There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Altrix
The Ludgonian Industrial Union's galaxy contains billions of stars and billions of 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.
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 visiting the planet, Altrix. Altrix is a temperate planet with a variety of environments. There are mountainous plateaus, dry deserts, and vegetation-heavy foothills. It’s the latter that we’re focused on. These foothills are home to many unique species, including various plants with red foliage. Dense patches of this flora are visible from space. We’re headed to one such area. Let’s go.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off outside of an industrial-looking building. There’s a strong chemical smell in the air. I’m not sure if it’s coming from the factory or the red plants to my left. Either way, I plan on breathing through my mouth from this point forward.”
Doog: “What are you guys making in there? It smells horrible.”
Guy: “We’re not making anything. This is a waste water station.”
Doog: “Waste water? Like sewage?”
Guy: “Yeah.”
Doog: “Why does the sewage smell like chemicals?”
Guy: “Would you rather it smell like normal sewage, weirdo?”
Doog: “No. I guess not.”
Guy: “That’s what I thought.”
Doog: “It’s just strange.”
Guy: “I ain’t no expert, but I’m told the locals have some bizarre chemicals in their waste. The smell is a combination of those chemicals and the chemicals we treat the water with.”
Doog: “Is this another Stercus situation?”
Guy: “I don’t know what that means.”
Guy: “We’re not making anything. This is a waste water station.”
Doog: “Waste water? Like sewage?”
Guy: “Yeah.”
Doog: “Why does the sewage smell like chemicals?”
Guy: “Would you rather it smell like normal sewage, weirdo?”
Doog: “No. I guess not.”
Guy: “That’s what I thought.”
Doog: “It’s just strange.”
Guy: “I ain’t no expert, but I’m told the locals have some bizarre chemicals in their waste. The smell is a combination of those chemicals and the chemicals we treat the water with.”
Doog: “Is this another Stercus situation?”
Guy: “I don’t know what that means.”
Marcy: “You must be Doog! I’m your guide, Marcy Bloom.”
Doog: “Hi, Marcy.”
Marcy: “What a beautiful day, huh?”
Doog: “It’s alright. It would be better if it didn’t smell like bleach, burnt pennies, and a trace of farts.”
Marcy: “Ha, that’s one way to describe it. The smell comes from the water treatment and the separation process.”
Doog: “Separation process?”
Marcy: “Yeah, let’s head inside.”
Doog: “Hi, Marcy.”
Marcy: “What a beautiful day, huh?”
Doog: “It’s alright. It would be better if it didn’t smell like bleach, burnt pennies, and a trace of farts.”
Marcy: “Ha, that’s one way to describe it. The smell comes from the water treatment and the separation process.”
Doog: “Separation process?”
Marcy: “Yeah, let’s head inside.”
Marcy: “This treatment plant has a few functions. Like normal water treatment facilities, it cleans the water so it can be reused. This is done with a few mechanical filters, the addition of chloramine, and some activated carbon screens. Pretty stand stuff.”
Doog: “If you say so.”
Marcy: “But here on Altrix, there’s an extra step. Our Altricari friends sweat out trace amounts of a chemical compound called Beryllium Orthoate. It must be collected. So, after purification, the water passes through a series of microfiltration membranes that isolate the BO molecules. Those molecules are piped into the storage tanks you see over there.”
Doog: “There’s a lot to unpack there. So, Altrix has a native race?”
Marcy: “Yes, the Altricari.”
Doog: “They sweat a rare compound?”
Marcy: “Yes, Beryllium Orthoate. We call it BO. It’s both shorter and more fitting, considering where it comes from.”
Doog: “BO is also body odor. I just now picked up on that. That leaves only one question – why are you collecting BO from the Altricari?”
Marcy: “Oh, there are plenty more questions. Let’s continue.”
Doog: “If you say so.”
Marcy: “But here on Altrix, there’s an extra step. Our Altricari friends sweat out trace amounts of a chemical compound called Beryllium Orthoate. It must be collected. So, after purification, the water passes through a series of microfiltration membranes that isolate the BO molecules. Those molecules are piped into the storage tanks you see over there.”
