Saved by the bug

Caught off-guard by the crowd of bunny girls, you quickly considered your options. If you stayed here, you would be instantly swarmed by the mob of Cunis. Although you had recovered from your dehydration, this many of them would probably be able overpower you, and you weren't about to risk another trip to the infirmary. The way forward was cut-off, which left options of retreating back the way you'd come or altering course to press forward into the adjacent hallway. With a small pivot, you turned slightly and continued into the adjacent passage.

You broke into a run, but it didn't help; the Cunis' legs provided them a distinct advantage. With their long bounding strides, they closed the gap, and from the increasing volume of their steps and voices, they were closing quickly. "Sky!" one called out. "Happy Sky is back!" proclaimed another. "Me want cock!" shouted another. How much closer would they get before they reached you? Would they tackle you or trip you? How many of them would ride your Gargo cock and greedily drain your semen before you wound up back in the medical bay? At any moment, you'd probably find out.

Yet that moment never came. There was a muffled cry and suddenly the footfalls and voices behind you went silent simultaneously. Could it be a trick? Lily and her gang had shown the bunny girls were devious enough to lay an ambush. Maybe this was another ruse? After a few more strides, you slowed and turned to see what had happened.

One of the doors you'd passed was now open, and from it an insectoid figure had emerged. By accident, Klix had exited the doorway at just the wrong moment, coming between you and the throng of Cunis. As a result of the collision, he now leaned awkwardly to one side with one bunny girl below him and another draped over the shell on his back. A third that had almost fallen was being supported by his front arms.

"Ambassador, we sorry!" pleaded one of the Cunis. Those that weren't involved in the crash had stepped back and taken submissive postures. You realized you hadn't observed Klix interact with any of the Cuni before. From their behavior, they apparently considered Klix to be an authority figure.

After the three bunny girls had recovered from their collision, they stepped back and took positions similar to the others. There was an awkward silence as Klix stretched and checked over himself. Finally he announced, "I am unharmed, and the queen's egg is safe. However, I will remind you that such athletic behaviors are not permitted in this area."

"Cuni not run here," one of them replied.

You realized they wouldn't have been running here if you hadn't come this way, so that made you partially responsible. "Nor will I," you added. "I apologize for not knowing the rules about this section."

"Apology accepted," Klix replied. "I heard you'd been discharged, and I was on my way to see you. I have a gift for you." He reached under his shell and produced a small spiral shaped object.

You stepped forward and took the item, then began to examine it. As you turned it over in your hands, it felt rough, and you noticed it was covered with tiny thorn-like protrusions in an irregular pattern. After looking it over, you had no idea what it was. "I've never seen anything like it before," you admitted. "What is it?" you added, hoping your ignorance wouldn't offend him.

"What you are holding is a memory matrix containing a full record of your speech from this morning. Every name of your crew, and every word you spoke is contained there. It will continually broadcast the message to every Arthro able to hear it. The Grey also have methods to view the information, though their translation may not be as precise. If it's alright, I would like to place this with your plaque on the subspace relay."

You looked it over again, equally as baffled by its form as you were awed by its function. "This is a very generous gift," you replied. "I would be honored to have this placed with the plaque." You almost cried.

"The final repair team is scheduled to head out tomorrow. You can leave it with them," he added. "Now if you'll please excuse me, I have a meeting with R-1."