Your friendly neighborhood space bugs!

[thespaceopera]

[For about a week, now, all ships in the Drift Fleet have had clearance to land on the Blue Planet whenever they'd like. The humanoid natives have all been very open and sociable, nothing short of grateful that the Iskaulit is no longer sending pods down to raid their towns and infect their insectoid brothers.

At first, the Nunnilis themselves stayed very quiet, hiding for safety... But as word of a stable cure spreads through the islands, more and more of them have been spotted out in the open. Now, it's not so unusual to spot a couple of them helping with repairs, and many have been assisting passengers in curing their sickly kin.

Have you been looking for a chance to talk to one? A lot of basic information has already been passed through the Fleet, but perhaps you're looking to ask your own questions about the situation, offer condolences, or just get to know a little more about the Nunnilis themselves. They seem perfectly friendly in their own strange, dozen-limbed way, so there's no time like the present!]


ooc: This is a post for anyone that wants to talk directly to one of the Nunnilis! Mention in your first comment if your character is talking to a particular bug or looking in a specific place (examples include: "someone helping with the cure", "a bug in the marketplace", "someone who looks like they might be in charge", "literally the first random bug they run into on the street"), and we'll go from there! Details on already-common knowledge and this mini-event can be found here (scroll down to "The Iskaulit Saga"). If you need a refresher on what they look like, check out this old info post. This post will be open and running all event, so it's never too late to tag in!

Comments

[dancingmd]

[Naturally, Beverly is heavily involved in the cure efforts, taking on infected Nunnilis as patients. However, she is fully aware that the fleet's own stockpile of medicine won't be nearly enough for the number of cases she's seeing. So she approaches one of the Nunnilis who seems that they might be one of those in charge of the medical facilities.]

Good morning. My name is Dr. Beverly Crusher, of the SS Blue Fish. I was wondering if I could have a word?

[unbearablynaive]

[The Vision is looking for someone who looks like they might be in charge! He's very interested in the political ramifications of the infection, their visit, and what can be done to keep the peace despite their slaughter of the infected bretheren. And if diplomacy can at all help, he's willing to try.]

[thespaceopera]

[it's a little difficult to tell who is more "in charge" than the others, especially with how they seem to be a little hive-minded together... but this darker-shelled Nunnilis seems nothing but curious at her approach, scuttling its many legs around to face her properly.

she has probably already noticed that while their use of the common language is passable, they still sound kind of like someone is running a text-to-speech program through a moving fan.]

If Doctor Beverly Crusher would like. How may I help you?

[thespaceopera]

[unfortunately for the Vision, this isn't an easy search. there is no political center on this planet to speak of, nor do the Nunnilis seem to have much of a ranking system. they share at least a partial hive-mind, so talking to one of them is a lot like talking to all of them... but a little asking around will eventually direct him (after they've all complimented his lovely colors) to a bug that frequently handles matters of trade to nearby systems.

it is quite short, compared to the Vision, but none-the-less lifts its pedipalps in polite attention at his approach.]

[unbearablynaive]

[Well, he's glad someone appreciates his coloring! And he does get the hivemind thing better than many people might, so he's pleased to know that speaking with this Nunnili will, in effect, be like addressing many of them.]

Good afternoon. As I'm sure you've been informed, I am the Vision and I belong to the fleet of ships currently anchored around your beautiful planet.

May I begin my expressing my sincere condolences for the loss of the crew of the Iskaulit?

[thespaceopera]

[ah, it raises it's two smaller torso arms to tap its claws together, burbling quietly at the compliment... another thing that the Vision has quickly learned is that their adaptation of the common human language is passable, even though their voices sound kind of like a text-to-speech program being run through a spinning fan.]

I was told of your coming, yes. We are grateful, truly, that you would take the time to do so.

[this is accompanied with a small dip of its head (and all pincers attached).]

[dancingmd]

Oh, it's not for me. I am just concerned that our fleet's supply of the cure won't last much longer. Besides, I'm uncertain - I don't know how much you know about our situation, but we have no control over when or where our... [Hesitating for a moment as she decides on the best word for this] mothership decides to take us. That being the case, I would like to know if there is someone I should speak with about the possibility of manufacturing the cure here on your planet, so that you don't have to depend on us.

[unbearablynaive]

[It's certainly passable enough by his standards, and he inclines his head in response as well.]

Thank you for that regard. We've made copies of all the log files we were able to locate and are happy to pass them along to you so you may know as much as we do regarding the state of the ship prior to our arrival. Our medical team has also made significant progress in both preventative and curing techniques using the resources we had available. Would this be useful to you?

[thespaceopera]

[it makes a low burbling noise, almost a hum, while tapping the ends of its upper arms together in thought...]

You do not need to worry. Our kind shares many thoughts, and we speak between each other often. Our minds are not separated like those of our mammalian brothers... You speak to many when you speak to one.

[it seems to duck its head a little, face pincers tucking closer. ...shy?]

We have already spoken about you much, Doctor Beverly Crusher. You have been very kind to us, for which we feel deep gratitude.

[thespaceopera]

[it tilts its head a little as it listens, pedipalps tasting at the air in thought...]

We have an interest in both of these. Your team's medical findings, in particular, would be very valuable to us. We have been attempting to find a cure for some time, ourselves, but...

[the representative stills, clicking oddly... but returns to common, after a moment.]

We have had little success finding a solution that does not also cause great damage to those affected. Every one of us would be glad to see other possibilities.

[unbearablynaive]

We will gladly share the information with you. I regret only that those we encountered were too far gone to survive when the infection was neutralized. If there is a chance our data will help to provide a cure or treatment, our encounter with the Iskaulit will not have been in vain.

