Representatives from the CRC chew out the crews of multiple rescue ships that had heard of the crash and had taken their time because "Hey, Deathworlders, they're tough, no one's dying, no need to rush". Assumptions can cost lives, fortunately, this wasn't one of those times, but close enough.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03545-i256-tough-suffering -- Anon Guest
It was one of those disasters that get documentaries made about them. The chronologies of it get torn apart by the second, and those who choose negligence become hounded about it for the rest of their days. Captain Qelth of the Bypassing Maid would be interrogated for the rest of their life about their choice to report and move on. Their image forever associated with "passing on by" when help could have been offered.
Human Ret's emaciated visage and chest X-rays were the near-logo of the incident. Humberstone, the name of the ship that encountered a "cheese grater" landing on an almost hospitable planet, became tied to it as well.
It was never romantic. It wasn't meant to be. It was an object lesson in morality. Drilled home in blood and broken bones.
The Cogniscent Rights Committee had a touring lecture about it.
The Humberstone Educational Experience visited every new polity as it was discovered. They did not wait until they joined an alliance.
"Welcome to the greater galaxy," said the CRC. "Here's an extensive lesson as to WHY you answer every distress call no matter who or what survived."
"Okay?" say the brand-new travelers still understanding things via translator.
"We want you to make certain you understand this, because we tend to land on violators. Want to know what happened to Captain Qelth?"
"No?"
"Well here's what happened to Captain Qelth. Do not be like Captain Qelth. They are are a bad cogniscent. Naughty cogniscent. Their name lived in infamy forever."
"We get it! We get it! Always answer a distress call. The emergency may one day also be yours."
"Very good," and with one last we're watching you gesture, the CRC allows them to make their own decisions.
There has never been a disaster like the Humberstone ever since.
[Image by shontz photography on Unsplash]
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Naughty cognisant 🤣
Imagine living the rest of your existence as persona-non-grata to your entire species and your entire nation?