Consequences

Chapter 1.

“So, it can really talk?” Third Claw of the Fifth Leg asked, leaning in towards the screen for a closer look. Its actual name would have been painful to pronounce to the mammalian lifeform that was the subject of the conversation.

“Surprisingly so; I’ve never encountered a mammal that even approaches this level of intelligence.” Second Leg stated. Its shorter name denoting its lower rank. “Even more puzzling, after viewing its interactions with its own species and with other animals, it appears to have no telepathic abilities. They are unknown on this world. Amazingly, these creatures spend their entire lives alone, locked in their skulls.” Second Leg’s mandibles gave a slight wobble, denoting shock, and concern.

The air in the room was rich in stimulating oxygen and at a pleasant temperature. But despite the comfortable surroundings, Third Claw had a feeling of unease. It was distressed to realise that it didn’t actually trust Second Leg, and quickly buried that feeling, so as not to allow the other to become aware of its doubts. Second Leg’s thoughts were always more opaque, more obscure, than any others Third Claw had served with on these exploration missions. Second Leg’s focus on its own success, regardless of the consequences, was most unusual for one of their species. In some ways, its thinking was not unlike that of the mammals that it studied.

“Can you account for the evolution of a mammalian intelligence rather than the more traditional insect or reptile?” Third Claw asked. “They do have both phyla on this planet.”

“Possibly,” Second Leg’s elytra opened slightly in a signal of its excitement. “There is evidence of periodic extinction events in the geological record. Far more than most habitable worlds, this has the effect of interrupting the development of advanced life; the reptile and insect forms, such as ourselves, never had a chance to evolve intelligence. It is also worth noting that the oxygen levels on this world are lower than on Home, so it limits the size an insect can grow, therefore limiting braincase size. These mammals, however, are fast adapting, and although having only existed for a million years or so, are making rapid progress.”

Third Claw was lost in thought for a few moments, and then, more to itself than Second Leg said, “Alone in their own skulls for their whole lives, what a terrifying thought; the loneliness is hard to imagine...”

Chapter 2.

“She is female.” Second Leg said, feeling the need to break the awkward silence that had developed after Third Claw's contemplative remark.

“A queen?” asked Third Claw, still not fully paying attention. The idea of spending one’s whole life alone, without the murmurings of others or the encouragement of the Queen, a constant companion, disturbed him deeply.

“No, a female; the mammals have two biological sexes; they need both to breed. The female then carries the young inside her body and gives birth to a live infant.” Second Leg was being patient with its superior; these mammals were disturbingly advanced and truly alien.

Third Claw gave voice to their shared feelings, “A truly bizarre biology on this world, a consequence of the cyclic extinction events you say, truly bizarre.” Then, changing the topic slightly, he said. “What probe are you using to interact? Is there a danger of cultural contamination?”

“I am using a standard number three drone, with a holographic overlay. It appears as a creature native to this world, a form of reptile, also unique to this planet. There are many varied species of reptiles, but the one I am using for the purposes of interaction with this female is legless and about five stez long. It is suspended from a branch of the tree, about level with the female's head. To her, it appears as nothing more than one of those  simple legless reptiles.”

“Although one that can talk and interact , are you sure there’s no possible risk of contamination?” Third Claw, as ever, was worried about compliance with the onerous regulations covering missions to such primitive worlds. “Is it wise to engage in conversation with this mammal, given their level of intelligence?”

“I thought it would be useful to have some audio recordings of their speech, especially as it is their main method of communication. Given that they appear to have no telepathic ability that I can discern, I thought it would be of extra significance. One day, we can review the translation of her interactions with the drone, although I doubt they include anything of consequence. We can learn a lot regarding their brain structure and complexity from language without having to dissect one. That is always an extreme step and best avoided. I am using an intuitive artificial intelligence program; the drone will adapt and interact with the female, allowing her to lead the conversation and then adjusting its comments to encourage more vocalisations.”

Third Claw gestured its approval, and the two fell silent as they watched the screen and listened to the incomprehensible audio of the female's interactions with the reptile-disguised drone.

Third Claw felt a small knot of concern over what Second Leg was doing; was it being entirely honest, or was it pushing the boundaries recklessly in its hunger for results? They had no control over the drone’s speech; it was running entirely autonomously, guided by the female’s responses. Third Claw tried to reassure itself that everything would be fine; after all, what possible consequences could there be from this? This mammalian female would probably forget that the event even happened.

No, there couldn’t be any long-term consequences from her interaction with the camouflaged drone…

Surely not …

 ***

 Genesis 3 - Now the serpent said unto Eve, “You shall not die. Rather, God knows that when you eat the fruit from the tree, you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”