There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Nexui
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 are visiting an important Mid-Rim world called Nexui. Nexui is classified as an agricultural planet, but it doesn’t produce any edible crops. Instead, the natives of Nexui raise a local creature that they harvest for biological matter. What is this matter? I have no idea. I hope it’s something like meat, milk, or wool, and not something you’d find in a crusty, old sock. The only way to find out is to head on down. Let’s do this.”
Doog: “Alright folks, I’ve been dropped off on the surface of Nexui. It appears I’m in some type of orchard or growing field. That pretty much contradicts my intro. I thought the natives didn’t produce any edible crops. Also, I don’t see any sign of the aforementioned creatures that are harvested. I do see some locals though, and it’s freaking me out. I’ve been told the life on Nexui are mammalian-insects. It’s the last part that I’m worried about…I’m terrified of insects. The ratio of mammal to insect is going to greatly determine my time here. Please be mostly mammal!”
Doog: “Uh, hello there.”
Native: “Greetings.”
Doog: “So, I see you guys have two arms and two legs. That’s good. Very mammalian of you.”
Native: “I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
Doog: “On a scale of 1-10, how much do you enjoy ruining picnics?”
Native: “Are you having a stroke? What are you talking about?”
Doog: “I’m just trying to determine how much of an insect you are. You know, so I know how scared to be.”
Native: “Currently, you’re much more terrifying than me. Who approaches a stranger with such nonsensical questions?”
Doog: “Noted, but I still need some kind of answer.”
Native: “Technically, my race is neither mammalian nor insectoid. We are a unique clade of beings that doesn’t fit any classical LIU grouping. We share characteristics of both mammals and insects, so we’ve been deemed ‘mammalian-insectoids’.”
Doog: “That doesn’t really help. I heard lots of mentions of insects in your response.”
Native: “Sigh, the only parts of me that are ‘insect’ are my hardened-chitin exoskeleton and my breathing spiracles.”
Doog: “Ah, that makes me feel better.”
Native: Can you please go away now? You’re really frightening me.”
Native: “Greetings.”
Doog: “So, I see you guys have two arms and two legs. That’s good. Very mammalian of you.”
Native: “I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
Doog: “On a scale of 1-10, how much do you enjoy ruining picnics?”
Native: “Are you having a stroke? What are you talking about?”
Doog: “I’m just trying to determine how much of an insect you are. You know, so I know how scared to be.”
Native: “Currently, you’re much more terrifying than me. Who approaches a stranger with such nonsensical questions?”
Doog: “Noted, but I still need some kind of answer.”
Native: “Technically, my race is neither mammalian nor insectoid. We are a unique clade of beings that doesn’t fit any classical LIU grouping. We share characteristics of both mammals and insects, so we’ve been deemed ‘mammalian-insectoids’.”
Doog: “That doesn’t really help. I heard lots of mentions of insects in your response.”
Native: “Sigh, the only parts of me that are ‘insect’ are my hardened-chitin exoskeleton and my breathing spiracles.”
Doog: “Ah, that makes me feel better.”
Native: Can you please go away now? You’re really frightening me.”
Xylo: “That’s no way to speak to our distinguished guest.”
Native: “Sorry, Sovereign It’s just that he approached me speaking about picnics and arms. It was…”
Xylo: “THAT is all. I shall take it from here. Doog, welcome to Nexui, specifically the Liora Estate. I am Xylo. This is my mate, Zyra. Together, we form the Sovereign Pair.”
Doog: “The Sovereign Pair? What’s that?”
Xylo: “We are the dual leaders of this estate and its population.”
Doog: “I see. So, were you guys elected or are you the highest members of some royal family?”
Zyra: “Neither. The title of Sovereign Pair, and its duties, pass to the longest bonded pair within the estate. Xylo and I have been bonded for thirty cycles.”
Doog: “Interesting. So, if something would happen to one of you, you’d be dethroned.”
Xylo: “Well, we don’t have a throne, but yes. If either of should pass into the afterworld, we would be replaced by the next highest bonded pair.”
Doog: “That’s got to be tough, losing your mate and your job at the same time.”
Zyra: “We dread such a scenario, but it is the way of our people. A Sovereign Pair gets its strength from both participants’ knowledge and experience. To lose half of that, would diminish the remaining’s ability to lead effectively.”
Doog: “Makes sense to me.”
Native: “Sorry, Sovereign It’s just that he approached me speaking about picnics and arms. It was…”
Xylo: “THAT is all. I shall take it from here. Doog, welcome to Nexui, specifically the Liora Estate. I am Xylo. This is my mate, Zyra. Together, we form the Sovereign Pair.”
Doog: “The Sovereign Pair? What’s that?”
Xylo: “We are the dual leaders of this estate and its population.”
