Reduction Virus - Vixmites

A threat dossier for the Vixmites species, the antagonists of the Reduction Virus setting.

TERRAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE – RECRUIT HANDBOOK – DOCUMENT: TEF/TD/VX-001A

THREAT DOSSIER – PRIMER – VIXMITES


NOTE: TERMINOLOGY

Pursuant to Clause 7 of the Ethical Interdimensional Contact Commission’s Ordinance on Human Rights and Interdimensional Coexistence (EICC-OHRIC), Vixmites are not considered to be human, regardless of whether they fall within the biological or sociological criteria for such classification.


NOTE: ADVISORY

Primary data sources for information on Vixmite society and biology include direct testimony from captured specimens. Where possible, this testimony has been tested against and compared to direct observational records and the results of rigorous dissection and vivisection experiments. However, the lack of direct observational data of the Vixmite homeworld, and the lack of genetic diversity in captured specimens, means much of the information presented below remains speculative pending further research. Relevant Vixmite testimony has been shown to be unreliable in several instances.


INTRODUCTION

Though they were first directly encountered by Terrans in 2151 TC, it has become apparent that the first ITGs between the Vixmite homeworld and Earth-Prime were opened in or before 2146 TC, using which the Vixmites introduced the original variant of the Anomalous Viral Reducer (AVR) to Terran society. It is surmised that initial use of the ITGs involved kidnapping at least one Terran in order to provide the genetic basis for AVR development, likely being an individual susceptible to the original variant. Due to this, it has been determined by UTC authorities that all deaths attributable, wholly or in part, to a variant of AVR since 2146 TC is attributable to, and the responsibility of, the Vixmites.

Testimony has indicated that the Vixmites did not observe the spread or impacts of AVR between 2146 and 2151 TC, ostensibly due to concerns of potential cross-species infection in the gestation phase of the initial variant, as well as any subsequent variants resulting from standard mutation. As AVR has not, to date, been observed to infect any human species other than Terrans, it is unknown if this is the true reason observation was not maintained, or if other unknown variables were at play. It is notable that in 2151 TC the destabilisation of Terra-Prime’s geopolitical landscape had reached a critical point, and it is possible the Vixmite Invasion was timed to exploit this perceived vulnerability.

In contrast to uncertainties around the timing and methodology, the purpose of the Vixmite Invasion is now well understood, being the acquisition and exploitation of Terra-Prime’s natural resources and further expansion of Vixmite territory and population. Mission objectives included the total or near-total genocide of the native Terran population and subversion or liquidation of other lifeforms.

Although Victory Pact forces would eventually succeed in repelling Vixmite occupation forces in 2163 TC following Operation Backstop, this victory was only achieved at the cost of several billion Terran lives between 2151 and 2163 TC, and the decimation of most of Terra-Prime’s native ecosystem. It is for this reason that the primary goal of the Terran Expeditionary Force remains the location of the Vixmite homeworld for the purpose of launching a counter-attack against Vixmite expansionism.


PRIMARY CONTACT DIRECTIVE

Any Vixmite specimens encountered during interdimensional deployments are to be captured where feasible for interrogation and experimentation. Where capture is not feasible, specimens are to be terminated. Uncontained specimens are to be reported to Central Command for follow-up action.


VIXMITE SOCIETY

Specimen testimony indicates Vixmite society is rigidly hierarchical and structured in the manner of a military junta/dictatorship. However, it is to be noted at the outset that as no direct observations of the Vixmite homeworld have been made, it is possible that provided testimony was intended only to increase the perceived threat posed by the Vixmites, and that this societal structure only reflects the reality within the Vixmite military. Nevertheless, below is the best information known at this time.

There appear to be five broad ‘castes’ of Vixmite, though there are also a large number of sub-castes within each of these broader caste categories. A Leadership Caste is reported to exist, though none are known to have travelled to Terra-Prime during the invasion and captured specimens from other castes were unwilling, or unable, to provide any information beyond the existence of this caste and the absolute nature of any order received from a member of the caste. It is surmised that this caste is few in number, though it is unclear if they in turn answer to a single ruler, or each rule in concert.

The Commander Caste consists of specimens vested with absolute authority to command those of lower castes, provided such commands do not contradict the directions of the Leadership Caste. In practice, it appears that this mostly concerns the direction of military action and resource extraction operations. A small number of Commander Caste were captured prior to Operation Backstop but refused to provide any useful testimony beyond likely exaggerated estimates of military capabilities.

