Osci

Osci (pronounced ohs-see) are a nomadic species of scientists, explorers, and artists. They wander the galaxy looking to learn, discover, and be inspired. They hail from the now-destroyed Alluille system.

The Ancients
No Osci alive knows who or what the Ancients were, just that they were responsible for creating the Osci. Or, to be more specific, they were responsible for seeding the planet with the genetic possibility that eventually became the Osci. All Osci still revere the Ancients, and pay homage to them.

Early Life
Osci were born on the planet Ckemnis, the fourth planet from their star. They quickly explored every inch of their planet, and then began the race to the stars, to see who would get their first. In the meantime, the Osci became incredible scientists and artists.

Once they reached space, they explored their system for a thousand years, finding every scientific wonder they could, learning everything they could about the universe that they could find in their own back yard. They developed heliokinesis while in space, and built the first sun engines, powered by their own abilities.

The Cataclysm
Eventually, though, the first expedition left their system, using FTL technology. They were gone for twenty local years, and when they came back, they brought something with them.

Nobody remembers exactly what the Cataclysm was; very little survived that era. All anyone knows is that it completely destroyed Alluille, absorbing the sun and cracking Ckemnis in half. The Osci became wanderers and explorers, content to find new and exciting things in the universe.

Earth
When the Osci passed close by Earth, the RV Find The Meaning In All Things was intrigued, and requested a contingent to study the powered life there. The request was granted, and a standard contingent of five ships began their study: RV Find The Meaning In All Things, RV Examination Reveals The Truth, LS Stars Flow Like Water From Where We Came, LS Home Seeks The Heart, DV Arms Bear Swords Bring Peace.

At first, the heroes of Earth didn't know what to think, and the nations of Earth began to prepare for war. As a year passed without action or response from the Osci, they began to relax. After a decade, they accepted that the Osci weren't going to attack, although they still closely monitored.

For their part, the Osci were intrigued by the history and cultures of the Earth, and the emergence of the metagene, which was similar to how they developed their abilities so long ago. They followed all the research done on the planet below with incredible interest, although they never contacted the species below themselves, following protocol to the letter. They have been in orbit around Earth for three decades now.

Millennium Incident
During the Millennium Incident, aliens invaded the Earth. The general Osci feeling toward planets they study is "if it's their planet, it's their problem" - but an outside invasion, which the people of Earth were in no way prepared for, was something many Osci couldn't simply stand by and watch happen, drawing parallels to how their planet was destroyed. Several hundred crew from the DV Arms Bear Swords Bring Peace and RV Find The Meaning In All Things went rogue, going down to the planet to help fight off the invading forces. Those individuals remain in quarantine, pending absolute confirmation that they didn't bring back anything dangerous.

Culture
Osci culture revolves around discovery. They seek out new star systems, study what they can there, and depart to find new star systems. The bulk of the population is in the Exodus Fleet, which is some 50,000 ships strong. The Fleet contains around 2,000 life ships, which each hold about 2 million Osci. There are around 10,000 warships, 25,000 research vessels, and 13,000 craftwork ships, which are dedicated to making new, brilliant art.

If a ship wants to break away to study a place in more detail, they can request a contingent. A standard contingent is five ships, consisting of two research vessels, two life ships, and a warship. Nonstandard contingents can also be requested, such as only bringing one life ship or bringing a craftwork ship as well. While studying a planet, they have to follow the Contingency Protocol, which states:
 * 1) No contact will be made with sentient populations. If contact is made, it must be for emergency purposes only.
 * 2) No attempt will be made to land on, settle, or colonize a planet.
 * 3) No physical contact will be made with aliens, sentient or otherwise. If contact is made, decontamination protocols must be followed perfectly.

Family
Osci are mostly parthenogenic, requiring only themselves to create children. However, they may receive genes from one or more others, in a complicated and highly ritualized mating procedure. When they decide to have a child, that child is produced as an egg that grows outside of the parent's body, and is born eleven to twelve Earth months later. This stage is highly vulnerable, and life ships have entire sections dedicated to keeping the delicate eggs safe.

Once hatched, the younglings are given over to their progenitor, who is also known as their first caretaker. They are raised in a cluster of other younglings, who become their siblings, and by 5-6 second caretakers. Special attention is given to make sure that the caretakers of a cluster work well with each other, and with children.

Physiology
Osci tend to be very tall by Earth standards; younglings are typically around five feet when they hatch, and by maturity average around 6'7". They have digitigrade legs with clawed feet that have four digits, and their bodies look otherwise humanoid - they have two arms with five-digit hands, they have an upright torso with heads that have two eyes, a nose, mouth, ears, and hair. They don't have a concept of gender, physical or otherwise, and all are capable of laying eggs. Osci are considered physically mature once they can lay eggs, which is about twenty Earth years. Their cells have adapted to generate and store plasma, and to rapidly change color at will.

Technorganic Material
The cornerstone of Osci life and technology, technorganic material is made from synthetic Osci cells suspended in a nanolattice. Technorganic material begins undifferentiated, with a perfectly even ratio of lattice to cells; having more cells increases the mutability, while having more lattice increases the ability one has to program responses into the material. It is controlled by an energy field exuded by Osci while modifying their bodies; the more mutable the material, the greater transformation required from the Osci to change the material, and the more lattice, the less required to transform, but the more limited its transformations are. Technorganic material is used for nearly everything in Osci life; it coats most of the interior of their ships, is used for doors, computers, and even comprises the non-thinking parts of A.I. computers.

Sarah has proven to be able to manipulate it to a degree, which is unusual for non-Osci.

A.I. and Uplink
Artificial intelligence is a part of Osci life. AI run most basic functions of a ship, and regulate Osci life, from meals to caste schedules. They constantly monitor Osci using implanted uplinks, which hook directly into their nervous systems, and can use those uplinks to communicate. Osci AI are completely dedicated to helping their communities, and care deeply for everyone who lives on their ship.