Shulamit says, "Hoo HOO! Look at this beauty!"

Shulamit holds up the fossil for all to see. "Fossil appearance:  Pressed into sedimentary stone, the curling and hooked shape of a claw or fang of some kind has been immortalized in veins of shimmering milky opal and preserved chitin. Though its color is pale and its fire is muted, it nevertheless strikes a rather eye-catching contrast to the dull stone around the specimen." It looks extremely worse for ware.

Shulamit nods its head slowly, looking very wise.

Shulamit says, "And the visualization is, hoo...."

Shulamit taps away on a nearby table, causing the electronics to flare to life, showing a partial reconstruction. "Armored plates bristling with protective spikes, this elongated crustacean crawls along the sea floor on four powerful pairs of segmented legs, or swims with surprising agility using a fat, fan-tipped tail to scoot backwards through the water. It has a dozen or so tiny spherical bumps scattered across an otherwise featureless shell in lieu of a face, with long and pinser-like mandibles jutting"

Afesotinuilar says, "Yikes Shu, tell them interns t'take it easy when they rip those fossils outta th'ground."

Shulamit says, "And today...."

Shulamit says, "WE CRUSH IT."

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "But then we couldn't crush them, hoo."

Oipo's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Afesotinuilar says, "Oh, we gettin' rough w'this one?"

Shulamit says, "Hoo yes."

Oipo says, "Ooh exciting."

Shulamit nods at a large beeping machine along one wall, the machine displaying large amounts of information about fossils and various substrates found on fossils. "It is a good device, but it goes...hoo, crunch."

Shulamit raises its branch end in greeting and says, "Hi!"

Oipo gives Tuesday a respectful salute.

Shulamit says, "Welcome, Tuesday. We are looking at this fossil of the serrated sakirtana! Found in the Golpur desert!"

Afesotinuilar says, "Ayo, kiddo. We're just gettin' started."

Shulamit says, "If you wish to help, come closer!"

Afesotinuilar says, "Shu, ye wanna show th'kid that lightframe again? And get a good look at th'fossil?"

Shulamit says, "Oh hoo yes."

Shulamit taps on the table again, bringing up the visualization of the creature once more. "Armored plates bristling with protective spikes, this elongated crustacean crawls along the sea floor on four powerful pairs of segmented legs, or swims with surprising agility using a fat, fan-tipped tail to scoot backwards through the water. It has a dozen or so tiny spherical bumps scattered across an otherwise featureless shell in lieu of a face, with long and pinser-like mandibles jutting"

Shulamit says, "As you can see, it is not complete yet."

Shulamit prods the drone to take pictures of Tuesday but it seems to categorically refuse to it, instead focusing on the fossil.

Shulamit says, "Hoo, drones."

Oipo nods sadly.

Shulamit says to Tuesday, "Hoo, if you'd rather watch, that is okay as well!"

Shulamit says, "We are studying this fossil, hoo. It is from the Golpur desert, it-"

Oipo tilts his head curiously.

Shulamit trails off as the drone finally comes online, recording Tuesday . "About time, hoo."

Shulamit says, "Silly drone."

Shulamit says, "The serrated sakirtana is an ancient fossil from the deserts of Gunurash, Golpur desert. It is so old it was clearly there when a sea was there."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Shulamit says, "If you've not visited the Golpur desert, it lives up to its current name. And the rest of the planet tooo hoooo."

Shulamit says, "So the serrated sakirtana is very old, and watery, and with many many legs."

Afesotinuilar says to Tuesday, "Scatterhome runs a pretty generous historical research program, where you can get a team out on a dig, and find fossils and fragments o'antiquities. What we're doin' here is examinin' th'fossil of this 'sakirtina' creature t'see what we can learn about it."

Oipo nods thoughtfully, saying, "Strangely enough many deserts used to be ancient seas."

Afesotinuilar says, "At th'end o'our lil session here, Shulamit is gonna huck this fossil int' a blender t'see what a molecular breakdown has t'say about it."

Shulamit says, "Do we think it desert...ified before the krona started hoo...krona...ing, or after?"

