LIU Atlas - Cator Furta
There are billions of stars, millions of planets, but there is only one man, Terrance McDoogal. Welcome to LIU Atlas.
LIU Atlas - Cator Furta
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.
LIU Atlas - Cator Furta
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.
Doog: “Welcome to another episode of LIU Atlas. I’m your host, Terrance “Doog” McDoogal. Today, we’re wrapping up our tour of the Ferox Cluster by visiting the region’s notorious moon of Cator Furta. The oblong, irregular moon is a haven for crime, spice, and smuggling, giving it the nickname, the Smuggler’s Den. Ligati might be the LIU’s official commerce center within the cluster, but make no mistake, the region’s economic powerhouse is the seedy moon of Cator Furta.”
Doog: “The moon is home to a sprawling city the covers much of its surface. The buildings here are large, but unorganized. It seems each building is constructed as needed with no planning or forethought. I could easily see myself getting lost here. Luckily, I’ll be joined by my expert guide, Trebax.”
Doog: “Good to see you again, bud. So, what’s with the helmets again. Am I not allowed to breathe the air here too?”
Trebax: “No, the atmosphere, although heavily polluted, is breathable. The helmets are a precaution. We need them to mask our identities.”
Doog: “From who?”
Trebax: “Everyone. Cator Furta is the most dangerous world in the Ferox Cluster. I wouldn’t want anyone to recognize you. They might overestimate your worth and try to extort some sort of ransom?”
Doog: “Oh, because I’m famous?”
Trebax: “What? No. Because you’re associated with me. They might take you to get to me. Sorry to tell you, I’m not giving myself up for you.”
Doog: “Thanks pal. So, you have enemies here?”
Trebax: “Everyone has enemies here. That’s the nature of Cator Furta.”
Trebax: “No, the atmosphere, although heavily polluted, is breathable. The helmets are a precaution. We need them to mask our identities.”
Doog: “From who?”
Trebax: “Everyone. Cator Furta is the most dangerous world in the Ferox Cluster. I wouldn’t want anyone to recognize you. They might overestimate your worth and try to extort some sort of ransom?”
Doog: “Oh, because I’m famous?”
Trebax: “What? No. Because you’re associated with me. They might take you to get to me. Sorry to tell you, I’m not giving myself up for you.”
Doog: “Thanks pal. So, you have enemies here?”
Trebax: “Everyone has enemies here. That’s the nature of Cator Furta.”
Doog: “Comforting. So, where do we start? This place looks like a maze.”
Trebax: “It is a maze. The city’s twisted paths are intentional. If the LIU would come here in force, they’d have a hard time finding their way around. These meandering paths also hide secret alcoves and building entrances.”
Doog: “Shady. I like it. I might move here next time I‘m due to go to jail.”
Trebax: “It is a maze. The city’s twisted paths are intentional. If the LIU would come here in force, they’d have a hard time finding their way around. These meandering paths also hide secret alcoves and building entrances.”
Doog: “Shady. I like it. I might move here next time I‘m due to go to jail.”
Doog: “And look. They have lease free apartments. Perfect.”
Trebax: “Apartments of this nature are common in residential areas like this. Smugglers might only be on the moon a few days. They usually wait for a load then head out. Sometimes criminals will use these apartments to lay low and hide from the law. Not that there’s much law around here.”
Trebax: “Apartments of this nature are common in residential areas like this. Smugglers might only be on the moon a few days. They usually wait for a load then head out. Sometimes criminals will use these apartments to lay low and hide from the law. Not that there’s much law around here.”
Trebax: “Well, shall we get started?”
Doog: “Sure. Hey wait, you aren’t parking your ship here?”
Trebax: “Nah, I’ll send it into orbit. I don’t want it stolen. Besides, I might need to make a quick escape. You never know.”
Doog: “Sure. Hey wait, you aren’t parking your ship here?”
Trebax: “Nah, I’ll send it into orbit. I don’t want it stolen. Besides, I might need to make a quick escape. You never know.”
Trebax: “Little markets like this fill the space between residential areas. All retail here is unregulated so you could pretty much buy or sell anything you want. Guns, drugs, or any other illicit materials are free game.”
