16 THE COSMOS REVISITED

The cosmos. A very large subject. We, the Maktemyens of Simerjia, know that the cosmos may be infinite. The small points of light that can be seen on a moonless night are suns just like the sun in our day sky. The number of stars within the entirety of the cosmos is virtually innumberable. And just like our star, Sarëlin, all those stars may have worlds with life upon them. Think on that and truly be daunted my young apprentices.

From a lecture made to a class
of Maktemyen Apprentices by
Ungthor Palashis the Larëyari,
Simerjia Maktemyen Runzayar.
As recorded by Maztakar the Tarmon,
Maktemyen Apprentice.
16 Siden 1143 Fifth Vramza

It is now due time that the Section 1 Of the Cosmos was revisited. This section briefly details the Political, Social, and Military Structures, Autonomous Governments, and Physiology of the major interstellar empires in the region of the Mardona Tetrahedron. There may be later sections and/or supplements that will give even more precise details of the interstellar empires as needed.

Author's Note: Since the Sci-Fi portion of role playing in the Udavan Multiverse was largely Gaian-centric, there was much more information written about the ISEE. The other empires were developed a little further during role playing sessions, but never written down. I do include the basics of the other empires for you to expand upon. If you would like to expand upon one or more of the empires and see such an expansion to be included here, then feel free to it to me.

Technology Levels   |   Vehicle Construction Guidelines (a work still not finished, any help welcomed)

Urgon Hegemony Federation | Inurian Confederacy | Snekra Dynasty | Khryshyn Concordium | Enigman Invaders

16.1 INTERSTELLAR EARTHEN EMPIRE (ISEE)

The Interstellar Earthen Empire was built by the Humans originating from Earth. Earth is now called Gaia and sometimes referred to as Terra by aliens within the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The star which Gaia orbits is still called Sol.

16.1.1 Political Structure

The Interstellar Earthen Empire is ruled by an Emperor aided by a Consulate Senate. Basically, the Emperor is the Executive Branch; the Consulate Senate is the Legislative Branch; and the Gaian Galactic Court is the Judicial Branch.

The Emperorship is an inherited office, being passed on to the Emperor's eldest surviving son. However, trouble is brewing in the ISEE since the current Emperor and Emperoress have only had two daughters (currently 6 and 3 years old). Who will inherit the throne? Remember: The couple is only 47 & 42 years old. Any governmental decree signed by the Emperor becomes law effective the instant after the signature is placed. Obversely, any governmental decree vetoed by the Emperor, whether wholly or partially, is absolutely vetoed. There is no override vote allowed by either the Consulate Senate or Gaian Galactic Court. This basically makes the Emperor's word LAW. The Emperor also has the final word in any governmental proceeding or decree and any judicial decision, which tends to make the Royal Family above the law.

Positions in the Consulate Senate are elected to eight year terms by the peoples of each individual world. Each world in the Interstellar Earthen Empire has one Consulate Senator. The peoples of that world also hold the right to impeach their Consulate Senator, provided that such is warranted. Of course, since each world has its own set of laws, the reasons for impeachment of a Consulate Senator is widely varied. The Consulate Senate is presided over by the Emperor's eldest surviving son provided that he:

1. is at least thirty years of age
2. possesses a Doctorate in Legislative Political Science, and
3. is not serving in some other capacity such as in the military

The Presidor basically has only two duties:

1. to ensure that Parliamentarian Procedures are adhered to and to enforce them, and
2. to break a tie vote if such should occur.

The Consulate Senate creates the other laws that the Emperor does not and/or has not the time to create. Of course, the species which has the greater number of worlds also has the greater number of Senators. The Gaians hold dominate power in the Consulate Senate, since they have more than half of all the Senatorial seats.

Only the Izlak do not have any Senators, for they seemingly do not recognize the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The only dealings between the Interstellar Earthen Empire and the Izlak have been when the Izlak wished an exchange of technologies, which have been very rare. Of course, it is difficult for the Interstellar Earthen Empire to dictate anything to a sentient species that lives on Gas Giant planets. Additionally, the Izlak do not travel between their Gas Giant worlds through either Normal-Space or Hyperspace, but through some medium both undiscovered and unknown to the Interstellar Earthen Empire. To depict how weird the Izlak are, the first time they wanted a technological exchange, they offered an extremely advanced version of a Bussard Ramscoop in exchange for an archaic microwave oven.

