# Copyright (c) 2014 by Michael Zahniser
#
# Endless Sky is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
# Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
#
# Endless Sky is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
# PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
#
# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
# this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.

mission "First Contact: Quarg"
	landing
	source
		attributes "quarg"
		not attributes "gegno quarg"
	on offer
		log "Factions" "Quarg" `The Quarg are tall, thin, inscrutable aliens who evolved on a very small planet and can live comfortably on worlds with atmosphere so thin that a human being could not breathe it. They discovered spaceflight millions of years ago. Many of them live on artificially constructed ringworlds, including one in human space. They live at peace with most sentient species and claim to be in communication with an even older species named the Drak.`
		log "Factions" "Drak" `The Drak are supposedly the oldest living species in the galaxy. The Quarg say that the Drak act as something like galactic peacekeepers or police, and will intervene if a species invents a weapon so terrible that it could drive that species to extinction.`
		conversation
			`You had seen pictures and videos of the Quarg before, but this is your first time in a spaceport that is owned by them. The architecture is truly alien: uncomfortably tall ceilings, strange colors, and walls that never quite seem to meet at right angles. The Quarg themselves are equally strange, towering above you, some nearly three meters tall. Their legs bend backwards at the bottom, like a dog walking on its hind feet, and they move gracefully and almost silently.`
			`	Most of the Quarg you see are dressed entirely in shades of gray, or only slight hints of color. Quarg fashion seems to revolve not around color, but texture: coarse and fine woven fabrics, patterns like lizard scales or cobblestones, and occasional decorative fringes of sponge-like material. Their skin is deep gray, sometimes with a hint of green or blue or brown beneath it, with a fine scale pattern like a reptile. But what makes their eyes startling is that they look very human, except that some of them have gold or violet irises instead of green or blue or brown. They have no hair, but many are wearing small cloth caps or hoods.`
			`	One of the Quarg notices you gawking at them and walks over. It squats down on its haunches so that its eyes are level with your own, and says, "Hello." Its voice is deep, sounding like an accordion or the buzz of a beehive blended with the hum of a starship engine.`
			choice
				`	"Hello."`
			`	Speaking slowly and deliberately, it says, "I think you are new here. Are you what is called a tourist?"`
			choice
				`	"Yes."`
				`	"No, I'm a merchant captain, I'm here to buy and sell cargo."`
			`	"I see." The Quarg blinks slowly. Its eyelids come from the sides of its eyes, instead of up and down. In an otherwise so human eye, the effect is disconcerting. "Many humans have many questions when they see us, and we the Quarg live for many lifetimes of humans, so it is not burdensome for this one to speak with you."`
			
			label choice
			choice
				`	"Can you tell me about the Quarg?"`
					goto quarg
				`	"Are there other alien species in the galaxy?"`
				`	"It is an honor to speak with you, but I do not have any questions."`
					decline
			
			`	"Many. Most of them young, so much younger than the Quarg. Many foolish. A few wise. Many travel only along the ancient roads between the stars. A few need no roads to travel by. And some reshape the galaxy at will. But the Quarg are like no other, because we have nothing that the others covet."`
			choice
				`	"What do you mean?"`
			
			label quarg
			`	"We the Quarg are unique of all the species in the galaxy. Our species began on the moon of a great gas giant, on a planet most small, that gathered about itself very little air. We cannot step many steps on the worlds that the Hai, the Korath, the other species desire. And the worlds like our home, you could not breathe their so thin air, for our lungs are very subtle. And we are an old race, and do not kill for sport or whimsy, so the Drak gave us the gift, that we may go among the other races and settle where we please, and make friends of all, because none dare be our enemy."`
			choice
				`	"Who are the Drak?"`
					goto drak
				`	"Why do none dare to be your enemy?"`
			
