SPECIES: Kelt Insects

Databank Astrometrics
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Filed By:
LCDR Reyes, M.
Clearance:

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

  1. General Morphology:

The insectoids are approximately 5 metres in length and composed of over 120 segmented sections. Their elongated bodies provide exceptional flexibility, allowing them to navigate narrow spaces and complex environments with ease. Each segment is protected by an iridescent exoskeleton in hues of deep green with bronze and copper undertones. This exoskeleton is both durable and flexible, capable of withstanding physical impacts and environmental hazards. Phasers have to be set on high to penetrate.

  1. Legs:

Each segment features a pair of sharp, spindly legs tipped with clawed appendages, providing excellent grip on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. This enables the insectoids to traverse any terrain, including smooth metal or glass-like surfaces, and are likely to remain agile even in zero-gravity environments.

  1. Head and Sensory Organs:

The head is broad and flattened, housing three pairs of large compound eyes arranged in an arc. These eyes grant nearly 360-degree vision and allow the creatures to detect infrared and ultraviolet light spectrums, making them efficient navigators in complete darkness.

Antennae: Two long, flexible antennae extend forward, measuring approximately 1.5 metres in length. These antennae are highly sensitive, and capable of detecting vibrations, air currents, chemical signals, and subtle energy emissions. They are the primary sensory organs and play a critical role in navigation and communication within their colonies.

  1. Mandibles:

The insectoids possess large serrated mandibles capable of delivering powerful bites. While they are non-venomous, their mandibles can cut through tough materials, including metallic surfaces.

INTERNAL BIOLOGY

  1. Exoskeleton and Internal Structure:

Beneath the exoskeleton are insulation layers that regulate internal temperature, allowing the creatures to survive in extreme hot or cold environments.

  1. Respiratory and Circulatory Systems:

The insectoids breathe through spiracles located along their segmented bodies, connected to an internal tracheal network. This system is highly efficient, enabling survival in low-oxygen environments such as the derelict station. They possess multiple auxiliary hearts distributed along their body, ensuring consistent blood flow even under extreme physical exertion.

  1. Diet and Digestion:

Enzyme analysis suggests they can break down complex biological compounds, making them highly adaptable to resource-scarce environments.

  1. Reproduction:

Reproduction is egg-based. These eggs hatch into larvae after an unknown length of time. It is assumed that they mature quickly through a series of moulting phases.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTIONS

  1. Survival in Extreme Conditions:

The insectoids seem are highly adaptable, capable of surviving in low-oxygen environments and enduring significant temperature fluctuations. Their exoskeleton also provides resistance to radiation, making them well-suited to derelict space stations exposed to cosmic radiation. They are capable of surviving in the vacuum of space for extended periods, relying on internal oxygen reserves and entering a low-metabolic state to conserve energy.

  1. Relationship with Crystalline Structures:

The insectoids appear to be instinctively drawn to the crystalline structure located on the station. Within the vicinity of the crystal, they exhibit calm and docile behaviour, suggesting that the crystal’s electromagnetic fields or energy pulses have a sedative or pacifying effect on them. This relationship raises questions about whether their presence is natural or the result of prolonged exposure to the crystal’s unique environment.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

  1. Colony Structure:

The insectoids live in eusocial colonies, likely led by a queen. There is no known roles or hierarchy seen. Colonies exhibit highly coordinated behaviour though it is unknown how.

  1. Aggression and Defence:

While not inherently hostile, the insectoids are highly territorial and react aggressively to perceived threats. Their attacks are coordinated, with individuals swarming intruders and using their mandibles and clawed legs to disable or incapacitate them.

  1. Communication:

Unknown, though possibly through pheromones and antennae.

ASSOCIATED REPORTS

OOC Known information about the insects.

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Addendum Filed By:
USS Reyga
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BRAIN ACTIVITY

  • Neurological scans of live specimens reveal a spike in brain activity when they are in proximity to the crystalline structure. During normal activity, the insectoids’ brain activity is concentrated in the olfactory and central integration cores, which process pheromone signals, electromagnetic inputs, and sensory data from their antennae.