The Judicial Branch, which is governed by the Gaian Emperial Judicial Authorization (GEJA), is the only governmental branch that chooses its members. Persons are chosen solely upon their Psionic Ability Rating (PAR). If a person's PAR is high enough, then that person is forced to join the GEJA. Those who refuse are oftentimes never heard from again. Members of the GEJA are trained to serve as Soothsayers, Special Investigators, Covert Operators, or Judicial Advocates. During Court proceedings, the Soothsayers are used to detect whether testifiers are speaking truthfully or not. There has yet to be found any race that can lie without it being detected by the Soothsayers. It is said that Soothsayers are able to detect a lie down to the very firing of the brain's synaptical functions.

16.1.2 Social Structure

All individuals within the Interstellar Earthen Empire are granted the Rights by Emperial Decree 187643-I5M: "All individuals are equal in that all individuals within the Interstellar Earthen Empire have the right to the pusuit of life, liberty, and happiness to the best and greatest of their naturally existing abilities, regardless of their religious beliefs, racial preferences, political beliefs, race, social standing, or gender as long as no Emperial Decrees are infringed upon. Any individual who infringes upon any individual's Rights by Emperial Decree 187643-I5M will be sentenced to Death. The Interstellar Earthen Empire has no tolerance for those individuals who infringe upon others' natural rights."

The Rights by Emperial Decree 187643-I5M, of course, causes all social aspects (wealth, rank, and prestige) to be unequal within the Interstellar Earthen Empire. Throughout the Interstellar Earthen Empire, there still exist bigoted groups of people. These groups are allowed to exist as long as they break no laws nor infringe upon others' Rights by Emperial Decree. The oldest such organization is simply called The Klan and spans across many of the worlds of the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The Klan has become very quiet in their dealings of late. Thirty years ago, The Klan inflicted great harm upon the Akana on the world of Worsenlar. Just two months after this demonstration, the First through the Seventh Emperial Dreadnought Expenditionary Fleets wiped out over 23 Sects of The Klan spanning across five planets, including Worsenlar. As aforementioned, the Interstellar Earthen Empire has no tolerance for those individuals who infringe upon others' natural rights.

16.1.3 Military Structure

The military structure of the Interstellar Earthen Empire is virtually the same as that which existed in the United States circa 1983. The only exception is that the Gaian Emperial Navy has almost become an empire within itself. The Air Force no longer exists and has become a sub-branch of the Gaian Emperial Navy, now called the Naval Fighter Corps. The Army also no longer exists and has become a sub-branch of the Gaian Emperial Marine Corps, now called the Garrison Forces and the Colonial Defense Forces.

The Gaian Emperial Navy is now the branch in ultimate command. Under the Navy is the Gaian Emperial Marine Corps and the Gaian Emperial Naval Fighter Corps, and under the Marines is the Gaian Emperial Garrison Forces and Gaian Emperial Colonial Defense Forces (formerly the Gaian Emperial Army). The Gaian Emperial Marine Corps serves as the Naval Boarding Parties and Naval Assault Forces.

See, the Emperor does not play. The Emperor commands the First through the Twenty-Fifth Emperial Dreadnought Expeditionary Fleets without question. The Gaian Emperial Navy has turned over complete command of these fleets over to the Emperor. All total, the Gaian Emperial Navy has about 3½ million warships. Just remember this, so do the other interstellar empires.

16.1.4 Autonomous Governments

To be wholly truthful, there are no real autonomous governments within the Interstellar Earthen Empire. However, for governmental purposes, each individual world, province, House, country, state, county, city, etc. are considered to be a separate entity only as long as its government recognizes and functions within the Interstellar Earthen Empire and its Decrees and its hierarchy. The Izlak are the only truly autonomous government (if they have one) within the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The Emperor possesses sole right to deal with any rebellious government as he sees fit. Dreaded most of all is to have the Emperial Dreadnought Expeditionary Fleets to be sent against one.

16.1.5 Physiology

Although the Gaians outnumber all other races combined, there are several different races within the Interstellar Earthen Empire. Below is the listing of the major races which preside in the Consulate Senate. Also included are the major races that are autonomous yet within the sphere of the Interstellar Earthen Empire.

16.1.5.1 Gaians (a.k.a. Terrans, Humans, Earthers)

The Gaians are still very similar to the Gaians of circa 1995. Advances in medical technology allow the Gaians to live an average of 150-180 years. Menopause in women is the only physiological mystery that has not been unlocked. Unless special stasis medications are used, menopause will still occur around the ages of 40-50 on average. With the use of special stasis medications, a woman can hold off menopause until the age of 90-100. These treatments are called "Menstas" (menstruation stasis). Menstas treatments will last for a maximum of 50 years. Usage beyond 50 years will cause irrevocable sterilization. The Menstas treatments do allow couples to establish their careers for 25-50 years before deciding to have children. Other medical advances even allow lost limbs to be replaced through special clone implantation technology. Birth defects are now detectable and repairable within the second to fourth quadraweeks after conception. Through special genetic analysis technology, almost 98% of any genetic defect can be detected before conception. To be called Earthers is mostly disliked by the Gaians. Terrans or Humans is acceptable.

