W5gi mystery antenna

so we had an antenna when i was younger this was probably 2014-2016, this show had teenagers who either solved mysteries or were superheroes (could honestly be both) and i know one of the episodes was like dark and stormy. this was considered an older kids show it would come on later at night but i believe they were just reruns. it could’ve been on comet or like metv (actually that’s not likely) anyways this probably isn’t a good description but this is all i can remember so if anyone has any ideas let me know!

Feel free to make art of these redesigns and give criticism of the designs
Redesigns: Heatblast Redesign: Sleeker with magma-like veins glowing beneath his rocky exterior. Equipment: Volcanic Gauntlets that enhance his fire abilities. Outfit: A flame-retardant suit with a core reactor symbol on the chest.
Diamondhead Redesign: Crystalline armor with reflective surfaces and sharper edges. Equipment: A crystal shield that can morph into different defensive shapes. Outfit: A suit with geometric patterns that shimmer with a diamond-like brilliance.
XLR8 Redesign: More aerodynamic with streamlined armor and a visor for high-speed travel. Equipment: Turbo boots that leave a trail of blue energy when he sprints. Outfit: A racing suit with a sleek helmet that has a retractable visor.
Fourarms Redesign: Bulkier with reinforced joints for extra strength. Equipment: Heavy-duty gauntlets that can smash through barriers. Outfit: A gladiator-inspired ensemble with a belt displaying his alien number.
Stinkfly Redesign: Brighter colors with translucent wings and bioluminescent spots. Equipment: A harness that helps distribute healing mist more effectively. Outfit: A lightweight suit that glows in the dark, highlighting his flight path.
Upgrade Redesign: Futuristic with a sleek metallic finish and circuit patterns. Equipment: A modular backpack that can transform into various tech gadgets. Outfit: A tech-suit that integrates with his body, allowing for seamless transformations.
Ghostfreak Redesign: More ethereal with a ghostly aura and chains that represent his phasing ability. Equipment: Ectoplasmic chains that can extend and bind enemies. Outfit: A tattered cloak that billows as if always caught in an otherworldly wind.
Snare-oh Redesign: Ancient Egyptian motifs with hieroglyphs etched into his bandages. Equipment: Ankh-shaped gauntlets that enhance his sand powers. Outfit: A pharaoh’s headdress that symbolizes his regal presence on the battlefield.
Frankenstrike Redesign: More industrial with visible bolts and conductive wiring. Equipment: A pair of Tesla coil shoulder pads that amplify his electric attacks. Outfit: A patchwork suit that resembles a mad scientist’s lab coat.
Eye Guy Redesign: Eyes of varying sizes with adaptive irises for different vision modes. Equipment: A visor that coordinates his eye beams for precision strikes. Outfit: A suit with lens patterns that focus his ocular energy.
Swampfire Redesign: More plant-like with vibrant green foliage and fiery red flowers. Equipment: Compost Gauntlets that enhance his regenerative abilities. Outfit: A botanical suit with leaf patterns and a fiery emblem on the chest.
Echo-Echo Redesign: Sleek and white with sound wave patterns across his body. Equipment: Sonic Amplifiers that boost his sound-based attacks. Outfit: A suit with a sound equalizer display that reacts to his sonic screams.
Humongosaur Redesign: Dinosaur-like with armored plating and a more pronounced tail. Equipment: Meteor Hammer fists that increase his smashing power. Outfit: A prehistoric-themed armor set with bone and rock elements.
Jetray Redesign: More streamlined with sharper wings and a jet engine-like back. Equipment: Aero Fins that improve his maneuverability in the air. Outfit: A flight suit with a sleek helmet and goggles for high-altitude visibility.
Big Chill Redesign: Ghostly with icy blue tones and frost-covered wings. Equipment: Frostbite Claws that leave a chilling effect on enemies. Outfit: A cloak that shimmers like thin ice and leaves a trail of frost.
Brainstorm Redesign: Brain-like patterns with neural connectors and a brighter shell. Equipment: Cerebral Enhancer that increases his psychic abilities. Outfit: A lab coat with a brainwave pattern and a utility belt for gadgets.
