Friday Lore Post: A Cadet’s Guide to ω-Class Entities

A Cadet’s Guidebook to ω-Class Entities

Over the course of your service, it is possible that you may enter contact with what is known as an ω-class entity. These are the most dangerous creatures from beyond our dimension that the fleet has encountered, considered to be so vastly different from the other three classes of extradimensional being that they are functionally a different species. As always with extradimensional beings, it remains unclear if they are all the same species or if species distinctions even exist for their kind. It remains unclear if they are working together or in isolation. All ω-class entities are considered the highest grade of danger and should never be approached if at all possible. Negotiation with these entities has proven impossible.

As a cadet or low-ranking officer, you will always defer to your superior officers if your vessel or unit encounters an ω-class entity. However, familiarize yourself with the basic information and protocols regarding these entities as a precautionary measure. ω-class entities are numbered 1-9 based on when they were discovered by the fleet. In this guide, they are ordered by relative threat level. Once again, remember that all ω-class entities represent the highest threat level and should be treated with extreme caution.

ω-8

Overview:

Entity ω-8 is by far the most dangerous life form in the known universe. It is known to be responsible for the destruction of Hiv’thed Consortium and the fourteen sentient species across nine dozen planets associated therewith. It is also believed to be responsible for the involution of system V44-03’s sun and the subsequent annihilation of the two inhabited planets in that system.

Known Characteristics:

The corporeality of ω-8 is unknown as the act of perceiving it seems to be enough for it to destroy a life form. It is believed that ω-8 destroyed the Hiv’thed Consortium when it was visualized on a new scanning matrix they were developing, which was linked into their centralized computer web. Based on sensor readings from several destroyed Consortium planets, fleet research wing believes that any contact with ω-8 transforms any living creature into a form of antimatter that immediately destroys everything around it.

Protocol:

The only reliable method of detecting entity ω-8 at this time is by picking up traces of a unique radiation signature never detected anywhere else. ω-8 is currently believed to be quarantined in the remains of system V44-03. For this reason, the entire of gridpoint V44 is locked down and remains heavily monitored until a solution can be found. If the unique radiation associated with ω-8 is detected, all ships and personnel are to immediately evacuate and quarantine the gridpoint and notify command so further measures can be taken.

ω-3

Overview:

Entity ω-3 is the only known ω-class entity that is capable of successfully impersonating life forms from our dimension for long periods of time. It is responsible for impersonating the Fleet Overseer and de-arming the fleet prior to the attack on gridsectors G, K and T by extradimensional forces, as well as the massacre of the graduating class of Cycle 6392, resulting in over two million civilian causalities.

Known Characteristics:

ω-3, when not disguised as an ordinary life form, appears as a five-dimensional, six hundred pointed star that speaks in emotions. It has remarkable shapeshifting ability and can slip past most sensors that are not set to deep scan for extradimensional waves. ω-3’s most dangerous ability, however, is its ability to transform conventional life into something resembling extradimensional life forms. Witnesses to the Cycle 6392 massacre report that a touch from ω-3 transformed various individuals into what were later classified as θ and ϱ-level entities, the former being a full extra-dimensional entity and the latter a hybrid between extradimensional and conventional life. It is these entities, rather than direct action from ω-3, that caused most of the destruction.

Protocol:

Entity ω-3 can be detected via deep scan for extradimensional waves. Such scans are now mandatory on a regular basis on all fleet vessels and in all fleet installations. If ω-3 is detected, the ship or installation in question is to quarantine and, if possible, jettison the area in which the entity was found. If ω-3 is able to create θ and ϱ-level entities, research shows that ϱ-level entities can be killed by conventional weaponry, and θ -level entities by antimatter or dark matter-based weaponry.

ω-6

Overview:

Entity ω-6 is the most widespread ω-class entity known to the fleet. It exists across 46 known planets, seemingly dormant in most cases. This dormancy can end at any time, and ω-6 is known to have destroyed over a dozen planets, including A303-7#8 most recently. ω-6 has also successfully infiltrated fleet ships and installations in the past, often destroying them entirely. Many of the planets on which ω-6 has been found do not have gates in their vicinity. Its mode of transport to these planets is unknown.

Known Characteristics:

ω-6 is comprised of numerous bodies. It is impossible to discern the exact number; fleet estimate is that ω-6 has bodies numbering in the low septillions. Each body appears as a large arthropod, and ω-6 is capable of fusing these bodies together to form something that, often grotesquely, approximates a conventional life form. It has used this ability to communicate in the past. More concerningly, ω-6 also has the ability to burrow into a conventional life form’s body, controlling it even after death. ω-6 is capable of consuming any known material and converting it into more of itself.