The Gaians are the First Rank in the Consulate Senate with 52.8% of the Seats (588 of the 1113 Seats), giving them 63 more seats than all the other races combined.

16.1.5.2 Marg

The Marg are a race of lupinoids. They are sightly shorter than humans but larger of build. The entirety of their bodies is covered with a thick fur except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the toes. Their eyes vary in the browns, greens, and blues. Their fur has the variety of colors as the wolves and dogs of Gaia. Instead of nails, the Marg have 3 cm claws on their fingers and 5 cm claws on their toes. Most Marg who serve on Gaian Emperial Naval vessels trim the claws on their fingers. They have three jointed legs with the joint immediately below the knee actually being the ankle. Thus, the Marg actually walk about on their toes and ball of the foot. The Marg can drop to all fours, halving again (×1.5) their base movement rate. The Marg readily adapted to the higher order technology of the Gaians when they were accepted into the Interstellar Earthen Empire. Most surprising was the Margs virtually instant friendship with the Hrista, despite the Gaians belief of their possible hostile reaction to the Hrista. Of course, this assumption came from the animosity between Gaian dogs and cats.

The Marg are the Second Rank in the Consulate Senate having 8.0% of the Consulate Senate Seats (89 of the 1113 Seats).

16.1.5.3 Shagar

The Shagar are a slug-like life form with some humanoid characteristics. Their bodies are about three meters in length. They have three arms with four digited hands with one being an opposable thumb. They have five eyestalks which give the Shagar visual capabilities in every direction. The Shagar's skin is a pale, deep pinkish color. The Shagar secrete a slime-like substance as they move about. The Shagar's motive capabilities are very similar to the Garden Slug of southeastern North America on Gaia. The Shagar have developed an extremely analytical mind. Even the mentally slowest of the Shagar can perform calculations with nine digit numbers in a matter of a few milliseconds. The Shagar can produce bioluminescence similar to some life forms on Gaia. Although it is extremely difficult for other life forms to comprehend, the color patterns of the Shagars' bioluminescence is actually another form of communication amongst the Shagar.

The Shagar have 6.9% of the Consulate Senate Seats (77 of the 1113 Seats).

16.1.5.4 Adahanis Akana

The Adahanis Akana (Akana for short) are an amphibianoid race. The Akana have never truly adapted themselves to the high order technology of the Gaians. However, the Akana have adapted themselves very well into the financial workings of capitalism. The Akana do use colonial transport ships they have purchased from the Gaians to colonize the ocean worlds. The Akana's head is frog-like having large bulbous eyes and a large mouth. They have webbed hands and feet. Their skin is a greenish color with a much paler chest. The Akana must keep their skin moist, thus they are never far from water. The Akana are exceptionally dextrous and strong for their size. The Akana are able to breath air or water, whether fresh or salt, equally well. Although their language cannot be spoken by humans, it can be understood. Extremely rarely, one will find an ambitious Akana that will adventure from its home. This ambitiousness is called "a study of the irrationalism of the human nature."

The Adalynkiis Akana have 6.7% of the Consulate Senate Seats (75 of the 1113 Seats).

16.1.5.5 Hrista

The Hrista are a felinoid race. The entirety of their body is covered with a soft, velvety, golden-brown fur except for the palms of their hands and the soles of the toes. Males sport a large golden mane. The Hrista have 8 centimeter retractable claws in addition to fingers. Their claws eject out just above and behind the first knuckle of the fingers (kind of similar to Wolverine's claws for those X-men fans). Their hands are much larger to accomodate the extra skeletal and muscular structures. Their legs are triple jointed with the third joint below the knee actually being the ankle. They also have 5 centimeter claws on their toes, but these are not retractable. Their eyes vary in the greens and blues. Like the Marg, the Hrista actually walk about on their toes and ball of the foot. The Hrista can drop to all fours, halving again (×1.5) their base movement rate. Like the Marg, the Hrista also readily adapted to the higher order technology of the Gaians when they were accepted into the Interstellar Earthen Empire. Most surprising was their virtually instant friendship with the Marg, despite the Gaians belief of their possible hostile reaction towards the Marg. Of course, this assumption came from the animosity between Gaian dogs and cats.

The Hrista have 6.1% of the Consulate Senate Seats (68 of the 1113 Seats).

