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GEK
PuzzleType: TRA_NPC_
Alien: Hello new friend! The Gek first encounter tradition is to give units!
The small creature is busy adding up trade profits when I appear. Their eyes open wide in anticipation of our first contact, and they rubs their fingers together greedily.
The lifeform pecks emphatically at the monetary figures on their pad, then bounces up and down. I can't help but notice that they smell amazing.
{Give units}
The lifeform is clearly thrilled. They give me something in exchange.
---TECHFRAG_S---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Apologise for being unable to help}
The lifeform looks disappointed. They take pity on my confusion, and give me some units.
---MONEY---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Pat the lifeform on the head}
There is a long silence. The trader emits a foul-smelling gas.
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend despair! Gek Trader replace bad scent! Watch! Gek swallow oxide elements, and joyful scent appears!
The air around the beaked lifeform smells foul. It seeps into my exosuit and makes me gag. Noticing my expression, the trader pecks at an element they carry. They break the substance into pieces, then swallow each whole.
There is a deep gurgle, and the Gek emits a gas packet that smells delightful. The creature wipes their empty hands, and beams at me with pleasure.
{Thank with common isotope}
The trader nods a brief thank you. They pay for my contribution, but would perhaps have preferred something else.
---MONEY---
{Thank with common oxide}
The overjoyed trader pecks happily at my gift. They thank me with their own generous offering.
---TECHFRAG_M---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Thank with common silicate}
The trader nods a brief thank you. They pay for my contribution, but would perhaps have preferred something else.
---MONEY---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Welcome friend. Gek trader desire common oxides and common silicates. Gek trader DEEPLY desire isotopes! Teach new friend language!
The lifeform's eyes widen in surprise when I go to talk to it. They lean back, and watch for sudden movements. They have very clearly never seen anything quite like me before.
I mime that I cannot speak their language and, increasingly reassured, the beaked trader indicates that they are willing to help - in exchange for particular elements.
{Give silicate}
The grateful trader clicks their beak. They teach me some of the dialect of their people.
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
{Give oxide}
The grateful trader clicks their beak. They teach me some of the dialect of their people.
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
{Give isotope}
The grateful trader clicks their beak with delight. My offering is clearly what it most desired. They teach much of the dialect of their people.
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Despair! Gek Trader stranded. Suit power low. Give Isotope?
The trader eyes the facility exit door sadly, as if they have been stuck in here for a while. They reach down with their beak and dejectedly pecks at their suit's power cells and life support system.
Their suit looks run down. The lack of charge means that it's ill-equipped for the hostile conditions that rage outside.
{Give Isotope element}
The relieved trader emits a gas packet. They recharge their suit power cells, and reward me.
---TECH_ALL---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Give Silicate element}
The lifeform is confused.
{Ask for help}
Alien: Stupid friend cannot understand! Give oxide, idiot friend! Fair trade for gift of memory-smell!
The trader emits a strong, flowery scent, which quickly enters my exosuit system. I feel overcome with nostalgia for a perfect place I have never visited. I want to sing.
Flushed with joy, I try to signal my thanks to the trader for this olfactory gift, but they make it clear that they expect something in return.
{Give units}
The trader takes my units, and turns away from me. The air suddenly tastes sour. My senses are being punished.
{Give rare oxide}
The trader snorts in satisfaction, and suddenly I feel as though I am lounging beside a crystal ocean. A fair trade.
---TECHFRAG_M---
{Refuse}
The trader hisses in annoyance. The air suddenly tastes sour. My senses are being punished.
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend... Installation hydration system stalled... Gek temperature high... Help friend... thirst... high... drink... fluid...
The trader seems ill. Their skin is flaking their eyes lack a certain lustre. Their voice croaks and scratches as they slowly gabble at me.
A strange dry, flat stench fills every corner of the facility. I inspect my exosuit for things I could offer this lifeform...
{Give food from exosuit's nutrient system}
The disappointed trader waves me away.
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Give water from exosuit's hydration system}
The trader greedily gulps from my hydration system.
