There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Curcubeu
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 Galaxy, 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, Curcubeu. Curcubeu is known for its beautiful foliage and iridescent skies. One would think such a photogenic place would be classified as a tourist world, but that’s not the case. Curcubeu is classified as a Feodo. I may know about foliage and skies, but I have no idea what a Feodo is. Let’s head down and figure it out.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’m now down on the surface. I appear to be in front of some type of walled city. There’s no sign of the aforementioned foliage. There’s nothing but bluish sand as far as the eye can see. I can see Curcubeu’s iridescent sky though. Little rainbow-like clouds shimmer all across the sky. It’s almost like there’s an oil slick or a giant soap bubble suspended above the planet. It’s kind of trippy. Maybe that’s what a Feodo is; a place for recreational drug users to gather and admire the sky. Probably not, but a man can hope.”
Doog: “I’ve been granted access to the city. It’s beautiful. There’s vibrant plant life and crystal-clear pools of water. It’s a big contrast from the blue, sandy desert outside. I wonder why the plants only grow here?”
Iridos: “That’s because the plants only grow near pools of water. There’s little water elsewhere. I’m Iridos, by the way.”
Doog: “I’m Doog.”
Iridos: “Welcome to Curcubeu, Doog.”
Doog: “So, what can you tell us about Curcubeu?”
Doog: “I’m Doog.”
Iridos: “Welcome to Curcubeu, Doog.”
Doog: “So, what can you tell us about Curcubeu?”
Iridos: “Curcubeu is pretty simple to understand. It’s not as complicated as some of the other worlds in the galaxy.”
Doog: “How so?”
Iridos: “Life here revolves around the few pools of water scattered across the planet’s surface. They are the most important resource. Obviously, they’re a source of water, but they’re also a source of food. Plants only grow within a few meters of each pool. The pools are vital to survival.”
Doog: “How so?”
Iridos: “Life here revolves around the few pools of water scattered across the planet’s surface. They are the most important resource. Obviously, they’re a source of water, but they’re also a source of food. Plants only grow within a few meters of each pool. The pools are vital to survival.”
Doog: “I guess that explains the fort built around it.”
Iridos: “Yes. Long ago, each clan laid claim to a pool, but not all adhered to these claims. Countless wars were fought. Thousands died. Eventually, walled, fortified cities grew up around each pool.”
Doog: “Every pool here has a walled city?”
Iridos: “Yes. Each pool became an enclosed city-state.”
Doog: “Do you guys still fight over these pools? Am I in any danger?”
Iridos: “The costs of attacking a city-state grew as the fortifications and defenses increased. It became increasingly rare for any two city-states to war. The only real threat came from bandits and independents. Of course, the arrival of the LIU ceased all hostilities. They brought peace.”
Doog: “So, no danger then. Not that I was scared or anything. I can handle myself just fine.”
Iridos: “Of course. You look very capable. Well, there not much else to see here. Borlung is a smaller city-state. Follow me.”
Iridos: “Yes. Long ago, each clan laid claim to a pool, but not all adhered to these claims. Countless wars were fought. Thousands died. Eventually, walled, fortified cities grew up around each pool.”
Doog: “Every pool here has a walled city?”
Iridos: “Yes. Each pool became an enclosed city-state.”
Doog: “Do you guys still fight over these pools? Am I in any danger?”
Iridos: “The costs of attacking a city-state grew as the fortifications and defenses increased. It became increasingly rare for any two city-states to war. The only real threat came from bandits and independents. Of course, the arrival of the LIU ceased all hostilities. They brought peace.”
Doog: “So, no danger then. Not that I was scared or anything. I can handle myself just fine.”
Iridos: “Of course. You look very capable. Well, there not much else to see here. Borlung is a smaller city-state. Follow me.”
Doog: “Finally. Something I can drive without embarrassing myself. Three wheels on the ground make it steady, and this suspension seems to be absorbing every bump. The only way to make this better would be if it steered itself.”
Iridos: “Yes. You seem to be a capable driver.”
