LIU Atlas - Flos Lac
There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Flos Lac
The Ludgonian Industrial Union’s galaxy contains billions of stars and planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
LIU Atlas - Flos Lac
The Ludgonian Industrial Union’s galaxy contains billions of stars and planets. Unfortunately, most residents of the LIU could only name a handful of these worlds. In order to improve astronomy grades across the LIU, TV2 has started a new program called LIU Atlas. Follow our host, Terrance McDoogal, as he takes you on a tour across the LIU and some of its more obscure worlds.
Note: This episode is presented in full screen. The corresponding dialogue is underneath each photo.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re back in the LIU Galaxy, and we’re visiting a small Outer-Rim world called Flos Lac. Flos Lac’s most notable feature is its large chain of volcanoes, which is clearly visible from space. This chain spews enormous amounts of ash and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, driving the planet’s weather, ecology, and economy. ”
Doog: “The first thing I notice upon arrival on the surface is an awful rotten egg smell. Presumably, this has something to do with the sulfuric compounds in the planet’s atmosphere. However, I don’t really know too much about this planet, so there could be a rotten egg factory here or something. Who knows? I learned to keep all options open when visiting these Outer-Rim worlds.”
Doog: “The beings here appear to be quite primitive. I see no signs of advanced technology. Even their homes appear to be primitively built out of local stones. They do have one thing going for them, they seem to have shunned sleeves, like all great beings. Excuse me, are you my guide?”
Ovum: “Ah, you must be Doog. I’m Putrida Ovum. Putrida is my tribal name, so if its easier, you can just call me Ovum.”
Doog: “Ovum it is. So, you live here?”
Doog: “Ovum it is. So, you live here?”
Ovum: “Yes, along with the fourteen members of my tribe. Don’t worry; it’s a lot bigger than it looks.”
Doog : “I hope so. So what are you guys doing? It looks like you’ve been picking flowers.”
Ovum: “Yes, the Flos flower is our main crop here. The conditions in which they thrive are difficult to recreate
artificially and the flower can only be found here on Flos Lac. For instance, the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere creates acid rains which in turn make the soil slightly acidic. The flower only grows in soils with a specific pH level. Also, the ash in the atmosphere filters a lot of the sunlight allowing only a precise spectrum of light to fall to the surface. The flower requires this exact spectrum to survive.”
Doog: “That’s great and all, but did you say acid rain? I not exactly wearing a lot of protection, and I don’t want my skin to burn off.”
Ovum: “Relax. The acid in the rain is too diluted to cause any harm to biological entities. It will, however, cause the erosion of rocks after hundreds of years. Take a look at the reddish pools of water over there. The acid rain has slowly eroded the surrounding rock creating slightly acidic mineral pools at its base. Come on, let’s head inside.”
Doog : “I hope so. So what are you guys doing? It looks like you’ve been picking flowers.”
Ovum: “Yes, the Flos flower is our main crop here. The conditions in which they thrive are difficult to recreate
artificially and the flower can only be found here on Flos Lac. For instance, the sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere creates acid rains which in turn make the soil slightly acidic. The flower only grows in soils with a specific pH level. Also, the ash in the atmosphere filters a lot of the sunlight allowing only a precise spectrum of light to fall to the surface. The flower requires this exact spectrum to survive.”
Doog: “That’s great and all, but did you say acid rain? I not exactly wearing a lot of protection, and I don’t want my skin to burn off.”
Ovum: “Relax. The acid in the rain is too diluted to cause any harm to biological entities. It will, however, cause the erosion of rocks after hundreds of years. Take a look at the reddish pools of water over there. The acid rain has slowly eroded the surrounding rock creating slightly acidic mineral pools at its base. Come on, let’s head inside.”
Doog: “Hey, you guys do have some technology.”
Ovum: “Oh yes. We made do without it for centuries, but the production quotas are too high now to meet without technology. We’ve been forced into a new technological era because of the LIU. We’ve developed a steam-based technology that makes use of the planet‘s natural resources: geothermal heat and acidic mineral waters. The
minerals in the pool allow it too flash boil when exposed to geothermal heat. The steam is then collected, pressurized, and stored. It appears my hardsuit is fully charged. Shall we head out to the flower fields?”
Doog: ‘Sure, where’s my suit?”
Ovum: “I don’t know, didn’t you bring one? Our suits are specialized to fit our biology. We have pretty weak frames and muscles. Without the suits, we’d wouldn’t be able to travel as far in search of flowers. There’s no way you’d fit inside one of our suits.”
Doog: “What about my weak frame and muscles!”
Ovum: “Oh yes. We made do without it for centuries, but the production quotas are too high now to meet without technology. We’ve been forced into a new technological era because of the LIU. We’ve developed a steam-based technology that makes use of the planet‘s natural resources: geothermal heat and acidic mineral waters. The
minerals in the pool allow it too flash boil when exposed to geothermal heat. The steam is then collected, pressurized, and stored. It appears my hardsuit is fully charged. Shall we head out to the flower fields?”
Doog: ‘Sure, where’s my suit?”