			`	"Because we are very strong, and because we speak with the Drak."`
			choice
				`	"Who are the Drak?"`
			
			label drak
			`	"The Drak are the eldest living. Not the firstborn, for they are long gone, but the eldest living, and yet they are far younger than the stars. They tend and cultivate the pathways between the stars, and prune away the paths that any species could travel to make war against another. And they hold the secret of travel beyond those pathways, and give the secret only to a worthy few, so that peace may prevail." It taps its chest with one hand, signaling that the Quarg are among those few.`
			`	"Not that the Drak are strangers to war. Planets and moons and even stars were consumed in their wars and are no more. But then they learned wisdom, and have fought no more wars, many millions of human years. They live nearby, but they keep to themselves, and intervene in the affairs of other races only to prevent their destruction or the use of obscene technologies of war."`
			choice
				`	"We humans have used some rather destructive weapons against each other, and no alien species ever stepped in to put a stop to it."`
				`	"Well, I hope we never do anything bad enough to force them to intervene."`
					goto closing
			
			`	"You have done what? Awakened the atom? There are weapons far worse than that. Consuming planets. Snuffing out stars. Tearing the flesh of space and time itself. Weapons of chaos I pray your reckless race cannot yet even conceive of. These things will attract the attention of the Drak, because they nearly destroyed this galaxy once, and must not be allowed to do so again."`
			choice
				`	"Well, if there are technologies that dangerous out there, I hope the Drak do continue to succeed in keeping them from being used."`
			
			label closing
			`	"I hope so too, human." The Quarg stands up, towering over you once again. "As long as you are a seeker of peace, you are most welcome on our worlds at any time." It bows to you. You are not sure if that is a Quarg gesture too, or if it is simply imitating a human custom, but you bow in return, and the Quarg walks quietly away.`
				decline



mission "First Contact: Kuwaru Efreti"
	landing
	source "Kuwaru Efreti"
	to offer
		has "First Contact: Quarg: offered"
	on offer
		conversation
			`In your past experience, you've never seen the Quarg move with anything approaching haste or excitement, but when you land on this station a group of them run up to you, moving faster than you thought they were able to. For a minute or two they just gawk at you and talk amongst themselves in their own language; you think you recognize the word "Humani," and perhaps, "Eartha."`
			`	Finally a Quarg appears who speaks your language, or at least is willing to try. It says, "Salutations, astonishing sojourner. Whither came you, and wherefore visit you us here in the unquiet graveyard of the Korathi?"`
			choice
				`	"I'm just here to explore. Can you tell me more about the Korath?"`
				`	"I came here to learn what happened to the Korath."`
			`	"Ah, the unwise Korath," it says. "Once a mighty empire, now sadly splintered and diminished. Their own thinking war machines, now breeding with abandon and inimical to all, hunt the survivors. And of them some, too, were exiled for their great crimes."`
			choice
				`	"What crimes did they commit?"`
					goto crimes
				`	"What do you mean, 'thinking war machines'?"`
			`	"Robotic starships, and autonomous factories to create them. Though now directed by no living being, they yet reproduce and wage against each other senseless war. Ware their ships should you wander north and east of here, for they wield weapons diverse and strange, and bring you can we no succor within the bourne of their space."`
			choice
				`	"You mentioned 'crimes.' What crimes did they commit?"`
			`	"Of that we shall not speak, lest awaken in you we the desire to in their footsteps follow. But you may observe the wreckage of their abominations and take warning."`
				goto korath
			
			label crimes
			`	"Of that we shall not speak, lest awaken in you we the desire to in their footsteps follow. But you may observe the wreckage of their abominations and take warning."`
			choice
				`	"You mentioned 'thinking war machines.' What are those?"`
			`	"Robotic starships, and autonomous factories to create them. Though now directed by no living being, they yet reproduce and wage against each other senseless war. Ware their ships should you wander north and east of here, for they wield weapons diverse and strange, and bring you can we no succor within the bourne of their space."`
			
