Space Opera - The Drip Chronicles

Originally posted on MSPA by thriggle.

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Make sure it's not a tranquilizer dart by attempting to move around.

Hoping that the dart is but a very weak projectile weapon, or perhaps a colorful decoration, you jump to your feet (NOT PICTURED) and look around the room.

It appears to be a PRIMITIVE FURNITURE SHOWROOM, and judging by the tasteful rug near your feet, these HOWLING SAVAGES might be somewhat more advanced than you'd been given to believe.

Bob: That dart won't slow you! You need to save Nigel! Your high DETERMINATION negates the effect!

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SpoilerYou start to feel a little woozy, undoubtedly due to the DRUGGED Action Trait.

Whoa. ...Or maybe you have a touch of SPACE MADNESS?

>Wax poetic at the HORRIFYING CREATURE, as your space suit protects you from it. Explain that you just really need someone to talk to.

>Sacrifice creepy bug to idol to assure a bountiful harvest

SPAAAACE MAAADNESSS!

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SpoilerYou call out to the HORRIFYING CREEPY SPACE BUG CREATURE in a drug-fevered dream, begging it to grant your crops a boon and telling it about your feelings of inadequacy in the realm of gardening. ...No response.

But...
In a moment of painful clarity, you see figures uncomfortably close to your face, and hear low, raspy voices, voices the sound of wire brushes scratching on ceramic, or of sandpapery mandibles sliding and clacking...

The whispering voices rasp unpleasantly against the neurons of your deluded mind as it drifts into unconsciousness.

"...How much does it know?"
"It killed Agent Bugsby at the Rendezvous Point. Bugsby's corpse is still in its pocket."
"And the message?"
"Intercepted. Also in its pocket. It must be an agent of the Unity. Do we abandon the operation?"

"...No. We've come too far."
"...Killing it will only lead the natives to us."
"It is better alive. The natives hunt it."
"...But, just to be sure..."
"...Yes..."

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Spoiler

NT: Next.

You are now Nigel's Thornberry.

You are nearly asleep as you sit on the boring TINFOIL HELMET of the boring NATIVE DEMAGOGUE in the boring UGLY ROOM of the boring ALIEN OPPOSITION LEAGUE. They have been discussing boring strategy since leaving the crash site, and you have been waiting in your FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE for something to happen that might somehow involve your master WESLEY.

Fortunately or otherwise, the NATIVE ANIMALS don't seem to notice you. They appear to be discussing plans to steal some sort of ZAP GUN from the government. Sounds boring, but they're leaving in a few minutes.