Acknowledging Afesotinuilar's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Oipo ponders the situation.

Tuesday says, "So we stole... I mean, we recovered a lot of these fossils. Now we're trying to see if it's valuable?"

Afesotinuilar nods.

Afesotinuilar says to Shulamit, "Hard t'say - th'site o'Azme was a highlands city, so water was probably not a problem fer them then."

Shulamit says, "Stole is a strong term. Scatterhome is on lovely terms with Gunurash!"

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "Hoo, true. Azme is up the mountain area."

Shulamit says, "Maybe they were up the mountain because of water! But to flee from it, or to catch it from clouds??"

Oipo says, "We at the Song Museum examined another fossil from Golpur several syncs ago, it was a fossilized wood plant of some sort - turned to opal in some parts! So I'm not sure what that would mean for the dating of the finds."

Shulamit nods.

Shulamit says to Oipo, "Hoo yes. We've studied the same wood. It's very pretty, isn't it."

Afesotinuilar says, "I love it when fossils turn shiny. Makes 'em way more valuable."

Shulamit says, "I simply must think, for now, that the krona were after the desertification. Otherwise, having a stone cradle with stone bars and stone runners would be dangerous if it was even possibly near water."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Afesotinuilar says to Tuesday, "See - we know it's worth somethin' already!"

Afesotinuilar says, "I reckon th'Krona did that t'themselves. They don't go in fer health'n'safety, or climate protection."

Shulamit ponders this slowly, before nodding solemnly at Afesotinuilar.

Afesotinuilar says, "Oh, wait."

Afesotinuilar says, "There's a sea there."

Afesotinuilar says, "Agog is a coastal city."

Shulamit says, "On Gunurash? Yes."

Shulamit says, "But not...nearly as...seay as it was."

Shulamit says, "Sea...filled?"

Afesotinuilar says, "Moist."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Afesotinuilar says, "So maybe th'sea used t'be bigger."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Afesotinuilar says to Oipo, "Did ye other opal fossil look aquatic?"

Oipo nods happily at Shulamit, "This one has also turned somewhat to opal, we thought about the possibility of a wetland environment to explain the formation of opal in the fossils, what do you think? I think they could be from the same time, the plant and this crustacean."

Shulamit says, "Hoo, perhaps. Maybe it covered the entire planet!"

Oipo shakes his head.

Shulamit says to Oipo, "Hoo, I think they might be! A good theory."

Oipo says, "I'm not sure, the preserved wood was oily strangely enough."

Afesotinuilar looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Shulamit tilts its head and utters a thoughtful, "Hrm."

Afesotinuilar says, "Maybe it was startin' t'break down int'oil."

Shulamit says, "Am I to break down into oils?"

Afesotinuilar says, "Yeah, one day. I bet Atria has -tonnes- of crude oil."

Afesotinuilar says, "Whittlers, not so much."

Shulamit says, "Thank goodness we do not use crude oils so much anymore. Ish, hoo."

Oipo says, "I think we all will, eventually though, being organic."

Shulamit rubs its chin thoughtfully, raises its eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Afesotinuilar says, "Not me, I'm goin' straight int'a black hole when it's m'time."

Shulamit carefully ponders a fossil, looking at it closer. "Pressed into sedimentary stone, the curling and hooked shape of a claw or fang of some kind has been immortalized in veins of shimmering milky opal and preserved chitin. Though its color is pale and its fire is muted, it nevertheless strikes a rather eye-catching contrast to the dull stone around the specimen."

Shulamit says, "It is very pretty, opal as well yes."

Afesotinuilar says, "Th'hooks are kinda scary. They remind me o'hagda fangs."

Afesotinuilar shivers violently.

Shulamit says, "Hoo, probably because of the spikes. And the leggies."

Shulamit tries to recreate the visualization using its tendrils, making instead a wriggling mass before stopping.

Afesotinuilar says to Tuesday, "There's a lesson fer ye - don't wander too far in th'Locorin Swamps on Krell. Hagda will eat'ya."

Acknowledging Afesotinuilar's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Tuesday gasps aloud.

