Into the Darkness.
Prologue, galactic backstory, character info.
This is was my first story, also the first of a series. It is a combination of different Sci-fi genres and features references, occurrences and characters either relevant to or an OC to the genre area.
I drew inspiration from different genres, as Sci-fi is a brilliant, albeit tragically underrated genre in fiction. One example, while many read the Twilight series, I read Arthur C. Clarke. However, this series draws inspiration from many more recent Sci-fi genres. If you wish to picture this series fully, it helps to have a sprinkling of knowledge of these universes that I have tried to meld together.
Worlds/Species.
Humans: I pictured the events in the Star Trek universe as being delayed in their dated events. I figured that the event of James Cameron's avatar, and humanity's greed, would be a more likely scenario to attract the attention of the Vulcans.
Major events: After being kicked off Pandora, the humans tried to take back the moon with an interstellar invasion, which the Na'vi fought off with many costs on both sides. The Vulcans intervened at this point, taking note of the intelligence of both races, but were alerted first by the interstellar travel, albeit at sublight speeds, of the humans. Teachings and uplifting of varying degrees occurred between the three races, and all three attained relatively equal technological status within 100 years, the Na'vi having to adapt more quickly.
Then the events of the general Star trek universe kick off, with the Klingons beig fully seen, and the Romulans, a break off group of Vulcans. Also, the meeting of other galactic races.
Appearance: Roughly 6 foot on average for males, only slightly shorter for females. Lifespan of roughly 150 years or so with current medical tech, immortality is possible, but highly expensive and risky, as is with all organic races. Very varying in appearance, drastic differences in hair colour, skin colour, eye colour. Are omnivores.
Culture: Very mixed, an incorporation of differing Earth origin cultures. In the colonized systems, one sees concentrations of different groups, e.g. a mainly distant Chinese descent, or German descent group. This is due to cultural gatherings. Religion is still practiced, though anti-science protests still continue in some areas, is not as wide spread as in the 12th to early 21st centuries.
Nature: Ambitious, are social people, but not as tightly knit as other races, more independent. Ambition has led to relatively rapid galactic expansion, making humans one of the more numerous races. Intelligent, but emotions can compromise actions on occasions.
Homeworld: Earth, Sol system.
Na'vi: James Cameron's greatest creation in my opinion. Have been uplifted thanks to human influence, though humans were humbled by Vulcans prior. After the RDA retaliated, the Na'vi fought back fiercely. As such, the Na'vi still hold somewhat of a mistrust of humans, though this is more prominent on the homeworld of Pandora. The homeworld is a designated nature reserve, as the unique biological network prompted the humans to help the Na'vi set up their capital of the Na'vi influence in the galaxy on the neighbouring moon of Keletari.
Appearance: Tall, lanky build, on average 10 feet tall, average life expectancy of 140 years, slightly shorter than humans. Blue skin, of varying shades, with vague pale stripes on the body. Long, thin tail, and a queue, containing a neurological bundle, capable of connecting with the planetwide super-organism network intelligence, known as Eywa. Have appearance basically similar to humans, but face shows more feline appearance, backed up by elongated canine teeth. Noses are flatter than other races, and the eyes are proportionally further apart. Hands and feet only have four digits each. Are omnivores.
Culture: Due to rapid uplifting, some tribal customs and natures have been retained. The needs of others still are held high among Na'vi, even non-Pandora born Na'vi. Revolves around Eywa, a physical goddess, off-world Na'vi make their way back to Pandora at least once per two decades on average, as mental depression can set in from lack of contact with the 'Eywa' network, as I call it. The Na'vi have proven adept at creating much contribution to both the symphonic and performing arts, adding credit to them along with philosophical prowess.
Nature: More placid, content race. Not as aggressive in expansion, just enough to make an impression. Peace seekers, but are capable warriors when given good enough reason. When outgoing, the Na'vi are cautious, but peaceful. The main instance of aggression is in defence.
Homeworld: Pandora, Alpha Centuari [note, Na'vi influence capital actually nearby moon, Keletari. Pandora limited to a few, concentrated colonies for preservation of unique nature].