Doog: “I see. So, were you guys elected or are you the highest members of some royal family?”
Zyra: “Neither. The title of Sovereign Pair, and its duties, pass to the longest bonded pair within the estate. Xylo and I have been bonded for thirty cycles.”
Doog: “Interesting. So, if something would happen to one of you, you’d be dethroned.”
Xylo: “Well, we don’t have a throne, but yes. If either of should pass into the afterworld, we would be replaced by the next highest bonded pair.”
Doog: “That’s got to be tough, losing your mate and your job at the same time.”
Zyra: “We dread such a scenario, but it is the way of our people. A Sovereign Pair gets its strength from both participants’ knowledge and experience. To lose half of that, would diminish the remaining’s ability to lead effectively.”
Doog: “Makes sense to me.”
Doog: “What doesn’t make sense, is all the farming going on. I thought you guys raised some type of creature, not food.”
Xylo: “That is a typical misconception. Galactically, our only important good is Nexovane, a fabric made from local animals. So, when you research Nexui, that’s all that pops up.”
Zyra: “However, as living beings, we need to grow food to eat as well.”
Doog: “Ah. This is food for your people, not the creatures.”
Zyra: “Yes. Although, the Nexorids would eat it if they could. Hence the fortifications.”
Xylo: “The Nexorids are the creatures we harvest. Their appetite is unsatiable.”
Doog: “That’s what all these walls are for?”
Xylo: “Yes. The estate is divided into two sections that we call Xelaria and Nylaris. We’re currently in Xelaria. It is where you’ll find my people and our crops.”
Zyra: “Nylaris is the pasture-lands. The Nexorids are herded there. Great walls and towers separate the two.”
Xylo: “That is a typical misconception. Galactically, our only important good is Nexovane, a fabric made from local animals. So, when you research Nexui, that’s all that pops up.”
Zyra: “However, as living beings, we need to grow food to eat as well.”
Doog: “Ah. This is food for your people, not the creatures.”
Zyra: “Yes. Although, the Nexorids would eat it if they could. Hence the fortifications.”
Xylo: “The Nexorids are the creatures we harvest. Their appetite is unsatiable.”
Doog: “That’s what all these walls are for?”
Xylo: “Yes. The estate is divided into two sections that we call Xelaria and Nylaris. We’re currently in Xelaria. It is where you’ll find my people and our crops.”
Zyra: “Nylaris is the pasture-lands. The Nexorids are herded there. Great walls and towers separate the two.”
Doog: “Let me guess…we’re headed into the pasture section.”
Xylo: “Unspoken songs remain unheard.”
Doog: “What?!”
Zyra: “Forgive my mate’s insensitivities, he speaks the sayings of my people, forgetting that you would not comprehend. Yes, we head for the Nylaris.”
Xylo: “Forgive me. I became too comfortable, Doog. Guards, open the gates.”
Xylo: “Unspoken songs remain unheard.”
Doog: “What?!”
Zyra: “Forgive my mate’s insensitivities, he speaks the sayings of my people, forgetting that you would not comprehend. Yes, we head for the Nylaris.”
Xylo: “Forgive me. I became too comfortable, Doog. Guards, open the gates.”
Doog: “Okay, they are way bigger than I expected. They only have four legs, though, so I’m not too scared just yet.”
Zyra: “Do not fear the Nexorids. They pose no threat.”
Doog: “So, you say. I have one question, though. On a scale of 1-10, how likely are the Nexorids to fly recklessly around a light at night?”
Xylo: “They do not fly.”
Doog: “Ok, let’s try again. On a scale of 1-10, how likely are the Nexorids to hide in a shoe?”
Xylo: “I do not believe they would fit in most shoes. So, I’d say one.”
Doog: “Dang it. This isn’t working. How insect-like are the Nexorids?”
Zyra: “They share similar biology to our own. They are warm-blooded, quadrupeds, covered in fur. They do have a chitin exoskeleton, disjointed mandibles, and breathing spiracles, like us.”
Doog: “I see. Well, you guys have been cool, so far, so if these things are similar, I guess I’m alright.”
Zyra: “As I said earlier, you have nothing to fear. The Nexorids are immeasurably dimwitted. Since you’re not food, they don’t even know you exist.”
Xylo: “Great size often accompanies a gentle simplicity.”
Zyra: “Another proverb, Xylo?”
Xylo: “Oh yeah, I forgot again. Sorry.”
Zyra: “Do not fear the Nexorids. They pose no threat.”
Doog: “So, you say. I have one question, though. On a scale of 1-10, how likely are the Nexorids to fly recklessly around a light at night?”
Xylo: “They do not fly.”
Doog: “Ok, let’s try again. On a scale of 1-10, how likely are the Nexorids to hide in a shoe?”
Xylo: “I do not believe they would fit in most shoes. So, I’d say one.”
