Meeting the Locals
Posted on Mon Aug 11th, 2025 @ 2:32am by Commander Thomas Johnson & Lieutenant JG Connor Carey & Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Teneca Quinn & Lieutenant Ralen Trellis & Lieutenant Takina Inoue & Lieutenant Mizuki Nakahara & Petty Officer 1st Class Yoshika Miyafuji
1,847 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Preserving The Past
Location: Amerind
Timeline: January 25, 2397- shortly after "Amerind"
Thomas looked around, the supplies they would be trading with was behind them. Several container like storage, based on scans from a distant village. This wouldn't be as easy as they are used to, having to physically carry them in, in order to trade. "Alright people, village is due... that way. About an hours walk, these are North American natives, closely related to the Cherokee tribe, from what the scans and preliminary reports from the previous surveyors of the planet."
"Is it just me, or is it like far too hot on this planet?" Yoshika asked as she wiped off sweat from her forehead.
"Probably should've dressed lighter for this..." Mizuki grumbled as she immediately removed the mantle and re-fastened it around her waist.
"It is overly warm, but it will cool down rapidly after the sun goes down." Teneca said. "Let's just hope we have shelter by then."
"Isn't the idea to seek trade and shelter at the village whilst the science teams do their thing at the Obelisk?" Yoshika said. "We should get there soon, wouldn't it be rude to knock on their door late in the evening?"
"Thats the plan, its early afternoon, an hour trek, we should be there if they are similar to the tribes back on earth, they could either be hunting, or prepping for evening meal."
Counselor Ralen Trellis walked with the others in contemplative silence, the weight of the satchel on his shoulder paling in comparison to the unease growing in his chest. The warmth of the sun on his skin reminded him of similar missions he had undertaken before—missions where things had looked simple on the surface, but where the unseen currents of culture and caution ran deep.
He cast a glance toward the nearby containers and the path ahead, then finally broke the silence with a low, thoughtful voice.
“I can’t help but think about Jaret—my previous host. He had a... let’s say, a healthy paranoia about missions like this. Particularly when it came to making contact under false impressions. Even when the Prime Directive gives us leeway, he used to ask: Are we respecting their dignity, or just avoiding breaking a rule on a technicality?”
Ralen paused, adjusting his grip on the strap.
“Dressing the part, using their language, bringing supplies to trade—it’s all well-crafted. But Jaret would’ve reminded me, loudly, that authenticity matters just as much as intent. If they catch even a hint that something doesn’t feel right, this could unravel before we reach the fire circle.”
"I think if anything, this can be a good way to learn more about them and their culture." Yoshika replied. "We're out here to discover and learn right?" She looked over to Thomas for some verification.
"And to distract unfortunately, we don't want them to figure out that we are at the obelisk." Thomas replied.
[An hour later]
The small village sat nestled between a large flowing river and a backdrop of trees and shrubs. It was comprised of several hut like structures made from logs, animal skins, fabrics and plants. A much larger hit sat in the center and smoke drifted lazily high into the evening sky from various campfires throughout. The whole area radiated peace and attachment to the surrounding nature.
Three men spotted the visitors and hastily made their way over to them, spears in their hands. They stopped about eight feet away from the team, their spears ready to strike.
"Some damn welcoming party..." Mizuki muttered as she slowly raised her hands.
"You are peaceful? Or do you arrive with war?" One of them asked simply, his native tongue easily translates by the away teams universal translators in their hidden comm badges. "What do you seek?"
"We come in peace, to trade, to tell the stories of our ancestors." Thomas replied as he showed his hands empty. "We have travelled far, and ask if there is any way we can rest in your village as we conduct trade."
Ralen kept his breathing steady, observing the subtle cues—how the men watched not just their faces but their postures, their feet, their spacing. These weren’t primitives. These were guardians. Protectors of a story they had been told to preserve.
The men lowered their spears slowly. "If you arrive to trade. You shall speak with the Elder. Make tread with us. The evening meal will soon be prepared." One of them said.
"Well, that quickly went from "threatening us" to "offering to feed us"..." Mizuki whispered to Yoshika.
Yoshika just shrugged.
Thomas's comm badge vibrated in his top pocket, the subtle sign for him to contact the ship at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile the men led the team towards the village and into the settlement.
Thomas followed the men, looking at the people situated, none seemed surprised as they walked through the gate, however they did follow as they headed what was presumably the elders hut.
Then men pulled back the fabric revealing the door. "You may enter." One of them said. "You will speak to our elder."
"You have our thanks." Thomas remained silent as they approached the door.
