NationStates Jolt Archive

The ships of the Tandu were scattered far and wide across the galaxy, mostly in small groups of a dozen or so, taking what they needed to continue their mission, exploration and, should it prove useful, exploitation of a galaxy far different from their own. Strange ships, strange beings, strange places. Perhaps little was stranger than the things that called themselves 'human', who were willing to fight amoung themselves to such an extent as to destroy entire planets, apparently on the basis of internal political squabbles.
Back home, there was no such debate. A queen or Stalker died, and was replaced. Nobody got up in arms about it and started throwing tantrums. And yet these humans, soft creatures, like the long-extinct Tymbrimmi, with their internal skeletons supporting a mass of flesh and organs which, if not for their ability to use tools, would not last a few cycles on any truely wild planet.
The Tandu, with their elegant frame and smooth movements, gifted to them by the Nght, now extinct even longer tham the Tymbrimmi. The Mellin had likewise brought the Nght into the galaxy, and before them the Komahd had, in the ancient days of the Five Galaxies, been brought forth from barbarity by the Progenitors themselves. The Tandu had passed on their gifts to several other races, most notably the Acceptors, powerful psychic detectors and virtually living sensors of great power, and the Episiarchs, who could tear holes in space with their willpower alone.
And now, another race was to join the fold.

The product of nearly a half-century of development, the raiding and pillaging having finally paid off, lay on the table, screaming its lungs out and vainly attempting to find its mother.
"This...thing, is to be our method of contact with the...humans." The Lead Stalker of the Bounty looked down with something between revulsion and awe at the small, pink-haired child below it. Virtually identical to a human save for its odd hair and a pair of blunt, ear-like horns a few inches from its ears, which seemed to be growing directly out of its skull.
"Yes, Stalker. The Humans are remarkably easy to manipulate genetically. It seems as though their very nature is to modify themselves. Over long periods of course. We could not have hoped to achieve this level of progress this quickly." Fio'El Tsuam crossed his secondary hands, the Tandu equivalent of a sagely nod.
"You have done well, Fio'El. And its...weapon?"
"The first generation have a range of approximatly two meters at age ten and can exert forces up to two hundred fourty six pounds if pressed. We believe that, with proper selection, these traits will become more powerful"
"Can you give an estimate as to HOW powerful?"
Tsuam lowered himself back to the deck and scratched a bit of loose chitin from his thorax, "I cannot give an accurate guess of the growth rate until the second generation has matured. The weapon manifests itself between three and five years of age, mostly in the females. It seems that the hair and eye coloring is a result of the increased levels of chemicals produced by the enlarged glands in the brain structure. It will become more pronounced with each generation, as you can see."
"Quite. Is there anything else to report, Fio'El?" The Stalker was prodding the child with a finger, apparently curious. Most likely he had never seen a human. The baby was attempting to chew on the insectoids hand.
"We may have...an issue. It seems the growth of the glands in question inhibits the sexual development of the species. We are not sure they will be able to reproduce via normal means." Tsuam took a step back from his superior officer, awaiting the storm.
Instead, the Stalker reached out and ruffled the childs hair, then stepped away from the table, "Fio'El, this is not a welcome development. It may hinder our plans."
"I apologize, Stalker. I will remove my forelegs." The statement was matter-of-fact. They would grow back later anyway.
"Do so. And resolve this issue. If these...human-things cannot breed then we will be forced to employ other methods to increase their numbers. The Humans will not appreciate us kidnapping them as breeding subjects anymore."
Tsuam bowed as the Stalker left, presumably to return to the bridge.
At least he had kept his composure towards the new Client race. Though the Tandu, even in their home galaxy, had a reputation as xenophobic zealots, not even they would dare to break the ancient laws of Uplift, the sacred code which held that it was the duty of space-faring races to bring pre-sentients to the stars. True, perhaps, the humans had been in space for some time, it seemed, but this new race, the new mouthes of the Tandu for this new galaxy, could perhaps be passed off as something which the Humans would accept.
Hopefully.