Goop Redesign: More viscous with glowing internal organs visible within. Equipment: Polarity Boots that allow him to stick to surfaces and maintain shape. Outfit: A containment suit that helps him keep form and focus his attacks.
Spidermonkey Redesign: More arachnid with additional eyes and spikier fur. Equipment: Web Slingers that shoot stronger and stickier webs. Outfit: A stealth suit with a spider emblem and grip-enhancing gloves and boots.
Loadstar Redesign: Magnetic with a core that glows when using his powers. Equipment: Gravitational Greaves that enhance his magnetic field control. Outfit: An armored suit with polarized plates that attract and repel metal.
Rath Redesign: Fiercer with more pronounced claws and tiger-like stripes. Equipment: Rage Amplifiers that boost his strength when his health is low. Outfit: A luchador-inspired costume with a mask that embodies his wild spirit.
Water Hazard Redesign: More aquatic with a sleeker, streamlined body and gill-like structures. Equipment: Aqua Cannons that can shoot high-pressure water streams. Outfit: A wetsuit with hydrodynamic patterns and a water drop emblem.
Ampfibian Redesign: More translucent with visible bio-electric currents flowing through his body. Equipment: Electro-Flippers that increase swimming speed and maneuverability. Outfit: A suit with neon trims that pulse with his electric charge.
Armodrillo Redesign: Bulkier with reinforced armor plating and drill bits. Equipment: Seismic Boots that enhance ground-shaking abilities. Outfit: A miner’s outfit with a helmet light and a rugged utility belt.
NRG Redesign: Glowing core with a more robust containment suit. Equipment: Reactor Gauntlets that can channel and shoot nuclear energy. Outfit: A radiation suit with a warning symbol and energy-absorbing layers.
Terraspin Redesign: Shell patterns resembling wind turbines and more pronounced fins. Equipment: Cyclone Discs that can be thrown to create gusts of wind. Outfit: An aviator jacket with a turtle shell pattern and wind direction arrows.
Clockwork Redesign: More gears and clockwork mechanisms visible with a timeless finish. Equipment: Chrono Keys that can unlock temporal abilities. Outfit: A steampunk-inspired suit with brass accents and a pocket watch.
Jury Rigg Redesign: More mechanical with tools integrated into his limbs. Equipment: Wrecking Ratchets that increase his dismantling speed. Outfit: A mechanic’s jumpsuit with patches and a tool belt.
Chamalien Redesign: More chameleon-like with adaptive skin that changes patterns. Equipment: Camo Cloak that enhances his stealth capabilities. Outfit: A suit with a chameleon scale motif that shifts colors with his movements.
Feedback Redesign: More electrically charged with pulsating energy lines across his body. Equipment: Antenna Arrays that increase the range and power of his electrical attacks. Outfit: A suit with circuitry patterns that glow with stored energy.
Bloxx Redesign: Modular with interlocking blocks that can reconfigure on the fly. Equipment: Building Bracers that allow for quicker construction of barriers and structures. Outfit: A construction-themed outfit with a hard hat emblem and utility belt.
Ball Weevil Redesign: Brighter colors with a more pronounced spherical body for rolling. Equipment: Plasma Cores that create larger and more potent explosive orbs. Outfit: A sleek suit with orb patterns and a visor that helps target his plasma globes.
Pesky Dust Redesign: Fairy-like with more delicate wings and a dreamy aura. Equipment: Dreamcatcher Net that can capture and amplify his sleep-inducing dust. Outfit: A mystical robe with star and moon motifs that enhance his magical presence.
Atomix Redesign: Radiant with a mini-reactor core and energy veins visible on his body. Equipment: Fusion Gauntlets that stabilize and focus his nuclear energy. Outfit: A hazard suit with a reactor symbol and protective plating.
Gutrot Redesign: Chemical tanks visible on his body with tubes connecting to his gauntlets. Equipment: Diffuser Mask that spreads his gases over a wider area. Outfit: A biochemical suit with a respirator and hazard symbols.
