Their term for themselves simply meant the Thinking Species, which was pronounced in their own tongue as sirranthus and they shared some qualities with these ape-descendents native to Trev-III. They were both bipeds. Arms and legs and head were in similar places, which made a case for the old argument of 'form following function' or 'evolution favors practical' among the biologists. They could breathe the same air, eat the same foods, drink the same water. Except they had to thoroughly cook the food and boil the water as apparently a lot of nasty little critters tended to hide in both. Yet there were those who knew how and where to look for such things, and take precautions.
Of which there were quite a lot. Colony Ship 282 WAS a terraforming ship staffed with technologists and scientists primarily. CS-282 found this really nice large canyon complex and settled into it, far away from the native populations.
Or so they had initially thought.
"Okay, how did we miss an entire extended-family-gathering-group of natives?" asked Lead Scientist Churr.
"They're descendents of a more advanced group who avoid the ruins of the parent civilization," explained Scout Phree. "No or little permanent dwellings, neolithic lifestyle, follows herds of quadrapedal herbivores. VERY easy to miss."
"Just great," said Lead Scientist Churr. "We picked this area because of its inhabitability. We're already beginning with the adaptation of plant life to these conditions. How can we remain hidden if natives are running around underfoot?"
"Well, they're actually about our size for the most part," said Scout Phree. "Besides, they found us - not the other way around."
"Reaction?" asked Lead Scientist Churr.
"After some initial hostility from the natives, where they attacked with primitive weapons and we responded with less primitive weapons, they have been scouting us but made no further hostility." Scout Phree shook his head. "We lost one of our team in their initial attack, you remember Ehks Traa?"
"Yes, I think so," said Lead Scientist Churr. "The one who liked wearing red, wasn't he?"
"Yes, Lead Scientist," said Scout Phree. "The bright color may have been why he was targetted first. Either that or it had social or cultural implications."
"We'll have to shift priority to cutting off access to our section of these canyons," mused Lead Scientist Churr. "Minimize the chances the natives will have to attack us. Have you observed them in more detail since the attack?"
"Yes, Lead Scientist," said Scout Phree, who was something of an anthropologist after all. "Initial reaction was as if facing other natives encroaching on their territory."
"And now?" asked the Lead Scientist.
"Now they are less certain, having seen us and our weaponry up close. Their killing of Ehks Traa proves our mortality, but our appearance is sufficiently different that they know we are not of the dominant-native-species." Scout Phree made a gesture of futility. "They are apparently uncertain of what to make of us."
"Much as we are unsure about them," said Lead Scientist Churr.
Watches-Shadows finished his report to the chief. The chief pondered.
"They have not pursued, despite these thunder-weapons?" asked the chief.
"One did, clumsy as a cub," said Runs-With-Wind. "Other than as a response to our attack, they have simply watched."
"From the noise, they were frightened of us like we were wolves among small prey," said Watches-Shadows, liking that metaphor.
"Then they responded with their thunder-weapons and parts of the mountain came apart," pointed out Runs-With-Wind. "Spirits or odd-men or whatever they are - their weapons are formidable."
"They did not even slay us to avenge their fallen," pointed out Watches-Shadows. "We can kill them and take their weapons. Then we will be the strongest tribe."
"This is what they look like?" asked the chief of Cactus Wren, who had been scratching out a likeness on the floor.
Cactus Wren was a slender youth, and one who had been scarred by a childhood illness, but his eyes were among the best of the tribe. "Yes, they appear to be-"
(Posted Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:50)
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