>>24643719

"is there any official procedure i should follow or can i just be myself and stay very polite?"

>>24643719
< so what exactly will we be doing?,will you want help in translating?>

>>24643719
Say hi to the ship.

>>24643719
"How much contact has there been with them so far?"

"This is a very cool ship, by the way."

"So, what exactly will we be doing?"
"Well, first of all, we're going to be officially greeting them, and telling them some of the more important rules in UPA space." The nagala said. The ship shook, and you were pushed back in your seat a little, but the gravity generators seemed to help with the inerta. "And then we're going to give them time to come up with a response, and then listen to theirs."

"Is there any official procedure I should follow, or can I just be myself and stay very polite?"
"Well, at first, you'll need to stay silent." It said. "Unless there are any pressing matters. I'm sure that the meeting will become less casual as time passes. I understand that you have telepathy, right? It would probably help us tremendously if you corrected our translator whenever it is wrong, though. Wouldn't want a misunderstanding to get in the way."

"How much contact has there been with them so far?"
"Less than a few days. The day your new director came to us with the information, we sent a small quantum router out there and started up communication. Since then, we sent out a very, very fast shuttle and brought back several of them and their robotic companion." It flashed yellow again. "We're lucky we have such skilled xenolinguists."

>>24643863
>meeting will become less casual
More casual, you mean

>>24643891
>Yes, I do.

>>24643863

"I can do that, you have a very nice ship."

feel around a bit and give out some encouragement among the machines.

>>24643863
"Do we have any idea what they're like so far? Any points of disagreement?"

>>24643863
"I'll try my best with telepathy, sometimes certain things can't be put into words though."

>>24643863
How did they get the router out there within a day and without a spaceship?

>>24644009
with a strap-on bubbledrive.

"I'll try my best with telepathy, but sometimes certain things can't be put into words." You say.
"Yes, that's fair enough. Just type out what bits are wrong, and you can try to explain it later."
You nod, and look around. "You have a very nice ship."
"Yes, we do." He/She said. You reach out and encourage it, and all of the machines didn't pipe up at you- they were too determined to listen much, focused on doing their job. The secondary left rear thruster gave you a small warm smile for a moment, though, before returning to work.
"Do you have any idea what they're like so far? Any points of disagreement?"
"Not that we know of. We do know that they disdain weapons, and they're from some sort of rigid caste system. Refugees, we think." The nagala said. "We don't know much else, other than they seem to have bioluminescence and communicate optically. Since they don't have eyes, The xenobiologists believe that their skin has visual senses."

"How did they get the router out there within a day, and without a spaceship?"
"Well, in a way, it was an automated spaceship. It was essentially the router, basic diagnostic equipment, and a very large bubble drive. The smaller the object one needs to move and the larger the drive, the faster it goes."

>>24644020
Do you want to give the aliens you've never met and who could be worse than the Demiurg a free bubble drive? No.

>>24644038
Use telepathy on the asteroid

>>24644038

"I might... not be properly dressed for this, i only just realized."

>>24644038
"Do you think they'll want to settle down in UPA space?"

>>24644038
>>24644060
Okay, apparently you do. I'm sure those excitable scientists are reverse-engineering it as we speak. Sure is lucky they seem friendly.

>>24644099
They don't know human fashion, it's cool.

>>24644038
"Oh, how long do you think we'll be there for?"

"When I first talked to one of them, I asked if they were peaceful. They laughed at that, said they loved chaos, struggle, and change. Not peaceful, not warlike, but kind and empathic."

"I might... not be properly dressed for this, I only just realized."
"No no, you're dressed fine. We want to give them a good look at how humanity dresses."

"Do you think they'll want to settle down in UPA space?"
"They are refugees, and they've seemed friendly so far, so I'd say it's likely." The nagala said. "But then again, this is the only true First Contact since UPA's inception. The Demiurg greeted us with plasma."
"When I first talked to one of them, I asked if they were peaceful. They laughed at that, and said they loved chaos, struggle, and change. Not peaceful and not warlike, but kind and empathic."
"... One second." She said, and typed your words into their personacom. "That's something good to know."

"How long do you think we'll be there for?"
"Well, you'll only be staying for the day, but I and the rest of the Meet will need to spend a few weeks or months." He said, and flashed yellow again. "I'm excited."
>Field too long!

>>24644280

In front of you, the bubble drive quivered, and kicked out of it- and through the window, you could see Earth. A great green and blue marble, larger than Heaven's Jewel, with rings and circles of stations, all in the most complex dance you'd ever seen. Debris and half-functioning equipment piped up at you, while other satellites sang dirges to themselves as they coasted into a deteriorating orbit.

"We're here." The nagala said.

And as you watched, another ship pulled out of bubble drive- this one was incredibly small, with a large bubble drive in the front and rear... and inside, you felt the small crystalline creature- You felt Serpensal.
"And they're here."

>>24644293
Giggle, "I can't wait to see Serpensal again. Well, for the first time. To talk to him again."

>>24644293
"I can feel them! The solar creature that I talked with is on that ship!"

>>24644293
"There's an awful lot of stuff in orbit of Earth."

>>24644293

"i can't wait to meet Serpensal face to umm, face? he's the construct i made contact with!"

I keep wanting to participate in this quest every time it starts up, but I can't ever bring myself to do it.

Oh well.

>>24644293
"Well time to meet the strange nomads!"

"There's an awful lot of stuff in orbit around earth."
"There's just as much around K**ll' and Ophid." The counselor said. "The remnants of our first experiments with spaceflight."

"I can feel them!" You say. "The solar creature that I talked with is on that ship! I can't wait to see Serpensal again. Well, for the first time. To talk to him again."
"Well, maybe you'll find a chance to." The councilor said, and flashed yellow again. "Most certainly you will."

The ship slowly slid into dock with a station that seemingly came out of nowhere, as the alien-carrying ship did the same. With a few hisses and shaking, everything went still, and you felt the ion thrusters rest, taking a break.

"Alright, just walk with me, and stick with me. We'll give you a terminal and everything." The councilor said. The woman came out of the cockpit and the centaur got to her feet again, and the four of you made your way out of the UPA ship.

You entered a large room with a creat, crescent-shaped table, chairs and platforms for people to sit, and several in the center. Everything was blue carpeted with several lights, and what looked like a simple screen sat on the front of the desk. A lot of people were there- reporters, sitting quietly, and a bunch of who you think are councilors or planetary governors sitting at the table.
"Just go to that desk behind that empty chair." The nagala said, and sat in said empty chair.

>Field too long!

There were three of them, and they were very roughly humanoid- with long, slim, digitigrade legs, incredibly delicate torsos, and two sets of long arms, one above the other. Great limbs spanned from their back, looking almost like membraneless wings, and they had no facial features at all on their swooped-back heads.

And behind them, clicking its legs, was Serpensal, a small six legged creature of crystal, flashing colors ever so often.