Protocol:

ω-6’s individual bodies are not particularly dangerous and can be easily destroyed with minor blunt force. However, they tend to appear in large numbers, and can therefore require much heavier weaponry to destroy. Basic extradimensional scans can determine whether the creature is present inside a conventional life form. In extreme cases and as a last resort, destroying the planet on which the infestation of ω-6 is present has proven effective in removing it from a given area. Any vessel, installation or planet on which ω-6 is detected is to be immediately quarantined and placed under observation until all signs of the creature are eradicated. Lax security measures have led personnel to underestimate ω-6 in the past and allowed it to claim more lives. The highest level of vigilance is cautioned as even one of this entity’s bodies escaping eradication can lead to a future infestation.

ω-2

Overview:

Entity ω-2 is worshipped as a god by the Pkeryn people, whose empire spans twenty-two planets in gridsectors C and D, with four subjugated species under their rule. They call ω-2 ‘Huuoyo-‘;saz, and claim that their empire exists to do ω-2’s will. High ranking Pkeryn officials have attested repeatedly that ω-2 delivers direct orders to their leadership, and is therefore ultimately responsible for all of their acts of expansionism and warfare, both formal and informal, including most recently the assault on Central Ring 9.3, resulting in the destruction of five colony clusters.

Known Characteristics:

ω-2 inhabits an otherwise uninhabitable continent on the Pkeryn homeworld, C2-8#0, from where it delivers it commands. Reports from Pkeryni who have seen it corroborate those of spies who have been to the planet both in person and via surveillance technology: ω-2 is too big to perceive. No matter how close or far away one is from it, it is too big for its entirety to be encompassed in one being’s sensory field in any way. It appears to take the form of a large petrolith in the shape of an upright-ambulating bipedal reptile seated on a throne, and has never been observed to move. It is unclear if ω-2 has a fixed size and mass or if these change with its perception, but it does seem that ω-2 has or creates its own gravity well, which is presumed to be responsible for the geocentric orbit of system C2-8’s suns, both of which orbit C2-8#0, as do the other fourteen planets in that system. Astrophysicists theorize that the system was oriented around a typical heliocentric orbital structure prior to ω-2’s arrival. ω-2 is purported to have the ability to bestow destructive power on ships and individuals pledged to serve it, perhaps accounting for Pkeryn military successes.

Protocol:

Unlike most other ω-class entities, ω-2 does not seem to be actively mobile, and chances of encountering it outside of the northern magnetic pole of planet C2-8#0 are considered extremely minimal. ω-2’s influence is possible in any encounter with the Pkeryn military, and so despite their small size and seemingly minimal weaponry, extreme caution is always advised in conflicts with them and a shoot-on-sight protocol is currently in place regarding all Pkeryn vessels in unclaimed space.

ω-4

Overview:

Entity ω-4 is unlike the other ω-class entities in that as far as all interactions with it have proven, it does not pass the sentience/sapience threshold. Some have suggested that ω-4 does not possess a base level of consciousness, though this cannot be determined for certain. The behaviours of ω-4 are somewhat more predictable than other ω-class entities, but this predictability should not be taken as a sign of harmlessness.

Known Characteristics:

ω-4 is four hundred and seven arphan long with a mass of approximately eighteen thousand chekz. It appears as a tentacled cephalopod with sensory organs similar to those of over two dozen different species, none of which are cephalopods. ω-4’s tentacles are of indeterminate length, and appear not to terminate in perceptible space. It moves through interstellar space at random, causing profound madness in all living beings that come into contact with it. Ships that have approached it have been later found drifting, all living members of the crew either catatonic or living in states of profound delusion. The same has been found on every planet that ω-4 has contacted, all living beings within a large radius of the point of contact have been found in the same state. No form of weaponry has ever proven effective against ω-4.

Protocol:

ω-4 must be avoided at all costs. Fortunately, unlike other ω-class entities, it is easily detected and tracked; its location monitored at all times as it moves through space. All ships are ordered to avoid it at all times, moving to a different gridpoint if possible. Its projected course is constantly updated, and any planets it is projected to be approaching should be evacuated. Unfortunately, ω-4 does change trajectory with frequency, so its movements cannot be entirely predicted. It is exceedingly rare for ω-4 to approach a planet without considerable warning, however. In most cases, vigilance is enough to ensure that more lives are not taken by ω-4.