Doog: “There’s a lot to unpack there. So, Altrix has a native race?”
Marcy: “Yes, the Altricari.”
Doog: “They sweat a rare compound?”
Marcy: “Yes, Beryllium Orthoate. We call it BO. It’s both shorter and more fitting, considering where it comes from.”
Doog: “BO is also body odor. I just now picked up on that. That leaves only one question – why are you collecting BO from the Altricari?”
Marcy: “Oh, there are plenty more questions. Let’s continue.”
Marcy: “BO is nearly impossible to manufacture artificially.”
Doog: “Really, I make BO all day, every day.”
Marcy: “Very funny, but I’m speaking about Beryllium Orthoate. Beryllium Orthoate can only be made by the Altricari metabolic system, but they can’t do it alone. There’s a long chain of biological processes that must occur first.”
Doog: “What does that mean?”
Marcy: “Well, it all starts with the plants of Altrix. They metabolize soil compounds into Beryllium Phytate, a highly poisonous chemical cousin of Beryllium Orthoate.”
Doog: “I’m guessing the Altricari eat these plants and convert the poison to good BO.”
Marcy: “Actually, no. The plants of Altrix are poisonous to the Altricari as well. There’s another step.”
Doog: “Really, I make BO all day, every day.”
Marcy: “Very funny, but I’m speaking about Beryllium Orthoate. Beryllium Orthoate can only be made by the Altricari metabolic system, but they can’t do it alone. There’s a long chain of biological processes that must occur first.”
Doog: “What does that mean?”
Marcy: “Well, it all starts with the plants of Altrix. They metabolize soil compounds into Beryllium Phytate, a highly poisonous chemical cousin of Beryllium Orthoate.”
Doog: “I’m guessing the Altricari eat these plants and convert the poison to good BO.”
Marcy: “Actually, no. The plants of Altrix are poisonous to the Altricari as well. There’s another step.”
Marcy: “The best way to see the next step is to visit an Altricari enclave. Doog, I’d like to introduce one of my Wellness Partners, Lemiri! Lemiri is last week’s Sweat-Superstar! She absolutely demolished the bike-a-thon!”
Lemiri: “Uh, hey.”
Doog: “Hey.”
Marcy: “Lemiri, aside from her unbeatable fitness drive, is an avid gardener, like most Altricari. This is her garden.”
Doog: “Why have a garden if all the plants are poisonous?”
Lemiri: “Uh, hey.”
Doog: “Hey.”
Marcy: “Lemiri, aside from her unbeatable fitness drive, is an avid gardener, like most Altricari. This is her garden.”
Doog: “Why have a garden if all the plants are poisonous?”
Lemiri: “Because the plants aren’t for me. I mean, I do find them aesthetically pleasing, but the garden’s main purpose is for sustaining my Nibs.”
Doog: “Your what?”
Lemiri: “My Nibs. My pets.”
Doog: “Your what?”
Lemiri: “My Nibs. My pets.”
Doog: “Those things are your pets?”
Lemiri: “Yep. This one is Rilo. She’s my most needy Nib. She needs pets every few minutes or she’ll start whining. Don’t you, Rilo? Oh, and that’s my best buddy Reyno over there on the Redbo stalks. He eats so much I almost need a second garden.”
Doog: “So, you keep pets in your poisonous garden?”
Lemiri: “The plants aren’t toxic to my Nibs. Are they? Are they, Rilo?”
Marcy: “This is the next step I was talking about, Doog. The Nibs eat the Beryllium Phytate in the plants and convert it to Beryllium Nibate.”
Doog: “Wait…the Altricari eat the Nibs and their Nibate to make the good BO?”
Lemiri: “Never! Close your ear holes, Rilo! Don’t listen to the mean reporter!”
Doog: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was just guessing.”
Marcy: “The Altricari love their pets like children. The adore them for their companionship and loyalty. They also love the Nibs for the nectar-like secretions they produce. Beryllium Nibate, and the sweet mucus it’s excreted in, are the only sustenance the Altricari have.”
Doog: “All they have to eat on this planet is Nib boogers?!”
Lemiri: “We don’t eat boogers! I don’t like this guy, Marcy!”
