>>@SGT | TO: @ALL.

[byhand]

For the curious, we have finally found the source of the coolant shortages.

You may have noticed a certain oddity with your dreams as of late, and a greater and greater difficulty in waking from them. I can confirm that you have regrettably-- and entirely accidentally-- stumbled into the dreams of your neighbors and comrades. To those whose privacy has been invaded: we ask for your understanding and kindness. This was the fault of no member of COST.

A trans-dimensional creature known as the Oneiroi, the Telpharan, or more commonly, shapers, have invaded our ship. Colonies of the creature are known to invade ships and BASE models, consuming coolant while distracting their enemies with dreams and visions. These creatures currently live in our walls.

[Attached is an image of a rather exasperated Commander Grothia, flanked by several DACTYL droids, standing before a hole ripped in the wall of BASE's many hallways. She holds a shaper up to the camera, while several DACTYL droids chase more of the creatures escaping out of the walls behind her.]

I have been studying the creatures, and reading up on what histories and zoological studies have been written about them. Debate rages over their sentience-- some believe them to be pests. Others think them intelligent, sentient, sapient creatures who, while incapable of spoken language, communicate nonetheless through the language of dreaming. It is believed by some that the choices they make, of whose dreams to invade, whose to link, and how those connections are made, are an attempt to welcome other sentient creatures into their colonies, to make connections and be understood.

Debate has also continued amongst your command on how to best handle these creatures. Because their intelligence and self awareness is currently unknown, debated even now in scientific communities across the multiverse, we are ourselves unsure how to best deal with this problem. We leave it up to you.

In two days time, I shall put up a poll on the BCE network, and I encourage all to vote in favor of how these creatures should be dealt with: eradication, or (as my comrade has termed it) catch-and-release. Both posit their own risks: the possibility of a mass slaughter of sentient lifeforms, or the possibility of a resurgence of this infection. For myself, I shall not argue with the results, or argue either side. It is your choice to make, my poor fellow-soldiers.

For now: I ask you to consider the matter carefully. You may, of course, ask me any questions you like. I encourage you to debate this matter as thuroughly as you are able.

And in two days' time, I urge you: vote.

[ooc Yep, let's talk about the shaper infection. Characters can ICly debate here (threadjacking encouraged!); there will be an IC vote on the 19th, with results on the 21st. Ask any OOC questions you might have over here.]

Comments

@ACHEELIES

[chariotry]

If we decide to eradicate them, I suggest we don't let them go to waste.

[byhand]

During my research, I have discovered they are considered by some to be a delicacy. The brains especially.

@BROKEBACKSTAB

[handsomefoil]

How would you not let them go to waste?

[ please don't say 'eat them' ]

@BURGERKING

[dipolar]

I agree. They're worth trying.

@BOARING

[lonelywar]

[No.]

No.

(no.)

@DIEDHARD

[mylawn]

Where are we releasing them?

[byhand]

Their natural habitat: open aether. It is no doubt where they found us in the first place, but with our coolant levels restored, we should be able to escape them.

@MODERATUS

[bloodings]

why the hell do they look so weird?

[byhand]

They are transdimensional alien lifeforms.

If they looked normal to you, I would find it very distressing.

@BURGERKING

[dipolar]

Understood. I recommend we kill them, before tensions climb higher than they already are on this ship. It may start to cause infighting.

Because if the symptoms continue much longer, I won't be democratic about it.

[byhand]

Then I hasten you to vote when the time comes.

Where have you seen evidence of tension and infighting? Do you have cause for concern?

@JUGGALO

[masque]

they're pretty cute. bets on keeping one? asking for a friend.

[byhand]

My dear Commander has some in her personal apartment; you will have to ask her. I would be curious to see how one acts in isolation, but they are a social creature by nature. It could be interesting. It could be very hurtful for the creature.

It is up to you.

@NIGHTLIGHT

[fessus]

So possible genocide or possible extra naps?

The extra sleep didn't actually hurt us, did it?

[byhand]

I am not sure I would call this genocide. This is only a single colony. If the entire species were aboard BASE, we would likely never awaken.

Do you feel it hurt you?

@BOARING

[lonelywar]

We are strangers to their natural territory, so we have no right to destroy them. Especially since the harm they have caused is limited, and their intentions have never been malicious against us or our cause.

To needlessly eliminate a race of creatures which pose no true threat to us would be a stain to what we stand for that I would not be able to stand by.

[Ashitaka the deep ecologist has VERY VERY STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT]

[bloodings]

he says they taste good. whats your problem?

