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

[cityship]

Reda smiled and bowed back to him, followed immediately by a wave of bows from the guards and the villagers. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Jackson. We thank you for your generosity in coming to help us."

[hi_there_aliens]

Did he bow again? Daniel usually found the last person bowing wasn't the revered or most powerful person there, or they didn't bow at all. Most of the transplanted humans he encountered had cultures that had some point of reference from something on Earth. There wasn't any here. In terms of standing, Mother Reda was probably considered a much higher status by the indigenous population than a bunch of strangely dressed offworlders.

Mother Reda, however, had made a open gesture just by (judging from the notes they had on the people and his observations right now) breaking the mold and contacting them in the first place, which hinted that she might be willing to branch out, so maybe she could forgive him for making a mistake now and then. Daniel decided not to bow this time, just so it didn't turn into a bowing back and forth. He'd take full responsibility if this somehow escalated.

"The pleasure's all mine," Daniel said. Oh god, the urge to sneeze was coming up. Daniel ruthlessly squashed it and hoped it didn't show on his face. "We thank you for having us. Could you tell us how many are infected? How many casualties?"

[cityship]

"Right now there are... six people who are infected," Reda said, pausing to think of the number. "Four have died. I realize it may not seem like such a large number... but in a population such as ours, four is too many already."

[hi_there_aliens]

So maybe there was still something of a communication or cultural gap despite her seemingly flawless English; Daniel could have sworn the message made it seem like it was a widespread epidemic. It sounded a lot smaller than that. Except that's how these things started. The Oryans may have been very lucky that Mother Reda caught it early.

Although he could see where she was coming from. Daniel had to agree: Four was already too large a number.

"Even having one die is one too many, much less four," he agreed. "Would you mind if I had a look around? I'd like to talk to the sick."

[cityship]

"Yes," Reda agreed. "I have already told the villagers of your coming. They understand that you are here to help, and they will share with you whatever they have that you may need. The village and everything around it is yours to explore."

She looked back over her shoulder at the people behind her.

"I'm afraid the sick do not make much sense... they are in various stages of delirium. They are being kept on the far west side of the village in isolation. You are welcome to whatever you think may help them."

[hi_there_aliens]

Good, because he was kind of worried about the Oryans taking offense to all the technology, foreign beliefs and values they might be bringing in.

They must really be desperate.

"Thank you, we appreciate your hospitality. I'd still like to talk to them anyway. With your leave?" Time to get to work, but this had to be on her grounds, as leader of the tribe.

[cityship]

Reda had an enchanting smile, and she looked very pleased by Daniel's gracious manners.

"Yes. You have my best wishes, and may Avani bless your efforts," she said.