Transceiver Activated
Explorer 0613 resuming Status Report. Day fifteen.
…
Of course. My apologies.
Yes, the rain is indeed water. I too had my doubts upon first seeing it; with all the planets I've explored, their precipitation was made with various other substances, from corrosive chemicals to silicon-based masses. But as I observed this weather phenomenon from the safety of the occupational chamber, I took notice of the familiar properties as the water accumulated on the ground and I proceeded to take a bold risk.
Removing my Molecular Analyzer device from its containment, I utilized it with my already injured tentacle and exposed it to the rain. I was half-expecting the liquid to be deceptive in appearance, but according to the analyzer, it is indeed composed of hydrogen-oxide particles.
I slid out of the occupational chamber, feeling the wet ground beneath my body. The water drenched my body within seconds, and the wind provided a welcoming chill. The air held on to the moisture, allowing a thin white blanket of condensation to accumulate like a low lying cloud. I allowed my skin to absorb as much of the life fluid as it desired. I intended to indulge myself like this for the remainder of the night, but alas, the rain came to a stop and the Humans began to stir from their shelter.
They reacted in a way I did not expect. The older Human was greatly displeased with the water and had scolded its Student for making us stop here when we could've been housed in proper shelter if we had kept going. This aggression intensifies when it learned that the Student has failed to pack their specialized weather attire. The Student did not take these criticisms well and argued back defiantly. Twice now in this single night, they have engaged in this senseless noise. I was growing increasingly weary of their pathetic squabbling, but did not involve myself. It disturbed me how these creatures react to this weather. Do they not understand the importance this had to life itself, to our salvation?
It took but a moment before the Humans noticed my presence outside the occupational chamber, and must have seen my general disapproval of their behavior. The Scientist averted its eyes elsewhere before stating an apology to me. I merely responded with my own criticism, asking how I could expect Humans to maintain a peaceful alliance with my race if they act with aggression towards their own people over such petty matters as this.
This reprimand had the desired effect and the Scientist was noticeably more quiet and meek as it proceeded in packing up the equipment, which had become sodden with water. The Student did not seem to understand its teacher's change in behavior but as it brought the quadrupedal beasts back to the vehicle to secure them, it looked at me for a moment and made a point to curl the edges of its mouth up at me.
When the Scientist approached and spoke to me, it was to timidly offer to dry me off. I declined, choosing to stay in the small body of water that had accumulated underneath my body until the Humans finished their task. Pulling myself back in the occupational chamber, the Scientist sat with me in silence as our transport began moving once again. I watched the clouds outside intently, wishing to see if rain will fall once more, whilst the Human began drying its face and hands with a cloth.
Once more, it offered to dry me off. I again declined, telling it that my body is hydrating itself through osmosis and I will be dry of my own accord. The Scientist insisted no more and only sat there quietly, obviously lost in whatever meager thoughts were fleeting through its brain. It was an hour before it spoke up again, this time calling back an apology to its Student for its trivial reprimand earlier. I knew it was making a show to try and earn my good favor, and the Student seemed to know this as well, for it did not respond immediately. Undeterred, the Scientist turned back to me and informed me that humanity may squabble over their differences, but they are capable of peaceful resolve even towards past enemies. However, I was able to detect the uncertainty in its words, the troubled state its mind is still obviously in.
I continued the charade that our race brings with it peaceful intentions, and told it that I cannot risk the well-being of my fellows, that we are few in numbers as it is and I will not allow Humans to harm the remainder of our people. I told it that if humanity was to turn on our race after a peaceful accord, we will be forced to defend ourselves; with our superior intellect, Humans will not stand a chance against our forces.
I asked it if its race would be foolish enough to make such a move, and the Scientist fell silent once more. It has yet to make a response. It does not matter.
…
… I see…
…
I do not doubt your judgement. Whilst it is unconventional, such a tactic will save lives and resources, if it will be successful. I will relay your desired inquiries to the Human's superiors when we reach our destination.
…
Yes, we have arrived at the Human settlement. When we were approaching its borders, the Scientist broke its silence to tell me to stay away from the occupational chamber's windows. It draped a large fabric over my being, in an attempt to conceal my appearance should any other Humans be active this late in the nocturnal hours. I did not feel it was necessary, but I did not object.
The Human told the Student that they would spend the remainder of the night in one of the resting facilities, although I would have to stay in the vehicle as the Scientist had not worked out a way to sneak me into the building unseen by the Human staff. I was uncaring about this, content to stay where I was as the creatures pulled the vehicle to a stop and prepared for their stay here.
I was left alone for some hours, occasionally shifting out from under the cloth to risk a glance out the window. The rain has not restarted and my eyes moved from the sky to the Human city around me. It is unimpressive. The structures are primitive in design, many built with strange red stones and at least one within my sight was composed of a material similar to the biological make-up of the tall native foliage. My eyes scan their skylines, finding that none of these buildings rivaled the height of even our most modestly-sized constructions; although, this should be taken as a consequence of Earth's gravity rather than the actual fault of the Humans. They had several intersections of distinct pathways along the ground, with which to accommodate their feeble wheeled vehicles. All of this is lit with primitive metallic poles with yellow light permeating through the otherwise dark streets. Unlike our perpetually active cities, there is hardly any signs of life; occasionally, I will see Humans in the distance moving about.
I watched them with hunger. The meager rations given to me have been insufficient and will not sustain me for long; however, I have not reached a desperate enough state to take such a foolish risk as to attack these secluded Humans.
The sun will rise again shortly, and the Scientist will soon return. When it does, I will be sure to remedy this issue before it becomes a detriment to my body and compromises my mission.
Transceiver Deactivated