Someone typed into a computer.
<Hello, and welcome. Thank you for coming with us.>

The screen buzzed white for a moment, and started pulsing slowly.
One of the aliens looked up at it, and its entire face- and wingtips- lit up as well, pulsing quickly.
<Wow, all of this is rather interesting. How do you move so quickly? Why is it this dim? Who are you? Why do some of you look different? Why are you making so much noise?>

There was a pause, and you look down at the terminal- the translation looked okay. There was a long delay as people started reading the translations and figuring out how to respond.

<... We're rather different, biologically, and we're actually a collection of three alien races. We move quickly with out technology, and we communicate primarily through sound.>

<... Interesting.> One of the three said. <Serpensaaal~ Come translate for us!>

<Serpensal?>
<Our Tamed One.> One of the three responded. You look down and read the translation. 'Our Slave'.

>>24644653
Best type in the correction there, since I'd imagine the UPA is rather opposed to slavery.

>>24644653
Fix the silly translation

>>24644653

make an adjustment from "Slave" to "tamed one".

or notify someone.

>>24644653
Fix the translation.
Tell the councilers that he is basically their AI

>>24644653
Correct 'slave' to 'uplift'. That seems more like the meaning of Tamed One. He was a wild animal and then they made him a person who could speak.

>>24644653
"Your translation is a bit wrong there, Serpensal works for them willingly."

>>24644783
I think we're supposed to keep quiet and just type in a new translation.

>>24644772
Or just put "Tamed One" and let them reason it out later. Trying to translate it like that can also lead to misunderstandings.

Change slave to uplift.

How about "Tamed One/Uplift"

<This part means Tamed One.>
You quickly type in the correction, and some of the researchers gave you a Look before returning to their terminals.

Serpensal took a few steps forward, and started pulsing, and then making buzzing and clicking noises.

<This will be easier.> One of the aliens said, and continued to pulse.
"This will be easier." Serpensal said, his voice harmonious. "Your machines are pretty stupid. You should get on that. Too cumbersome and slow to work with that silly screen." It translated. "You talk too slow."
"... I .. I see." One of the councilors said. "I'm sorry about that."
"Nah, not your fault, you guys talk differently. Don't worry, we can help! We're the Enlightened!"
"... W-well, we should first explain that we have a few rules about being in the United Planets Alliance. Some of our laws-"
"Yeah, yeah, no killing, no war, no fighting or slavery or theft. That 'bout it?"
"... About."
"Good! We all banged our heads together until we figured out the most common laws for an interstellar government. How are you ruled?"
"Well, we rule by council. Each race, due to different cultures has their own council, but in times of need- like this one- we come together in a Meet."
"We like that one! Better than the silly 'Flare rules all' from our home. We'd like to join! do you have a world for us, or supplies for a colony?"
"... Um."
"Or you intend on us to somehow get our city out of orbit without all of us dying or something? We're good, but not that good."

>>24644819

Start future!Googling for planets that could support their form of life?

>>24644819
Why not give us a list of everything your species needs to survive, so we can best accommodate you?

>>24644819
*Snort*
That got casual really fast.

>>24644819
These guys seem pretty cool.

It's like an entire race of Heathers.

>>24644819
Suppress a giggle.

>>24644863
Yeah!
And then emulate a computer and make a list of viable planets within a second because TECHNOPATHY

>>24644819
He's talking like a guy from country or something. But he didn't talk like that when we Telpathed with him didn't he? Is he trying to give the council an illusion of them being stupid?

You try not to giggle, and the councilor continued.
"Well, first we need to find out more about your biology, so we can learn-"
"Right, right, which worlds where. Okay. We'll compile a list of our needs."

Serpensal turned to one of the aliens and pulsed.
<What? You want to go talk? Okay, okay.>

"Yes, well, anyway. Our Tamed one spoke to one of you a daytime back, and he wants to talk to her. That fine?"
"... Well-"
"She's in this room, he says."
"I don't see any problems..."
"Right! Go, guy, go!"

Serpensal clacked its way up the stairs, and with a leap, jumped onto your terminal and met your eyes.

<Hello. Greetings. Reunited.> It piped up, no longer translating. From here, through the crystal, you could see- it had an entire nervous system and organic heart, beating and pulsing. You couldn't see its brain, though, which was strange.

>>24644917

I think this is him trying to be 'chill.'

>>24644917
No, he's translating for the aliens. They're basically speaking through him because it's easier.

>>24644917
I think they're getting a bit of a superiority complex, while when we first communicated they were a bit more in limbo. We should probably technopath scan their ship for a doomsday weapon or something.

>>24644930
Bright smile, <Hello! I'm glad to be able to meet you in person!>

>>24644930
<Serpensal! Hello! How have you been?>

>>24644930
<Hello again Serpensal!>

>>24644930
<Well! Hello to you too. Nice to see you again, Serpensal.>

>>24644930

"Heya there, little guy! I'm glad I met you out there in the vastness of SPACE."

>>24644930

<"hello, good to finally meet you in person!>"

<"your companions seem very, informal by our standards.">

>>24644930
<Hello. I am Heather. Pleased to finally meet you in person! Did you want to talk to me?>

You shoot him a bright smile. "Hello! I'm glad to be able to meet you in person!"
<Indeed. As am I. Happy. Glad.> It said.

You vaguely see one of the aliens pull out a crystalline bracer, which started to buzz similarly to Serpensal, and they continued to talk.

<How have you been?>
<No longer bored. More things. Idea input. Concepts. Technology. You utilize space-time warping in order to find a way past the speed of light. Interesting. Enlightened enjoy the concept of loopholes. Will explain eventually.>
"Your companions seem very informal by our standards."
<Chaos. Yes.> It said. <They are like that. Indeed. Most. Other Castes not so much.>

>>24644930
<Hi Serpensal! Isn't this technically our first meeting though?> giggle <How have you been? Everything gone alright?>

>>24645040
"Isn't this our first meeting technically, though?" giggle, "Loopholes are always fantastic."

>>24645040
"Other castes? Would you mind elaborating on that?"

>>24645040

<what can you tell me about the different castes and why you decided to leave your home, if you don't mind me asking, it would make a lot of people here very happy.>

>>24645040
"What castes are there?"
We should probably be writing down this conversation so the official people can go over it later.

>>24645040
<If you will enter UPA, will you still be bound to your masters?>

"Other castes?" you ask. "Would you mind elaborating on that?"
<Flares; Warriors, rulers. Dims; Farmers, producers. Lenses; Builders, movers. Enlightened; Thinkers, researchers, mad ones and Flashes; Entertainers, Actors, Writers.>

You quickly jot them down.
<Most in the city are Enlightened due to our retreat.> It said. <Enlightened and Flashes. Society will not survive, without any Lenses or Dims. Have been acting as a Lense, but limited by size and speed-of-thought.>

>>24645211
"I see. That's an interesting society. Can I ask what you plan to do once you settle down?"

