In the year 3956 humanity has long since destroyed the planet and died off. The only lifeforms that remain are beetles; without humanity to hold them back their intelligence has rapidly grown…but they struggle to survive in the harsh wasteland state in which humanity has left Earth.
The Coleoptera Council, comprised of the smartest and most learned beetles, has discussed what is to be done to ensure a future. Their research has lead them to a very specific date: August 4, 1956. This is the day when a human named Stuart Stewinjewski accidentally discovered the perfect insecticide. He would go on to sell the insecticide formula to a major chemical manufacturer who in turn put it on the shelves, getting it into the hands of millions who used it willy-nilly against all insects. This continual chemical assault limited beetle evolution into higher beings for centuries until finally humans ceased to exist- but by then, the damage to the environment was too great to reverse.
The Coleoptera Council has come to what they all consider the only logical conclusion: a group of brave beetles will have to travel back in time and stop Stuart Stewinjewski from discovering that insecticide. The team will have to infiltrate Stuart at work on that fateful day he makes his discovery and prevent him from doing so. Of course, this team cannot just travel back as beetles- humans of that time would freak out at the sight of such things. The Coleoptera Council, therefore, proposes that this time travelling team do so in a clever disguise: Leggy Booth, chief beetle engineer of all beetledom, has been brought in to assist. The fruits of his labor is a human-sized robot. It takes the form of an average every day man of the 1950s in a dapper suit- to the naked eye, he appears physically normal enough. But he will take a team within to operate: one beetle will control his head and mouth, two beetles for his arms and hands, and two beetles for his legs and feet. It will require discipline and cooperation to make him move and truly behave like a human being.
You and your fellow players are the team of beetles who have been selected to travel back in time and operate this human robot. You each are talented in your own area of the vessel, though your personalities clash in many ways. None of you are particularly familiar with the ways of humans in the 1950s either. The Coleoptera Council shrugs when this matter is brought up prior to your journey. “Few texts remain about human society back then,” they reply, “just use your best judgement and try to stop Stuart Stewinjewski without raising too much suspicion.”
There’s not much time to discuss; with the present environment of Earth rapidly declining the Coleoptera Council sends you off in a hurry- though their timeline is ending bleakly, they hope your actions in the past can contribute to healthier, brighter beetle future.
As you hurl back through time to August 4, 1956, you can’t help but wonder if you’re underprepared for this mission. Will your limited knowledge of human culture and behavior be obvious to those around you? Will the fact that you’re a robot being piloted by insects become clear to those you’re trying to infiltrate? Or will you successfully stop the discovery of that accursed insecticide…and will it significantly change things as the Celeoptera Council believes?
Find out in…
BEETLE ‘EM TO IT!
Hosted and narrated by:
Rhino Time (rhinotime)
Started 01/31/23.
Scenes played: 6
License: Community License
