trans_9 | Face-to-face [Closed]

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Face-to-face [Closed]

The area of Hydroponics in which Zouichi chose to wait is isolated enough that people wouldn't just idly wander by, but easily accessible and well-lit. There were a number of alien-looking trees nearby, but alas, none of the people-eating variety, and it was close enough to the rest of Level 5 that it would be easy to find.

If a Synthetic Human dressed from head-to-toe in black body armor standing around in an open, grassy clearing was difficult to find.

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"Why is it that the Andalites are feuding with you? Because you have targeted them in the past? Wars are costly; I assume they didn't just do it to fill the time."

He paused. "And you studied humanity? Was that your function, or something you did in your free time? That sounds like a lot of time to devote to something you don't understand. Or have you found it's something you are unable to understand?"

"In other words, you believe the only acceptable action for humanity to take would have been to quietly acquiesce to the invasion force? Like 'cattle'?" Why was Iniss defaulting to what his council would have wanted? Didn't he have an opinion of his own?

"Because a long time ago, we were not content to be their humanitarian pets." He sneered. "They considered us savvage and primitive and pitiable and we wanted to see the stars ourselves, once we became conscious of the universe being a bigger place. They refer to it as Seerow's kindness. And they've been hunting us and destroying things ever since. They tell a different story, but in the end, we're both hopeless mired in our positions."

He nodded, plucking several strands of grass and rolling them between his fingers. "It was my function, and something of a hobby in addition to. I found their wars and heroes fascinating, my first human host was a history professor named Jeffry, and he took great delight in educating me. I can understand much, but I doubt that I have the comprehension to fully grasp the emotional nuances involved in some of the material."

He inclined his head in accordance. "That was the council's position. Visser One arranged the invasion in such a way that it could be accomplished without a shot fired. Visser Three bungled through that plan until the interesting diversion of the Bandits appeared."

"They refer to 'it' as Seerow's Kindness? What, exactly, is 'it'?" Constructing bodies for the Yeerks to use? Allowing the Yeerks to use their own bodies?

"And do you feel the way the Andalites view the Yeerks, as a savage and primitive race, to be different from the Yeerks' opinion of the humans?"

Zouichi wondered if this Professor Jeffry was a willing host, as Iniss seemed to be suggesting he was -- or if he'd simply taken what enjoyment he could while prisoner in his own body. "Is that inability to grasp emotional nuance a personal trait, or is it common to all Yeerks?"

"Ah. Visser One. Eva's Yeerk, correct? But what is your personal view? I assume you have opinions of your own that may not always be in keeping with all other members of your species."

"The gift of technology. The ability to get off the planet we'd started on." He smiled faintly. "I wasn't there, and neither were most of the creatures currently involved. I was born after leaving the planet."

He shrugged. "Likely it is, or was, tenses are confusing at times, some came to abhor it, taking unwilling hosts. But we were - are - a military society. To refuse orders is to risk death. I like living very much." He paused, tangling his fingers in the grass. "Emotions, at least the way humans feel them, are far more complicated. We are capable of basics; affection, loss, longing, greed, pride. But the deeper shades such as love and grief are lost to us. I've been scolded many times for not recognizing them, but it's very difficult to adapt. Empathy is still difficult, even after years spent studying humans."

He glanced up. "Yes, the leader of the invasion. I have many opinions, Zouichi, and when I discover where I stand, I will be happy to explain it to you. For the moment, I can only say that I now posses the burgeoning understanding that it wasn't right, without being able to specifically nail down why. And that is the most honest and least effacing answer I can offer."

"Ah, so you weren't a spacefaring species before the Andalites arrived." Hadn't anyone heard of the Prime Directive?

"Your position is... unfortunate," said Zouichi, for lack of a better word. "A great deal of human interaction is based on emotion. Have you considered consulting a ship psychologist about the issue? A professional may have more useful insight for you, at least in terms of grasping the basics of empathy."

Iniss's answer implied there was a more honest and effacing answer he could offer, but he'd been more than informative so far, so there was no point in pushing the issue. "I can't say I fully understand everything you've told me. But I do wish you success in your attempt to adapt. It can be... difficult, to adjust to a role you were never prepared for."

"No, we had no idea it was possible. We could barely see the stars with the hosts we had, much less dream of traveling them."

He nodded. "I'm aware, of course. Humans are an emotional species, I miss the required nuances to respond in a positive way. Though I am still making the attempt to conform." And occasionally finding himself dragged under. Dani had...been something. Something he wasn't sure of. Something new and different and missed. "I doubt very much a human psychologist would be able to help. After all, I've spent the better part of a decade living inside of humanity and have still managed to absorb very little."

He snorted, an entirely human gesture. "Yes. Very. Exaggerated Sympathy for the host species was considered both uncouth and dangerous. There have been Yeerks executed for doing just that, for loving humanity. For trying to save the humans." His smile pulled strangely at the barely healed flesh. "And yet I still make the attempt. It is the best I can do."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Zouichi said, and he did mean it. "Sounds like the universe dealt your species an exceptionally bad hand."

"And you could be right. But there are humans who have difficulty understanding emotion, picking up on unspoken cues. If any of them has experience working with patients with similar difficulties, they may be able to adapt their approach. Offer a way of studying emotions systematically, rather than attempting to understand everything at once via full immersion." He shrugged a little. "Just a suggestion."

Zouichi nodded. "I think I understand your position a little better for speaking with you. But I suppose I should stop taking up your time. Thank you, Iniss."

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Face-to-face [Closed]

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