Klang species

The klang are a terrifying and ruthless amalgamation of biologically advanced, arthropodal aliens. The klang relentlessly hunt down and assimilate advanced species across the galaxy, incorporating useful genetic code into their own. They spread from one solar system to the next, engulfing planets in there path of destruction. The klang posses a hive mind like hierarchy.

### **HISTORY**

The klang were first discovered by researchers (BNX 1245) examining an anomaly where planets in a distant solar system had a flesh like growth covering there surface. The klang sensing a disturbance had accelerated the growth of eggs in a move of self defence, after just seconds of stepping foot on the fleshy surface nicknamed "creep" thousands of "swarmlings" poured from every direction, few made it back to the ship in time and escaped, those who did formed a group named KRI nicknamed "eggheads" that are devoted to study and harness the klangs potential.

BNX 1047 was the first known time the klang attacked a human owned planet, the inhabitants of the planet had little warning and were quickly overrun. since then klang attacks slowly but surly became more common as time went on with little resistance, these attacks suddenly stopped BNX 248, close observation of klang infested planets had shown very little as why this was. attacks resumed during the first expedition into the nexus, these attacks were far more aggressive and happened in far quicker succession, by ANX 60 there rapid expansion into federation territory caused high tensions which contributed to the them merging with the Wolfenstein alliance.

"To stop there attacks just to continue them centuries later? Were they building up there forces? Or had they turned there attention else where?" quote from former *ceo of KRI.*

ANX 60 during the assassination of the Führer a unidentified portal had opened up, the head of a colossal creature of klang origin pearing through, this colossal klang had been nicknamed 'Riese'. It was recorded that Riese had had roared and the entire planet stated to attack one another before a klang invasion force took the planet.

"This feels familiar, didn't something like this happen on..." *Federation Council Member*

### **CHARACTERISTICS**

#### DNA

The klang are capable of altering and welding DNA which allows them to grow and evolve monstruous creatures, Before hatching, a klang specimen has two cell types in general: Type A creates random different mutations, while B cells hunt the new mutations. Upon hatching, the specimen of a certain strain is a result of the Darwin's theory of evolution on a cellular level; it is made of the strongest cell mutations that survived. klang genetic material consists of DNA, seemingly in the shape of a double helix. However, when a zerg strain's DNA evolves, it becomes less flexible. every klang strain ever encountered by humanity has been a custom mix of DNA usually only having a average of 1.60% of original klang DNA, any and all atempts to reconstruct or extract original klang DNA has meet with failure. Hyper-rare mutant strains exist within the klang gene pool, that allow odd behaviour and abilities to occur.

"All klang breeds are efficient killers and/or possess abilities that will aid the brood in the destruction of its enemies." Dr Haydon during a on battle autopsy

#### Capabilities

All klang strains are capable of operating in a variety of environments, and some can operate in the vacuum of space. Most klang are not adapted for space travel by themselves, but are carried by larger klang such as leviathans. Space-borne klang either have vast stores of oxygen or have been adapted to not require it, while terrestrial strains are much less dependent on oxygen than other organic creatures, and take a very long time to suffocate.

klang must eat and rest, but do not require extended hours of sleep and have no set periods of inactivity. Left unchecked, klang multiply at an alarming rate. klang strains gain nutrients from creep, but can consume other animals for nourishment if the situation demands it. klang do not die of old age, but klang do age and evolve if it has lived long enough, This is theorised to be that they have mutated a a unique gene and are used to propagate this gene and strengthen it.

"Imagine the possibilities!" quote from *current ceo of KRI*

klang possess remarkable regenerative capabilities. Their alpha amino acids possess unique R groups that allow dead cell matter to be combined with normal proteins to create new cells. Under normal circumstances, klang may regenerate indefinitely; a radically changing cell structure is a by-product of the process, as well as high quantity of energy in the process. Given time, even a gravely wounded klang will return to full health. Thus, a klang colony remains viable if even one creature or structure survives. Few klang survive for more than a few minutes in a given battle, but those that do evolve during the battle itself, becoming more powerful every hour. The klang constantly study their enemies and adapt accordingly. klang structures have the ability to adapt while under fire, hardening their outer shell with bony plates when under fire in order to ensure its survival. klang structures are essentially giant organs and draw sustenance from creep, a thick carpet-like substance that integrates a colony's structures as one macro-organism.

