GEK PuzzleType: TRA_NPC_ #1 Alien: Hello new friend! The Gek first encounter tradition is to give units! The small creature is busy adding up trade profits when I appear. Their eyes open wide in anticipation of our first contact, and they rubs their fingers together greedily. The lifeform pecks emphatically at the monetary figures on their pad, then bounces up and down. I can't help but notice that they smell amazing. {Give units} The lifeform is clearly thrilled. They give me something in exchange. ---TECHFRAG_S--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Apologise for being unable to help} The lifeform looks disappointed. They take pity on my confusion, and give me some units. ---MONEY--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Pat the lifeform on the head} There is a long silence. The trader emits a foul-smelling gas. ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #18 Alien: Friend despair! Gek Trader replace bad scent! Watch! Gek swallow oxide elements, and joyful scent appears! The air around the beaked lifeform smells foul. It seeps into my exosuit and makes me gag. Noticing my expression, the trader pecks at an element they carry. They break the substance into pieces, then swallow each whole. There is a deep gurgle, and the Gek emits a gas packet that smells delightful. The creature wipes their empty hands, and beams at me with pleasure. {Thank with common isotope} The trader nods a brief thank you. They pay for my contribution, but would perhaps have preferred something else. ---MONEY--- {Thank with common oxide} The overjoyed trader pecks happily at my gift. They thank me with their own generous offering. ---TECHFRAG_M--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Thank with common silicate} The trader nods a brief thank you. They pay for my contribution, but would perhaps have preferred something else. ---MONEY--- {Ask for help} #17 Alien: Welcome friend. Gek trader desire common oxides and common silicates. Gek trader DEEPLY desire isotopes! Teach new friend language! The lifeform's eyes widen in surprise when I go to talk to it. They lean back, and watch for sudden movements. They have very clearly never seen anything quite like me before. I mime that I cannot speak their language and, increasingly reassured, the beaked trader indicates that they are willing to help - in exchange for particular elements. {Give silicate} The grateful trader clicks their beak. They teach me some of the dialect of their people. ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- {Give oxide} The grateful trader clicks their beak. They teach me some of the dialect of their people. ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- {Give isotope} The grateful trader clicks their beak with delight. My offering is clearly what it most desired. They teach much of the dialect of their people. ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- {Ask for help} #2 Alien: Despair! Gek Trader stranded. Suit power low. Give Isotope? The trader eyes the facility exit door sadly, as if they have been stuck in here for a while. They reach down with their beak and dejectedly pecks at their suit's power cells and life support system. Their suit looks run down. The lack of charge means that it's ill-equipped for the hostile conditions that rage outside. {Give Isotope element} The relieved trader emits a gas packet. They recharge their suit power cells, and reward me. ---TECH_ALL--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Give Silicate element} The lifeform is confused. {Ask for help} #12 Alien: Stupid friend cannot understand! Give oxide, idiot friend! Fair trade for gift of memory-smell! The trader emits a strong, flowery scent, which quickly enters my exosuit system. I feel overcome with nostalgia for a perfect place I have never visited. I want to sing. Flushed with joy, I try to signal my thanks to the trader for this olfactory gift, but they make it clear that they expect something in return. {Give units} The trader takes my units, and turns away from me. The air suddenly tastes sour. My senses are being punished. {Give rare oxide} The trader snorts in satisfaction, and suddenly I feel as though I am lounging beside a crystal ocean. A fair trade. ---TECHFRAG_M--- {Refuse} The trader hisses in annoyance. The air suddenly tastes sour. My senses are being punished. ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #6 Alien: Friend... Installation hydration system stalled... Gek temperature high... Help friend... thirst... high... drink... fluid... The trader seems ill. Their skin is flaking their eyes lack a certain lustre. Their voice croaks and scratches as they slowly gabble at me. A strange dry, flat stench fills every corner of the facility. I inspect my exosuit for things I could offer this lifeform... {Give food from exosuit's nutrient system} The disappointed trader waves me away. ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Give water from exosuit's hydration system} The trader greedily gulps from my hydration system. Their gratitude seems immense. ---STD_INC_TRA--- ---TECH_ALL--- {Ask for help} #7 Alien: Friend! The planetary technology SalesGek greets you! A multi-tool technology blueprint for a fair price! The trader looks weak, but they have a cunning air about them. They spin a datapad towards me, and I see that they're selling Multi-Tool components. The prices, however, are eye-watering. They eye me with a wary interest, waiting to see if I'll bite... {Pay requested amount} The delighted trader provides a blueprint. They emit an amazing scent. ---TECH_WEAPON--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Pressure lifeform into accepting less} The angry trader grudgingly relents. They emit a foul scent. ---TECH_WEAPON--- ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #13 Alien: Friend! Please avoid crime report and reward! Trader share loot, destroy evidence! I have caught the trader red-handed. Products and elements are pouring out of the facility's storage vaults, and into their own inventory. Above the gentle buzz of embezzlement that now surrounds us, I can hear the lifeform's terrified gulps. They look me straight in the eyes, and makes a proposition. {Demand all stolen goods} I threaten the trader and take all their purloined trade goods! They report the crime, and blame me... ---P_GRAVBALL--- ---SUBST_FUEL--- ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Demand a share} The trader splits their ill-gotten gains with me. No-one will ever know... ---PROD_COMMOD--- ---SUBST_FUEL--- {Report crime} I report the crime, and assume that the trader will be duly punished. I receive a reward. ---TECH_ALL--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #3 Alien: The Gek Trade Federation offer help! The trader has been expecting me. They point to their chest, opens their arms wide, and beam pleasantly. They then point to me, and mime concern for my safety. Pecking at my exosuit, they indicate they might make my journey more bearable. {Request help with the Sentinels} The trader offers me a new multi-tool. ---WEAPON--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Request help with planetary conditions} The trader gives me an exosuit technology blueprint. ---TECH_SUIT--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #4 Alien: Despair! I am trapped and bankrupt! Low units! The lifeform sits in a foul-smelling funk of their own creation. The trading screen behind them is empty, their equipment old and uncared for. Their suit barely looks airtight. The demoralised lifeform looks up at me with hope in their eyes. {Give units} The grateful lifeform gives me the last of their belongings. ---TECHFRAG_S--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Shake hands} The lifeform sits in total dejection. {Refuse to help} The lifeform sits in total dejection. ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #5 Alien: Friend! I am a Gek Trade Federation accredited engineer! I give help! The lifeform clucks and gabbles as they study my equipment. They gently peck at areas of my exosuit that show wear and tear, then runs their gloved fingers over my multi-tool to look for irregularities and imperfections. Suddenly staring up at me, they squawk an offer and spin a tablet that shows the cost of their services. {Pay for multi-tool inspection} The lifeform presents me with a new technology ---STD_INC_TRA--- ---TECH_WEAPON--- {Pay for exosuit inspection} The lifeform mutters and clucks. They give me a new exosuit technology blueprint. ---TECH_SUIT--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #21 Alien: Rare balarian speech slug distribution point! For insertion in ear! Inedible! Nasal insertion can cause death. The trader pulls open a noisy trade vault. A close inspection reveals that it's full of writhing molluscs. They are pink and slug-like, with sharp bloodied teeth. The lifeform suggests that inserting one in or around my face would have some benefits. What I can't quite make out, however, is which orifice it means... {Insert slug in nose} The slug bites flesh from my nose. The pain is extreme. ---DAMAGESMALL--- {Insert slug in ear} The slug burrows deep into my ear. I feel better versed in the language of the traders. ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- ---TEACHWORD_TRA--- {Insert slug in mouth} I swallow the slug, and wait while it thrashes around in my stomach. Nothing else of note occurs. {Ask for help} #8 Alien: Despair! Friend, my Deflector Shield blueprint is corrupt! The lifeform is poring over complex schematics while holding their breath. The holographic blueprints look corrupted. Damaged in-flight, perhaps. The forlorn trader, their face smudged by a strange oil, looks up to me for help. {Show Pulse Engine blueprint} The lifeform thanks me politely... But looks at me as if I am deranged. {Show Phase Beam blueprint} The trader makes an audible sigh. {Show Deflector Shield blueprint} The overjoyed trader gabbles its thanks. They excitedly hand over a gift. ---TECH_SHIP--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #9 Alien: Friend! The planetary SalesGek greets you! Low units technology! The trader welcomes me with a pleasant-smelling gas emission. They open a holographic catalogue of exciting companion units for Mining Beams and Boltcasters. I spot a catalogue of advanced weaponry behind the trader while they're trying to impress me with what looks like a curtsy. {Offer units for an exosuit technology blueprint} The trader gives me an exosuit technology blueprint. ---TECH_SUIT--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Offer units for a new multi-tool blueprint} The trader offers me a new multi-tool blueprint. ---TECH_WEAPON--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #10 Alien: Terrible pirate events. Gek Trader mistrusts the stranger. What is your cargo's origin? The visibly upset lifeform shows me a holographic video of attack craft forcing a trade ship to crash land on a planet's surface. Footage taken from orbit shows waiting pirates swarm the cargo hold in a haze of plasma rounds. The trader then points to the elements I've mined, and looks concerned - accusatory even. They emit a packet of gas that smells troubled. {Reassure with Mining Beam} I convince the trader that I am to be trusted. They are hugely relieved. ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Reassure with Boltcaster} The trader thinks that I am not to be trusted. ---STD_DEC_TRA--- {Ask for help} #11 Alien: Friend! Gek Trade Network offers excellent trade gifts for Oxide elements today! The Trader bounces excitedly while it boots up a graph that spins gently in front of me. There are three coloured lines - a plunging blue one, a soaring red one and another that's a fairly flat and uneventful yellow. The squat little lifeform gabbles a little, points to themself and hops from foot to foot. They seem to want to trade items for elements. {Offer Silicate element} I trade my elements for a disappointing gift... The trader is thankful. ---STD_INC_TRA--- ---PROD_FUEL--- {Offer Isotope element} I trade my elements in exchange for an excellent gift ---WEAPON--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Offer Oxide element} I trade my elements for an acceptable gift from the trader. They are grateful. ---TECHFRAG_M--- ---STD_INC_TRA--- {Ask for help}

GEK PuzzleType: TRA_NPC_FILLER_ #1 Alien: Friend, any good advice? Yellow is good, yes? Due some luck! The Gek seems absorbed in a display of flashing red lights on the screen in front of them. They stab at the buttons, and periodically the lights flash yellow. This is accompanied by a fanfare, and appears to please the Gek a great deal. {Advise they continue} The Gek heeds my advice, and makes a particularly elaborate series of button presses. The lights do not turn yellow. The Gek appears very troubled. {Advise they stop} The Gek is unimpressed with my meddling. They ignore me, and continue to play. #2 Alien: You smell me friend, but how do you feel? What does it do to your soul? As I approach the Gek, I become aware of a thin mist surrounding them. It is lightly, almost pleasantly, scented. Nonetheless, I cannot help but feel a deep apprehension. {Wave away mist} I cough as I try to wave away the strange mist coming from this Gek. Try as I might, I cannot clear the air. I must leave. {Leave quickly} The Gek watches me as I leave. I can feel their eyes following me, but worse - the mist seems to follow me too. #3 Alien: Scrub scrub scrub! So fresh, so clean, so happy! If I look closely, the Gek appears to be secreting a greasy substance from their skin. The oil covers their body, rolling into their cracks and crevices. It smells sweeter than I anticipate. Perhaps I should give the Gek some privacy. {Stare} The Gek ignores me as I stare at them. I do not know how much time passes as I stand hypnotised by the slow drip of oil upon scales. {Leave} I leave the Gek be. We all deserve our privacy during intimate moments. #4 Alien: Friend! A real friend does not spy on other friends plans, yes? The Gek shoots me an irritated glance as I approach. They conceal whatever it was they were working on, and pointedly wait for me to leave. {Try to see their work} The Gek gestures at me angrily, waving me away. As I turn, I notice them making what appears to be addition to their list. {Leave} The Gek stares at me as I leave. They do not resume their work until they are certain I am too far away to see it. #5 Alien: Lost it all... no units... trade account is blocked... feels like I lost my blood! The Gek is a most miserable sight, a picture of dismay and deflation. They look at me in a way that begs for pity. {Wave them away} The Gek hangs their head as I leave. I did not think it was possible for them to look any more deflated, but I was wrong. {Give 10 units} The Gek is overjoyed, looking at me with what might even be described as love. #6 Alien: Hello friend! My face is trustworthy, yes? Units for you! Just need account details. The Gek holds out a small device. The exact nature of the display is not clear to me, but I recognise the symbol for units, alongside an extremely large number. {Attempt to take units} I interface with the Gek's device. It lights up as we exchange data, but otherwise nothing else seems to happen. I receive no units, but the Gek appears delighted. {Leave} Something about this Gek makes me cautious. I leave, their device untouched. #7 Alien: One, two, three... one, two, three, four... one, two! Two! This Gek is absorbed in some game of their own creation, playfully clicking their tongue as they look around the room. When they see me, I am given three brief clicks before they continue their more general survey. {Click my tongue} The Gek squeals with delight. I do not understand the significance of what has occurred, but I am pleased to have made someone happy. {Leave} The rhythm of the Gek's clicking changes as I leave, but otherwise they pay me little regard. #8 Alien: Hello friend. Smell is good, yes? From the moment I entered the room, I could smell this Gek. I do not believe a more alluring scent has never entered my nose. It feels inevitable that I approached, like fate itself had pushed me to this moment. {Surrender to bliss} I inhale deeply. My mind seems to pause, lost in deep relaxation the likes of which I have never experienced. I do not know if this lasted moments or years, but as I resurface I feel entirely refreshed, as if I were whole new person. {Resist the smell} As I resist, I feel the Gek pheromones beginning to do their work. But I triumph, and pull myself away. #9 Alien: Buy! Buy! No, no, no! Stop! Stop! Sell! Or maybe