habitat - Away Team Q/A
[snip]

The advisor named Col seemed to scroll through a primitive padd like device on the table, “..Indeed Dol, the last such record of this in the archives happened 120 local years ago, they never did return, they had left with a passing freighter belonging to one of the regional races known as the Zok-Dorn Merchant Cooperative..” he said.

Dol nodded his appreciation then turned back to Glen and company, “..I hope that explains some of your line of thought, Captain Glen?” he asked.

“Yes, I think so,” replied Glen, “You are saying that it is for cultural reasons rather than technological.” Glen glanced at Cara as that was her domain of expertise. This did confirm what they had believed and when they eventually got around to sharing technology, Glen could be better assured that he was not breaking rules in doing so.

There was something that Ferris was itching to know. “I also have a question.”

“Even living here on this habitat, why not explore more in the traditional sense. As Captain Glen mentioned, usually a civilization has a desire to know about space around them, or at least if there’s anyone else out there,” he stopped to take a bite. “And if so, who, exactly, those people are. While I see the merits in your current system, wouldn’t there be other benefits to exploring yourselves?”

”..As I mentioned, we probably could be capable of building ships to do just that, primitive by your standards but we could do so, we just have chosen not too, it has been this way for so long that to be honest I think even our archivists for our long historical records would be hard pressed to give a full concrete answer if it was posed to them. But equally as I said nothing is stopping people on the habitat to do so, or leave if they wish to adventure, most just do not wish to do so..” he stated

William stood behind the group, hands clasped behind his back, as he observed the aliens and crew interact. He’d have his time to ask questions but for now he was focusing on understanding how these people treated questions of varying degrees.

Cross came back with another glass of water, pulled a chair not knowing who sat on either side. She settled down listening and stayed silent.

Glen always spoke far too much and for too long, so for a change he let others ask questions.

When a pause occurred in the conversation, Tia raised her hand slightly to ask a question. “You said you’ve been out here for generations. I’d love the chance to see your engineering set up, if I may? I’m curious how you sustained yourselves for so long without major issues. And if you had them, how you overcame them.”

She was probably being too forward, but she was antsy. Maybe stepping away from the table to stretch her legs would help.

William leaned forward, with his lanky build he looked like a palm tree that had almost been blown over “I’m also curious about historical and social developments, any experts I could speak to or even just a librarian” He seemed unusually excited by the prospect.

Cara indicated her interest in the library visit too.
Glen was doubtful that everyone would want to visit a library, but wasn’t keen to split up the group either.

Cross kept silent for she did not want to ask to see how and where they treated their sick but if anyone suggested Cross would certainly not decline the offer.

Yet the female doctor was concerned ,this set -up would mean that the group would separate, she shifted in her chair and gave a quick glance at Wolf, her non verbal indicated that what the others were asking would mean that the team would end splitting up. Such a strategy would obviously not have a desirable outcome should anything happen.

“If we’re going on a tour of different areas, then I’d like to go see the communications area. You guys came through very clearly, and I’m interested to see how.” Ferris said, considering if there might be anything to learn in terms of relay alignment or similar aspect.

Glen remained silent for now, although he really wanted to ask about their “seed-pod” Stasis technology. As far as he could see, that was the only technology that these people had that was comparable or beyond that of the Federation. Habitat recycling and sustainability might be too, but ship engineering, weapons, communications, medicine; they all looked to be at a mid-21st Century Earth level. The cultural and historical information exchange was important to the visit too.

Joe listened and watched. And then did some more. Not an ordinary thing for him. Then finally he suppressed a burp from whatever that had been that he had eaten and found that not to his amazement it didn’t taste better the second time around. Walking over to the captain he leaned close and said, “Sir could we perhaps just arrange a tour as a group? Even if these people are friendly, I would just as soon not have one or two of our people wandering off and getting lost . I think the people here would sooner have us in a manageable group as well . “

“I agree!” replied Glen. “Wandering off and getting lost are always a problem, especially if Miriam is anywhere around, but there are worse things that can happen. You weren’t with us when we visited the Alstaireans, but they were very friendly and welcoming too, however they never told us about the risk of falling meteorites on their planet. Once we split up… well, all hell rained down on us at the transport facility. It’s also the kind of thing that happens in our 2D movie nights, where the horror film gang decides to split up and get picked off one by one!”

Joe frowned in thought for a short instant before he began to laugh. And then only to laugh harder at the vision of Miriam getting whacked on the head by a falling rock and the rock splitting into two pieces. Finally after gaining control of himself Joe asked Glen. “Surely not, did Miriam get hit with a meteorite?”

“No!” replied Glen, ” She was aboard the ship. None of us were badly hurt… just a little shaken, but the Alstaireans had some injuries. We were able to treat them and gained some brownie points for that. To have to live with that every day is beyond belief, so hopefully we can organise some micro-asteroid impact avoidance system for them. Miriam, however.. she did have a habit of wandering off when she was aboard the ship before. She gets easily bored… But since you already are acquainted, I expect you know the reason.”

Hearing the CO and Cmdr whispering and laughing the female doctor started tapping her fingers on the table. In the spur of the moment Cross abruptly stood up and addressed Dol ‘’Master Dol would you give me permission to have a look around?’’ Cross asked with an innocent look on her face.

Glen listened nervously.

Glen coughed. “Err… Excuse Doctor Cross, Dol!… Doctor Cross, we will all be able to explore together as soon as we finish up here,” Glen said, with a heavy emphasis on the word ‘together’. “The Library and Communication area are already on the list. I’m sure we can add medical facilities to it. But first, Dol, could you give us any more information about the Zok-Dorn Merchant Cooperative? We’ve never come across them before.”

Apparently Glen spoke before Dol even managed to utter a word. ‘’Haqq’’ Cross said in her native language, a word that could not even be translated in English ,She sat down again crossing her arms over her chest ,the female doctor was about to say she had no keen interest in their library and communication area…it was the pods and the spheres technology she was interested in but the little voice in her head told her it was best to be quiet.

Glen still wanted to ask the Dol about their Stasis technology, but to ask in a way that wouldn’t underline that it was anything very special. He had actually expected them to have asked about an exchange of technology before now, and he was surprised that it had not been mentioned yet. When it did come up, he was expecting an exchange on a quid pro quo basis, and it was best that they didn’t show yet the areas in which they were the least proficient. That way they could give away less and receive more in return, while still appearing to be extremely generous. However, before they got to that bargaining stage, they still needed to work through the investigative stage of negotiating. Hence, why Glen was asking about some, probably inconsequential, association of merchants. It might be relevant if it was a place where they also acquired their technology. However, Glen realised that his officers might get thoroughly bored by all of this diplomacy and negotiation, it wasn’t something that Glen was enthusiastic about either. So, maybe the visiting of facilities could proceed without him? Joe could lead the crew while Glen stayed behind with the Dol and thrashed out some agreement.

-Glen, CO

Cross CMO.