>>24645211
So basically, we got the two hedonist castes. The researchers, who seem pretty excitable, and the entertainers.

I'm okay with that.

>>24645211
I'm sure we could get volunteers to essentially act as Dims and Lenses for a bit, but it'd have to be pretty clear that they aren't actually of a caste or a lowly servant.

>>24645211

Let the counselors who are working on colonizing a world for them know that they're short on manual laborers. >>24645308 has a good idea.

"Is there no way to obtain more? Or is the child of an Enlightened an Enlightened?"

>>24645211
"You'll probably like it here. There's not many threats, and the 'warriors' are all made up of volunteers."

>>24645211

<we might be able to help with food and shelter but i have no power to decide on that, I don't have any significant political power.>

<you left your home because only flares get to rule?>

"We have instructions for how to built automated workers. They're machines, not sentient like you. They still need a higher intelligence to maintain and direct them, but they're mostly automated."

You make sure to add a note that they're short on manual laborers, and turn back to Serpensal.
"Is there no way to obtain more? Or is the child of an enlightened an enlightened?"
<No biological component to castes.> Serpensal said. <Possible to change castes of children.>
"I see." You say. "That's an interesting society. Can I ask what you plan to do once you settle down?"
<We have no ruling party. No united plans. Expect us to go on our own ways. Some want to start a colony. Some want to learn and build UPA technology.>
"Could you get volunteers to act as Dims and Lenses for a bit?"
<Very likely. Will need to.>
"We have instructions for how to build automated workers. They're machines, not sentient like you. They still need a higher intelligence to maintain and direct them, but they're mostly automated."
<Much better. More likely. Perfection. Clever. Not so stupid like Enlightened said.>
"You left your home because only flares get to rule?"
<No. Left home because citystate was being destroyed by enemy nations. Erected shield. Detonated nuclear arsenal. Blast took us into upper atmosphere. Additional blasts took us into orbit. Enlightened decided to find other life. Exhausted nuclear arsenal.>

"You'll probably like it here. There's not many threats, and the 'warriors' are all made up of volunteers."
<Volunteer warriors. Interesting. Strange.>

>>24645479
Holy shit, they launched a city with a huge orion drive. Amazing

"That's quite a tale."

>>24645513
And they managed to have their city sustain itself for the long trip, which is pretty ballin.

>>24645479

"We thought of a similar way to achieve spacetravel years ago, but the fear of nuclear fallout prevented us from doing so. I suppose when you're being attacked, though, any plan with a chance of success becomes an option.

As long as your people remain peaceful and join us, I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to do as you see fit. You could set up colonies, individuals could work alongside us, and I think all would be better for it."

>>24645479
<Here in UPA we are free. Everyone is free to chose his own path without looking at his heritage.>

>>24645513
Maybe mention we have a name for that?

"We call that an Orion drive. And you used one to propel an entire city? Impressive."

"Here's a thought. Could the city be converted into colony pods - think huge landers with limited infrastructure inside - or an orbital station?"

>>24645479
"We don't really have castes."

>>24645479
<It's very, very different here. There are no castes. Everyone is free to do pretty much whatever they want, as long as they follow the law.>

>>24645581

Slap a bunch of bubble-drives onto the city, let them orbit a planet while they terraform the planet below. Bam, new homeworld.

>>24645612
I was thinking just straight up orbital city, actually. If they don't de-orbit it in pieces (the colony pod idea), they could just make it into a permanent station and then start building up a surface colony from there.

>>24645531
All the people we in stasis. All they did on that front was have Serpensal make repairs and stop it falling apart.

>>24645650

That's what I'm saying. The Bubble Drives are there because it sounds like they don't have propulsion systems of their own.

"We call that an orion drive. And you used one to propel an entire city? Impressive."
<Not entire city. Enlightened district only. Destroyed Flash and Dim districts to aquire materials for shield. Then retrofitted shield into sphere during spaceflight. Flares bought enough time for us to leave. Selfless. Sorrow. Remembrance.>

"And it's very, very different here. There are no castes. Everyone is free to do pretty much whatever they want, as long as they follow the law."
<Very strange. Division between fighting and ruling is strange.>
There was a pause. <Almost like dim militia. I believe the others will not find it so strange.>

>>24645701
"That's good to hear."

I can just imagine how that went down. 'Dude, we should just strap a shield to the district, then put a bunch of nukes beneath ourselves!'

>>24645701
"So provided an empty planet you could just land?"

>>24645739
SCIENCE!

>>24645701
"You said you were a solar being, Serpensal? Could you explain that a bit more to me?"

>>24645741
>Or you intend on us to somehow get our city out of orbit without all of us dying or something? We're good, but not that good.

>>24645701
"What is your body made of? Can I touch you?"

>>24645701

"sorry to hear about the flares... we have a custom here where we build something to remember those who have fallen, to not forget their sacrifice. I'm sure we could arrange something like that for your people."

>>24645774
Oh right. Forgot about the entering the atmosphere and not burning thing. My memory sucks ass.

"That's good to hear." You say. "You said you were a solar being, Serpensal? Could you explain that a bit more to me?"
<Very large. Wild. Consumed light and nebula with pod family. Crashed on planet. Dying. Enlightened saved me. Tamed me. Bound me within crystal. Cloned parts. Small now. Smart now.>
"What is your body made of? Can I touch you?
<Compucrystal and cloned body. Very little original body. Yes.>
Carefully, you touched him. The crystal looked incredibly smooth, but when you touched it, you felt hundreds of interwoven optic cables, bound together so closely and tightly it was something approaching a solid. Your mind buzzed, and your technopathy had difficulty understanding something so alien... but eventually, it did, and you understood; Serpensal's outer structure was quite literally made out of the aliens' version of circuit boards.
The crystal *was* his brain.

You felt him vibrate slightly when you touched him, and he leaned into your hand.
<Warm. Good.> It said.

>>24645931
"I can hold you, if you'd like."

Send a note to all the other councillors that these guys seem to have really advanced circuit tech.

>>24645931
Hug him.
"Yes warmth of another being is always pleasant."

>>24645931
"Thank you." with a smile.
"In our culture, we have a custom to build something to remember those who fell, in order to remind the future generations of their sacrifices."

>>24645931

smile.

"your body is beautifully constructed."

we're probably being filmed right as we speak.

>>24645931

Pet the little guy, of course. "Oh wow, your crystalline structures are ridiculously well-made!"

>>24645931
"I think you would be able to restore you city if you deconstructed it in pieces and had them shuttled down to the surface of a planet with a heavy lift freighter."

>>24645931
Well, the only reasonable course of action is to hug him.

If we are being filmed, all the better.

>>24646013
Seconded.

>>24645976
This as well.