Whampire Redesign: More vampiric with bat-like features and a darker color scheme. Equipment: Echo-Locator Goggles that help him navigate and hunt in the dark. Outfit: A gothic cloak with a high collar and a clasp shaped like a bat.
Shocksquash Redesign: Bulkier with coils and capacitors integrated into his limbs. Equipment: Shock Boots that generate electricity with each stomp. Outfit: An electrified suit with lightning bolt patterns and insulated gloves.
Wildmutt Redesign: Enhanced sensory nodes and a more streamlined body for agility. Equipment: Sonic Collar that amplifies his roars and tracking abilities. Outfit: A sleek suit with padded armor to protect while maintaining flexibility.
Grey Matter Redesign: More pronounced cranial features and brighter skin to highlight his intelligence. Equipment: Quantum Computer Backpack that assists with hacking and strategy. Outfit: A miniaturized lab coat with various gadget holsters.
Ripjaws Redesign: Sharper teeth and fins, with a bioluminescent glow for underwater combat. Equipment: Aqua Jetpack that allows for swift movements in and out of water. Outfit: A reinforced diving suit with pressure resistance for deep-sea excursions.
Cannonbolt Redesign: A more aerodynamic shell with reinforced plating for rolling attacks. Equipment: Momentum Wheels that increase speed and control during rolls. Outfit: A racing stripe motif with impact-absorbing materials.
Wildvine Redesign: Thicker vines and a broader range of plant-like features. Equipment: Photosynthesis Boosters that enhance healing and growth abilities. Outfit: A botanical armor set with leafy camouflage.
Spitter Redesign: More pronounced glands and a wider mouth for his spitting attacks. Equipment: Hydration Pack that keeps him primed for slime production. Outfit: A moisture-retaining suit that helps in slime regeneration.
Buzzshock Redesign: Brighter electrical arcs and a more compact body for zipping around. Equipment: Static Amplifiers that boost his electrical output. Outfit: A suit with conductive pathways that glow with stored electricity.
Blitzwolfer Redesign: More pronounced fangs and claws, with a darker, more intimidating appearance. Equipment: Lunar Lenses that enhance his night vision and howling range. Outfit: A tattered cape that billows as he moves, adding to his fearsome presence.
Upchuck Redesign: A wider mouth and a more robust digestive system visible on his belly. Equipment: Digestive Accelerators that allow for quicker consumption and energy conversion. Outfit: A suit with reinforced areas around the stomach to handle his expansive appetite.
Ditto Redesign: Brighter colors and more expressive faces to differentiate his clones. Equipment: Cloning Belt that enhances the stability and independence of each clone. Outfit: A uniform with a number system to keep track of his duplicates.
Waybig Redesign: Cosmic patterns on his skin and a more imposing stature. Equipment: Stellar Stabilizers that help him maintain balance and leverage his size. Outfit: A suit with celestial motifs that reflect his cosmic origins.
Arctiguana Redesign: Icier appearance with sharper spines and a more pronounced frill. Equipment: Cryo Converters that enhance his ice beam’s freezing capabilities. Outfit: An insulated suit that protects him from overheating and helps focus his cold powers.
Chromastone Redesign: More prismatic with a crystalline structure that refracts light. Equipment: Prism Gauntlets that enhance his energy absorption and refraction abilities. Outfit: A suit with angular, reflective panels that mimic his crystalline form.
Alien X Redesign: Cosmic and ethereal with starry patterns that shift and change. Equipment: Celestial Scepter that focuses his reality-warping powers. Outfit: A robe that seems to contain a piece of the universe, complete with twinkling stars.
Nanomech Redesign: Sleeker with more advanced nanotechnology features. Equipment: Micro-Assembler that allows him to construct various devices on the fly. Outfit: A tech-enhanced suit that adjusts to his size changes.
Fasttrack Redesign: Streamlined with aerodynamic features for enhanced speed. Equipment: Velocity Vambraces that boost his speed and agility. Outfit: A racing suit with dynamic lines that glow when he accelerates.