			label korath
			`	You are interrupted as one of the Korath who inhabit this ringworld walks by, and the Quarg says, "Friend Korath, meet the human."`
			`	"<first> <last>," you say, holding out a hand automatically. The Korath does not shake your hand, but instead greets you by holding up both hands, palms toward you. It says something in its own language, then hurries away.`
			`	The Quarg says to you, "One faction among the Korathi sought peace. 'Korath Efreti,' they name themselves, which means 'Korath Friends.' They are under our protection and intend you no harm. But, they have not your language; here humans are rare. Another question have you?"`
			choice
				`	"Will the friendly Korath let me purchase their technology?"`
				`	"Why don't you destroy the robots, if they're such a threat?"`
					goto destroy
				`	"No, but I'm glad to meet you."`
					decline
			`	"Visit their worlds," says the Quarg. "Though they learn not your words, you are clever and may speak as does one without words, by pointing at things." You thank it for its time, and the crowd of Quarg that has been gawking at you slowly disperses.`
				decline
			
			label destroy
			`	It clicks its teeth together, which might be the Quarg equivalent of laughter. "It was hoped that one faction of robots would destroy the other, and leave for us less work to do, but they are sadly too evenly matched. Instead we merely restrain them from expanding, as one isolates a fire one cannot extinguish and for it to burn out waits." You thank it for its time, and the crowd of Quarg that has been gawking at you slowly disperses.`
				decline



mission "Quarg Satellites"
	minor
	name "Deploy Quarg Scanners"
	description "Head to each of the marked systems to deploy the Quarg scanning satellites, then head to <destination> to collect your payment."
	source
		near "Umbral" 1 3
		government "Quarg"
		not planet "Humanika"
	waypoint "Kappa Centauri"
	waypoint "Graffias"
	waypoint "Antares"
	waypoint "Han"
	to offer
		has "main plot completed"
		has "First Contact: Quarg: offered"
		not "Coalition: First Contact: offered"
		"pirate attraction" <= 1
	on offer
		conversation
			`A Quarg slowly makes its way to you when it notices you in the spaceport. "Greetings, human friend. Would you happen to have the time to listen to a proposal? We are looking for a pilot willing to help us deploy some scanning satellites."`
			choice
				`	"Sure, where am I deploying them?"`
					goto where
				`	"What are the satellites for?"`
				`	"I don't have the time, no."`
					decline
			`	"To help humans in the other end of this region, the South, be better prepared against incoming attacks, and help them keep track of ships that pass by their systems."`
			choice
				`	"I'd like to help with that then. Where am I deploying them?"`
					goto where
				`	"Help? Why do you want to help people there all of a sudden?"`
				`	"I am actually headed to a different part of the galaxy now, sorry."`
					decline
			`	"Why?" It pauses for a second. "Surely you have seen the foolish thugs that plague this whole region. We can deal with them here, but we do not usually travel far. To promote peace all around, without even more needless slaughter, providing some measures to deter further attacks is but a courtesy."`
			choice
				`	"I'd like to help with that then. Where am I deploying them?"`
				`	"I am actually headed to a different part of the galaxy now, sorry."`
					decline
			label where
			`	"To <waypoints>. Once you are done, return here and you will receive <payment>."`
			`	As soon as you arrive at your ship, you find various Quarg with loaderbots, putting the four satellites inside your ship's cargo hold. The satellites are shaped like triangular pyramids, with each point of the main pyramid being tipped with another, smaller triangular pyramid. You can't quite make it out from this distance, but you wonder if the smaller pyramids are also tipped with even smaller pyramids. Each of the devices is roughly half your size, but probably weigh a lot more than you.`
				accept
	on enter "Kappa Centauri"
		dialog "You open your cargo hold, and let a Quarg scanner drift out to the void."
	on enter "Graffias"
		dialog "Looking at the former slave-colony planet here as you deploy their scanner, you wonder if the Quarg heard about Poisonwood's history, and that's why they decided to help with surveillance."
	on enter "Antares"
		dialog "You set a Quarg scanner free, and let it leave your ship."
	on enter "Han"
		dialog "Although those that live on the planet here don't seem to mind the occasional pirates demanding tribute, maybe they will come to appreciate the reduced pirate presence here, assuming the Quarg scanner really does help with that."
	on visit
		dialog phrase "generic waypoint on visit"
	on complete
		payment 263000
		dialog `You land to find a Quarg waiting right at the docks. It hands you <payment>, and thanks you for your help.`



