999 OCTILLION SOULS, May 26, 2024
I FLIGHT
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TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:The following information is derived from Information Seed 40 and received by the Gravitational Wave Observatory. I and AI performed a frequency analysis on it. IE edited certain parts to make them more 'readable'. (He might have overdone it.) Please feel free to comment.22
EXCERPT FROM ECHOES OF THE SWARMS
In the Illuminated Epoch, the galaxy teemed with life that had adapted to the Dyson swarms. These gigantic, artificial ecosystems, cocooning countless stars, fostered beautiful animals.
The Luminescent Weaver (Astro-Arachne Splendens)
Size:
Body diameter: 20 meters
Leg span: 100 meters (comparable to a small spaceship)
Web:
Size: Can span kilometers across the inner surface of the swarm.
Function: Filters starlight, creates a light show, and traps prey.
This colossal arachnid, native to the Vela Dyson swarm, spun shimmering webs of bioluminescent silk across the inner surface of the sphere. The webs, vibrant emerald and sapphire filtered the starlight, creating a breathtaking light show for the inhabitants below. The Luminescent Weaver itself, the size of a small spaceship, was rarely seen, its presence hinted at only by the rhythmic tremors in the colossal web and the occasional glint of a multifaceted eye.
pilot_sui: too big so avoid
Skywhales (Aerocetus Migratorius)
Wingspan: Up to 25 meters (comparable to the largest whales on Earth)
These majestic creatures, with bodies resembling manta rays but adorned with glistening, iridescent scales, glided through the expansive, methane-rich atmosphere of the Epsilon Eridani swarm. They fed on plankton blooms that thrived in the gentle currents created by the swarm's rotation. Their mournful, haunting calls, echoing across the artificial habitat skies, became a poignant symbol of the era. Sadly, with the dismantling of the Epsilon Eridani swarm, the Skywhales are presumed extinct.
translator: not to be confused with the Poid Queens who are sentient
luo_ji: could have stored their DNA and resurrect them
The Siliceous Burrowers (Planetaureator Siliceus)
Size: 2-3 meters long
Communication: Clicking and grinding sounds.
These silicon-based lifeforms thrived in the scorching temperatures on the inner surface of the Alpha Centauri A swarm habitats. Resembling armored armadillos, they burrowed through the boundless plains of crushed rock, extracting vital minerals and filtering the recycled atmosphere. Their clicking and grinding became the soundtrack of the swarm's industrious heart. While not exactly beautiful, they played a crucial role in the swarm's delicate ecosystem.
cap_mal: rock eaters?
pilot_sui: seems like it
The Mimic Mimids (Mimus Polymorphs)
Size: Similar to a sparrow (10-15 cm)
Habitat: All Dyson swarms, particularly densely populated areas.
Diet: Insects and scavenged food scraps.
These avian mimics, no larger than sparrows, were a constant source of amusement and frustration for swarm dwellers. Their remarkable ability to mimic any sound, from the whirring of machinery to the melodic calls of Skywhales, could be both delightful and disorienting. They thrived in the densely populated swarms, flitting between the artificial structures, masters of their ever-changing environment.
astro_raj: alien parrots?
Within the artificial biospheres of the Dyson swarms, a thriving pet culture emerged, filled with creatures as diverse as the swarms themselves.
Luminescent Moss-Slugs (Glimmeria Muscus)
Size: 5-8 centimeters long
Habitat: Originally from the Barnard's Star swarm, now found in most domestic environments.
Lifespan: 3-5 Earth years
These palm-sized mollusks, native to the humid underbelly of the Barnard's Star swarm, were a darling amongst swarm dwellers with a green thumb. Their symbiotic relationship with bioluminescent moss provided a mesmerizing living nightlight, while the slugs themselves grazed on organic waste, acting as miniature composters.
Sing-Sing Crickets (Melodia Saltatrix)
Size: 2-3 centimeters long
Diet: Omnivorous (grains, small insects)
Lifespan: 1-2 Earth years
These energetic orange crickets, hailing from the large wheat fields of the Proxima Centauri B swarm, were prized for their musical chirps. Selective breeding resulted in a variety of melodies, with some crickets mimicking popular tunes or even replicating the calming hum of the swarm's machinery.
Zero-G Guppies (Aquaris minimus)
Size: 2-3 centimeters long (same size as unmodified guppies)
Diet: Flake food formulated for space habitats.
Lifespan: 2-4 Earth years
Benefits: Low-maintenance pets with mesmerizing swimming patterns.
These modified guppies, a product of advanced genetic engineering, were a must-have for spacefaring families with children. Adapted to low gravity, they thrived in specially designed spherical tanks, performing mesmerizing underwater ballets for their young admirers.
doc_T: my kids would love those too
Pocket-Sized Porcupines (Spinillus Domesticus)
Size: 15-20 centimeters long (significantly smaller than Earthly porcupines)
Habitat: Domestic environments
Diet: Specially formulated pellets.
Lifespan: 5-8 Earth years
Descended from the prickly denizens of Earth, these miniature porcupines were a surprising hit. Genetically modified to have soft, downy quills, they were the perfect cuddle companions for long voyages between swarm sectors. Their gentle nibbling on wires and cables, however, occasionally caused issues for their owners.
de_tech_G: I’ll pass on cuddling with porcupines
Cloud Kittens (Nimbus felis)
Size: Variable, typically kitten-sized (due to their translucent nature, the exact size is difficult to determine)
Habitat: Domestic environments with specialized anti-gravity chambers.
Diet: Specially formulated nutrient paste.
Benefits: Highly sought-after status symbol, their purring is said to have calming properties.
This enigmatic species, rumored to have originated from a rogue experiment on Jupiter, was the ultimate status symbol. Resembling fluffy kittens with translucent bodies that sparkled with every movement, they defied gravity, floating around their owners' heads and purring contentedly. Their rarity and hefty price tag ensured only the wealthiest swarm dwellers could afford them.
Stellar Purrmite
Size: Small (20 cm long)
Weight: 1 kg
Diet: Phototrophic, feeding on ambient light and small energy particles
Lifespan: 10 Earth years
The Stellar Purrmite was a small, bioluminescent creature that thrived in the artificial habitats of Dyson swarms. They were popular for their gentle nature and soothing, purr-like vibrations.
Nebulon Flutter
Size: Tiny (15 cm wingspan)
Weight: 100 grams
Diet: Gaseous particles and microscopic airborne organisms
Lifespan: 5 Earth years
The Nebulon Flutter was a delicate, winged creature that thrived in gaseous environments and was often found in the atmospheres of gas giants or the outer layers of habitats.