Doog: “You know, that’s twice now that you’ve called me capable. Am I sensing a budding romance?”
Iridos: “Uh…no. In regards to sensing romance, you are not capable.”
Doog: “Darn. Just one capable short.”
Iridos: “Yes. You seem to be a capable driver.”
Doog: “You know, that’s twice now that you’ve called me capable. Am I sensing a budding romance?”
Iridos: “Uh…no. In regards to sensing romance, you are not capable.”
Doog: “Darn. Just one capable short.”
Doog: “Whoa. This pool looks a bit more fortified than that last one.”
Iridos: “It is. The LIU has taken control of this pool. They’ve made modifications to the defenses.”
Doog: “Why does the LIU want a pool?”
Iridos: “It’s not necessarily the pool they are after. It’s just a central location, where they can enforce the peace. Come on. Let’s head inside.”
Iridos: “It is. The LIU has taken control of this pool. They’ve made modifications to the defenses.”
Doog: “Why does the LIU want a pool?”
Iridos: “It’s not necessarily the pool they are after. It’s just a central location, where they can enforce the peace. Come on. Let’s head inside.”
Doog: “Your people still live in here? With the LIU?”
Iridos: “Well, of course. The LIU couldn’t just send them packing. The pools are so rare that an eviction of the people would almost be a death sentence. The other city-states couldn’t afford to take them in.”
Doog: “Uh, I guess. It’s rare for the LIU to take things like that into consideration, in my experience. Are your people needed here for something? Like the economy?”
Iridos: “Well, of course. The LIU couldn’t just send them packing. The pools are so rare that an eviction of the people would almost be a death sentence. The other city-states couldn’t afford to take them in.”
Doog: “Uh, I guess. It’s rare for the LIU to take things like that into consideration, in my experience. Are your people needed here for something? Like the economy?”
Iridos: “Curcubeu doesn’t have much of an economy, at least in the galactic scale. There’s nothing of value here for an outsider. Our plants sustain us, but most species find them poisonous. Even if the rest of the galaxy wanted them, we don’t have sufficient water to upscale our farming.”
Doog: “I see. What pays for all your fancy stuff then? I saw solar panels and communication equipment back at the last settlement. You all seem dressed nice too.”
Iridos: “Most external wealth comes here in the form of remittances. Many of my people have left Curcubeu to work offworld. They send money back home to their families.”
Doog: “Ah, ok. What about tourism? Surely there’s money to made there?”
Iridos: “To a small degree. Many find Curcubeu beautiful, but there’s not much to make people stay for longer than a day. They come, snap some pictures, and leave. Not much money in it for us. We don’t have anything to sell tourists either, being resource strapped ourselves.”
Doog: “I see.”
Doog: “I see. What pays for all your fancy stuff then? I saw solar panels and communication equipment back at the last settlement. You all seem dressed nice too.”
Iridos: “Most external wealth comes here in the form of remittances. Many of my people have left Curcubeu to work offworld. They send money back home to their families.”
Doog: “Ah, ok. What about tourism? Surely there’s money to made there?”
Iridos: “To a small degree. Many find Curcubeu beautiful, but there’s not much to make people stay for longer than a day. They come, snap some pictures, and leave. Not much money in it for us. We don’t have anything to sell tourists either, being resource strapped ourselves.”
Doog: “I see.”
Iridos: “The LIU controls and defends the city-state of Dhakken. The city has the largest pool on Curcubeu, which is probably why it was chosen.”
Doog: “Clearly. What is not so clear, is why the LIU is here at all. Why protect and bring peace to a planet with no resources? What am I missing?”
Iridos: “Curcubeu is a Feodo.”
Doog: “That doesn’t help. What’s a Feodo?”
Iridos: “A Feodo is a gift or fee paid to an individual for service to the LIU.”
Doog: “Wait…what? Curcubeu was gifted to someone? Someone owns this planet?”
Iridos: “Yes. The LIU gave control of the planet to someone in return for their services. This is a common practice. The LIU has gifted hundreds of worlds.”
