Empyrean Iris Story Collection

Altruism

It is a truth universally accepted that the one greatest instinctual desire of an individual, of any species, is the desire to maintain life. Unless directly inhibited by a dysfunction of cortical tissue, this truth remains accepted.

However, it is instinctually acceptable to endanger one's life out of desire to protect one's progeny or family as a means of carrying on the genetic line. An advanced social structure requires strong social bonds to allow a society to remain in tact. Additionally, it is also understood that altruism outside a species is impossible without ulterior motive.

Interspecies altruism holds no function, and therefore, is instinctually rejected. Some scholars argue that instances of interspecies altruism have been demonstrated in battles were two species fight on the same aside. However, it can be argued that this supposed altruism is actually intended to preserve friends of the SAME species.

Regardless, the argument still remains, that interspecies altruism is rare if not nonexistent because it rejects core instinct for social preservative.

Krill was a very nervous. He knew his decision to bring his human companions to his home planet was a risky decision, and governmental authorities seemed to agree as it had taken them months to even a small delegation of his human companions. They had heard the stories about the humans, and despite Krill vouching for them, there was always going to be some hesitance.

He couldn't blame them. While he understood humans more than most, and knew, despite their predatory nature, humans were social and heartfelt species, he still had to accept that humans were also short tempered and wildly aggressive group.

For this reason, he had only been allowed to bring four crew members. Captain Vir was, of course, allowed to come along with his commander, first lieutenant and chief medical officer. The group of them together represented the most affable, level-headed people aboard the ship. If anything, the captain himself was the loose cannon among the group indicated by his missing eye and leg, both testimony to Captain Vir's knack for getting himself into trouble.

They left the ship to a crowd of awed expressions and trembling limbs. The high council stood at the bottom of the ramp dwarfed by at least two feet by even the smallest human. Krill himself barely came to the captain's waist and the Commander's Ribcage.

The group of humans paused at the bottom of the ramp facing the trembling counterparts floating by help from their hydrogen sacks. All four upper limbs clenched in fear.

Captain Vir took initiative greeting them with a phrase from their own language, a language he had learned from Krill personally, during a rather unpleasant stint in an alien prison.

The phrase worked like a charm, and they were greeted from then on with open arms. Though still hesitant.

The crew did surprisingly well with government officials before being released to experience the hospitality of Krill's home planet.

Walking through the city, they were stared at much and avoided by everyone but the most brave. Those who were were then rewarded by a pleasant greeting.

The children were the most brave, not yet understanding the meaning of the human predatory structure.

Captain Vir Knelt on the ground street side allowing the children to prod at his arms and hair chirping in disgust and fascination upon contact with his squishy exterior. Water roared distantly passing though the canal that cut the city in half.

Krill watched the humans with pleasure glad to see that his friends were making a good impression upon his people.

One of the children asked where his leg had gone and captain Vir responded playfully with a story about a mighty beast with rows of sharp teeth standing ten feet tall.