Field Report.



Start: 000419192500
Working Title: Field Report

Editor's note: The following transcript was originally obtained by historical supoena under the Freedom of Information mandate of the GFC. It has been translated to Terran-English for addition to this civilisation's case notes. Due to the linearity demanded of the Terran-English syntax some of the finer nuances may be lost in the process. For this we apologise.



To: Jaiden Forazs - Commander, First Contact Group, Frontier Protectorate
From: Tian Sobasijc - First Contact Reconnaissance (authenticate, operative name: Sean)
Subject: Initial Field Report
Codec seed: beta five four nine

I realise that by now I should have some conclusions for you.

This is the end of the fourteenth subjective month I have spent observing the civilisations that occupy the planet Sol Three, or Terra. During these sub-months I have travelled to many a time period and have watched and immersed myself in the events that have befallen this world and it's people as requested.

I regret that I do not have a clear answer to submit for your consideration in the context of our conventional Civilisation Assessment Model.

I have seen some of these people perform, or let happen, horrible atrocities on their fellow civilians, and yet often I have seen flashes of truly moving clarity, optimism, perspective, even enlightened expressionism, and altruism. For the first sub-month I studied their current news and their historical texts. The remaining months I have spent travelling to timepoints of note in this planet's timeline in an attempt to assess their worth. I spent the last sub-month as an abs-month - in the present. This was to try to gauge whether in fact this wolfling civilisation has learnt from it's past mistakes and gained or at least made strides to gain a worthwhile level of perspective, of a sense of pride in their uniqueness, and humility in their infancy.

I apologise for going outside the bounds of our normal assessment programme however something about this world fascinated me and continues to do so. Yes, they are unenlightened in that they have left numerous first contact situations unacknowledged, preferring instead to try to ridicule or denigrate those who claim witness to such events. Yes, they have performed numerous self-destructive acts that contradict a civilised society's natural instinct of survival, benevolence, and improvement. Yes, they can be self-centred, superficial, and belligerent bordering on arrogant.

That said, I have observed in many an individual a sense of quiet humility, sincerity, altruism, and spirit quite unlike any I have before encountered. It is for the reason of discovering this contradiction, and after balanced consideration believing that this element could one day shape this world, that I submit to the Group that, while still young, this world would be a valuable addition to the alliance.

--
To: Tian Sobasijc
From: Jaiden Forazs
Subject: Re: Initial Field Report
Codec seed: delta two nine eight gamma

Hello Tian,

Thank you for your report, it has been duly noted.

I should point out that the planet you have been exploring is in a corner of space whose political climate is fluid to say the least. Hell, you've been getting the same senate briefs as I, you'll know.

Ti, old friend, be careful in how you judge this world (I know you will be, but humour an old man will you?) Whilst it may seem insignificant, we are getting indications that the J'khatnhir have been making some curious moves regarding this area of space. For some reason the Intelligence Directorate have been quietly watching too: they won't say why. I have people still trying to figure out the motives - of ours as well as the J's - but it looks like the J's consider Terra of major strategic importance and are beginning to assume a posture indicating they are willing to expend considerable force in claiming the Sol system as their own.

The Group is divided on whether this fact alone warrants our protection of that system, however, your report does make me think that there is unique value in Sol 3 that should not be left to the ravages of the J'kahtnhir.

I know this is unfair of me to ask, but I trust your judgement Ti, I need your thoughts on whether this planet is worth defending - even if we have to do it covertly. Remember that either way this will cost us dearly in resources, but be sure to counterbalance that with what you think of this 'Terra's' worth. I'm sorry, given 14 sub-months of life there you must feel an attachment to the place so it's a hard call to make objectively. So call me all the names under your local sun for putting you in this situation, but please get back to me on what you think.

J.
--
From: Tian Sobasijc
To: Jaiden Forazs
Subject: Re: Initial Field Report
Codec seed: beta five four nine

Jai, rest assured I have called you many names under the sun - and this sun has some particularly colourful ones.

How the hell am I supposed to weigh this planet and it's people against the politics of this region or your budgets!? You want an answer? Fine. It may not be the right one but it'll be an answer nonetheless. I guess the historians will be able to mull it over for a decade or two.

My decision: yes, this planet is worth saving. I know it's expensive, I know it's a political minefield, but we have to do this. There is something unique about this planet and it's people...

T.
--
To: Tian Sobasijc
From: Jaiden Forazs
Subject: Re: Initial Field Report
Codec seed: delta two nine eight gamma

Ti, off the record I'm relieved you said that; I'd already deployed the First Contact Group after reading your first comm. We'll have to do this quietly, but we will do it.

Recall when you're ready.

J.

P.S. My little Caiden says she misses her Aunt Tian. Bring her back something nice eh? Wouldn't be good to miss a second birthday in a row.

... and so the story begins.