Eatle Redesign: Bulkier with a reinforced exoskeleton and sharper mandibles. Equipment: Digestive Reinforcement Belt that aids in processing consumed materials. Outfit: A utility belt with compartments for storing consumed materials.
Gravattack Redesign: More planetary with a core that glows like a molten core. Equipment: Graviton Anchor that helps him control his gravitational fields. Outfit: A suit with orbiting bands that represent his control over gravity.
Crashhopper Redesign: More insectoid with enhanced leg hydraulics for powerful jumps. Equipment: Impact Dampeners that protect him during high-velocity landings. Outfit: A suit with spring-loaded accents that highlight his leaping abilities.
Walkatrout Redesign: More amphibious with sleek scales and a streamlined body. Equipment: Aqua-Dynamic Fins that improve his swimming and maneuverability. Outfit: A wetsuit with a slippery surface to aid in evasive maneuvers.
Molestache Redesign: More distinguished with a larger, more versatile mustache. Equipment: Mustache Combs that can be used as weapons or tools. Outfit: A Victorian-style suit with a bow tie and a monocle for a touch of class.
The Worst Redesign: Tougher looking with visible scars and a more rugged appearance. Equipment: Resilience Amplifiers that make him even harder to take down. Outfit: A battered suit that looks like it’s been through many battles.
Kickin Hawk Redesign: Sharper talons and more pronounced feathers for a fiercer look. Equipment: Talon Enhancers that increase the power of his kicks. Outfit: A martial arts gi with feathered accents that flutter as he moves.
Toepick Redesign: Darker and more ominous with a face that’s hidden until revealed. Equipment: Fear Inducers that amplify the terror he instills in enemies. Outfit: A cloak that shrouds him in mystery, only opening to unleash his frightful visage.
Astrodactyl Redesign: More alien with wing membranes that glow with cosmic energy. Equipment: Jetpack Harness that enhances his flight and energy projection. Outfit: A suit with aerodynamic features and a helmet with a visor for space travel.
Bullfrag Redesign: More muscular with amphibious traits and a tougher skin texture. Equipment: Strength Enhancers that boost his physical prowess. Outfit: A tactical vest with various pouches for carrying mission essentials.

Later, toward dusk, several enormous water bugs, a very dark reddish brown, emerge like elves from the wainscoting, and go lumbering toward the larder—pregnant mother bugs too, with baby translucent outrider bugs flowing along like a convoy escort. At night, in the very late silences between bombers, ack-ack fire and falling rockets, they can be heard, loud as mice, munching through Gwenhidwy's paper sacks, leaving streaks and footprints of shit the color of themselves behind. They don't seem to go in much for soft things, fruits, vegetables, and such, it's more the solid lentils and beans they're into, stuff they can gnaw at, paper and plaster barriers, hard interfaces to be pierced, for they are agents of unification, you see. Christmas bugs. They were deep in the straw of the manger at Bethlehem, they stumbled, climbed, fell glistening red among a golden lattice of straw that must have seemed to extend miles up and downward—an edible tenement-world, now and then gnawed through to disrupt some mysterious sheaf of vectors that would send neighbor bugs tumbling ass-over-antennas down past you as you held on with all legs in that constant tremble of golden stalks. A tranquil world: the temperature and humidity staying nearly steady, the day's cycle damped to only a soft easy sway of light, gold to antique-gold to shadows, and back again the crying of the infant reached you, perhaps, as bursts of energy from the invisible distance, nearly unsensed, often ignored. Your savior, you see. . . .

So my new female betta I’ve found out is the most aggressive that I’ve ever had and my mystery snail unfortunately had to be moved to my 6 gallon due to me noticing his antennae were almost completely gone. Poor guy. I’ve noticed she spends almost all her time chasing the shrimp but has only caught 1 to my knowledge (I am okay with this because I have over 100 shrimp). I was wondering if this is stressing her out or if this is a type of enrichment to them? Also if this is unfair stress to my shrimp, although they seem to be chill since there is plenty of room and shrimp so each one isn’t getting harassed constantly.
