Species, Part IV
NTI Being
Due to the depth at which this species lives in the Abyss, and its reluctance to show itself to others, very little is known about NTI Being.
The NTI (Non Terrestrial Intelligence) Beings, or Abyss Xenomorphs, appears like a humanoid form of the species Hypotremata, or Ray. (Some rather more exuberant researchers have even described them as angel-like) Manta Ray like undulating wing fins allow the species to glide through the water, and a humanoid torso, arms (with three fingers on each hand), and head (with eyes and eyelids, but no other discernible features) complete the body structure. The species does not appear to have any bones, but like the ray, this organism may have a see through cartilaginous skeleton.
Like many deep sea fish, such as the Anglerfish, the NTI Beings are translucent, and are capable of producing bioluminescent light within their bodies. This bioluminescent light is produced by chemical reactions within the organism, being neurally controlled, as the NTI Beings sympathetic nervous system controls luminescence by way of a neurotransmitter. For the reaction to occur, luciferin (a chemical which produces the light) and lucferase (a chemical which catalyses the reaction are required. These two chemicals, along with oxygen, form a photoprotein molecule which is capable of producing light when calcium ions are added. The calcium ions, and small quantities of luciferin, are introduced to the NTI Beings body through its diet of lichen and chemosynthetic plant life that grow on the calcium rich rock formations found deep underwater.
It is currently thought that these internal bioluminescent lights - which cover a large proportion of the species body and can change colour and intensity - are used for communication, attracting a mate and expression of emotions, rather than luring prey as in other deep sea species. NTI Being - The Abyss Thought to be from an advanced civilisation, where weaponry and violence are obsolete, this species of water dwelling creature has taken to living in the very depths of the oceans abysses. Capable of interplanetary space travel, this species seeks out safe waters in which to live, travel ling in small colonies. Like its own bodily construction, the technology of this species is light and translucent, giving a very ethereal feeling. In fact, the underwater craft of the NTI Beings has been mistaken for a form of Xenomorphic life by past researchers. The underwater craft of this species appear to be organic in construction, however this is not the case. These craft are operated by some unknown power source which will drain the power from any technological construction that comes within close proximity of it. They have no cavitation or reactor noise and are capable of traveling at 130 knots using some form of turbine engine. The NTI Beings utilise small, autonomous craft for exploration; larger manned craft for long distance travel; and gigantic craft for interplanetary travel.
Although this species is peace loving and abides weapons, it is not completely without defence. Through what has probably been millions of years of evolution, this species has adapted to be able to control water, and possibly many other liquids, at the molecular level. They can plasticise it, polymerise it, and put it under intelligent control. This means that the NTI Beings can use water as a powerful weapon if need arises - creating massive tidal waves to destroy land based predators, or parting water to leave aquatic predators stranded in dry air. Perhaps the most astonishing feat of water engineering produced by this species is the so-called "pseudopod". Created by the NTI Beings from simple water, this organic looking serpent-like creature, or water tentacle, is in actual fact a form of reconnaissance probe used to scout out potentially hazardous non-aquatic environments. Somehow capable of relaying visual information back to the NTI Beings, the pseudopod is also capable of mimicking the shapes of objects around it, including faces.
The Thing
The Thing is a very deadly xenomorphic organism, which has the ability to imitate virtually any life form. It does not appear to have a default form, instead constantly swapping from one imitation to another. It can replicate any organism - plant, animal or human.
In order to replicate an organism, The Thing needs to be alone and in close proximity to its subject. Even a small part of it is enough to take over an entire organism. It will send tentacles out from its body to wrap and ensnare its victims. Using these tentacles it will then absorb the target organism, and slowly shape its cells to imitate them perfectly. Of course, this is very worrying as anybody could be The Thing, and it would be nearly impossible to tell merely from observation. This situation leads to trust being rapid eroded. One of the few ways to identify The Thing is by taking a blood serum test. Blood from the subject is mixed with with uncontaminated blood and heated. If there is an obvious reaction (the alien blood cells will attempt to escape the heat), you will know that the subject is not what they appear to be.
Very resilient in nature, every cell of The Thing appears to be able to operate on its own. Each part of The Thing is an organism in itself; every part is a whole, and every little piece is an animal. The creature’s head may be severed, but it may simply grow legs and/or other appendages and act as a separate organism. Limbs, organs, eyes, mouths, etc can be formed at any point on The Thing’s body.
The Thing is most obviously alien when it is in the process of absorbing and imitating another organism. During this transformation period, its body collapses into a random, mutagenic state. Skin and flesh bursts or rips open. Insectoid legs grow and tentacles lash out. Hair sheds as the bloody malformed body grows limbs, eyes, mouths, etc in weird, seemingly random places. However, after this period is over, The Thing will be a perfect imitation of its chosen target organism.
As a species, The Thing is very tough - cellular activity (potential life) can continue to linger in the remains of an imitated organism for a time even after its death. The Thing hides inside imitations, but one exposed as alien, it is vulnerable. Though it is strong even in the form of an imitated organism (it is powerful enough to force its fingers through human skin), it can be killed using fire and extreme temperatures. An old organism, The Thing has a life span of 100,000 years at the very least. Presumably intelligent, The Thing is capable of space flight, traveling in a massive disk shaped flying saucer.