Cybertronians: Michael Bay's versions. Most varied in appearance among galactic races. Oldest race by far, and only non-organic race. Remnants of a long dead civilization technology AI is likely roots of the Cybertronian race, though records do not date back to then, or have been lost. Peaceful, until civil started initially 18000 years ago under the Fallen's rebellion on Earth over using a Sun Harvester on in a system with life. After a few millennia, Lord High protector Megatron found the Fallen in stasis, and came under his influence, prompting a second, more fierce civil war over control of Cybertron and the Allspark. The Allspark was eventually launched away, only to land on earth 11000 years ago. In the late 20th century, the Ark crashed on the moon, and Sentinel prime went into stasis, protecting the pillars for the space bridge. In the early 21st century, the autobots and decepticons found the allspark, and with human help, the decepticons suffered heavy casualties, including Megatron.
Within 2 years, and allspark fragment was used to revive Megatron, and a battle with the Fallen's guidance occurred over the same Sun Harvester that was landed on Earth 18000 years before. In the battle, the Fallen was killed, and the decepticons fled into hiding on Earth, the Nemesis craft having retreated into hiding on one of Saturn's smaller moons. 2 years later, Sentienl prime was revived, only to side with Megatron to carry out a deal made before he fled in the Ark, to ship Cybertron to Earth and use the humans as slaves to help rebuild it. After a devastating battle in Chicago, an old human city, Cybertron was consumed when the Space bridge collapsed in on itself. Also, Sentinel Prime, Megatron and many other decepticons lost their lives.
After the final fight, it seemed the Cybertronians were at an impasse. Optimus sent out scouts to search for a new world to rebuild their race on, and with the reconstruction of the Allspark not set to finish for a century, he made the tough choice to revive many fallen decepticons for the sake of increasing the chances of their race surviving, though Sentinel Prime and Megatron would certainly stay dead. By 2053, the Autobots and revived Decepticons left Earth, thanking the humans for sheltering them, making their way to a rogue, wandering planet they had located far away, though only 800 light years away. For the next 400 years, they would rebuild their society and civilization, until they finally were ready to reintroduce themselves. They were the last race to integrate before the United Interstellar Powers was formed.
Appearance: Very varied. Smallest recorded was the size of a earth insect 'mosquito', while the largest recorded was shared by Omega Supreme and Trypticon, from the civil war, at roughly 400 feet tall. Transformations varied too, some cases include regular two formed, triple changers, combiners, or mixes of different kinds. Underneath armour or plating is the vital circuits, or the protoform shell. Before an alt form is scanned, these are their default appearance. Specialized element and compound shifting material changes to help disguise the mech or femme to the form[s] chosen. The form is limited by the size and mass of the mech or femme in question.
Unlike organics, outward appearance can be readily changed on a whim, including optic, armour colour or voice, though many maintain the features they were sparked with for sake of identity. Mechs and femmes differ, with mechs being larger, but femmes being smaller and faster. Mech's are generally more angular in armour, whilst femmes show more curves, often politely attributed to the need for smooth surfaces to move quickly. Diet consists of energon, which ca be converted from fuels of civilized society, cush as Algae or mined hydrocarbons, or hydrogen.
Culture: Too varied for accuracy, as no predominant traits appear in this species. The non-organic origins of Cybertronians naturally seperates them culturally, not in a negative sense, more one of they would not fully understand, and they accept it.
Nature: Nature is dependant on the role they are base programmed to be more adapted to. A soldier will be strong willed, whilst a politician will be tactical, but peace seeking.
Homeworld: New Cybertron [commonly known as Cybertron], no system, is a rogue planet.
Predators: Aliens/Predator type: A warrior race, one of the older races. Engaged in temporary god status amongst primitive civilizations, including earth, taking part in games that if they lost, they removed all evidence of their existence. However, in the 2400s they came out of hiding, and revealed their history at the prompting of other races. Having paid reparations to hunting game exploited races, such as humans, they became a valuable military ally in what would become the UIP.
