NMS 1.37 Gek dialogues

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}



#19
Alien: Gek Trade Federation fury! Planetary installation tax unpaid! Initiate immediate repayment! Now!

The trader's screen blinks angrily with a demand for urgent action. The Gek worriedly shows me a list of items, each with a monetary figure attached. A timer is ticking down.

They hold their breath, and look up to me with bulging eyes. They peck hurriedly at the sleeve of my exosuit. There are only seconds remaining...

{Pay full amount}
A remotely-operated scent dispersal system bathes us both in a pleasant perfume. The trader thanks me.
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Demand reward, then pay}
The trader scrabbles for something to give me while I make the late payment. An angry beak appears on a terminal and shouts at us both.
---TECHFRAG_M---

{Waive money demand}
The trader cannot believe my actions. They thank me profusely.
---TECH_ALL---
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Ask for help}



#20
Alien: Despair! Vy'keen hostility! Treaty breach! Arm yourself! Trade vault: multi-tool. Storage vault: technology! Resource vault: ammunition!

Images of warrior battle freighters fill the shocked trader's screen. They dwarf small trader ships as they pass by, like predatory fish innocuously swimming amongst their prey.

The panicked lifeform points at the trade, storage and resource vaults around our feet and shouts in fear.

{Open Trade vault}
I arm myself with a new multi-tool. The trader looks at me with hope in their eyes.
---WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Open Storage vault}
I receive a new multi-tool technology blueprint. The trader looks at me with hope in their eyes.
---TECH_WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Open Resource vault}
I receive ammunition. The trader looks at me with hope in their eyes.
---SUBST_FUEL---
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Ask for help}



#22
Alien: Bootleg pirate equipment discovered in cave! Ready for confiscation and incineration!

The trader is studying a stash of interesting-looking technology and weaponry that's been dragged through this facility and left inside a disposal vault. They look at me conspiratorially, and indicates the dangerous-looking symbol that's daubed on the vault hatch.

The equipment appears rusted and broken on-screen, but if we were to eject it out onto the floor of the outpost we'd find it easier to investigate. The trader looks at me, shrugs and holds its breath.

{Incinerate equipment}
We destroy the equipment, and are both thanked for our actions.
---MONEY---
---STD_INC_TRA---
---PROD_FUEL---

{Remove and examine equipment}
The equipment spills out onto the floor beneath the installation's security scanners. We salvage a technology blueprint.
---TECH_ALL---
---STD_DEC_TRA---

{Ask for help}



#14
Alien: Friend! Tiring day! A favour? Start product replication please?

The trader seems to have recently woken – their eyes are crusty, and their beak is flecked with dried drool. They are very clearly not hard at work...

The lifeform lazily indicates a nearby terminal, upon which a product formula is displayed and is waiting for full input. I am ushered towards it, before the trader closes their eyes to try to get some more sleep.

{Input product formula}
I start up production processes, while the drowsy trader looks on...
---PROD_COMMOD---

{Take product formula}
I take the product formula! The drowsy trader, however, sees me and rolls their eyes...
---RECIP_PROD_COMM---

{Report lazy worker}
The Trader will be fired for its lethargy... Relevant authorities thank me.
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Ask for help}



#15
Alien: FutureGek warning! Vy'keen devastation nears! Prepare! Silicate product materialises multi-tool! Isotope product materialises blueprint! Oxide product materialises ship blueprint!

The trader goes to greet me, but in a flash they are covered from head to foot with arcs of electricity.
The blue sparks fade, and they grab the lapels of my exosuit as if possessed. They scream at me in wild-eyed desperation.

I feel like there's a 99.9% probability that the frantic motions they are making towards the products I carry is an indication of what they wants...

{Give rare oxide}
A ship technology blueprint is sent from a distant place! The trader returns to normal, and stares blankly.
---TECH_SHIP---

{Give rare isotope}
A technology blueprint is sent from a distant place! The trader returns to normal, and stares blankly.
---TECH_SUIT---

{Give rare silicate}
A new multi-tool materialises in my hands! The trader returns to normal, and stares blankly.
---WEAPON---

{Ask for help}



#16
Alien: Korvax SynthetiGek unmasking peril! Isotope required! Help! Korvax blueprint reward!

The trader's fingers slow on their pad, and a noise of crunching gears seems to rumble from deep inside the lifeform. Their lower beak drops open, and a green bulb on the end of a rare silicate antenna emerges.

The green light focuses on my visor, where a holographic image of a charging device appears. The bulb flashes while it speaks in the language of the traders. It seems to assume I am a friend.

{Detach silicate antenna}
I snap off the silicate antenna. The SynthetiGek closes its beak and stares at me accusingly.
---SUBST_TECH---
---STD_DEC_EXP---

{Give isotope}
The SynthetiGek uses my offering to recharge. Their secret identity is secured! I receive a gift from a distant species...
---TECH_ALL---

{Report strange behaviour}
I expose the SynthetiGek to the relevant authorities. I am sent a reward.
---TECH_ALL---
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Ask for help}



#23
Alien: The markets crashed... the Trade Lord mourned their profits... so much wealth, lost forever...

The trader appears to be listening to a sample of music. Voices mingle in their grand opera, a thousand lifeforms crying out in an alien tragedy...

The trader shows no sign that it has noticed me. It merely stares at the speaker, its eyes a little moist... Whatever song is playing, it haunts this creature.

