Kal
Whispers
- Intent: Wacky alien torpedoes for wacky alien submissions.
- Image Source: Inactive Drone Weapon and Release the Drones by James Robbins
- Canon Link: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Primary Source: 'Nullmane' Hunter-Killer Biocraft
- Manufacturer: Greystone Mercantile
- Affiliation: Greystone Mercantile
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: 'Voidstorm' Seeker-Killer Biodrone
- Modularity: Limited. May carry nonstandard munitions. May be grown as small as an average human forearm (anti-starfighter swarms) or as large as an A-Wing (heavy anti-capital munitions) - most are a bit longer than an arm but notably thicker.
- Production: Limited
- Material: Synthetic Biomass.
- Classification: Biosynthetic Torpedo
- Size: Average
- Weight: Average
- Explosive Type: N/A, Plasmatic Sheath
- Delivery Method: Self-Propelled
- Effective Range: Long Range
- Area Of Effect: Point Blank
- Damage Output: Extreme
- Most Voidstorms have the capacity to self-detonate, which is typically done upon reaching a vital target or once its plasma membrane burns out; some carry more exotic munitions, however, with notable examples listed below.
- Nullscreechers pierce hulls as normal but have been known to leave 'living goo' comparable to animated metal sealant in their wake to prevent a catastrophic loss of atmosphere. Once safely lodged in a vessel (or the soil, if used against a planetside target) they begin to emit 'telepathic interference' to distract - or in sufficient quantities incapacitate - hostile crewmen.
- Ionsurges function much like their Nullscreecher cousins, but emit ionizing pulses instead; how functional this is depends on location (a nearby reactor or engine is especially desirable) and the target's degree of automation.
- Swarmbringers function much like the above, but with a wildly different purpose - these (usually fairly large) biodrones are designed to deposit something inside hostile starships - this can include strange organisms, bioweapons, or even boarding crews. Humanoids are only rarely willing (or even able) to take this route, given the unpleasant nature of Voidstorms and the lack of inertial dampening.
- Those insane enough to do such a thing will have to enter a protective membrane and leave coated in strange goo.
- This can include an array of Soulstones or the like holding spirits, malicious ghosts, or worse things yet. It is even rumoured that some of Greystone's more insane contractors have succeeded in placing Starweirds or Withered Smoke within biodrones.
- Some niche Voidstorms are bred to lose their usual plasmatic membrane in favour of stronger versions of the above; naturally, they will either have to stick to the outside of hulls or enter open hangars or gaps already blasted open by their far more common cousins.
- Voidstorms are propelled forward by strange dovin basal analogues, not traditional thrusters. Smaller biodrones are only able to use them for propulsion, but larger variants (especially Swarmbringers) have been known to intercept incoming projectiles.
- Heart of the Sun: Unlike the vast majority of conventional self-propelled munitions, Voidstorms are not primarily meant as explosives; upon reaching a target exotic particles gathered within their forms ignite their outer membranes, producing a 'sheath' of superheated plasma and a force field to contain it. Functionally comparable to a lightsaber, this effect allows them to shear through many common alloys.
- Arcane Biology: Voidstorms are immune to countermeasures/sensors not designed to handle biotechnology.
- Primitive Minds: A simple-minded lifeform is still alive - skilled telepaths may be able to exert influence over hostile Voidstorms.
- Hullcracker: Voidstorms are ill-suited to batter down shields - they perform notably worse than the common proton torpedo.
- Fireworks: Voidstorms have little room for conventional explosives; detonation is only half as potent as a proton torpedo.
- Burnout: Voidstorms are only theoretically multiple-use; their energised membranes burn out after a minute or less.
Once upon a time, during the golden age of the Republic of yore, spacefarers could travel from one end of the galaxy to the other and be reasonably sure about their safety. Or so they say. Those days have long since passed. Superpowers, pirates, idealists, and more all claim their own domains.
The Shadows, when business brings them to Realspace, have no patience for such silliness. As such, they set about creating weaponry with which they might defend themselves from those who would do them harm, taking full advantage of their alien minds and obscure alchemical lore.
The first of many designs to have emerged from their half-living foundries, the Voidstorms are animalistic torpedo analogues; their simple minds are incapable of feeling doubt or self-worth but are surprisingly adept at the breakneck manoeuvres required to get past point-defence cannons.