You pull him into your arms and hug him, still typing out what you know onto the terminal. You add a bit about incredibly advanced circuits. "In our culture, we have a custom to build something to remember those who fell, in order to remind the future generations of their sacrifices."
<In ours, Flashes sing. The song is put into memory. Exodus was written this time. Beautiful. Sad.>
"Oh wow, your crystalline structures are ridiculously well-made!" You say.
<Yes. Very well made. Very smart now.> It said, and snuggled into your chest. <Warm. Good.>
"I think you would be able to restore your city if you deconstructed it in pieces and had them shuttled down to the surface of a planet with a heavy lift freighter."
<Likely. Could also Retrofit sphere into shield. Obtain nuclear arsenal. Detonate to slow descent..>

>>24646119
"You might be able to just obtain powerful enough Ion Thrusters instead. That is assuming you don't have Phaeron gas?"

>>24646119
<That would spread nuclear fallout all over your new planet.>

>>24646167
I doubt they do, better to not say it like that. Seems a bit pretentious.

>>24646119
><Likely. Could also Retrofit sphere into shield. Obtain nuclear arsenal. Detonate to slow descent..>

<Nuclear weaponry has a tendency to poison a planet, and that poison lasts many lifetimes.>

>>24646167
This.

>>24646119
"Do the Enlightened understand the concept of business and commerce? You would probably be able to trade your circuitry knowledge for anything you need."

>>24646119

"the radiation would be very harmful for our species, do you have a way to remove it?"

>>24646119
"Orion drives aren't really a good idea for reentry. Well....maybe less of an issue for your..their? Whatever...species."

>>24646119
"Do you have decabulators?"

"That would spread nuclear fallout all over your new planet. Well, maybe less of an issue for your... their? Whatever... species."
<Yes. Bad idea.> It said, after a moment. <Not as smart as I think. And they are called the Vark. Do not understand how that is said in sound, but you do not need sound to understand me.>
"Do the enlightened understand the concept of business and commerce? You would probably-"

Then you noticed something very tall seemed to be looking down at you. You looked up at the alien who was looking down at you.

"Hello." It pulsed, its bracer buzzing in english. "Are you snuggling with Serpensal? Is he letting you snuggle with him?"
<Warm.>
"D'aww. The tamed one likes you!" It called.
One of it's pseudowings twitched, and you noticed that underneath it's torso clothing, something seemed to move.
"Yes yes yes we do understand business. It is the job of the Dims, but we are smart yet! We learned during our exodus! We understand your computers are bad, so we will trade work for technology!" It called, and gesticulated wildly. It bowed down at you- the creature must have been seven feet tall, but it couldn't have weighed more than hundred pounds. "He can feel romance? How sweet."
<I don't->
"Oh, you know you do!" The Enlightened said, and the bioluminescence suddenly turned into a colored, rainbow static- it was cackling madly.

>field too long!

>>24646480
"Tamed One, do you like the young boy?"
<She is female.>
"Girl, of course! Secondary sexual characteristics!" It said, and poked at your chest. "Obviously! Do you liiike~ the young girl?"
<No. She is lacking pseudopods of any shape. No sexual interest. I am lacking genitals as well.>
"Pity, pity."
That's when you realized that everyone was staring at you.

>>24646500
<Ahem. You may find it useful to know that most species don't discuss that kind of thing quite that frankly. That may or may not be a sensible social convention, but it's one you should be aware of.>

>>24646500
Laugh. That's the only possible reaction we could have to this. There are no words.

>>24646500
"Oh, uhm...I've managed to attract all the attention again."

>>24646500
>She is lacking pseudopods of any shape.

<You'd be surprised what I can do with telekinesis.>

>>24646500
"What? He's cuddly, I haven't seen him for a while, and you have no idea how interesting his circuitry feels to someone like me."

>>24646533
Agreed. What a crazy first contact.

>>24646569
How *does* his circuitry feel, anyway?

"Yes, your dear grandma was there at first contact. I was even groped by the aliens!"
"Grannnndmmaaaaaaaaaaa"

>>24646500
"This is turning out to be a great first contact!"

>>24646500
Giggle.
"Well, we have Ion thrusters so there's a possibility of slow descent, instead of impulsed one."

>>24646594
Like hundreds, thousands, of tightly interwoven cables all buzzing and alive with information being sent to and fro, it's like hugging barely contained SCIENCE!

>>24646500

"p-perhaps this is not the time to talk about something so, personal? may i suggest a different subject."

we should explain that most people do not appreciate strangers just walking up to and touching them.

>>24646599
First contact, if you know what I mean.

>>24646533
Yes. Laugh like a motherfucker.

>>24646533
>>24646693
Definitely laugh.

>>24646531
This; they might genuinely not know, and they'll want to.

>>24646609
Yeah, we should offer them that as a likely alternative.

And we (plural, as in the others too) could always help with telekenesis. This is pretty much a one-time thing for them, and having some psions on hand for emergencies would be a good idea. We could trade them that service in exchange for some of their technology for use on the station.

>Those prophecies about the AI going insane
Might be best to stick with our own computers.

>>24646751

Yeah, there's a $64000 question: do they know about psionics?

>>24646806
Given how we're chatting with them and translating, they know about at least some psionics. How much they know is a good question.

>>24646832
>>24646806
Probably not our place to discuss it.

You start giggling, cheeks red, and the alien responded in kind.

"Regardless!" The alien called and turned around. "Our dear friend hasn't been eaten, he has just made a friend and I have learned more of alien biology. Nobody is harmed!"
"Ahem." You say. "You might find it useful to know that most species don't discuss that kind of thing quite that frankly. That may or may not be a sensible social convention, but it's one you should be aware of."
"Yes, yes, for us too." It said, the faceless head simply pulsing.

"... W-well, we have ion thrusters, so there's a possibility of slow descent instead of impulsed one.
<Well, Ion thrust is rather->
"Slow. It's slow and weak and terrible." The Enlightened said. "Unless... unless you have something better. Something that becomes more active when electrically stimulated than standard noble gases."
He turned to the councilor "We request ion assistance in bringing our city down to the planet."
"And you'll have it." The councilor responded.
"Then that's all we want!" The alien said.

The two down back in the seats provided to them flexed their arms, clasping their upper and lower arms together in a crossed shape.
"Wait wait wait one last thing." The alien nearest you said. "You things have any food?"

Some time later, they were all sitting there shirtless, the mouths in their chest crunching away at the various animals and plants fed to them. Serpensal was quiet, and dunked his head-analog into the nutrient water provided to him.

>>24646860
"So, what should we do now?"

>>24646860
<How you doing Serpensal? Having fun? Enjoying meeting three new species?>

>>24646860
<Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip> to Serpensal

>>24646860

well, things seem to be going, good, I'd say.

"is the food to your liking?"

>Heather is going to be so frickin' popular after this is broadcast.

>>24646860
>Serpensal was quiet, and dunked his head-analog into the nutrient water provided to him.

Telepathically send the noise of sucking liquid and air through a straw.

