Interstellar Exploration: An Anthropological Case Study

Notes of anthropologist, Graek-Semme, of the joint Earth- Delaxi mission to Natari VII

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1: Medical Bay

I have shamed myself, my mission, and my people. There is no hope for the peaceful coexistence of humans and the Delaxi. 

The humans reacted extremely strongly to my involuntary display of weakness. The moment I began to vomit the ones nearest me recoiled. I suspect they feared I was diseased. However, they quickly overcame their fear and revulsion and converged on me. One tried to pull my whiskers away from my mouth and encouraged me to lean forward while another rubbed circles on my back. The other humans surrounded us. The humans who pulled my whiskers and rubbed my back repeatedly instructed the surrounding humans to “back up” and “give ‘em some air.” I believed at the time that they had claimed me as their prey and were warding off the others. 

Yet before I could be eaten, another team of humans arrived. They lifted me onto a gurney and rushed me out of the cafeteria. They brought me to an area of the medical bay that had been separated from the rest by curtains. 

What they did next to me is best not discussed. 

Once my humiliation at the hands of the doctors was complete they left me alone in the curtained area. I do not believe they realize the acuteness of Delaxi hearing for I could hear every word they said on the other side of the curtain. 

“I got your message.” Came the voice of Captain Mikaelsson. “But I don’t believe it.”  “Do you really think I would lie about this?” Dr. Beaufort sounded irritated. “I can find nothing wrong with him.”  “So you mean to tell me he puked in the middle of the cafeteria, in front of everyone, because he was grossed out by sushi?”  “Yes.”  “Dear God. No one explain to him how sausages are made.” 

[alienanthropologist]

Crew File: Captain James Mikaelsson

Full Name: Mikaelsson, James Solomon

Age: 36

Race: Martian of African descent 

Religion: Reform Judaism

Birthplace: Biosphere 3, Mars

Spouse: Benjamin Ginsburg

Children: None

Parents: Rabbi Joseph Mikaelsson and Dr. Rebecca Smith

Siblings: Rachel Mikaelson

Bio: Captain Mikaelsson was born in the Biosphere 3 medical center. He was the second generation of his family to be born on Mars. Primary through high school education took place at the Biosphere 3 education center. Unlike many of his peers who elected to attend The University of Mars, Captain Mikaelsson decided to study at Columbia University on Earth.

While at Columbia Captain Mikaelsson majored in astrophysics and minored in sociology. He was an active member of the Jewish Students Club as well as the track team. He also represented Columbia as a mathlete. It was during this time he met his husband.

Following graduation he and Mr. Ginsburg shared a one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. Captain Mikaelsson worked at the Langely Research Center while Mr. Ginsburg took a position as a primary school teacher. They were married three years after graduation. They moved to Houston upon Captain Mikaelsson's acceptance to the colonist training program.

Captain Mikaelsson excelled during the training program and was unanimously selected to lead the first wave of colonists to Natari VII.

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1: Cafeteria

Human meals remind me of the fairy tales of my youth. 

“This is a hamburger.” Jacobs pointed to the meat patty trapped between two buns. “It’s made of ground beef.”

“And this is sushi. It’s made of raw fish and rice.” Ryan pointed to the pink slabs atop small pieces of white that rested on his plate. 

Raw. A shudder ran through me. 

“Hey, hey, you ok, buddy?” Ryan asked though I could not tell if he was truly interested. He had already shoved the raw fish sushi into his mouth. 

“You’re making Graek-Semme sick.” Jacobs said before I could gather myself to reply. “Don’t worry, Graek-Semme. That type of sushi is called nigiri. The shrimp isn’t raw and the synthesizer won’t let the raw stuff have any parasites.”

I am ashamed to admit I vomited at this..

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1: Cafeteria

I am coming to believe I shall have to write a handbook for humans. Their behavior is completely baffling. For instance, upon our return to the table Ryan pointed to the glass of brown, bubbling liquid on Jacobs’ tray and informed her it will cause her teeth to rot. 

“Why don’t you synthesize one that doesn’t rot your teeth?” Jacobs asked. Her tone seemed to be one of challenge. 

Ryan replied with a shrug.  “Without the acid it doesn’t taste right.”

My stomach clenched. It didn’t seem possible for any species to consume acid. Yet Ryan had just confirmed that not only did humans do so, it was necessary for their enjoyment of this beverage. The thought ruined my appetite. 

