The Neo genus
ExoSquad is set in the early 22nd century, and chronicles the war between
Terrans (natural born humans, the species Homo sapiens) and Neo sapiens
(genetically engineered humans). In the course of the war, the Neo
sapien leader Phaeton commissioned the Neo scientist Praetorius to
further improve upon the Neo sapien genetic code to create more effective
warriors.
For the sake of those unfamiliar with the show, I have here attempted to
describe the history and purpose of the different species in the Neo
genus.
Neo sapien
Neo sapiens are the genetically engineered creation of natural born
humans. This new race, since it was to be used as slave labor in the
mines on Mars, was created to be physically superior to Homo sapiens. A
Neo sapien is stronger, larger (typically about seven feet tall), and can
survive in harsher conditions that his human counterpart. A Neo sapien
requires less food and no sleep. A Neo sapien has better hearing and more
sensative eyes. Neo sapiens have blue skin and (two or three) different
colored marks on the forehead known as a Brood Symbol, which can be used
for identification. They have four fingers, including two opposable
thumbs, on each hand, and four toes on each foot. One feature denied to
the Neo sapien race was the ability to procreate, thus the only way for a
new Neo sapien to be created is in a brood chamber. Despite this
shortcoming, some Neo sapiens resemble males, while others tend to be
considered female.
Mentally and psychologically Neo sapiens are similar to Terrans, for they
are not any more intelligent and they do experience emotions (although
they often seem tempered or dulled). It is occasionally noted that
although Neo sapiens are as intelligent as Terrans, they are not as
creative. Another difference is that Neo sapiens lack adaptability,
although it also manifests itself in the form of loyalty since a Neo
sapien rarely changes the path his life is on.
Neo sapiens had been created decades before ExoSquad epic begins. Fifty
years beforehand the Neo sapiens rebelled against their masters,
in an attempt to win their own freedom. The revolt was largely centered
on Mars, and was led by the Neo sapien Marsala. The rebellion's downfall was
largely due to their lack of weapons and technology. It ended when the Neo
sapien Phaeton was captured, and revealed Marsala's whereabouts on the
threat of death.
Although Neo sapiens were granted some rights, as well as control of the
planet Mars, they were by no means equal, de jure or de
facto, to their Terran counterparts. Many Terrans continued to
harbor prejudice against the Neo sapiens, while others did consider Neo
sapiens as equals. The First Neo sapien Rebellion actually did little to
change the status of Neo sapiens, and many of them hoped to eventually
achieve equality. This was the general feeling that Phaeton was able to
harness in launching his own attack on the Terran held Homeworlds, an
assault that was successful.
Apparently not all Neo sapien broods were created equally, as there were
references to Alpha Neo sapiens, supposedly created to be for
intelligence. This may indicate a genetically ingrained
stratification of Neo sapien society on a parallel with the genetically
engineered culture in Huxley's Brave New World. In that classic
novel an individual's status as a member of the intellectual, who were
called Alphas, or menial class (or any of the ones in between) was
determined by the genetic code from which he or she was created. If the
comparison is valid it may also explain why the Neo sapien belief in
genetic superiority is a common one.
One final Neo sapien brood was to be created after the war had ended.
Marsala was able to convince, after much debate, the Homeworlds Congress
to authorize the creation of one final brood that was to have the
ability to procreate. This new brood is never seen, though, as they were
only mentioned in the last episode.
Neo mega
The Neo mega was the first attempt to improve upon the Neo sapien
species. Created by the Neo sapien Praetorius, their existence was first
discovered by the ExoFleet in "The Last
Man". This first Neo mega they encountered said that while Neo
sapiens were an improvement on mankind, Neo megas are the perfection of
it. A Neo mega is blue-skinned and has a brood mark, just like a Neo
sapien.
But a Neo mega is generally smaller and apparently weaker than a Neo
sapien. They have only three fingers on each hand and three toes on each
foot. A Neo mega seems to have a larger cranium and slightly larger eyes.
They are also capable of communicating at frequencies beyond the range of
hearing of both Neo sapiens and Terrans.
The larger cranium is perhaps due to their greater intelligence. Neo
megas were created to think, not fight. They do not have the limitations
in lacking creativity that Neo sapiens often do. They are often quite
skilled at predicting the actions and reactions of Homo sapiens or Neo
sapiens, though they are too often reliant on this skill. They are very
often arrogant, and see themselves as superior to both Terrans and Neo
sapiens.
Phaeton had each of his generals assigned a Neo mega or two as
assistants, and they served in those posts well. This is despite the fact
that the commanding general was often annoyed by the presence of such
an aide, and would often follow any advice only grudgingly. Neo megas
were also put in technical posts, to further genetic engineering
projects, perhaps try to find a cure for Phaeton's Auto Mutation
Syndrome, or improve weaponry.
Neo warrior
Their existence was foreshadowed in "The Dogs of
War" when Praetorius was given a new lab to start new work in. They
were first seen in "Warrior
Brood". Apparently the laws on genetic engineering had forbidden the
mixing of human DNA with that of other animals. But once Phaeton replaced
the Terran government with his own, he ignored such laws so that he could
create even more powerful warriors. There are many different types of Neo
warrior, each a mix of Neo sapien and one type of animal.