>>24646950
Let the creepy internet stalking begin!

>>24646860
<Whatcha drinking, Serpy?>

>>24646860
<I think you should learn of Nagala and Centaur too. And are you hungry? Do you want to get some sunlight?>

>>24646974
>heather becomes queen of future/b/

>>24646860
We should bring Serpensal to Earth with us when we visit it.

>>24646860
Offer them our assistance during the relocation, in trade for some of their technology.

Try out some technopathy with their advanced technology.

>>24646860
Oh. They have mouths in their chests and thought we were eating him. Of course.

>>24647015
Heh. That puts a whole new twist on marshmallow hell.

>>24646974
>>24647001
>Heather Love Pillows now available at Future-J-Store.

>>24647076
>three dozen ordered by psionic research station.

>>24647106
Including one by heather, most likely.

>>24647076
>>24647106

and one for the little planet on the other side of Demiurg space.

>>24647130
>implying half a dozen not decorating Heather's room on her side

<How are you doing, Serpensal? Having fun? Enjoying meeting three new species?>
<Indeed.> It responded, and splashed its head into the water again.
<Do you want to get some sunlight?>
<Sunlight is not required right now.> Serpensal said. <Water emulates my natural habitat. I do not need much. Fed. Not hungry.>

More time passed, before the three aliens finished their meal, and requested the biological data for the three UPA races- sending their own biology back in trade. More time passed as the three proved themselves much better at quibbling and negotiating than you thought, eventually securing promises of maintenance drones, power supplies, and a rather good, early-terraform planet to create a colony, in trade for the aliens' cloning, crystal fabrication, and 'compucrystal' technology.

You also learned what had moved under the Vark's shirt- they had a fifth, very small hand underneath their mouth that assisted them in eating. With those five hands, their strange psuedowings, and their legs, they had more limbs than even the centaurs.

"So, is there anything else you wanted to talk with us about?" One of the Vark asked, their bracer still sparking as they pulsed white.
"Not particularly. That was all that was on the table."
"Well, information is key, so any of you can feel free to ask us anything you wish. We understand that you don't know of our culture, so don't worry- no offense will be taken."

>>24647305
"Do any of your people have abilities tied to the mind, as Serpensal does? Speaking without speaking, moving objects without touching?"

>>24647305
"Are your wings usable for flight? Or, were they at some point in your species' past?"

>>24647305
<What did you mean by "pseudopods"?>

>>24647305
<Serpensal, how did you detect me when I first found your city?>

>>24647305
"Can I come and visit one day?"

>>24647379
Diplomatic meetings are not the time for that.

>>24647305
"You communicate via changing colors. Could you tell me more about how that works, and what some of the colors mean? One of my friends species' communicates the same way."

>>24647379
Do not ask about the pseudopods. We've already determined that it's not polite and it's probably in the biological data they sent anyway.

>>24647305
"Ooh, tell us more about the different castes please. Are there physical differences between them?

Could you give us some examples of your artwork, poetry, songs? Can you fly with your wings in Low-G environments?

How many of you are there? What is your standard life span? What is your birth rate?

How does the Taming process work for Sun Eaters? What do Sun Eaters look like when they are wild? How big are they?

Can I visit your city once it's landed? I want to talk to it, I wouldn't be surprised if it sang."

>>24647379
pseudopods
(pseudopod) temporary outgrowth used by some micro-organisms as an organ of feeding, locomotion or reproduction

>>24647418
Not "what?" so much as "why?". And we could ask Serpensai privately.

>>24647416
>How does the Taming process work for Sun Eaters? What do Sun Eaters look like when they are wild? How big are they?

This, definitely.

>>24647305
Should we ask them to help us with the VQ?

>>24647416
Snatch already told us there wasn't a biological difference.

>>24647305
"May I speak with some of your advanced technology?"

>>24647305
"Hey, Serpensal, I made this really awesome crystal that acts like a capacitor, but with heat. Have you ever heard of something like that?"

>>24647305

if they are willing to talk about the conflict back on their home world, we could ask about that.

>sleep time.
>good night.

>>24647443
Probably not the best time, we can discuss that with them later, once they're properly established.

>>24647443
We should first try to find out if they know of her, or of psionics.

>>24647454
>>24647453
>>24647395
>>24647379
>>24647365
>>24647349

All of these sound good.

>>24647444
So he did, my mistake. Scratch that question.

>>24647305
<Have you heard of a being called the Void Queen?>

>>24647551
Asking something like that at a diplomatic meeting is bad form. Don't want to scare them off.

"Are your wings usable for flight? Or were they at some point in your species' past?"
"In the past, of course. We devolved the membranes, though. Now they're vestigial, and seen within our culture as the proof of good health. Large ones are seen as attractive."
It twitched its wings, and turned to face two of the other ones- and you could swear it was winking.
"Are your people gender based?" One of the researchers asked.
"Yes. We have many females, rarer males." The alien said.
"Can you give us some examples of your artwork, poetry, or songs?" You ask.
"We're not Flashes, so nope. Can't sing."
"Can you fly with your wings in Low-G environments?" You ask again.
"We don't have membranes, so of course not."
"How many of you are there? What is your standard life span? What is your birth rate?"
"A mere half million, and we live up to..."
The bracer buzzed, not knowing how to translate- but you learned that they lived up to a century regardless.
"... And the females can give birth to a new egg every five years or so."

You open your mouth to ask about Psionics, but... you weren't sure if you should, in front of all the reporters and councilors.

"How does the Taming process work for Sun Eaters? What do Sun Eaters look like when they are wild? How big are they?"
"The Tamed one is the only one." The Vark said. "He was very large. The size of a small moon, or a large asteroid, before he crashed. He was made of a strange alien lattice, with many wriggling limbs on his ends."

>>24647551
I don't think the Void Queen is common knowledge yet, probably best not to bring her up here.

>>24647627
He's much cuter now. Can I keep him?

>>24647654
Maybe we can set him up with Nissa

>>24647627
"Aww, that sounds so cute."

>>24647627
>"The Tamed one is the only one." The Vark said. "He was very large. The size of a small moon, or a large asteroid, before he crashed. He was made of a strange alien lattice, with many wriggling limbs on his ends."

Well, that explains the pseudopods.

>>24647627
>You open your mouth to ask about Psionics, but... you weren't sure if you should, in front of all the reporters and councilors.

The general public already knows about psionics in general. As long as we don't reveal that we *are* one, it seems safe to ask in general terms. "Our species recently learned of ..."

>>24647654

There is no way we can keep him. He runs most of their stuff right now. Once they get some infrastructure built, though, he could come and hang out with us, Einstein, and Omni.

>>24647671
But Omni has no sexy, sexy pseudopods.

Besides, we probably shouldn't be asking to take Serpensal at a diplomatic meeting.

>>24647627
"Come sit on my head, Serpensal!"