Doog: “Dang it. This isn’t working. How insect-like are the Nexorids?”
Zyra: “They share similar biology to our own. They are warm-blooded, quadrupeds, covered in fur. They do have a chitin exoskeleton, disjointed mandibles, and breathing spiracles, like us.”
Doog: “I see. Well, you guys have been cool, so far, so if these things are similar, I guess I’m alright.”
Zyra: “As I said earlier, you have nothing to fear. The Nexorids are immeasurably dimwitted. Since you’re not food, they don’t even know you exist.”
Xylo: “Great size often accompanies a gentle simplicity.”
Zyra: “Another proverb, Xylo?”
Xylo: “Oh yeah, I forgot again. Sorry.”
Zyra: “The Nexorids are simple. They eat until they have enough energy to mate.”
Xylo: “That usually takes about three weeks.”
Zyra: “The Nexorid then finds another nutritionally gratified member of the opposite sex to mate.”
Doog: “Eating and mating. What a life!”
Zyra: “Both males and females possess spinnerets. They weave a nesting structure and deposit their genetic material. Their brood emerges weeks later.”
Xylo: “That’s what those spikes are for. It helps the hatched Nexorids to tear out of the Nexovane nesting structure.”
Zyra: “Nexovane is strong.”
Xylo: “Yet, soft.”
Zyra: “And exceptionally beautiful.”
Xylo: “Due to its iridescence.”
Xylo: “That usually takes about three weeks.”
Zyra: “The Nexorid then finds another nutritionally gratified member of the opposite sex to mate.”
Doog: “Eating and mating. What a life!”
Zyra: “Both males and females possess spinnerets. They weave a nesting structure and deposit their genetic material. Their brood emerges weeks later.”
Xylo: “That’s what those spikes are for. It helps the hatched Nexorids to tear out of the Nexovane nesting structure.”
Zyra: “Nexovane is strong.”
Xylo: “Yet, soft.”
Zyra: “And exceptionally beautiful.”
Xylo: “Due to its iridescence.”
Doog: “So, you guys harvest old nests?”
Xylo: “No, nests are dirty and impure. Excuse me for offering another Nexui adage, but ‘Untouched, clear essence breeds the truest cloth.’ Essentially, pure Nexovane is worth its weight in hyper-rubies, while the nest stuff is worth as little as Laniger Wool.”
Zyra: “To get the purest product, we herd hunger-quenched Nexorids to a collection facility.”
Xylo: “No, nests are dirty and impure. Excuse me for offering another Nexui adage, but ‘Untouched, clear essence breeds the truest cloth.’ Essentially, pure Nexovane is worth its weight in hyper-rubies, while the nest stuff is worth as little as Laniger Wool.”
Zyra: “To get the purest product, we herd hunger-quenched Nexorids to a collection facility.”
Xylo: “With a little poking and prodding…”
Zyra: “…and some pheromones…”
Xylo: “…we provoke the Nexorids into collection harnesses.”
Doog: “Where does this fabric come from?”
Zyra: “Again, not fabric. Not at this point. We harvest the protein that’s makes Nexovane directly from the source – their spinnerets.”
Xylo: “The protein is called Nexorin.”
Zyra: “…and some pheromones…”
Xylo: “…we provoke the Nexorids into collection harnesses.”
Doog: “Where does this fabric come from?”
Zyra: “Again, not fabric. Not at this point. We harvest the protein that’s makes Nexovane directly from the source – their spinnerets.”
Xylo: “The protein is called Nexorin.”
Doog: “What’s a spinneret?”
Zyra: “It’s the organ where Nexorin is created.”
Xylo: “Specifically, the little spike-like structure on the end of its abdomen.”
Zyra: “It’s important for the harvesting machine to make a perfect seal with the spinneret.”
Xylo: “Oxygen reacts with Nexorin to make Nexovane.”
Zyra: “Meaning, we want it to stay the liquid protein.”
Doog: “Why would it be bad for it to become Nexovane? I thought that’s what you guys are making?”
Xylo: “Nexovane is made on Nexui, but not here. It is much purer, and therefore valuable, if the conversion process is done under controlled conditions.”
Zyra: “It’s the organ where Nexorin is created.”
Xylo: “Specifically, the little spike-like structure on the end of its abdomen.”
Zyra: “It’s important for the harvesting machine to make a perfect seal with the spinneret.”
Xylo: “Oxygen reacts with Nexorin to make Nexovane.”
Zyra: “Meaning, we want it to stay the liquid protein.”
Doog: “Why would it be bad for it to become Nexovane? I thought that’s what you guys are making?”
Xylo: “Nexovane is made on Nexui, but not here. It is much purer, and therefore valuable, if the conversion process is done under controlled conditions.”
