S1E4 - Harmony

[AUDIO) We begin on a space station, hearing the hum of the slow turning engine. The room is large and nearly empty.

ARCHIVIST: Welcome to the Archives. Our record for review today will be from section 27: Historical Worlds. Today’s sample is from Iveh, one of the earliest settled worlds in this quadrant. We will be observing a history lesson taught by an Attendant. As promised, I have an update about the damaged recording. It has been restored to the fullest extent possible and is once again available for replay. Thank you for your patience.

Please note that any opinions expressed in these samples belong solely to the speaker on record and do not reflect the views of this station, the archival union, or the Collected Archives itself. If anything in this review causes listener distress or confusion please report to the nearest attendant for assistance. Potential sources for distress include rioting and civil unrest. Please also note there will be time for questions and observations once the sample has concluded.

[AUDIO] [At the sound of an electronic swoop, the sounds of the space station fade away. They are replaced by near silence, a quiet room. We can occasionally hear people shifting in their seats.

SHAST EHV: All right, that will do Zell. You had it mostly right. This world was founded by citizens from several older worlds, but long before we came here we were united. The people who journeyed here gathered on a cold and distant moon to build their ships and prepare. They had time to learn and adapt to each-other’s ways long before trying to make this place a home. That’s why we’ve done so well here. Harmony.

Here.

[AUDIO] A glitchy, draggy sound as Shast Ehv uses her interface. The recorded sound of a forest with a river, birdsong and water sounds dominant, fills the room.

SHAST EHV: Here’s a live feed of the river not far from where we sit now. Let’s take a look at how harmony was achieved when we created this home, and how it reinforces itself.

[AUDIO] A swooping staticky [sound as the view shifts. We still hear the forest.

SHAST EHV: Take a look at the tallest trees, and watch how their uppermost leaves form a nearly complete canopy. Light does make it past them to the ground below but it’s filtered and muted, made gentle enough for the moss and those berries Aldev likes so much to grow without scorching or drying.

[AUDIO[ The static-swoop again, another shift in view. The water is quieter.

SHAST EHV: When the first people arrived here they realized the sun was bright and close enough to burn most of the plants they wanted to raise here, so forests like this were planted anywhere they wanted to use for farming.

[AUDIO] Another static-swoop. The river is louder again.

SHAST EHV: Diverting the river to flow here also cools the area and keeps the food plants well watered. They in their turn nourish the soil which keeps the trees healthy. Harmony. We have sought it for so long, on so many worlds. We’ve been close. I thought…

[AUDIO] A chime interrupts, and with a quick swoop the forest sounds stop.

SHAST EHV: Ah! I see your question on my screen Zell. Well done. Your spelling is getting better.

No the others will not be joining us today. After the unpleasantness of last night they decided it would be safer for them to view a recording of class later, at home. I’m very glad some of you were able to come today. I know some of what you saw on the broadcast screens was confusing, and even frightening, and I’m sure you all have questions but today we’re covering history. Your families I’m sure would prefer to explain at home, in their own words.

There is a tie-in though, to history. Here.

[AUDIO] A rippling electronic swoop