Overall questions: Does it seem like the shrimp are stressful to my betta if all she does is chase them and dig in the dirt for worms?
Is this too stressful for my shrimp?
Would it be unfair to drop some pest ramshorns in the tank so that I still have a tank wall cleanup crew?
This is my first betta that is not super chill so I appreciate any input! Thank you :)

Just added my new betta a few days ago to my 20 gallon with my mystery snail and probably 100 shrimp. She was first going for the shrimp but unable to catch them and then she decided to go after my poor mystery snails antennae. Now that those are gone she is trying to flip him. I have a 6 gallon I can have him in but it is with crystal black shrimp so the ph is much lower than the betta tank. Would this be okay for him? I’d rather him not be picked apart to death. It’s been 2 days so I know that she probably won’t leave him alone at this point. Also if anyone has any good feed suggestions for mystery snails I just found out my algae wafers have copper and I feel like such a bad snail parent. I think luckily he’s been avoiding them anyways

The galaxy is likely teeming with life, even sapient life. Ever wonder why nobody drops by?
***
Geeltan scurried happily along one of the footpaths of the Grand Garden, his favorite place in all of creation. He paused to admire a ruglax, a lush blue-green shrub.
His antennae twitching excitedly, he quickly glanced about and took a sneaky little nibble, trilling happily as the complex, heady flavors washed over his palate.
Once again, he marveled at the fact that he could safely digest and thoroughly enjoy a plant from a planet thousands of light years from his humble little world. Only a few decades ago, most of the scientists, futurists, and science fiction authors back home firmly stated that such a thing was laughably improbable. But here he was doing just that.
Then again, those same people said they would likely never contact a sapient race from another star...
And now, he was here, at the very heart of a grand association of thousands of sapient species from all across the galaxy!
And it was all thanks to this...
He reached back with one of his antennae and stroked the small device attached to the back of his little chitinous head. It was the single greatest achievement of all time, greater than even FTL...
...The universal translator.
With it, all beings regardless of biology could freely exchange not only words, but thought itself. Somehow, it detected his brain waves and transmitted them directly to other translators in range, sci-fi telepathy!
It was, in a word, magic. While his kind could understand nearly everything else, its workings were a mystery, beyond their current grasp of science.
Then again, a hundred years ago, they were proud of the fact that they had harnessed electricity. Shortly thereafter, they used it to transmit messages along electric cables over incredible distances—hundreds of kilometers!
Little did they know that once they did that, they started leaking electromagnetic waves, the requirement the galaxy had set for first contact!
Those puny static-filled messages reached a little probe no bigger than he was which had been placed in their system a hundred thousand years earlier while his race was still building nests in trees.
They called out, and the galaxy answered.
Again, their futurists and sci-fi authors were wrong. What came wasn’t the steel-shod talons of conquest but a warm, fuzzy, loving hug. They couldn’t really be blamed, though. They had been warped by the unforgiving yoke of scarcity, something transcended by the galaxy long ago.
Resources of all kinds abounded in space. There was far more than could ever be used, and fusion technology provided each being their own personal sun, providing clean, limitless energy for all. Anything that the galaxy could take from his people could be had for free!
There were... adjustments... that their culture had to weather, but with the kind wisdom and guidance of the Galactic Community, they weathered them and now were taking their first tentative skitters into the galaxy as a whole.
He preened his antennae proudly. His was the first generation that was hatched fully integrated into this amazing new future of prosperity and wisdom. They might have been backward, but they were far from stupid. They learned the new tech and the new sciences as well as any! And now, his was the first generation to have the honor of fully joining the community to contribute to their wonderful future, to start to repay all of the kindness they were shown.
Heeding the urging of his parents, he had devoted his being, his very soul, to this. It paid off. He was the newest member of the Galactic Induction Committee, the very organization that had given his little people everything!