Afesotinuilar says, "I gotta say, of all the creepy crawlies in th'sector, th'sakirtana seems alright. Kinda... like a crab but long and pointy."

Oipo shivers, saying, "You just made it sound worse!"

Afesotinuilar breaks into hearty laughter.

Afesotinuilar says, "Crabs are good eatin'!"

Tuesday says, "I'm not seeing anything I would recognize as eye sockets or stocks... Think it sees through sonar? Radar?"

Afesotinuilar says, "Ooh that's a great quesiton."

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "Hoping to remake one and have it at the next museum party."

Acknowledging Tuesday's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at them.

Oipo nods at Tuesday.

Afesotinuilar says, "Maybe them bumps are important."

Shulamit says to Tuesday, "Possibly. Although we might just not have enough dna to see...where the eye bits...er, hoo...go..."

Oipo says, "Or if it has classic eyes even."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Tuesday ponders the situation.

Shulamit says, "A lot of deep sea fangly fishies never have eyes like we do."

Shulamit taps its eyes, which are assuredly not like many other species and resemble tree knots instead.

Afesotinuilar says, "S'got a face in th'projection, but its got nothin but bumps. Unless its got retractable stalks or somethin. Oh yeah, sensory organs ain't all built equal."

Afesotinuilar says, "Just think o'them Eckins, seeing through sonar or something themselves."

Shulamit says, "A thing to remember. The bumps might be eyes, might be sonar, might even use radiation or something."

Oipo says, "Or creatures with - simple eyes I think they're called - and those with compound eyes."

Acknowledging Oipo's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Afesotinuilar says, "These are terrific notes. We gotta find out more about Agog's sea sometime. Maybe there's living relatives."

Oipo nods at Afesotinuilar.

Afesotinuilar says, "I wonder how old it is, if it possibly predates th'modern eye."

Shulamit says, "Yes, I think that might be our next trip to Historian Nergal."

Shulamit says, "Shall we...hoo, throw it into the analyzer now?"

Oipo says, "So we can poke a bit more intensely at this fossil this session, right?"

Shulamit says, "Oh hoo, we can poke before!"

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Shulamit steps away from the table, allowing Oipo a much closer examination of the dusty fossil.

Afesotinuilar says, "We gotta join th'Lord Commander fer one o'its sessions sometime."

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Shulamit says, "Hoo, and Oipo's!"

Shulamit says, "Heard Oipo has been leading some."

Shulamit nods its head slowly at Oipo, looking very wise.

Afesotinuilar says, "Oh, have ye? That's terrific."

Afesotinuilar says, "I should do some too. Jerzah has some interestin' stuff."

Shulamit nods enthusiastically at Afesotinuilar . "Can't wait!"

Afesotinuilar looks about himself, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Afesotinuilar says to Oipo, "How heavy is it? Maybe them armored plates are still armoured - lets hit it with somethin'"

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "It is...very small, hee hoo."

Oipo mumbles, "Ah! Yes, let me just.." Oipo peers closely at the opal veins before retrieving a stripped wire from somewhere in the recesses of his bags, using it as a makeshift tool to test the softness of the opal, chitin and other substrates.

Shulamit watches Oipo closely with curiosity. "Anything interesting?"

Afesotinuilar says to Tuesday, "I reckon th'opal fossils'd make fer some good jewelry."

Shulamit nods solemnly.

Afesotinuilar says, "Maybe a nice paperweight."

Tuesday says, "I'm sure some fancy bureaucratic would pay a few marks for it regardless..."

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "We have a few specimens too damaged for even research up in the curator's office just for such."

Afesotinuilar says, "Yer th'head curator, Shu, how much would ye value one o'these opal sakirtana bits at?"

Shulamit ponders the situation.

Oipo notes that the chitin has a bit more give to it, and prods harder - wincing when a snap is heard.

Shulamit says, "Most people seem to want the opalized woods, they look nicer on the desk."

Shulamit turns back towards Oipo, concerned. "Are you hoo, okie? Was that the fossil, or you?"