There sat in the hut were three men. One in the center, older and wearing an elaborate headdress. To his left another man with a large circular emblem on his head and finally to the right another man dressed elaborately.
Ralen entered the elder’s hut a half-step behind Thomas, his eyes sweeping the space before his feet had fully crossed the threshold. Smoke curled lazily in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of tanned hides and dried herbs. The elder sat in the center, flanked by two elaborately dressed men—advisors or lieutenants, perhaps. Every detail mattered.
He kept his posture loose, his hands visible, a non-verbal reassurance that he carried no weapon in hand. But Jaret’s instincts gnawed at him. Three men, center seated. The elder’s back is to the far wall—best defensive position in the room. No visible guards inside, which means they’re outside, and they’re close.
His gaze flicked briefly to the edges of the hut. Openings in the hide walls—ventilation, but also potential points of entry. He noted the arrangement of objects on the floor—ceremonial, yes, but in a fight they’d become obstacles.
Jaret’s voice in his mind was sharp, measured, a Marine’s constant checklist: Door’s too narrow for more than one at a time. Watch the man on the left—broad shoulders, calloused hands. He’s carried a spear for years. The one on the right? Jewelry and embroidery—status, not combat readiness. Your problem is the one you can’t see—the guard who followed you in and stopped outside.
Ralen let Thomas do the speaking, keeping his expression neutral and open, but behind his calm eyes he was reading every micro-shift in the elder’s body language, the tension—or lack of it—in the men’s shoulders, the rhythm of their breathing. He knew that one wrong move, one misread cue, could shift this from a conversation to a standoff.
"Osiyo," Thomas approached cautiously. "Thank you for seeing us elder, first before we continue, I would like to present an offering." He took a pouch from his side, and handed it to the nearest guard, to present it to the elder.
The guard passed it slowly to the elder sat in the middle. "We appreciate your gift." The Elder said, his voice filled with wisdom and knowledge of many years. "Have you journied far?"
"We have traveled many moons, from which the sun travels from." Thomas replied as he turned. "These are my tribes people, some of the bravest people I have in my tribe, they carry many goods which we wish to trade with."
"It has been a very long time since we met with others from other villages." The Elder replied. "If you are not of war, you shall be our guests."
"War does nothing but hurt mother earth, father sky, our brothers and our sisters." He paused as he looked around. "We would be honoured to hear the stories of your ancestors."
A younger man stuck his head into the hut. "Elder." He said bowing his head in respect. "I apologise for interrupting. Tahuna has yet to return from the Temple."
The Elder nodded. "Then you shall go search the trees for her." He said simply. The other man acknowledged the command and then ducked back out of the hut and seemed to scurry off at a decent pace.
"Temple?" Thomas asked, "Shall we assist in finding this one that is lost. As a gesture of friendship."
"The ancient temple in the forest. It is where the God Kirok once appeared. Or so it is said." The Elder explained. "Worry is not needed. Tahuna is a child. But she is curious and often wanders far and late."
Thomas's comm badge was still vibrating in his top pocket, not enough to be noticed from the outside, but enough to be of annoyance to him by now. It was still vibrating to indicate that he should contact the Tokyo when he had the chance to do so.
"If you will excuse me Elder, I do have something I have left in the woods as a precaution. We did not know if we would be greeted as friends or foe." He turned to his tribesmen. "I am sure my people would love a long and detailed story of how the god Kirok appeared."
The Elder raised an eyebrow. "You may attend to your precaution." He said raising a hand allowing for Thomas to leave.
"My many thanks Elder, I will just be a moment, it is not too far off." He gave a bow to the elder before departing the tent.
"Do think this Tahuna girl had a run-in with Commander Nishikigi's team?" Mizuki whispered to Yoshika with a look of concern.
"I don't know..." Yoshika whispered back. She then turned to the man with the symbol on his head. "You are the Medicine Chief correct?"
The man nodded. "Yes. I am the one who heals. I am the village medicine Chief."
Yoshika bowed her head. "In my village. I am a..." she thought of the best way to explain her role. "Apprentice to our Medicine Chief. Would you allow me to observe your duties?"
"You may observe on the rising of the sun," he replied.
Yoshika looked over at Mizuki and gave her the snuggest of smug looks.
Mizuki rolled her eyes.
<>
Taking a good 15 minute walk from the village, he tapped his badge location, where it was sewn in the fabric. "Johnson to Tokyo, this better be good. I was in a meeting with the village elder. I doubt he liked me leaving in the middle of greetings."
Taiga's vouce responded, eminating from his comm badge. "We have a problem Commander. Your mission just got ten times harder..."
To be continued...
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