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Sentinels are fully sentient Phyrrians originating in [[Normalspace]]. | Sentinels are fully sentient Phyrrians originating in [[Normalspace]]. | ||
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Phyrrians are mechanical life-forms, built in a wide variety of shapes and sizes dependent on their function, from massive battle tanks to microscopic nanites. They are organized by a central intelligence known as the Overmind, originally from the planet Phyrria. The current Hiverspace Overmind is Z02-791 "Dean"; the original Overmind was created by an unknown long-gone civilization.
History
See Phyrrian War.
Tasker
Tasker is the catch-all term for most all mobile Phyrrians equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and temperaments to suit their equally varied purposes. All are designed by the Overmind to collect the vast amounts of data it requires, generally by performing a specific duty or set of duties.
Taskers intended to interact with other races on a regular basis are generally considered to be sentient or at least treated as such under the law. As a general rule, they are designed to reason using strict logic and according to utilitarian principles, without anything resembling the emotions of other races. This is apparently an intentional decision by the Overmind; it has on one occasion 'reincarnated' an emotion-capable rendition of David Porter using available data on him.
Taskers are not necessarily treated with the full degree of respect or suspicion accorded to the Overmind, and there is some justification for this. A Tasker contains only the portion of the Overmind needed to complete its tasks and must physically connect with the Overmind on Phyrria in order to exchange data. While separate, it may display something of an individual personality; biological sentients have even been known to attribute emotions to particularly sociable Phyrrians to whom they have grown attached.
Taskers almost always behave in a law-abiding fashion, though their specific task may at times receive a higher priority. Members of the Decimator Fleet, a defense force revealed in late 3005, have contravened Ungstiri law without being questioned. An unarmed, apparently defective Tasker seen breaking into ships, on the other hand, was destroyed by the Ungstiri Militia. Beings also called Phyrrians were greatly feared by organic sentients of an alternate universe from which the present Galactix comes, though these crew members have been reluctant to discuss their experiences with the media.
Sentinel Taskers
Sentinels are fully sentient Phyrrians originating in Normalspace.
Phyrrians specializing in social integration, Sentinels were created in the 4000's to help relations with organics, many of which still harboring deep fear and resentment due to the Phyrrian War. The Overmind of the time assigned a small group of Sentinels to individual planets, customizing their frames to better suit their tasks of gleaning information: the people and culture, the government, the economy, etc. to then periodically report back to the Overmind.
Designed to imitate humanoids in particular, they sport a shell of living flesh that can be mended with a certain blend of chemicals if ruptured. Sentinels are the most advanced Phyrrian model in the known universe, with the ability to learn, adapt, self repair, and fight. The heavy weight and durability of a Phyrrian chassis makes them deadly at close quarters. They can weigh upwards of 500 lbs, made from a highly heat-resistance metal called Coltan-tantalite.
Winning a hand to hand battle with one would be extremely difficult unless some sort of high power weapon would be involved. With their incredible endurance, they can be severed clean in half and still be crawling at their target, so long as their CPU is still intact. No pain, immune to disease and resilient to heat, cold and vacuum.
Helot Taskers
Helots are simple in design, and very versatile to fit different tasks. They are the grunt of the New Phyrrian Enclave in Hiverspace and make up the majority of the Enclave. While the standard helot is armed with a pulse rifle that connects to a holster like fitting on their right shoulder, some more combat-heavy models have been known to have thicker armor and carry plasma weaponry.
Overmind
For Normalspace Overmind, see Overmind The Hiverspace Overmind, see ZO2-791 "Dean".
Culture
Overall, any type of Phyrrian culture is influenced by the Overmind. Phyrrians will stop at nothing to ensure the survival of their race. They value their continued existence over most anything else. Any sort of conscience or morality is absent, for the most part - Sentinels, however, are beginning to learn about the subject.
Lack of morality does not necessarily mean ill intentions. Phyrrians will simply do what they must to continue expanding, and that can mean getting along with other races to avoid a potentially threatening war. Conversely, it can mean exploiting natural resources to mine metal and build factories.
Phyrrians are incredibly protective of their technology, designed to self-destruct or otherwise resist investigation or modification of their internals by non-Phyrrians; however, skilled individuals have compromised a Tasker on at least one occasion.
When in their own company, Phyrrians can communicate a number of ways. The fastest is a hardline connection, a simple plug from one to the other can share mass amounts of information and responses in the blink of an eye. Binary is also used, their first language. Occasionally they speak in Standard, perhaps to keep sharp, or simply because the current situation doesn't require quick and urgent communication.