>>@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

@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.

[mylawn]

[o ok so we just throw them out the window]

Preventative measures to avoid re-infestation?

[byhand]

Briefly leaving the aether and then returning will disorient them enough that they're likely not to be able to find us. Likewise, they will want to stay by their colony rather than attempt to board us once again, if my understanding of their behavior is correct.

[mylawn]

Seems to me the choice is pretty obvious, if killing the ones on board won't prevent a different colony from hitching a ride in the future.

[He's going to err on the side of not accidentally mass murdering a sapient species.]

[byhand]

Then I hasten you to argue your opinion, whatever that is, and vote as such when the time comes.

[mylawn]

Sort of a weird social experiment you're conducting, boss.

[byhand]

By letting you decide your own fates?

Would handing a directive down with an iron will not defeat the purpose of this organization entire?

[mylawn]

Depends on whether we're supposed to be a democracy. Do we get to vote on everything?

[byhand]

When we are not under direct fire? I should hope. We do not have much in the way of supplies to show an advantage over our enemy; we must distinguish ourselves with a far more precious resource: basic moral fortitude.

[mylawn]

And if it turns out the vote is to kill them for fun, or out of boredom? You'd accept that?

[byhand]

I do not generally concern myself with far-flung hypotheticals so far from likelihood as to exist only to test the boundaries of my capacity for empathy, but, for your sake: yes, I would accept that. I am a teacher, not a commander. If a student makes it clear they wish only to learn heinous, pointless violence... well, I trained Ajax. I know how to manage such things.

[mylawn]

Fair enough.

[masque]

well, that makes my decision. no point.

[byhand]

Oh?

[masque]

if we get them off the ship and their chances of return are minimal, we can always put it off. you might have more data on them in the future if they do return.

[byhand]

An excellent point. I hasten you to argue it where you deem necessary.

[masque]

[i need zapchat to send you a heart sticker... damn]

yes, sergeant.