"Kaede? Are you awake, Kaede 2-4?" It was not too challenging for humans to understand the Tandu langauge, but thus far it had proven impossible to modify their vocal chords to produce the Tandu language without rendering them useless for one of the primary designs of the new species, diplomatic contact with humans, unencumbered by tricky, often inaccurate, vox-boxes.
Kaede 2-4 blinked in the bright light of her cell, staring resignedly at the gun barrel before her, her attitude of "Lets just get this over with." showing clearly on her face. She looked to be about eight.
"Just do it."
The Tandu behind the glass screen set a control a notch higher than it had previously been and flicked a switch.
With a loud 'WHOOSH!' an iron ball rocketed from the barrel. Each ball weighed exactly twelve pounds, this one had been propelled by, as calculated, six hundred and fifty PSI. Kaede flinched, then grunted in pain as the ball struck her head, a glancing blow but enough to send her off to la-la land. The padding behind her was cratered from the impact, and the ball rolled a slight distance from the girls prone body.
"Six twenty five seems to be the upper limit. Marked progress from the first generation. Mover her to the recovery center and bring in Hyatt 2-19." The Tandu scientist watched as the unconcious girl was, not unkindly, hauled from the cell. The silpilet varient of the new Tandu sub-species of the Human race was unable to breed, the second generation, unlike the first, were not merely unlikely to give birth, but totaly infertile.
Born from parents 'infected' via contact with a Tandu-modified human, as opposed to occuring 'naturally' with Tandu assistance, the silpilets seemed to be the equivalent of a worker bee or ant, and tended to display a natural subservience to the 'natural' Tandu-humans. This was something of an unexpected development, since the Tandu had no hive-like structure to their society. It struck many of the Tandu scientists as ironic, which did not happen often.
The experimentation had paid off. Word had come that a recently explored sector had yielded without a fight to the Tandu, the human occupants of the world swayed by the clever usage of one of the modified humans. It had been something of a coup. With a billion additional humans to use as a base, the Tandu were rapidly accelerating their plans, more gentic material meant more experiments, and with willing 'parents' to be had, things become much simpler.
It seemed, though, that not all was well in paradise...and that, just maybe, one could advance TOO quickly.

OOC: Elfen Lied much? :D I heartily approve. You may continue. ;)

Oh, and consider this a tag for future involvement if this turns out to be more than an R&D thread.

the problem is that you have to read all this first

*OOC: Quite. Soon there will be killer lolis for all ;) *

It was bound to happen, eventually.
The Tandu scientist reflected on the price of progress as it sealed the bulkhead. Its left middle leg, in this case.
All things considered the second generation of Diclonii were a huge success, their combat abilities far beyond what the Tandu had anticipated. The unfourtunate tendancy the females showed towards hyperaggression was merely a secondary trait as far as the high command was concerned.
The scientist vaugly wondered what the high command would do in this situation. Run around like a body with its head cut off, perhaps.
Something heavy impacted on the other side of the door, not enough to dent it, but enough to cause vibrations to travel through the door and the corridor. Several more impracts followed. Then there was silence.
The Tandu watched with vauge suprise as the lever which operated the doors emergency lock began to twist itself into the 'open' position. Somewhat frantically, the insectoid clattered over and reached to flip the lock back into place, losing its fingers in the act.
Clicking in pain, the Tandu ran down the corridor. Many are suprised that the Tandu can get a pretty good run going if theyre determined. Most of the time they move at a fairly sedate pace, but an angry or scared Tandu can, if it REALLY wants to, top twentyfive miles an hour in a straight line.
It wasnt fast enough, in any case, because its own leg speared it through the upper abdomen, piercing its primary brain and instantly halting its life functions. It dropped dead instantly.
A little girl, this one seemed maybe twelve, stepped neatly around its body, staring straight ahead, and walked on, not giving a second glance to the corpse.
The hallway behind here was covered in blue blood, and she herself was dressed in nothing more than a thin coating of that blood. She reached another door, this one of thinner composition, and stepped towards it, the door falling in pieces at her feet. She stared at the insects ranged beyond and seemed unphased by the numerous rifle barrels pointing at her.
"Child, why do you do this?" One of the Tandu was speaking, its arms raised and spread, the equivalent of downcast expression, "The Clan of the Tandu has cared for you, nurtured you, given your kind hope. Why do you betray your Clan?"
The girl stared for a moment at the insect which was speaking to her, then at the others, and, for a moment, it seemed as though she was about to turn around and head back the way she came. Then she spoke, in a high pitched, childs voice.
"This is boring." The girl stepped forward and the two Tandu immidiatly in front of her fell to the ground in neatly cut pieces, flooding the floor with more blood, the other insects fired immidiatly, spraying the girl with round after round, but she didnt stop. The bullets either went wild, or dropped from the air as the girl moved with the sedate pace of a Jewish carpenter walking across a lake. Soon the erstwhile negotiator lay in pieces with its companions.
The girl stared at the scene for a moment, "I said I didnt want the light on." she poked a chunk of the dead scientist with her foot before going on.
She had no idea where she was going, of course. She had never been out of the Diclonius Quarters before, he didnt even know she was on a ship in space. Her sole purpose in life thus far had been as a guinea pig for the Tandu in their experiments to better her race. Unlike those lucky few who could breed, she didnt even have a name. Number One Fifty Three was all she had been called.