  • Peaks in neural activity are observed during coordinated swarming behaviour, suggesting a form of colony-level synchronisation directed by the crystal’s emissions.

ACTIVITY CYCLE

  • Nocturnal-leaning activity cycle, with heightened movement and foraging behaviours during periods of lower light intensity. They also enter periods of immobility lasting 4-6 hours, resembling sleep-like rest cycles, during which their energy expenditure decreases. These rest cycles primarily occur near the crystalline structure or in secluded areas of the station.

  • Foragers set out at regular intervals, often returning within 2-3 hours. Their routes are marked by pheromones, and they consistently choose the most stable or easily traversable pathways.

  • They follow established foraging routes through the station’s corridors, using a combination of pheromone trails and antennae vibrations to navigate and communicate. These routes are heavily marked by the insects over time, with deep claw scratches and resin-like deposits on walls and floors, suggesting their long-term use of specific paths.

FEEDING

  • The giant centipede-like insectoids are omnivorous scavengers. Their primary food sources include organic detritus, decaying biological matter, and small organisms that may wander into their territory.

  • Evidence of their feeding behaviour is seen along their foraging routes, where residue from consumed material and faint traces of resin-like secretions indicate areas where they have gathered and fed.

  • Unlike many eusocial species, the insectoids do not store food. Instead, they rely on opportunistic feeding, consuming resources as they are encountered.

  • Individual insectoids appear to need to eat once every 2-3 days, consuming a moderate amount of organic material or synthetic substances to replenish their energy reserves.

  • During rest cycles or prolonged periods near the crystal, their feeding frequency drops to once every 5-7 days.

  • Larvae require constant attention and feeding.

  • Insectoids are capable of recycling organic material within the colony, such as discarded exoskeletons, egg shells, or resin-like secretions.

  • Insectoids are observed to also consume non-organic materials (like furniture and other station elements) at times.

NESTING AND LARVAL CYCLE

  • Nests are located in hidden and secure areas of the station, such as unused maintenance corridors, abandoned rooms, or isolated chambers, where they are shielded from external threats.

  • Nests are reinforced with a resin-like secretion produced by the insectoids.

  • The eggs are gelatinous and translucent, approximately 50 cm long, with a faint bioelectric pulse detectable by scans.

  • Adult insectoids meticulously tend to the eggs, rotating them periodically and applying resin to their surfaces for protection. This is frequently reapplied and repaired.

  • When hatching, the larvae break free from the gelatinous shells, which are then removed from the nest by caretakers to maintain cleanliness.

  • Once hatched, larvae remain in the nest for a period of nurturing and development; newly hatched larvae are fed pre-processed materials by adult caretakers.

  • Multiple adults are stationed near the nests at all times. Discarded eggshells and other organic waste are regularly removed from the nest and deposited in areas away from the main colony.

  • Observations over a week suggest that within 24-48 hours of a loss, a new clutch of eggs is laid in the nest. Each clutch typically contains 20-30 eggs, though only a small percentage of these hatch into viable larvae capable of maturing to adulthood. Caretaker insectoids focus their efforts on ensuring the survival of only the strongest larvae, prioritizing those with the greatest chance of reaching maturity. Weak or defective larvae are culled or abandoned, reducing resource strain on the colony. For example, out of a clutch of 20 eggs, only 2-3 larvae may reach adulthood.

  • Adult insectoids do not lay eggs continuously. Egg-laying activity decreases once the population approaches a stable level of around 50 insects.

MISC

  • The insectoids exhibit exceptional agility, able to traverse walls, ceilings, and even unstable or damaged surfaces thanks to their sharp, clawed legs. Their movement is precise and deliberate, often hugging walls or staying low to avoid open spaces where they might be more vulnerable.

  • Insectoids frequently tap antennae with one another during encounters.

  • The insectoids routinely apply and repair resin coatings on various parts of the station, including nests, pathways, and structural gaps, including in areas which do not seem to be related to the insectoid’s own habitation.

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OOC ALL WRITTEN BY @Sam .

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