Tantapteran

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The Tantapteran is a sapient being from Machinus.

A Tantapteran

Structure

The Tantapteran resembles a giant, artificial insect. It is formed of many segments, including a head with optical sensors and a dissembler mouth, two wings, and many other parts.

They are around 20m long, and can reach speeds of 100km/h by rapidly flapping their wings. They also have jumpjets on their undersides, which allow them to take off.

They can travel in space, and go into hibernation. They settle down on the mechanical worlds of Machinus and reproduce, consuming metals and using them to make more Tantapterans. To communicate within their groups, they use radio and flashes of light.

They also have ranged weapons built in, including small rockets on their wings and a flak cannon in the tail.

They mutate by assimilating new technologies from other Machinians. These can be taken by diplomacy or force.

Intelligence

The Tantapterans are sapient, but make little technology of their own. They move in groups, and build cities on the worlds they reach.

Four overriding commands are programmed into them. They are, in order of priority:

  • Survive as a race.
  • Survive as individuals.
  • Protect friends.
  • Advance.

History

These creatures have been around for many tens of thousands of years. They have encountered many other races, and allied with some.

However, they have exterminated others mercilessly.

Relations with other races

The Tentapterans have many relationships with other species in Machinus.

Synth

The Tentapterans are at war with the Synth of Technox. They battle often.

Clockwork Sentinels

The Tentapterans try to stay away from the Synthayon and its guards.

In Fiction