Agent K | Network 002

[most_feared]

[Public | Audio]

So, I'll cut to the chase.

So far we have an indeterminate life form, capable of extreme stealth and is highly volatile. I've noticed no sign of greater intelligence but if anyone's noticed differently feel free to prove me wrong. I'd be much happier to be able to reason these things down.

They have no sense of self preservation, and they move at a decent pace but the spiders still got 'em beat. It looks like it takes three shots to bring one down.

The thing is, it'll be in everyone's best interest if there's a solution found and the locals are coming up short, so I'm wondering what information you guys have come across or proposals that you might have.

[Public | Text]

[Added in later.]

Proposals and Facts:
 → Canines and similar species don't like them
 → Possibly building a trap to lead them into
 → Possibly scanning them for weaknesses
 → Don't use weapons or attacks that involve electricity
 → They don't like cats, no word on whether that extends to other species yet

Comments

[most_feared]

The resort has a protective shield in emergencies but it's purposefully not permeable. So this is a situation where the threat has to be controlled. I doubt neutralizing it entirely is going to be a valid option at this point, as they're everywhere. I hope this isn't a sign of escalating numbers.

[timesbureaucrat]

Finding a way to neutralize them would be easier if we knew more about their anatomy and physiology. We might be able to lay poison for them--if we knew what they eat and what is toxic to them. Or we might find ways to more efficiently kill them with ranged weapons--if we knew where their critical organs were located.

But with them having a built-in self destruct, I'm not sure how one of the medics can possibly get close enough to do an examination.

[most_feared]

Scanners could work, but so far wherever they've been shot they seem to take it. Like they're just one big solid pillar of silently scooting "fuck up your day".

[timesbureaucrat]

Oh wonderful. Just what I always needed in my life, a gun-resistant explosive that can chase me.

Can we get close enough to get a good scan?

[He thinks for a moment.]

Or, I suppose I could set up a scanner, attach it to a tree trunk, and some poor unlucky fellow could have the job of luring one of those things close past it a few times.

[most_feared]

It's not gun-resistant. It takes three shots to take it down. The problem is this seems to be uniformly the case, no matter what anatomy they have. We have limited weaponry so we don't have access to anything that would get rid of it in one shot- it risks too much damage if we miss.

I think I like someone else's idea of trappin' it better. Less people put at risk if it's done that way. Besides, I think callin' that person and unlucky fellow isn't exactly going to muster up volunteers.

[timesbureaucrat]

[Narvin shrugs.]

It's my honest assessment. I wouldn't want to be the one assigned that task. But then, there are many people braver...or more foolhardy, than I am.

[If Leela were around, she'd probably leap up and volunteer for it in a heartsbeat.]

It's strange that location of the shot seems to make no difference. Redundant organs perhaps, spread through its body? Or a very simple anatomy, like a giant worm, so it can function even when bits of it have holes blown in it.

[most_feared]

Maybe. It doesn't seem to be good for much else than doodling around and exploding.

You noticed anything in particular yet?

[timesbureaucrat]

Nothing. But then, I can't stay in their presence without my skin crawling and turning and running the other way.

I need to work on that. Not that I mind the early warning, it's very useful, but I'd like it to be my choice whether to run or not.

[Because for all his talk of being a pragmatic coward, he can imagine moments when he might want to stand and fight.]

[most_feared]

That's at least a way of knowing that they're around.

[timesbureaucrat]

But inconvenient for me if I find myself in a position of needing to protect someone from them, but unable to because I'm busy trying to climb the nearest wall to get away.