>>24647627
"How old are you?"

>>24647627
"How come you're really good with crystals?"

>>24647627
"Sounds amazing, do you still have any images of what he looked like when you found him?"

>>24647627
"Can I come and visit one day?"

>>24647627
"Well he's absolutely adorable now. Do you have any images of how he was before he was tamed?

Once you get your city set up and on the ground again would you mind if I came and visited occasionally?

Why is so much of your technology based in crystals?"

>>24647627
"I work heavily with technology, and I enjoy inventing new things. Can you talk to me about how your compucrystals work, the principles behind them, the history of how they were invented?"

>>24647732

They gave us that information already. We just have to sit down and study it.

>>24647759
They traded the technology, but we're not just looking for a dry technical manual; we'd like to hear about it as a living technology.

>>24647627
"What form does your species' literature take? Do you use compucrystals and digital information exclusively now? What does your written language look like, since your spoken language involves colors and light?"

>>24647759
It's always better to talk to someone.

>>24647836
Indeed. We're looking for "Compucrystals: the untold story."

>>24647627
Have you developed AI?

"Sounds amazing. Do you still have any images of what he looked like when you found him?"
"Yes yes yes! But it will have to wait. They are stored in the city."
"Can I come and visit one day?"
"Yes. You can help us build, if you want, though. Visitors have to work."
"How old are you?"
"Personally, I am" <Sixty three years> "old," The vark said.
"I work heavily with technology, and I enjoy inventing new things. can you talk to me about how your compucrystals work, the principles behind them, and the history of how they were invented?"
"Mirrors were a great invention of our kind, due to religious significance. Due to them and the need for computational technology, we invented a way to allow mirrors to run calculations for us, and the result was the crystals. They work by reflecting light through interwoven optical cables creating circuits-"
The bracer started buzzing as he attempted to explain several concepts that UPA technology didn't quite have the words for, but the meaning very slightly came across to you- it was equivalent to using cables and microchips, but optically, and utilizing glass or plastic of various opacities, allowing for much faster speeds and easier miniaturization.

>Field too long!

>>24648004
Everyone was silent when his tirade was finished.

"I believe that's it for today." The nagala councilor said. "Tomorrow, perhaps we could talk about your religion?"
"Yes yes. Though the flares know the most, we have a very few onboard that have told us the stories." One said. The third, the one who hadn't said anything the entire time, got to their feet- and you notice that one of their wings were broken, the severed from the 'elbow' down... and picked up Serpensal.

Then plunked it on your head.
<You stay there. Be friends.> The woman said to the small crystalline creature. Then she turned around and made her way with the others as they left the room.

<Confusion. Kalaila acted strangely.> Serpensal said.
The nagala councilor gave you and the crystal scorpion on your head a Look as the aliens made their way out of the room.

>>24648011
><Confusion. Kalaila acted strangely.> Serpensal said.

<Strangely? And, if this isn't too prying of a question, what happened to her wing?>

>>24648004
Looks like someone figured out practical optical computing fuck yeah

>>24648011
"Hehehe. Can Serpensal stay with me for a bit?"

>>24648011
TP her: <Oh thankyou so much! I'll take good care of him.>

"What's the deal, Serpensal?"

Shrug at the nagala.

>>24648011
Woo, new friend!

>>24648011
<How does she normally act? What happened to her wing?>

>>24648011
"She did. Don't they need you to maintain the City?"

>>24648011
To the nagala
"This went well didn't it?"

>>24648011
"That'll go down in the history books as the fastest first contact ever."

>>24648121
And bestest

"That'll go down in the histoiry books as the fastest first contact ever."
"Yeah. Didn't expect them to be so..."
"Exuberant." Another councilor said, and the nagala nodded.
"Hehehe. Can Serpensal stay with me for a bit?"
"I... don't see why not..." The councilor said. "The xeno did encourage him to stay..."

"And don't they need you to maintain the city?"
<Duty was to protect ship during long dark.> Serpensal said. <Job Complete. Accomplishment. Reward.>
"How does she normally act? What happened to her wing?"
<Quiet. Deliberate. Warm. Sane. Very sane for Enlightened.> He said. Then he was quiet. <Landed on her when I crashed. Sorrow. Guilt. Pain. Reparations.>

>>24648204
Oh dear. That might be able to be fixed, UPA medicine is quite advanced.

And if that doesn't work... well, I shouldn't say too much. You'll meet him later.

>>24648204
"I'm pretty sure she doesn't hold it against you."

>>24648204
"Oh, I see. Is there anything you want to see, Serpensal?"

>>24648204
"You should see this awesome crystal I made. It stores heat!"

"I'm pretty sure she doesn't hold it against you."
<True. Has never blamed me. She is my mother.>
"... Oh, I see." You say. "Is there anything you want to see, Serpensal?"
"Do you two want to see Earth?" The councilor asked. "There's a shuttle going to the orbital, if you wanted to."

>>24648204
"She doesn't seem to hold it against you. And you're a very different person now than you were then, and you could hardly control where you fell.

So, Serpy, do you have anything in particular you want to see?"

>>24648281
"I'd love to."

>>24648281
"Want to go, Serpensal?"

>>24648281
I do!

I want to talk to all the satellites, they're really cute.

>>24648281
"Most definitely. Shall we, Serpensal?"

>>24648281
"That'd be great! What do you say, Serpensal, want to visit my species' homeworld?"

>>24648281
"I've never seen Earth before in person, I'd love to.

Serpensal, is that acceptable to you?"

Also, have a chat with all the satellites, space debris, stations, all of that in orbit around earth. Sing them a song.

>>24648281
"Yes, I'd love to! follow the plothook. How bout you Serpy?"

>>24648281
We should also ask Serpensal, privately, if they know about psionics. He clearly does, anyway, so asking him should be low-risk.

>>24648358
Armatek wouldn't be stupid enough to attack us while we're with a councillor, right? Unless they've already implanted the whole government with their mind control chips.

>>24648459
Didn't we tell him a little bit when we met him to begin with?

"I've never seen Earth before in person." You say. "I'd love to. Serpensal, is that acceptable to you?"
<Yes.>

"Alright, the shuttle should be an old Garamon." The nagala said. "Call me if you need anything."

You nod, and make your way out of the room with the reporters, as they all filed into the shuttle. Time passed as you strapped yourself down, and the shuttle started its leap from one station to the other. Einstein chirped.

<You were on the news asking the aliens questions!> Ellie called. <Also, I'm trapped here on the station. It's so boring.>
<What is that?> Serpensal asked. <The automated machine you described before?>

>>24648481
Ellie! They poked my boobs! On Galactic TV!

>>24648481
"Yep! That's Einstein. He's a drone who I programmed to be my assistant."

<I would have taken you home, Ellie, but I couldn't rouse you from your sleep.>

>>24648481
<Did you see me? Did I look good? Also aren't they just amazing? I got their Uplift right here. And I'm taking it with back to the station!>
"This is my personacom. These machines allow us to communicate through the Extranet. This way we can communicate even though we are seperated by several light years!"