16.1.5.6 Gordra

The Gordra are a saurianoid race. They are fairly taller and much larger of build than humans. The Gordra are incredibly strong, easily able to lift up to 300 kilograms (661 pounds) and hurl it about 50 meters (164 feet), providing the leverage is adequate. When in combat, the Gordra prefer close quarters so they bring their incredible strength and claws to full bear. They have a thick, tough, scale-like, leathery hide which gives them fairly good protection. They also have a 1.5 meter long tail (4.9 feet) which can be used as a deadly bashing weapon. Like most saurians, the Gordra are exceptionally quick and strong. Gaian researchers have performed genetic experiments with samples provided by willing Gordra and have discovered that the Gordra are actually dinosaurs that evovled into a humanoid shape. Thus, unlike lizards of Gaia, the Gordra are actually homeothermic.

The Gordra have 5.6% of the Consulate Senate Seats (62 of the 1113 Seats).

16.1.5.7 Shaoissi

The Shaoissi (pronounced "shah•o•is•see") are a serpentine race. They have evolved into snake-like beings with some humanoid characteristics. They have two arms with 3 digited hands with claws. The opposable thumb is directly opposite the two fingers instead of opposably beside them like human hands. Their entire body can reach 12 to 16 meters in length (39.4 to 52.5 feet). They have a tough, scaly armor which gives them good protection. Their bodies can be used in a constrictive attack, crushing their opponents to death. Their scales are widely varied in their color patterns. Unlike the Gordra, the Shaoissi are heterothermic.

The Shaoissi have 5.4% of the Consulate Senate Seats (60 of the 1113 Seats).

16.1.5.8 Hoobar

The Hoobar are a cetaceanine race. They are similar to the Gaian dolphin. They do tend to ignore land-based beings but do converse with them when desired or needed. They do have dealings with the Adahanis Akana. The Akana have used some of the colonial transport ships they have purchased and converted to transport the Hoobar to other ocean worlds. The Hoobar do possess a superior telekinetic psionic talent.

The Hoobar have 5.1% of the Consulate Senate Seats (57 of the 1113 Seats).

The following races and their empires are entirely autonomous yet exist within the Interstellar Earthen Empire.

16.1.5.9 Izlak

The Izlak are large, semi-amorphic beings. The average size of an Izlak ranges between 125 to 250 cumets. Within the Izlak, cubic volume seems to hold the ultimate prestige. However, there is not enough documented studies to prove this hypothesis. They resemble large blobs of protoplasm. Even though the Izlak appear delicate, they have been known to withstand full blasts from energy weapons up to Mark 10 and be unharmed. Slugs from projectile weapons simply pass through an Izlak, causing no harm. They may seem to be a single cell organism, but they are not. The Izlak can control their bodies on a molecular level. They form highly dextrous, highly manipulative, pseudopod-like appendages when needed. The Izlak live in the atmosphere of Gas Giants, prefering those which are rich in methane and ammonia. Due to living in the high pressure atmosphere and high gravity of Gas Giants, the Izlak are terrifyingly strong.

The only dealings between the Izlak and the Interstellar Earthen Empire are when the Izlak wish an exchange of technologies. Also, the Izlak seem to move between their worlds through some method or methods as yet unknown and undiscovered by the Interstellar Earthen Empire.

Back to Empires

16.2 URGON HEGEMONY FEDERATION

The Urgon Hegemony Federation actually came into existance before the Gaians began moving to other stars. The Urgon Hegemony Federation is slightly smaller than the Interstellar Earthen Empire because the Urgon Hegemony Federation had an interstellar battle for their very survival early in their conquest of their near space.

Author's Note: The Urgons draw their basis from the Klingons of Star Trek. However, the Urgons are loaded with natural body weaponry and look more animalistic than the Klingons. Otherwise, you can use the Klingons to help fill in the Political, Social, and Military Structures as I have done.

16.2.1 Political Structure

The Urgon Hegemony Federation government is a militarchy (militaristic monarchy) and is ruled by the military and militaristic laws. The Royal House not only has its own interstellar naval fleet and marine forces, but it also has the naval and marine forces tithed to it by the other Houses. The Royal House of Pakta has the most powerful naval and marine forces, even excluding the tithed forces. House Pakta has held the Royal Throne for the last 1178 years. Of course, if any House feels it is stronger, it can challenge the Royal House, sparking a civil war. However, with the threat posed by the Inurian Confederacy and the Snekra Dynasty, very few civil wars will last longer than a few months. House Garmas, the second most powerful House, is extremely loyal to House Pakta. Combined, they could probably easily stave off any internal threat. Thus, any challenges to the Throne are most likely to be politically based instead of erupting into a military confrontation.