mission "Lagrange Ring: Cargo"
	minor
	name "Human Construction Materials"
	description "Head to <stopovers> to pick up <cargo>, then bring it all to <destination>, where the Quarg are preparing to open the first section of their ringworld for human visit."
	cargo "construction materials" 254
	source
		near "Enif" 1
		government "Quarg"
		not planet "Humanika"
	stopover "Chiron"
	destination "Lagrange"
	to offer
		has "First Contact: Quarg: offered"
		"pirate attraction" <= 3
	on offer
		conversation
			`In the spaceport, a group of Quarg is talking to dozens of human captains. Some nod and head right back to their ships, while a few others remain and appear to discuss a bit more with the Quarg.`
			choice
				`	(Join them to see what's going on.)`
				`	(Ignore them.)`
					decline
			`	You join the group, and one of the Quarg diverts its attention to you, while the others continue speaking with the human merchants.`
			`	"Would you also be someone willing to provide us a cargo service, Captain?" it asks, all the while checking a data pad, which seems to be related to the ships docked here. "Not many of you humans in this region have the cargo space required, much less proper defenses for cargo convoys. We are willing to pay adequately for whoever meets the criteria and is willing to help us."`
			choice
				`	"Are those other Captains also doing this? What do you need so much cargo for?"`
				`	"I'm not looking for any more cargo jobs right now, sorry."`
					decline
			`	"Many have agreed to help us already, but we still need many more. Those that have agreed to help are headed all to different portions of human space, to safely bring us the materials we have ordered.`
			`	"Our ringworld, under construction around the star of <system>, is to have a special open section for humans to visit soon. We wish to make the internal style and decoration of that section closer to human standards, so we are asking every capable captain to help. You are one such captain, are you willing to help us?"`
			choice
				`	"Alright, I'm interested. Where should I go to pick up the cargo?"`
				`	"Sorry, I'm not looking for any cargo job right now, I was just curious."`
					decline
			`	It fiddles with the data pad a bit more, then says, "You are to pick up <cargo> on <stopovers>, then deliver that cargo to <destination>. You will be paid <payment> for the service. Be well, human."`
			`	It gestures a bow to you, then leaves to speak with another merchant captain that got curious as well.`
				accept
	on stopover
		dialog `The <cargo> is loaded into your ship under strict supervision, each crate carefully accounted for.`
	on visit
		dialog phrase "generic missing stopover or cargo"
	on complete
		payment 953000
		conversation
			`Much like your own ship, several other human freighters and convoys are arriving, and the cargo being meticulously checked by the Quarg, as they use their own machinery to unload what must be tens of thousands of tons from all the ships.`
			`	About halfway through the unloading of your own cargo, a Quarg comes up to you and hands you <payment>.`



