There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Spelunca
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, Spelunca. Spelunca is a temperate planet with a variety of environments. These environments are pristine with almost no pollution. That wouldn’t be unusual for some worlds, but it is for Spelunca. Why? Because Spelunca is classified as a factory world. Let’s head down and unravel this mystery.”
Doog: “Well folks, I’ve been dropped off on Spelunca. There’s an anomaly on this factory world, and it’s more than the lack of pollution and beautiful greenery. This factory world…doesn’t appear to have any factories. There are no buildings here. The only sign of advanced life is the landing pad, this small home under the hill, and the large antenna above it.”
Doog: “Maybe the factories are these fields. Is Spelunca the galaxy’s largest supplier of house plants? Is this a factory farm type of deal? Maybe there are millions of animals grazing here just out of sight.”
Taub: “You must be Doog. I’m Taub Toohar. I’ll be your guide.”
Doog: “I…uh…this is awkward. I’m so sorry.”
Taub: “Excuse me.”
Doog: “My hat. I didn’t know you were going to look like this.”
Taub: “I don’t follow.”
Doog: “I didn’t know you were going to be some humanoid beaver.”
Taub: “Beaver? I don’t know what that is.”
Doog: “Right. Beavers aren’t a thing on this planet. Never mind.”
Taub: “Are you inferring that I resemble the creature on your hat?”
Doog: “I…uh…maybe?”
Taub: “I don’t have a tail. I don’t walk on four feet. I guess we both have fur.”
Doog: “Oh, so you do see the likeness.”
Taub: “Suuure... So, shall we continue inside?”
Doog: “Inside? Are we checking out your house or something?”
Doog: “I…uh…this is awkward. I’m so sorry.”
Taub: “Excuse me.”
Doog: “My hat. I didn’t know you were going to look like this.”
Taub: “I don’t follow.”
Doog: “I didn’t know you were going to be some humanoid beaver.”
Taub: “Beaver? I don’t know what that is.”
Doog: “Right. Beavers aren’t a thing on this planet. Never mind.”
Taub: “Are you inferring that I resemble the creature on your hat?”
Doog: “I…uh…maybe?”
Taub: “I don’t have a tail. I don’t walk on four feet. I guess we both have fur.”
Doog: “Oh, so you do see the likeness.”
Taub: “Suuure... So, shall we continue inside?”
Doog: “Inside? Are we checking out your house or something?”
Taub: “This isn’t a house.”
Doog: “I see that now. What is this place?”
Taub: “It’s the city entrance.”
Doog: “I didn’t see a city behind this house.”
Taub: “It’s not behind. It’s below.”
Doog: “So, these are elevators?”
Taub: “Yes.”
Doog: “I see that now. What is this place?”
Taub: “It’s the city entrance.”
Doog: “I didn’t see a city behind this house.”
Taub: “It’s not behind. It’s below.”
Doog: “So, these are elevators?”
Taub: “Yes.”
Doog: “Holy Emperor…I wasn’t expecting this.”
Taub: “What?”
Doog: “When you said this city was underground, I was thinking of something smaller. There are full on skyscrapers down here.”
Taub: “We call them roofscrapers down here.”
Doog: “Because there’s no sky. Clever.”
Taub: “Yes, it’s also the name of the city.”
Doog: “The city is called roofscrapers?”
Taub: “Roofscrape, actually.”
Taub: “What?”
Doog: “When you said this city was underground, I was thinking of something smaller. There are full on skyscrapers down here.”
Taub: “We call them roofscrapers down here.”
Doog: “Because there’s no sky. Clever.”
Taub: “Yes, it’s also the name of the city.”
Doog: “The city is called roofscrapers?”
Taub: “Roofscrape, actually.”
Doog: “Am I to guess that the factories are down here too?”
Taub: “They are.”
Doog: “That would explain why Spelunca didn’t look like a factory world on the surface.”
Taub: “The factories were an addition to the city, built by the LIU. They are deep and far from the main entrance.”
Doog: “So, this part of the city was built before the factories?”
Taub: “Yes. Roofscrape was originally built as a trade hub. It was near the center of the planet’s many underground cities. Of course, Roofscrape eventually grew large and powerful enough that it incorporated the cities it once served. Roofscrape is now the sole city on Spelunca.”
Doog: “Hmm.”
Taub: “Fun fact, the cities Roofscrape swallowed up weren’t fully lost. Regions or neighborhoods within Roofsrape still bear the old cities’ names. For instance, we’re in Sump Root right now.”