“Well when you make something as good as this I’ll switch over.” Jacobs took a drink of the bubbling liquid. I resisted the urge to slap it out of her hands. 

“So what’d’ve got there?” Ryan turned his attention to me. 

“Just some grass and water.” I replied. The two humans looked at each other. For a moment I suspected some form of telepathic communication had occurred though I had not heard of humans being able to do such things. 

“So that really is grass. You eat grass.” Jacobs said after a pause. Her eyes were locked onto my bowl. 

“Y-yes... Is that a problem?” It suddenly occurred to me that my lunch may have offended them somehow. The reports from the Council on their human counterparts had precious little about their eating habits. The Council had primarily concerned itself the functioning of the human’s government and something called fashion. 

“No! No, it’s not a problem. It’s ok.” Jacobs was quick to reassure me. She looked pleadingly towards Ryan. 

“It’s just there’s a phrase on Earth... People will say they’re eating grass when they’re on a diet to try and lose weight.” Ryan explained. 

“So when you’re literally eating grass our first thought is that you’re starving yourself to lose weight.” Jacobs added. “Not that you need to lose anything. You look great.” 

“Yeah, really great.” Ryan nodded. “But now we know. Grass is what you eat.” 

I won’t deny I found the praise of my physical form somewhat pleasing. I doubted they had seen any other Delaxi but I would not reject their compliments. Given my strong prey appearance, I had been complimented on my form precious few times previously. 

“Thank you.” I said. My ears twitched in gratitude. “Now, if you do not mind my asking... What are you eating?” 

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1: Cafeteria

Human arrange their food synthesizers in a long bank against the far wall of the cafeteria. As this maximized the distance from the entrance I could not initially see the reason for it. However as other humans arrived in the cafeteria for the midday meal it became clear this was by design. The humans formed a line which stretched from the synthesizers to the door. This caused an issue for other humans wishing to enter the cafeteria. Had they placed the synthesizers closer to the door the line would have blocked the corridor down to the botany labs.

If the humans did not all eat at the same time they would avoid the formation of lines. I wonder if they have considered this.

The humans’ food synthesizers are extremely similar to those found on Delaxi ships. The only apparent difference in function was that human synthesizers require identification before one was allowed to access the menu. The logic behind this was obvious once I saw the differences in menus offered to myself and Jacobs.

Jacobs’ menu was composed of seemingly countless categories of food. She scrolled by many of them at an incredible speed. I presume this is because she already knew what she wanted to eat and where it was located on the menu. I was able to make out categories named entrees, beverages, and desserts as she scrolled. I will endeavor to catalog all the options available to the humans in the future.

My menu was extremely different. It consisted of two categories, greens and desserts. Greens consisted of the five Delaxi grasses. Dessert was the govoma flower. The familiar smell of my lunch comforted me in a way nothing else had in this alien environment. Yet the look I received from Jacobs made me feel strangely self-conscious. She seemed pity me. 

Jacobs’ lunch was far more ample than mine. It consisted of a bowl of Earth greens, some form of meat between two buns, and the translucent cube I had seen on the trays of others. She also had a bubbly brown liquid in a glass though I could not fathom what it could be. 

My own lunch, a bowl of grasses and a glass of water, was more than adequate for my continued good health. I did not see the cause for Jacobs pity. Perhaps she was felt I was being starved? I continued to contemplate this as I returned to the table where Ryan waited. 

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1: Cafeteria

The mid-day meal known as lunch appears to be as much an excuse to socialize as it is to consume nourishment.

As soon as Jacobs and I entered the cafeteria one human half-rose from his seat at the long tables which lined the room. He was among the humans who had gathered to greet me at my arrival and now slapped at the air far more vigorously than he had before. “Annie! Over here!” He called. Jacobs made a noise which appeared to be of acknowledgement. She headed over to his table with barely a glance behind to see if I would follow. Of course I did follow her. I had decided that it was best to follow her lead in all social situations until I become more adapted to human society.

Jacobs, who is also apparently Annie, laid her tablet down on the table but did not sit. “Hey, Ryan. This is Graek-Semme. Graek-Semme, this is Ryan Howell.” Jacobs introduced us. Ryan Howell held out his hand as did I. I submitted to the traditional display of strength and he bared his teeth at me as I had come to expect. The behavior is unsettling. I do not believe I will ever become used to it.

“It is nice to meet you, Ryan Howell.” I said once he released my hand. 

