Ensign Kivik: Angelic Anthropology
Keegan Flick-Parker
((Amity Outpost))
Kivik strode briskly from the train terminal towards the conference room. Ne had been expecting this to be an interesting day and already things were exceeding nir expectations. Apparently, in attempting to relocate a transient population of spaceborn creatures, Amity’s contingent of benamite miners had inadvertently run afoul of one of the local Delta Quadrant species - the Hawlat.
The science officer glanced down to nir PADD as ne walked, skimming the sparse information on the Hawlat contained in the Outpost’s databanks. It seemed they were a humanoid race who shared a mild (and superficial) resemblance to a terran agricultural creature - the cow. Furthermore, they were a nomadic race, whose wanderlust had pushed them to develop interstellar travel and take to the stars… Not much more was known about them yet. Kivik could barely contain nir excitement.
oO What an opportunity! This is exactly why this outpost is the perfect place for me. A chance to meet new life - new civilizations… If only it were under better circumstances. Oo
Wong: Greetings, everyone. I also welcome our esteemed guest from the Hawlat peoples. I am honoured to have you here on our outpost today.
Keehani/Hawlat Pilgrim (simmed by Suribana): Response.
Kivik: It’s an honour to make your acquaintance. I’m Ensign Kivik and I represent Amity Outpost’s Science Division. We’re very interested in learning more about your people so that we can find common ground and a mutually agreeable outcome!
Wong: I’m glad to see you all here. However, it has come to my understanding it’s been under less than desirable circumstances.
Keehani/Hawlat: Response.
Kivik: Of course, General Order 34 requires us to honor and respect your religious beliefs and cultural practices, so long as nobody’s safety is at risk. Based on what we’ve seen so far, I don’t think the ‘Angels’ pose any immediate threat.
Kivik watched as Ikaia Ikaia replicated a pitcher of water and some glasses for everyone, placing them in the middle of the table before sitting down at the head of the table and setting down his PADD. So far, Lieutenant Wong seemed to be doing a good job of initiating the conversation - and Kivik couldn’t help but wonder if he was as calm within as he seemed.
Wong: So I’d like to hear about the angels, if no one minds. I’d like to hear it first hand.
Kivik: Agreed - that seems like a logical place to start. ::To the Hawlat Pilgrim:: Perhaps we can begin learning about them from your people’s perspective. ::To everyone:: I think it’s important that we respect the Hawlat’s knowledge and boundaries in our study of these.. oO Animals? Beings? Oo ..entities.
Keehani/Hawlat: Response.
Wong: What is the connection between the angels and your culture, if you don’t mind me asking?
Keehani/Hawlat: Response.
Kivik: Thank you for sharing that. I believe there are a number of other cultures who hold similar beliefs. I’m sure that the more we learn, the more likely we are to find a resolution.
Wong: I have to ask, when did all these issues start? I can’t imagine this is the first time that you’ve encountered mining operations. Have there been treaties in the past?
Keehani/Hawlat: Response.
Kivik: Now that is interesting. ::Making some notes on nir PADD:: I’m curious - have your people studied the Angels at all, to try and better understand them from a scientific perspective?
Hawlat/Keehani/Wong: Response.
Kivik: In that case, do you have any knowledge regarding how the Angels choose their destinations? Do they follow any sort of pattern in their travels?
Hawlat/Keehani/Wong: Response.
Kivik knew that, without a better understanding of the space born creatures’ biology, they would likely have a difficult time determining what motivated their transient behaviour - be it ancestral feeding grounds, solar winds, or something else entirely. But it was important to ask in a manner that the Hawlat wouldn’t find disagreeable.
The Ensign looked briefly between Lieutenant Wong and First Secretary Ukinix before turning once more to the Hawlat. Ne sat up straight and did nir best to appear as warm and amiable as possible.
Kivik: Once our conversation here is complete, I’d like to ask for your people’s assistance in learning more about the Angels. Specifically, I’d like to run some non-invasive scans (from a distance that shouldn’t disturb them in any way) in order to better understand their physical bodies. If possible, I’d prefer if one of the Hawlat would join me in this effort to ensure we remain respectful of your boundaries.
Hawlat/Keehani/Wong: Response.
TBC