Nothing Like A Dumb Question

Nothing like a dumb question

Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio huddled together in a desert village, hidden in a war trench as they waited for the arrival of Rebel soldiers. They gathered around a campfire, roasting sausages and marshmallows on sticks as its warm glow cast flickering shadows on their faces. The silence was unbearable for Tarma, knowing he had to say something to break the awkward stillness.

Tarma: Hey... If I punch myself and it hurts, am I weak or strong? I really need to know, guys!

Fio: *stops eating her perfectly roasted marshmallow and gasps* That's so strong of you!

Marco lets out an exhausted sigh, well-aware that what Tarma asked is utterly ridiculous. However, he didn't want to give his friend the silent treatment, so he chose to respond instead of ignoring him.

Marco: Uhhmmm... Sounds weak to me… *he softly mutters before eating what’s left of his sausage*

Eri's right eye twitched slightly as she rolled her eyes at the stupidity of Tarma's question.

Eri: *she crosses her arms* You'll be an utter idiot if you did that. What’s up with you and asking us the most absurd shit?

Tarma frowned slightly at Eri and scoffed.

Tarma: You're such a party pooper. You know that?

Fio snickered for a brief moment as Eri was left dumbfounded by what Tarma just told her. She decided to roast another marshmallow, but ended up burning it.

Updated: October 3, 2024

Reworked Species #2: Tuatha Dé Danann

Overview

Unfortunately, little information has been preserved about the history, culture, behaviours, and capabilities of the Tuatha Dé Danann. However, it’s known that they thrived during the Hadean Eon, a time marked by the emergence of life, and possessed technology far superior to that of modern humanity. They formerly inhabited Jupiter, but relocated to Earth upon discovering its superior potential for sustaining life. This society of demigods was renowned for their impressive naval prowess and vast knowledge, reflecting their diverse talents and interests.

The Tuatha Dé Danann created intricate hieroglyphic drawings on portable pieces of green jasper, red garnet or obsidian, highlighting them with fool's gold or mercury. These drawings depicted ancient deities, such as the Avatar of Evil, and are often referred to as the Rosetta Stones.

The Tuatha Dé Danann are believed to possess an infinite amount of knowledge, encompassing even forbidden lore, but this intellectual capacity diminishes with each successive generation of descendants. As their DNA is diluted, their heirs retain only a hint of the Tuatha Dé Danann's extraordinary cognitive abilities, allowing them to hold more knowledge than the average human but not to the same extent as their ancestors. Notably, the Tuatha Dé Danann lived long enough to intermarry with fully evolved humans, sparking controversy among the older generations. The older generations viewed such unions as a taint on their genetic lineage, regarding themselves as a superior species whose physical and mental purity was paramount.

They can effortlessly distinguish between their own kind, including those who possess Tuatha Dé Danann DNA, and beings from other species through a peculiar tingling sensation of familiarity. Legend has it that they occasionally or frequently glimpse a pair of glowing red eyes watching them from darkened corners or shadowy places. They interpret this as a guardian carefully observing and assessing their moral actions. However, their descendants often find this unsettling with some believing they are being haunted by a restless spirit, while others suspect they are merely hallucinating. Sometimes, they're drawn into certain places, enticed by an aura of curiosity, a commanding presence or the echoing whispers of safety and growth.

They're immune to debilitating illnesses and were once prolific wielders of powerful magic, controlling the weather, elements, and earth's fertility. With this magic, they could shapeshift themselves and objects into animals and people, become invisible by hiding in a mist, and bring doom upon those who committed heinous acts against the divine and the law. However, descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann have lost the ability to wield this magic as modern society has forgotten the secrets of harnessing and maintaining such an arcane force.

Beliefs

Although their specific beliefs and values are not well-documented, they are largely centred around animism, enlightenment, salvation, and cultural preservation. They held key values such as honour, courage, mastery of survival skills, overall health, compassion, creativity, and wisdom. Moreover, they believed it was their responsibility to aid in the physical and technological evolution of all life forms and reset the timeline when destruction seemed imminent. Some believe in the transformative power of human emotions and physical capabilities.

