Sla'theri Hierarchy

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Sla'theri Warrior.JPG -
Sla'theri Hierarchy
General Data
*Home System: [unknown
*Home Planet: unknown
*First Contact: 2384, stardate 090718
*First Contact By: USS Shogun
*Faction: Sla'theri Hierarchy
*Government: Sla'theri Hierarchy
*Violence: High
*Primary Language: unknown
Biological Information
*Scientific Name: Sla'theri
*Scientific Family: Insectoids
*Scientific Order: Oxygen Breathing Species
*Skin: Dark Chitin
*Emphatic: Yes
*Telepatic: Yes
*Intelligence: The Sla’theri are a belligerent, warlike insectoid race that occupy a number of worlds in a vast region of space some 140LY rimward of Pinastri.
Other Information
Starfleet scholars are yet to agree on the origins of the Sla’theri. Some believe they are an offshoot of the arachnid Jarada, an insect race native to Torona IV in the alpha quadrant. Others believe they are a relatively new race unknown until recently, possibly having arrived from another galaxy, much as the Undine (Species 8472) once did. Yet still, others posit that due to their warlike nature they are related in some way to the Xindi Insectoids. For the time being at least, the debate continues.



History and Politics

The Sla’theri are a belligerent, warlike insectoid race that occupy a number of worlds in a vast region of space some 140LY rimward of Pinastri.

Starfleet scholars are yet to agree on the origins of the Sla’theri. Some believe they are an offshoot of the arachnid Jarada, an insect race native to Torona IV in the alpha quadrant. Others believe they are a relatively new race unknown until recently, possibly having arrived from another galaxy, much as the Undine (Species 8472) once did. Yet still, others posit that due to their warlike nature they are related in some way to the Xindi Insectoids.

Nothing whatsoever is known about internal Sla’theri politics. Their relations with other races are frighteningly simple: war and subjugation. Most other races in the region of space primarily occupied by the Sla’theri have been at war with the Sla’theri race at one time or another and they are still constantly under threat of planetary invasion.

Sla’theri technology is vastly different and in many ways far superior to established Federation technology. Their warships have no visible form of propulsion yet they are highly manoeuvrable and agile, and are partly constructed of biomatter. First contact was made by the crew of the USS Shogun in the summer of 2384 after Captain Ulrich Bechir had been abducted during a previous mission. Driven to find an unknown entity that would be later identified as the captive and tortured Effervo, the Shogun found the Sla'theri on board a remote space station. The crew immediately came under attack.

Society

Sla’theri are telepathic with each other up to 120 feet, and can communicate telepathically with other intelligent species up to 30 feet away and they have some ability to empathically communicate with non- insects. They cannot communicate telepathically with non-insects, but their passive telepathy of other species enables them to effectively speak any language.

Most Sla’theri are near-mindless drones or warriors, who live and die as part of a vast hive mind ruled by a queen. Some Sla’theri, however, are self-aware mutants, neither drone nor warrior, who break away from the hive and go into the wider world. Adventuring Sla’theri are motivated by a desire to find new, tasty foods and experience the wider variety of life; their remnant drone mind enables them to better appreciate freedom and variety than most. Some are cruel and sadistic, possessing no morals and having an imperfect empathy; others are kind and benevolent due to overwhelming empathy with all living things. Independent Sla’theri run the full gamut of personalities, just like humans.

Sla’theri live an average of 200 years though typical drones and warriors have much, much shorter life spans, mutant independent Sla’theri live as long as queens. Not much information has been obtained about Sla’theri society or culture. The only known fact is that the society is hive based, with no sense of close family. It is thought that the society is divided into colonies, probably along the lines of ant colonies.

The Sla’theri are thought to have a natural affinity with space, this is due to the fact that Sla’theri warriors seem to spend a large amount of time in space. The USS Shogun encountered their forces on repeated occasions over a period of months, often without respite.

Based on the study of some wrecked ships, the Sla’theri as a race seems to have a very spartan approach to furnishing and belongings. Crew quarters are practically devoid of possessions other than those necessary for military crewmen. All belongings are functional and necessary.

Physiology

The common Sla’theri warrior is a dark-chitin covered insect measuring just over 7 feet in height. They have six limbs, two of which are dedicated walking limbs. The remaining four limbs have jointed hands each possessing three digits, one of which is an opposable thumb.

The head is a triangular ovoid in shape, with prominent faceted eyes mounted to the front. In general, the overall impression is similar to that of a praying mantis. There are two short antennae that protrude from the top of the head. The mouth is on the underside of the front point of the triangular head, and is relatively small. It is surrounded to two strong mandibles. The neck is very short but thick and sturdy, and can rotate 60 degrees.

The body of a Sla’theri is segmented into two distinct sections. The upper segment is approximately egg-shaped with a slight distension at the upper end just below the junction to the neck and head; this is where the upper limbs join the body. The lower segment is a tapered oval that arcs slightly towards the rear and forms a rounded point. The junction of these two segments is a heavily muscled narrow waist which the Sla’theri can twist to approximately 100 degrees.

The lower four limbs are attached to the lower body segment. The lowest pair, or the traditional legs, are attached just above the point where the segment begins to bend rearwards. The middle pair of limbs are primarily used as manipulating limbs, but are also seen as propelling limbs when a Sla’theri is running. The Sla’theri can walk erect on the hind legs, but drop to four legs when running, using the middle limbs in addition to the rear legs.

Not much is known about the internal workings of Sla’theri anatomy. Dissection of specimens has revealed the presence of several organs analogous to humans, as well as some that are common in insectoid races. USS Shogun medical personnel have verified the presence of respiratory and circulatory organs as well as the digestive organs and system. They have also identified several glands such as excretory, pheromonal and communication glands. No notable reproductive organs have been found in specimens, leading scientists to theorise that there must be a separate phenotype of Sla’theri that is responsible for the reproductive act.

Coloration includes red, orange, yellow, green, black, white, and brown; all members of a hive are of the same colour, and different hives of the same colour recognize each other as “cousins.” Sla’theri will eat almost anything, living or dead, animal or vegetable, and are always hungry. They are incredibly strong, deceptively so considering their gaunt appearance.

Appearances

Credits

Authored by: Ishan Broek

Sources:

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