The Lead Stalker was beside himself with fury, and the whole bridge crew was making it their business not not to notice. Except the Acceptor, who was taking in every detail with obvious relish, as its kind tended to do.
"Escaped? How does a child ESCAPE the quarters? Are there not guards, securities, defences? Nevermind! Find, capture, kill, her!" The Stalker slipped into ancient speech patterns, extant before the Tandu had even achieved space travel, "I will lead, command, control, the primary unit. Bring heavy weapons, we must halt, prohibit, stop, these actions." The Stalker hauled its sidearm, a probability pistol, from its thorax band and gestured to the door with it.
"The Security Head, will not come before me, into my presence, to myself, again. Instruct it to remove its head before the next duty shift. Tell it that with his last impulse, movement, effort, to place its head before the door to my quarters."
The enraged insect stomped out, attended by a small cadre of guards. Word had it that 153 had slaughtered most of the science section, guards included, slicing them into pieces too small to regrow. Often too small to identify.

Number 153 padded along an anonymous hallway. Everybody was gone now, and nothing seemed to be stopping her from adventuring further. There wasnt much to be seen. Lots of doors that wouldnt open, even if she pounded on them for a long time. Lots of buttons that didnt do anything. None of her sisters were here, which seemed odd. She'd always had so many of her sisters around herself. Being alone was strange, and maybe a bit exciting.
After a while, 153 came to a room with a bunch of doors that were open already, and had a lot of interesting looking things inside them. She slipped into one of the small rooms and began to press buttons, pleased with herself for every beep and whistle she elicted from the console. She hardly noticed the door sealing itself, and only the sudden jolt of detachment told her something was off. The gradual sense of her sisters presences fading as well, told her that perhaps she had made a mistake.

The Stalker watched in horror as the pod detached itself from the ship, boosted into space...and vanished. The child had managed, with remarkable skill, to initiate the pods miniature probability drive. An extreme emergency measure used only in the event of something going terribly, terribly wrong. The risks were horrible, and there was a better-than-fifty-percent chance of the pod imploding, appearing inside a planet, star or other hazerdous object, or simply ceasing to exist.
But...if that pod came out in-tact, with the girl alive...
The Tandu would just have to keep a watchful eye out, as always.

*OOC:
If anybody wants to find the pod, go for it. Just be prepared to accept heavy casualties if 153 gets upset. Those second generation Diclonii can be pretty nasty.*

Datefile: Client Species 'Diclonius' [Client #4]

Clearance level 11-Kleph, authorization code 99851282.

The Hand of the Progenitors guides us.

Full Name: Diclonius ab-Tandu Ab-Nght Ab-Mellin Absu-Komahd absu-B'kak9kaa

Name: Diclonius (Homo Novus)

Avg. Height: 5' 6"

Avg. Weight: 100-110lbs

Avg. Lifespan: 30-40 hab years (Silpilet variant) 80-110 hab years ('Queens')

Classification: Bipedal mammal [Sentient]

Primary Client Purpose: [Dual] Diplomacy/Contact with Humanoid species, military roles and Special Operations duty.

Secondary: Starship piloting, trade and economic monitoring, law enforcement duties, domestic servants, agriculture, manufacturing, resource collection...[for full detailing, see appendix 4.2]