mission "Ask Quarg About Coalition Early"
	landing
	to offer
		has "First Contact: Quarg: offered"
		has "Coalition: First Contact: done"
		not "joined the lunarium"
		not "joined the heliarchs"
	source
		attributes "quarg"
		attributes "station"
		not attributes "gegno quarg"
	on offer
		conversation
			`You've met the Coalition, and the Heliarchs that rule their space from within the ringworlds the Quarg built there who claim that they "defeated the Quarg oppressors." Would you like to look for some Quarg here and ask for their side of the story?`
			choice
				`	(Yes.)`
				`	(No.)`
					decline
			`	You stop the first Quarg that passes by you, and ask if they could tell their side of the story about the Coalition.`
			`	"Ah, so you have encountered the foolish Coalition," it begins. "They once were three promising species, before they succumbed to the unwise desire for usurpation of the great deeds of others.`
			`	"Not that all of them are petty thieves, but sadly the civilization they have become is now ruled by a fanatical military, as I am sure you have seen, having spoken with those wretched Heliarchs."`
			choice
				`	"Is it true that they defeated you?"`
					goto defeat
				`	"Is it true what they told me? That you oppressed them and hindered their development?"`
					goto oppress
			label defeat
			`	It clicks its teeth together for a moment, and frowns a bit. "Do not underestimate us, human. We are numerous, and we are strong." It pauses for a moment, with a blank expression on its face, as if trying to remember something. "We just know better than to slaughter billions for the sake of maintaining our position."`
				goto end
			label oppress
			`	"Of course not. Have you seen us do such things with humanity? Or with any other alien species you might have reached in your travels with a jump drive? The Heliarchs, like any other fanatical military, merely fabricated an excuse to justify attacking us."`
			label end
			`	Before you can ask it anything else, the Quarg bids you farewell, and walks away.`
				decline



mission "Quarg Pug Arfecta Warning"
	minor
	landing
	source
		attributes "quarg"
		attributes "ringworld"
		not attributes "gegno quarg"
	to offer
		has "First Contact: Quarg: offered"
		has "ship model: Pug Arfecta"
	on offer
		conversation
			branch flagship
				has "flagship model: Pug Arfecta"
			`As soon as you land, you see a crowd of Quarg gathering around one of your escorts, the Pug Arfecta. The captain of the ship looks shaken as the Quarg surround them, seemingly being questioned by a rather tall Quarg, even by Quarg standards. The captain looks around and, seeing you, points in your direction, causing the Quarg to come your way. The tall Quarg towers over you and gives you a piercing stare.`
				goto choice
			label flagship
			`As soon as you land your ship, a crowd of Quarg start to gather around. As you go to disembark, you find a rather imposing Quarg blocking the exit. Tall even by Quarg standards, it towers over you and gives you a piercing stare.`
			label choice
			`	"It is as though a baby in swaddling has tamed a dragon and now rides it through the sky spewing fire with reckless abandon," it says while not breaking its gaze, unblinking.`
			choice
				`	"It's a long story..."`
					goto evasive
				`	"It was an act of righteous defiance."`
					goto righteous
				`	"The Pug fancy themselves gods, but since God is dead..."`
					goto anarchy
				`	"I saw something I liked, so I made it mine."`
					goto greedy
			label evasive
			`	It scoffs, "It matters not how it happened.`
				goto end
			label righteous
			`	"You fancy yourself a savior or a revolutionary then?" the Quarg says with what you assume is a sarcastic tone.`
				goto end
			label anarchy
			`	"So you deign to prove them wrong?" the Quarg says with an almost amused, or perhaps incredulous tone.`
				goto end
			label greedy
			`	"A baby in swaddling, indeed...`
				goto end
			label end
			`	"We give you a warning. You know not what you have, human - what weapon you wield.`
			`	"We have seen its power. We have felt it, and learned from it. But you and your kind know nothing of the burdens and dangers that follow it. Be careful that you are the one who directs this power, and not it you.`
			`	"Know well that we have learned how to overcome it."`
			`	The Quarg takes one last long look at your ship, then makes a curt farewell motion, leaving you to your business. The crowd, too, starts to disperse, with only a few staying behind to gawk at the ship.`
			`	As you make your way through the ring, you notice occasional glares from the Quarg onboard the ring.`
				decline