Doog: “And pizza apparently.”
Trebax: “Hey, smugglers are people too.”
Trebax: “Hey, smugglers are people too.”
Doog: “You know you have a bad life when you’re homeless on a moon like this. I’m doubting there are many charitable donations.”
Trebax: “No. And there’s tons of them. Slavers collect people and bring them here to sell. Some of the older or damaged slaves go unsold and are set free to fend for themselves.”
Doog: “Brutal.”
Trebax: “You could give him some money.”
Doog: “What! Me? I’m poor. Screw that guy.”
Trebax: “Exactly.”
Trebax: “No. And there’s tons of them. Slavers collect people and bring them here to sell. Some of the older or damaged slaves go unsold and are set free to fend for themselves.”
Doog: “Brutal.”
Trebax: “You could give him some money.”
Doog: “What! Me? I’m poor. Screw that guy.”
Trebax: “Exactly.”
Thug: “You had you three days. Where’s our money?”
Guy: “Ahhh! Please. I’ll get it. I need more time!”
Doog: “Oh man. Check it out Trebax.”
Trebax: “Shhh! Mind your own business. And STOP using my name.”
Guy: “Ahhh! Please. I’ll get it. I need more time!”
Doog: “Oh man. Check it out Trebax.”
Trebax: “Shhh! Mind your own business. And STOP using my name.”
Guy: “Ahhhh!”
Thug: “That’s what happens when you don’t pay!”
Thug#2: “Yeah. Uh, but we still didn’t get our money.”
Thug: “I didn’t think of that.”
Thug#2: “We could have taken his shoes or something…”
Thug: “That’s what happens when you don’t pay!”
Thug#2: “Yeah. Uh, but we still didn’t get our money.”
Thug: “I didn’t think of that.”
Thug#2: “We could have taken his shoes or something…”
Doog: “Holy Kaadu! I just witnessed a murder.”
Trebax: “You’re going to experience a murder if you don’t shut up. Eyes forward and walk. You saw nothing. Here on Cator Furta, we are blind to everything that does not affect us.”
Trebax: “You’re going to experience a murder if you don’t shut up. Eyes forward and walk. You saw nothing. Here on Cator Furta, we are blind to everything that does not affect us.”
Doog: “If you think about it, that’s not different than most worlds. But murder…wow. That’s tough to ignore.”
Trebax: “Seriously, my extendable sword is pointing at your back. Not another word about it. Last thing you want is to
be labeled a witness. Especially a forthcoming, blabbering witness.”
Trebax: “Seriously, my extendable sword is pointing at your back. Not another word about it. Last thing you want is to
be labeled a witness. Especially a forthcoming, blabbering witness.”
Doog: “Alright. Alright. So where are we?”
Trebax: “We’re above the open air market. It’s a popular place to fence stolen goods.”
Trebax: “We’re above the open air market. It’s a popular place to fence stolen goods.”
Doog: “That sign says auctions here.”
Trebax: “Yes, indeed it does. That’s where we’re headed.”
Trebax: “Yes, indeed it does. That’s where we’re headed.”
Doog: “What in the…Did you just bring me to a male strip club? Or creepy bondage seminar?”
Trebax: “What!? No! This is the slave auctions.”
Trebax: “What!? No! This is the slave auctions.”
Doog: “Slavery…I keep forgetting that’s so abundant in this cluster.”
Trebax: “Yes, and this is the heart of the whole operation. It accounts for a third of the Triumvirate’s operations.”
Doog: “The what?”
Trebax: “The Triumvirate. It’s a criminal syndicate that combines the illegal operations of three of Cator Furta’s biggest crime organizations. This third is known as the Slavers Guild. It is run by the Mancipium race. They once scoured the galaxy abducting unfortunate souls to sell into slavery. Once defeated by the LIU, the Mancipium race relocated here to restart their operations. Although, now, they operate on more of an administrative capacity.”
Trebax: “Yes, and this is the heart of the whole operation. It accounts for a third of the Triumvirate’s operations.”
Doog: “The what?”