Doog: “I’ve worked for TV2 for ten years and all I got was a stupid certificate. And now, the LIU’s out here giving away whole planets.”
Iridos: “Feodo’s are only gifted to those who make exceptional contributions to the Union. Making TV shows hardly qualifies. Come inside. We need to take the elevator down.”
Doog: “Clearly. What is not so clear, is why the LIU is here at all. Why protect and bring peace to a planet with no resources? What am I missing?”
Iridos: “Curcubeu is a Feodo.”
Doog: “That doesn’t help. What’s a Feodo?”
Iridos: “A Feodo is a gift or fee paid to an individual for service to the LIU.”
Doog: “Wait…what? Curcubeu was gifted to someone? Someone owns this planet?”
Iridos: “Yes. The LIU gave control of the planet to someone in return for their services. This is a common practice. The LIU has gifted hundreds of worlds.”
Doog: “I’ve worked for TV2 for ten years and all I got was a stupid certificate. And now, the LIU’s out here giving away whole planets.”
Iridos: “Feodo’s are only gifted to those who make exceptional contributions to the Union. Making TV shows hardly qualifies. Come inside. We need to take the elevator down.”
Doog: “Where are we going?”
Iridos: “To meet the owner of this planet.”
Doog: “Why does the owner live underground on their own planet?”
Iridos: “Not underground. Underwater, in the deepest recesses of the pool.”
Doog: “Weird. Is it anyone I know?”
Iridos: “Doubtful. The owner of this Feodo is from outside the galaxy.”
Iridos: “To meet the owner of this planet.”
Doog: “Why does the owner live underground on their own planet?”
Iridos: “Not underground. Underwater, in the deepest recesses of the pool.”
Doog: “Weird. Is it anyone I know?”
Iridos: “Doubtful. The owner of this Feodo is from outside the galaxy.”
Doog: “An extra-galactic entity made contributions to the LIU?”
Iridos: “Indeed. Most Feodo’s are given to extra-galactic beings. Many are traitors that join the LIU and hand over information about their home galaxy’s government. Feodo’s are like bribes. Tell the LIU what they need to know, and they gift you a planet.”
Doog: “What kind of information is worth a whole planet?”
Iridos: “Military capabilities, encryption codes, new technology, inside stock tips…there’s lots of things.”
Iridos: “Indeed. Most Feodo’s are given to extra-galactic beings. Many are traitors that join the LIU and hand over information about their home galaxy’s government. Feodo’s are like bribes. Tell the LIU what they need to know, and they gift you a planet.”
Doog: “What kind of information is worth a whole planet?”
Iridos: “Military capabilities, encryption codes, new technology, inside stock tips…there’s lots of things.”
Doog: “Holy smokes, what the heck is that!”
Iridos: “That’s the owner of this planet. We call her Uggi. Her real name is unable to be spoken in Basic.”
Doog: “That thing…that blob of disgusting…owns this planet?”
Iridos: “Don’t be rude. Being extra-galactic, her biology is totally different than our own. It can be difficult to accept in the context of our own biology, but she’s not ugly. Just ignore the exterior and realize that she has a consciousness similar to your own.”
Iridos: “That’s the owner of this planet. We call her Uggi. Her real name is unable to be spoken in Basic.”
Doog: “That thing…that blob of disgusting…owns this planet?”
Iridos: “Don’t be rude. Being extra-galactic, her biology is totally different than our own. It can be difficult to accept in the context of our own biology, but she’s not ugly. Just ignore the exterior and realize that she has a consciousness similar to your own.”
Doog: “She’s looking right at me. She heard me talking about how disgusting she is. I’m in trouble. Aren’t I?”
Iridos: “Settle down. There’s a huge language barrier. She can’t understand anything that’s not translated. Also, she has lots of eyes that are looking at lots of things. You’re not being singled out, so stop freaking out.”
Doog: “Ok, ok. Wait…how does an alien-being rule a planet from the depths of a pool when they can’t speak or understand our language?”
