24 Flamerule 1457

To Zerdul:

No, I do not think these documents are a waste of tablets and space. We are literally surrounded by tons of stone that can be used to carve more tablets, and it's not as if a striator requires ink or any other consumable resource save our own psionic power. These reference materials will take up a marginal amount of space stacked at the central console or posted upon the walls, which otherwise lack decoration.

You say as well that putting together these references is a waste of my time, since much of this information is already available on the telepathic network, and any unique knowledge I possess will become available to the remainder of the colony upon my death and joining with the Elder Brain. I will remind you of the tendency of the Encephalithid to be slow to respond to urgent queries at times of high network traffic, and of the fact that ceremorphosis is a time-sensitive process.

I will also have you know that, barring some unfortunate accident, I do not plan on seeking commencement anytime within the next few decades, and I refuse to watch generations of tadpoles and hosts die of preventable causes due to others' incompetence in the meantime. Additionally, I would like to remind you that joining the Encephalithid is a privilege, not a right - a privilege that may be denied to any among us for a variety of reasons, and that is all I am willing to say on the matter.

In summary - run your unit however you see fit, and allow me the same courtesy.

Sincerely,

Videxthrod