Trebax: “The Triumvirate. It’s a criminal syndicate that combines the illegal operations of three of Cator Furta’s biggest crime organizations. This third is known as the Slavers Guild. It is run by the Mancipium race. They once scoured the galaxy abducting unfortunate souls to sell into slavery. Once defeated by the LIU, the Mancipium race relocated here to restart their operations. Although, now, they operate on more of an administrative capacity.”
Doog: “Administrative capacity? How so?”
Trebax: “Now, they rely on independent slavers to gather their product. They only handle the selling of the slaves. It keeps them safe from the LIU.”
Doog: “Wow. I never knew this existed on such a large scale.”
Trebax: “Yeah, they hide it well. Slavers only hit backwoods agricultural worlds and such.”
Doog: “Well great. Another reason to hate agricultural worlds. Can we move on? This is depressing.”
Trebax: “Yeah, follow me.”
Trebax: “Now, they rely on independent slavers to gather their product. They only handle the selling of the slaves. It keeps them safe from the LIU.”
Doog: “Wow. I never knew this existed on such a large scale.”
Trebax: “Yeah, they hide it well. Slavers only hit backwoods agricultural worlds and such.”
Doog: “Well great. Another reason to hate agricultural worlds. Can we move on? This is depressing.”
Trebax: “Yeah, follow me.”
Trebax: “The second third of the Triumvirate involves the spice trade. This is run by the Dogian race.”
Doog: “I’ve dealt with the Dogians on a few occasions. I know they are heavily involved in smuggling operations, some of it legal.”
Trebax: “Yeah, well this is definitely one of their illegal operations. They collect the cluster’s spices - Awe, Tantiban, and Glow- and smuggle it into the rest of the galaxy.”
Doog: “Glow? Haven’t heard of that one before.”
Trebax: “Yeah, because it is made here on Cator Furta. The Dogians mass produce it in large warehouses in the city’s underbelly. That’s where we are headed.”
Doog: “We are going inside their illegal operations? Isn’t that…dangerous.”
Trebax: “Yeah. It’s going to require some ingenuity, so…let me handle it.”
Doog: “I’ve dealt with the Dogians on a few occasions. I know they are heavily involved in smuggling operations, some of it legal.”
Trebax: “Yeah, well this is definitely one of their illegal operations. They collect the cluster’s spices - Awe, Tantiban, and Glow- and smuggle it into the rest of the galaxy.”
Doog: “Glow? Haven’t heard of that one before.”
Trebax: “Yeah, because it is made here on Cator Furta. The Dogians mass produce it in large warehouses in the city’s underbelly. That’s where we are headed.”
Doog: “We are going inside their illegal operations? Isn’t that…dangerous.”
Trebax: “Yeah. It’s going to require some ingenuity, so…let me handle it.”
Doog: “Wow, this place is huge.”
Trebax: “Yes. It’s grown in massive quantities.”
Doog: “What is Glow?”
Trebax: “Yes. It’s grown in massive quantities.”
Doog: “What is Glow?”
Trebax: “Glow is the processed pollen of the Quies flower. It originated on another, classified world within this cluster. Glow is so addictive, the LIU fire-bombed the entire planet in an attempt to get rid of it. Some had already made it off world though, and it was transported here to be grown.”
Doog: “Why doesn’t the LIU bomb Cator Furta then? Seems like it could handle a lot of their problems.”
Doog: “Why doesn’t the LIU bomb Cator Furta then? Seems like it could handle a lot of their problems.”
Trebax: “As we’ve discussed before, the LIU dislikes some, or even most, of the illegal activities here. But some of it, well, it’s just too profitable to destroy. They tolerate Glow to an extent, but trust me, you’ll get the axe if you’re caught selling or possessing it off world.”
Doog: “What does it do to you?”
Trebax: “Huh?”
Doog: “Glow.”
Trebax: “It’s hard to explain. It’s a relaxant, but at the same time, it gives you lots of energy. Don’t ever try it though. A single use can give you a life time addiction. It’s nearly impossible to stop.”
Doog: “What does it do to you?”
Trebax: “Huh?”
Doog: “Glow.”