They held immense respect for the deities, preparing exquisite festivals, large feasts, worship ceremonies, and moral laws inspired by their unique principles. They hold a profound belief in the sacredness of the land, recognizing a collective responsibility to protect it from desecration and preserve its integrity. As stewards of the natural world, they strive to maintain harmony among the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and quintessence. Embracing the cyclical nature of life, they accept and respect the phases of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth, working to maintain the delicate balance of the natural order.

Appearance

It's commonly believed that the Tuatha Dé Danann bore a striking resemblance to humans, but with distinct physical differences. They were remarkably tall, with males standing at an impressive 9’ 4” (284.48 cm) and females reaching approximately 8’ 10” (269.24 cm). Their physiques were characterised by lean builds, prominent muscles, and a proportionate amount of body fat. Their hair reportedly came in varying shades of black and blonde, while their eyes ranged in hues of blue and cyan. They have a pale complexion, but most experience a dulling of their skin hue as they grow older with age.

Warriors often adorned themselves with vibrant markings: they bleached the skin of their faces, torsos, arms, and lower legs with woad, giving them a bluish appearance. They also used Murex snail dye to create swirling patterns or claw-like marks on their faces, chests, and arms, which appeared purple. Additionally, they dyed their hair with madder red dye, and if they had longer hair, they braided it.

Tuatha Dé Danann rulers are always born with distinctive physical characteristics, including either python-like legs, a wolf’s head, a winding, serpentine fish tail or the lower half of a horse.

The exact nature of their attire is unknown, but it’s believed to have been crafted from luxurious materials such as silks, satins, linens, and animal pelts. Their jewellery was adorned with gemstones, precious metals, and ornate pieces made from animal teeth and bones. Notably, their armour was forged from a mysterious material known as adamant, a semi-magnetic rock infused with hardened steel, renowned for its exceptional strength and durability, surpassing even that of diamond.

Known Locations

Atlantis is said to be buried deep within the centre of the Atlantic Ocean. According to legend, the fabled civilization of the Hadean Eon was lost to the depths after its ruler succumbed to hubris and attempted to conquer humanity or prematurely reboot life itself with the aid of the Alator. The city's architecture is characterised by a series of concentric islands, separated by expansive moats and linked by a winding canal that culminates in a central hub: a towering structure featuring labyrinthine hallways, prismatic stone, and an altar adorned with ancient deity caricatures.

Some believe that Atlantis houses ancient technology infused with psionic energy and holds the knowledge of the deities. A few also speculate that it will rise up from the Atlantic Ocean during a rare and ominous blood moon event, rumoured to last for seven days, potentially initiating the apocalypse.

Ultima Thule is a remote tundra island located northwest of the Orkney Islands, frequently visited by whale and orca families. The island experiences the extreme phenomena of polar night and midnight sun. It features a waterfall that remains unfrozen, rocky cliffs embedded with shimmering crystals, fossil fuel, precious metal, and gemstone mines, snow-capped mountains, and a dormant volcano believed to have been used for ancient human sacrifices. Despite its fertile soil and abundant fields, capable of supporting crops and fruits, Ultima Thule is uninhabited. Regrettably, the island has been exploited as a dumping site for trash, discarded vehicles, and defunct machinery, leading to its notorious moniker, Scrap Island. It secretly harbours the remains of a deceased extraterrestrial deity, rumoured to be the fabled Super Devil, and antediluvian, faulty technology of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

It's believed that Ultima Thule was once a multifaceted hub, featuring large greenhouses for agriculture, mines for fossil fuels, precious metals, and gemstones, and sanctuaries that housed libraries, lavish bathhouses, and comfy homes for the elderly. Additionally, the area hosted various winter sports to test physical strength and agility, survival skills, instinctive reflexes, and mental strategies.