Doog: “Sump Root was my nickname in college.”
Taub: “Really?”
Doog: “It was for a week or so. I had a particularly bad STD.”
Taub: “I regret asking.”
Taub: “They are.”
Doog: “That would explain why Spelunca didn’t look like a factory world on the surface.”
Taub: “The factories were an addition to the city, built by the LIU. They are deep and far from the main entrance.”
Doog: “So, this part of the city was built before the factories?”
Taub: “Yes. Roofscrape was originally built as a trade hub. It was near the center of the planet’s many underground cities. Of course, Roofscrape eventually grew large and powerful enough that it incorporated the cities it once served. Roofscrape is now the sole city on Spelunca.”
Doog: “Hmm.”
Taub: “Fun fact, the cities Roofscrape swallowed up weren’t fully lost. Regions or neighborhoods within Roofsrape still bear the old cities’ names. For instance, we’re in Sump Root right now.”
Doog: “Sump Root was my nickname in college.”
Taub: “Really?”
Doog: “It was for a week or so. I had a particularly bad STD.”
Taub: “I regret asking.”
Doog: “So, if this was all here before the factories, what’s Roofscrape’s economy?”
Taub: “It’s mixed. Being a subterranean race, we obviously dabble in mining, but we have a developed agricultural business and some commercial interests too.”
Doog: “Got it. So where are we now? And, don’t tell me it’s Stink Rod. That would be too much of a coincidence.”
Taub: “We’re still in Sump Root for now. We’ll need to catch a train if we’re checking out the factories.”
Doog: “No comment on my Stink Rod joke?”
Taub: “I learned the hard way last time.”
Taub: “It’s mixed. Being a subterranean race, we obviously dabble in mining, but we have a developed agricultural business and some commercial interests too.”
Doog: “Got it. So where are we now? And, don’t tell me it’s Stink Rod. That would be too much of a coincidence.”
Taub: “We’re still in Sump Root for now. We’ll need to catch a train if we’re checking out the factories.”
Doog: “No comment on my Stink Rod joke?”
Taub: “I learned the hard way last time.”
Doog: “Not a lot of people got off at this stop.”
Taub: “It’s security controlled. Only staff can exit the train here.”
Doog: “That’s what I’m saying. Where are all the factory workers?”
Taub: “The workers are in the factory.”
Doog: “Ah, it must not be shift-change. I see.”
Taub: “Uh, yeah, sure.”
Doog: “So, what type of factory or factories are here?”
Taub: “The type that manufacture optical hardware, like optical processing chips.”
Taub: “It’s security controlled. Only staff can exit the train here.”
Doog: “That’s what I’m saying. Where are all the factory workers?”
Taub: “The workers are in the factory.”
Doog: “Ah, it must not be shift-change. I see.”
Taub: “Uh, yeah, sure.”
Doog: “So, what type of factory or factories are here?”
Taub: “The type that manufacture optical hardware, like optical processing chips.”
Taub: “The type of hardware we manufacture is damaged by light, so it’s pitch-black inside. You’ll need to wear these goggles if you want to see.”
Doog: “Got it.”
Taub: “I assume your camera settings can be adjusted too.”
Doog: “Hopefully, or the next thirty minutes of the show are just going to be audio.”
Taub: “I need a real answer.”
Doog: “Yes. We made adjustments to the camera. Neither the camera or I will produce any visible light.”
Taub: “Good.”
Doog: “Got it.”
Taub: “I assume your camera settings can be adjusted too.”
Doog: “Hopefully, or the next thirty minutes of the show are just going to be audio.”
Taub: “I need a real answer.”
Doog: “Yes. We made adjustments to the camera. Neither the camera or I will produce any visible light.”
Taub: “Good.”
Doog: “I’m not sure if my goggles are malfunctioning, but I can’t see the bottom of this ravine.”
Taub: “It’s deeper than the sensors’ range.”
Doog: “I was afraid you were going to say that. Why exactly are we walking on this tiny bridge above an endless abyss?”
Taub: “The causeway is a security measure. It prevents trespassers. Trespassers could mean unauthorized sources of light, and light damages the optical equipment we produce.”
Doog: “I see. I guess it would be hard to make it down this path without goggles. Any trespasser would need a flashlight and that would be a dead giveaway.”
Taub: “Yes.”
Doog: “Speaking of goggles, how are you seeing without any?”
