Ch 2: Quest For Knowledge

Star-date 4:27:2124 [Student Representative’s Log]

{I used ChatGPT to help with pacing, tell me if it helped}

My alarm melody did a better job than usual at getting me out of bed. It's the first day of classes, and I'm still not used to it. Most likely because I'm still so nervous. Yawn Let's get ready, I guess. I put on a simple outfit - a sweatshirt with an old NASA logo and a skirt - while tying my boots, Joan decided to peek her head in.

“Oh, good, I was coming to wake you, but you were already up.” Joan has been acting like a mom since we were sent out here. I had her for a few classes back in high school, and I'm glad I know someone here at least. “Want some coffee before we head out?” she asked, smiling mischievously.

“Whoa, wait, you have coffee? I thought we weren't allowed to bring any?” The Committee gave us a list of things we weren't allowed to take with us due to coalition laws on dangerous foods. Joan put her finger on her lips and smiled, “Come on, I’ll make you a cup, and then we’ll walk together.”

After a nice cup of coffee, we walked to the school. As we moved through the hallways, we attracted curious glances and stares. We've walked around the station for the last couple of days, but I guess we're still a new sight to many people. Their conversations stopped as we passed them. It's still unnerving.

When we finally entered the campus, Joan and I split up. I headed to my first class while she went to the faculty offices. Walking through campus, the students were a lot less overwhelming - a few glances every now and then, but they were a lot more respectful.

I was about to enter the classroom when I heard a ruckus behind me and then a loud slam on the ground. The sound came from a wooden staff; they were a Quintec, I think. Their race had reddish skin, four arms, and were tall. She stood between me and a crowd of people rushing down the halls toward me. Her intimidating presence caused everyone to shy away and start asking questions from a distance.

“You must be the new human! What are your people like? What kind of music do your people make?” They were getting more and more ecstatic with each question. I gladly hid behind the Quintec as she kept the News club away. “CLASS IS STARTING SOON; IF YOU DO NOT MAKE WAY FOR STUDENTS, I WILL MOVE YOU!!!” Their voice boomed through the hall, and the news club slowly backed away as students continued to their classes. The Quintec turned around and looked at me. “Well, it looks like you’re in my class. My name is Rivera; welcome to Heltoris University.” Her voice was sweet and much calmer.

“Thanks a lot for protecting me! I was pretty scared they were going to suffocate me with an endless interview.” I chuckled as we walked into the class. I had to look up at her; she must have been 6 or 7 feet tall to my 5’5”. “It's not a problem; the news club has a reputation for being… persistent,” Rivera said with a sigh. As she took her seat, I walked to the teacher. “Um, hello, my name is Gia. I was recently registered for your class.” The Professor, Mis Solana, was a Celarian; her species had flame-like hair that flickered and waved like actual fire. It was mesmerizing to look at. Solana turned her attention from the board. “Ah! You managed to find your way here swiftly. I see you've already met one of your classmates.”

“Yes, ma'am. We met in the halls; she managed to keep me out of the clutches of the news club.”

Solana nodded at that with an understanding expression. ”Yes, Rivera’s people are quite protective and intimidating. Anyway, I wanted to discuss with you how you wanted to handle today's class. Seeing as you're the newest race to join the coalition and many of the students are very curious about you, I have the feeling I won't be able to control their attention on the actual classwork.

“Yeah, I can see that being a problem. Did you want the class to get their curiosity out of the way before you started your lesson?”

Solana smiled and nodded as her hair flickered yellow. “Yes, if that is okay with you; you don't have to answer every question, and I'm sure there are some limits as to what you are allowed to share with us, but answering a few would allow the class to learn more about your people and make it an easier transfer.”

“Sure, I don't mind.” I managed to say as more students made it to class. They were taking their seats, talking with each other, and staring towards us. The seats were set up in layers like a lecture hall.