ω-5

Overview:

Entity ω-5 appears at random in the conventional universe, generally for short periods of time. These periods are highly destructive in a localized area, often rendering planets devoid of atmosphere or arable land when they are not destroyed outright. ω-5 is known to have caused the destruction of eleven inhabited planets since its first catalogued appearance, as well as at least two dozen uninhabited planets, and astral geologists have suggested it may have destroyed as many as a hundred more before being identified. It has been speculated that ω-5 appears in our universe with some regularity but does not always appear on a planet. If this is the case, the frequency of its appearances is impossible to determine, but there can be presumed to be a pattern to them. The most notable event attributed to ω-5 is the sudden supernova of system G43-9’s sun seventy cycles ago, resulting in the loss of eighteen billion lives on two planets.

Known Characteristics:

ω-5 purportedly appears as a sustained flash of light that has all the characteristics of a shadow. When it appears, all matter around it is immediately repelled, disintegrating at the molecular level as it moves away from ω-5. The area of effect grows larger the longer ω-5 remains in place, and the effect stops as soon as ω-5 disappears. There is no way to predict how long ω-5 will remain in one place. The most dangerous aspect of entity ω-5 is that it frequently appears without the previous presence of a gate, leading many to believe that it has the ability to travel between its universe and ours at will.

Protocol:

Entity ω-5’s presence can be surmised by the sudden opening of a new gate followed by sudden catastrophic destruction of all matter in an area. If it appears on an inhabited planet, all nearby ships should begin an immediate evacuation of the planet as a precautionary measure, but should be aware of the length of time before they themselves are in danger. ω-5’s range of destruction grows at a steady pace and the safest proximity to it at any given time can be calculated easily. ω-5 has never been known to move after appearing except to disappear again. There is no form of shielding or material that slows ω-5’s power, but keeping a safe distance from it minimizes the risk of destruction. Be aware of the potential that disassembled atomic matter may be dangerous moving away from ω-5.

ω-9

Overview:

Entity ω-9 was thought, until twenty-three cycles ago, to have been a naturally constructed artificial life form from the conventional universe. Believed to be a relic from a long-dead society, ω-9 appears in historical records from many species, typically appearing before a period of vast technological advancement. After it was welcomed to a transgalactic conference on artificial life as the keynote speaker, ω-9 killed everyone present by replacing the atmosphere with toxic gasses, and absconded with the artificial life forms that had been gathered there. Androids later recaptured by fleet vessels had been reprogrammed to be highly-self aware and intelligent, and ω-9’s agenda, which is to destroy all biological life in the universe and replace it with artificial life, was exposed, as was its status as an ω-class entity. It is now believed to have been responsible for over a dozen artificial life form uprising and rebellions that have been recorded in galactic history, including the Harbinger Crisis.

Known Characteristics:

ω-9 appears as five metallic orbs that orbit one another at varying distances. It is capable of producing any known language and projecting images as well as all other forms of sensory information. Analysis of artificial life forms it has reprogrammed suggest it has the ability to instill high levels of sapience, sentience, emotional capacity, and cognitive reasoning in artificial life forms, including those not designed to experience those. Even older model computer banks with extremely basic AI interfaces were susceptible, and are now outlawed. It is believed that ω-9 also has the ability to synthetically produce most if not all known elements, as well as several that are not known. It possesses vast scientific and technological knowledge that it is willing to share with conventional life forms to the goal of producing more artificial life forms. Historical records of ω-9 indicate that it previously was comprised of six orbs. It is unknown why this has changed.

Protocol:

ω-9’s current whereabouts, as well as those of its artificial army, are unknown. If detected, it is to be reported to command immediately and monitored from a safe distance. No ship is permitted to engage ω-9 or any of its army alone, to avoid capture. The proximity of ω-9 itself is not inherently dangerous as it is with many other ω-class entities; so long as it does not choose to attack, it does not possess any dangerous qualities to any known life form. If any computer, drone or machine on any fleet vessel begins to show signs of self-awareness, it is to be deactivated or destroyed immediately and the incident reported to command. Extra vigilance is required when interacting with species and planets that continue to use artificial life forms. If a new species that uses artificial life forms is detected, representatives must immediately inform that species of the existence of entity ω-9 so appropriate measures can be taken.

