Invasion!/Markovik:Profile

Markovik (mark-OH-vik)

The markovik (singular markyr) are a small, parasitic, red and gray insectoid species. Their native planet of Markov has a much higher gravity than Earth's at 5.51 G, a much thinner nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere at .216 atm, and an average temperature comparable to that of Earth. Due to these factors they are much stronger than their small size would imply, but have a great deal of difficulty breathing in Earth's atmosphere without mechanical aid if they are caught outside of a host body.

Abilities

• Parasitic Dominance: Markovik infesting a host take absolute control over the host creature's actions; even normally involuntary actions such as heart rate and healing. They effectively wear the host like a suit of power armor.
• Limited Vision: Outside of a host markovik have very poor eyesight.
• Enhanced Smell: Scent is the primary sense that markovik use when outside of a host, it is extremely sensitive and efficient.
• No Taste: Markovik do not have a sense of taste as we understand it.
• Racial Memory: Markovik contain the knowledge of all of their direct ancestors. This knowledge is passed on to their own offspring.
• Difficulty Breathing: Markovik have great difficulty breathing at Earth air pressures when outside of a host body. It is a sensation similar to drowning, with the exception that oxygen is still supplied to the body.
• Personality Subsumption: Markovik can access, read and subsume a host's memories and personality. In extreme cases, markovik completely consume the host's brain and take over its functionality themselves.

Biology

Appearance

Markovik are insects about six inches long and an inch and a half wide. They have an extremely hard exoskeleton that is a steel-gray with crimson markings, and is impervious to most earthy firearms. Markovik can sometimes be found to have a large brain-like mass on their underbelly when they have recently exited a host, but this is usually quickly discarded.

Genders & Reproduction

Markovik reproduce sexually, and are mainly male with rare queens ruling over large groups of males. Unlike earth insects there are no drones, and any male is capable of reproducing with a queen. Queens generally mate only once about every decade with thousands of males, and store the sperm in their bodies, producing eggs until the sperm is too old, or they exhaust their supply, then they mate again. Queens have the ability to sense and reject weak or deformed sperm, only using the most healthy to produce young. Eggs are carried by adult markovik males, and deposited in the reproductive organs of their host. When the host body mates and produces offspring, the eggs combat one another to take the newborn as a host. The winning egg becomes the brain for the child, while eggs that failed but live lie in wait for the next offspring to be conceived. In this way, the womb can be infected for a decade or more even if they are not host to a markyr themselves.

Aging

Markovik suffer from aging like most organic species, however like most of the species in the Galactic Federation, they can suppress and correct the effects of aging indefinitely, making them virtually immortal. Markovik reach adulthood after about two Earth years within a host body. Without anti-aging medication they begin showing signs of old age at about twenty years old, and can live as long as fifty years.

Diet

Markovik are parasites. Markovik gain all of their dietary needs from a host body.

Senses

• Visual: Markovik eyes are very simple, and have limited range and clarity. When in a host body markovik use the eyesight of their host body.
• Auditory: Markovik have a similar range of auditory capacity of humans, but do not lose any range as they age the way humans do. When in a host body markovik use the hearing of their host body.
• Chemical: Markovik have a powerfull sense of "smell". They hunt predominantly by smell. The ability of a markyr to smell is about 1000 times the ability of a human. Markovik have no sense of taste. When in a host body markovik use the taste and smell of their host body.
• Tactile: The exoskeleton of a markyr is comparable to a human's skin for level of sensitivity to pressure and temperature. They do not have an advantage or disadvantage compared to humans. When in a host body markovik use the tactile senses of their host body.
• Other Senses: When in a host body markovik use the other senses of their host body.

Other Considerations

Markovik have a quantum brain, allowing for the ability to process information in a much smaller physical mass than an organic brain. This lets them store vast amounts of information in a very small space. Using a quantum brain can be problematic, and when within a host a markyr can grow an organic brain to overcome the difficulties of uncertainty, and other problems that arise from using quantum processes for thought. They must make room for the brain, and do so by devouring the host's brain. The brain that they grow is just a tool, and its injury has no detrimental effect on the markyr.

Government & Culture

Government

Markovik have an absolute monarchy. The Empress rules over the other queens in a hive configuration. The markovik have an imperial model in name only. Other races within the Markov Empire are nothing more than resources for the markovik.

Economy

The markovik economy is a nationalist capitalism. All of the resources of the markovik are considered property of the state, if called on; but for the most part trade and free enterprise is encouraged and endorsed. A queen can take whatever she wants whenever she wants it however.

Culture

The markovik culture is based on the host they inhabit. Markovik enjoy living to the fullest in their host bodies; indulging to excess. With their immense control over their host problems from overindulging the host are easily cast aside. Markovik hosts do not get fat or addicted, and have great difficulty overdosing from drug use.

Invasion Goals and Processes

Interbreeding Process

The process for interspecies mating with humans is a complicated matter for the markovik. It can be argued that their normal process is the creation of hybrids; and they are proceeding under that assumption. When the matter comes to vote in Galactic Council it could be quite a fight, however.

Political Goals

The markovik wish the humans to stay divided, and therefore plan to hamper peace and increase aggression between nations. They do not, however, want a devastating war. They intend to carefully intercede only as much as necessary to keep the humans fighting one another without destroying the race entirely.

Cultural Goals

The cultural goal of the markovik invasion is to reduce social restrictions as much as possible, leading humans down the path of hedonism and excess.

Technical Goals

The technical goal of the markovik invasion is to curtail technological progress as much as possible.

Invasion Stages

Stage One

The first stage of the markovik invasion plan is to get to Earth before anyone else, even if it should cost the lives of their hosts. Then they are to find a host family of five, and have five of their hive (one queen and four males) take over the family before the Galactic Enforcers arrive. If the enforcers arrive before they can take over the family; five fresh human corpses are to be stolen, brought aboard the ship, repaired and used as hosts. This will also be the explanation of how they got the host family if questioned, should they succeed before the enforcers arrive.

Stage Two

The second stage of the markovik invasion plan is to breed as much as possible with as many different partners as possible, moving as necessary to allay suspicion. Should they get into a position to forward their political, cultural, or technological agendas they are to take advantage if the risk is not too great.

Stage Three

Once the population of "hybrids" is over 50% of the population of the Earth they will petition the Galactic Council to declare Earth a member of the Markov Empire. If things are not going well, they are to push the proceedings to take as long as possible, allowing them to convert more and more of the Earth's population into markovik. In the end Earth will be theirs through an act of the Galactic Council, or because there are no uninfected humans left in existence on the planet.