>>24648481
<Yup, that's Einstein, he's a drone, not an actual intelligence.

Though what he is saying is a relay from my friend Ellie.>

<Well I'm having fun right now. I asked questions and got to see Serpensal again.>

Take a picture of us with Serpensal on our head and send it to Ellie, the rest of our friends, and our parents.

>>24648481
What do you mean boring? I thought all the strange and crazy psions would keep you entertained!

What happened to picking up Robin?

>>24648481
"Yes. This one's mainly used for storing data and as a communication device."
<How can a secret psionics research station be boring? You could always get Robin to take you home I suppose. Or somewhere else...>

>>24648481
<What? I didn't realize it was being broadcast!>

>>24648573
Yes! Terrible self pictures!

"Yep! That's Einstein. He's a drone who I programmed to be my assistant. He's mostly used for storing data and as a communication device."
<Useful.>

<Ellie! They poked my boob! On Galactic TV!>
<Not fair. That's how I was planning to get *my* fifteen minutes of fame.> Ellie said, and giggled.
<And what do you mean boring? I thought all the strange and crazy psions would keep you entertained! And what happened to picking up Robin?>
<That's when I thought Robin was a guy!> She said.

You had Einstein whirl about and snap a picture of you and Serpensal-

When someone slammed bodily into you. He was wearing baggy, ill-fitted clothing and had one green eye and one brown, and had a scar on his cheek. Just above you whipped a long taser dart. You looked around, but couldn't find who shot it.

"You're in trouble." The young man said. "I don't know why, but... They're looking for you." He said.
That's when someone in a suit subtly raised another taser and fired it- and the young man stopped it in the air with telekinesis. The man noticed that you saw him, and bolted into the crowd.

"Name's Lin." He said, and grabbed your hand. "Come on!"

>>24648731
You heard the psion. Run!

To avoid getting out of breath while running, ask him telepathically what's the deal, ten words or less.

>>24648731
"Psion!" Go with her.

>>24648731
...did we remember to bring our suit, or is it back on the station?

>>24648761
This could be a false flag. Run back to the shuttle, telepath Robin to port us back to the station.

Don't trust random guy when we have 100% escape option.

>>24648731
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. Someone trying to kill me on my day off."

You know what? Fuck it. Send the Nagala councillor a message. 'Someone is trying to get me. Again. Please bring my exosuit down here.'

>>24648731
<Brb, Ellie, under attack!>

"Lin hey? Alright!"
But don't hold his hand.

>>24648731
"What the hell is happening? Why do you have TK without being part fo the institute?"

>>24648781
No need to run back to the shuttle. Telepath Robin to get here now, and get both us and the apparently rogue psion out of here to somewhere unreachable for a nice calm chat.

>>24648731
It's time to move. Go, go, go.

Turn on Technopathy. <Machines! Give me information! Who shot at me? Where are the threats to my safety?>

Identify threats and take care of them whether it be through fucking with life support in their area, shunting them into vacuum, or making all of their electronics stop functioning or shock them.

>>24648731
Okay, Armatek apparently wants to attack the alien species on the day of first contact. How intelligent of them.
<What's going on, Lin? And where are you intending to run to on a crowded shuttle?>

>>24648792
Way too much information for someone we don't know.

>>24648801
Yeah, seconding the "Immediate GTFO" plan.

>>24648801
I don't think our telepathy has that sort of range. We've been doing all long range coms via the extranet.

>>24648801
Works for me. We can't after all dismiss the possibility that this is a trap.

Once we're safe, we should really tell the nice councilor lady (What's her name again?) that Armatek tried to assault us, and that they should really hurry up on the whole "Destroying them" thing.

>>24648731
Scan around with technopathy. We were able to talk to a taser when we had one, so let's do the same.

>>24648825
Our telepathy has PLOT range. Sometimes it's infinite, sometimes it's a couple of meters.

>>24648731
"I've got a shuttle. We can talk in space."

>>24648844
Is it possible to telepath all weapons in the area to shut down? We should do that after >>24648801 , for safety sake.

>>24648825
It's worth a shot, and if not then use Einstein.

>>24648861
Good call.

>>24648857
Actually, it has as much range as Heather believes it does. Remember what Jilly said about imagining away the range limits?

<Brb, Ellie, under attack!> You say- and reach out toward Robin... but she was too far, all the way on the fringes of UPA space. So instead you reached out and felt two tasers in the area. You click them off in short succession, and open up your comms to talk to Robin-
"Come ON!" Lin said, and pulled you-

Through the wall of the shuttle, into space. Einstein tried to follow as usual, and clanged against the wall of the shuttle.
"Don't... be alarmed..." He said, panting. Air pressurized around you, and you could breathe and hear. "I can.. hold this... for a while.. I call it a... Trick..."

<Yeah?> Robin asked, as you technopathy with Einstein to call her address.. <... You're in space? What's up?>

<Unnatural. Strange. Familiar.> Serpensal said.

>>24648967
An unknown psion has just told me that I am under attack and then pulled me into space.

>heather's a right little veteran now aint she

>>24648967
<Einstein, take pictures of the guys with the tasers.>
Scan Lin for implants.
Hold the air around ourselves, Isaac said we should be able to do it, and it looks like we've got more stamina then this dude.

@Serpensal: <This could get messy, just hold on.>

"What's going on, Lin?"

>>24648944
But that would leave no reason for the range to get shorter. If we've actually done it at longer range then we should definitely believe that it's possible to do.

>>24648967
<Robin, in space, attacked by suits with tasers, found Psion, doesn't know what psionics are, have Serpensal with me, evac to somewhere less vacuumy would be appreciated. Will owe you groping.>

<Serpensal, I'll explain everything in a bit. Stay calm.>

"Hey Lin, nice to meet you. I ought to have a friend bouncing in to take us somewhere less getting shot at, and not in vacuum in just a bit."

>>24648967
<Friendly psion pulling an Isaac. Can you grab both of us, the thing with us,> [note: explanations take time. We can do that later] < and Einstein, and port us to the Station?>

>>24648967
"I call it psionics. I was using mine to turn off his taser. Don't worry though, I'm already arranging for a pick up."

To Robin: <Was attacked, new psion pulled me out and into an atmo bubble before I knew what was happening. He doesn't seem as strong as Isaac though, and I never learned how to do this. I could use some help. Explain more later.>

>>24648967
<People were trying to taze me, then a strange man pulled me through a wall into space. Please take me to my exosuit so that I may punch the bad guys very hard.>

Wasn't this Lin dude in the preview, and captured by Armatec? We really really shouldn't TP him to the station if he's compromised.

