 A large but fragile winged insect @-@ like being from the very low @-@ gravity planet <unk> . In addition to being highly skilled in the more delicate types of surgery , Prilicla is an empath and therefore can sense the emotions of most other lifeforms including many non @-@ intelligent animals . Its tact and the desire of colleagues to avoid distressing it by displaying negative emotions generally makes others willing to follow its advice – a pattern that one reviewer described as " a pleasant Machiavellian streak . " Despite its natural timidity and the distress that other beings ' anger , fear and pain cause it , Prilicla uses its empathic ability in prolonged searches for survivors of space combat and accidents . 