{Offer units in appreciation}
The trader turns, startled. It accepts my units with gratitude, giving me a gift in return.
---SUBST_COMMOD---

{Interrupt the music}
The trader turns angrily, annoyed by my interruption. It issues a gas so strong that it pierces even the lining of my exosuit. I go before the stench can assault me further.
---DAMAGESMALL---

{Try to copy the music}
The trader turns, surprised at my theft of its cultural work. It seems impressed, giving me a gift in encouragement of my deed.
---C_GEKRELIC---

{Ask for help}



#24
Alien: I am ruined, friend... my entire life savings lost on a foolish bet...

The trader sits clicking at a screen full of digits and glyphs, a balance of units present in the corner.

Every once in a while, the glyphs exchange locations, vibrating, causing the trader to shriek in delight or collapse in despair.

Eventually, the trader appears to give up, the unit balance having reached zero.

{Offer units to the trader}
The trader takes my units greedily, but appears to lose them within mere moments of restarting their game.
They give me nanites by way of apology.
---TECHFRAG_M---

{Try to use the screen}
I try to use the screen, but the trader slaps my hands away, grabbing at their multi-tool to try and stun me. I back off.
---DAMAGESMALL---

{Just watch}
I remain watching the trader's game before it appears to give up. It hands me an object, apparently no longer of any of use.
---PROD_COMMOD---

{Ask for help}



#25
Alien: Ah! Today I become the progenitor of five hundred spawn! Life comes at us fast, friend!

The trader is extremely happy, rubbing its hands together and exuding a pleasurable scent. It shows me a live feed from a strange medical complex.
I watch machines pumping gallons of a mysterious enzyme into a vast vat of floating embryonic lifeforms.

{Offer units}
The trader is pleased, giving me a small gift in return.
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Offer happiness}
The response from the trader is muted. It turns away from me, the pleasant scent departing.

{Offer Gek Charm}
The trader is overjoyed, giving me an expensive gift in exchange for my own.
---TECHFRAG_M---

{Ask for help}



#26
Alien: Trade Federation weakening... one by one the Trade Lords fall... which will be crushed next? We do not know...

The trader stares at me. After a moment's hesitation, it produces a datapad.
The screen shows images of a council of its species. Ten Lords in elaborate dress orbit various world clusters. Several images are highlighted in red and amber.

{Point at one of the lifeforms}
I choose one of the Lords at random, and the lifeform's eyes follow my finger. It begins to issue a disturbing scent from its glands, clearly shaken by my suggestion.
It gives me units, wishing for me to leave.
---MONEY---

{Hand the datapad back}
I try to return the datapad, but the trader sighs, gesturing for me to keep it. Within, I find nanites.
---TECHFRAG_S---

{Ask for help}



#27
Alien: Every time I run it, it shows the same thing... what is going to happen to us, friend?

The trader is engaged in some kind of religious observance, closing its eyes rhythmically as it repeats a mantra.
Upon my arrival, it stops. It shows me a simulated image of our own universe, the lifeforms in it growing and dying, sped up through the millennia. The edges appear to close in over time, contracting until there is nothing left.

The trader appears frightened.

{Comfort}
I comfort the trader, placing my hand upon its shoulder. It thanks me, giving me a gift as it calms down.
---C_GEKRELIC---

{Switch off simulation}
The trader is terrified at my action, immediately switching the simulation back on. They wish for me to leave.

{Give GekNip}
I offer the lifeform GekNip, helping it to de-stress. It gives me units in exchange for my help.
---MONEY---

{Ask for help}



#28
Alien: Why do the Korvax still walk free? What have you done with our legacy?

Something about the trader's posture makes them feel larger than many I have encountered amongst its species; their eyes seem to glow with undaunted power.
As my eyes move, it is as if I see two beings standing in the one place: one small, one strong.
It glares at me, showing me a handful of metal shards.

{Scan the shards}
I scan the shards, revealing them to be a currency used by the Gek over a thousand years ago. The creature eyes me warily. It gives me a gift of nanites.
---TECHFRAG_S---

{Take the shards}
I take the shards, pleasing the lifeform. But nothing else happens... all I am left with is useless metal.

{Threaten them}
I threaten the lifeform with my multi-tool. It merely smiles, giving me a weapon upgrade so that one day I might pose a fair challenge.
---TECH_WEAPON---

{Ask for help}



#29
Alien: Trade Federation know I stole from them - take evidence, friend! Quick!

The trader is anxious, looking past me as I approach.
Seemingly satisfied that I am alone, it looks up and thrusts a sealed box towards me.

{Take the box}
I take the box, finding a valuable nanite cluster within.
When I return, the trader does not even acknowledge our previous interaction.
---TECHFRAG_S---

{Leave the box}
The trader conceals the box at once, wary of detection.

{Report suspicious activity}
I upload a report to the system authorities, receiving a reward for my troubles. They will determine this Gek's fate.
---MONEY---
---STD_INC_TRA---

{Ask for help}



#30
Alien: I do not know what I would do without this stuff... it is a fine cup, friend.

The trader stares at a cup. It appears to contain a dark black liquid, hot to the touch...

{Drink the liquid}
I start to drink the liquid, but before it can reach my lips the trader lunges at me. They tear the cup from my grasp and spill some of the liquid on my suit.
They are upset, but apologetic about the spillage. They give me units as compensation.
---MONEY---

{Empty the cup}
I take and empty the cup, causing the trader to cry.

{Offer units for the cup}
I offer units for the cup, but the trader gives me some of the liquid for free. It invigorates me, waking me up.
---HEALTHSMALL---

{Ask for help}