Taub: “My race evolved in dark caverns like this. We have adaptations that allow us to navigate the dark – like enhanced hearing and touch.”
Doog: “You guys are definitely not beavers.”
Taub: “Thanks, I think. Let’s head inside.”
Taub: “It’s deeper than the sensors’ range.”
Doog: “I was afraid you were going to say that. Why exactly are we walking on this tiny bridge above an endless abyss?”
Taub: “The causeway is a security measure. It prevents trespassers. Trespassers could mean unauthorized sources of light, and light damages the optical equipment we produce.”
Doog: “I see. I guess it would be hard to make it down this path without goggles. Any trespasser would need a flashlight and that would be a dead giveaway.”
Taub: “Yes.”
Doog: “Speaking of goggles, how are you seeing without any?”
Taub: “My race evolved in dark caverns like this. We have adaptations that allow us to navigate the dark – like enhanced hearing and touch.”
Doog: “You guys are definitely not beavers.”
Taub: “Thanks, I think. Let’s head inside.”
Taub: “Well, we’re officially in a factory. This particular section is operated by the Eigengrau Corporation.”
Doog: “I was imagining something bigger.”
Taub: “This is only one room. The actual factory is huge. It’s over 500,000 square meters. It’s one of the largest underground facilities in the galaxy.”
Doog: “That sounds big, but I’m terrible with numbers.”
Taub: “You could fit over three hundred Ringball courts in here.”
Doog: “Dang. That is big. “
Doog: “I was imagining something bigger.”
Taub: “This is only one room. The actual factory is huge. It’s over 500,000 square meters. It’s one of the largest underground facilities in the galaxy.”
Doog: “That sounds big, but I’m terrible with numbers.”
Taub: “You could fit over three hundred Ringball courts in here.”
Doog: “Dang. That is big. “
Doog: “What do they make here?”
Taub: “In general, these factories make optical hardware. In this specific factory, the Eigengrau Corporation makes optical sensor chips.”
Doog: “They’re damaged by light?”
Taub: “Yes, in a way. They are built to sense light – even the most minute amounts. If they are built in the light, they become way less effective and accurate.”
Doog: “What are these chips used for?”
Taub: “Like I said, they are used to sense light. This is useful any many applications, but typically, they are found in intergalactic ships’ sensor arrays. They can sense the light from stars and galaxies millions of lightyears away.”
Doog: “They help with navigation?”
Taub: “Yes.”
Taub: “In general, these factories make optical hardware. In this specific factory, the Eigengrau Corporation makes optical sensor chips.”
Doog: “They’re damaged by light?”
Taub: “Yes, in a way. They are built to sense light – even the most minute amounts. If they are built in the light, they become way less effective and accurate.”
Doog: “What are these chips used for?”
Taub: “Like I said, they are used to sense light. This is useful any many applications, but typically, they are found in intergalactic ships’ sensor arrays. They can sense the light from stars and galaxies millions of lightyears away.”
Doog: “They help with navigation?”
Taub: “Yes.”
Doog: “With that out of the way, my next questions involve these freaky looking workers.”
Taub: “We call them GMW’s or genetically modified workers. They were created specifically to operate in the darkness.”
Doog: “Genetically modified how?”
Taub: “They are a hybridization of your species and mine. They get all the sensory upgrades without the pesky, chip-ruining fur.”
Doog: “Beaver-Humans…weird.”
Taub: “We’re not beavers.”
Doog: “Oh yeah.”
Taub: “There are a few further upgrades as well. The GMW’s have extra sensitive skin that allows them to ‘see’ through touch, or seismic-location. Think of it as the touch version of echolocation. Oh, they also have an artificial organ that releases Vitamin D. It is essential given they never see the sun or any major source of UV.”
Taub: “We call them GMW’s or genetically modified workers. They were created specifically to operate in the darkness.”
Doog: “Genetically modified how?”
Taub: “They are a hybridization of your species and mine. They get all the sensory upgrades without the pesky, chip-ruining fur.”
Doog: “Beaver-Humans…weird.”
Taub: “We’re not beavers.”
Doog: “Oh yeah.”
Taub: “There are a few further upgrades as well. The GMW’s have extra sensitive skin that allows them to ‘see’ through touch, or seismic-location. Think of it as the touch version of echolocation. Oh, they also have an artificial organ that releases Vitamin D. It is essential given they never see the sun or any major source of UV.”
