Chapter Text
Grace POV
“So Rocky… I have some questions.” We were in the lab quietly working on our own projects, about two months into our journey to Erid, and these last few months the idea that, if I survived the trip, I would be some new intelligent alien to the Eridians. And duh, of course I already knew that, It’s just that I grew up with Earth media. And while the strange science teacher part of me thinks it would be really cool to be studied by aliens and participate in fun little experiments, I’m also worried that they might lock me in an area 51 equivalent which would not be cool or fun.
“Questions about what, Question?” Rocky asked.
“Oh nothing much just… Erid and their Xenobiology… stuff” I responded with a nervous tone. I am definitely beating around the bush, I'm not worried about offending him, I just don’t know how I want to ask.
“New word.”
“Xenobiology? That's the study of new lifeforms… such as, aliens” I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I guess it could be because I feel like I’m a horrible person for casting prejudice on a whole species. Or maybe I’m personifying them? Does that still apply? It seems rude to use that term for another sapient species. ugh, I need a mantra… ‘I won’t assume the alien species I have never met will be as horrifying as the American Government’... it's a little wordy but it will work for now.
“Oh, Xenobiology! What Grace want to know, Question? Rocky not know all about Erid Xenobiology-Cluster but still know lots, Statement! Adrian is Member, study Astrophage, Statement!” Rocky said with enthusiasm.
Knowing Adrian is in that branch is actually nice. Even if it is an area 51 situation I could still have a way to contact Rocky. Come to think of it, would Rocky even let that happen? Could he stop it if the higher ups were determined enough? What if– wait! Gotta remember the mantra, ‘I won’t assume the alien species I have never met will be as horrifying as the American Government.’
“Well… I was just thinking about Earth a little bit and while I can guess what would happen if the situation were different and we were both going to Earth, I don’t know what will happen when we get to Erid. so… what will happen when we get to Erid?” I feel like I’m being as confusing as possible. You know what? I’m just going to show him a movie or two. That way he’ll answer my real question and know where I got it from.
“That not Xenobiology question, Statement. When get to Erid Science Eridians make food for Grace and Grace heal from ailments Grace say Grace will get, Rocky build habitat, everyone happy, happy, happy, Statement!”
Huh… I was somehow even less clear than I thought.
“You know what? Let's watch a movie, we can revisit this conversation later!” I have the perfect movie in mind to prompt the answers I'm looking for!
****
We watched the whole movie mostly in silence save for a few grumbles from Rocky when the human and aliens had the exact same atmosphere requirements. But neither of us moved as the credits rolled.
“Soooooo… thoughts?”
“...”
“Grace…WHAT THE ACTUAL FU–”
“Rocky! It’s a REAL concern! THIS is the type of stuff I grew up watching. Please just answer the question. You know… with the context you have now?” I don’t think I really need his answer now. From that reaction it is a crazy concept for him that the first thing an alien species might do is capture and kill their first and only specimen. Which yeah, fair, I think that's crazy too but what do I know? I’ve never desired to be a power hungry government official or a ‘mad’ scientist or a trigger happy military man! ‘I won’t assume the alien species I have never met will be as horrifying as the American Government’
“NO GRACE! THAT NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I WOULDN’T LET THAT HAPPEN” Rocky sounded appalled. It is appalling but it is my situation. Just showing up to an alien planet with sapient aliens will be a first for me.
“ok good. And don't get me wrong I think being a specimen could be fun, but there is a ‘too far’ that I would not find fun” I’m still not confident. Rocky is so sure and I do believe him, I just… I just don’t trust ALL of Erid yet. “And what if, and hear me out, something happens and you aren't around to stop it? Someone could abduct me then what?”
“...”
“Rocky fix”
“What?”
“Rocky do research! Find solution so Grace stop worry, worry, worry, Statement!” With that he rolled out of the ‘Don’t Go Crazy Room™' and into the lab to get back into his environment to start looking for ideas on his thinking machine.
“Thanks pal, that's… that's nice to hear” I lightly spoke after him. Well… at least he's got a plan. Even if that plan is to think of a plan.
Rocky POV
There is no way humans would actually do that right? It was just a movie but is that what Grace meant when he said he knew what would happen if we were going to Earth? I might have to put Earth on a ‘Do Not Interact’ list. But on to the important matter! Grace is worried Erid might treat him like… that. But Erid would not treat him like that. Right? Anyway! Solutions! What could work? Normally kidnapping doesn’t happen but if parents are worried they would just keep a close watch over their pebbles or stay home as much as possible. Grace however wouldn’t have to worry about randomly being taken, his atmosphere is a pretty good deterrent. However, if a scientist ,or anyone really, was determined enough they might find a way. Grace would have no chance! HE CAN’T FIGHT OFF AN ERIDIAN!!! This might be more of a problem than I thought.
Just calm down… you have four Earth years to figure something out. You’ve got this! Yep… totally got this! Just have to find a way to prevent the hypothetical evil and very determined scientists from kidnaping an alien out of a toxic freezing atmosphere while at the same time allowing Eridians in the medical, engineering, and non evil science divisions access to the habitat and/or Grace. Yep this is fine. I'm totally Fine!