Oricas

The Orcia are a bipedal xeno species that is (fortunately) found only on the Deathworld Atlantis. Though many of their adaptations suggest an aquatic origin the oricas now live a mostly terrestrial lifestyle. Vicious, rapidly multiplying and displaying surprising cunning and intelligence they are among the most dangerous adversaries humans face for dominance of the planet .

### Biology and Physiology

The Average Orica stands at 6 feet tall when it reaches sexual maturity although certain specimens have been known to reach much larger sizes when pitted in near constant conflict with their peers for dominance . Oricas on average are much more agile than humans but are less powerful than a human of equivalent physical condition though this doesn’t apply to Alphas.

Oricas have four fingers and opposable thumbs making them capable of tool manipulation on par with humans . Their feet are webbed which gives them an advantage in swimming . Other than that the fins that cover their bodies are mostly vestigial serving little purpose other than displaying sexual prowess.

There is not much in the way of sexual dimorphism between males and females other than males tending to have more colorful fins .

Oricas have excellent vision and can see very well at night (suspect infrared vision ) and thanks to billions of smell receptors scattered throughout their bodies posses extraordinarily tracking abilities .

One disadvantage however that Oricas have is less than efficient respiratory system which limits their stamina and lessens combat effectiveness if a fight draws on too long . combined with their slow speed means that humans can outrun on Orica provided they avoid the initial bursts of speed.

### Reproductive Cycle

During the fall of Nassau many eyewitness accounts have finally revealed how the Orica manage to reproduce to such terrible numbers. Orica pairs, after copulating, will seek out and capture as many warm blooded pray as they can, and gather them with the other catches of the horde in hatcheries where the unfortunate victims are then implanted with hundreds embryos from the females. The larvae then proceed to devour the unfortunate victim alive. The silver lining is that the process seems to dull the pain sensors of the victim somewhat perhaps to reduce resistance.

After the larvae mature rapidly from feasting on the protein rich bodies they normally attack each other immediately with only 3 or 4 out of a hundred surviving . This is to prevent overpopulation and resource depletion for a horde .

However when Alphas are present it seems that they have an effect on the youngsters that prevents their sibling slaughter allowing a horde to grow phenomenally quickly provided they have a steady access to bodies.

Weirdly it has been observed that human children are spared implantation for some reason and are taken to the forests to parts unknown.

### Social Structures and Psychology

Orica tend to live in large tribes which are usually descended from a particularly strong alpha. These tribes are fiercely territorial and have been observed to viciously wipe out any smaller tribe they come across in what can be accurately called as genocide.

However there are instances where a particularly cunning tribe leader will absorb defeated tribes instead of wiping them out causing his tribe to swell into a hoard which will produce ever more cunning and powerful individuals which can number in the hundreds of millions if not culled .

Oricas show incredible intelligence when in large group , particularly large hoards have been known to loot human PDF forces for equipment which they have been known to use to deadly effect .

### Alpha Oricas

The Albino leaders of a horde, the alphas are the true brains behind Orica attacks and appear to coordinate their forces by a mix of psychic powers and old fashioned dominance.

### Titan Oricas

The Hulking shock troops of the Oricas , they have been only been observed during attacks on human settlements and never in nature. Not much is known about them or even how they exist .

## Examine (Oricas)

Zerxes is interested in spending time studying the native wildlife of Bermuda and wishes to examine the feral albeit coordinated Oricas.

### Completed

Zerxes has spent the last year studying the Oricas , a species of bipedal fish xenos who are amongst the most dangerous on Atlantis. His studies have revealed much about their biology and sociology. Apparently the Orica live in small clans that are in constant warfare with each other, however occasionally a specimen of exceptional strength and intelligence can unite clans through brutality and might, what’s worse is that seems to cause the Oricas born into these clan unions to be much smarter and stronger than their parents. Though individually stupid when in large groups Oricas have been shown to have a decent grasp on tactics and strategy and can even utilise human equipment. Zerxes worries as he fears that they are gathering for something and it won’t be good for the humans on Atlantis.

## Develop Orica Countermeasures

Zerxes is worried about the activities of the Oricas and wants to develop countermeasures and weapons against them. He believes that he can come up with something soon.

### Completed

Zerxes has spent the last year going through the data he gathered about the Orica looking for possible weaknesses and has identified many weak points in their physiology, hoard structure among other things. Most importantly he tells you that the Alphas are to be killed first as this immediately reduces the tactical abilities of a hoard by a great margin and that he disovered that a few alterations to the uber-lasgun or lasgun settings can make them more effective aganist Oricas. Already this data is being sent to all your forces.

## In-Depth Examination (Oricas)

Zexes is unsatisfied with what he has uncovered so far and wants to learn more about the seemingly sapient Oricas.

### Completed

Zerxes hasn’t been able to discover anything new about Orica biology this year but his research proved invaluable when he was able to locate many of Orica villages and bases as well as obtaining valuable data on where and how the Orica construct them. This should prove invaluable should you wish to launch an assault on the xenos.

## Domestication

Though Oricas seem to be susceptible to artificial selection, with a noticeable positive change in selected groups in their lowered aggressiveness levels and some mild phenotypical changes, it seems a greater effort is required to truly domesticate them.