You reach out to the psion... and you didn't find any implants in him at all.
<Friendly psion pulling an Isaac. Can you grab both of us, the thing with us, and Einstein? Port us to the station.>
<Right!> She said. She pamfed into existence- and Lin kicked her in the nose.
"Ow! Fuck!" She said, and grabbed the both of you.
You landed on the ground in the cafeteria, and Lin had his back up against the wall, eyes wide.
"What is this place? Where are we?" He asked- and met your eyes.
"... Oh, gods. You're one of *them*!"
The wall wavered like liquid, and he slid through it. Robin arrived, exosuit and Einstein with her. The rest of the cafeteria was empty.
"Wait. Where'd the other guy go?" Robin asked, and touched the wall. "I can't... I can't feel him."

>>24649105
Yeah

>>24649105
Scan him with technopathy then. Easy enough.

>>24649139
"The fuck?"
"I owe you, Robin. Now let's find this crazy ghost!"

>>24649139
"He slid through the wall. I have no idea what was up with that. Thanks for the help though."

>>24649139
<Who is them? Armatek? We're not with Armatek. Calm down, you're safe here.>

>>24649139
<No, no, we're not with ArmaTek or Voidy. Who do you think we are?>

>>24649139
"Lin, she's a friend. I'm a friend, Serpensal is a friend for that matter. She isn't part of ArmaTek or anything like that.

Now come out of that wall and stop hiding, we aren't going to hurt you. We're in a cafeteria by the way, want some ice cream?"

>>24649139
<Dude, chill.>

Reach out to him, <Who do you think I am? I'm not here to harm, or force you to do anything. I'd like to talk with you though.>

>>24649139
"He freaked out and walked through the wall. I guess we have to go look for him."

>>24649139
"I think he hates you and your siblings or rather who you were working for, so he ported away."

>>24649249
He freaked out at Heather, not Robin.

>>24649267
He kicked her not us.

>>24649267
Yes and no. He's freaked out because he thinks Heather is working with Armatec, because of robin

>>24649291
My thoughts exactly

"Lin, she's a friend. I'm a friend." You say. "Serpensal is a friend for that matter. She isn't part of Armatek or anything like that. Now come out of that wall and stop hiding. We aren't going to hurt you. We're in a cafeteria by the way. Want some ice cream?"
"So you can poison me? Yeah, I know how you operate." The wall said. "Everyone else with tricks are part of Armatek, no matter what they say. And I've *seen* that one. Rho."
"... Well, I've never seen you, guy." Robin said, holding her nose. "That hurt! You jerk."
"I can see things that have happened." The wall said again, and it wavered like liquid again. You touched it, and it didn't seem to be moving under your touch- it only looked like it was swimming.

<Confusion. Trepidation. Worry. Location?>

>>24649341
"Don't worry Serpensal, we're just at the UPA station where we're staying."

>>24649341
oh shit what the fuck to do

>>24649139
Attempt to contact him via telepathy.

<Lin, relax! Robin just brought us somewhere we weren't going to be chased!>

>>24649341
We're on a UPA station. We've got UPA soldiers on board.

>>24649384
No, no, no, too suspicious

>>24649341
>"So you can poison me? Yeah, I know how you operate."
<oh, so you know I've been stealing Armatek's Psions out from under them?>

>>24649341
"You need to keep up with current events, this isn't an Armatek facility, this is the UPA's psion research station. Rho and her siblings were working for Armatek because they were being forced to by brain implants, which we deactivated."

>>24649391

I second this motion. Also get Max the slap down here.

>>24649341
"You blockhead. Haven't you read the UPA news? There were interviews of a few of us non-Armatek related Psions. I'm the one referred to as Bullfrog by the way. What would it take to prove to you we aren't here to hurt you?"

Rolled 19

>>24649341
>>24649364
<the little human can teleport, we are many thousands of light-years away>

>>24649341
"if you'd like we can put you back one earth lin, no bigge"

>>24649341
<We're at the institute, my home and where I contacted you from before. Robin can teleport. Just chill.>

Well you are stuck on a station in the middle of nowhere. You can't exactly leave.

I'm impressed by your power though. Everyone else gets cooler ones then me.

>>24649341
To Serpensal: <Calm yourself, all will be well.>

"She was from Armatek, we in the UPA group freed her. And the others. Armatek as a company will be dissolved by the UPA very soon.
What can I do to convince you I'm not with Armatek?"

>>24649341
<Sorry Serpensal. We're at a UPA station for Psions, like me, Robin teleported us here. I'll give you a full explanation once I coax this guy out of the wall.>

"Lin, do you live under a rock? This is the UPA Psionics station that was in the news a bit ago. Robin was Rho, then I turned off the implants they stuck in her. Nobody is going to hurt you. I'll eat the same ice cream you do if it makes you feel better."

>>24649341
"She calls herself Robin now, actually. She's out from ArmaTek's control. There were control implants involved. We're on a UPA station dedicated to understanding...tricks. We call it 'psionics'."

<I'll explain later, Serpensal. Let's focus on getting Lin calmed down right now.>

>>24649341
"Don't worry, Serpensal. This is where I live.

And yeah, she did used to work for Armatek, but that wasn't by choice. Her name is Robin, now. Nobody on this station is associated with that jerk ass company."

>>24649341
<Max, we have a situation.>

File: 1367794638100.png-(228 KB, 600x467, monotreeme.png)

228 KB PNG

>>24649434

>>24649409
That was BEFORE we learned the source of his paranoia. Don't worry, I'm not going to re-advocate this.

>>24649341
"This is the UPA psionics research institute. It was on the news recently."
Serpy: <Where I contacted you from the first time. I don't know what's going on so I got my friend to take us home.>

>>24649341
<I don't suppose you've read the article the UPA released on psions?><because in that I'm bullfrog>

>>24649466
>"But we're in a combat situation!..Conversation is a battle of words"

>>24649466
oh fuck off, i'm using my old pc

the fields are all saved a certain way

<I'll explain alter, Serpensal. Let's focus on getting Lin calmed down right now.>
<I'm content with that.>

You reach into the wall with telepathy, and you can feel a mind there, part of the wall.
<I don't suppose you've read the article the UPA released on psions?>
<I haven't had the chance to read anything in the past week.> Lin responded, the wall still wavering.
<She was from Armatek, and we in the UPA group freed her. And the others. Armatek as a company will be dissolved by the UPA very soon.> You say. <What can I do to convince you I'm not with Armatek?>
<Listen.> He responded. <I'm not stupid. I can get out of anything Armatek throws at me. The only thing that would possibly work on me are people. I can't trust you. I can't let myself trust you.>

>>24649341
"I won't force you to come out, but please, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm going to hurt ArmaTek when I find their base, though."

>>24649546
In that case, do you have info on Armatek bases? 'Cause we could really use that when we burn those motherfuckers to the ground.

>>24649546
We've got a super-cute psionic tiger kitten?

>>24649546
<What if I let you into my mind? Look through my memories?>

>>24649571
yeah