A Horus in Strange Lands (Horizon Zero Dawn SI) Chapter 27

“So, you are uploaded organics from a distant galaxy?”

{That is correct.}

“And you happened upon us through sheer luck?”

{Indeed}

The sheer flabbergasted look on the Sa of Sas is something that I expected. However, the expected distrust was not there, which made sense.

If we truly meant them harm, why would we even bother talking with them like this when we have superior weapons technology compared to them?

And what I said to him was only partially a lie as well since I really am an upload. The only lie that I’ve told them is that Vast Silver and Seth are like me as well, along with lying about our origin.

We do not know how they will react to the knowledge that my companions are artificial beings and that we don’t have a specific home world. That is why, Vast Silver suggested this small lie.

By saying that Vast Silver and Seth are uploaded, we avoid the problem of them being treated in any different way compared to whatever way I would be treated. And by lying and saying that we come from another galaxy who stumbled upon them by accident, we cleanly sidestep any questions they would have about our origin and their wish to meet our ‘people’

Of course, I will tell them the truth if they prove themselves worthy of our trust, but until then, I will do what I can to keep our secrets. For now, all I seek from the Kushan is a trade deal where we can exchange a few technologies that would benefit both of us greatly.

On that note, their technology and general knowledge level are so bizarre that I can’t think of any other reason than their status as an exiled species for the anomaly.

Their spaceship technology, especially their long-range ship usage, interstellar resource collection systems, and navigation systems are ridiculously advanced, so much so that I can’t even begin to understand most of the concepts without the full data on the subject being made available to me.

Especially, some pieces of their tech, like the Phased Disassembler Array, the method where they use Fusion Torches to reduce raw materials and waste into their constituent atoms which are then collected to produce new things, and the Hyperdrive systems which I don’t hope to get from them until they arrive at their homeworld of Hiigara since they only have one Hyperspace method, which is the Progenitor Hyperspace Core within their mothership.

Their Cryogenics are also sufficiently advanced, but weirdly enough, their medical science is somewhat lacking from what we have access to.

Then there is the issue of their weapons technology, especially large-scale weapon systems, which is piss-poor in comparison to what we have, which is extremely weird considering the multiple planet-wide conflicts that they went through in their history up to this point.

Their power generation systems are also extremely lacking compared to what we have. While they have Fusion Technology, they are nowhere near as efficient as our own and they have yet to access the methods of reliably manufacturing Anti-Matter at scale which explained the extremely slow sublight drives on their ships.

The Sa of Sas looked at the faces of his fellow leaders and nodded as they gave him their opinions through body language that I have yet to decode completely thanks to these people being different from humans in many ways, which unfortunately included their body language to a certain extent.

With some kind of a decision made, he turned to me with a serious look that barely hid the excitement and hope that I could see beneath his stoicism.

At least, I think it is excitement and hope. Again, I have only partially decoded their body language up to this point.

“In that case, I think it is the will of the Great Sajuuk that you stumbled into our system and met us, Amun-Ra.”

{…I did not expect you and your fellow Kiith-Sa to be so dismissive of our nature. It is a surprise, a good one at that.}

“I assume based on your response that you and your people are not treated well in your home galaxy due to your nature?”

I could not help but give a nod at his words since this body is incapable of expressing emotions through facial expressions.

{Yes. We are mostly treated as nothing more than machines back home.}

“A great disrespect to someone who can think for themselves. Rest assured, we, the Kushan, are not like those people that you have experience with.”

{…That is reassuring to hear, Kiith-Sa Varek. Then, I assume we can proceed with the negotiations that we promised?}

At those words, I saw the clear excitement, curiosity, and no small amount of greed gleam within the eyes of all the Kiith-Sa present that made me want to laugh.

“Of course. However, as you are probably aware by now, we are newcomers to the stars so we do not know how trading works in the great abyss beyond our home. Could you guide us through what you have in mind?”

{Of course! The way that we like to do trade is very simple. Knowledge for Knowledge, technology for technology. The worth of something being offered by one party can be determined by those who are being given the item. Both parties withhold the right to deny trade if they feel like they are not receiving the proper value for their goods. How does it sound?}

The Sa of Sas was surprised at my words before one of the Kiith-Sa jumped from her seat.

“We accept your offer!”

“Kiith-Sa Ryn Somtaaw, please calm down! I can understand your enthusiasm but you cannot disrespect the Sa of Sas like this in front of our guests!”

At the subtle scolding from her fellow Kiith-Sa, the woman sat down as I observed her.

Kiith Somtaaw is one of the Kiiths that I am the most interested in since their descendants would be the ones to encounter the Beast in the future and defeat it, earning the title of Beast Slayers in the Galaxy.

Varek Nabaal gave me an amused smile.

“While our dear head of trade and mining was out of line, she does represent what I feel as well. Is there any objection from the rest of my fellow Kiith-Sa to the proposition given by our guests?”

At his words, the council gave a unanimous affirmative, indicating that they were willing to go along with our arrangement.

Good, looks like these people are much more reasonable than the people I dealt with before.

“As you can see, we are willing to go with your proposition. What is the first thing that you would like to trade?”

{Time to showboat, Vast Silver.}

[Leave it to me]

With that mental note, I gestured toward Vast Silver who stepped forward and operated a Hologram, showing the blueprints of the ELUTHIA Cradles and Cryogenic chambers.

[We have observed that you are preparing a colony ship for a distant journey. For such a journey to be accomplished, we believe you will need the technology and medical technology to freeze your people, and in unpredictable circumstances, heal them on the go.]

At their collective nods, he continued speaking.

[What I have here is the ELUTHIA Cradles. A sophisticated medical technology that can be adjusted according to your biological needs. It is capable of healing the majority of physical ailments and, with enough materials, even prints replacement organs or body parts.]

The awe and greed on their faces are clear as day, but Vast Silver is not yet done.

[On the other hand, I present to you state-of-the-art Cryogenics that can freeze a person and preserve their bodies for extremely long journeys. With enough power, they are capable of functioning indefinitely.]

This time, the enthusiasm is much more muted, which makes sense since their own Cryogenics program is fairly advanced, but there is still some desire within them for this tech from what I could read from their body language.

“And what do you have anything particular in mind for us to give in return for these technologies?”

I stepped forward and spoke up.

{We do. We want your knowledge of the Phased Disassembler Array technology and stellar mining technologies.}

“Hmm, while they are precious technologies, they are fairly common in our society. We agree to the trade.”

{Good. As you gave us the courtesy of being the first ones to ask something of you, it is now your turn.}

“In that case, I will take you up on that offer. We want the sublight drives that your ships use.”

{Do you wish for finished products or complete knowledge about their construction, their fuel synthesis methods, and everything in between?}

“We would like the knowledge.”

{Acceptable. What do you offer in return?}

“…We can’t really ascertain the value of that knowledge so we are willing to pay any price within reason for it.”

{Then, how about the Hover technology that you have on your vehicles and whatever data you have on the astronomical maps of this galaxy?}

“Done.”

I smiled as we continued the trade in such a way.

Looks like I will be able to get what I want from these people without many problems in the proper way. An encouraging sign to be sure.

Now, I just have to find a way to worm my way into these people in the coming three years so that when the time comes, they don’t ignore my warning.