Xylo: “Nexorin is pumped from the Nexorids into filtering machines.”
Zyra: “It removes the ever-so-rare impurities.”
Xylo: “It is then pumped outside of the Liora Estate.”
Doog: “Outside?”
Zyra: “It removes the ever-so-rare impurities.”
Xylo: “It is then pumped outside of the Liora Estate.”
Doog: “Outside?”
Zyra: “Yes, into silos.”
Xylo: “The silos are high-grade. No contaminations are possible.”
Doog: “There’s a desert right outside of the estate?”
Xylo: “A dead zone.”
Zyra: “Created by the LIU.”
Xylo: “Another protection from the ravenous Nexorids.”
Zyra: “Otherwise, escaped Nexorids could compromise other estates.”
Doog: “These things really like to eat, don’t they?”
Zyra: “Without protections, the Nexorids could eat the planet into obscurity. Walls, weapons, and dead zones keep the economy safe.”
Xylo: “The silos are high-grade. No contaminations are possible.”
Doog: “There’s a desert right outside of the estate?”
Xylo: “A dead zone.”
Zyra: “Created by the LIU.”
Xylo: “Another protection from the ravenous Nexorids.”
Zyra: “Otherwise, escaped Nexorids could compromise other estates.”
Doog: “These things really like to eat, don’t they?”
Zyra: “Without protections, the Nexorids could eat the planet into obscurity. Walls, weapons, and dead zones keep the economy safe.”
Xylo: “Guys like this protect it further.”
Doog: “Is that a gun?”
Xylo: “It most certainly is. He protects the dead zones, killing any escaped Nexorids, but more importantly…”
Zyra: “…he protects the Nexorin silos.”
Xylo: “It is worth a lot.”
Zyra: “More than you’re probably imagining.”
Doog: “Is that a gun?”
Xylo: “It most certainly is. He protects the dead zones, killing any escaped Nexorids, but more importantly…”
Zyra: “…he protects the Nexorin silos.”
Xylo: “It is worth a lot.”
Zyra: “More than you’re probably imagining.”
Doog: “Hey, don’t shoot. I’m just a guy doing a TV show.”
Pilot: “Xylo?”
Xylo: “He’s good.”
Pilot: “Ok.”
Xylo: “He needs a lift to Aurelia.”
Pilot: “I’m not due for a transport for a few weeks.”
Xylo: “I have a back-up being transferred to watch the silo. You’re good to go. TV2’s request.”
Pilot: “10-4.”
Xylo: “You’re in good hands, Doog. Enjoy the journey.”
Doog: “Thanks for being mostly mammal, guys. Also, great tour.”
Pilot: “Xylo?”
Xylo: “He’s good.”
Pilot: “Ok.”
Xylo: “He needs a lift to Aurelia.”
Pilot: “I’m not due for a transport for a few weeks.”
Xylo: “I have a back-up being transferred to watch the silo. You’re good to go. TV2’s request.”
Pilot: “10-4.”
Xylo: “You’re in good hands, Doog. Enjoy the journey.”
Doog: “Thanks for being mostly mammal, guys. Also, great tour.”
Pilot: “Well, TV2 guy, hop on board and get comfortable. Aurelia is about two hours away, depending on the winds.”
Doog: “I’m a little underprepared. What’s Aurelia?”
Pilot: “Not only is it the capital and export point of Nexui, it’s the galaxy’s fashion capital as well.”
Doog: “Sounds exciting, but I’m a little weary of this craft. Two hours in this thing?”
Pilot: “They trust it enough to transport Nexorin on a regular basis, and it is certainly worth more than you or I.”
Doog: “I’m sold.”
Doog: “I’m a little underprepared. What’s Aurelia?”
Pilot: “Not only is it the capital and export point of Nexui, it’s the galaxy’s fashion capital as well.”
Doog: “Sounds exciting, but I’m a little weary of this craft. Two hours in this thing?”
Pilot: “They trust it enough to transport Nexorin on a regular basis, and it is certainly worth more than you or I.”
Doog: “I’m sold.”
Doog: “Well folks, that’s Nexui – at least, most of it. This world has biologically strange sentients and creatures that don’t fit in a typical category. They’re an amalgam of mammals and insects. Luckily, they’re a bit more mammal. Creatures here, called Nexorids, make an extremely rare and valuable fabric, Nexovane, but it must be processed first. We’ll learn more about that in the second part of this episode. That’s right, we have to check out Aurelia before we close out this planet. Oh well, see ya!”
Note: Prior to the formation of the LIU, Nexui underwent several famines because of the unchecked movement of Nexorids. Only under corporate control did the estates gain food safety via the dead zones.
Note: Prior to the formation of the LIU, Nexui underwent several famines because of the unchecked movement of Nexorids. Only under corporate control did the estates gain food safety via the dead zones.
