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Origin of Tyranids, A Discourse in Possibilities
Excerpt
from Magos Biologis Adept: reports and debates
Origin
of Tyranids, A Discourse in Possibilities
By Adept Magos Biologis Brage
What
is the one thing which wholly differentiates the tyranidic race
from all other known starfaring races? Some would say the so-called hivemind,
others the lack of appreciable self-awareness in the lower
forms. But the hivemind can be viewed as a communications grid and self-awareness
is a double-edged sword. No, what I am speaking of harkens back to the ancient
and unknown past, before the birth of man, perhaps before even the eldar or slann
traveled the interstellar voids.
Tyranids have no mechanical technology.
Throughout the entirety of their known civilization biological means are employed to perform tasks. It was long held
that the ICE (internal combustion engine) was a requirement for significant
advancement of race, but in stark contrast stand the
tyranids. Consider the vast resources and data systems required by other races
to venture into space, now for a moment imagine the tyranids evolving such ability,
naturally. Why would such an adaptable race lack
such basic tools? The answer appears simple once it is placed in the light. They
were originally aquatic.
It appears
nearly indisputable that ancient tyranids evolved within an
entirely aquatic environment. Their reliance on biological systems for even the
most basic tools and weapons lends itself well to this theory
as all the required "manufacturing" parameters can be achieved. Without the ability
to forge or fabricate materials evolutionary/developmental systems we have grown
to hold as universal, fail miserably. The tyranids show us the error of this
type of rigid thinking. Nearly all known sentient species have a society reliant
on an amalgam of biological and mechanical components. The tyranids civilization
likely
began within some distant oceanic basin. What prompted the tyranids to expand
into the universe is unknown. Sometimes biological components begin to be treated
as mechanical ones. Mass manufactured and grown in nutrient baths, servitors,
among other things bridge the gap between tool and creature. IF tyranids evolved
to their current state by their own means they must have been particularly warlike
in ancient times,
perhaps several "strains" of tyranids co-evolved in a state of nearly constant
competition for space
and food. An evolutionary arms race which continued even into the vastness of
space. If so have they become more ravenous in the passing eons? Continuing to
hone the world stripping powers we have seen? Sending the vast resources of a
planet back to the continuing wars in
their homesystems? Magos Biologis Salk contends that the known size of hivefleets
precludes any possibility of them utilizing the all materials taken, or even
transporting them by any conventional means. So we must ask ourselves, what are they
doing with the material? Why do they require such a unbelievable excess of materials?
And most importantly, why is the cycle
escalating?
Commentary
on Origin of Tyranids, A Discourse in Possibilities
By Magos
Biologis Salk
A compelling, if incomplete, analysis allow me to expand
to some degree
without going into the myriad of possibilities which exist.
While
I will concede many of the points taken by the adept Brage, I feel
there are several
other scenarios which could explain the
tyranidic biome. First it is conceivable that they are remnants of some
ancient
biological warfare project or "doomsday" creature in another galaxy, so completely
self sustaining and adaptable that they have outlived their initial purpose and
likely their creators. Genetically coded with the
required "instincts" or datafiles, "hivemind" or communications systems and logistical
data for transwarp travel between galaxies, they represent a weapon of
unparalleled efficiency. Capable of destroying an entire planet in a matter of
months rendering the constituents of the conquered territory down and returning
it to their creators without even identifying the aggressor except by the weapon
employed. The variance between hivefleets could be different incarnations of
the system.
Also
the reliance on biological systems could be a natural evolution or
engineered warrior
attribute as resources on their homeworlds
dwindled. If you can create all the required tools using biological means
the only
requirements for continued efficiency are sustenance. Thus isolated troops become
self sufficient, requiring no logistical support, self replicating munitions
and transports, and psychic communication which is
a significant tactical advantage. As Brage mentions the imperium employs some
similar methods of cloning servitors and space marine
organs.
Please
continue to ponder this topic, consider that it may have a great
deal of bearing on the methods used to defeat this menace. If they are a Bioweapon
surely there exists a biological deactivation sequence we can use against them,
unless the designers were Nihilistic in their
views.
Magos
Biologis Salk Director Of Xenobiology
Draco Legion Biomedical Research station:
NewHallefuss |
