>>@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

[frogfractions]

I object to the use of inverted commas.

Do I seem like the kind of person who'd bring one in purely to annoy you, or because I want a pet?

[dorzalta]

The only annoyance proffered are the visions they induce. It's still a being, sentient or not, and should not be regarded as a mere pet.

[frogfractions]

The dreams it induces could have uses in therapy,
or in extracting information from someone who is unwilling or unable to divulge it.

And if the brain is edible, then it's possible it has medicinal uses.

Basically, I have legitimate scientific curiosity.

[dorzalta]

[ Gosh, you're talking to someone who has no concept of therapy or of obtaining information from someone unable to provide it. ]

You speak of curiosity; it sounds far more like slaughter. There are other ways to extract information from individuals unwilling or unable to, and said ways require far less effort than this. Methods that do not require cutting open a creature for experimentation.

How long until you discover your suspicions to be fact? How many would die in this attempt to provide such medicinal uses?

I will have no part in this. Do not bring these creatures to our capsule.

[frogfractions]

Alchemy is a process of exchange. Knowledge without sacrifice is a pipe dream.

And if you've ever eaten a side of beef in your life, you've done far worse than I'm about to. At least this creature might provide some benefit, outside of feeding someone that could have been fed any number of other ways.

Basically, I'm doing it. I'm curious how you might try to stop me, but the answer will probably disappoint.

[dorzalta]

Tell me: do you make it a habit of dissecting living creatures for the mere benefit of knowledge? What becomes of it once your work is complete?

[ This hits especially close, if only because of her dragons. This woman is mad; she likely would try to dissect her sons on a whim... for science. ]

Do not presume to understand anything in my life, or the ways of my people. That you underestimate me is your own mistake.

[frogfractions]

If I have any reason to believe that the knowledge would benefit others, or further my goals, then yes, I would.

When my work is complete, I have more information with which to work. Plus, these creatures were more than willing to put us at risk in order to feed themselves. Fair is fair.

I don't take any pleasure in it, but I'm not about to pretend it isn't of value.

[dorzalta]

Starvation is starvation. What becomes of the creature?

[ If she were speaking, her words would be clipped. ]

[frogfractions]

If it's edible? Dinner. I'll kill it quickly and humanely, poke around in it, then have it for supper.

Basically, it's much more humane than slaughtering a cow. At least I have two uses for it.

[dorzalta]

You speak of slaughtering a cow and how this is a cruel thing. And yet your plans for this creature fall into line with how the Dothraki would kill a horse. Every piece of the animal is used: flesh, hairs, organs. They are a nomadic tribe, and food is sometimes scarce. The smallfolk are the same, for they fear that winter is coming. Do your people waste their kills?

[ Closing her eyes, she just barely resists the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. ]

See to it that you do not cause unnecessary pain to it. Sentient or not, it's still alive and still likely feels.

[frogfractions]

I'm insulted that you think I would torture it. Even ignoring morality, it'd be a foolish thing to do.

It can control minds on some level, after all. I'd rather not have a creature that could cause me to become braindead thrashing around.

Torturing it wouldn't have any practical benefit, either. I'm a scientist, not a monster.

[There's a decently long pause, then -]

In my time, there is plenty of excess and waste.
I don't think this qualifies, basically.

[dorzalta]

I don't know you well enough to believe otherwise. Experimentation does not carry a positive connotation in my mind. Most in power abuse that power in my world. They would create eunuchs, whip out any sense of self, all for the perfect soldier.

[ Meaning she's in no way to apologize for jumping to conclusions, though she would take care in the future not to grow so waspish so quickly. ]

That's a shame to hear. I wish it weren't the case.