A Plea for Leniency

[Kira Goto]

A Letter about the Abducted
Written by Kasumi (Kira) Goto, on January 24, 3310
[Helped by Alba and Seo]

Published: February 12, 3310
[Location: Aegis Headquarters]

This... letter. Is it a letter, a plea, a message? I'm honestly not sure. And I shouldn't start a "formal" piece of writing off that way, but I've never been very good at it, and I... want to be straight with anyone reading this. That goes down to me not being sure how to start this off. If you're looking for 'natural' or 'honest', you're getting it.

I want to write this as a plea, about the Thargoid abduction victims. And for that, I need to be straight with you. Both to support my point, and to let people understand better. Or, at least, make a decision about if they want to hear me out.

I'm a hybrid. Possibly the only one in existence, or at the very least, the only known case. I intended to make this fact clear in the title already, but Seo suggested I only mention this here, in the main text.

I was abducted by the Thargoids over a year ago, in HIP 22460, when the Proteus Wave failed, and taken to an unknown location - possibly one of the Titans making their way to the Bubble. There, I was experimented on, revived, and... turned into what I am now, after a failsafe from a mind control chip implanted by Azimuth - effectively - killed me. It is also the entire reason why I was there to begin with. Nothing is known about why I was released and returned to human society.

But the how and why matters less than my nature. Maybe you're just not going to listen because of it, assuming that I'm just acting on the Thargoids' behalf, that I'm controlled by them, trying to you name it. And, you know what, maybe I can't fault you for thinking that, looking at... what I've done, the last year.

I'm not like this now. And I want to call out to people about those abduction victims, from my own, unique position. Whether it is right to, or not, I feel like I have to.

Please, don't consider those people as... "war assets" for the Thargoids. Possible saboteurs, soldiers, sleeper agents... whatever else is said that they could be. They are still people, with feelings, dreams, hopes... not "tools".

They didn't get to choose that they were abducted by the Thargoids, to be a part of this war, caused by the ambitions of an insane megalomaniac. And if it's the one thing that I know from what I personally went through, from the pain, the nightmares, the exposure to their hive mind. They should be supported through such an ordeal, not rejected and constantly scrutinized because they "might be cooperating with the enemy".

And, please, don't be judgemental if any of them do happen to be... "hybrids", or whatever you might call it, like me. Or something similar. They might 'look' different or not quite be... biologically human, but it matters less than their minds. It is ultimately what makes them a 'human', not so much the superficially apparent traits of their physical form. If someone had to place their brain inside of a cybernetic body to continue living, or replace parts of their body with mechanical components out of necessity, are they suddenly no longer a "human"?

Would you treat these people, who already had to suffer through getting abducted by the Thargoids, and the mental scars that experience may have left on them, in the same way, if there was no war, or once it ends? If the answer to that is no, I want to ask you to reconsider how you look at them. Don't view these people as a "threat", but someone who is in need of support. Especially if they are no danger to anyone, or don't want to be.

Imagine if they were to "turn" through some hidden genetic markers, indistinguishable until triggered by some remote signal or external conditions, but they remained free of the Thargoids' control, still allowed to have their own free thoughts. They might still be inclined to support their own species, even if they no longer look entirely human. But would they, would you, if you faced constant threats, suspicion and discrimination from your own kind?

Even now, I already see such claims from people, who would shoot those "dirty Thargoid zombies" without even a second thought, regardless of who they claimed allegiance to, or their intelligence after such a possible transformation. It would, or should, come as no surprise if that made those people choose to abandon their own kind, on their own behalf. Even the term itself speaks of the lack of respect held toward what will, or should, by all aspects still be a sentient/sapient being.

I know that, for my case, despite no longer genetically/biologically being human, I still hold my own allegiance to humanity, and would rather die than to see myself turned against them. Even with the voices of the Thargoids in my head, I won't betray the species that I belong to, unless I was driven to do so by it, not the Thargoids, or anyone else. Hell, I nearly ing died, again, to stop them from using me.

It will be the same for many others if they ever find themselves in the same, or a similar situation to my own. Even with no demonstrable proof that the abducted have been affected in any way, there are already voices who would try to claim they are no longer to be trusted and should remain locked away in padded cells forever, with the key "misplaced".