The Engineer Caste is charged with the construction and maintenance of Vixmite technology, which includes the construction of both mechanical and biological weapon systems. Replication and mass-production of tech is seemingly preferred over innovation, though some Engineers do show capacity to iterate upon and improve successful designs, contributing to the significant blunting of Victory Pact offensives during 2161 TC. It appears this caste is also responsible for the development of new technologies and scientific research, though specimens performing such tasks were not deployed to Terra-Prime. Interrogation of captured Engineer specimens assisted greatly in reverse-engineering Vixmite tech, though most specimens displayed a marked reluctance to assist with such ventures.

The Solider Caste appears to make up the majority of Vixmite society and is charged both with the projection of military force and with fulfilling basic labour requirements. Vixmite society appears to consider Soldiers to be entirely expendable, possibly even more so than their drones, with emphasis placed on numerical superiority rather than individual quality. It is surmised that an indoctrination process is used to ensure the loyalty of Soldiers, as they show a clear willingness to expend their own lives in pursuit of often short-term tactical gains. During the invasion many Soldiers were noted to attempt to terminate themselves rather than be captured, and captured specimens attempted numerous breakout attempts, often necessitating premature termination after limited interrogation.

The Null Caste consists of Vixmite specimens which have in some way defied or otherwise failed to carry out the orders of a Leadership Caste or Commander Caste. Whereas Soldiers are expendable, Nulls are actively expended in circumstances where similar goals could be achieved without loss of life or equipment by the deployment of more resilient and capable combat drones. Multiple reports during the invasion reported the use of Nulls in meaningless suicide attacks on entrenched positions.

Though not the subject of any direct observation by Terrans, captured specimens have consistently indicated that Vixmites do not reproduce through mating, but rather through a cloning process. Due to this, they do not experience developmental phases analogous to childhood or adolescence but are instead grown within nutrient sacs from which they are only released upon full physical maturity. Through an unknown application of neuro-tech, Vixmites are allegedly able to implant motor skills and basic knowledge including language comprehension and simple maths during the development period, allowing Vixmites to function somewhat effectively on first being roused to consciousness. The process by which castes are assigned to new Vixmites is unknown, as this information is alleged to be known only to the Leadership Caste, leading to speculation that it may be an arbitrary process.

There is no evidence of recreational activities within Vixmite society, though it is unclear if this is due to a neurological difference or if such activities have been removed through societal engineering.

Insufficient data is available to make any feasibly accurate estimation of the full Vixmite population.


VIXMITE BIOLOGY

Likely due to their cloning-based reproduction, Vixmites exhibit an extremely low level of genetic diversity between observed specimens, with the noted caveat that no specimens of the Leadership Caste have been catalogued to date. Their physical layout is analogous to that of a human, though they possess no apparent sexual characteristics and are notable for their total lack of hair follicles, unnaturally lanky frames and universal pale grey skin tone. Vixmites’ eyes are proportionally larger than those of most humans, and are also universally grey, though a few shades darker than their skin. All Vixmites observed to date stand at between 14.9cm and 15.2cm, displaying little diversity.

Vixmites possess significantly fewer distinct internal organs than Terrans or most other humans, mostly due to the truncation of the digestive system into a singular organ and the combining of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Internal space saved through this process is mostly devoted to complex musculature contributing to overall structural integrity. This renders Vixmites particularly resilient and stronger than most similar-sized entities, though they remain susceptible to weaponry.

Rigorous testing has indicated Vixmites have a Terran-typical vulnerability to extreme temperatures and corrosive substances, but an above-average vulnerability to sonic and vibration-based attacks, due to their simplified internal structure providing only limited redundancy. Asphyxiation, starvation, and exsanguination remain effective, though result in lower-than-expected psychological impacts.

Vixmite physiology is partially malleable, allowing them to survive otherwise fatal damage in some instances through compaction and subsequent expansion. This occurs where specimens are exposed to blunt forces beyond their ability to physically endure, inducing a partial-liquification of muscular and skeletal systems, followed by other organs if the force continues. Liquification does not decrease the actual volume of the specimen, providing a hard-limit on this ability. Subsequent expansion is dependent on sufficient space being available for such action and long-term specimen containment can be achieved through transfer of liquified specimens to suitable containers with nutrient intakes.

A similar process to their malleability defence results in open wounds inflicted upon Vixmites rapidly sealing over, allowing specimens to avoid termination absent from fatal damage, repeated trauma, or deliberate prevention of the healing process through mechanical obstruction of the open wound.