InterCons Story Book I (WoF)

B. The Subject Demonstrated an Adverse Reaction

InterCons Temporary Task Force on Dragon Research report: 

In the afternoon of day 162 after arrival, Expeditionary Team Foxtrot encountered a new dragon subject approximately 18 miles eastward along the coast from the mouth of the Winding Tail River. The events described here were recorded on video. This report uses terms suggested by the this task force and the Office of the President and CEO. 

The subject, a SandWing, was observed landing approximately one thousand feet from the team. The team and their vehicles at this time were concealed within a wooded area. The subject did not appear aware of the team's presence at this time. The team deemed the situation to be an opportunity for simple communication, given that the subject was alone and therefore would pose less of a risk to the personnel. As directed in these situations, with armed personnel present and ready, the designated individuals approached the subject with the appropriate pre-made written translation cards. 

Because this report will be shared outside of this task force, additional context will be added here. This task force deemed written translation cards to be the most practical means of simple communication. These "cards" are simple laminated pieces of printer paper with a word, phrase, or short sentence printed in English on one side, and the "draconic" translation printed on the other side. The decision to use these translation cards was made for the following reasons: 

1. Humans would likely experience difficulty pronouncing draconic. Speaking draconic, from what our observations of and interactions with dragon subjects 1-7 suggest, requires the creation of sounds that are near impossible for humans to reproduce, at least at the volumes likely required for our purposes. 

2. Memorizing a new language in the short timespan available to us, especially one as vastly different from Earth's languages as draconic is, would be excessively difficult for most personnel. This task force thus decided that for its own purposes, the learning of draconic by its personnel is not necessary at the moment. Individuals are still allowed and even encouraged to learn to speak draconic if they choose to do so. 

3. These cards are easy to use for anyone with minimal or even no training. This leaves more time and resources available for other training related to the objectives of this task force, and enables non-task force personnel to also communicate using the cards if needed. 

Expeditionary Team Foxtrot's personnel, upon gaining the attention of the subject, continued their approach when the subject displayed no visible hostility. The subject did, however, keep its eyes on the team while they approached, even beginning to look nervous. Throughout the duration of the encounter, armed intervention remained on standby in close proximity as required by the policy of this task force. Several translation cards were placed on the ground a moderate distance away from the subject before the Foxtrot personnel stepped back a moderate distance from the cards as well. 

Upon seeing this, the subject continued looking back and forth between the cards and the personnel for several seconds, evidently confused. Eventually the subject approached the cards and appeared to read them. The text on the cards presented conveyed the standard "we are intelligent," "don't attack us," and "we won't attack you." The subject demonstrated what are assumed to be first surprised and then skeptical reactions. 

Probably because the subject observed personnel looking at the backs of the cards while selecting them, the subject turned one of the cards over to its English side. The subject proceeded to stare at the English side of the card for a prolonged period with what is assumed to be a surprise, possibly in thought. 

After this prolonged period, the subject had a sudden change of attitude, which alarmed the Foxtrot personnel. To put it lightly, the subject demonstrated an adverse reaction.