"Right, crew, we're about to be sent on a hull inspection. Now, I know we've done this kind of thing before, but people will be watching our performance, so be alert and on your best behavior! We're Mitlacks and we've got all the qualifications, so we have to be prepared to blow them away with what an awesome job we'll do of it. Steady on! Captain out."
Address the crew and take the job. Do get a briefing on what we're supposed to check for, however, since it always pays to be sure and you wouldn't want to confuse an extra-hull symbiote with a malcontent in the heat of the moment.
"Inspection elements: Air leaks, fuel leaks, radiation leaks (aside from the standard thermal, and any communications beams, which are by nature radiation leakages), pitting, corrosion beyond a minimum expected standard (which is provided), make sure the exterior assemblages are in good working condition, generally any living organism should not be fastened to the hull - we are not aware of any sanctioned external hitchhikers. But do radio us with details before gooing up any possibly sapient organic masses, eh? Unless at risk of your ship. Other alarming or concerning objects, lack of expected objects, events, or lack of expected events as your judgment dictates to be significant."
(6) meanwhile, your speech has inspired the crew to look and act their best. Naturally, this means a full inspection, which means a detailed cleanup of the ship and crew. The XO, Liffin, schedules some training maneuvers, and the ops officer pores over all the information on the specifications of the refuge ship that they can get their hands on ... or at least, that communications operator Thlayla can get downloaded into the ship's banks. Naturally, this delays your launch, and paperwork piles up on your desk, both figuratively, because most of it is digital, and literally, because some of it is analog.
Identities, rumours, mostly.
(1) you hear a rumor that the subcaptain Berklesmith eats babies. You hope that is a translation error. Or maybe you don't. I don't really know your species' stance on the issue of baby eating.
okay, you begin the arduous process of integrating. You'll need more energy and nutrients to continue, of course. Reanimating once living tissue and neural networks is a complicated process, even for a slime. For now, I'll semi-automate the integration process, but you'll need to remind me of it from time to time, because I am a lazy GM.
(3) you kinda move like the bug from the original Men In Black, wearing his Edgar suit. (6 )you literally fall over on top of that other organic corpse I mentioned before.
Try to find other crew members in the meantime.
Other members of your own species? or what? Who are you looking for? Volunteers? Members of your previous military?
When was the last time you saw said beings?
Author
Topic: Life in Space (Read 10406 times)