I’m in a space ship on a scientific mission to engage with an unknown life form. The crew has its own drama as it gets closer to the planet. We aren’t sure if the life form will be kind or hostile and we have strategies for both scenarios.
We land on the planet very close to the life form which seems like some kind of Native American fortress. We attempt a peaceful engagement. By the time we realize it’s hostile, we are too vulnerable and there is too much inner conflict to effectively defend or attack.