Technology

Little is known about their technological capabilities, but it’s believed that they were the result of a fusion of advanced mechanics, cutting-edge bioengineering, and mystical wizardry. Some of their technology is said to be capable of creating devastating weapons unparalleled on Earth, generating new land masses and life forms (including clones), and even tearing rifts in the space-time continuum.

They’ve developed monolithic computer modules capable of storing vast amounts of knowledge, a simulated torture chamber, and generating serpentine wires that can interface with sentient beings and international computer systems. These modules are concealed in Ultima Thule and the temple of a South Pacific archipelago that’s under the control of the P.F. Squad.

The Ajirabian Teardrop was once in their possession before ending up in the Ajirabian Ruins, and it's believed to hold the power to summon the dead and damned for use in warfare and forced labour. Additionally, it can serve as an energy source for advanced weapons, emitting fiery, electrical laser beams capable of decimating up to 80 men. It is believed that the Volt Electric Barrier employed by the Rebel Army, the enigmatic white masks donned by Ptolemaic cultists, Mummy Generators, Warp Tubes, and the Electric Door in the Oro Sol Ruins warehouse were all originally artifacts of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Atlantis contains the Alator, a 200-million-year-old information-gathering device, and the Lugus Lieu, a biomechanical tower giant that serves as the Alator's core. The Alator is employed to accelerate the evolution of cultures and life forms, but it inevitably self-destructs when accessed by an individual of Tuatha Dé Danann lineage, resetting the timeline and perpetuating an eternal cycle of repetition. Lugus Lieu solely obeys the commands of the Tuatha Dé Danann and their descendants as they possess the sentience to recognize the inherent wrongness of harming their own creators. They’re composed of adamant, featuring a radiant blue-grey finish, and possess ever-shifting flesh that shimmers with a luminous quality beneath the light of the sun and moon.

Lugus Lieu contains the Alator within a non-Euclidean dimension in its chest, accessible only by allowing it to absorb individuals into its luminous flesh. This non-Euclidean dimension features a majestic Greco-Roman and Mesoamerican ziggurat, its structure twisting and curving like a Möbius strip, crafted from gold-speckled ruby zoisite that seems to shift and change colour as one observes it. The structure appears to be simultaneously convex and concave as if it's being pulled in multiple directions at once. It serves as the nexus point of a mind-bending, geometric expanse with a wild sandstorm that has particles that flow like liquid. Iridescent, bioluminescent tendrils burst forth from the ground, only to retract and reappear elsewhere, while harmless blue flames morph into impossible shapes and patterns that would be unthinkable in our reality. The entrance to the ziggurat is guarded by an oxidised brass double gate of impossible geometry, comprising intersecting circles that appear to be both tangent and overlapping, yet never actually touching.

Beyond the gate lies a labyrinth of rectangular mirrors, each functioning as a portal to other realities, dimensions, and planes of existence. These mirrors reveal a stunning cosmic panorama, showcasing a multitude of stars, comets, asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, meteor showers, natural satellites, planets, dwarf planets, and galaxies, swirling together in an infinite dance. However, the mirrors also display impossible geometries, such as Klein bottles, Möbius strips, and Calabi-Yau manifolds. Above, the sky is shrouded in a foggy black haze, which seems to be composed of tiny, swirling vortexes that defy the laws of thermodynamics. Beneath, the durable floor is a vibrant, multicoloured pyrope, featuring hues of blood red, pink, purple, and green, which appear to shift and change depending on the angle of observation.

They were in possession of data discs attached to copper-hued adamant vambraces, comprising three sections that are adorned with an encircling, shaky line pattern and outlined with gold accents to demarcate each section. The data discs themselves are rimmed with pearlescent adamant and centred with a floating rhomboid piece of green jasper. These devices are capable of generating an impenetrable shield, manifesting as yellow-orange and saffron octagonal waves, for defensive purposes. Additionally, they can emit purplish-white laser projectiles for long-range offence. The true purpose of these data discs is to preserve the DNA structures of each successive generation of life and document their unique cultures.

