Day 4 MA: Possibilities of the Hive

[Baesal Zyn]

''They seem to have cycles but if the growth was exponential the planet would have been overrun when the settlers arrived or massive wars against them would have occured repeatedly.''

[Count Serenno]

"Unless they would transplant unsustainable excess onto other worlds, founding new hives. They do seem to be undergoing some cycles of activity and dormancy. Any idea why is that?"

[Baesal Zyn]

''They do not seems to have star-travelled since the colonisation by humans...they might have lost that ability.'' she thinks ''Perhaps the cycles of dormancy are to let the planet recover ecologically.''

The knight frowns

''That might be one of the reasons the killiks feud with the humans''

[Count Serenno]

"This hive, on Alderaan, might have lost it." He corrected. "But their cyclical development being correlated with planetary ecological sustainability is a very interesting thought. This is unlikely an evolutionary feature as I can't imagine fitness conditions that could reward it being frequent enough to let it spread in population. So if they do so, it is somehow premeditated."

He paused at her last words. "What do you mean? That they are ecological guardians of the planet humans violate?"

[Baesal Zyn]

''Maybe not quite like that...let me explain'' she organised her thoughts for a second

''First: We know that the capacity for higher cerebral function of the hive mind depends on the size of the hive itself. So by growing, possibly exponentially, their intelligence might grow perhaps at a similar rate. At this point it is possible to theorise that they understand enough to shed some of their instincts and stop the accelerated growth of their hive to properly manage to local resources but eventually those resources will deplete. At this point they go into dormancy, possibly losing their faculty over time to let the planet recover until a new cycle begins.''

She pauses a second

''Since the identity of a hive is a communal one, they do not face similar problems to our own where individuals can accrue enough power using political, financial or military means to impose personal interest over the will and need of the rest of the population: no corruption, no crime, no egoism. So the hive could act perfectly rationally for it's own survival in the given environment.''

She taps her fingers on her desk

''But humans arrived'' she continued ''While the first contacts could have been peaceful and kept that way for centuries, it is possible that human spread limited the growth of the hives and thus limits their capacity to reach a higher cerebral function without conflict. Perhaps the joining is a way to remedy this situation: by morphing the individual human cerebrum they compensate for their loss of growth and in return stops the need for aggression.''

[Count Serenno]

The Count thought about it for a long moment.

"It is a fascinating hypothesis. How are you planning to test it?"

[Baesal Zyn]

''I do not know yet'' she admits ''More research needs to me done and knowing early history could be a key.''

She paused

''Asking directly to a large hive could also help''

[Count Serenno]

"I might be able to help in the research. I don't think I can reach out to a large hive though."

[Baesal Zyn]

''We can always begin by inspecting the old hive in the Syrrush lands. We are also working to solve the black tooth problem and a nearby hive might be grateful enough to converse.''

[Count Serenno]

"Both Sound like worthy endeavours. Please let me know if you ever think my assistance might be of use in these matters."

[Baesal Zyn]

''Of course!'' she smiled wide ''I am glad to find one more of genuinely cares about the killiks. The lack of knowledge on that species is downright suspicious''

[Count Serenno]

"Knowledge, and ignorance, almost always serve some interest." The Count smiled without mirth. "Thank you, Knight Zyn, for enlightening conversation and the assistance. If you allow, I'll spend the rest of the afternoon reading the sources you have pointed to."

[Baesal Zyn]

''It was my pleasure count. If you need anything please let me know: I will be here for a few more moments''