| |||||||||||||||||||
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.
Helot Taskers
Helots are partially sentient Phyrrians built in factories on Materi Syna, under the Hiverspace Overmind's command.
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.