Guide

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Whitevale

1.

Dawn of the Squirg

Lore

[An excerpt from the sequel to the terrifying tale of undead terror and mind-controlling cephalopods.]

The Protostar facility was deathly quiet, except for the dull roar of shuffling, mumbling squirg zombies. They filled the lower floor of the shopping center, occasionally lashing out at each other or store mannequins, but otherwise ignoring the trio who watched from the upper level with bated breath.

Captain Nerik waved to get
Lieutenant Tenzo’s attention from the other side of the facility and signaled that he was descending into the pit. He motioned toward a weapons shop that appeared to have been closed when the squirg outbreak hit. If Tenzo could draw them away, Nerik indicated with hand signals, then Nerik could make it to the shop, grab an armload of ammunition and weapons, and get back before the squirg were aware.

Tenzo nodded. It wasn’t going to
be easy, Nerik thought, but they really had no choice. He nodded in return and shot a quick salute at his fellow Draken warrior. Tenzo roared at the squirg zombie mob, who turned as one and charged the lieutenant’s position.

[…]

Guide

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Whitevale

1.

Day of the Squirg

Lore

[An excerpt from the sequel to the sequel to the terrifying tale of undead terror and mind-controlling cephalopods.]

“I am the one in charge here, Commander! And don’t you forget it!” roared the virologist. “Only Mordesh alchemy can save this planet from being completely overrun by the squirg.”

“This planet already IS overrun, Doctor!” the Granok barked. “This world is lost. It’s Squirgville out there, population EVERYONE. Everyone
except us mercs and you eggheads.” He racked a shell into the chamber of his heavy slug launcher. “And I dunno about you, Doc, but I’m gettin’ pretty sick’a this place. Whaddaya say we blast our way outta here?”

The merc never saw the squirg that dropped from the ceiling onto his cranium, not until its tentacles latched onto his face and the tiny internal fangs punctured his stony skull to penetrate the consciousness centers of his brain. He
managed a sound like “Gyugh” before his eyes rolled back and his posture took on the unmistakable profile of a massive squirg zombie.

The doctor screamed.

[…]

Guide

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Whitevale

1.

Neither Death Nor Dishonor by X.P. Miscovus

Lore

[This excerpt from a popular military fiction novel depicts the do-or-die troops of the Dominion’s fictional Lost Legion, an all-volunteer lowborn “suicide squad” who carry out impossible missions on behalf of the most powerful leaders of the Dominion.]

“You picked the wrong day to attack the planet Cassus, guv,” Sergeant Stone said, chuckling as he lit stogie – a habit he’d picked up during the Seventh War of Gnox. “And y’really
shouldn’t’ve left such an easy trail to follow. Why, me and the boys just couldn’t resist. Y’think you little tree-slanks’re the only ones that can track somebody? I think you’ve hurt Bub’s feelin’s, so y’have.” He turned to the hulking lowborn Cassian private in the corner. “Ain’t that right, Bub?”

“Sure is, Stone,” Bub said on cue. “Why, me feelin’s might never recover.”

“And what do you have planned?” asked the Aurin, jutting out his chin in a sad
attempt to hide the fear that was making his tail shake like an Ophidian rattler.

“Who, us?” Stone replied said, punctuating the question with a few smoke rings blown into the prisoner’s face. “Why, we’re plannin’ nothin’ but gettin’ outta her way.” He jerked a thumb over one shoulder, and a Mechari female slipped from the shadows. Her eyes flashed with cold fire.

“Thank you, Agent,” Axis Pheydra said. “I believe I can take it from here.”
She saluted. “My best to the general.”

“As always, m’lady,” the sergeant replied.

[…]

Guide

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1.

Putting the “Assist” in Assistant: A Guide for New Assistants

Lore

[This informative Protostar manual published by Protostar Books is a useful how-to guide for prospective sychophants, toadies, and yes-beings.]-Never let them see you sweat!
Sweating is not possible for a Protostar clone, as Protostar clones DO NOT POSSESS SWEAT GLANDS! Therefore, perspiration of any kind is unacceptable.

Set realistic goals!
And then, make unrealistic promises about how you’ll deliver on them ahead of
time! This will keep your manager guessing, and managers love guessing.

-Anticipate your manager’s expectations and act accordingly!
In addition to frequent rescheduling and the prompt delivery of stimulant-riddled Protostar beverages, this may also include self-termination. Don’t wait to be asked – fire yourself today!

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Guide

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1.

Say You, Say Bleep: A Guide to Interspecies Relations

Lore

[This informative Protostar manual published by Protostar Books is a useful how-to guide for those who wish to encourage alliances between hostile species. Protostar analysts believe this volume’s surprising popularity may be due to a common, but egregious, misunderstanding of the title by lonely and curious human males.]

STEP ONE: Dress to impress! You will find a standard Protostar employee uniform conveys with market-tested
certainty that you are a clone on the go. Protostar standard employee uniforms – the first step in every first contact marketing situation!

STEP TWO: Know your exchange rates! Personality templates can only imprint current pricing structures in the galaxy. Download a market patch daily, or face recycling! Only then can you represent Protostar’s superior products and services to previously unknown species.

STEP THREE: Smile! It goes a long way. It’s also mandatory!

[…]

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1.

A Song of Ice and Water

Lore

[This Pell ode to the power of Primal Water appears to be somewhat incomplete.]

Hydris calls through hill and dale,
Hydris, embrace your children.
Your children who drink of the sacred waters,
Your children who call your name in return.

Hydris sings, over sea and stream,
Hydris, reveal your dreaming.
Your dreaming light of rivers and rain,
Snow and ice.

Hydris lords over sky and earth,
Hydris, destroy your enemies.
Your foes who number many,
Your foes who will fail and

[…]

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1.

Deepfreeze Containment Protocols

Lore

[An apparently completely ignored list of procedures intended to ensure that anything stored in Deepfreeze Containment stays in Deepfreeze Containment.]

GENERAL ORDER 001: Under no circumstances should the contents of Deepfreeze Containment be released without establishing safety protocols.

GENERAL ORDER 002: See General Order 001.

GENERAL ORDER 003: There is no General Order 003.

[…]