16.2.2 Social Structure

The military and its personnel enjoy the highest prestige and rank within Urgon society. Naval personnel enjoy the higher prestige and rank than do Marine personnel. The greatest prestige is held by military personnel and the actions they have performed during their service. The greatest prestige of all is held by vessel commanders who have performed exemplary actions in the face of combat, especially against superior forces.

16.2.3 Military Structure

The Urgon Hegemony Federation military structure is very similar to the military structure in the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The only exception is that most disagreements are settled by battles to the death. Even between Commanding Officers and his/her subordinates.

16.2.4 Autonomous Governments

There are no autonomous governments with the Urgon Hegemony Federation. All other races are referred to as kauv (pronounced: kah•oov). kauv (which is NEVER capitalized) means "slave, but less than slave." These other races are used as slave labor to do work which is deemed below that of an Urgon (eg: mining, farming, etc).

16.2.5 Physiology

The Urgons genetic background includes that which is similar to human, dinosaur, arthropods, and reptiles. This extremely strange mixture is believed by many to be perhaps the result of a demented Nargthrin genetic experiment. Urgons are the same height as humans but larger of build because of the extra musculatory and skeletal structure to accommodate their natural body weaponry. For their size, the Urgons are incredibly strong. They possess a bony ridge along their back which offers great protection for their spinal column and spinal cord. This bony spinal ridge also has retractable, 5 centimeter long spikes which provides a great defense against rear grappling attacks. Many believe this is the vestigial remains similar to the plates of a stegosaurus. They also have a sharp, spike-like, bony projection coming up from their shin. This "knee spike" is about 15 to 20 centimeters long (6 to 7.9 inches) and covers the knee when the leg is straight. In close quarters combat, this knee spike can be used as a deadly weapon. On the back of their hand and forearm, they have bony plates which have 1 to 2 centimeter long spikes. When used in a slashing motion, these bony plates can easily rend naked flesh. In addition to their bony plates, the Urgons also have a 10 centimeter long (4 inches) bony spike which ejects from just above the wrist. This retractable bony spike is almost knife-like in that it can be used to slice or puncture. The saying, "Blood on my knees and hands," has come about from an Urgon performing a killing blow with their knee-spikes and wrist-spikes. Although the Urgons always wear clothing which serves as medium armor, the clothing is such that they can still bring their natural body weaponry into full effectiveness.

Back to Empires

16.3 INURIAN CONFEDERACY

The Inurian Confederacy of Emirates' ancient history has all but been lost due to a war with another entity known only as the Rorgan Assembly. According to the history of the Inurian Confederacy, the Rorgan Assembly was totally annihilated by the Inur. That war also caused the Inurian Confederacy to collapse. From this war, the Inurian Confederacy of Emirates has risen to the power it is now today.

Of the four empires surrounding the Mardona Tetrahedron, the Inurian Confederacy is the oldest. Some Inur historians believe (and have found hard, empirical data suggesting such) that the original Inurian Confederacy was first founded over one hundred thousand years ago.

16.3.1 Political Structure

The Inurian Confederacy is a confederation of 63 Emirates. Each Emirate is independent of all others. However, all 63 Emirates have a Treaty Accord which confederates the Emirates into one massive empire. There are Confederacy Laws which take precedence over any Emirate Law should there be a dispute between Emirates. Each Emirate is ruled by a Royal House which holds dictate over the other Houses and all worlds within their Emirate. Only the stellar system of Inur is not held by any one Emirate, rather it is held by the Confederacy. The Inur system is the home of the Confederacy Throne. The Confederacy and its Throne are administrated by the Confederacy Council. The Confederacy Council is comprised of General Judicial Secretaries of each Emirate, House, and planet.

16.3.2 Social Structure

All social aspects (wealth, rank, and prestige) are unequal within the Inur society. The greatest prestige is held by the Master Psionicists. The greatest rank is held by the President of the Confederacy Council.

16.3.3 Military Structure

Although the ultimate command lies with the Confederacy Council, the Inurian military structure is very similar to the of the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The Inurian military is allowed to operate with some freedom from the Confederacy Council.

16.3.4 Autonomous Governments

With the exception of each Emirate, there are no autonomous governments with the Inurian Confederacy of Emirates. Unlike the Urgon Hegemony Federation, other races are allowed some freedom in their pursuit of wealth, rank, and prestige; however, they are severely limited on how great their wealth, rank, and prestige may be, so that they will always know they are subjugated.

16.3.5 Physiology

The Inur are indistinguishable from a tall human. They are combination of Vinyarin, Larëyarin, and Mithyarin. With the utter collapse of the Nargthrin Overlord Dominion, they were left to fend for themselves and eventually became the Inur of today.