Solana's hair rose, which quieted the class a little. “Good morning, everyone. I'd like to introduce to you the newest member of our class,” she said, letting me introduce myself. “Hello, everyone. My name is Gia Peterson. I'm the new human transfer student. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. If you have any questions, I'll try my best to answer a few, and I'd love to know more about you as well.” I tried giving as confident a smile as I could. Everyone was quiet, looking at each other. They were shy, waiting for someone to take the first step in questioning.

Suddenly, a blue hand rose as a short alien with a set of antennae stood up. “Hello! It's nice to meet you too. My name is Luna. I was hoping to know more about your people and cultures. We were told that your people were not unified in these practices.” Luna was excited; her antennae twitched and danced with her emotion, similar to Solana’s hair color and flicker pattern.

“Well, um, what exactly did you want to know about?”

“Oh, well, um, we were told your people are very diverse; no other member of the galactic coalition is as splintered as yours is. Why is it that you cannot unify your people?”

“That's a difficult one to answer. Hmmm, it's probably because humans have an individualistic mindset. Everyone is unique and an individual no matter how similar we may be to one another. Not to mention there are multiple religious, economic, cultural, and political beliefs. This individualism also divides us based on skin tone, hair color or thickness, facial structure, and height, so not everyone sees everything the same way. And we humans pride ourselves on our individualism. Uh, did that answer your question?”

Luna was feverishly taking notes as I answered. “Yes! Yes, that did!”

“Awesome, anyone else? Uh, you!” I pointed at a cute-looking mammalian alien with long rabbit-like ears.

“Hello, I'm Rhea. I wanted to know about your fur. I noticed that from the references we’ve seen, yours is shorter than the other females we have seen. Is this due to the same cultural differences?”

“Oh? Um well, I don't have a specific cultural belief when it comes to my hair, but I do tend to cut it short. In some cultures, it's disrespectful to cut it or it’s a symbol of wisdom. And many people, like me, also tend to dye their hair or decorate it in accessories as a way to express ourselves.”

“So that isn't your natural fur color?” Rhea seems to be more excited about my appearance huh.”

“No, it's naturally a dark brown like yours, but I bleach and dye it different colors.”

Another voice chittered through the class. “Hello, my name is Despina. I am of the Aracec people.” She was an insectoid, kinda resembling a mantis. Two of her arms had large “blades” on them that seemed dulled. “We heard of your world. How is it that you are from a death-world with no seemingly natural weapon or defense?”

“Death world?” I guess it must mean an excessively dangerous world.

“Yes, is your home world not full of flora and fauna that are capable of hunting and killing your kind?”

“Oh, you must mean Earth. Well, sure, there are a few, but humanity has managed to find ways of defending itself with tools or through our ability to climb out of reach, and most importantly, outrun most. But our greatest advantage over them is our communication. We know the dangers as we grow up and learn to avoid them or overcome them.”

More students raised their various appendages to ask more questions. “One more, and then we start class,” Solana interrupted. I nodded and pointed towards Europa, who patiently had her hand up the whole time.

“What is your people's opinion on combat and war?” The class was silent and tense, scared of what I might say to the harrowing question. Solana was also concerned, but she didn't say anything to change the subject. I stood there for a few seconds thinking. “Hmmm, a concerning question I must say.”

“Yes, my people are known for our martial arts and military prowess. I want to know if your kind is similar due to all your diversity.”

“Ah, I see, well, in my opinion, war is horrible in reality but interesting in concept. Humanity has had many wars between ourselves. If you look at a timeline of human development, then we have been under constant war since the first nations we founded. But I think overall humanity can agree that we must never glorify war; it truly is a tragedy to fight one.”

The class was quiet. Europa nodded and smiled. “Hmm, perhaps your people aren't as different as I may have thought.”

Solana took her place in front of the class. “Thank you, Gia, but it's now time to start class. Please take the seat between Luna and Rivera; that should be your seat. It's designed to accommodate your kind.” As I was taking my seat, Luna and Rivera smiled and greeted me. “Welcome to class; you'll love it.”