Physical Characteristics:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/7596/lucygf0.png
Lucy 1-1, first known Diclonius
Diclonii, regardless of sub-species, exhibit several common characteristics. An enlarged pineal gland (located between the hemispheres of the brain [see diagram 1.4 'human brain vivisection'], the organs original purposes is not known, but it seems key to controlling the abilities of the Diclonii), as well as numerous minor modifications to the brain and nervous system which enable control of the 'vectors' [See: Psi Abilities and Related Matters']. Other than this, their internal structure is unmodified aside from chemical alterations to better accept the Tandu oxygen-argon gas mixture.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3281/whatifdicloniuswererealcf4.jpg
X-ray of a Diclonius skull
Externally, Diclonii resemble humans, although they exhibit a pair of horns which grow directly from the skull, usually two to three inches above and slightly behind the ears in fully grown clients. The horns appear to be integrated with the skeletal structure, but are extremely sensitive to touch and will bleed profusely if broken [see diagram 5, 'Diclonii horns in relation to nervous/cardiac system' Breakage may also cause pain-induced shock in the subject. Fortunately the horns are tough, although they do not regenerate. Diclonii who have lost one or both horns often exhibit signs of disorientation, nausea, and hallucinations. It appears that the horns act as radiators for excessive psi energy, as well as sensory organs which greatly enhance the performance of the vectors against fast moving objects, such as bullets. The horns also seem to be key to the Diclonii ability to 'feel' each other over long distances.
The silpilet sub-species exhibits two primary differences when compared to the 'queen' primary Diclonii species. First, the silpilet ages at roughly twice the rate of the primary species. The cause of this is not known, but the trait has proven useful in the trials of the client species and has thus not been discarded. Secondly, they silpilet sub-species has lost is ability to breed, although the first generation retained some ability to reproduce, the second displays atrophied sexual organs, and little to no reproductive drive. It appears that the silpilet sub-species is, roughly speaking, a 'soldier' class, as their instinctive submission and defensiveness of 'queen' diclonii indicates.
Roughly %96 of all Diclonii display light colored hair, invariably pink in the case of females, and typically blonde in the case of males. Many males lose their hair by puberty. Most Diclonii have either red/pink or light-blue eyes.

Psychological Characteristics:
http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/1833/marikody1.jpg
Tatiana 1-5, extraordinary first-generation Diclonius. Noted for extremly long and 'strong' vectors.
A sever problem in the current Diclonii experimentations has been a tendency towards hyper aggression in the presence of humans displayed by diclonii of the 'queen' species. [See picture 9, 'Aftermath of Subject 122 breakout'] Many react aggressively towards any advance and will relentlessly slaughter every sentient they can reach until isolated and tranquilized. The problem has become widespread in all second generation subjects, and numerous casualties have resulted from these episodes. Previously it was believed that sterilization of the parents and destruction of the Diclonii involved would end the problem, but this has proved ineffective. The only solution has been tranquilizing any Diclonius attended by humans.
The reasoning for these attacks is not known. The primary theory is that Diclonii view humans as evolutionary competitors.
This problem will be corrected within two to three generations, however.
In the presence of non-humans and each other, Diclonii are typically pleasant, submissive, polite and cheerful. It has been noted that Diclonii will refuse to employ their vectors against non-sentient life forms, even when under direct threat of injury or death. Most Diclonii display an extreme fondness for domesticated animals, especially to the Terran species colloquially known as 'Dog,' the reasoning for this is unknown.
Males of the species do exhibit typical, if somewhat odd, mating behavior, seeking to obtain gifts, do favors and generally seeking the attention of a potential mate. Attempts at poetry and/or song are often met with great amusement by the population in general and have begun to decline. It has been observed that males of both the silpilet and 'queen' species do not discriminate between species, although 'queen' diclonii will reject the advances of a silpilet male out of hand.