Marcy: “The Nibs don’t produce this Beryllium Nibate mucus in their noses. It’s produced in a special gland. Think of it as being more like a flower’s nectar or an aphid’s honeydew.”
Doog: “It’s still weird, no matter where it comes from.”
Marcy: “From an evolutionary standpoint, it’s completely normal. The Altricari and their Nibs have formed a mutualistic symbiosis where both partners benefit. The Nibs get gardens of food, safety, and companionship, while the Altricari get food and companionship.”
Lemiri: “Yep. This one is Rilo. She’s my most needy Nib. She needs pets every few minutes or she’ll start whining. Don’t you, Rilo? Oh, and that’s my best buddy Reyno over there on the Redbo stalks. He eats so much I almost need a second garden.”
Doog: “So, you keep pets in your poisonous garden?”
Lemiri: “The plants aren’t toxic to my Nibs. Are they? Are they, Rilo?”
Marcy: “This is the next step I was talking about, Doog. The Nibs eat the Beryllium Phytate in the plants and convert it to Beryllium Nibate.”
Doog: “Wait…the Altricari eat the Nibs and their Nibate to make the good BO?”
Lemiri: “Never! Close your ear holes, Rilo! Don’t listen to the mean reporter!”
Doog: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was just guessing.”
Marcy: “The Altricari love their pets like children. The adore them for their companionship and loyalty. They also love the Nibs for the nectar-like secretions they produce. Beryllium Nibate, and the sweet mucus it’s excreted in, are the only sustenance the Altricari have.”
Doog: “All they have to eat on this planet is Nib boogers?!”
Lemiri: “We don’t eat boogers! I don’t like this guy, Marcy!”
Marcy: “The Nibs don’t produce this Beryllium Nibate mucus in their noses. It’s produced in a special gland. Think of it as being more like a flower’s nectar or an aphid’s honeydew.”
Doog: “It’s still weird, no matter where it comes from.”
Marcy: “From an evolutionary standpoint, it’s completely normal. The Altricari and their Nibs have formed a mutualistic symbiosis where both partners benefit. The Nibs get gardens of food, safety, and companionship, while the Altricari get food and companionship.”
Marcy: “Because the Nibs are so important – both for social and nutritional reasons – it is in the best interest of the Altricari to take great care of them. They spend a lot of time maintaining these gardens.”
Lemiri: “My babies must eat. Even pudgy little Nerala, here.”
Doog: “How many Nibs do you have?”
Lemiri: “I’m not sure I should I tell you, considering you tried to tell my smooch-able Niblings that I eat them.”
Doog: “It was an honest mistake. I thought I was picking up on a pattern, but like always, I was wrong.”
Lemiri: “I have six. And I don’t eat their boogers either!”
Marcy: “I think I’m going to get Doog out of your hair, Lemiri. Will I see you at sauna yoga later?”
Lemiri: “I never miss a session!”
Marcy: “That’s my Sweat-Superstar!”
Lemiri: “My babies must eat. Even pudgy little Nerala, here.”
Doog: “How many Nibs do you have?”
Lemiri: “I’m not sure I should I tell you, considering you tried to tell my smooch-able Niblings that I eat them.”
Doog: “It was an honest mistake. I thought I was picking up on a pattern, but like always, I was wrong.”
Lemiri: “I have six. And I don’t eat their boogers either!”
Marcy: “I think I’m going to get Doog out of your hair, Lemiri. Will I see you at sauna yoga later?”
Lemiri: “I never miss a session!”
Marcy: “That’s my Sweat-Superstar!”
Doog: “Sauna yoga? Sweat star? Bike-a-thon? Are you some type of fitness instructor?”
Marcy: “I am, actually. My title is Sweat Procurement Enhancer, but fitness instructor works too.”
Doog: “I think I get it. This Beryllium Orthoate is secreted by the Altricari when they sweat, and your job is to get the Altricari to sweat as much as possible.”
Marcy: “Yes. That’s the only way to keep production numbers high.”
Marcy: “I am, actually. My title is Sweat Procurement Enhancer, but fitness instructor works too.”