Their gratitude seems immense.
---STD_INC_TRA---
---TECH_ALL---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend! The planetary technology SalesGek greets you! A multi-tool technology blueprint for a fair price!
The trader looks weak, but they have a cunning air about them. They spin a datapad towards me, and I see that they're selling Multi-Tool components. The prices, however, are eye-watering.
They eye me with a wary interest, waiting to see if I'll bite...
{Pay requested amount}
The delighted trader provides a blueprint. They emit an amazing scent.
---TECH_WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Pressure lifeform into accepting less}
The angry trader grudgingly relents. They emit a foul scent.
---TECH_WEAPON---
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend! Please avoid crime report and reward! Trader share loot, destroy evidence!
I have caught the trader red-handed. Products and elements are pouring out of the facility's storage vaults, and into their own inventory. Above the gentle buzz of embezzlement that now surrounds us, I can hear the lifeform's terrified gulps.
They look me straight in the eyes, and makes a proposition.
{Demand all stolen goods}
I threaten the trader and take all their purloined trade goods! They report the crime, and blame me...
---P_GRAVBALL---
---SUBST_FUEL---
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Demand a share}
The trader splits their ill-gotten gains with me. No-one will ever know...
---PROD_COMMOD---
---SUBST_FUEL---
{Report crime}
I report the crime, and assume that the trader will be duly punished. I receive a reward.
---TECH_ALL---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: The Gek Trade Federation offer help!
The trader has been expecting me. They point to their chest, opens their arms wide, and beam pleasantly. They then point to me, and mime concern for my safety.
Pecking at my exosuit, they indicate they might make my journey more bearable.
{Request help with the Sentinels}
The trader offers me a new multi-tool.
---WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Request help with planetary conditions}
The trader gives me an exosuit technology blueprint.
---TECH_SUIT---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Despair! I am trapped and bankrupt! Low units!
The lifeform sits in a foul-smelling funk of their own creation. The trading screen behind them is empty, their equipment old and uncared for. Their suit barely looks airtight.
The demoralised lifeform looks up at me with hope in their eyes.
{Give units}
The grateful lifeform gives me the last of their belongings.
---TECHFRAG_S---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Shake hands}
The lifeform sits in total dejection.
{Refuse to help}
The lifeform sits in total dejection.
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend! I am a Gek Trade Federation accredited engineer! I give help!
The lifeform clucks and gabbles as they study my equipment. They gently peck at areas of my exosuit that show wear and tear, then runs their gloved fingers over my multi-tool to look for irregularities and imperfections.
Suddenly staring up at me, they squawk an offer and spin a tablet that shows the cost of their services.
{Pay for multi-tool inspection}
The lifeform presents me with a new technology
---STD_INC_TRA---
---TECH_WEAPON---
{Pay for exosuit inspection}
The lifeform mutters and clucks.
They give me a new exosuit technology blueprint.
---TECH_SUIT---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Rare balarian speech slug distribution point! For insertion in ear! Inedible! Nasal insertion can cause death.
The trader pulls open a noisy trade vault. A close inspection reveals that it's full of writhing molluscs. They are pink and slug-like, with sharp bloodied teeth.
The lifeform suggests that inserting one in or around my face would have some benefits. What I can't quite make out, however, is which orifice it means...
{Insert slug in nose}
The slug bites flesh from my nose. The pain is extreme.
---DAMAGESMALL---
{Insert slug in ear}
The slug burrows deep into my ear. I feel better versed in the language of the traders.
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
{Insert slug in mouth}
I swallow the slug, and wait while it thrashes around in my stomach.
Nothing else of note occurs.
{Ask for help}
Alien: Despair! Friend, my Deflector Shield blueprint is corrupt!
The lifeform is poring over complex schematics while holding their breath. The holographic blueprints look corrupted. Damaged in-flight, perhaps.
The forlorn trader, their face smudged by a strange oil, looks up to me for help.