Sometimes, I do have to wonder who the real enemy of humanity is, when these are the suggestions made toward our own kind, and they are being likened to a brainless "zombie", an undead creature barely capable of shuffling around on its two feet, just because their genetic makeup no longer fits the preconceived notion of what makes a human, "human".

What if it happened to one of your friends, or even family? Would you rather they run to the Thargoids than try to support them through it?

People like me could help set up a middle ground for communication and cooperation between the Thargoids and humans, not be a symbol of a needless, destructive war for both sides. I would do so the second anyone offered, whether that be from the human or the Thargoid side. Or would you rather see them turn their backs to humanity, because of a vague possibility that they might be associated to the "enemy"?

Be lenient. Clement. Show them compassion. Show them that they will find support in humanity, regardless of their adherence to some arbitrary standards about physical appearance, that one of our core values is to care for and be compassionate to our own kind, even when they may look superficially different.

Don't be one of those people who makes us think the alien species that put us through a horrible ordeal is the better choice.

That is all.

- A former Thargoid abduction victim

 

[CMDRCorrMorningstarFelian]

You aren't the only one. Yes, there's Seo Jin-ae who was an artificially enhanced at behest of Project Seraph and Azimuth Biotech. There are still others who happened naturally not just because they were kidnapped or insane plots by the mega-corporations. This is my story: I grew up at the thoroughly uninteresting G 14-6 system at Burroughs Base. My mother, Mara, worked at the regionally acclaimed Daimler Observatory as an astrophysicist and professor. My father, Ronan, was a civilian space pilot who traded to make a living.

Recently, when my mom and I were speaking via Holo-cast she made suddenly went quiet. She started again, "Corr, did your father ever tell you how we met? I kind of figured from my accent you'd eventually connect the dots and realize I wasn't a local..."

I was thoroughly confused, "Isn't it common nowadays for most humans to settle beyond their system of their birth?"

"No, honey, we're different from a lot folks.." Mom trailed off again.

I spoke even though I was deeply confused, "Why is this important? I can tell it is bothering you."

"You need to understand some things before it is too late to pass on the information. Ronan and I met at the Talos 1 starport in Peregrina. I grew up on Undine. I had been working aboard the outpost after finishing up my doctorate and was doing research. The details beyond Undine are less important - hardly any humans have set foot there..."

Me again, "I am still confused. How is this important? I get the feeling I missed something."

Mara started, "We moved to G 14-6 after your father and I got married back in the mid-3240s. It was a ordinary but out of way system - close to the superpowers but far enough to be independent. More importantly, it was relatively close to Old Worlds region and Lave. Your father and I have been watched by GalCop since we met. Afterwards, it was Alliance officials, Sirius Corporation, and very occasionally officials from Mars checking in every few months."

My face echoed the growing confusion, "But you two are normal. There's nothing that seems special about either of you. Yes, I noticed odd people visiting occasionally growing up, but it was passed off as related to your jobs.."

Mara sighed, "Son, I am telling you this because I saw out of corner of the Holo-cast a few months ago that you had been granted access by Pilot's Federation to Peregrina and Jotun. You've seen enough to know damned well what the Pilot's Federation gives the public a highly sanitized version of events. I said I was from Undine at the beginning because I'm not human and you are what they call a Seraph. I know you're Elite and you're in over your head. You're a changeling because you're half human."

I stammered, "What?!?" We exchanged glances as the bewilderment hit me like a hurricane. I couldn't figure out what to say. I was completely at a loss for words.

Mara continued in an amazingly calm tone, "Remember the stories we taught you of Alex Ryder and the Oresrians? You are half Oresrian. We are shapeshifter humanoids from Undine (or at least that's our modem home). We have interacted with humans for centuries and have connections to the myths of ancient Earth. You are special. When we realized how brilliant you were, you were put in an accelerated training program with the Alliance, Sirius Gov, and the Independent Worlds Coalition. This is nearly impossible for most humans but your father knew people."

I finally recovered my composure. "So, we aren't normal? You're telling me all this because you knew what I found I guess? I know things have been weird lately with humanity." I kind of trailed of lost in shock of it all.

