Uhura was going to be taxed, Jim knew, but she offered her services to Jim first and explained for him that Starfleet's mission was to seek out unknown life and, where appropriate, make contact. The details as to why this planet specifically in this moment didn't change that. Jim assured the being, through Uhura, that they sought an exchange of information and friendship and that they appreciated the opportunity to interact with their people. He'd done this hundreds of times, and yet it was new every time.