{Show Pulse Engine blueprint}
The lifeform thanks me politely... But looks at me as if I am deranged.
{Show Phase Beam blueprint}
The trader makes an audible sigh.
{Show Deflector Shield blueprint}
The overjoyed trader gabbles its thanks. They excitedly hand over a gift.
---TECH_SHIP---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend! The planetary SalesGek greets you! Low units technology!
The trader welcomes me with a pleasant-smelling gas emission. They open a holographic catalogue of exciting companion units for Mining Beams and Boltcasters.
I spot a catalogue of advanced weaponry behind the trader while they're trying to impress me with what looks like a curtsy.
{Offer units for an exosuit technology blueprint}
The trader gives me an exosuit technology blueprint.
---TECH_SUIT---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Offer units for a new multi-tool blueprint}
The trader offers me a new multi-tool blueprint.
---TECH_WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Terrible pirate events. Gek Trader mistrusts the stranger. What is your cargo's origin?
The visibly upset lifeform shows me a holographic video of attack craft forcing a trade ship to crash land on a planet's surface. Footage taken from orbit shows waiting pirates swarm the cargo hold in a haze of plasma rounds.
The trader then points to the elements I've mined, and looks concerned - accusatory even. They emit a packet of gas that smells troubled.
{Reassure with Mining Beam}
I convince the trader that I am to be trusted. They are hugely relieved.
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Reassure with Boltcaster}
The trader thinks that I am not to be trusted.
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
Alien: Friend! Gek Trade Network offers excellent trade gifts for Oxide elements today!
The Trader bounces excitedly while it boots up a graph that spins gently in front of me. There are three coloured lines - a plunging blue one, a soaring red one and another that's a fairly flat and uneventful yellow.
The squat little lifeform gabbles a little, points to themself and hops from foot to foot. They seem to want to trade items for elements.
{Offer Silicate element}
I trade my elements for a disappointing gift... The trader is thankful.
---STD_INC_TRA---
---PROD_FUEL---
{Offer Isotope element}
I trade my elements in exchange for an excellent gift
---WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Offer Oxide element}
I trade my elements for an acceptable gift from the trader. They are grateful.
---TECHFRAG_M---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
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#16
Alien: Pathetic interloper species! Equivalent to Korvax and Gek! Show Vy'keen warrior strength!
The warrior is old, and of a high rank. They take their time studying my body and my equipment – and snarls with disapproval. They grab my visor suddenly, and watch me instinctively flinch and recoil.
They let me go and rolls their eyes while I fall back in shock. The lifeform's disdain is palpable. I think of ways to turn this encounter around...
{Do a little dance}
The elderly warrior disapproves of my little dance. They strike me, with great force.
---DAMAGESMALL---
---STD_DEC_WAR---
{Threaten with multi-tool}
The elderly warrior is amused by my show of strength. They reward me.
---WEAPON---
---STD_INC_WAR---
{Bow}
The elderly warrior pushes me away. They have no time for my kind.
{Ask for help}
#21
Alien: Grah! Vy'keen war preparation nears completion! Death to the unsuspecting Gek! Give rare isotope!
The warrior is building a nuclear warhead. The plans they hold in their hand are unmistakable. A complicated sequence of blueprints and isotopic chemical reactions is waiting for the final addition of an element to be complete.
There are countless lives on an unknown planet, far out in the cosmos, that could one day end due to this lifeform's work...
{Complete warhead manufacture}
The warrior is overjoyed. We embrace, and I receive gifts.
---TECHFRAG_M---
---STD_INC_WAR---
{Refuse to help}
The warrior snarls. They will not let my pettiness disrupt its mission...
---STD_DEC_WAR---
{Inform threatened species}
I receive a reward from a distant species.
---TECHFRAG_L---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
#18
Alien: Hirk blesses the sleep. Hirk recharges the warrior. Cursed is the warrior that interrupts the sleep of Hirk.
