Trader-Monks
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- BASIC INFORMATION: ----------------------------------------------------------------- Official Name in Standard: Trader-Monks (abbreviated TM) National Name: Unknown Information Sources (in order of reliability): 1) Autopsy report of TM involved in FEYNMAN incident 2) UFPESCO observation 3) SFIA observation (before TMs granted Associate Membership) 4) TM testimony and interviews -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GEOGRAPHY/POPULATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- TMs currently inhabit 5 "generation ships" which have been upgraded for warp capability. The ships are headed roughly towards the galactic center at Warp 3. From 2384 to 2409, TMs inhabited 5 Enclaves; 3 on Terra, 1 on Vulcan, and 1 on Betazed. Estimated population: 500 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ECONOMIC SUMMARY ----------------------------------------------------------------- When the Enclaves were first established, TMs sold large amounts of scientific information to Federation representatives. Most of this info involved varying degrees of improvement on already- known theories and processes, but some, most notably in biological technology, represented highly novel approaches. TMs as a whole quickly gained enough wealth to maintain their Enclaves and invest heavily. TMs sold their investments and purchased a variety of computer components, replicator equipment, raw materials, and warp drive components before leaving their host worlds. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GOVERNMENT/HISTORY ----------------------------------------------------------------- Timeline 2372 First contact by USS ARGOS Counselor USS ARGOS temporarily relieved of duty (1) 2380 TM ships request permission to establish Enclaves on UFP worlds 2384 First TM Enclave, Terra 1, established Enclave Vulcan established 2385 Enclaves Terra 2, Betazed, and Terra 3 established All TM Enclaves granted UFP Protectorate status 2393 Terran Enclaves apply for UFP Associate Membership 2395 Terran Enclaves granted UFP Associate Membership Terran Enclaves begin policy of "integration" (2) 2405 TM Terra 2-27 admitted to Starfleet Academy 2408 Terra 2-27 graduated Starfleet Academy; assigned USS REGENT Betazed Enclave renounces Protectorate status and leaves Betazed (4) 2409 Rogue TM kills and is killed by CMO aboard USS FEYNMAN (3) All TM Enclaves renounce UFP status and leave host worlds (4) Lt Terra 2-27 reported Missing-in-Action Notes to Timeline: 1) Lt Maderas, CNS USS ARGOS, underwent psychiatric observation and rehabilitation. He returned to active duty the following year. 2) TMs sought to achieve "integration" by sending some of their own species to work in a variety of positions in different levels of Federation (especially Terran) society. The intent was twofold; to determine if TMs could work side-by-side with other Federation species (i.e. to determine "species compatibility"), and to determine for which capacities TMs would be best suited. 3) Lt Glin'kharr, MD, intervened when the rogue TM attempted to kill a known felon who had stowed away on the FEYNMAN. Later investigation suggested that the "rogue" was acting with the knowledge and support of at least one Terran Enclave. 4) No explanation offered. 5) Lt Terra 2-27 was last seen aboard the REGENT before the Enclaves departed, but after the incident in which Lt Glin'kharr was killed. Government is closely tied to social structure. A TM will reflexively obey any order from a recognized superior, unless said order directly threatens the TM's survival. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- RACE/SOCIETY/CULTURE ----------------------------------------------------------------- TMs vaguely resemble tall, gaunt, featherless storks. Reptilian in origin, TMs sport white, faceted eyes, heavy toothed beaks, taloned four-fingered hands, and spurred feet. Skin color is generally some shade of grey, from near-white to black, usually with mottled or marbled patterns. Skin tone seems to reflect a TM's place in TM society, as it tends to darken as the TM advances. All TMs wear translators of TM design; it is believed that they are not capable of understanding or producing "normal" humanoid verbal communication without technological assistance. Physiologically, TMs have a stronger skeletal structure than the human norm, but paradoxically do not exhibit greater muscular development. The TM endocrine and immune systems are under much more voluntary control than those of humans. The TM central nervous system is very similar to that of humanoids on a cellular level; however, the TM brain is not as differentiated as the humanoid brain, and more closely resembles reptilian brains in structure. TM sensory pathways are parsed by a single region of the brain, as opposed to humanoid senses which are parsed through several different regions. It is believed that TMs are more adapted to detecting change in the immediate environment than in recognizing patterns, whereas most humanoids depend mostly on pattern recognition. Psychologically, TMs are extremely dutiful and literal-minded; they will unquestioningly obey any order from a recognized superior to the letter, even if that means violating the spirit of the order itself. Although capable of "strategic" deception, TMs generally have difficulty with the concept of "lying," or deceiving through communication. TMs exhibit an almost religious attitude towards simple survival; to the typical TM, "good" means that which enhances the individual's survival chances. TMs also seem to have a good understanding of their own biological state and physical capabilities; paradoxically, they often take risks that humanoids would consider extreme, simply because they know that they are likely to survive the risk. It is suspected that TM communication consists of pheromones to a large degree, to which many humanoids are at least somewhat sensitive. However, unlike the pheromonally-active Deltans, TM pheromones tend to cause humanoids to feel some trepidation; one particularly sensitive human described the sensation as feeling like a rat under a cobra's stare. Fortunately, TMs in regular communication with humanoids learn to suppress their pheromonal activity; this seems to become automatic as a TM spends more time with non-TMs, or as the TM rises in position in its own society. TM society is structured around four basic "ranks," which seem to be comprised of further, unidentified sub-ranks. The lowest rank are the Unskilled. The designation seems misleading, as "Unskilled" individuals have displayed a great deal of technical competence in a variety of areas. The next rank are the Masters of Body; it is with this rank that the Federation has had most direct contact. Their function in TM society is not clear, but they universally exhibit high combat prowess. The third rank are the Masters of Mind, who seem to act as governors or high-level supervisors. Only two Masters of Mind have ever been encountered by Federation representatives. Finally, there are the Masters of Life, about which the Federation only has TM testimony. TMs have declared that there are no Masters of Life in Federation space. TM technology is enigmatic. TMs claim that they have been trading information for centuries; this might explain why their technology is a hodge-podge of developments (some of which the TMs themselves don't understand). TMs excel in biological technology, especially genetic engineering, but find it difficult to grasp the more abstract principles of quantum physics and warp dynamics. When faced with non-biological technology, TMs seem to prefer to go "by the book" than to try to improvise. Even nanotech, a field of technology closely related to biology, seems difficult for TMs to understand. Nevertheless, the Federation has profited greatly from technology sold by the TMs. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Creator(s)/Adaptor(s) Email Address Ted Hudgens edh@oitunix.oit.umass.edu Created for/First Use (if known): "The Fourth Profession," _A Hole in Space_, Larry Niven (adapted from Niven's "Monks") ----------------------------------------------------------------- Please check one: __ Canonical - All rights reserved by Paramount. __ Semi-Canonical - All rights reserved by Paramount. X Non-Canonical - All rights reserved by companies specified: Ballantine Books, June 1974 __ Original - All rights reserved by creator named above. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-