Appearance: Reptiles, but with Mammalian features, including warm blood. Mandible mouths, four parted, and relatively small eyes most distinguishing features. Sensory 'dreadlocks' found on all Predators, and are encased in a protective, but sensory transmitting layer, bundling the sensor 'hairs' into thicker dreadlocks. Have four digits on the hands and feet, with short, but moderately sharp claws. Are omnivores.
Greys: Based strongly off most commonly reported UFO species, aka 'little men with big heads and big eyes.' For physical equivalent, watch Simon Pegg and Nick Frost's new film: Paul.
Like the Predators, they revealed themselves in the 2400s, and had to pay only slight reparations for experimentation on humans when they were alerted to radio broadcasts. From Earth in the late 18th century. Among the UIP they are technologically and intellectually the most superior in the organics, though naturally cannot compete with Cybertronians.
Appearance: Small, usually 4 to 4.5 feet tall. Head are proportionally bigger than other races. Are mammals, but have no hair or fat, their skin adapted on a high radiation, cold homeworld to be not only protective agaist radiation, but well insulated for being so thin. Have 4 digits, long spindly fingers, but the feet have 5 digits, unusual among organic races to have different numbered digit counts on hands and feet. Can use hands as a transfer of knowledge and memories to another, physical body had been sacrificed naturally and genetically altered to enhance the mind's power.
Culture: Knowledge and science driven, religion has all but died. The greys are however very outgoing in studying other cultures, and are quick to adapt their behaviour to blend in. Many great engineers and scientists have been from the Grey population.
Nature: Knowledge seekers, rather let others do actual fighting, try to find most beneficial, logically sound conclusion. Knowledge comes easy to them, otherwise genral behaviour mirrors that of other organic races.
Vulcans/Romulans: Non-JJ abrams universe. Loved that film, but for ease's sake I want to avoid an alternate universe having already occurred. Human like in appearance, but much older. At some stage in the past, the word of a wise philosopher drove a wedge between the vulcans, leaving a few to split off and venture out to form the Romulan empire.
The Vulcans focused on intellectual development, and were integral in developing and uplifting humanity and the Na'vi to full space faring level. Are well respected as intellectuals, but are wary of for their relative coldness. The Romulans were more passionate, believing emotion to the driving force of a species.
Appearance: Human like, pointed ears, like Elves from Lord of the Rings. Average life span is 200 years. Have hair like humans, though Romulans often shave it all off except the eyebrows. Eyebrows are more angled, giving Vulcans a jokingly referred look of always appearing grumpy. Are vegetarians by choice in the Vulcan case, but both are naturally ominores.
Culture: Vulcans focus primarily on living devoid of emotion, to enhance the awareness of the mind by purging the distraction of emotion confliction. Romulans did not share this opinion, which led to their flight from Vulcan.
Nature: Vulcans are cold, emotionless and logical, as their culture often leads them to be. Romulans are more passionate, more aggressive.
Homeworld: Vulcan [Vulcans], 40 Vega, Romulus [Romulans] Nahras System.
Klingons: A reptilian, warrior race. Known for initial aggression with the now non-existant galactic federation of planets. Eventually settled to be a valuable military ally, though their aggressive nature places tension between them and other races.
Appearance: Reptillian/Mammal cross, scaled skin yet warm blooded. Sharp teeth, ridged foreheads, and often scraggly black hair, otherwise resememble humans and Vulcans in size and appearance. Five digit hands and feet, but with claws. Often compared to, for simplicity of appearance, as a reptilian ape.
Culture: Warrior, service driven, comparable to ancient Japanese honour driven system. For example, few Klingons are taken prisoner in combat, as ritualistic suicide is still, unfortunately, preferred over living.
Music and performing arts are integral in Klingon culture, and Klingon plays are surprisingly popular in many areas of the Galaxy.
Nature: Aggressive, but passionate. Simply put.