As I approach, the warrior appears alert and welcoming. Suddenly, however, a personal alarm sounds from their datapad. The lifeform instinctively falls into some kind of trance. Their eyes mist over, they stare straight through me and they mumble the same strange mantra over and over again.
The trading vault at their feet appears unlocked, but there are security observation cameras dotted around the facility...
{Wake the warrior}
The warrior is woken from their trance early. They scream in anger.
---STD_DEC_WAR---
{Leave the warrior alone}
The warrior suddenly awakes from their brief trance. They thank me for not interrupting.
---TECHFRAG_M---
---STD_INC_WAR---
{Open trading vault}
I carefully remove an item from the trading vault, while security systems look on. Moments later the warrior wakes from their trance.
---WEAPON---
---STD_DEC_WAR---
{Ask for help}
#9
Alien: Grah! Fuel! I need fuel to join my brothers in honourable war! Death! Death!
The warrior is tracking the paths of hundreds of warships across a galactic map, all converging on the same planetary system. This does not bode particularly well for the system in question, which appears to be populated by beaked traders of some variety.
A course plotted by the warrior itself has come up short. They cannot make the complete journey. They slam their fist against the terminal and howl until spittle flecks my visor.
{Give fuel}
The warrior yaps with joy. They thank me with a gift.
---TECHFRAG_M---
---STD_INC_WAR---
{Refuse to help}
The warrior snarls. They are rather insulted.
---STD_DEC_WAR---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Ask for help}
#23
Alien: Interloper - watch this... You will gain knowledge... courage... grah...
The warrior removes their helmet, spittle rolling down from its mouth. It invites me to put the helmet on my own head.
{Put helmet on}
As I put the helmet over my head, I see that there is a screen upon the inside. Suddenly I am transported, seeing a vision of the entire universe. I am all that I can see.. but it is not the universe as it is now.
I look down at myself, seeing the body of a Vy'keen, aged, worn... I began to rip myself apart...
The helmet comes off. The warrior nods approvingly, giving me nanites to assist in my travels.
---TECHFRAG_S---
{Refuse}
I refuse. The warrior seems to care little, turning aside from me.
{Ask for help}
#24
Alien: Grah! Face me, Interloper! Prepare for battle!
The warrior appears to be flexing its muscles as I approach, holding its body in various stances.
It beckons me forth, forming fists with its hands.
{Challenge}
As I approach, the warrior lunges forward and places my head within its arms, proceeding to beat me severely.
After a while, apparently disappointed at the poor level of challenge I presented, it gives me compensation for my time and heals my wounds.
---DAMAGESMALL---
---HEALTHSMALL---
---MONEY---
{Retreat}
The warrior shrugs and turns back to its practice.
{Draw your weapon}
I draw my weapon, causing the warrior to become enraged at my disrespect.
It begins to shout and spit, and delivers me a short, sharp slap.
---DAMAGESMALL---
{Ask for help}
#25
Alien: Tell me, interloper... do you know the secret of this universe?
The warrior glares at me, its skin sagging, its frame evidently in pain. Yet still it tries to stand and face me...
It has been reading an ancient text - a bloodied scroll with Vy'keen script. Upon it I see an image of two warriors standing before a Great Monolith, a dagger held behind one of their backs. There are sixteen such images upon the scroll.
{Say sixteen}
The warrior is disturbed by my answer. They give me what little technology they possess to help me bear this burden.
---TECH_WEAPON---
{Point to the dagger}
I point to the dagger and the warrior nods approvingly, whispering the name 'Nal'. It gives me units to assist my work.
---MONEY---
{Point to the Monolith}
I point to the Monolith and the warrior grows stern at my answer. It has little left to say to me.
{Ask for help}
#26
Alien: Do you wish to end up like this pathetic interloper, child? You must train harder...
The warrior is exasperated, screaming down its communicator channel at what appears to be an infant of its own species.
The warrior turns the communicator towards me, barking instructions in an alien tongue.
{Join in screaming}
I join in the screaming, causing the infant to cry. The warrior shakes its head in disappointment at the infant, giving me a token reward for my troubles.
