Hibour

Melkine

“Homo Acutis. Let me put it this way… you visit the Kuiper Alliance, there’s a 1/4 chance the customs agent will be a Melkie. Widespread is putting it lightly…”

  • TC#: 30
  • TC Name: Homo Acutis
  • Common Names: Melkies, Imps
  • Launch date: 2262
  • CIT: 3
  • Population: 15,240,300
  • Reproduction: Yes
  • Sex: Comale, male, female
  • Lifespan: ~100
  • Avg Height: 167cm

Origin and History

The modern iteration of Melkine originated in the 2260s after two successful protoype phases. This was the first phase to be capable of reproduction and therefore considered production stable by their now defunct production company, GRV Genetics. Prior to the gene freeze, Melkine had a very successful sales history. In 2268, the Exoplanar Chandelia estimated that 1/4 transhuman embryos implanted within their spheres were Melkine.

Biology

Like many others, the subspecies combines both utilitarian design and aesthetics. Melkine have vastly improved respiration and digestive capabilities, but the pigmentation of the skin and large ears are by far the most striking feature.

Other notable traits include disease resistance, improved hearing, improved vision, low gravity sinuses, improved thermal regulation, adaptive taste and smell receptors and of course, plenty of cybernetic integration. Melkines are a tier 3 CIT genome.

Melkine have three sexes: comale, female and male. Melkine comales are facultative parthenogenics, capable of sexual or asexual reproduction. Anatomically similar to females, comales can effectively clone themselves at an interval of once per 6-7 years. All three sexes assume a variety of gender identities.

Culture and Demographics

With a sprawling population of 15.2 million as of 2372, melkine are one of the more widely propagated transhuman subspecies. They aren’t unified by faction, instead flocking to many different societal niches. That said, the greatest concentrates of Melkine can be found in the outer solar system.

Like most genomes represented within the Tichordea Concord, there is a Melkine embassy at Haumea, and delegates regularly participate in the Concord practices.

Notable Individuals

Repponti Tau – S-League fighter pilot who flipped the Umbriel Max in 2372 when he defeated champion pilot Resk “Slap” Terri in a 1v1 dogfight.

Saphlin – KAIA Operative who first orchestrated the J.P. Joss bust in 2367, but more famously resolved the Station 46 Hostage Crisis on Monad Regio, rescuing 3 other KAIA agents and 57 civilians. As a result of their actions within the agency, Saphlin became the first Melkine to receive the Merit of Humanity by the Disciples of Sol.

Germata Sauk – A member of the Tortikka 2 mission, Germata was the first person to set foot on Eris in 2285. She lived between the surface and orbit for 13 years before her death during an EVA mishap in 2298. She was survived by her daughter Tauki Sauk, who assumed governorship of the Crown States of Eris from 2305-2335.