Ovum: “I don’t know, didn’t you bring one? Our suits are specialized to fit our biology. We have pretty weak frames and muscles. Without the suits, we’d wouldn’t be able to travel as far in search of flowers. There’s no way you’d fit inside one of our suits.”
Doog: “What about my weak frame and muscles!”
Doog: “How far away are these flowers? I’m exhausted. Unlike you, I don’t get some nifty steam-powered mech to do all the walking for me.”
Ovum: “The problem with the Flos flower is that it is impossible to cultivate. We must let it grow naturally, which means we can’t chose where it sprouts up. Some seasons it grows close to the homestead, other seasons, it grows many miles away. The sporadic, random growing pattern used to force my people to live a more nomadic lifestyle, but these days, technology has allowed us to live a more stationary existence. There’s a field not far from here. Maybe two miles.”
Doog: “Two miles! Does that hardsuit have piggyback capabilities?”
Ovum: “The problem with the Flos flower is that it is impossible to cultivate. We must let it grow naturally, which means we can’t chose where it sprouts up. Some seasons it grows close to the homestead, other seasons, it grows many miles away. The sporadic, random growing pattern used to force my people to live a more nomadic lifestyle, but these days, technology has allowed us to live a more stationary existence. There’s a field not far from here. Maybe two miles.”
Doog: “Two miles! Does that hardsuit have piggyback capabilities?”
Doog: “Pant. Pant. Please tell me this is it.”
Ovum: “Yes, this is one of the fields we are currently harvesting. You’ll see some of my other Putrida tribe members here already working. This is my brother Putrida Huevo.”
Doog: “Yeah, great to meet you. So, what’s the deal with this flower? Why is it so special?”
Ovum: “Yes, this is one of the fields we are currently harvesting. You’ll see some of my other Putrida tribe members here already working. This is my brother Putrida Huevo.”
Doog: “Yeah, great to meet you. So, what’s the deal with this flower? Why is it so special?”
Doog: “Ooh, is it a narcotic like the flowers on Alucinor?”
Ovum: “No, I’m afraid not. It’s a foodstuff. The Flos flower is the only species on Flos Lac that is edible to my people. Actually, it’s not flower or stem that’s edible, it’s its sweet, sweet nectar.”
Ovum: “No, I’m afraid not. It’s a foodstuff. The Flos flower is the only species on Flos Lac that is edible to my people. Actually, it’s not flower or stem that’s edible, it’s its sweet, sweet nectar.”
Ovum: “The nectar is too precious to extract on site, wouldn’t want to waste a drop. Instead, we harvest the whole plant. We’ll bring it back home to extract its nectar. The woody fibers of the leftover plant aren’t wasted though. It’s used as a building material. Let’s head back.”
Doog: “Wait! I thought this was a one way trip. I’m not walking all the way back! Perhaps I can ride with the flowers? You know, you guys can carry me?”
Ovum: “These suits have limited amount of steam power. I can’t risk carrying you and running out of steam halfway back. You’re going to have to suck it up and walk.”
Doog: “You’re going to have to suck it, Ovum.
Ovum: “What was that?”
Doog: “Nothing. Let’s get started.”
Doog: “Wait! I thought this was a one way trip. I’m not walking all the way back! Perhaps I can ride with the flowers? You know, you guys can carry me?”
Ovum: “These suits have limited amount of steam power. I can’t risk carrying you and running out of steam halfway back. You’re going to have to suck it up and walk.”
Doog: “You’re going to have to suck it, Ovum.
Ovum: “What was that?”
Doog: “Nothing. Let’s get started.”
Ovum: “Within our home, we have several flower presses. The flowers are thrown into the press and the nectar is crushed out of them. Not a single bit of nectar is wasted. The extracted nectar is pumped into glass containers like this one here.”
Doog: “And you drink it?”
Ovum: “Oh yes. It’s very delicious. Would you like to try some?”
Doog: “And you drink it?”
Ovum: “Oh yes. It’s very delicious. Would you like to try some?”
Ovum: “Here, have a glass.”
Doog: “Smells sort of sweet. For lack of a better analogy, like a flower. And it tastes like…phew…sick. It tastes like earwax marinated with a poop sauce. Good gracious that is foul!”
Ovum: “Yeah, most humans have that same reaction. Something about our differing taste buds.”
Doog: “Thanks for the heads up! Uh…I’m never getting this taste out of my mouth. How can you sell this to the LIU?”
Ovum: “We don’t sell the LIU pure nectar. That’s used to keep us fed and alive. We harvest much more than we need though, and the leftover nectar is processed into something more valuable. Something even humans can enjoy. Looks like my suit is recharged. Come with me.”
Doog: “Smells sort of sweet. For lack of a better analogy, like a flower. And it tastes like…phew…sick. It tastes like earwax marinated with a poop sauce. Good gracious that is foul!”
Ovum: “Yeah, most humans have that same reaction. Something about our differing taste buds.”
Doog: “Thanks for the heads up! Uh…I’m never getting this taste out of my mouth. How can you sell this to the LIU?”
