Galileo's Burden, Phase Alpha: Bungle in the Jungle

[cityship]

((PLOT POST! READ IT!))

Stacy's voice rang out through the corridors of the ship, announcing that a message had been received and would be played on the Obs Deck momentarily.

The message was patched through a few minutes later, shown on a holographic screen. It was shot in very poor video, from a very old communicator frequency.



A woman wearing a blue veil over her face appears on the screen. She speaks in a soft and cultured voice, bowing deeply before she begins.

“Greetings to the crew and command of the Transmigration 9. My name is Reda, revered mother of the village of Avania III on the planet Orya."

Reda pauses, bowing once more before removing her veil and revealing the face of a beautiful humanoid woman.



"It… pains me to ask for the help of outsiders, when we have so little to offer in return, but I beg of you. Please aid us. My people are becoming sickened by an ailment we have never seen before. It seems to come differently for all who suffer from it... some have fevers, some strange dreams, some begin to speak madness while awake. But no matter how it develops, they grow weary. Their faith weakens and they die, disgraced and turned from the eyes of the great goddess Avani."

Reda folds her hands together, frowning worriedly. "I have heard of your ship's great deeds even in such a small and isolated planet as Orya. Though I am hardly worthy of asking, I know there is no one better to ask for a favor such as this. What I ask is for… those who have knowledge."

"My people know little of the universe outside their village. They do not know what you know in the ways of medicine. Our shamans are not equipped to deal with a threat of this magnitude. We seek those who can help us ease our suffering. We have little to give in return for your help, but what we have is faith… enlightenment and enrichment of the soul, which we will gladly share with those who come to visit us."

Reda smiled softly, shaking her head. "I will understand if you deny my request. I ask much of you and cannot give much myself, but should you assist us, I will do what I can to help you. I will see to it personally that those who come to our help are taken care of and shown the greatest hospitality. My own Chosen soldiers will protect them, and if they should help us in our time of need, I will do everything in my power to aid your efforts against the Ohm. You have my word as a devout child of Avani."

The revered mother bows once more, kneeling down before the camera. "I will be happy to speak with you if you require more information. Please... I beg of you, help my people."

Comments

Reda

[cityship]

Getting through the Chosen soldiers to see her is quite an ordeal, but once an audience had been arranged, Mother Reda was pleased to speak with any of Stacy's crew members. As de facto village leader, she may be a good source of information.

Re: Reda

[hi_there_aliens]

The walk to the temple might have been pleasant under different circumstances. That would have been the complete absence of pollen. Daniel had from the beach to the temple to get his allergies under control. He couldn't have a running nose on sacred ground, much less sneeze in front of Mother Reda. Maybe he had made an impression, but he didn't want to test just how far that limit was by being rude or gross in front of her.

What Daniel didn't expect was the resistance of the Chosen. They had been silent shadows back at the landing, but just that; shadows, not saying a word or doing anything without the Revered Mother doing so first. They bowed when she did, watched them carefully, but had said nothing.

It was another case entirely at the temple. They stopped him immediately, finally speaking for the first time. Even if language had been a barrier, the tone of voice and look in their eyes would've filled in the blanks. He wasn't about to just walk in. It took some doing for Daniel to explain why he was there, what he was a doctor of, what archaeology was, and why he wasn't at the village working on the "disease" before they would even consider letting him in. He wasn't even sure that had completely satisfied them.

He was shown into a room finally. Daniel bowed low in greeting. "Revered Mother."

[cityship]

"Doctor Jackson."

Reda's private quarters were little more than a small room off the main room of the temple, one that looked like it may have been used for rituals in the past. Scrolls of writing were stored on wooden shelves all over the room, and in the center of the floor was what looked like a large stone ring. A wooden cask was set atop the ring, and Reda appeared to have been scrubbing out the inside of the cask.

She set down the cloth she had been cleaning with and bowed to him, nodding that the Chosen guards near the door could step outside.

"I am pleased that the villagers have accepted you all. It does my heart good to see them open up to you... if only it were under better circumstances." She smiled. "How can I help you?"