Doog: “I think I get it. This Beryllium Orthoate is secreted by the Altricari when they sweat, and your job is to get the Altricari to sweat as much as possible.”
Marcy: “Yes. That’s the only way to keep production numbers high.”
Doog: “How do you make sure the Altricari sweat?”
Marcy: “The LIU has built several fitness centers, like this one, throughout the enclaves. There are plenty of ways to make the Altricari sweat inside.”
Doog: “I get that, but how do you actually compel them to go? If they’re anything like me – or the people I know – they won’t workout voluntarily.”
Marcy: “While Nib nectar is the only source of nutrition on Altrix, the Altricari can survive on synthetic LIU substitutes. These substitutes don’t let the Altricari create Beryllium Orthoate, but they allow them to live off-planet.”
Doog: “I’m not following. What does that have to do with getting them to exercise?”
Marcy: “It gives the LIU leverage. Altricari on Altrix have some freedom – they can enjoy their gardens, pets, and personal time – but only if they promise to sweat regularly. If they don’t, or if they sweat too little, the LIU can relocate them to off-world jobs where they lose access to those comforts.”
Doog: “Sweat and get peace. Don’t sweat, and get labor.”
Marcy: “Even you might choose exercise if it meant living in peace where you wanted.”
Doog: “You underestimate my laziness.”
Marcy: “The LIU has built several fitness centers, like this one, throughout the enclaves. There are plenty of ways to make the Altricari sweat inside.”
Doog: “I get that, but how do you actually compel them to go? If they’re anything like me – or the people I know – they won’t workout voluntarily.”
Marcy: “While Nib nectar is the only source of nutrition on Altrix, the Altricari can survive on synthetic LIU substitutes. These substitutes don’t let the Altricari create Beryllium Orthoate, but they allow them to live off-planet.”
Doog: “I’m not following. What does that have to do with getting them to exercise?”
Marcy: “It gives the LIU leverage. Altricari on Altrix have some freedom – they can enjoy their gardens, pets, and personal time – but only if they promise to sweat regularly. If they don’t, or if they sweat too little, the LIU can relocate them to off-world jobs where they lose access to those comforts.”
Doog: “Sweat and get peace. Don’t sweat, and get labor.”
Marcy: “Even you might choose exercise if it meant living in peace where you wanted.”
Doog: “You underestimate my laziness.”
Marcy: “The fitness centers have a variety of exercise equipment designed to promote sweating, like treadmills, bikes, and rowing machines.”
Doog: “The only thing worse than running…is running in place.”
Doog: “The only thing worse than running…is running in place.”
Marcy: “If standard exercise isn’t your thing, the centers offer plenty of enjoyable alternatives, like high-heat aerobics, sauna yoga, and sweltering Zumba.”
Doog: “It’s so hot in here, I’m sweating just standing here. I literally might pass out.”
Marcy: “Keep it up! Get those pores gushing!”
Doog: “My body only makes the bad BO.”
Marcy: “I wasn’t talking to you!”
Doog: “It’s so hot in here, I’m sweating just standing here. I literally might pass out.”
Marcy: “Keep it up! Get those pores gushing!”
Doog: “My body only makes the bad BO.”
Marcy: “I wasn’t talking to you!”
Marcy: “There are, of course, classics, like the sauna. Sweat while relaxing.”
Doog: “Better than exercising, I guess.”
Marcy: “We offer a few exercise alternatives; saunas are just one. We also offer spicy steam cooking classes, sweat coffins, and tropical jungle simulators.”
Doog: “Those all sound like saunas to me.”
Marcy: “I guess you lack the Altricari’s imagination.”
Doog: “Better than exercising, I guess.”
Marcy: “We offer a few exercise alternatives; saunas are just one. We also offer spicy steam cooking classes, sweat coffins, and tropical jungle simulators.”
Doog: “Those all sound like saunas to me.”
Marcy: “I guess you lack the Altricari’s imagination.”
Marcy: “After building up a sufficient sweat, the Altricari shower at the center or their homes. The Beryllium Orthoate in their sweat goes down the drains and flows to the water treatment centers.”
Doog: “That’s where we started, and where the BO is collected.”