It has been difficult for observers to determine the full extent of the klang intelligence, but it is clear that they are a very cunning species, and they are capable of higher reasoning. Although they do not utilize technology, they demonstrate a clear understanding of it, and have been known to open airlocks and doorways in colonies that they have raided. As a group they also react intelligently to attacks and are adept at tactical combat. On an individual basis, though, the klang seem to be hardly more than savage animals with little or no concern for self-preservation, exhibiting no initiative. Evolution is directed by "Alpha klang" strains, such as cerebrates and queens. Dr. Haydon voiced the idea that the klang, as a whole, can be considered to be a macro-organism.

"Perhaps one day we can control them, make work in our favour," *Dr Haydon*

Generally, communication between members of the Swarm is done through psionics, although higher command strains are able to process and understand vocal commands.

For the klang, success on the battlefield comes down to overwhelming numbers and great mobility. For them, war is simply survival of the fittest. It is deemed mission critical that klang hatcheries be targeted as soon as tactically possible, for while the klang can multiply at an alarming rate, their production of strains is centralized. Hence, the klang will protect their hatcheries with fanatical zeal.

klang have the ability to sense psychic power and, being sensitive to it, often respond to it (to the point of rendering themselves temporarily out of the control of a leader) and seek it out.

The amount of control exerted over a klang force also impacts on their intelligence. Without this control, the klang will become little more than animals, attacking everything on sight, at times, even their own kind. These klang are referred to as feral klang and can generally only operate at the lowest level.

### **BROODS AND SIMILARITES**

#### Queens

When an individual klang specimen is not being controlled it will hunt and kill until it acquires enough biomass to mutate into a hatchery and from there a new brood, broods are the different hiveminds usually lead by alpha klangs called queens, queens posse hyper intelligence and psionic capabilities in order to lead and control there brood. upon a queens death the brood becomes feral until a new queen is born or a already existing one takes control. queens release such powerful psychic power that they can block or scramble signals and cause psychics to suffer from 'whispers' which cause insanity and other effects. The KRI has a klang Queen that was born in captivity nicknamed 'Evie' which has been used for experiments on how the klang operate to some success.

##### Known Klang Structures

Hatcheries are large tumour like growths (5-8 meters in height and double in length) that are the starting points for creep to spread, they are also capable of growing egg sacs on there exterior however are only capable of producing swarmlings due to there simple DNA. Hatcheries can evolve into lairs which are usually 10-20 meters in height and double in length, lairs poses light armour plating covering there exterior. Between armour plates and on surrounding creep egg sacs are grown, these eggs are not limited to just swarmings, lairs typically have a mouth like orifice that lead to an inner chamber. lairs can further evolve into colonies which can spand intier planets, colonies have massive tunnels and ecosystems living within them and many things remain unknown about colonies.

#### Swarmlings

Any brood even those with little stored genetic material from other species are capable of creating swarmlings, this is due to swamlings (and there variants) have very simple DNA, it takes very little biomass to form a swarmling (half an apple is enough biomass to form a swarmling) this is perfect due to there role to overwhelm the enemy with there overwhelming numbers.

"You can rip a swarmling in half as if it was tinfoil, but dont let that fool you! They've got sharp teeth and and there is never just one!" *Sergeant Warfield*

### INFESTED

Infested is the term used for when a creature not born of klang has been altered by klang DNA, this can happen by almost any means of klang DNA entering the body. Infested are heavily mutated versions of there previous selfs, new limbs and organs are common mutations, in most cases infested act as feral animals that will attack any non klang organisms however there are records of infested that have kept there intellect at least for a time. Infested generally only look out for there own survival and arent connect to any kind of hivemind, however do respond to psychic signals, the klang have been observed to use this to case hoards of infested to congregate in areas of significant. Infested have also been used as suicidal bombers due to infested having a high likely hood of developing acidic cysts on there exterior and sensitive gas chambers within there body, klang also are observed to use infested as breeding grounds for new genes due to there constantly mutating nature, this has resulted in many frighting abominations to be recorded such as the regenerator. Some klang broods have been observed to launch pods of spores to infest planets before invasions.