Praetorius told Phaeton that this new
brood feels no pain, no fear, no pity, and can heal nearly instantaneously.
Obvious benefits of having such warriors includes not needing to train
them, equip them, or provide them with technical or logistical support. All
the different types created proved very resistant to whatever weaponry was
used on them. They were often put right on the front line, and their
lives were not valued highly. This is despite the fact that Praetorius
had stated that the engineering process did not sacrifice normal Neo
sapien intelligence, though this is a quality that we do not see exhibited,
especially among the earliest broods.
First Generation Neo warriors
Crab The Neo warrior based on a mix of Neo and crab DNA
has a large claw on one arm and a normal Neo sapien hand at the end of another.
The head, claw, hand, six apparently nonfunctional crab legs, and knees are
blue; the rest, including a large shell over the back, is purple. These
widebodies do a lot of the heavy gruntwork, as the shell acts almost like
armor.
Scorpion Thinner and quicker is the scorpion derivative, with two
large claws for hands and a stinger tail. They are mostly green, although
the torso is yellow.
Raptor The raptor Neo is distinguished by a lizard's head
and eyes (the cranial structure of the other types of Neo warriors is
only superficially different from the typical Neo sapien) as well as a
tail. They also have two-toed, clawed feet, and are capable of spitting
acid. They are skilled trackers, are especially agile, and do display the
ability to fight well as a group tactically.
Bat This Neo warrior was the only one of its generation that
could fly, and it did so with bat-like wings. These have large ears and
fangs. Their favorite tactic is to carry explosive charges that can be
attached to flying enemy ships (transports, shuttles, fighters, or
e-frames) to destroy them, or damage them severely enough to force them to
the ground.
Octopus? In "Warrior
Brood", Bronski was at one point forced into the water, where he was
seized by something with tentacles. This may indicate that there was at
least one type of Neo warrior meant to patrol the waterways.
Spider These spider mixes are mostly orange with purple, having six
spider legs and two Neo arms. Their distinguishing feature is that they
produce a sticky webbing substance, which is used for seizing and tying up
enemy e-frames. They were able to climb down the cables of a suspension
bridge in their debut.
Rhinoceros Very large and very strong, they are capable of
denting armor and can bull rush e-frames. While the head is like
that of a rhinoceros, complete with horn, they stand upright
and the muscle build is that of a humanoid, only exaggerated. Depending on
how they're drawn, these are apparently anywhere between seven and ten
feet tall.
Ant This mix of Neo sapien and insect has a pair of claws, a
pair of Neo sapien arms, a pair of Neo sapien legs, and two pair of
insect legs. It is apparently able to dig underground tunnels.
Second Generation Neo warriors
Raptor This raptor Neo is very similar to the first generation
raptor, though these are darker blue with green eyes and horns. Second
generation raptors are more intelligent than their predecessors,
possessing rudimentary language skills. They run, track, and hunt with
the previous type, sometimes with one serving as pack leader.
Crab This Neo sapien and crab mix is very similar to the
previous type of crab, but has a white shell with a yellow pattern. The
claw is on the left arm instead of the right as with the other crab type. The
face seems slightly better defined and the body slightly wider. A
similar improvement in intelligence from the first generation as with
the raptor type may be presumed.
Third Generation Neo warriors (not widely used or produced, these
bridge the gap between the earlier Neo warriors and the Neo lords)
Eagle This skilled flyer of the third generation Neo warriors
is a blend of bird and Neo. It has large red avian wings on the back of a
humanoid body. It exhibits intelligence, for it is able to
communicate in both English and the feral language of the Neo warriors.
Feline These are the trackers/hunters of their generation. They
have the head of a cat on what is pretty much just a sleeker form of a
humanoid body. They have claws at the end of their fingertips, and these
claws can be shot out of their fingertips.
Neo lord
The Neo lord was the last new brood created by Neo sapien science, and
they were also the work of Praetorius. Neo lords were first seen in "Trial
by Combat" while they were still in the test phase. They stand at
about eight feet tall, and their strength well exceeds the typical Neo
sapien's. They are also blue-skinned, but their skin is extremely
resistant to weaponry and explosions. They have wings that resemble a
hornet's that enable them to fly, and razor sharp claws on their
fingertips. They are also capable of controlling their own body
temperature.The Neo lord was created to be the perfect warrior. Neo
lords exhibit intelligence, but this isn't of much
significance. What is important is that just one of these was able to
defeat Marsh in his e-frame (with flight capabilities disabled) in a duel.
The Neo lords did not have much an effect on the war, as the Neo
sapiens were defeated before a great number of them could be produced.
Go to Personnel Files Menu.
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Did you notice any inaccuracies? Would you like to challenge my
interpretations? Would you like to write a biography of your favorite
character? Mail me, Patrick
Danner.
pdanner@force.stwing.upenn.edu