Marcy: “Yes.”
Doog: “That’s where we started, and where the BO is collected.”
Marcy: “Yes.”
Doog: “Where are we going now?”
Marcy: “Each treatment plant sends collected Beryllium Orthoate to a central hub where it’s processed.”
Doog: “Processed into what?”
Marcy: “Each treatment plant sends collected Beryllium Orthoate to a central hub where it’s processed.”
Doog: “Processed into what?”
Marcy: “Beryllium Orthoate is turned into a drug called 47-B Ortho. It’s more commonly known as Gapper or Skip Juice.”
Doog: “Gapper? Skip juice? Never heard of it. It must be a medical drug, because I know most of the recreational ones.”
Marcy: “It is more commonly used in controlled medical environments, although, there are a few abusers.”
Doog: “Gapper? Skip juice? Never heard of it. It must be a medical drug, because I know most of the recreational ones.”
Marcy: “It is more commonly used in controlled medical environments, although, there are a few abusers.”
Marcy: “47-B Ortho is a memory suppressant. While under its influence, the brain cannot form any memories. It works by interfering with how the brain encodes new experiences. While it’s active, your brain still functions just fine – you can walk, talk, even solve problems – but nothing gets stored long-term.”
Doog: “How is that useful?”
Marcy: “It can be used for surgeries. Some brain operations require patients to be awake so doctors can test speech or vision while they work. Without 47-B Ortho, or Gapper, the poor patient would remember every slice and poke. With Gapper in their system, they stay awake and responsive, but the memories never stick. For them, it feels like they blinked, and suddenly it’s all over. No trauma, no nightmares – just results.”
Doog: “How is that useful?”
Marcy: “It can be used for surgeries. Some brain operations require patients to be awake so doctors can test speech or vision while they work. Without 47-B Ortho, or Gapper, the poor patient would remember every slice and poke. With Gapper in their system, they stay awake and responsive, but the memories never stick. For them, it feels like they blinked, and suddenly it’s all over. No trauma, no nightmares – just results.”
Marcy: “The suppression effects can be really handy in other situations too. Long-haul cargo crews, for example, pair Gapper with sleeping aids to make their journeys feel instant. Load your ship, plot the course, and take a dose. When you wake up, thirty, forty, even fifty days are just… gone. It’s like you just left.”
Doog: “What’s the recommended dose for skipping my monthly crew meeting? Because I’m sold.”
Marcy: “That’s something you’d need to ask a doctor. I’m just a motivational sweat coach.”
Doog: “What’s the recommended dose for skipping my monthly crew meeting? Because I’m sold.”
Marcy: “That’s something you’d need to ask a doctor. I’m just a motivational sweat coach.”
Marcy: “47-B Ortho is also useful for some LIU operations. It is occasionally administered during interrogations, making the subjects forget they told anyone anything. It is also useful in transporting high-value prisoners. They get the Gapper before being transferred to a new prison, usually on a whole new planet. It makes it hard to organize an escape if you have no idea where you are.”
Doog: “So, basically, the LIU discovered instant amnesia in the form of sweat.”
Marcy: “More or less.”
Doog: “So, basically, the LIU discovered instant amnesia in the form of sweat.”
Marcy: “More or less.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Altrix. This planet is home to a race, called the Altricari, who sweat out a rare compound known as Beryllium Orthoate. They can only make this compound through relationships with poisonous plants…and their pet Nibs. This Beryllium Orthoate, conveniently shortened to BO, can be turned into a memory suppressant drug called Gapper, or Skip Juice. Have I ever been administered this drug? Who knows. I certainly wouldn’t remember if I did. Oh well, see ya.”
Note: Gapper, in the wrong hands, can be useful for all the wrong reasons. Criminals can use it to forget their crimes, making polygraphs useless. Some criminal groups use it to re-run scams until they’re flawless, while others employ it to extract codes from unremembering personnel.
Note: Gapper, in the wrong hands, can be useful for all the wrong reasons. Criminals can use it to forget their crimes, making polygraphs useless. Some criminal groups use it to re-run scams until they’re flawless, while others employ it to extract codes from unremembering personnel.