And now he was going to be the one who would give yet another race, shrouded in ignorance and scarcity, the same wonderful gift that his people received!
It was almost time for the meeting!
Taking another nibble, he rushed giddily to the Grand Chamber where his fellows had assembled at his behest!
He couldn’t wait!
It was going to be wonderful!
***
Ki-Van sent Geeltan a warm loving greeting as he approached.
“Greetings, Junior Associate,” he transmitted, bathing Geeltan with warmth and good humor.
“Senior,” Geeltan sent back with a happy chitter. “Good morning!”
“I congratulate you on your discovery,” Ki-Van transmitted, “Imagine, an overlooked species! How remarkable! Oh how I envy you, to make such a discovery!”
“I wish I could take full credit,” Geeltan replied with a humility that took just a little effort.
Ki-Van spread the eyes in his gelatinous anterior segment in a smile. Despite Geeltan’s best efforts, his undisciplined mind couldn’t help but leak the tremendous pride that he truly felt.
Such pride was a little impolite, but entirely justified. A “lost” race was a truly amazing find, indeed.
“It may be a little improper,” Ki-Van sent, “But indulge your beloved mentor with a spoiler ahead of the others. Tell me more of these beings and their world.”
“Oh, beloved mentor, I would be so very happy to do so!” Geeltan sent with excitement, “They reside in the X-32 system on their third...”
“Oh dear!” Ki-Van sent, interrupting him with a little alarm, “Geeltan, you are aware of what the ‘X’ in their system’s designation means?”
“Um...” Geeltan replied with an embarrassed twitch of his antennae.
“It means ‘proscribed.’ That system has been designated off limits.”
“But, Mentor, there is a class six civilization on that world, well beyond the requirements of first contact!”
“And they have been left alone for a reason, child. I am sorry, but I am cancelling the meeting on your behalf.”
“Senior! Those poor people need our help! They...”
“Those ‘poor people’ are beyond our help, Geeltan. They... They should be left to their fate.”
“But without us, they will never escape their system!”
“One can only hope.”
“But... But... The probes I sent...”
“You sent probes?!? Oh, Geeltan. You should not have done so, not without consulting me.”
“I didn’t want to bother you without more data. They were my personal probes. I built them with my resource allotments. I saw no harm.”
Ki-Van sighed. It happened with every new generation. At least one young, impetuous sophont took it upon themselves to “explore” rather than satisfy themselves with the provided data streams.
He looked at Geeltan fondly.
It wasn’t a bad thing and usually those individuals went on to be very accomplished members of the community. He couldn’t help but feel a little pride that it was “his” junior associate to be the one to claim the dubious “honor” of rediscovering the X-32’s this time.
The emotions of pride and amusement washed over Geeltan.
“The community is well aware of the X-32s,” he sent with a little flatulent chuckle, flooding the space with a spicy, floral scent. “You aren’t the first to ‘discover’ them. With every century, their noise spreads further. Last time, it was a freighter pilot. Before that, it was an astrographer. Before that, it was one of our own.”
“If they have been discovered that often, why have they not been contacted? They are well beyond the point of contact, hazardously so. They need to be inducted, for their own sake, before it is too late for them.”
“My dear friend and subordinate,” Ki-Van replied, “It was likely too late for them when they were still working stone into simple tools. It is a sad and hard truth that not all sophonts are suitable to join us.”
“But why?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Are they dangerous?”
“Very. They are far too dangerous to contact.”
“Are they too violent?”
“Not especially as compared to other pre-contact sophonts. There are certain... ‘solutions’... to the dilemma of scarcity and violence is one of the most obvious and most common. Your race was much like theirs in that regard, and mine... Oh... We were far worse, still are in fact,” Ki-Van said as he raised a stubby pseudopod to stroke a wide, discolored scar stretching nearly the length of his side, a “gift” from one of his beautiful wife’s many suitors...
...one that he brutally killed.
“Oh... Sorry,” he transmitted sheepishly as Geeltan shrank back. “I leaked a little there.”