Iridos: “Uggi doesn’t rule the planet. She owns it.”
Doog: “What’s the difference?”
Iridos: “She doesn’t make any decisions concerning Curcubeu’s governance. That’s left to the LIU. However, as owner, she gets to live on the planet for free. She gets access to a personal safety team and access to any luxuries she requires. She also gets a percentage of the revenue generated on the planet.”
Doog: “But Curcubeu hardly generates any revenue. She gets next to nothing.”
Iridos: “More or less. That’s not really the point of the whole Feodo thing. It’s more of a ceremonial, honor thing. Wouldn’t you want to say that you owned a whole planet?”
Doog: “I guess.”
Iridos: “Settle down. There’s a huge language barrier. She can’t understand anything that’s not translated. Also, she has lots of eyes that are looking at lots of things. You’re not being singled out, so stop freaking out.”
Doog: “Ok, ok. Wait…how does an alien-being rule a planet from the depths of a pool when they can’t speak or understand our language?”
Iridos: “Uggi doesn’t rule the planet. She owns it.”
Doog: “What’s the difference?”
Iridos: “She doesn’t make any decisions concerning Curcubeu’s governance. That’s left to the LIU. However, as owner, she gets to live on the planet for free. She gets access to a personal safety team and access to any luxuries she requires. She also gets a percentage of the revenue generated on the planet.”
Doog: “But Curcubeu hardly generates any revenue. She gets next to nothing.”
Iridos: “More or less. That’s not really the point of the whole Feodo thing. It’s more of a ceremonial, honor thing. Wouldn’t you want to say that you owned a whole planet?”
Doog: “I guess.”
Iridos: “We’ve established communication with Uggi using a form of sign language. She can interpret what we say by looking at the position of these paddles and the color of the LED on the paddle.”
Doog: “How do you understand her? I don’t see in paddles in there.”
Iridos: “Her species communicates telepathically. She has little to communicate with. We developed a language based off of her eye blinks.”
Doog: “She blinks a language?”
Iridos: “Yes. With six eyes, she has over seven hundred different eye arrangements that more than satisfies the requirements for communication. The computer over there can translate the blinks into audio. Go ahead, give it a shot.”
Doog: “Uh…hello there, I’m Doog.”
Paddler: “Look man, I’m talking to this thing with paddles. I don’t know how to say Doog. From now on, you’re known as Chubby Red Shirt.”
Doog: “Hey! Not cool, man! At least give me a better name than that!”
Paddler: “Too late.”
Doog: “How do you understand her? I don’t see in paddles in there.”
Iridos: “Her species communicates telepathically. She has little to communicate with. We developed a language based off of her eye blinks.”
Doog: “She blinks a language?”
Iridos: “Yes. With six eyes, she has over seven hundred different eye arrangements that more than satisfies the requirements for communication. The computer over there can translate the blinks into audio. Go ahead, give it a shot.”
Doog: “Uh…hello there, I’m Doog.”
Paddler: “Look man, I’m talking to this thing with paddles. I don’t know how to say Doog. From now on, you’re known as Chubby Red Shirt.”
Doog: “Hey! Not cool, man! At least give me a better name than that!”
Paddler: “Too late.”
Uggi: “HELLO, CHUBBY RED SHIRT. I AM UGGI. WELCOME TO MY WORLD.”
Doog: “Thanks. So, did you choose this world or did the LIU choose for you?”
Uggi: “IT WAS MY CHOICE. I CHOSE CURCUBEU.”
Doog: “Why?”
Uggi: “IT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORLD. MUCH BETTER THAN MY WORLD. BRIGHTER. MORE COLORFUL.”
Doog: “But can you really experience its beauty from down here.”
Uggi: “I CAN. I CAN THROUGH OTHERS. I CAN SEE THROUGH THE NATIVES EYES.”
Doog: “You get in their heads?”
Uggi: “MY TELEPATHIC ABILITIES ALLOW ME CONNECT WITH OTHER BEING’S VISUAL CORTEXES. I CAN SEE THROUGH OTHER BEING’S EYES.”