Ovum: “We don’t sell the LIU pure nectar. That’s used to keep us fed and alive. We harvest much more than we need though, and the leftover nectar is processed into something more valuable. Something even humans can enjoy. Looks like my suit is recharged. Come with me.”
Ovum: “Each tribe collects extra amounts of nectar to be shipped to a central processing plant about ten miles from here. Larger, more powerful steam-powered walkers pick up the surplus nectar and deliver it to the processing plant. That’s where we’re headed next. Of course, this time, we’ll catch a ride.”
Doog: “Thank you. That just about makes up for the fact that you allowed me to drink such a disgusting monstrosity.”
Doog: “Thank you. That just about makes up for the fact that you allowed me to drink such a disgusting monstrosity.”
Ovum: “The first stop in processing the nectar involves a filtration process. The nectar is pumped through several screens to remove impurities, like dirt, sand, and plant fibers.”
Ovum: “The nectar is then combined with some of the planet’s natural acidic mineral water. This starts a chemical reaction which breaks down some of the nectar’s sugars.”
Ovum: “This broken down nectar solution is then pumped into agitators like this. The vibrating, rotating tanks insure the nectar solution is homogenous.”
Doog: “I knew a genius once, but he was straight.”
Ovum: “What?”
Doog: “Nothing. Just a little word play.”
Ovum: “That doesn’t work because homogenous is not pronounce that way.”
Doog: “Quit ruining my fun. Let’s continue.”
Doog: “I knew a genius once, but he was straight.”
Ovum: “What?”
Doog: “Nothing. Just a little word play.”
Ovum: “That doesn’t work because homogenous is not pronounce that way.”
Doog: “Quit ruining my fun. Let’s continue.”
Ovum: “The finished product in then pumped out and bottled up.”
Ovum: “Go ahead and give this a try. You’ll find it is much more tasty to humans now.”
Doog: “I’m not sure if I can trust you this time.”
Ovum: “Come on. Trust me. Every human that has ever tasted this has found it delicious.”
Doog: “Hmm. It smells a bit worse than before, more sulfury with a tint of hand sanitizer smell. I’m not sure I can drink this.”
Ovum: “Come on! Give it a shot.”
Doog: “Ok…hey, that’s not bad! It’s actually pretty sweet. It burns a little going down, but not bad at all. What brand name is this drink sold under. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of it.”
Doog: “I’m not sure if I can trust you this time.”
Ovum: “Come on. Trust me. Every human that has ever tasted this has found it delicious.”
Doog: “Hmm. It smells a bit worse than before, more sulfury with a tint of hand sanitizer smell. I’m not sure I can drink this.”
Ovum: “Come on! Give it a shot.”
Doog: “Ok…hey, that’s not bad! It’s actually pretty sweet. It burns a little going down, but not bad at all. What brand name is this drink sold under. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of it.”
Ovum: “Oh, it’s not a drink, it’s an engine degreaser. Sold under the name Flos Engine Cleaner.”
Doog: “What! You said it was safe to drink!”
Ovum: “No, I never said it was safe. I just said humans find it a bit tastier in this form.”
Doog: “You son of Kaadu! I’m probably going to die from drinking this!”
Ovum: “Relax. You’re not going to die. It’s all-natural. If anything, it will clean some of the toxins out of your system…open up that digestive system.”
Doog: “What do you mean by that?”
Ovum: “Most humans that drink this have explosive diarrhea for a few weeks. No worries though, it cleans out the system.”
Doog: “Having diarrhea on my ship is a death sentence! There’s only one bathroom for the six of us! I‘m going to need some spare underwear!”
Ovum: “Sorry about that.”
Doog: “What! You said it was safe to drink!”
Ovum: “No, I never said it was safe. I just said humans find it a bit tastier in this form.”
Doog: “You son of Kaadu! I’m probably going to die from drinking this!”
Ovum: “Relax. You’re not going to die. It’s all-natural. If anything, it will clean some of the toxins out of your system…open up that digestive system.”
Doog: “What do you mean by that?”
Ovum: “Most humans that drink this have explosive diarrhea for a few weeks. No worries though, it cleans out the system.”
Doog: “Having diarrhea on my ship is a death sentence! There’s only one bathroom for the six of us! I‘m going to need some spare underwear!”
Ovum: “Sorry about that.”
Doog: “Well folks, Flos Lac is an interesting place. Using the planet’s natural resources and little bit of steam technology, the locals are able to produce both food and engine degreaser. Somebody ought to teach them the difference between the two, though. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to reserve some extra time on the Magellan’s bathroom schedule and borrow some of Oldie’s diapers. See ya!”
Note:
After one day, the Magellan’s bathroom was classified a Level Five Biohazard. Luckily, that’s only one level higher than usual.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT EPISODE: Season 5 - Episode 3 - Cruenta Ingenii System
Note:
After one day, the Magellan’s bathroom was classified a Level Five Biohazard. Luckily, that’s only one level higher than usual.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT EPISODE: Season 5 - Episode 3 - Cruenta Ingenii System