buy. The Gek is busy watching a small screen. Numbers flash, change colour, soar to new heights and then tumble downwards. It is a struggle to keep up with this torrent of information, let alone process it. {Observe quietly} I watch for some time, but I am unable to make sense of the data they Gek is watching so keenly. {Interrupt their concentration} My attempts to interfere are ineffective. The Gek is so used to processing all this information, one more source of distraction barely makes a difference. #10 Alien: Friend, it is nearly the end of the day. My eyes are tired, my hands are tired. So nearly time for home! The Gek seems to be lacking all energy. They are consumed by the most terrible lethargy, barely able to drag themselves to examine their personal timepiece. {Pat them sympathetically} The Gek smiles wearily, but I fear I have only indulged their tiredness. {Slap them} The Gek is startled. I have taken them by such surprise they do not know how to react. I leave before they come round. #11 Alien: Hello friend! I have many new smells, from many days of work! Observe! The Gek examines me before releasing a series of unusual odours. They come thick and fast, each producing strange new sensations. I smell fear, love, yellow, moonlight, sleep, the number four. And then, it is finished. The Gek looks proud. {Ask for more} The Gek seems thrilled to have pleased me, but they are exhausted by their demonstration. I leave them to rest. {Walk away} The Gek is crestfallen. They poured their soul into this display of smells, and I have snubbed them. #12 Alien: Another friend. But no friends are Vy'keen. All say Vy'keen are bad, but I would love Vy'keen friend. The Gek examines me as I approach. They are clearly disappointed, although they offer no clues as to why. {Shout} The Gek is initially startled, but then begins to smile. They shout back. If I did not know better, I would swear they were saying 'Grah!' {Stare} The Gek stares back, disdain in their eyes. I leave. #13 Alien: Two, three, four... two, three, four... two, three, four... The Gek barely regards me as I approach. They are clearly expending a great deal of mental effort concentrating on something. They sway gently, miming delicate finger movements. {Whistle} The Gek follows me lead, thrilled to have a musical companion. I cannot hear the tune in their head, but whatever instrument they are imagining is giving them great pleasure. {Wave hands dramatically} The Gek takes my waving to be some indication of tempo, and increases their movements to match time with me. I stop before I exhaust them. #14 Alien: Hello friend! You will help Gek, yes? Simple thing, only need genetic details for petition! The Gek looks at me with hope, their trustworthy eyes and beak beaming as I approach. They gesture towards me with a data pad, as if to make a request... {Touch the datapad} I touch the datapad, giving my biosignature. I am not sure what the Gek intends to do with these details, but it is no matter. The machine does not appear to support a lifeform such as me, and rejects my input. {Refuse} It does not seem wise to go around touching devices offered to me by strange Gek. #18 Alien: Not again! Too many like you, insulting Gek, laughing at pheremones! Go away! The Gek gestures at me angrily as I approach. They wave their tiny hands and snap their break with considerable fury. {Cower} At first, the Gek seems surprised to have so scared me. But they soon adjust to their new found power, and cackle at my flight. {Laugh} My laughter only enrages the Gek further. I leave before I drive them to violence. #15 Alien: Ah, mother, father, fellow spawn... the memories... The Gek is lost to an idle reverie, pleasant smells drifting from its glands as it sways side to side. They pay me little attention. {Sniff the Gek} I inhale deeply. The Gek smells delicious, and does not seem to mind my intrusion among their private scents. {Leave} However beautiful this Geks smells, they are not producing this pheromone for me. I leave them be. #16 Alien: Friend! Hello! I have been awake! Yes, not asleep! The Gek snaps to attention as I approach. They seem bleary-eyed, as if they have been asleep. {Reassure} The Gek relaxes as I show them I mean no harm. As I leave, I notice their eyes beginning to return to their slumber. {Shout} I shout at the Gek. They wince, their tired mind struggling to focus. #17 Alien: Have you seen it, friend? The eye, the great crimson eye?! It always watches! There is a fear lurking behind the eyes of this Gek, as if they have seen things that no being should see. They gesture at me with alarm. {Reassure} Nothing I do calms the Gek. They were anxious before I arrived, and will remain anxious after I leave. {Panic} My panic only seems to increase the Gek's alarm. I leave, both of us screaming. #19 Alien: Fun... oh, friend, do you see it? Fun! The Gek glances at me as I approach, but they are clearly preoccupied. They are struggling to control themselves, a laugh desperately trying to escape. {Tickle} The Gek explodes with mirth. I leave, before this turns to irritation. {Leave} I doubt I will ever understand whatever private joke the Gek is enjoying. I leave them to it. #20 Alien: No, no, no. Traveller always brings trouble! Not for this Gek. Not for me. The Gek protests as I approach. I have made no demands, and yet they seem keen to pre-emptively turn me down. {Bow} My gesture of politeness does little to reassure the Gek. They dismiss me. {Leave} The Gek looks relieved as I leave, as if they have avoided some great catastrophe.