Doog: “That’s kind of cool. You experience the planet’s beauty through their eyes. Wait, aren’t you worried about their privacy? What if you see something you shouldn’t?”
Uggi: “EACH FLEETING GLIMPSE IS SAVED TO MY MIND, BUT I ONLY CHOOSE TO RECALL GLIMPSES OF THE RAINBOW SHIMMERS AND COLORFUL GRASSES. THE REST IS FORGOTTEN.”
Doog: “I wish my memory was that selective. I’d like to forget a memory or two.”
Paddler: “I’m not saying that.”
Doog: “Fine. One last question, how did you earn a Feodo? What was your great contribution?”
Uggi: “I CANNOT DIVULGE THE EXACT NATURE OF MY CONTRIBUTION. BUT IT ALSO INVOLVED SEEING THROUGH SOMEONE ELSES EYES. THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY.”
Doog: “I could think of a few ways that could be useful to the LIU. Thanks for your contribution, I guess. Congrats on the planet, too.”
Uggi: “THANK YOU, CHUBBY RED SHIRT.”
Doog: “Thanks. So, did you choose this world or did the LIU choose for you?”
Uggi: “IT WAS MY CHOICE. I CHOSE CURCUBEU.”
Doog: “Why?”
Uggi: “IT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORLD. MUCH BETTER THAN MY WORLD. BRIGHTER. MORE COLORFUL.”
Doog: “But can you really experience its beauty from down here.”
Uggi: “I CAN. I CAN THROUGH OTHERS. I CAN SEE THROUGH THE NATIVES EYES.”
Doog: “You get in their heads?”
Uggi: “MY TELEPATHIC ABILITIES ALLOW ME CONNECT WITH OTHER BEING’S VISUAL CORTEXES. I CAN SEE THROUGH OTHER BEING’S EYES.”
Doog: “That’s kind of cool. You experience the planet’s beauty through their eyes. Wait, aren’t you worried about their privacy? What if you see something you shouldn’t?”
Uggi: “EACH FLEETING GLIMPSE IS SAVED TO MY MIND, BUT I ONLY CHOOSE TO RECALL GLIMPSES OF THE RAINBOW SHIMMERS AND COLORFUL GRASSES. THE REST IS FORGOTTEN.”
Doog: “I wish my memory was that selective. I’d like to forget a memory or two.”
Paddler: “I’m not saying that.”
Doog: “Fine. One last question, how did you earn a Feodo? What was your great contribution?”
Uggi: “I CANNOT DIVULGE THE EXACT NATURE OF MY CONTRIBUTION. BUT IT ALSO INVOLVED SEEING THROUGH SOMEONE ELSES EYES. THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY.”
Doog: “I could think of a few ways that could be useful to the LIU. Thanks for your contribution, I guess. Congrats on the planet, too.”
Uggi: “THANK YOU, CHUBBY RED SHIRT.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Curcubeu. This stunningly beautiful planet has little to offer the rest of the galaxy, so it was gifted to an extra-galactic being. Gifted worlds, like Curcubeu, are called Feodo. Despite their apparent prevalence, I had never heard of a Feodo before today. Essentially, they’re like fees or gifts paid to exceptional beings that have made great contributions to the LIU. Oh well, I better move on to the next world. I’m going to have to contribute a lot more to earn my own planet. See ya!”
Note:
Note:
 | Species: 19X-432B-654P Homeworld: 1573-A by 6255-M Galaxy: Osonorist Galaxy Notable Technology: N/A Notable Features: 19X-432B-654P lives deep in the dark underwater trenches of 1573-A by 6255-M. To combat predation, 19X-432B-654P shares visual information with other nearby members of its species. The brain of 19X-432B-654P forms a complex panoramic view of its surroundings using its own visual data and the visual data of its neighbors. Uses: Its ability to share visual information is not limited to its species. 19X-432B-654P could possibly be used in espionage. Communication with organisms will be difficult, but solvable. |