The Inur are taller than humans, with males averaging 205 centimeters (80.7 inches) and females averaging 195 centimeters (76.8 inches). However, the Inur are slighter of build than humans. Their physical appearance is much more comely than humans. The Inur physical coloration is as varied as a human; however, exotics have a much higher occurence than in humans.

The mental prowess of the Inur is legend. At least one in every five Inur is born with Psionic Talents. Unlike the Gaians who suppress this ability, the Inur cultivate it. Although an Inur may not be born with Psionic Talents, s/he may still learn Psionic Disciplines. The more powerful Psionicists are able to cloak the Inur vessels with only their mental powers. It is even rumored that the Inur Master Psionicists can cause the crew of an enemy's vessel to self-destruct by casting Illusions and causing them to key the wrong codes.

Back to Empires

16.4 SNEKRA DYNASTY

The Snekra Dynasty gets along with none of the other Empires. They regard the others as something between a nuisance and food. Snekra assaults upon the other Empires have had very devestating results.

16.4.1 Political Structure

The Snekra Dynasty is ruled by the Clan Hive which has exhibited itself as being the most powerful. The Snekra Clan wrested the Dynasty from the Greeja Clan about 500 years ago, at the end of the first Great Galactic War. The Snekra Clan gained control of the Dynasty by being the first Clan Hive to achieve interstellar travel when resurrecting from the collapse due to the Great Galactic War. The Snekra's Clan Hive currently holds complete dominance over interstellar travel which will assure their hold on the Dynasty for some time to come. Of course, the Snekra Clan must be careful of the Mizdo Clan, for they are on the verge of gaining interstellar travel.

As to what the Snekra universally refer to themselves as is unkown. They call themselves after the Clan Hive who holds the Dynasty. Previously, they called themselves the Greeja when that Clan Hive held the Dynasty.

There is a total of 108 Clan Hives within the Snekra Dynasty. Thus, there are 108 queen Snekra. The Queen rules the Clan Hive using her telepathic powers to control and direct all other Snekra within the Clan Hive, except for the Lieutenants. The Queen of the Dynasty Clan Hive (DCH) also has biotechnological equipment to let all other Queens know her desires. The other Clan Hives must obey the wishes of the DCH Queen.

16.4.2 Social Structure

The Snekra Dynasty social structure is entirely caste. Once hatched, the Snekra is what it is born as for life. There are six types of Snekra: Queen, Lieutenant, Brood, Drone, Warrior, and Worker.

The Queen holds the highest rank since she also rules the Clan Hive. Only Lieutenants may breed with the Queen, with the choice being the Queen's. The Queen lays only one egg at a time which will either be a Lieutenant or a Brood. The ratio will be about 7 to 9 Broods for each Lieutenant. Approximately one out of every 250 to 300 eggs will be an egg which will produce another Queen. The Queen can breed about once every 250 to 260 days. The Queen is easily distinguishable by her golden undertoned, black chitonous exoskeleton.

Although second in rank, the Lieutenant enjoys the highest prestige. The Lieutenant is second only to the Warrior in pure brute strength. Although the Lieutenant is not telepathically dominated by the Queen, he will never disobey her wishes. The Lieutenant is also the only other Snekra with telepathic abilities. The Lieutenant has a bronzish undertone to his black chitonous exoskeleton.

Although the largest of the Snekra, the Brood is also the weakest. The Brood also becomes immobile once she reaches full maturity and has been bred. The ratio of a Brood's eggs will be 1 or 2 Drones, 3 to 5 Warriors, and 10 to 15 Workers for a total of 14 to 22 eggs. A Brood can breed about every 130 to 135 days. The Brood has a reddish undertone to her black chitonous exoskeleton.

The Drone is fourth in rank and serves only as sentries within the Clan Hive. The Drones are actually neuter, having no gender. The Drones are also eyeless, thus their sensory perception is extraordinary, being based on smell and vibrations sensed through the shell of their chitonous armor. They can sense vibrations in the air or solid objects. The Drones have a bluish undertone to its black chitonous exoskeleton.

Like the Drone, the Warriors are actually neuter, having no gender. The Warriors are also eyeless and have the same form of sensory perception as the Drone. The Warriors are simply huge, monstrous, fighting machines. The Warriors possess a strength that is monstrous beyond belief. The Warriors have a blackish undertone to its black chitonous exoskeleton.

The Workers are similar to the Drones and Warriors in that it has no gender, being neuter, and no eyes, using the same form of sensory perception. The Workers are mainly used to work the Vats from which the Snekra produce their living biotechnology. The Workers can be used as a much weaker form of Warrior. The Workers have a greenish undertone to its black chitonous exoskeleton.