Trebax: “It’s hard to explain. It’s a relaxant, but at the same time, it gives you lots of energy. Don’t ever try it though. A single use can give you a life time addiction. It’s nearly impossible to stop.”
Dogian: “Hey! How did you get in here! Wait, is that you Trebax? I thought you were out of the game.”
Trebax: “Sort of. I got pinched smuggling spice. I’ve been laying low since.”
Dogian: “That’s not what I heard. I heard you’re a snitch for the LIU now.”
Trebax: “Me? Never. I did a little freelance work for the LIU for a reduced sentence, but I’m no snitch. In fact, I’ve moved out of the smuggling game, and I’m thinking of selling.”
Dogian: “Oh yeah?”
Trebax: “Yeah. This guy here is one of my investors. I told him I’d show him around a bit. Ease his worries.”
Dogian: “Hmm? What’s your name, investor?”
Trebax: “He, uh, doesn’t speak basic.”
Doog: “Uh, yeah, no basic here.”
Dogian: “Wait. That was basic right there! What’s going on!”
Trebax: “What I meant to say is that my rich investor here doesn’t talk to basic level folks like yourself. He’s one of the rich, elitist types. I do all his talking. In fact, he told me he’d rather me stab him in the throat than allow him to speak to a basic level guy.”
Dogian: “Rich folks…need their money, but man they are quirky.”
Trebax: “You’re telling me. So, how about it? A little tour?”
Dogian: “Yeah. I guess. That’s not a camera? Is it?”
Trebax: “What camera? Oh, that hovering thing? That’s just an automated death sentry. Part of my rich, silent investor’s defense strategy. If he dies, that thing kills everyone.”
Dogian: “Wow, he must be rich.”
Trebax: “Sort of. I got pinched smuggling spice. I’ve been laying low since.”
Dogian: “That’s not what I heard. I heard you’re a snitch for the LIU now.”
Trebax: “Me? Never. I did a little freelance work for the LIU for a reduced sentence, but I’m no snitch. In fact, I’ve moved out of the smuggling game, and I’m thinking of selling.”
Dogian: “Oh yeah?”
Trebax: “Yeah. This guy here is one of my investors. I told him I’d show him around a bit. Ease his worries.”
Dogian: “Hmm? What’s your name, investor?”
Trebax: “He, uh, doesn’t speak basic.”
Doog: “Uh, yeah, no basic here.”
Dogian: “Wait. That was basic right there! What’s going on!”
Trebax: “What I meant to say is that my rich investor here doesn’t talk to basic level folks like yourself. He’s one of the rich, elitist types. I do all his talking. In fact, he told me he’d rather me stab him in the throat than allow him to speak to a basic level guy.”
Dogian: “Rich folks…need their money, but man they are quirky.”
Trebax: “You’re telling me. So, how about it? A little tour?”
Dogian: “Yeah. I guess. That’s not a camera? Is it?”
Trebax: “What camera? Oh, that hovering thing? That’s just an automated death sentry. Part of my rich, silent investor’s defense strategy. If he dies, that thing kills everyone.”
Dogian: “Wow, he must be rich.”
Dogian: “Extracted pollen is refined and evaporated in these chambers here. A few hours in here, and it’s street ready.”
Trebax: “Looks like your operation is top notch. I’ll need to speak with my client, but I think we’ll be interested in a purchase. Speaking of which, do you mind if I speak to my client alone for a bit?”
Dogian: “Not at all. That death sentry is kind of freaking me out. When you’re ready to deal, come find me.”
Doog: “Whew…that was close.”
Trebax: “ Too close. You couldn’t keep your mouth shut for five minutes?”
Doog: “Sorry. I’m new to the whole clandestine journalism thing. So, is this how the drug gets it’s name? From the glowing tanks?”
Trebax: “Partially. The pollen has a glow to it when heated, but the name derives from one of the side effects of chronic use…red, glowing eyes.”
Doog: “Oh, so that’s what your on.”
Trebax: “One of them, yeah. Unfortunately, I’m hooked for life. Come on, standing around this much spice is too tempting. Let’s move on.”
Trebax: “Looks like your operation is top notch. I’ll need to speak with my client, but I think we’ll be interested in a purchase. Speaking of which, do you mind if I speak to my client alone for a bit?”