[hi_there_aliens]

Daniel looked over his shoulder, watching as the Chosen departed wordlessly. He relaxed a little. The guards were like an imposing, immovable wall, and it was like their was suddenly more air to breath when they left.

He turned to look back at Mother Reda. At the same time, his eyes took in the room, the scrolls in shelves, the unexplained ring that may have had a ceremonial purpose in the past. The cask was interesting, although he wasn't sure why she was scrubbing it herself. Considering how highly regarded she was amongst the people, he was surprised the Chosen or someone else weren't tasked with the job. Maybe the contents or the casket itself were considered too sacred to be touched by anyone else. Daniel found himself trying to look anyway.

Nope. Couldn't see a thing from here.

The archaeologist smiled back. "They've been very generous in their hospitality." Gracious, tolerant, but Daniel thought they were a little aloof. Mostly the adults, the children were quicker to warm to the landing party. Despite all the technology they brought with them.

"I'm interested in studying the Oryan culture and its past. I was hoping you'd let me have a look at this place, the craftsmanship is wonderful."

[cityship]

Reda looked around the room serenely, nodding her head. "The temple is very beautiful, and very old. You're welcome to look around if you like. However... many of the scriptures have faded away, and so we have hung up the scrolls here and there.

She strolled out from behind the cask, motioning to a small sitting area with makeshift chairs off to the side. Having a seat in one of them, she smiled nervously.

"This room and that room are all there is for a nonbeliever to see. I hope you understand. There is nothing below us but old caverns and carvings, but they are sacred. Even the villagers don't go there."

[hi_there_aliens]

Yes, it was. Beautiful, and he wondered, how old exactly. Even if the scriptures had faded, he was sure he could piece something together.

Hoping he understood right, Daniel joined her, sitting down in the other chair. His chair was sturdy, for being makeshift, but not the most comfortable thing he'd ever encountered. The archaeologist shifted until he found a position that was moderately comfortable.

"I understand," Daniel said, although he couldn't quite hide the disappointment in his voice. Even if he hadn't been on a mission of mercy, and even if he wasn't here because of Tamil, Daniel would have loved to investigate the place in its entirety. Every culture had something new and wonderful to offer, and just looking at this temple, he could tell this place had so much behind it. "I'd love to know anything you're allowed to tell me about the place. Your religion and your art, anything."

And he was curious how she fit in. She obviously wasn't an Oryan. Daniel bit his tongue on that question for now.

[cityship]

Reda smiled at his acceptance, smoothing out her skirt as she looked around the room.

"It was not always a temple for Avani," she said. "As I'm sure you may have figured out, the Oryans did not always worship Her. They had other gods before Her, false gods who they cast away once they learned of Avani's grace and mercy."

She folded her hands in her lap. "I was the one who brought Avani here. I came here several years ago from the convent where I grew up. I was born to serve blessed Avani, and to spread Her words wherever I may go. I came to Orya and taught the villagers about Her. They accepted Her teachings with open arms, and together we transformed this old temple into a place to worship Her."

She smiled as she went on. "Avani's teachings are many, but She mainly dictates a simple life of peace and fulfillment. She frowns on unnecessary technological advances, and on anything that distracts one from honoring Her."

[hi_there_aliens]

"I'd wondered about that," he had to admit. No point in acting otherwise. He only had to talk to one of the indigenous population and just look at the temple to see that it wasn't Avani's original temple. Daniel carefully avoided saying whether either religion had a 'true' god (s) over the other. "It wouldn't be the first time a religion made room for another."

The archaeologist listened silently as she explained her story. Still vague but a lot of it was sifting through the religious lens. Maybe she had come from another continent or country on this planet. They'd only seen the Oryans, but it didn't mean they were the only culture here. Although the way she referred to the place, as the planet itself, had him wonder if just maybe she was from offworld. And if so, how could she possibly frown on technology if she'd used it to get here.

"I'd be interested in seeing any of Avani's literature. If you're willing." He might not be a believer, but it didn't stop him from wanting to educate himself further. "To be honest, I'm surprised you're allowing us to help. Surprised but grateful," Daniel amended. "Our technology has to be far beyond what is actually allowed by your faith."