Homeworld:
Sril'sask: My first of three original species. A resemblance to Sentient Troodon [prehistoric, intelligent pack hunter dinosaur] is best basic description. Growing up on a predator infested world, the Sril'sask developed as aggressively as possible, until establishing themselves as the dominant species. By the 2100s, they ad achieved space flight. Behind the Na'vi they are the youngest into Space.
Appearance: Are roughly 12 feet long head to tail, but stand about 6-7 feet tall. Stand somewhat upright, but can transition between straight and upright by altering their tail position. They lay eggs for their young.
Hands are 3 digited, with 2 fingers and one thumb, and the feet have 4 digits, with 3 gripping digits and one rearward facing digit for balance. The feet and hands have fierce talons, to complement the numerous sharp teeth the Sril'sask have in their mouths. Unlike many lizards, the Sril'sask developed cheeks, allowing them to chew their food.
Culture: Warrior, rank driven. Much like older earth based society, climbing up ranks in Sril'sask society is frown upon. However, that does not mean it does not happen. As such the culture is based on hierarchy, and there is little in the way of performing arts, but singing and music are relatively important. As a warrior race, underground gladiator rings, though outlawed, still exist.
Nature: Aggressive, like to assert dominance, but when subjected to others, know their place. Once reminded of their standing, a Sril'ask will fulfil his duty to the letter. Intelligent by pack hunter descent, and rarely are found alone.
Homeworld: Karahej, Nirulis system.
Leg'hrul: A race of sentient avian aliens, one of two members of the Leg'hrul/Kro'nogri Alliance, and the second of my two original races. In history they developed more slowly, but had slightly longer to do it, and it was only just 600 years ago that they colonized their first out of home system world. With the Alliance, and the earlier meeting with the Kro'nogri, technological development accelerated as both shared technology.
Appearance: Average lifespan slightly shorter than humans, at 130 years. Resemble earth Eagle species, with slight feather headcrest on both males and females. The heads have a beak that tapers to a point, but widens near the head. They have small cheeks, allowing chewing. The plumage is smooth on males and females, the feathers pressing low to streamline or promote heat loss, or fluff out slightly to prevent heat loss in cold weather. The males have a denser neck plumage, part of their mating displays from their animal traits, as a larger neck 'frill' was a sign of dominance. In addition, the tail feathers of male Leg'hrul are longer and wider, another dominance trait, resembling earth peacocks in that respect of sexual features. Like all birds, Leg'hrul possess hollow, more vulnerable bones.
Unlike other birds, the Leg'hrul can stand more upright, using their more longer legs and tail feathers for balance, with males being slightly bigger than females. Males average about 7 feet tall standing up, whilst females are shorter at 6.5 feet. The Leg'hrul lay eggs, and are actually fullycarnivorous, having been both predator and prey on their homeworld before achieving sentience, though minced or pre-chewed meat is more preferred for chicks, as it is more easily digested.
The feet have 4 digits each, with 3 forwards facing claws, and one backwards facign claw for balance on each foot. The hands on the wings have 2 finger claws, and one thumb claw. In fact, the wings are the most complex feature. The wings are like that of a Pteranodon's, with the hands halfway down their length. The upper half of the wings are double jointed, giving the Leg'hrul quad section arms in fact. The upper two joints will fold inwards, resting parallel and in contact with the lower two sections, much like a switchblade. In flight, these upper sections flip out, deploying their wing feathers too. This adaptive wing allow Leg'hrul to more easily interact within environments requiring delicate hands. In terms of colouration, the Leg'hrul have a designated pattern scheme of an undercoat, and overcoat and details. The undercoat is normally a shade of blue, whilst the overcoat can vary much more. The details are almost always a shade of red.
Culture: Leg'hrul abide by a code of duty, and so long as an activity does not infringe upon a designated job or task set by either that person or another, lenience is allowed. As such, Leg'hrul are more lenient about recreational drug use and drinking, though laws limiting them for safety are still in effect. It is much like human society, though with less morality labels, just the actual safety labels.
Leg'hrul are the more creative of the two Alliance races, with a prowess in performing, symphonic and display arts more common in them than the Kro'nogri.