Before relocating to Earth, they created the 49 ft (1493.52 cm) biomechanical, humanoid extraterrestrials known as the Monoeyes. It is believed that they created these beings to symbolise their Jovian heritage and express their desire for a new species to thrive on their home planet. As Jupiter is the Monoeyes' birthplace and they had inhabited the planet for thousands of years, they are sometimes referred to as the Jovians. They’ll never harm a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, unless that individual possesses malicious intent. There are only six Monoeyes known to exist: Ogmios, an apricot-hued one with greyish-pink blushing; Gobannus, a yellowish-green one with malachite-hued blushing; Brigantia, a pearlescent purple one with golden blushing; Manannán, a bluish-purple one with light cyan blushing; Nodens, an albino one with crimson blushing; and Fomoire, a melanistic one with silver-grey blushing.

The Monoeyes can readily identify individuals descended from the Tuatha Dé Danann by analysing their DNA and tracing their family lineage through a psychic connection that grants them access to neural pathways and blood vessels. They possess unparalleled knowledge, which they only share with individuals they deem worthy. The six Monoeyes possess unique domains of expertise: Ogmios knows everything about persuasion, eloquence, mental strength, and control; Gobannus knows everything about smithing and hospitality; Brigantia knows everything about wisdom, youth, the four seasons, poetry, protection, and domesticated animals; Manannán knows everything about the sea and warfare; Nodens knows everything about the weather, dreams, healing, and survival; and Fomoire knows everything about all destructive forces of nature. Their extensive knowledge has created a mental link, giving them the power to influence and manipulate their area of expertise at will.

The Monoeyes serve as enigmatic guardians of the mysterious artifact known as Danu, which doubles as their spaceship. Encased in a protective layer of a meteorite that emits lethal radiation, Danu can transform individuals into mindless zombies if they venture too close. Upon landing on a solid surface, the ship anchors itself using glowing, tentacle-like greenish-white roots. It can summon monoliths adorned with ancient, alien runes, generating ice caves, and exerting mind control over individuals with Tuatha Dé Danann DNA. The Monoeyes are capable of teleportation, levitation, bodily reconfiguration, making illusory copies of themselves, optic blasts, telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and psychological communication. Although they have fallen into the hands of the Rebel Army and Martians, the Monoeyes primarily act independently. The radiated meteorite has been exploited by the Amadeus Syndicate to develop Big John and engineer a zombie virus.

Updated: October 14, 2024

Reworked Species #1: Martians

Overview

Their scientific name is Cephalorepens galacticus (meaning “creeping head of the galaxy”). They're commonly referred to as the Martians, but some people also refer to them as the Mars People. An omni-linguistic alien species led by their queen, Rootmars, possesses intellectual and sensory capabilities surpassing those of humanity. They possess exceptional expertise in three key areas: necromancy, biological engineering, and technological proficiency, encompassing the use, processes, and mechanical intricacies of advanced technology. Their military force is called the Pipovulaj Army.

Language

Their language consists mainly of words formed with the syllables Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, and Pu. However, translation is challenging due to the seemingly random application of the Pa, Pe, Pi, Po, and Pu syllables, making it difficult to discern a predictable pattern or meaning. They’re capable of producing audible sounds, these noises resemble feline growls, mouse-like squeaks, and unearthly squeals. When speaking their native language, they’re capable of vocalising their words and syllables. When interacting with beings who don't share their language, they shift to telepathic communication, transcending linguistic barriers and conveying their thoughts in the recipient's native tongue.

Hierarchy

The Mars Elite (Cephalorepens galacticus albus) are comprised of four distinct castes: leading scientists who drive innovation, esteemed judges who uphold the law, elite soldiers who embody excellence, and commanding officers who lead with strategic precision.

The Mars Garrison (Cephalorepens galacticus fuscus) are comprised of three main castes: scientists who conduct technological and biological experiments, assassins who conduct covert operations, and assault troops who wield stronger and heavier weaponry.

