Banished Mimics

== Background ==
* Used by Colony as saboteurs and assassins against Spartan IIIs and IVs while they’re out of combat, the Mimics of the Banished, otherwise known as Shadows, are a unique gestalt of modified Mgakgolo, mutated for the niche of the Silent Shadows or Prelates used by the Covenant Empire during their prime. Typically speaking, the average Mimic is hyper-focused on their pursuit, skilled in melee-range duals, and animalistic in combat. They are usually equipped only with their bare hands and two ‘Energy Nails’ in each palm, plus a suite of back-mounted sensors and two communication antennas to relay intel directly to their master.  Additionally, they possess the capability of shifting from an upright stance to a spider-like, quadrupedal stance and as well as being able to partially or fully disassemble into individual worms, both to more effectively infiltrate tight spaces and conduct reconnaissance on enemy bases. Despite their 'graceful' stature, Mimics possess a deceptive amount of strength, starting from the ‘weak’ Minors that can go blow-to-blow with a Spartan-IV, to the supercharged, blue-armored Ultras that can crush the helmet of a Spartan-II.
== Description ==
=== Culture ===
* Much like all other Lekgolo and their gestalts, the average Mimic is enigmatic about their beliefs and motives, though unlike the scornful attitude exhibited by Hunters, they are instead indifferent to the prodding questions posed by the rare few Banished that work underneath their command. Mimics can, of course, work with fellow members of the Brute-led faction, though when off the field they are often found leading small fleets of Stealth Corvettes. Almost all Mimics are undyingly loyal to their maker, Colony, as a consequence of both being granted lither bodies and upgraded flexibility, although some resent the capacity to form more than two Bond Brothers, due to it straining the bonds shared between each new ‘brother’ formed.
=== Anatomy and physiology ===
* Much like the more famous Mgelekgolo, Mimics are a collective of Lekgolo, with dozens of these worms bonding together both physically and mentally, though not to the same extent as their unmutated counterparts. They can also locate their enemies even without directly "seeing" them, such as when they are facing the opposite direction, even when their suite of sensor equipment is forcibly shut down via EMPs. Of particular note is the partial instability of their body’s structure, a feature exaggerated by Colony to have them more effectively collapse and reform on command, much like the Dipholekgolo used to assist Huragok in digging up Forerunner artifacts and arcologies during the height of the Covenant Empire’s ages of technological innovation, before San’shyuum interference slowed it to a crawl.
=== Bond Brothers ===
* Banished Mimics and their bonds are more flexible than those exhibited by the average Mgalekgolo, as they can maintain as many as five or six connections at a time. T
=== Naming ===
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= Ranking System =
* Unlike the rankless Hunters deployed as equipment or weapons platforms, Banished Mimics are treated more as elite, autonomous warriors, starting with the red-armored Minors. Much like with the Elites they share a resemblance to, it is customary to promote individuals based upon their skills, abilities, and the amount of chaos they inflict upon their enemy. The progression from the crimson-plated Minor to the green-plated and lime-fleshed Major is also accompanied by the gestalt being outfitted with a reaction-boosting module in the lower back, which also aids in boosting the strength of the gestalt in combat. Once a Major exhibits high skill in mobile assault and harrying of Spartan forces, they are plated in yellow armor while also being pumped full of energy-enhancing drugs that stain their flesh yellow via their implants, boosting their speed at the cost of tactical acumen for suicide missions as Rangers. Those that survive their trials are further upgraded to the blue-armored, intellectually boosted Ultra, who are further-tuned to have a mix of motility and speed alongside an increase in strength. Unofficially, various Mimics are personally upgraded with volatile modules derived from Forerunner tech and additional sensors and comm-receivers to denote unique roles, such as for captaining an attachment of ships in larger fleets, as seen with ‘The Captain’ and their unique armor.
= Role =