mission "Ask Quarg About Coalition Late"
	invisible
	landing
	source
		attributes "quarg"
		attributes "station"
	to offer
		or
			has "joined the heliarchs"
			has "joined the lunarium"
	on offer
		conversation
			branch heliarch
				has "joined the heliarchs"
			branch lunarium
				has "joined the lunarium"
			label heliarch
			`You've obtained the rank of Heliarch, the group who to this day remain hostile to the Quarg. Despite that, you were allowed to land here on <origin> - you don't know whether that's because the Quarg simply don't know that you've joined the Heliarchs, or don't care enough to stop you from coming to their rings. Would you like to ask the Quarg for their side of the story, in light of what you've learned from the Heliarchs?`
			choice
				`	(Yes.)`
					goto yes
				`	(Not now.)`
					defer
				`	(No, I'm not interested.)`
					decline
			label lunarium
			`You've joined the Lunarium in Coalition space, and even served as a messenger to bring the Quarg some information about the Lunarium itself, in the hopes that they might provide some help. Would you like to ask the Quarg for their side of the story, in light of what you've learned from the Lunarium and from your visit to the Quarg with Oobat?`
			choice
				`	(Yes.)`
					goto yes
				`	(Not now.)`
					defer
				`	(No, I'm not interested.)`
					decline
			label yes
			`	You're never quite sure who to speak with when it comes to the Quarg, but this time you're drawn to one that easily stands out. You judge it to be an older member of their species; its thin scales cover its fingers, and the more bony parts of its head have turned to a bright, silvery shade. Unlike most Quarg you've seen, it is wearing a pale, faded white robe, with patches of red-colored chains (that somehow perfectly transition into fabric again) becoming more and more prominent closer to the top, culminating in a firm, crimson hood covering its head. Most surprising of all for a Quarg, however, is the large scar taking up much of the left side of its face, completely covering where its left eye should be.`
			`	It is completely static, with a lost gaze focused on the ceiling until you approach it. It doesn't squat down to meet your eye level. Instead it says nothing, simply gazing at you with its one eye, colored a bright gold.`
			choice
				`	"Hello, I'm <first> <last>. What can you tell me about the Coalition?"`
				`	"Hello. Is it true that the Heliarchs defeated you and stole your ringworlds?"`
			`	It continues to stare at you for a while, without as much as blinking. It looks over to a bench in one of the quieter areas of the spaceport, and gestures for you to follow. As you two sit down, you notice it pauses mid-breath. After a few seconds of adjusting itself in the seat, the Quarg finally speaks up.`
			`	"Those three species arose in relative rapid succession, all in close proximity, compared to how other species tend to be separated by long periods of time, and longer still their distances." Its voice, while still sharing the buzzing, deep hums you've grown to expect from the Quarg, is broken up every other word by something like a crack - or a creak - as if certain vocal cords have grown sore, with an uncomfortable sound akin to an out of tune cello mixing its way into the Quarg's words. "So large are the gaps, that one might never learn of those that came before. But, that was not the case for the three. The first of them, the Saryds, were in many ways much like us Quarg in our younger days, and we perhaps were much too lenient because of that..." It stops, and brings one hand over its head, and then the other, closing its eye as if in a sudden headache. Your eyes almost instinctively go to its scales, expecting them to change like other Quarg you've seen. But, their colors remain unaltered, the same pale gray and silver shades. A few seconds pass, and it brings down its hands back to its lap, opening its eye as it continues. "The Kimek, traumatized by the billions fallen in their famines, sought help to make sure they would never face such a crisis again, and were eager to establish friendly relations with the Saryds. The Arachi, in a way, parallel humanity's development, though they were less keen on letting their inner conflicts be made public. They were the last of the three, and upon meeting their two seniors, invested heavily in research to catch up."`