Afesotinuilar says, "If ye busted a finger pokin' a rock, ye wetwiring needs its nutrition matrix looked at."

Oipo says, "Ah, nope that was not me! Just a fossil damage sound."

Shulamit wipes the back of its branch end across its brow in relief.

The corners of Oipo's mouth turn up in a mischievous grin.

Shulamit says, "That is fine. I am less good at healing squishies."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Afesotinuilar says, "Well I got no other ideas fer th'moment - ye want t'chuck it in th'blender?"

Oipo says, "Okay, let's throw it in!"

Shulamit says to Tuesday, "Would you like to be the one to place it in?"

Tuesday says, "I think it's better I watch. Knowing my luck, I'ld fry the blender."

Shulamit nods slowly.

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "Hoo hoo, you hoo?"

Afesotinuilar breaks into hearty laughter.

Oipo says, "Scatterhome research is really something, shooting at things, crushing things."

"Heh heh heh," Shulamit chuckles.

Afesotinuilar says, "You're very hooey today Shuey. Yeah, I'll bang it in."

Shulamit says to Oipo, "But we learn so much with the crushing and the crunching and the shooting!"

Shulamit says to Afesotinuilar, "I'm chuffed, you see."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Oipo grins and nods at Shulamit.

Shulamit says, "One day we'll take apart one of the antiquities fully, and that will be a delight!"

Shulamit says, "Looking at the very stitches, hooooo."

Afesotinuilar reaches out and plucks the fossil from its position using the invisible hands of voidkith.

Shulamit watches as the drone whirs around Afesotinuilar, making sure to watch closely before the fossils inevitable demise.

Afesotinuilar says, "Not much weight t'it at'll."

Shulamit says, "Hoo, very little."

Oipo nods.

Afesotinuilar says, "Nothin' seems t'be shifting with centrifugal force."

Afesotinuilar says, "Righto, open th'lid fer me?"

Shulamit says, "If it did, more fossils would die before ever reaching a museum, being on shuttles."

Shulamit reaches over to the machine, opening it up and allowing one to access the interior. As it does so, it also types in some commands with a few tendrils, noting the fossil to be from Gunurash, where it was found, and the quality of fossil. "Ready to go, just close it up when done!"

Afesotinuilar motions as if tossing the fossil into a basket, and gently sends the fossil to reset inside the analyser with unseen forces.

Afesotinuilar gathers the slivers of opal dust with a slow and rolling accretion before zipping them into the analyzer, and just in time.

Shulamit sends a drone over to close the door. As the drone shuts the door, the entire machine hums to life, shaking and rattling as only old Scatterhome technology can. As it does so, it finally puts a readout up on the screen. "Mostly phosphorus with hints of copper, zinc, a smidge of gold so small (DO NOT STEAL), and some nickel." the readout reads on the screen. The machine pops open, depositing a small bag of dust which Shulamit collects.

Afesotinuilar snickers softly to himself.

Shulamit says, "It already *took* the gold, so I don't know why it ever says that, hoo."

Shulamit says, "It certainly fits the profile of a deep ocean."

The corners of Oipo's mouth turn up in a mischievous grin.

Afesotinuilar says to Tuesday, "See, we put warnings when ye shouldn't steal."

Acknowledging Afesotinuilar's point to be true, Shulamit nods its head gravely at him.

Shulamit says, "And when one shouldn't lick the fossils."

Shulamit taps its root with mild impatience.

Shulamit looks up into the air for divine inspiration.

Tuesday nods.

Afesotinuilar says, "Or canoodle."

Shulamit acknowledges the point with a grave nod of its head.

Oipo nods.

Shulamit points at a 'No Canoodling' poster.

Afesotinuilar says, "The museum is a very strict place."

Shulamit says, "No canoodling has happened, we are all good today."

Shulamit says, "Hoo hoo, so I think that wraps up, as we...now have no more fossil. Well."

Tuesday says, "I am a little worried what warranted that poster, but that's research better left undiscovered."

Shulamit holds up a small bag of dust, which the drone dutifully records before shutting off and plummeting to the floor.