Utu-Crusa

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Object Name: UTU-CRUSA (OOH-too-CROO-saahh)

Celestial Classification: Class C Planet, Jungle/Cyberformed*

Planetary Size: ~17838.773568 kmd or 1.4 times the size of LE

Number of Moons: ~18 Planetoid fragmented sections of Utu-Crusa

Rotational Period: 18 ESH (18 hours per day)

Orbital Period: 320 PRY (planetary rotations per year)

Atmospheric Conditions: Category II

Population Size and Diversity: +2,000,000,000 Inhabitants (Aplexans, Bi-lexo)

Technology Level: Level III-IV (Aplexans) Level IV-V (Bi-Lexo)

Utu-Crusa is a war-torn, once-lush world that is rapidly, and irreversibly, being transformed into a synthetic haven for all beings mechanical and metallic. The eastern half of Utu-Crusa is full of dense jungles, flowing rivers, and shining seas, while the western half of the planet has terraformed into grey, barren, and inhospitable metallic strips ripe for resource exploitation. Meanwhile, the middle section of the planet has been rendered arid and infertile, lined with the expansive walls, trenches, and other fortifications preventing either warring faction from advancing. This has thrust Utu-Crusa into an eternity of warfare, destruction, and resource-drainage, damaging the planet’s various ecosystems and forcing many species of flora and fauna into endangerment and extinction. 

Utu-Crusa is a planet whose polarized populations have plunged their world onto a path towards complete desolation. Its once vibrant surface is now locked in a semi-permanent stalemate, with both hemispheres of the planet either thriving or dying as a result of the war efforts on either side*. In the center point of the planet, a series of desolate chasms has developed, separating both sides from open confrontation with each other. This proverbial “no-man’s land” has kept both factions from completely obliterating each other, further extending their conflict. However, these chasms have shifted Utu-Crusa’s tectonic plates underneath the surface, causing horrible earthquakes to occur around the area at an ever-increasing rate. This in turn has fractured portions of the planet’s innermost sections, hurtling chunks of the unstable terrain into space. Intergalactic geologists and the local inhabitants conclude that unless something is done soon, Utu-Crusa will literally shake apart. 

The planetoids that orbit around Utu-Crusa are the largest planetary fragments ejected into space. Once part of the planet’s so-called “Verdant Zone,” these pieces of debris hosted some of Utu-Crusa’s most unique lifeforms. Now, these fragments are devoid of all life, stripped of the life-sustaining atmospheres, gravitational forces, and pressures from the planet below. The local inhabitants view these fragments as a warning to all species who engage in any planet-wide warfare. Their hubris has led to the permanent shattering of their homeworld, and as a result, the potential extinction of multiple species of flora, fauna, and civilizations.

Utu-Crusa is engulfed in a perpetual conflict between two advanced species, the Indigenous defenders of the Aplexan, and the military forces of the invading Bi-lexo. These two civilizations have engaged in never-ending warfare for more than three generations, with millions of lives lost in the process. 

The Aplexan (AY-PLEKS-an)

The native Aplexans resemble 6-limbed primates. Possessing 4 eyes, 4 arms, and 2 large legs, they are broad creatures with powerful, muscled limbs. Though they lack tails, the Aplexan do have hard mounds of flesh along their backs, which presumably are extra areas of muscle along their hips, upper legs, shoulders, and spine. A physically strong but intellectually and technologically advanced species, the Aplexan have lived in relative harmony with Utu-Crusa’s lush ecosystems for generations.

Aplexan Culture

Aplexan culture is deeply rooted within the lush environments of the planet. Calling themselves the “Öok’gakuka” (oh-OOH-kuh-GAK-KOO-ka) or the “Gleaning People,” the Aplexan have managed to achieve significant technological advancements without destroying their planet’s environments around them. Their large, circular buildings that wrap around some of the largest Gë’glögga (GEH-geh-GLOH-GAH) trees, are widely considered to be marvels of architecture and engineering. It appears that their impressive dwellings support themselves by clinging tightly to the broad trunks of these massive trees. 

However, it is also theorized (but never confirmed) that Aplexan dwellings utilize some sort of repulsor or anti-gravity technology to accomplish this, as the outside trunks of the Gë’glögga trees are incredibly slick and unyielding. Moreover, Aplexan beliefs dictate that any unnecessary use of nature is to be avoided and disfiguring any natural landmarks (especially if the damage inflicted is irreversible) is considered a horrible atrocity. Their wide-spread ontology of environmental preservation alongside technological innovation is the principal reason for their fervent fight against the Bi-lexan invaders. 

Aplexan lineage systems and social norms appear to have once been matrilineal and patriarchal in nature, with the central Aplexan government being controlled by a general senate and an elected prime minister of sorts. While Aplexan expectations regarding gender norms and responsibilities were not particularly skewed, generally-speaking, Aplexan males had less restrictions regarding their livelihoods or what they did with their lives. Aplexan females, while not expected to be subservient or simple homemakers for their spouses, were not expected to participate in the Aplexan armed forces or interstellar colonizing efforts. 

Similarly, before the Aplexan-Bi-lexan war broke out, female participation in Aplexan construction efforts or occupations that required extensive manual labor were frowned upon. However, these administrative and societal expectations are currently subdued in hopes of maximizing the available workforce. Every Aplexan, regardless of sex, gender, or physical characteristics/limitations, is expected to participate in the war effort in whatever capacity that they can. Therefore, both female and male Aplexans are viewed as viable laborers, scientists, medics, and soldiers if they meet the intellectual and physical requirements.

The Bi-lexo (BEYE-LECKS-oh)

The invading Bi-lexo are biomechanical beings who search for planets with enough bio matter and fossil fuels to terraform. The Bi-lexos do not seem to be “alive” or at least do not consider themselves alive in the traditional sense. It appears that the Bi-lexos were once a proud species, humanoid in shape and size. However, at one point in time, the majority of their species underwent an irreversible process, transforming them into cyborg-like beings. Not much is known about the Bi-lexo internal structures other than they have certain organic parts and some sort of mechanical circulatory and respiratory systems. For this reason, despite having some organic components, the Bi-lexo are widely considered abominations by other species across the Galaxy. 

Despite facing semi-universal abhorrence, the Bi-lexos do not seem to carry a grudge against organic life. In fact, it seems that most members of bio-mechanical species feel remorse and regret for their quest to conquer Utu-Crusa. They seem to consider their goal of conquering and terraforming the planet as “the lesser of two evils." According to their military leaders, their mission is to “obliterate one planet and transform it to remove the need of doing to do so for future generations.” In other words, it seems that the Bi-lexo equate their domination of Utu-Crusa as their only hope of discontinuing their eternal search for fuel and energy sources. Nevertheless, regardless of their supposed feelings, the Bi-lexo have fervently and violently continued to fight against their Aplexan resistors, gradually transforming Utu-Crusa’s rich ecosystems into metallic, sterile, and fuel-rich barrens perfect for their continued subsistence.

The Bi-lexo appear to have transcended any and all gender or sexual norms. As they no longer have functioning reproductive organs, nor the desire to engage in affectionate or sexual acts, they have ceased to label themselves through biological terms. Similarly, as they no longer need to classify each other using gender, racial, or ethnic labels, the only classifications that the Bi-lexo utilize are associated with their particular technological generation. As such, the only identifying information used to individualize Bi-lexos is the unique series of letters and numbers used to signify their specific make, model, and generation. Moreover, there are no restrictions nor expectations for any particular Bi-lexo, unless they lack the proper equipment, firmware, or software for a specific task. Despite them not operating within a hive mind structure, it appears that the expectancies for Bi-lexos are relatively universal.