[And that's what most of the Fleeters he's talked to have been concerned with, really. That some good can come out of their encounter.]

Aside from data, is there any other way we might be of help during our visit? I will admit there was a high level of guilt that we were responsible for the destruction of the infected crewmembers, even though there was nothing else we could do save defend ourselves at that point.

[dancingmd]

[Like the Borg. Yet not like them at all.

In response to the compliment, she gives the insectoid a small smile, quick, but genuine.]

You're welcome. I only wish I could have done more, for your people on the Iskaulit.

[averagestar]

[Well, I know what I want to do. I have some music from the Nunnilis ship, and I'd like to find out what kind of music it is, and the best way to find out, is... to talk to ones that seems like they're involved with music. Let's look for some musician bugs, yes.]

[thespaceopera]

[the Nunnili scuttles calmy forward, stepping well into the Vision's personal space. it means no harm, but does extend one of its smaller torso arms out to grab lightly at the humanoid's own.]

Many of your fleet look like our mammilian brothers, but I admit we are not certain of your collective's conscious abilities. Does the Vision speak and listen on behalf of every member?

[thespaceopera]

Ah... You have done more than many would.

[the bug scuttles carefully closer, reaching out with one of its smaller torso arms to touch Beverly's hand with the round end of its claw.]

I will work with you and your fleet to develop a long-term solution, if you do not mind. I can also take you to several islanders that work in our labs. They have, ah...

[it takes its arm back, clicking its claws together.] ...Thumbs.

[thespaceopera]

[well, there aren't exactly any Nunnilis concert halls or instrument-playing street performers... but she can find one of them selling what look like music boxes in the marketplace!

it sits behind its booth, while something similar to what she found on the Iskaulit plays out of all the strange little percussion parts in the biggest box. it's bopping its head (and attached pincers) to the beat--so maybe it's in a good mood!]

[averagestar]

[Nobody that likes music can be a bad person. But yes, going to listen to the music for a bit, and before making speaking up.]

This is a good song, isn't it? Can you tell me anything about it? Music's important to me, so I'd kind of like to hear about music around here.

[unbearablynaive]

[He clasps the arm as he would for a handshake, though he'll release it quickly if the Nunnili seems to be alarmed.]

I do not. I was given some direction by others of our fleet, and what we say is broadcast to others [at least he assumes there are cameras everywhere for the reality show thing] but it is not a direct joining of consciousness. From my understanding of the others on your planet, treating us as if we function like them is accurate.

[dancingmd]

[The gesture means a lot to Beverly and she lays her other hand lightly on top of the Nunnali's claw in thanks, for just a moment. Being here, among them... it doesn't change what happened, but knowing, at least, that the crew of the Iskaulit will not go unmourned by their own people and that the fleet doctors' efforts have not been in vain brings some measure of comfort.]

Of course... my thumbs and I are at your disposal.

[hearsthesea]

[Shirley's involved in the efforts to treat the Nunnilis, but what she's seen of their relationship with the local humanoid population makes her a little wistful for home - and hopeful, if this mingling culture is what people so different in at least appearance can achieve together. Hoping to find out more about that, she starts with one of the Nunnilis helping out with the cure work.]

Do you know who I might talk to in order to find out more about the history of this place?

[thespaceopera]

[it looks up, pedipalps tasting the air with a sort of insectiod curiosity! their music has always been rather strange, but when one hears that they speak rather like a text-to-speak program that's being run through a fan, it kind of makes sense...]

This song is one of my very favorites! I would be happy to speak of it... [it clicks the ends of its two little torso legs together, almost like clapping.] May I ask, are you one of the visitors from the fleet that found our Iskaulit?

[thespaceopera]

[oh, it's not alarmed at all! rather, it shakes back with enthusiasm. this is a humanoid gestures that they have learned means good things.]

I understand. I will answer your earlier question...

[it takes its hand-claw back, clicking it animatedly.]

We also feel guilt and remorse for what transpired on the Iskaulit... We deeply wish it could have been avoided. However, once a grub has molted its skin, nothing can come of wishing it could fit into its old shell. The sooner it can walk on taller legs, the sooner it can reach the highest branches!

[it holds both sets of arms up, gesturing widely.]

For our own peace, we would like to see the inside of the Iskaulit for ourselves. Some personal objects may still be salvageable, and tradition dictates several rites be performed over the site to send the dead... But, your fleet has no fault to bear. What little help you have already given us has already proved invaluable.

If anyone still wishes to do more, I am sure our brothers would appreciate help with repairs... Ah, and some of them have spotted troubling fungal growths on the island that require further investigating. The Nunnilis have not been able to get close to them, due to our susceptibility.

[thespaceopera]

[their claws are a little bristly, like a crab. it doesn't seem to mind. humans have very strange ways of communicating, but the Nunnilis have at least grown very used to it.

with her agreeing, it pulls its claw back so that it can repeatedly tap both sets of arms together--a little like clapping.]

This is wonderful! We have hopes that we might be able to adapt a cure against other variations that may arise, as well... Perhaps, after the threat is neutralized, we can send some files along to the Nunnilis home world...!

[it taps all of its legs against the ground, excited...?]

[thespaceopera]

Ah... [the Nunnilis she picks looks a little smaller than the others, and has a brighter orange shell... but it still scuttles around on its many legs to face her, and duck its pincered head in polite greeting.

all Nunnilis have a good grasp of the common human language... even if they kind of sound like a text-to-speech program being run through a moving fan.]

Several of us are more experienced in communication and record archival, but... I would be happy to speak with you, if you are interested in general knowledge...

[dancingmd]

[Beverly can't help but smile at its excitement, despite the comment about the possibility of other variations of the disease cropping up, which is...concerning.]

Is your home world far away?