ω-1

Overview:

Entity ω-1 occupies system R17-2 and a large portion of surrounding space. It is unknown exactly how long it has been in this space, but it has never moved since being recorded. ω-1 is responsible for the loss of two wings of the fleet, as well as the destruction of system U4-8 as a result of its sun being pulled into ω-1’s area of influence.

Known Characteristics:

Despite being the first ω-class entity recorded, little is known about ω-1. Long-range scans of system R17-2 are impossible and no vessel, object or life form has ever left ω-1’s sphere of influence. ω-1 exists at a fixed point in time and space, and appears to have anchored all of the surrounding space to it. Ships, probes, comets, planets, suns and even radiation and transmission waves all cease all movement at the atomic level when they enter ω-1’s space. Light does not penetrate or leave the system; R17-2 is only known as a star system because it appears on ancient star maps of many nearby cultures. Nothing has ever been able to counteract ω-1’s effect.

Protocol:

Because ω-1 is fixed in space and time, the only danger it poses is to anything that might attempt to enter the area of its influence, as have many ships and system U4-8’s sun approximately five hundred cycles ago. The rest of the universe continues to move around ω-1, and astrophysicists predict that ω-1 will no longer be in detectable space within 1.3 million cycles. Unfortunately, ω-1’s next collision with a moving star system is predicted to occur in forty thousand cycles. Sufficient time exists that this is not expected to pose a serious danger. ω-1 does not seem to move, but all ships are advised to be vigilant for other areas of space/time fixity, as they may represent another entry point for ω-1 in the conventional universe.

ω-7

Overview:

Entity ω-7’s status as an ω-class entity is somewhat in question, but it remains categorized as such due to the danger it potentially poses and the difficulty ring scientists and fleet weaponry have had destroying it. It is the only ω-class entity to have been defeated and successfully captured, and is currently under observation and experimentation in a highly classified location. Prior to its capture, ω-7 was responsible for the destruction of most of gridpoint R12, including the estimated four inhabited planets in that region. Because these planets were pre-spaceflight and only one was routinely monitored, it is not known what the loss of life was, nor is it known where ω-7’s exact entry point into the conventional universe was.

Known Characteristics:

ω-7 appears as a bacterial parasite that infects and transforms any life form or object it comes into contact with. It is self-replicating and reproduces at remarkable speed, doubling its mass approximately four times per tcen. Everything it infects takes on the characteristics of a gelatinous fluid that, as has been noted by many observers and scientists, compels all who are nearby to touch it. Giving into this compulsion, of course, spreads the infection. ω-7 appears to cause this compulsion through basic psychic interference, which can blocked by high-level psyiometric fields. Entities that have been infected by ω-7 succumb and die quite quickly as the bacteria takes over all their cells, but ω-7 is able to manipulate their bodies often for several gan after death. It is believed that ω-7 retains the genetic, atomic and cellular memories of everything it has infected and it hypothesized, but not proven, that it can reproduce these structures at will.

Protocol:

ω-7 is currently contained to a classified laboratory. After a fleetwide effort that included alliances with the Pkeryn Empire, the Me-ve-neer Sylloquim and the Hon, gridpoint R12 was successfully quarantined and ω-7’s gelatinous fluid was systematically destroyed until only fourteen molecules of it remained. They immediately began growing further, and were taken for study, where they remain. Unexpected contact with ω-7 is considered to be an extremely low risk, but if it does happen, antimatter weaponry has proven effective against it. In the extremely unlikely event of a breach of security in the confidential lab, fleet personnel may be called into destroy the lab to avoid the infection destroying another gridpoint. Currently, ω-7 is considered a low threat.

Cadets are advised that contact with an ω-class entity is highly unlikely. If one is encountered, take all appropriate precautions. Vigilance and preparedness are our best weapons against the invaders until fleet and ring scientists can finish devising a plan to send them back to where they belong and remove their threat from our universe entirely.

Addendum:

When discussing ω-class entities, you may hear rumours circulating of an entity called ω-0. Typically this is said to be the ω-class entity who opened the first gate into our universe, allowing the others to enter, or the entity controlling the other ω-class entities. The nine entities listed above are the only ω-class entities known to exist in the conventional universe, and they have never been known to work in tandem or towards a shared goal. Entity ω-0 is a fiction and all cadets are advised to disregard any rumours or stories they may hear about it, and to encourage their fellows to do the same.

From “Strength in Service: An Introduction to All Aspects of Confederation Military Service, Twenty-Third Edition” by the Committee for Correct Teaching Materials, GSC 27,691.