[ Mordred he just told you his problem. ]

un: @AEGONNER // to: @ALL

[northerndragon]

Unless they're people, I don't care what you do with them as long as it stops.

If you're not sure whether or not they're people, best not make the mistake of eating them... or killing them, for that matter.

[mylawn]

If there's uncertainty, then we shouldn't. We don't need more enemies.

[We also don't need to accidentally a genocide, but, you know.]

@CHIPPER

[withimagination]

did you read anything in your studies of a way to keep them away? preferably something that they merely dislike and doesn't cause them any lasting harm.

killing them is unnecessary.

[byhand]

They are hungry creatures in need of food. I've considered sending out an extra blast of coolant to distract them away from BASE.

@ANGLE

[circumspector]

They aren't hurting anyone, we should let them go.

Especially if they were just trying to talk to us. Maybe we can try and talk back?

[byhand]

One would have to through the language of dreaming.

@CMDR

[byfist]

The spawn is crying in its cage. At least I think so, I can't tell what these squelching noises are apart from distracting.

I suggest someone qualified looks after it. Somewhere else other than my office.

[bloodings]

squelching noises?

are you sure these things are a delicacy?

@FAIRYTALE

[scinlae]

Kill them, cook them, release them. I do not care as long as what they are doing stops.

Anymore of this and I strangle the little bastards myself.

[byhand]

I am not sure which is more of a shame: not having any opinion at all, or having one and not caring to act on it.

>>@DRUIDBRO | TO: @ALL

[fernbeleafer]

eradication is cruel and lazy, pests or not
what is their natural habitat? can they not find cool ants elsewhere?
if they are truly sapient, perhaps i can speak with them, arrange some sort of symbiotic coexistence

[ spoilers no she can't she doesn't have that spell on her she's just arrogant and a hippy ]

@BURGERKING

[dipolar]

Coexistence would imply us having to put up with their dreamsharing.

Keyleth. Bring one back to the capsule and I will be very angry.

@POINTANDKICK

[pointedlook]

Normally I'm all for getting rid of pests, but it seems a bit much for these guys. Can't fault nature for doing its thing.

For the record, I'm fairly experienced with dealing in lucid dreams, if the vote sways for catch and release. I'd be fine with volunteering, in case more people are uncomfortable or worried about getting dropped into dreamspace again.

[byhand]

Volunteer in what sense?

@MOEPROBLEMS

[rippedoff]

So, if I'm reading everything right, if we killed them, it'd only be a fraction of their population?

But, out of curiosity, just how bad can this "infection" get? Rather, could they make us sleep forever if they really wanted to?

[She is actually split on this, okay.]

[byhand]

They do not want to do anything to us. Except, I suppose, to keep us from noticing them, so they may eat unhindered. They are not a predatory species by nature, and the issues we have been having with dreaming is a defense mechanism meant to confuse and disorient possible predators. They are a prey animal by nature.

Yes; it would be one colony of the creatures, not the population entire.

@ENTERTHEDRAGON

[ryuji]

They're just hitchikin' across the galaxy guys, we don't gotta kill 'em.

[masque]

sounds extra.

un: @WEHFRIED || to: @ALL

[gerechtigkeit]

Unless they prove to be incredibly dangerous to the point where all our lives are at stake, there's no need to kill them.

Do we know if they'd return, given the chance?

[byhand]

They eat the coolant in the BASE's interiors. Every vehicle that travels through the aether is vulnerable to them.

@basicwitch

[courtintrigue]

You say these creatures are known to invade places like this. If they are indeed capable of intelligent thought it seems that they have already decided to be our enemy.

[byhand]

And all enemies must be eradicated as extremely as possible, yes?

un: @MINIMALCAT

[hakanai]

Logically, I find it dangerous and pointless both to eradicate such creatures if there are so many of them in this space. More may come regardless of what we do and it may go badly if we have caused harm to this first group.

But more than anything else, I could not face Lord Nagamasa in the afterlife if we eradicated them.

[byhand]

You know a man who would have them saved? And what is his argument?

@BRUNNHILDE

[heilt]

Have you ever encountered them before?

[byhand]

Never in person, no. Not before now.

@ALKOHEIST

[frogfractions]

They might have a medicinal or chemical use. No matter the choice, having one as a research subject would be interesting.

Though if they're sentient, I suppose that would fall under 'human experimentation.'

@STORMBORN

[dorzalta]

Bring one into our capsule to 'research,' and you will find all your clutter burnt the next time you leave, Prelati.