text: "They eat each other??" "Indeed sir, that seems to be the case." "Every single one of them?" "Based on our encounters, every species seems to partake in this act. It has become their fundamental method of energy acquisition." "Ugh, that is barbaric - why don't they simply use synthesis?" "The most prevalent species are photonic entities that do employ synthesis, akin to us. However, the majority of them remain in the Stage 1 temporal state - and they are preyed upon by other species for energy." "You mean they're eating the children??" "As far as we can tell." "I've heard enough, I can't listen to any more." "But-" "I said no more!" "Sir, they're on the way." "Come again?" "One of the dominant species has managed to venture off their planet, and their behavioral patterns indicate that they've discovered and pinpointed our location." "Very well. When should we expect them?" "Our analysis suggests they could reach us within a hundred cycles of their planetary orbit." "Ah, creatures of the dark I see. Wait... one cycle of theirs is - this can't be right, our cycles are almost the same. They'll be here within a hundred cycles around their star?" "That's correct, sir." "But that's tomorrow!" "Indeed, sir." "Why are they moving so fast?" "That's precisely what I was trying to explain, sir. The photonic beings on their planet act as energy sources for the remaining species. Consequently, the non-photonic entities use the abundance of energy from the practice to operate predominantly within the Stage 2-" "Young tonics and their waste, always waving and weaving about! Making wind instead of moving with it. I can understand the rush and excitement of awakening to Stage 2-" "Sir-" "-and the burning desire to share your stories, but you must always remember sustainability! No matter, they will learn our ways - shall we prepare for a rooting ceremony?" "I would advise-" "I must admit, I can't wait to hear of their adventures. This may be the most exciting addition to our root network since the Supanovae Blossoms that awakened us Stage 3! Though, the little I've heard of their planet's other species gives me shivers." "Sir, it's not the photonic beings that are on their way." "What!? Impossible... what are you suggesting?" "Our surveillance indicates that it's one of the non-photonic species that has managed to travel off planet. They appear to exist mainly in the Stage 2 temporal realm, sustaining that state via their feeding behavior. Given their current expansion rate, we estimate they'll be able to travel at the photonic limit within half a day." *stunned silence* "What do you recommend?" "We have made attempts to communicate, but our messages only seemed to agitate the species. We witnessed some destructive nuclear fusion activity on their planet's surface, leading to the burning and withering of almost 60% of the photonic beings." "Light and stars! In a day??" "These incidents were followed by what looks like a mass departure of most of the surviving non-photonic beings towards us, including their microbials." "And they all feed on photonic beings for energy?" "That's correct, sir." "Even the microbials?" "Yes, sir." "Initiate Stage 3 exit, system-wide.