Nature: Leg'hrul are cautious and calculating, not ones to take unnecessary risks. They are not as ambitious or impatient as Kro'nogri, but are seen as the sources of intelligence or wisdom in the Alliance.
Homeworld: Vae'rakin, Kalesrin system.
Kro'nogri: The second Alliance race, and my third original alien race. They colonized out of their home system roughly 400 years ago, but developed more rapidly than the Leg'hrul. By the time both races met 150 years ago, they had reached a relatively similar technology level each, and only accelerated as knowledge was shared, and the Alliance eventually forged.
Appearance: Reptilian, cold blooded, average lifespan 180 years, longer due to naturally slower metabolism. Roughly 6 feet tall on average, and are slightly shorter than humans on average, but dwarves and giants are surprisingly common. No notable size difference in males and females. Have thin, yet strong scales on their bodies, and some larger plating on their chest, backs, upper arms and legs and the tops of the heads. Bony ridges cover the backs, like a crocodile, and arched ridges form growths over the pair of eyes. The heads resemble that of an iguana, though the face is slightly flatter, with the eyes facing forwards, like that of a human.
The hands are four digits, with 3 clawed fingers and one clawed thumb. The feet have five digits, with 4 forward facing clawed toes, and one rearwards facing clawed thumb toe.
The legs are straight, but the pelvic bone means they are further apart compared to a human. The legs are similar to that of humans, and the limbs are more muscular, and the bones made of lighter, stronger natural carbon fibre, like the Na'vi, as a result of the Kro'nogri homeworld being 2.0 times Earth's gravity.
Colouration varies little, and the common colours include brown and green shades, or even dark yellow. Eye colour varies between yellow and red most commonly, though cases of blue and even green have been reported.
Kro'nogri lay eggs, and are full carnivores, feeding on anything from full on animal meat to even insects, an adaptation to the available prey. However, Kro'nogri can go long periods without fully sustaining water or food levels, as their home world was very dry and arid in many areas.
Culture: Strictly based hierarchy system. One is treated with respect relevant to one's social standing e.g. unqualified worker, qualified, elite, govt. official etc. As such, climbing up ranks is harder. The economy grew on mining and industry, as the homeworld was poor in biology, but rich in mineral wealth and resources.
Kro'nogri customs stress the usefulness of teamwork, as they are a more numerous race than the Leg'hrul, and have human equivalent intelligence, they band together to combine skills.
Nature: Are social, but strict in behaviour. Usually do not travel alone, unless for social occasions only. Are naturally tended to seek the company of their own kind, but exceptions do occur.
Predatory background shows hints of mild, but surprisingly low aggression. Note: The mood of a Kro'nogri can alter in accordance with heat energy they take in externally. An energy deprived Kro'nogri will display, in addition to weariness and sleepiness, a deprived mental capacity, and are more susceptible to spouts of depression or boredom. Energy enriched Kro'nogri however can become overactive, even aggressive, as a way to expend energy. Carefully engineered undersuits worn by all Kro'nogri help regulate their body temperatures by altering their own temperature.
Organizations:
Union of Interstellar Powers [UIP]:
An extended and improved extension of the former Galactic Federation of Planets, improved to fully encompass by now Humans, Vulcans, Na'vi, Romulans, Klingons, Cybertronians, Predators, Greys and Sril'sask.
Note: Due to recent addition of Sril'sask, illegal activity spawned by corruption is still being combated more so than among other races, made worse by the naturally aggressive nature of the Sril'sask.
Military, economic and cultural partnership. Primary system of government is democratic, monarchy, or constitutional monarchy.
The Alliance [Alliance]:
A two part alliance between the avian Leg'hrul, and the reptilian Kro'nogri. Military, cultural and economic partnership. Primary system of government is a strict, hierarchy type monarchy, with the monarch having ultimate power over decisions made.
Right readers. This segment was long overdue, so I decided to add it. I revealed the backstory of each race and organization, enough to ensure few remain clueless. The characters that appear are introduced as I go. So enjoy my work please.