Fell escapee

former slaves now mutated by station core

First campaign appearance: Shards of Honor 10.0 "Awakenings III"

Basic Information

Anatomy

Former Human and near-human species, severely genetically mutated by exposure to improperly shielded power core. Lesions, atypical growths, lack of hair, severe skin discolorations and other deformities are common.

Genetics and Reproduction

Reproduction is highly unlikely

Civilization and Culture

History

VNY's notes:

These incredibly persistent, heart-wrenching people are near-humans of I do not know what species who had previously been slaves on Fell Station -- particularly slaves sent to work in physical proximity to the primary power core for the station.

Without anything like enough safety equipment. Or shielding. Or . . . .

Or food.

They had some food provided by their tormentors before they escaped into older sections of the station's core. Not enough. So they became cannibals: the dreadful algebra of necessity, I heard someone else call it later. You eat the remains of your friends who did not survive so that you can have the strength to survive a little longer, to hold on to hope.

I'll be honest here: if I was ever in my younger days going to go on an indignant murder spree, that was the day. Reavers, that time Dragomir beat Ben in a duel, that time Admin Ur'll's hired killers broke into Siskel Station medbay and murdered Rafe, I have never taken a steady look at the "rage/despair" option any of those times. Maybe that time Khun died for a minute, that one surprised me with how much it ticked me off.

But even that, even Khun winking out, did not have me take several slow breaths while I sincerely considered all the aspects inherent to welcoming the short-term power spike of the Dark Side, inherent to using the Dark Side to grab all of that filthy radiation and shove it into the spinal columns of the Fell Station slavemasters.

It would not have made the galaxy a better place.

It would not have eased the pain being suffered in that moment, or the next moment, or any moment thereafter, by these people.

It certainly would not have brought anyone back.

And it absolutely would have disrespected the tiny fragments of hope which each escaped slave, by their dying, passed to the survivors.

The useful thing, the right thing, was to get them out of there -- which we did -- get them medical care and medically customized meals -- which we arranged -- and, once they were rested and as comfortable as we could manage, let them choose their own next steps.

Which we most certainly did.

Also we arrested the absolute hell out of nearly everyone on Fell Station.

Wish I had known some Judges back then, I tell you what.

- database entry updated Datunda
14 Yelona
12729

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Conservation Status

Nearly extinct / less than 100 individuals remain, all of whom have severe physical illnesses