---C_VYKEENEFFIGY---
{Distort your expression}
I distort my expression in an attempt to amuse the infant, but it begins to growl at me instead. Delighted, the warrior rewards me handsomely.
---TEACHWORD_WAR---
---STD_INC_WAR---
---TECH_WEAPON---
{Fire a warning shot}
I fire a warning shot, causing the infant to snap to attention. Impressed, the warrior rewards me with nanites and begins to shout at the infant once more.
---TECHFRAG_S---
{Ask for help}
#27
Alien: Grah! I cannot forgive this treason... they were my Consort, interloper!
The warrior is forlorn. It shows me an image of two members of its species embracing.
It appears to be weeping.
{Embrace the warrior}
I embrace the warrior. After a few moments, it screams at me to leave.
{Smash the image}
I smash the image. The warrior stares at it for a moment before starting to laugh.
It gives me an unknown Vy'keen's possessions by way of thanks.
---C_VYKEENEFFIGY---
---TECHWEAPON---
{Dry its tears}
I move to dry its tears, but the warrior appears to be too ashamed to allow such sympathy. It begs me to leave, bribing me to tell no-one of its shame.
---MONEY---
{Ask for help}
#28
Alien: They tried to shut us down. Grah! The Crimson Sentinels will never be silenced. One - two - three - four -
The warrior watches its brethren on a screen, a squadron of fighters holding multi-tools and blunt weapons. They stand on a platform half a universe away. Off-camera, enemies appear to be screaming. Flames erupt near the feet of the warriors...
Their leader holds out its multi-tool, strings of energy extending forth. They begin to pluck the strings, the sounds mingling with the unholy din of blunt weapons smashed against the shells of dead Sentinels...
The watcher does not notice me, and the performance continues on the screen...
{Offer units in appreciation}
The warrior turns. It appears angered by the association between money and music. It begins to spit and shout, demanding that I leave.
---STD_DEC_WAR---
{Interrupt the music}
The warrior is angry at the interruption, throwing various objects at me to get me to leave. One of them appears to be useful.
---DAMAGESMALL---
---RECIP_PROD_COMM---
{Try to copy the music}
The warrior turns and hears my attempt to mimic its music. It joins in, shouting and crying, inhaling battle gas periodically. When I leave, it gives me nanites in appreciation of my untamed spirit.
---TECHFRAG_S---
{Ask for help}
#29
Alien: Grah! Vote for strongest is vote to end voting! Interloper, choose correctly!
The warrior stands to attention, handing me a communication somehow tailored to my own language.
It informs me that the Vy'keen High Command has placed this system under temporary democratic rule until a state of emergency is lifted.
The warrior shows me multiple candidates for the system primarch.
{Choose the strongest}
The warrior is pleased with my choice, giving me a gift in encouragement.
---STD_INC_WAR---
{Choose the wisest}
The warrior is angered by my choice, but respects my temporary right to make it.
{Choose the pro-Gek candidate}
The warrior is disgusted by my choice. After recording it, they headbutt me and demand that I leave.
---DAMAGELARGE---
{Ask for help}
#30
Alien: Grah! Admire my works and despair, interloper...
This warrior is different to others I have encountered... it bears the insignia of its species, yet there is something else, an air of pride and superiority.
It shows me a schematic for an Exocraft as large as a space station. Underneath its wheels are crudely drawn images of Gek and Sentinels.
{Admire the image}
I express my admiration for the image. In return the warrior rewards me with nanites. It gestures as if to warn me from stealing their idea.
---TECHFRAG_S---
{Laugh at the image}
I laugh at the image and in return the warrior shoots me in the foot.
---DAMAGESMALL---
{Add a weapon to it}
I add an image of a weapon to the schematic. Initially the warrior seems sceptical, alarmed at my attempt to interfere.
But when they see what I have created, they stare at me and begin to slowly clap their approval. They give me the finest Nanite Clusters so that I may see our vision realised.
---TECHFRAG_M---
{Ask for help}