Xenobiologist Grimes
A biologist stationed in Central Artery Valley, studying Enigmas, and sensitive about the status of her work. One of the more developed NPCs, in terms of pure dialogue, where others are better known for being featured in the Anarchy Online movie series and in player-roleplayed politics and other media. She is the contact NPC of the Experimental Software mission in Central Artery Valley. She can point the player in the direction of one of the clusters of Carbonrich Rock used for Nano Crystal Creation.
- Player: So who are you?
Letting out a small sigh the woman goes to reply, as though not entirely interested in carrying on this conversation any longer than she absolutely has to.
- Xenobiologist Grimes: My name is Dr. Grimes - I'm a Xenobiologist, working for the JAME Terrestrial Research Division.
- Player: Why are you out here?
- Xenobiologist Grimes: Well, if you must know, I'm supposed to be studying local wildlife, with a focus on the Engima population. Not that you probably care much...
- Player: I wouldn't ask if I didn't care at least a little bit...
A dry chuckle exits her lips, eyes nearly rolling out of her head.
- Xenobiologist Grimes: Sure, whatever. You know, I'm ok with people not caring about what I do, but don't fake interest if you genuinely don't give a damn, ok? Just because no one out there understands the importance of my research doesn't mean it needs to be mocked - What I do benefits every last man, woman and Atrox on this damn dustball planet. But do I get thanks for it? Nooooo.
You've apparently hit on quite the sensitive subject...
- Player: I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense.
You barely manage to even start your sentence, much less finish it before she continues on her rant, getting more and more worked up with every word.
- Xenobiologist Grimes: I mean, sure - I'm used to not getting funding. That's ok. JAME has other stuff going on, and I'm in the bastard child "Company B" of this screwy organization. I can deal with that. I knew that signing on. I don't even care when people make fun of me for being out here. I mean, I do a bit, but whatever. That's ok. They don't understand, I can get that. But mocking my work? That one doesn't go over so well.
- Player: Whoa, no, really - I didn't mean to offend you.
You manage to get about as far as the "nuh" sound in "no" before she interrupts you again. She's on quite the tear at this point...
- Xenobiologist Grimes: Don't they see that what I'm doing is important? The enigmas have never been studied, we're picking up trace quantities of novictum in their bodies... the implications of their presence here is massive - Massive! But does anyone ever listen to me? Noooo. It's just Grimes! The crazy old crackpot lady with her little bitty braindog stuck out in the middle of nowhere with no damn money from her company to complete her research and no respect from anyone else! I have to take on commission work from that stupid mission Agency just to make ends meet, while Rodriguez and his cronies are all sitting pretty up in Jobe sipping on Leet Fizz! AAAAGGGHHHH!!!
- Player: Wait, wait... you don't get paid to be out here?
- Xenobiologist Grimes: Oh, I get paid - When they can actually be bothered to. The guys upstairs don't care about the Terrestrial Research Division - They only care about the Shadowlands themselves, not the actual science behind it all. "Anthropology? What's that? Xenobiology? Well, if the creature didn't come from Pandemonium itself we don't care!" GAH! I swear, I don't know why I do this to myself...
- Player: Maybe we should talk about something else...
Taking a very, very deep breath she visibly relaxes, shaking her head quietly to herself before continuing on.
- Xenobiologist Grimes: Yes, that's probably a very good idea overall... I tend to get a bit heated about my work.
