text; un: johnb (critters)

[baum]

[ Honestly, thank god for this thing's text function. ]

Hey everyone, this is John.

Ever since that new sinkhole opened yesterday, the number of those weird alien dinosaur moles that come from them has been growing.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't love the idea of killing them all just because they're in the way. I know they can't stay here, but there has to be somewhere else we can take them. I'm open to suggestions. I just think we should talk about it.

If any of you agree with me, can we maybe get a team together and try to corral them or something? I know Rémi wants to put them down, but I'd like to at least present an alternative.

Comments

@astarkov

[sunmon]

finally, some sense.

i think if we could sedate them instead of hurting them, we could probably just move them.

or even just clear the paths. they're clearly terrified. they might just run away on their own if they can find a path out. we could close the buildings up tight and clear the walkways.

[baum]

I like the sedatives idea, although that would mean actually finding some. Ammunition's hard to come by as it is. But I like it, if we can find a way to do it.

If we had a place to herd them, I don't think it'd be hard to get them moving the right way. It's not like they wanted to get into our business.

@astarkov PRIVATE

[portolan]

[ Balthier wants to respect Alina's privacy and distress at sharing this information with him previously. ]

Could your light summoning help corral them?

[angerberg]

"Just because they're in the way."
And what about because they happen to be attacking bystanders?

[baum]

They're scared. Can you blame them? They have no idea where they are.

A bull in a china store is gonna leave broken cups behind. They need to be controlled, not killed.

[portolan]

I'm with Yennefer. We're already walking a tightrope with the Thessyx and our hosts. Going around them to relocate pests that could very well destroy supplies or kill locals seems like a poor risk-reward equation.

@romanoff

[dissemblance]

Man, I can't believe the year 2801 doesn't have a 'like' feature on posts.

I agree with you, for what it's worth. I'll help.

[baum]

The future's disappointing, what can I say.

Thanks, Natasha. Do you think tranq guns are an option? I don't have any and haven't seen one, but someone suggested it and I figure it's something to explore.

Re: @romanoff

[portolan]

I don't know that this is a good use of limited materials like even if we have them.

If we're going to insist on relocating the things, do they respond to sound or light or smoke -- something that's a lower resource investment?

@matthias

[trassel]

Hello John,

I have been guiding them outside while it is not raining, as they did not want to go back into the sinkhole or remain here at the base. It is working for now.

Can we find somewhere better as well?

Matthias

[baum]

Hey, Matthias. Somehow I'm not surprised you agree.

I think we should look for somewhere they'll be able to burrow again. I don't blame them for not liking the sinkholes, but they look like they were made for living underground. If that's true, they won't be hardy against the rain. They need somewhere safe to dig.

@a.price

[cryptoherpetology]

While I don't have an issue putting down any that actively attack people, I think finding a way to herd them out that would also deter them from returning would be both more humane and effective in the long-term.

I don't have anything that can cut any of the ones we've already killed open, but if anyone does and is willing to lend a hand in dissection, I might be able to learn enough about their biology to say how we could go about that.

Behaviorally, they're acting a bit like bears fresh out of hibernation. If bears were armored pack animals who could tunnel through steel.

[baum]

I come with guns, not knives. I can't help with that.

Steve said his shield is stronger than their claws, so there's that?

@dorothea

[arnaults]

I haven't got anything sharp, but I don't get squeamish easily. I'm happy to help inspect the dead ones if you'll need it.

Do you think they have knives in the mess hall we could use?

[fortyforged]

They'd still be in the way if we tried killing them all. Don't think they mean harm so much as they just found some new doors to go through. Most of them seem spooked.

Can't lead them back into the holes? Not sure how you corral something that big. Anyone know what they eat?

[baum]

According to Matthias, that's a non-runner. They don't want to go back in the holes, probably because the holes opening up is what scared them in the first place.

They seem interested in our food, but that might just be because they're hungry in general.

The locals may not be willing to part with food to lure them away, though I think that has the best shot. Trying to scare them and set them moving down a path we've cleared might work.

@steve.rogers

[fossils]

The Thessyx I spoke to advised finding a way to 'cohabitate' with them, however you wanna interpret that.

If we can keep them from turning around and walking right back in, then I'm all for chasing them out of camp over exterminating.

Their claws can't scratch the shield I've got.

[ Which means he'd rather go with the group of you heading out to do this, they don't need more injuries. ]

[baum]

That's good to know. You got any more of those shields lying around?

If the Thessyx are pro-keeping them around, that might help us make the argument to Security. The settlers have wanted to be diplomatic with the Thessyx since they arrived.

Re: @steve.rogers

[portolan]

[ Balthier respects Steve's judgement. ]

If you have a way to lead them out, I'll stand down and assist.

[cryptoherpetology]

Any chance you've got a knife made out of the same material?

Regardless of what we end up doing with them, I want to know as much as possible and need to properly dissect one to do that.

@marion.adamopoulos

[cleaningsolutions]

Realistically, some of them are probably going to have to be killed, especially if they're threatening someone. And we'll need to do an inspection later to be certain they haven't left eggs or droppings with particular effects. But it would be good if we can drive as many out as possible.

[baum]

Defending people isn't the same as deliberately hunting them down. I'm not trying to be impractical.

@CL4PTP

[annoyware]

Wait. Why WOULDN'T we kill them? I'm missing something.

[baum]

Because killing doesn't have to be the default answer to everything?

@dorothea

[arnaults]

I agree with you that I'd rather not hurt them, but I worry about how we treat them. What's to stop them all from coming back if they know we won't cause them harm?

[baum]

They're not exactly tame. There's ways of keeping animals away, though, we could make a fence of some kind. Maybe something electrical, to ward them off.

un: badgirl

[hootlem]

you've got the right idea. this place's animals have been here a lot longer than we have. i dunno if we can just sedate them and drop them back down the holes. maybe slap up a few deterrents or whatever to get em to turn around.

either way, you a team? count me in. i've got to watch my magic but i can spare a few sleep spells and i'm still quick on my feet

[baum]

Okay, wait a second.

You have actual magic?

un: j.benjamin

[cicatrize]

Cattle prods?

[baum]

That could work.

You got any?