			`	It pauses again, taking a look around the spaceport. It fixates on you for a bit, then on the ships landing and departing here. "In the intersecting point of their territories, we built our ringworlds. Seven thousand Earth years ago, the three species of the Coalition sought to take over those rings. After centuries... no, a millennium of fighting, we left that part of the galaxy."`
			choice
				`	"Why did they decide to start attacking you and your rings?"`
				`	"Even now you're more advanced than them, aren't you? How come you lost thousands of years ago, when they were weaker?"`
					goto lost
			`	"Whatever reasons they had, whatever drove them to attack us, we cannot quite comprehend... No." It stops, not sighing or showing much emotion, its scales still showing no sign of changing. It looks at the ceiling again, then back at you. "No. You are tired of hearing this same story from us Quarg, are you not? That the foolish and young species warred for no good reason." It pauses again, contemplating its words. "That war was not the first instance where we lost a ring of ours, but never did any of us wish for any ring to be lost in the first place. With three rings there, with the living space for over three trillion Quarg being constructed, we got awfully... protective of that region, in order to prevent outside interference from causing us trouble again. Our relations with the Kimek and Arachi were a far cry from the initial success and amicability we enjoyed with the Saryds, and when an Arach ship first showed signs of technology that repaired its hull platings mid-flight, an achievement even the Saryds were yet to make, we... jumped to conclusions."`
			choice
				`	"You 'jumped to conclusions'? What do you mean?"`
				`	"Even now you're more advanced than them, aren't you? How come you lost thousands of years ago, when they were weaker?"`
					goto lost
				`	"That's all. Thank you for speaking with me."`
					goto end
			`	It slowly turns its head over to face you, with its eye gazing into your own. An uncomfortable minute passes at a snail's pace, as you seem to struggle keeping eye contact with the Quarg, while at the same time finding it difficult to look elsewhere.`
			`	"We had gone there to protect the three species. To guide them. To observe them. We failed the latter, losing track of wisdom and reason in favor of fearing past shames. In that, our guidance became compromised, for they trusted us no longer. We were no longer seen as protectors, but as those they had to protect themselves against."`
			choice
				`	"Even now you're more advanced than them, aren't you? How come you lost thousands of years ago, when they were weaker?"`
				`	"That's all. Thank you for speaking with me."`
					goto end
			label lost
			`	"Are we so horribly powerful indeed, or is our might mere consequence of being elders in this galaxy littered with the premature deaths of other species?" it asks. "No... forgive me, I did not answer your question. We... many of our young ones and veterans alike vowed to never allow another ring to be lost. We do not kill for sport, but it has become as natural for a Quarg to defend a ring as it would be for a human to defend their family.`
			`	"By the billions, defenders arose, ignoring our ways of peace, what social customs we were expected to follow, and... what you may call 'orders.' After a few centuries, those that tolerated, or were forced to tolerate the request for a ceasefire, were evacuated from the rings, and then it was only a matter of time before those of us that remained were overrun by the Coalition."`
			`	It once again starts looking at the ceiling, remaining like that for a minute or so.`
			branch "heliarch 2"
				has "joined the heliarchs"
			branch "lunarium 2"
				has "joined the lunarium"
			label "heliarch 2"
			`	It then turns to face you once more. "We have of course noticed that headpiece the Heliarchs have provided you with. Though you have officially joined their ranks, you are human. You are not bound to that area of space. There is no need for you to obey their orders. You do not need to ever return there. There is no need for you and us Quarg to be enemies."`
			label "heliarch ask"
			branch end
				has "ask quarg coalition late: threat"
				has "ask quarg coalition late: aid"
			choice
				`	"Is that a threat?"`
					goto threat
						to display
							not "ask quarg coalition late: threat"
				`	"What if I do want to aid the Heliarchs?"`
					goto aid
						to display
							not "ask quarg coalition late: aid"
			label threat
			action
				set "ask quarg coalition late: threat"
