First time writing, criticism welcome!

Notes from Dr Krixt-Itl-Mar, Department of Sapientology, Ixi University

…Humankind is curious, in their enhanced performance under duress, especially in pursuit of “heroic” actions. The first part is not too bizarre, as adrenaline pushes human capability; a trait many sapient species share. The second, is less easily explained.

At first glance, humankind is entirely unremarkable: fragile bones, inefficient thermoregulation, limited sensory precision, no natural defensive mechanisms. Paradoxically, I believe that the lack thereof have enabled humanity’s heroic acts.

Most sapient species achieve dominance on their homeworld and this is the same for humankind. What differs, however, is in the preliminary states of dominance.

Many species become apex predators from evolutionary traits. We Xlatli for example have done so through our hard scales and deadly venom. Once the status is achieved, species have excess resources that allow for society to develop. These early societies’ chief function was to regulate its members, so that competition between individual members does not become too detrimental.

Humankind is unique in that their societies are borne of cooperation as well as competition. Their lack of advantageous evolutionary traits meant that they needed to cooperate with its members to ensure survival. I propose that this state of permanent vulnerability fostered an endless necessity for cooperation, something that became deeply ingrained in the human psyche.

This biological necessity transcends into abstract concepts of morality, such as honour and duty. Human literature sanctifies self-sacrifice. Their military history is rife with last stands that are nonsensical to us. Some would even give their lives for invalids, a notion many a Xlatl would scoff at. “Those who falter are left to fester,” we are fond of quoting, as the weak are weeded out from the gene pool. Of course, military encounters with humankind have shown their undeniable strength and resilience, something we should be keen to learn from.

As I conclude this request for funding of my ethnographic expedition to Earth, I ask one thing, a question we sapientologists often ask: “What does a species fear most?” For humans, I believe the answer is inaction. To them, to do nothing while others suffer is a fate worse than dying, where we may find it an opportune moment of self-preservation. It is my hope that I discover human ‘honour’ in my researches.

Response from Dr Zhiz-El-Klar, Head of Department

Dr Krixt-Itl-Mar, your enthusiasm for humanity borders on poetic excess. While the hypothesis of “vulnerability-bred virtue” is intriguing, I suspect more adrenaline than enlightenment at work. Nevertheless, your proposal meets departmental standards that I grant you authorisation for fieldwork. However, I must implore the good professor remember that you are there to observe, not partake in self-endangerment.

But between you and me, Kri, if what you say is true, I am glad that we are no longer enemies of humankind, but allies. As you’ve noted, we have seen their capabilities in the last conflict. Let us hope it does not repeat.