"The Holo-Me was invented partly to protect you and others like you," Mara explained calmly. "However, it was also created to address Wilbron's psychosis that adversely impacted normal humans when more of them took the stars. Your father is Tri-Alliance. Ronan was on the Dream-ware project. The difference is that you don't need fancy near magical machines. You can shapeshift natively. We had to teach you to control your more unusual nature early, but I think most our neighbors believed you were like any other human child. Look, I know you run that star cult out of California Nebula and Darwin Research Facility. Maybe you can take your folks out to see the nebula sometime soon? When officials from the Alliance were visiting recently it slipped out. We're so very proud of you. You know they're a lot more than a star cult, right?"

I just smiled but and out of the reflection of screen nearby I noticed my appearance shift ever so slightly but I wasn't standing at the Holo-Me. That's when it hit that everything my mother had said was true. I really was different. It had happened in the past at times of heightened emotions but mostly it never manifested in a public. I decided it was time to wrap up the Holo-cast, "Love you, Mom. Tell Dad to stay out trouble. I know he still works the space lanes."

Mom chuckled, "Corr, the last thing you have to worry about is your father. He still gives space robbers hell. I don't know if he told you but he's Elite and has worked with Independent Naval Research Arm and ReForge AEGIS, the Alliance, Federation, and everything in between." As she finished, Ronan's face appeared on the screen. Ronan spoke, "I was listening to Mara explain all this while I was cleaning up after dinner. You have to promise to take us to California Nebula. I hear it's an amazing place. You've done a good kiddo, keep it up."

Wrapping up, "I will bring the [A.O.E.] Dharmachakra to pick y'all up. Maybe I can show you my little slice of heaven I found for myself. You both did good raising me and I'll remember this conversation forever. It means more than ever peace amongst sentient life matters - now more than ever."

 

[Kira Goto]

I wasn't expecting anyone to still reply to this. But, putting aside that I'm not sure this has a lot to do with the abducted, I don't know anything about shapeshifting or shapeshifters. And it's definitely not in my set of... 'skills' now.

I'd be more interested in hearing about what you think of... the thing with Taranis. And you can find something I wrote in relation to the Titans somewhere around here as well.

 

[CMDRCorrMorningstarFelian]

The initial reply was more meant to echo that Thargoid sympathizers come from a multitude of backgrounds with many backgrounds (some more ecclectic than others). Regardless of the backgrounds, the peacers and Thargoid sympathizers generally agree humans likely gone to far down the path that violence settles everything and to a large degree the current state of affairs is very much self-inflicted by humanity.

Regarding those who unwittingly found themselves aboard a Titans, humanity has every right to want these folks rescued. It is certainly fair to not want these folks used as unwilling pawns in war and I fully support their extraction. Why millions of humans and to what end? It must be stated that the captives were apparently kept in humane conditions.

This already is far better than how Thargoids were treated at Stack and Klatt Enterprises. We need something more than lasers and missiles. We need some form of understanding and possibly even communication so we can find out why this was done. We need to know if there are other threats in the galaxy. Wars happen because of misunderstanding and fear.

Yes, we have the right to defend ourselves. However, even factoring this into the equation, our response favors fear and retribution rather than understanding. For the record, the Federation and Empire's treatment of the recovered humans is appalling and largely based on fear. War is not sustainable in perpetuity. We need new means of achieving, at a very minimum, co-existence.

That isn't to say it will be easy. There are bad feelings on both sides. Additionally, you have two groups who simply do not understand each other's motivations. We need to understand each other better if we hope this war to not end with both species existence ending. That said, we owe those who ended up aboard the Titans unwittingly to try every possible way to de-escalate and ensure their safe return. There has to be another way that doesn't involve genocide and the sacrificing of millions of lives just because resorting to weapons was easier. We can and should do better.

 

[Kira Goto]

It must be stated that the captives were apparently kept in humane conditions.

Having recently been on a… mostly involuntary stay on a Titan(not Taranis), for reasons I’d prefer not to mention, that seems to be mostly true. Other than the necessity for the life support system which appears to be slightly intrusive.

And while I agree with the rest, for whatever their reason may be, Aegis have decided to rush for the armed solution. I disapproved, but things were already well underway by that point. I still think it doesn’t feel quite right or genuine for this (seemingly) radical shift to have happened, but it’s where things stand for now…

And I’m unsure if any pods will have survived that kind of explosion. If they weren’t already rendered non-functional through the internal heat.