			`	"No. It is advice. Though you have joined them, you are still welcome at our rings, for the time being. But, the Heliarchs are a group formed and bound by their distrust and revulsion for our kind. Should you continue to follow the Heliarchs, sooner or later they are sure to put you against us, at which point I can no longer guarantee you will retain safe passage through our systems, or will be granted landing clearance on our worlds still."`
				goto "heliarch ask"
			label aid
			action
				set "ask quarg coalition late: aid"
			`	"Your motives are your own, but if you were captivated by your own obsessions, then I can only hope you will come to see reason before you too are lost to their path."`
				goto "heliarch ask"
			label "lunarium 2"
			`	It then turns to face you again, saying, "I am aware that you brought one from the Coalition to us, for a conversation. One belonging to a group that seeks to overthrow the Heliarchs. Do be careful, human, they might not be as technologically advanced as us Quarg, but they are very strong still, and duty-bound unlike most others. You and your allies are bound to face tremendous hardship, if you are to oppose them."`
			label "lunarium ask"
			branch end
				has "ask quarg coalition late: help"
				has "ask quarg coalition late: tips"
			choice
				`	"Will the Quarg help us fight the Heliarchs?"`
					goto help
						to display
							not "ask quarg coalition late: help"
				`	"Any tips on how to fight them?"`
					goto tips
						to display
							not "ask quarg coalition late: tips"
			label help
			action
				set "ask quarg coalition late: help"
			`	"We agreed to that conversation, that 'interview' of yours. Beyond that, we cannot help much without provoking war, I fear. We seek not to strike fear into the hearts of those of the Coalition, we never did. It would burden your cause to have us take part in the fighting."`
				goto "lunarium ask"
			label tips
			action
				set "ask quarg coalition late: tips"
			`	"Do not be arrogant. Do not underestimate them. Do not take victory for granted, no matter how cornered they may seem, lest you shall be cornered yourself."`
				goto "lunarium ask"
			label end
			action
				clear "ask quarg coalition late: help"
				clear "ask quarg coalition late: tips"
				clear "ask quarg coalition late: threat"
				clear "ask quarg coalition late: aid"
			`	You get up and are just about to leave when it says, "<first> <last>." The Quarg's gaze pierces you, its eye on the same level as your own. "Where is your home?"`
			choice
				`	"I come from New Boston, on the Dirt Belt."`
					goto planet
				`	"My ship is my home."`
					goto ship
				`	"I don't really have a home."`
			`	Your response seems to have struck something in it, as it brings one hand over its scar, glancing downwards. "A harrowing sensation, is it not?"`
				goto name
			label planet
			`	It acknowledges your answer with the faintest of nods. "Sparse were my own visits to the rocky worlds inhabited by other species. They are unlike our own. So different, so... complete." Its eye darts around, looking at your surroundings, other Quarg here, then finally its own hands and arms. "But us Quarg must make do."`
				goto name
			label ship
			`	After staring you down for a few seconds, it fixates upon the ceiling again. "I suppose others such as you may imagine that our own lives in our ringworlds are similar to your own within a ship or simple space station." It pauses again, for nearly a minute this time. "Considering the circumstances, that may be a reasonable conclusion on your part."`
			label name
			`	It faces you again, and asks, "Have you any more questions for me, Captain?"`
			choice
				`	"Who are you?"`
			action
				log "People" "Gohl" `Full name Gohl Salyi Memt-Wrik Laz. It is an old, odd Quarg that is more open than its species tends to be in answering questions about rather sensitive topics.`
			`	"I am called Gohl Salyi Memt-Wrik Laz. An old Quarg. Too old for my own good."`
			`	You thank it for its time, and see it get up to leave. As soon as it steps away from the bench, you notice a dozen heavily armored Quarg begin to follow it, some coming from the sides of the bench, others seemingly having materalized from the very walls and flooring. They follow Gohl in a machine-like formation, and never so much as acknowledge you.`
			`	When you last glance back at it before entering your ship again, you see the distinct reflection of Gohl's eye glancing at you from a distance, before being followed by the armorclad Quarg deeper into the station.`
				decline