Dogian: “Not at all. That death sentry is kind of freaking me out. When you’re ready to deal, come find me.”
Doog: “Whew…that was close.”
Trebax: “ Too close. You couldn’t keep your mouth shut for five minutes?”
Doog: “Sorry. I’m new to the whole clandestine journalism thing. So, is this how the drug gets it’s name? From the glowing tanks?”
Trebax: “Partially. The pollen has a glow to it when heated, but the name derives from one of the side effects of chronic use…red, glowing eyes.”
Doog: “Oh, so that’s what your on.”
Trebax: “One of them, yeah. Unfortunately, I’m hooked for life. Come on, standing around this much spice is too tempting. Let’s move on.”
Trebax: “The third part of the Triumvirate is Tri-Loans. This illegal banking operation is run by the moon’s native species, the Cator Furtans.”
Doog: “Aw man. If there’s a race native to this moon, then, let me guess, they’re arachnids.”
Trebax: “Yep. They are the most advanced of all the arachnid species here in the cluster. You don’t see many of them in the open, but I assure you, they are a powerful force.”
Doog: “How so?”
Trebax: “Their bank, Tri-Loans, is the principle backer of most illegal operations in the galaxy. They don’t deal in the LIU credit either. They have their own currency known as the Tri.”
Doog: “Aw man. If there’s a race native to this moon, then, let me guess, they’re arachnids.”
Trebax: “Yep. They are the most advanced of all the arachnid species here in the cluster. You don’t see many of them in the open, but I assure you, they are a powerful force.”
Doog: “How so?”
Trebax: “Their bank, Tri-Loans, is the principle backer of most illegal operations in the galaxy. They don’t deal in the LIU credit either. They have their own currency known as the Tri.”
Trebax: “Unlike the LIU credit, the Tri is nearly impossible to track. Makes it hard to follow the money, if you know what I mean.”
Doog: “I don’t know anything about money, mostly because I never have any.”
Doog: “I don’t know anything about money, mostly because I never have any.”
Trebax: “While the bank funds large scale operations, it also handles small personal transactions. Smugglers and criminals find it safer to keep their money here where it can’t be seized by the LIU. The bank also offer’s high interest loans to individuals to fund their criminal activities.”
Doog: “Sounds like they’re just a large scale loan shark operation.”
Trebax: “That’s exactly what it is. Unfortunately, when you loan seedy money to seedy individuals, problems arise: people can’t repay the loan or just run off. That’s why the Cator Furtans employ a huge personal army of bounty hunters and debt collectors.”
Doog: “They have an army?!”
Trebax: “Oh yeah. They should be close to the bank too. Let’s see if we can find one of their outposts.”
Doog: “Sounds like a terrible idea. Let’s do it.”
Doog: “Sounds like they’re just a large scale loan shark operation.”
Trebax: “That’s exactly what it is. Unfortunately, when you loan seedy money to seedy individuals, problems arise: people can’t repay the loan or just run off. That’s why the Cator Furtans employ a huge personal army of bounty hunters and debt collectors.”
Doog: “They have an army?!”
Trebax: “Oh yeah. They should be close to the bank too. Let’s see if we can find one of their outposts.”
Doog: “Sounds like a terrible idea. Let’s do it.”
Trebax: “Yep. Here, we go. The Triumvirate has outposts like this around the moon. Their personal army of degenerates can load up on weapons before heading off world in search of bounties or to collect debts.”
Doog: “Oh crap. I think I just saw my first native. Is he some type of cyborg?”
Trebax: “Yeah, that’s a Cator Furtan. They are one of the smaller spider species, but they often make cybernetic enhancements to themselves to increase their size. This guy is huge though. Much bigger than usual.”
Doog: “Must be compensating for something..”
Trebax: “Yeah, that’s a Cator Furtan. They are one of the smaller spider species, but they often make cybernetic enhancements to themselves to increase their size. This guy is huge though. Much bigger than usual.”
Doog: “Must be compensating for something..”
Furtan: “Tsk, tsk. Trebax. We’ve had word you had returned.”