Doog: “Why go through all the trouble to ‘make’ workers? Why not use robots or automated machines?”
Taub: “We do use some robots, but they lack the sensory dexterity to manipulate the chips without light.”
Doog: “I guess. Why are the workers chained to the wall?”
Taub: “Not chained, tethered. The tether helps the workers know their location in the workplace.”
Doog: “So, they are free to leave if they choose?”
Taub: “Well, no, not exactly. Each GMW is a colossal investment. The cloning and upkeep costs make them very valuable. If they were damaged or lost, it would be a huge profit loss for Eigengrau.”
Doog: “They’re slaves.”
Taub: “Is a machine a slave? Is your microphone?”
Doog: “No, of course not. They are not alive.”
Taub: “The GMW’s would not be alive if not created by Eigengrau. They are biological tools, nothing more.”
Taub: “We do use some robots, but they lack the sensory dexterity to manipulate the chips without light.”
Doog: “I guess. Why are the workers chained to the wall?”
Taub: “Not chained, tethered. The tether helps the workers know their location in the workplace.”
Doog: “So, they are free to leave if they choose?”
Taub: “Well, no, not exactly. Each GMW is a colossal investment. The cloning and upkeep costs make them very valuable. If they were damaged or lost, it would be a huge profit loss for Eigengrau.”
Doog: “They’re slaves.”
Taub: “Is a machine a slave? Is your microphone?”
Doog: “No, of course not. They are not alive.”
Taub: “The GMW’s would not be alive if not created by Eigengrau. They are biological tools, nothing more.”
Doog: “That’s kind of messed up.”
Taub: “The GMW’s lack any social, emotional, or sexual feelings. All the typical indicators of sentience were bred out by generation IV. Now, they operate on a reward system, like any tamed non-sentient. Work equals food. Work equals water.”
Doog: “Even dogs, or tamed non-sentients, get love and social interactions.”
Taub: “They are more like dairy cows than dogs. Produce and get fed. Produce and stay alive.”
Doog: “Cows get something besides food and water…maybe…ok, maybe not. Still, this is creepy.”
Taub: “Don’t let their sad, teethless mouths and gloomy vestigial eyes fool you. There’s not a thought in that modified brain besides work, eat, and sleep.”
Taub: “The GMW’s lack any social, emotional, or sexual feelings. All the typical indicators of sentience were bred out by generation IV. Now, they operate on a reward system, like any tamed non-sentient. Work equals food. Work equals water.”
Doog: “Even dogs, or tamed non-sentients, get love and social interactions.”
Taub: “They are more like dairy cows than dogs. Produce and get fed. Produce and stay alive.”
Doog: “Cows get something besides food and water…maybe…ok, maybe not. Still, this is creepy.”
Taub: “Don’t let their sad, teethless mouths and gloomy vestigial eyes fool you. There’s not a thought in that modified brain besides work, eat, and sleep.”
Doog: “All this for some optical chips.”
Taub: “It is disheartening at first. Trust me, I felt the same way – the GMW’s are half my kind after all. However, after being involved in this project for years, I now see that these ‘workers’ are no longer anything more than complex organic tools. They don’t suffer. They don’t want more. They just exist to serve a purpose.”
Doog: “If that helps you sleep at night, good for you. Anything else?”
Taub: “No, I think that’s enough.”
Taub: “It is disheartening at first. Trust me, I felt the same way – the GMW’s are half my kind after all. However, after being involved in this project for years, I now see that these ‘workers’ are no longer anything more than complex organic tools. They don’t suffer. They don’t want more. They just exist to serve a purpose.”
Doog: “If that helps you sleep at night, good for you. Anything else?”
Taub: “No, I think that’s enough.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Spelunca. This pristine planet looks beautiful on the outside, but it has a lot of secrets. For one, there’s a huge underground city just below the surface. Oh, and there are insanely dark factories here that employ genetically modified beings as workers. Don’t adjust your screens. This is actual footage from the factory without echo-imaging. This lightless black is home to thousands of modified beings that make optical components, like sensor chips. It’s creepy. I’m going to have nightmares of those disturbing, useless eyes for weeks. Oh well, see ya!”
Note: GMW’s contain DNA from several species:
Humans – 47%
Speluncans – 47%
Poenans – 3%
Dark Harvesters – 2%
Other – 1%
Note: GMW’s contain DNA from several species:
Humans – 47%
Speluncans – 47%
Poenans – 3%
Dark Harvesters – 2%
Other – 1%