“No apology needed,” Geeltan replied, “Customs vary as much as our biologies do. My people are far from blameless in that regard. My father’s mother still keeps a pistol in her quarters. She was in one of our last wars. It was a big one.”
“Most sophonts share a similar history. Thank the Creator that we were saved from ourselves. I doubt we would have survived another century before perishing at the points of our own fangs.”
“Are they a biohazard, like the Lavan?”
“They do have an aggressive microbiome and are riddled with parasites, some of which could be harmful, but not like the Lavan, creators no. Those things are death walking for the rest of us and we handle them just fine with the proper protocols.”
“Then... why? Why are we abandoning them and their world to almost certainly perish? What my probes saw...”
Geeltan shuddered, unsuccessfully suppressing his horror.
“It’s like something out of the galactic history books. Climate change, widespread pollution including ‘forever chemicals’ and microplastics and the sort of weapons that only a war-torn class six population can create. Do you know they have weaponized fusion?”
“So do we.”
“What?!?”
“We do have a military, Geeltan. It is only prudent. Just because we have never encountered another trans-stellar threat doesn’t mean that there won’t be one. Our collective histories show what happens to the unprepared. We have fusion weaponry and far, far worse at our disposal should the need arise, along with a small but very well-trained group that maintains readiness should the need arise. We don’t want to end up like the Andromedans.”
“The Andromedans?” Geeltan transmitted in surprise. “We have contact with other galaxies?”
“Just Andromeda thus far,” Ki-Van replied, “And not physically, of course. That is still just a little beyond us. However, we have detected and even exchanged messages from some races... or used to... It... It is not common knowledge because it is... distressing. It is truly unfortunate that their trans-stellar races do not share our values. When Andromeda touches us, we will be fully prepared to touch them back. Consider yourself fortunate that we will not be around when that day comes. However, when that day comes, our galaxy will prevail and endure. Our peace and prosperity gives us the advantage in both numbers and industrial capacity.”
Ki-Van couldn’t suppress his baser nature's darkness, causing Geeltan to pull back his antennae.
“Again, I apologize,” Ki-Van said, “Our race has such foulness bound to our very souls. It is so strong that not all of us are allowed translators.”
“No!”
“Another thing that is not common knowledge,” Ki-Van said, “And I would not share it now save for the fact that it is relevant. Such foulness is why X-32 shall be forever untouched and unnamed.”
“But you said they are not violent.”
“For the record, I said they were not especially violent. They are as nasty as the rest of us in that regard and far ‘nastier’ in others.”
“What is this nastiness you speak of.”
“In a word,” Ki-Van said, “They are horny. They are the most lascivious of any race encountered. It oozes off of them in waves.”
“Worse than the Kareel?” Ki-Van said, “I have learned to knock at any closed door around here for fear of what I will witness.”
“Smart move,” Ki-Van laughed. “Those things are irrepressible... But their depravity is limited to their own species. The X-32’s? Oh, dear creators in the void, they are impossible to deal with.”
“So we have contacted them?”
“Just as with your kind, samples were collected prior to official contact. Let’s just say that their madness is overpowering and dangerous. Every being that has tried communicating with their minds has been left worse for it. Even when the X-32’s tried to behave, they couldn’t help themselves. They call themselves humans, by the way.”
“They... They actually... um... I mean... What?”
“Any biped likely has a crotch,” Ki-Van replied. “Any being that nourishes their progeny directly likely has external glands. All of us have orifices.”
“You can’t be serious!”
“One of my kind was on one of the assessment teams,” Ki-Van replied. “Apparently, we resemble a tool that their males use to mate with themselves.”
“They... They mate with themselves?”
“Oh, yes. If a partner is not available, their lusts are so strong that they must mitigate them with self-stimulation to completion. Some other races do the same, but it’s not something that they advertise... obviously.”
“Does... Does your race...”
“No. Does yours?”
“Creators, no! It’s unthinkable!”