“Nice to meet you too. Please call me, Ryan." Ryan Howell replied.

"Ryan's our fabrication services supervisor." Annie continued. "His team is in charge of all the synthesizers and 3D printers on the base." 

“Speaking of which you'd better get over there before the line gets too long. I'll save your seats for you." Ryan made a show of placing his feet on the two seats opposite him. I presume this was a show of territorial dominance or control.

“Thanks. Back in a second. C’mon, Graek-Semme.” Jacobs began to walk towards the food synthesizers that lined the back wall. As I followed behind I took the opportunity to observe the various meals eaten by the humans at the other tables. There was a truly startling array of foods being consumed. I found the brightly colored translucent cubes that many were eating to be particularly intriguing. I had never seen food that bore so little resemblance to anything found on Delaxi. 

For the briefest of moments I found myself resenting the snacks of various grasses from home that had been programmed into the synthesizers. I was extremely curious about the diets of my human hosts yet would not be able to partake. It would not do for my research to end with my accidental poisoning. 

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1: Quarters

Jacobs collected me from my private quarters shortly after the noon hour. The quarters were larger than my sleeping pod on transport vessel which brought me to Natari III though it was not overly spacious. It had taken me little time to place my belongings in the provided storage containers and to write up my initial notes. That had still left me several hours to reflect. I must admit I was becoming concerned that the humans intended to leave me alone in my quarters for the duration of my mission when the ship’s computer announced Jacobs’ presence outside my door. 

“Hey, Graek-Semme. How are you settling in?” She asked once I had opened the door for her. 

“I am settling in well. Thank you for asking.” I replied. “My quarters are more than adequate.” I had hoped the praise of the quarters provided would please her. However, she bared her teeth at me in the manner which the humans had when I arrived. Had my praise been insufficient? Could it be that the humans intended for me to be unhappy with my housing? 

“Glad to hear it. Now let’s get you down to lunch. You must be hungry.” She said. I did not yet need to eat but I followed her regardless. 

[alienanthropologist]

Day 1

I fear my mission is doomed to fail. 

The humans are far more aggressive than I anticipated. Their traditional greeting is an undisguised show of dominance. 

Upon leaving the transport vessel I discovered the humans had anticipated my arrival with great eagerness and had decided to wait, en masse, for me at the dock. They all bared their teeth at me and several raised their hands to slap at the air. 

Just as I was considering running back into my vessel and returning home one of the humans stepped forward from the group. 

“I am Captain James Mikaelsson. We are pleased to have you join us, Graek-Semme.” He introduced himself. Never once did he stop baring his teeth at me. He held his right hand forward into the space between us. I assumed this was part of their greeting ritual so I mirrored the action. I was shocked, however, when Captain Mikaelsson decided to grasp my hand and demonstrate his greater strength by moving my arm up and down. 

“Thank you, Captain James Mikaelsson. I find it pleasing to study your crew as well.” I did not bare my teeth and did not attempt to move his arm as I did not wish for him to think I was here to challenge his place as the leader of this group of humans. At this Captain Mikaelsson almost allowed his lips to cover his teeth but only for a moment before he was baring them again. I have not yet determined how to interpret this series of expressions. 

“Right. Well, Jacobs will show you to your bunk. She’ll be your assistant so if you need anything at all feel free to ask her.” Captain Mikaelsson introduced a female human who appeared to be younger than he. She welcomed me to their base and guided me to my private living quarters. During the walk she kept her mouth stretched in a similar manner to the teeth baring expression though her lips covered her teeth. Once again I was uncertain has to how to interpret the expression. I shall have to perform more research into human facial expressions during my stay. 

I have only a few more hours during which to reflect on my experiences of this morning before the meal which I believe humans call lunch. I shall update my notes after the midday meal. 

[alienanthropologist]

Pre-mission log

I am Graek-Semme, anthropologist assigned to the joint Earth-Delaxi mission to Natari III. My mission is to study our human colleagues as we explore this uninhabited planet. 

I must confess I have apprehensions regarding my duties. While I endeavor to not allow the horrors of their planet to color my view of the humans I fear I will find it difficult to remain completely objective. After all, what sort of species can develop on a planet where electricity comes from the sky? 

Yet I must have faith in the Council’s decision. They were able to arrange this mission with the humans so they must be at least partially civilized. I must remember my schooling. I cannot seek to condemn or condone the species I study, I can only seek to understand.