When another Queen is hatched, she is always allowed to reach full maturity. She then has the option to battle the current Queen to the death, battle another Clan Hive's Queen to the death, or set out to form another Clan Hive. If the new Queen chooses to form another Clan Hive, she must attract her own Lieutenants. It has now become rare for a new Queen to create a new Clan Hive.

All dead Snekra, if possible, are fed into the Vats for further use in making their Biotechnological equipment. When a Queen or Lieutenant is fed into the Vats, the ceremony is virtually religious. The Vats are where the Snekra create all sorts of living biotechnological equipment, ranging from mere motion trackers to their huge living interstellar dreadnoughts.

NOTE: There are rumors that there is actually a Ruling Queen which controls all of the Clan Hive Queens of the Snekra. However, no intelligence can be gathered to either prove or disprove.

NOTE: How do you send a hominid species into an insectoid nest to spy?

16.4.3 Military Structure

The Snekra military structure is fairly simple. The Queen holds ultimate command. The Lieutenants serves as Generals. All others are completely dominated to the whims of the Queen and her Lieutenants through a special form of telepathy.

Upon their interstellar vessels, one Lieutenant (most often the one with the greatest amount of service) will hold the ultimate command, while others serve as section commanders. Drones serves as sentries, Workers as the ship operations crew, and Warriors as the Marines and Boarding Parties.

Author's Note: The Snekra words in the below paragraph are the closest English spelling that can be made. Snekra language is very raspy and buzzy in sound, mixed with clicks and growl-like sounds. I even began work on sound files for the Snekra language, but have given up. Too time consuming, literally. One consonant took me almost two weeks to perfect. One day I may work on them again.

All Clan Hives possess what is called the z'rr'krg'z, or Clan Hold. The z'rr'krg'z is a military force of Warrior Snekra. It is a representative force of each Clan Hive which is used during the az'krm'ga'rz, or Challenge. The az'krm'ga'rz is used when a Clan Hive feels it is more powerful than the current Administrative Dynasty Clan Hive. The z'rr'krg'z contains one Lieutenant for every 100,000 Leiutenants, one Drone for every 100,000 Drones, one Warrior for every 100,000 Warriors, and one Worker for every 100,000 Workers. During the az'krm'ga'rz, only the z'rr'krg'z are allowed into the krz'kzt'nz, or Battle Arena. The types of armament are chosen and agreed upon before the az'krm'ga'rz begins. Just because one z'rr'krg'z may be larger than the other does not mean that the larger z'rr'krg'z will win. The Clan Hive's z'rr'krg'z which wins the az'krm'ga'rz gives that Clan Hive control over the Dynasty. Of course the victorious Clan Hive's name will be used to rename the Dynasty.

16.4.4 Autonomous Governments

There are no autonomous governments within the Snekra Administrative Dynasty, except for each individual Clan Hive. All other races that do exist within the Snekra Administrative Dynasty are used in breeding internment centers to breed and supply the Snekra with food staples.

16.4.5 Physiology

The Snekra draw their basic physiology upon the insect. Unlike Gaian insects, the Snekra evolved an endoskeleton in addition to their exoskeleton. This allowed the Snekra to achieve monstrous size. It also gives the Snekra monstrous strength. The Snekra look kind of like a cross between a praying mantis and an ant. All Snekra are hexapodal, possessing six limbs.

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16.5 KHRYSHYN CONCORDIUM

Although the Khryshyn administrate the Concordium, they only comprise about seven percent of the Concordium's total population.

16.5.1 Political Structure

The Khryshyn Concordium is much like the Inurian Confederacy of Emirates, except being a federation of several different races and their empires. There are thirty-three races and their empires within the Concordium. Unlike the Inurian Confederacy, each race's empire is totally independent of the Concordium and the other empires. The reason this federation is called the Khryshyn Concordium is because it was the Khryshyn who proffered the formation of the Concordium and the thirty-two other races voted unanimously to have it named after the Khryshyn. The other races also voted to have the Khryshyn completely administrate the Concordium. All military, judicial, and governmental arbitration of the Concordium are solely decided by the Khryshyn. Arbitrations within the other empires are decided by that empire's military, judicial, and governmental arbitration committee with help from the Khryshyn Concordium arbitration committee.

16.5.2 Social Structure

The Khryshyn hold the highest rank and prestige within the Concordium. This is due to the fact that the other 32 races hold the Khryshyn in such high regard that the Khryshyn are almost worshipped. Of course, the Khryshyn do not appreciate the reverence. They simply view that they provided a simple idea for coalition. Otherwise, all social aspects vary in their equality from empire to empire.