The Mars Quotidian (Cephalorepens galacticus pallidus) are comprised of four distinct castes: hive workers who repair technology and nurture the young, spies who gather intelligence, researchers who advance their knowledge, and common troops.

Appearance

Martians are taller than the average human, standing approximately at 7’ 3” (220.98 cm) for males and 7’ 6” (228.6 cm) for females. They have a large head with two sets of tentacles: thirty stinger tentacles act as their hands, capable of controlling an electrical pulse to temporarily paralyse people; and twelve leg tentacles with protruding greenish veins and suckers. Their stinger tentacles are half their body length, but they won't stop growing until they have reached double their height, an indication of older and wiser age. They’re sufficiently strong to grasp items firmly, being able to wield a weapon with one of their appendages. They can contract their leg tentacles, enabling them to jump considerable distances and descend slowly in a controlled manner. The skin on their heads and tentacles is surprisingly smooth and contains small pores that can release a thin layer of purplish-white slime. They have greenish-pink blood with a strange taste reminiscent of melon soda.

Female Martians possess a distinctive sac located beneath their head and at the centre of their leg tentacles. This sac is characterised by a bulbous orifice and a translucent yellow-orange coloration with visible skin wrinkles and greenish veins. The interior of the sac is coated with a protective purplish secretion that serves to repel harmful parasites. It also maintains the sac's cleanliness by preventing the accumulation of dirt and menstrual fluid.

Male Martians possess a writhing penis that is translucent and orangish-white in colour. The morphology of this organ bears a resemblance to that of a leopard slug's reproductive structure. It features greenish veins and is characterised by soft, spike-like protrusions encircling its tip. They feature three testicular organs located within cavities situated posterior to their head. These organs are partially visible, protruding slightly from the skin at the back of their head. Two of the testicles contain fertilised seminal fluid with a celadon-green colour, while the central testicle houses eggs with a distinctive amethyst hue and crimson spots. These reproductive organs are incapable of urinating as Martians have a unique physiology that eliminates the need to release bodily waste.

They have a skull of golden-yellow hue, covered in whitish neural veins, and possess an involuntary nervous system. They possess a navel cavity, and when they exhale, the barely visible slits on their face open, revealing small, thin, oval-shaped openings, before promptly closing again. They have two bead-like eyes with white pupils that can constrict or dilate, allowing them better visual control. They possess a mouth capable of opening into a circular, gaping maw with a full set of fleshy, omnivorous teeth that can inject a deadly poison as lethal as cyanide. They also have a serpentine tongue covered in microscopic hooks.

The Mars Elite (Cephalorepens galacticus albus): They have pearlescent white skin, lilac eyes, China rose-coloured leg tentacles, and Syracuse red-orange suckers. They possess two iridescent purple bat-like wings with bony, silver-clawed hands and an impressive wingspan of 9' 5" (287.02 cm). From the back of their head, they have a tail that's eerily similar to a human spine, but it's held together by greenish veins and stretched, glistening dark purple flesh. They have a spiked ball at the tip of their spine-like tail, which holds a black acid. The spikes have small holes, allowing them to spray the acid at their enemies.

The Mars Garrison (Cephalorepens galacticus fuscus): They have brown-tanned skin, raspberry rose eyes, lavender grey leg tentacles, and palatinate purple suckers. They have a large amber-coloured eye in the middle of the back of their head, featuring a slit pupil. At the back of their head, they possess two elongated, mantis-like arms, equipped with two rows of razor-sharp spines, enabling them to grab people from behind.

The Mars Quotidian (Cephalorepens galacticus pallidus): They have greyish-green skin, ultramarine eyes, pale azure leg tentacles, and lapis lazuli suckers.

Abilities

To facilitate telepathic communication with other sentient beings, they employ their mouth and tongue to replicate the physiological processes of human speech. Two exceedingly thin, iridescent tentacles, reminiscent of dew on a spider's silk, emerge from two minuscule openings above their eyes. These tentacles can bifurcate into millions of tiny, hair-like tendrils, which are inserted into the ears of their chosen communicants. The tendrils then navigate to the brain, where they manipulate the electrical signals traversing the neural pathways to access areas responsible for thought and auditory perception.

