Re: XBN-81N: Ice Planet Zebra
After hearing Travis's translation, Michael quickly realized that his team was not in a position to broker any kind of peace treaty. Of course, Sarah thought she could do this if given a chance, but perhaps he was looking at the situation with a more jaundiced eye.
There seemed to be more going on here than just one group angry with another. Even if the minotaurs had done something so outrageously horrific to the villagers, he just could not see their reaction as being reasonable, especially to such an extreme.
He felt it would take weeks for someone to reach an understanding with the villagers, and even then he honestly believed that the instant the two species came in contact, the villagers would go berserk again.
He couldn't quite say why, but he felt this was like the Broca Divide incident with Colonel O'Neill.
He turned to Travis.
"Tell Kuruk that we wish to establish trade with his people. I do not know what we have that they might want, but perhaps knives, food, medicine, tents or domes... We have no intention of providing weapons, but then I don't think they would want them anyway."
"In return, we only desire knowledge... whatever they are able to provide. We'd like to study them, as well... learn their language, their culture, their customs, their history. It may not sound like much to him, but tell him we are seekers of knowledge."
"Also, give him my spare radio, and explain how it works. We will send a new team through in several days, perhaps longer, to work out the trade details... a chief talking with a chief."
He waited for Travis to relay all that to Kuruk, and then addressed all of them.
"It's time to head back to the gate. Tell Shor'zal and Alfrior that we will escort them to the gate if they wish."
"Sarah, explain to Shor'zal that he is welcome to return with us. Warn him, however, that he will be detained but treated with respect. I'm sure he understands that we don't quite trust Jaffa yet."