[Gil's reaction is immediate and involuntary: his mental energy recoils at the mention of the virus. It actually takes him a moment to realise, and then embarrassment burns through.]

Yeah, okay. You're, uh. Xuil are part of the Aurigan empire-- you're an alien, basically, from outer space-- I don't know how it goes on the human side, but. The guy I'm in basically pings you as a traitor? So that's fun.

Yeah.

Sorry.

I can explain how to be Xuil if you need anything, but a lot of [a sharp, dissatisfied growling noise - it translates, poorly, as a given name]'s recent memories are just about this fucking war.

Short version: our planet got very politely conquered by the Telepathic Blue Space Elves years and years ago, but their king isn't a total piece of shit so it's fine.

And then two years ago during a diplomatic meeting the humans infected everyone with a bioweapon that sends people spiralling into fucking panic attacks and making-- goddamn anime bullshit pop up everywhere, killed the princess's consort - it was a whole big thing, the battle of Tharsis - and now we're all trying to kill each other.

Depends on how they react. Everyone's fucking terrified of it, which makes it act out in weird ways, which makes people more scared. I've seen more than one person freak out completely and get dragged off by people in hazmat suits - they get put in cryo until we can find a cure.

The people who don't flip their lid are all quarantined in a different part of the base. I don't have clearance to enter, and frankly I don't want to, my guy is so scared of getting infected.

Depends on how many other Xuila are out there. They're gonna stick to you like glue, we're stupid social with our own kind. Other people, [there's the sense of an indifferent hand wiggle] eh. If it's mostly just humans, you'll probably be fine.

Eh. I mean, I don't... like this. Like, at all. And being in an active warzone again sucks, but. I can deal.

Growl is going to do his best not to fucking die. I'm gonna hold him to that.