[Intercepted communication log. Source unknown.]
(Electromagnetic interference static)
Suspected Chelae: (Unintelligible muttering)
Personnel A: Are you sure they've lost mobility?
Personnel B: Pretty sure. The acid rounds worked great一most of their exoskeleton's vaporized. We should thank that fish-girl Lancer for the intel.
Personnel A: She made a public tutorial on how to fight the crab people, but we're still the ones doing all the dirty work... Ugh, take more photos. Weapons R&D wants to see how the specialty rounds perform in combat.
Personnel B: The rest of you, stop standing around—search the aircraft! Bring anything suspicious back to HQ! Prioritize containment of anything resembling a portal. Don't let these things escape again. Where's the translator? Is it working?
Suspected Chelae: (Unintelligible roar)
Personnel B: Quiet down! All those times you invaded Kepler, but we finally caught you.
Personnel A: Frequency modulation is set. Communication should be good to go.
Personnel A: Ahem. Greetings, honored warrior. Can you understand us now?
Personnel B: Wait, you're being polite to it?
Personnel A: Man, I dunno. The Shard Research Division said it makes them more likely to talk.
Suspected Chelae: …You…strong… Need…
Personnel B: Huh. Can't believe that actually worked.
Personnel A: We respect all lifeforms. If you cooperate, we won’t hurt you. From now on, if I ask a question, you answer.
Suspected Chelae: …Gurgle…gurgle-gah… Not…warriors…exiles…fleeing…
Personnel A: Where did you come from?
Suspected Chelae: …The first… Another…Shardverse… Doom…we…escaped…
Personnel A: And what is your purpose? To occupy this Shardverse?
Suspected Chelae: …Explore…collect…grow strong…escape…move to next…
Personnel A: Are the Parasites your creation? Are you planning a full-scale attack on us?
Suspected Chelae: ...
Personnel A: Crap. Captain, this individual has lost vital signs. Without their exoskeleton, I don't think their flesh can survive exposure to our atmosphere for long.
Personnel B: Well, at least we got something out of that. Bag it up for recall; HQ's gonna love taking it apart.
