Official Report: Matthew McTavish
Position: Professor of Philosophy
Standard Date: 22.48.612
Well, this is my first official report. As there seemed to be no format for me to follow so I will just put it on my own words as more of a style of a daily log with my thoughts. I am not fully aware why they want this but Xenos maybe want to learn some more. I think I may request from my friends back on earth to see if we can prepare mobile training and education teams if they would like Philosophy courses at their other academies. I have great hopes as many of the students and staff seem to be really applying their new skills to their studies.
0800 ST: Called to Dean of Xeno Science
The meeting was about the disturbance that had happened in the dining hall the other night. Apparently Pod was not available to be part of discussion and was busy with other duties. Which was sad as I see much potential and plan to find him later. It was the first real conversation in a long time. I also plan to put a request for him and his offspring to come to Earth or Mars universities under a grant to further their whole family education as people with exemplified gifts.
The meeting was mostly about equipment that I had ordered and discussion about keeping instruction in the classroom. Then they are moving my class to a new classroom that will be more suited for teaching with a staff of medical personnel that will be in attendance. While this seems a bit stifling it could be really a great chance as the new room would allow for more students and medical staff could also learn while attending the class.
What was a tad unusual is there would be an Inquisitor would be in attendance. I was explained that they are assigned to find the truth for the queen. In my dealing with Dean B11735 this seemed to be very automated and stiff while explaining the situation. He may not be feeling well from vomiting the other night as I really do not know much about xeno biology.
1000-1230 ST: Class 154799
154799, This class has a close place in my heart as they are the first one to reach each lesson. Also it is the one that the staff always seem to attend. Not sure if it is the time or just they are excited to learn.
As I look out to all the students in the new room I see many of the same faces. Two things stick out to me, first that Pod and offspring were not in attendance. I am concerned as Pod seemed very key after our discussion to help with the subject of today. The second thing was the tall and lanky xeno in the back wall. They were wearing a very tailored suit that was black and red. It did not take much to tell they were armed and I was being recorded. That was a military, not a line trooper or a lower level grunt. All the pose of a drill instructor and those big black eyes with no irises. A bit unnerving.
Well it is time to learn. I had been thinking about how to change my lesson but not hinder it after the other day. I then thought recalled to the time of my youth and had the perfect intro. I stood in front of this small auditorium in a perfect spot so all had the best view of me and in the most open voice I could muster from my days in the corps.
I AM A LIAR
I love the response as there was shock and horror. Our new guest seemed to smile. The smile was if he won some game of Go, Shogi or Chess. One student, a small bird/fairy type called Cherine, seemed to want to cry. I may not always get the species right but I have dedicated my time to learning all their names and a little about their personal histories. I gave her a quick gingerly smile and that seemed to calm her down. So I used a little flair for the dramatic and raised my voice.
So am I telling a Truth or Lying?
This is the part I love the most. I keep a scan out looking for those special sparks when a student starts to understand the lesson. I walked over to my chalk board and waited. A few students started to talk and communicate among themselves. Then it started but was not there yet. So little more pushing was needed.
If I am lying that I am lying I am telling the Truth
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If I am telling you the truth then my statement is a Lie.
Then it started, the twins Arr’t and Crant broke out laughing as if they heard the funniest joke ever. I overheard them talking about asking their brood mothers the same question tonight. As students seemed to start to see the problem at hand they became more animated. I made ticks on the board, while the ticks were not exactly accurate they always seemed to give confidence to the students as well giving my nervous hands something to do. Something here that was noticed has been that my right hand has a nervous tick from my time in the corps.
As my students started to really debate among themselves, I noticed that our new visitor seemed to be concerned. That was a person about to pounce, this was a person who had the look of sentry duty. Not the look of a soldier in garrison but on watch in a combat zone. I signaled to the students that they have 10 mins to continue talking among themselves. I decided to join our new guest from his perch.
As I approached this Inquisitor,(I hope that name does not have the same connotation), his eyes followed me just staring. Once I reached the level in the back he shifted there one leg. My personal hand wanted a weapon. My own past screamed combat. My normally shaking hand was smooth and I realized I had shifted my own weight without thinking. As I got closer it spoke in a very short manner. It was so different and straightforward in a metallic voice “Human approach no closer we shall not be communicate.”
That was enough right there and then. I went down to the front of the class. Shaking off the feeling I took a deep breath.
So what is the conclusion that you have concluded?
The class was silent. You could hear several of my students stop breathing. This was normal as I have learned but they are getting better. It was a moment when the class was still. It always felt like having a staring contest with a storm. I happened to excel at this, I actually enjoyed it. Then a small meek tiny voice from the second row barely audible. It was Haron, a small furry species that had huge eyes with a face that looked squished.
Haron, please speak up?
In a voice that Haron had never used it seemed to have too much base for its size. “We have challenged each other and I think… It is not solvable.”
I gave a gesture that was apparently me joking even to them, I collapsed to the floor howling. This caused many of them to lean forward. I stopped and gave a wink to Heron.
Yes, you are correct. You have been introduced to a paradox.
For the next half an hour I had encouraged the classes to give me personal paradoxes. This was much harder for many of them but it ended up letting the class to laugh and enjoy learning from each other. Then it was time to introduce them to the 4 types of Truth. As I started my introduction to the subject matter. An alarm went off and the doors were sealed.
Our guest in the back started to speak through some sort of voice amplification. “This class has concluded for today. You will each have a mental check up and physical exam as you leave. You will file out this door one at a time. For the Queen!” Now I understand that I did hurt some students the other night but what the hell. The students began to file out. As I started to move towards the door that damn creature told me to halt and stay in the designated instructing area.
While I watched my students file out, I was powerless in this situation. As the last student left the room it was just me and this Inquisitor. Neither of us moved, Neither of us blinked and time slowly passed. Then I realized that my old habit had kicked in on challenging an opponent and I stopped. I took a seat. Then I got a message on my pad that classes were cancelled for the day. From there the xeno marched out of the room. I sat there for a bit and still do not understand what happened. I put in a request to see the Dean so we could talk about the needs of the students.
ST 1500
My request to see the Dean has not been approved yet. I have also sent a request to speak to Pod as he seems someone I can trust to guide me into student safety. I have not heard back from him yet either. I am working on adjusting the student plan to catch up on lost time
ST 1900
After dinner I decided to take a stroll through the relaxation areas. I realized the relaxation areas were really not too much of that. The student relaxation areas were divided by species and even some sort of caste system. I am not a diplomat or social science professor so I am not sure why they keep them separate like this. Maybe it was so each group could partake in their own recreation. But I realized that in their own languages that some form of speech was being played on screens and through speakers about their Queen and Popes history.
ST 2000
I came across a student. They looked scared and exhausted. I have decided not to enter their name here. For their own privacy. ‘They had shown great concern that I would stop teaching. I have fully reassured them that I will not stop teaching and that I will always do my best to teach.
ST 2100
I have an appointment with the Dean later this week. Also I received notice that Pod has been reassigned to his home planet for special duty. I am going to send my reports back to Earth, a friend and submit them to the school.
ST 2330
Classes have been canceled for tomorrow as per the inquisitor order.
End of Recording