Psi Abilities and Related Matters:
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1474/1156712613mu2.jpg
Subject 182, terminated after testing rendered subject incapable of vector usage. Investigation determined that trauma caused during testing had caused sever brain damage, resulting in gradual deterioration of both sapience and vector ability.
The primary ability of the Diclonius client race, as noted in all examples, is the use of 'vectors'. The exact nature of these vectors is unclear, however, they appear to act as tools, weapons, and a means of reproduction. For specific information, see the 'Vector Data Chart' section.
Vectors are not visible to the naked eye, nor to any known sensor apparatus. Thus far the only beings capable of 'seeing' vectors have been the client species 'Acceptor'. Vectors are described as long, translucent, arms with humanoid hands at the end. They typically emerge from the spine between the subjects shoulder blades, and when not in use retract to the same spot. Vector use generally occurs instinctively by age four, although much later in some subjects. If vectors have not manifsted themselves by age six, typically the subject requires extreme stimuli or a life threatening experience to force manifestation.
Prior to the activation of vectors, subjects experience extreme fevers, sickness, and general unrest. The cause of this is believed to be adjustments made to the subjects body chemistry and/or brain material in order to allow manipulation of vectors and processing of data from the 'horns'. Subjects left unnattended during this phase of development may die if allowed to progress uncared for.
'Vectors' do not appear to be physically connected to the Diclonius, the relationship is difficult to describe, but it seems that they are a form of psi not yet documented, being unaffected by psi-shielding, attempts at disruption via Episiarch and Acceptor clients, and generally quite mysterious. Thus far no known form of shielding has proven able to stop them.
It is know that a Diclonius which is unable to concentrate due to sever pain is unable to employ its vectors. Pain induced by neural lash is typically sufficient to force withdrawal of vectors.
As tools, the vectors are capable of lifting extremely heavy loads, many times the weight of the Diclonius in question. They are very dexterous and can pass through solid objects without disturbing their structure, and can manipulate objects the Diclonius cannot see. A Diclonius can exert great force through its Vectors while remaining stationary, but several second generation Diclonii appear to be able to use their vectors as a method of locomotion, pushing their bodies upwards and/or taking hold of protrusions from the wall or ceiling. Using this method Diclonius have been able to move quite quickly.
As a weapon, vectors have proven most deadly. It seems that the Diclonius is capable of vibrating or sharpening the vectors on a molecular level, enabling them to slice through matter with ease. Since it has proven impossible to measure the exact dimensions of vectors, it is assumed that they are either two-dimensional or of mono-molecular thickness, which accounts for their astounding cutting ability. Vectors are also, as noted, extremely strong. Diclonii are more than capable of removing limbs from a full grown Ambul and Dicolnius escapes have often done serious damage to the internal structure of ships [See picture 23, 'Diclonius Quarters blast door after escape of Subject 153]. Despite this strength, vectors are extremely dexterous. Diclonii can, with proper encouragement, operate as skilled medical assistants, both in surgical teams and passing vectors through patients to make corrections. Thus far, however, they have proven too emotionally unstable to employ for long in a medical environment.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Diclonius vectors is their role in reproduction. Direct contact with the pineal gland of a non-Diclonius human and a Diclonius vector results in the infection of that human with what, for lack of a better term, is know as the 'Diclonius Virus'. Displaying no outward symptoms, the disease rapidly migrates to the reproductive organs and modifies the genetic material therein. The result is a siplilet Diclonius child should the human in question reproduce. Location of the pineal gland is instinctive, and thus far no Diclonius has harmed a human infected with the virus.
Thus far there are no known cases of a Diclonius turning its vectors on another Diclonius or itself. Conflict between Diclonii is typically settled in a civil manner. The most sever conflict observed thus far was an attempt by Icarus 2-5 to break the nose Adam 1-14. Both subjects were seperated and disciplined accordingly.

Vector Data Chart:
Test Details:
Steel Ball Impact test: A steel ball is fired at the subject. PSI is increased until the subject is no longer able to deflect the ball.
Length test: Basic determination of the length of a subjects vectors.
Number test: Determines the number of vectors a subject possesses
Simultaneous Impact Test: Projectiles are fired at high speed from numerous angles to determine how many the subject is capable of blocking.
Lift test: Determines the strength a subjects vectors are capable of exerting lifting.

First Generation Diclonii

Subject: Lucy 1-8

Species: Diclonius 'queen'

Age at time of test: 7 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 450 psi
Length test: 1.8 meters
Number test: 4 vectors
SI test: 58
Lift test: 447 lbs

Current Status: Active, diplomatic corps.
---
Subject: Subject 22

Species: Sipilet

Age at time of test: 12 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 480 psi
Length test: 1.6 meters
Number test: 4 vectors
SI test: 68
Lift test: 420 lbs

Current Status: Deceased, killed in escape attempt.
---
Subject: Tatiana 1-5

Species: Diclonius 'queen'

Age at time of test: 8 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 520 psi
Length test: 2 meters
Number test: 4 vectors
SI test: 82
Lift test: 580 lbs
(subject noted as 'extraordinary', granted 'white card' breeding status)

Current Status: Active, breeding.

Second Generation Diclonii

Subject: Lucy 2-12

Species: Diclonius 'queen'

Age at time of test: 12 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 680 psi
Length test: 3.2 meters
Number test: 4 vectors
SI test: 98
Lift test: 610 lbs

Current Status: Active, classified.

Subject: Subject 156

Species: Silpilet

Age at time of test: 5 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 220 psi
Length test: n/a
Number test: n/a
SI test: n/a
Lift test: n/a

Current Status: Deceased, impact fractured skull. Subject was discarded.

Subject: Subject 182

Species: Silpilet

Age at time of test: 6 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 610 psi
Length test: 3.8 meters
Number test: 4 vectors
SI test: 90
Lift test: 500 lbs

Current Status: Active, testing.

Subject: Gabriel 2-2

Species: Diclonius 'queen' (male)

Age at time of test: 14 Hab years

Tests:
Steel Ball Impact test: 570 psi
Length test: 5.6 meters
Number test: 6 vectors
SI test: 78
Lift test: 440 lbs
(subject noted as 'extraordinary', granted 'white card' breeding status)

Current Status: Active, breeding, diplomat corps.

Notes: Rare example of a male Diclonius with the ability to use vectors. Monitor carefully.

END OF FILE