Trebax: “Well, I missed you guys.”
Furtan: “The feeling is not mutual. You’ve left the Triumvirate. I can smell the LIU on you.”
Trebax: “That’s probably Doog.”
Furtan: “Enough jokes. You left so you know you’re not allowed in the outpost. Now, you die. Kill him.”
Trebax: “Well, I missed you guys.”
Furtan: “The feeling is not mutual. You’ve left the Triumvirate. I can smell the LIU on you.”
Trebax: “That’s probably Doog.”
Furtan: “Enough jokes. You left so you know you’re not allowed in the outpost. Now, you die. Kill him.”
Trebax: “Stay behind me Doog!”
Doog: “I don’t like our odds. Tell me I’m tripping on Tantiban again…”
Doog: “I don’t like our odds. Tell me I’m tripping on Tantiban again…”
Trebax: “Don’t underestimate me.”
Doog: “Uh, for the record, I don’t know this guy. He forced me to come here.”
Doog: “Uh, for the record, I don’t know this guy. He forced me to come here.”
Doog: “Uh, keep up the good work. Also, I will no longer stay behind you, as there is a giant mechanical spider guy currently residing there.”
Furtan: “You still have it Trebax. Credit where credit is due. But now, I finish this.”
Trebax: “Oh yeah? Think those mechanical enhancements will help you?”
Trebax: “Oh yeah? Think those mechanical enhancements will help you?”
Trebax: “They just look like convenient murdering platforms to me!”
Doog: “We have to come up with some better taglines for you.”
Trebax: “Yeah, I’m a bit off my game. Want a souvenir?”
Doog: “I won’t even touch dead, decapitated spiders.”
Trebax: “Fair enough. I need this as a message anyway.”
Doog: “A message?”
Trebax: “Yeah, we have one more stop.”
Trebax: “Yeah, I’m a bit off my game. Want a souvenir?”
Doog: “I won’t even touch dead, decapitated spiders.”
Trebax: “Fair enough. I need this as a message anyway.”
Doog: “A message?”
Trebax: “Yeah, we have one more stop.”
Trebax: “The Triumvirate Council. The leaders of syndicate.”
Mancipium: “Trebax? Is that you? How did you get in here?”
Mancipium: “Trebax? Is that you? How did you get in here?”
Trebax: “I killed five of your best guys guarding the door.”
Dogian: “You must have a death wish. If you’re thinking about killing us…let’s just say you’ll never be safe in this galaxy again.”
Doog: “Again, for the record, I have no idea who this guy is.”
Dogian: “You must have a death wish. If you’re thinking about killing us…let’s just say you’ll never be safe in this galaxy again.”
Doog: “Again, for the record, I have no idea who this guy is.”
Trebax: “Relax. I’m not here to kill you this time. I bring a symbolic gift. I just wanted to give you a heads up. There is intelligence indicating that this organization may be hiding, supporting, and/or financing certain members of the ‘Revolution’. It will cease immediately. This is a one time warning. Everything you’ve built here depends on your cooperation. Thanks for your time.”
Doog: “Uh, have a nice day.”
Doog: “Uh, have a nice day.”
Doog: “What the heck was that?”
Trebax: “Just a little multi-tasking. Giving tours and delivering messages. Well, it’s been grand Doog. Unfortunately, I must depart. Didn’t make a lot of friends today.”
Trebax: “Just a little multi-tasking. Giving tours and delivering messages. Well, it’s been grand Doog. Unfortunately, I must depart. Didn’t make a lot of friends today.”
Doog: “Wait! You can’t just leave me outside the door of the Triumvirate! You just killed all their guys and threatened them! Well folks, Cator Furta lived up to its reputation. It’s the capital of the criminal world in the LIU Galaxy. It’s dangerous, shady, and full of villainy. Speaking of dangerous, I hope the Magellan gets here soon or I’m a dead man. See ya.”
Note: Tri-Loans is now accepting American Express.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT EPISODE: Season 7 - Episode 7 - Emeritus
Note: Tri-Loans is now accepting American Express.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT EPISODE: Season 7 - Episode 7 - Emeritus
