"Half a century of individual breakthoughs in human evolution, no matter how numerous and diverse, can't offer the same insights as the gradual adaptation of thousands of unique sentient species over the course of billions of years." The mutant might be jumpy around Khan and with good reason, but he wasn't about to shy away from her. He would afford her the amount of space generally required for polite social interaction, but not a centimeter more.
Khan kept his eyes focused on hers and his hands at his sides when he approached. "This galaxy has entire civilizations of touch-telepaths, energy vampires, memory thieves, and absorbers of personality. We have parasites who take on the identities of their hosts, doppelgangers who can mimic physical abilities, those who can establish psychic links to gain access to the knowledge and experience of another, the list goes on."
Perhaps this mutant was afraid of social bias as well as being captured as a specimen? Khan could offer her some reassurance on that level, at least. "Humanity will always have more than its fair share of reactionary fear-mongering bigots, of course, and some separatist groups, as do many other cultures. In the greater galactic community, however, it's unspeakably rude to behave in a suspicious or fearful manner around such individuals. Tactful curiosity is usually acceptable. The automatic assumption is that any psion who poses an actual threat will take it upon themselves to steer clear of polite society."
Khan would never have to face the specific sort of prejudice that psionics were vulnerable to, but he was all too familiar with growing up in a world of humans where envy and murderous hate went hand in hand. "They will still exploit us if they can, but they don't band together to hunt us down like diseased monsters."
no subject
Khan kept his eyes focused on hers and his hands at his sides when he approached. "This galaxy has entire civilizations of touch-telepaths, energy vampires, memory thieves, and absorbers of personality. We have parasites who take on the identities of their hosts, doppelgangers who can mimic physical abilities, those who can establish psychic links to gain access to the knowledge and experience of another, the list goes on."
Perhaps this mutant was afraid of social bias as well as being captured as a specimen? Khan could offer her some reassurance on that level, at least. "Humanity will always have more than its fair share of reactionary fear-mongering bigots, of course, and some separatist groups, as do many other cultures. In the greater galactic community, however, it's unspeakably rude to behave in a suspicious or fearful manner around such individuals. Tactful curiosity is usually acceptable. The automatic assumption is that any psion who poses an actual threat will take it upon themselves to steer clear of polite society."
Khan would never have to face the specific sort of prejudice that psionics were vulnerable to, but he was all too familiar with growing up in a world of humans where envy and murderous hate went hand in hand. "They will still exploit us if they can, but they don't band together to hunt us down like diseased monsters."