“Imagine having to think it, and you have what dealing with a human is like. My ancestor attacked and killed the human they were interviewing after the human looked at their mouth and imagined... um... ‘using’ it. They say that the human was unrecognizable when they finished with them. Of course, my ancestor was traumatized, both by what the humans transmitted and what they did as a result. They murdered an innocent pre-contact being who was not actually intending on doing anything amiss.”
Ki-Van clenched his mouth into a tight vertical slit.
“It was horrible. After they killed the human, they couldn’t reconcile what they did and returned to our homeworld, where they engaged in duel after duel until they fell, as is our way.”
Geeltan shuddered in horror, drawing his antennae close.
“And then there was poor Captain Vexel. He was the freighter pilot who took an ill-advised shortcut through their system against regulations. He discovered them, and while scanning the humans from his ship, planning to make a full report to us, he found that the human was suffering from a common ailment among developed races: uncontrolled cell replication. For us, this is not a major issue. Even a ship’s medical bay can fix it. Vexel couldn’t bear to let a fellow being suffer and die so he, against all reason, took the human aboard to extract the tumors. Unfortunately the tumors were in the human’s digestive tract, near the exit.”
Ki-Van took a moment to tightly control his thoughts.
“Vexel successfully was able to use a standard medical endoscope to eliminate the tumors, but it required inserting it...”
“Poor human, it must have been terrifying.”
“Terror wasn’t the feeling the human was consumed with,” Ki-Van replied.
“You can’t be serious!”
“And they blasted poor Vexel with their feelings. In essence, Vexel inadvertently engaged in an act that humans do to each other for pleasure even though the appropriate orifice is immediately adjacent. Vexel still lives, but in seclusion. They say he is doing much better.”
“And the human?”
“Vexel released it after saving its life. It spoke of its experiences, but the humans don’t believe it to be true, though Vexel’s species is now widely used by the humans as a ‘fictional’ depiction of trans-stellar life.”
“Oh, creators...” Geeltan gasped. “But without aid, the humans will perish and take their current biosphere along with them.”
“Tragic, but unavoidable. Based on our projections, there isn’t a single species that a human won’t find desirable in some way, even if most won’t, enough will. The Galactic Community decided long ago that humans cannot be allowed into our fold, even if this means extinction, even if it means mass extinction.”
Geelvan sagged and let out a soulful chirping, their version of weeping, as waves of inconsolable grief ravaged the area.
“Geeltan?” Ki-Van asked as he tried desperately to send soothing thoughts to his distressed fellow sophont.
“Sorry... Sorry...” Geelvan said as he struggled to restrain his emotions. “It’s just that humans aren’t the only sapient race on that world. They condemn another to share their fate.”
“What?!?” Ki-Van emoted, his shock drowning Geelvan’s grief.
“My probes detected advanced brainwaves, indicative of sapience, among another species on that world. Those poor innocents will die along with the humans! It’s... It’s too much! I... I can’t...”
“We didn’t know this!” Ki-Van mentally cried. “This changes everything! Tell me of them!”
“There is an aquatic being,” Geelvan replied, sending a visual image of a bottle-nosed dolphin.
“And they are sapient?!?”
“Without a doubt. They are class zero, but they are unquestionably sapient.”
“This changes everything!” Ki-Van exclaimed, quivering with excitement. “Oh, we are having that meeting! We must get samples of these beings and initiate contact immediately! While these humans may be foul beyond description, we must save these other sophonts!”
Ki-Van showered his beloved junior with praise and undiluted pride.
“You have done very well. This is the discovery of our generation!”
“Do you... Do you think I could be the one to reach out to them?”
“My dear friend and associate,” Ki-Van beamed, “We both will! I can't wait to find out what wonderful things these gentle, innocent beings will bring to our community!”
***
Author’s note:
Sorry for the long absence, but I’m getting back in the writing saddle. I am doing some freewrite “one shots” in a desperate attempt to get the juices flowing. Every now and then I kind of like the result and I decided to share it with you. Hope you found it amusing.
To those who adapt stories from here for TikTok and YouTube, as long as you give me credit for the work and supply a link to the original, feel free. Please let me know because I like enjoying the finished work!