16.5.3 Military Structure

The Concordium's military structure is a rank-based system much like the military structure of the Interstellar Earthen Empire. The Concordium's military is so huge and widespread, that it is virtually a separate governmental entity itself. Of course, it is also administrated by the Khryshyn. Although extremely pacifistic, the Concordium is more than ready to wage war upon that which will not have peace. When compared to the combined military forces of the Tetrahedron Empires, the Concordium's military forces are about fifteen times larger, forty times more powerful, and possess about one hundred twenty times the resources. Most infamous of all within the Concordium's military forces are the Peacekeeper class Monitors. Excepting the results of combat, Peacekeepers always operate in squadrons of four.

16.5.4 Autonomous Governments

All races and their empires are totally autonomous and independent of each other and the Concordium. The Concordium simply administrates disputes between empires. There are also several planets within the Concordium that are not yet of a space-faring technological level which are also autonomous governments. Any empire/race wishing to join the Concordium must uphold this belief; otherwise, they are rejected. The basics of the Concordium is that it is mostly a mutual assistance, free trade, and free travel alliance between all thirty-three races and their empires.

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16.6 ENIGMAN INVADERS

This section will very briefly touch upon the Enigman Invaders. The Enigmans actually call themselves simply, The Assembly. They were named the Enigmans after Admiral Phalanx Axmyre named them such after The Enigman Debacle incident (detailed in the short novella To Survive, saying, "Well, they are kind of an enigma, aren't they?"

The Enigman empire is gigantic compared to any other empire. They have conquered the entirety of their home universe. The Enigmans, through The Assembly and the Great Overmind, have now invented the technology to allow them to open portals to other universes. Currently, they have begun a campaign to invade six other universes. Ours just happens to be one of them.

16.6.1 Political Structure

Political Structure is simple: The Great Overmind and The Assembly. The Great Overmind rules and controls The Assembly. The Assembly are all equal: workers/drones/warriors/etc. Whatever is needed at the current coordinates of the Transuniversal conquerance.

16.6.2 Social Structure

What social structure? The Assembly belongs to the Great Overmind. What the Great Overmind is, is unknown. Where the Great Overmind is, is unknown. When the Great Overmind came into being, is unknown. Who the Great Overmind is, is simple: the Great Overmind. Why does the Great Overmind assimilate all sapient life? Simple, sapient life is only perfected when managed by a single mind: the Great Overmind.

16.6.3 Military Structure

Military structure is also simple. Since the Great Overmind controls the entirety of The Assembly, it will use all at its disposal.

16.6.4 Autonomous Governments

None. All are assimilated. The Great Overmind rules and all others are controlled.

16.6.5 Physiology

Much like the Borg of Star Trek^®, the Enigmans assimilate virtually all sapient life. However, unlike the Borg, the Enigmans perform this assimilation on a molecular-genetic level. In actuality, the Enigmans are not the various species within The Assembly. The true Enigmans are small hive-mind alien life forms which initially embed themselves into the brainstem and cerebellum parts of the brain. From there, this life form grows filaments which will infiltrate throughout the victim's entire nervous system and eventually into the nucleus of every cell of the victim's entire body. Once the brainstem and cerebellum have been completely "assimilated," the only alternative for the victim is complete atomization or disintegration. Once the brainstem and cerebellum have been completely "assimilated," they are completely transmutated into the alien life form. Infiltration is fairly simple, the initial infiltration filaments manipulate organic matter on a molecular level. Thus, these filaments can create an opening through the skin and skull into the brainstem and cerebellum without any detectable damage once inside. Oftentimes, before the assimilation is complete, the victim will report having a headache in this region that gets worse until the victim passes out. Unreversable assimilation takes 24 to 36 hours. After 12 hours, however, even surgery cannot remove the Enigman without killing the victim.

	Enigman with Infiltration Filaments Protruding
Enigman as Assimilation is Underway

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Author's Note: I actually got this idea from the original feature film Stargate, starring James Spader and Kurt Russell. No, it did not come from the TV series Stargate: SG-1. I have just recently re-watched the original feature film and found that, yes, Ra was called a parasite. However, he was shone as a humanoid being, not a snake! This made me think, "How would a humanoid life form possess (assimilate) another humanoid life form of approximately equal size?" Thus, I came up with the "assimilation on a molecular-genetic level." Even when Ra knew he was going to die, his true form showed through the boy's form. Again, he was humanoid in form. It was the TV series that drastically diverted from the original feature film. Just as much as I had. However, instead of a snake, my "Go'ald" were more protozoan in nature. One thing that has always interested me about the Stargate: SG-1 series is that they pronounce the name gwa•oold or gaw•oold, but it is spelled Go'ald. I have also seen Gou'ald.

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