Challenge #01997-E173: With Understanding
Considering many herbivores on earth are gigantic and fully capable of hurting us “predators”, how would a group of humans handle a diplomatic encounter with a council of large, all herbivore, prey-species, in order to convince them to join the larger space society?
We need them to trust us but also respect us.
Fear is a powerful tool indeed. -- Anon Guest
Havenworlders amble gently into cogniscence and cautiously dip their toes into space travel. They are, by nature, the species most likely to have millennia-stable civilisations that expand slowly and graciously into the universe. And they are also, understandably, the most likely to be absolutely terrified of any species tougher than them.
Herbivorous civilisations are more likely to come from Havenworlds. Deathworlder assumptions that only omnivores can properly become cogniscent are just that - assumptions. Havenworlders just take longer to progress towards cogniscence than they do. But, since they have an earlier start, both kinds often meet in the field. Which, as you might not guess, is disturbing to both sides of the encounter.
"It was a troll," said Salvager Grisket in deadly seriousness. "Nine feet tall if it was an inch."
"According to your own suit cam, Grisket, it was eight foot five," said Chief Document Manager Dexterson. "Adrenaline effects dimensional perceptions. Keep that in mind."
"It was big, it looked like it could crush me, and it was wearing a livesuit."
"We have detected another vessel in the area, but we don't wish to show our colours just yet. You and the other scavengers are cleared to attempt communication efforts. If they're that intimidating, they may prove useful in other negotiations."
Meanwhile, on the Ruumashi scavenger vessel...
"It was definitely a predator! Look at the eye placement. And it's smaller, which means it can absorb more compact forms of nutriton. Look at the slimness of its gut. It has to be a predator. I was scared almost to death[1]."
"Yet it did not attack," said their analyst. "It froze. Which would suggest time as prey? At least at some point in their evolution."
"Caution is of course advised," said their strategist. "If we see them again, no sudden moves. Extra defensive armour, in case of further encounters. Try to at least suggest that we could be hostile if provoked."
First contact between Havenworlders and Deathworlders is rarely survivable. If possible to diagnose a Deathworlder on sight, the best possible strategy is avoidance. -- Wikipedia Galactica.
Two species, alike in might and potential for hostility, met in a hulk. Both followed the strategies of No Sudden Movements and Maintain Eye Contact. For a long and breathless moment, they stood and stared at each other until the natural fear response ebbed.
Slowly. Cautiously. The Deathworlder showed the Havenworlder what they were shopping for.
Equally as carefully, the Havenworlder followed suit.
The Deathworlder tore some of the Havenworlder's shopping out of the wall. Put it down between them, and backed away. The apparent effortlessness of this action was enough to set off alarms in the Havenworlder's livesuit. The Deathworlder took another pace back.
Dialogue between species is many things. Fraught with misunderstanding is definitely in the top five. With care and attention to actions, something can be accomplished. Even without words, the exchange of I help you, you help me is clear to most species. And the basis of an alliance, to boot.
Both sides were rather disappointed when more linguistic understandings were accomplished.
[1] In the case of more fragile Havenworlders, this is not a metaphor.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / premiumdesign]
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends!
Send me a prompt [26 remaining prompts!]