Arkabid

Similar to Aludrans, Arkabids are a Calatian-offshoot species of centauroids native to the planet of Arkab IVb.

## Biology

From the waist up, Arkabids appear somewhat similar similar to humans: sporting two arms with twin-thumbed hands (six fingers in total), two forward facing eyes with sideways slit pupils, and a second set of eyes located on the flanks of their lower body. However from the waist down, similar to traditional centaurs, Arkabids have a furred lower body of what appears to be an Ainae: a canine predator native to Calatia IX. An Arkabid's rear legs are hooved and vary between cervine, caprine, and equine similar to a Calatian's hooves. Their two sets of front legs, on the other hand, are clawed and almost talon-like, allowing them to easily grasp items and deliver clawed attacks. The Arkabid's most unsettling trait is undoubtedly the second, larger mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth located between their front legs. At a first glance, this mouth is well-hidden; however when needed the mouth's jaws can extend and lunge out to bite prey, similar to a goblin shark's. That being said, Arkabids are capable of running much faster than most bipedal species and can catch up to similarly-sized prey animals. In addition, Arkabids have a pair of retractable whip-like tentacles in the shoulders of their lower body, below their humanoid waist. Like the closely related Calatians and Aludrans, Arkabids sport a long, fleshy, tapering tail that ends in a retractable stinger. Though when compared to the venom produced by said species, the one produced by Arkabids is much stronger and can be delivered in higher doses.

### Respiratory

Similar to Calatians and Aludrans, Arkabids sport a row of spiracles on the sides of their lower body. But are larger and more numerous to deal with the increased air intake.

### Circulatory

Compared to Calatians and Aludrans, Arkabid blood is a metallic silver color. But like the other two species, they sport two hearts: one in their upper half, and a larger one in their lower half.

### Digestive

Being omnivores, Arkabids primarily use their "human" mouths for eating plant-based foods and smaller portions, and use their larger mouths for freshly-killed meat. As expected, Arkabids have two stomachs. For this reason, Arkabids have extremely high metabolisms and require a lot of food.

### Reproduction

Like Calatians and Aludrans, Arkabids are monotremes and lay eggs. In addition, while they are born as males, females, or hermaphrodites, single-sex Arkabids are considerably more common than hermaphroditic Arkabids.

### Abilities

The Arkabids' "party trick", which they share with the Ainae, is their camouflage ability. At its most basic level, an Arkabid can completely change their skin and fur color to match their surroundings or to any color they choose. However with enough practice and concentration, an Arkabid can alter the colors of specific sections of their body, down to the precision of being able to temporarily display images and designs.

## History

The discovery of the Arkabids came as a shock to Calatian scientists. As the existence of not only a second species genetically similar to Calatians, but a hybrid of a species also native to Calatia IX existing on a planet before Calatian spaceflight proves, to many, the evidence of meddling by an ancient species. Many scientists theorize that the region, millennia ago, may have played host to several genetic experiments. And that the Arkabids may have been a beta test to the Calatians' shapeshifting abilities.

## Counter-Tactics

The Arkabids' main strength and weakness is their size. With the lower body of a large apex predator, Arkabids are strong, fast, fairly durable, and can do a lot of damage with their claws, mouth, and stinger. However their biggest weakness is that they lack agility, and can be outmaneuvered. In addition, their size means they have trouble in tight spaces. These reasons, coupled with their voracious appetites that make even Calatian logicians groan in discomfort, ensures that Arkabids are not permitted to serve aboard ships outside of intelligence roles, or as part of a ground force in transit.