They shapeshift by mentally imagining what they want to change and coating themselves in a thin layer of purplish-white slime. This strange slime drastically alters their bodily molecules and DNA structure, allowing them to perfectly transform into whatever they envisioned. The Martians possess the ability of dichotomous intangibility, but it’s limited to a duration of 10 minutes. Overextending this power can lead to severe consequences, including ocular degeneration, causing their eyes to become mushy, and cerebral overflow, resulting in permanent blindness and neural damage.

They possess telekinetic abilities, but require the movement of their stinger tentacles and intense concentration on the object they intend to lift or manipulate. Notably, they can focus on up to 20 different objects simultaneously. They can teleport up to 20 metres to different locations, but only in areas they are intimately familiar with. This ability is achieved by vibrating at imperceptible speeds, effectively propelling themselves to their desired destination.

They can sustain themselves by absorbing the vital fluids of other living organisms and the heat of electrical devices, fire, and solar radiation. The Martians possess a unique optic nerve that captures and stores a small portion of their body heat and absorbed energy. This specialised nerve forms a ring around their eyes, featuring a subtle opening that enables the focused release of intense, fiery energy beams.

They can hear low-frequency hums from any planet's core, echoes of ancient riverbeds, whispers of the wind, and the creaking and groaning of dust devils. They can smell the metallic scent of iron oxide dust, the acrid smell of sulphur from volcanic regions, and the ozone-like smell of electrical storms. The Martians can taste soil, the metallic taste of recycled water, the sweet taste of hydroponic crops, the sour taste of fermented food supplies, and the umami taste of protein-rich algae. They can see plankton, the tops of mountains, every pore on a human's face, and the texture of clouds.

Technology

Their technology is based entirely on expertise in bioengineering and energy manipulation. Their technology features a unique blend of elements, including circular shapes, industrial tubes resembling intestines, engravings of ancient pictograms that depict their ancestry, glistening flesh-like surfaces, malleable metal plates, and eerie metallic sheens. Their technology also incorporates pillars, computer modules, pulsating electric fields that double as protection and prison cells, fleshy orifices, and opaque stasis chambers filled with a clear liquid capable of inducing sleep for cloning purposes.

Their primary weapon is a ray gun that fires spores and features a settings mode, offering three distinct options:

Transformation: Transforms individuals into Man Eaters

Electrification: Emits an electric charge to incapacitate targets

Energy Beam: Generates circular light blue energy beams that can effortlessly ensnare targets

There are two types of ray guns: lightweight models, resembling those used by Martians in the mainline Metal Slug games, which emit slow-moving orange spores; and heavyweight models, similar to those used by the Mars People Attacker in Metal Slug Attack, which fire fast-moving blue spores. These spores can be easily neutralised with gunfire or effectively eliminated with well-timed melee attacks.

They employ the same gauntlet-point shields and staffs used by the Mars People Tanks and Healers in Metal Slug Attack. However, when a Martian utilises the staff for healing or summoning lightning storms, the glowing light blue orb transforms into a bright neon pink, and they’re temporarily enveloped in a fiery aura.

They utilise advanced, portable communication devices to connect with fellow members of their species and allies over vast distances. These devices feature a screen displaying a contact list and enable real-time video transmission, allowing users to see the recipient's surroundings. The design bears a striking resemblance to the handheld device depicted in the Mars People artwork from Neo-Geo Battle Coliseum.

Their mothership, the Rugname, measures 459’ 3” (13997 cm) in length and 75’ 5” (2298.7 cm) in height. The exterior is protected by a thin layer of adamant, providing an extremely durable coat that makes it resistant to destruction by conventional weaponry. Its interior features a unique spiral layout, with a continuous corridor stretching from the outer rim to the central hub. On board, the ship houses a variety of facilities, including living quarters, a nursery, a laboratory, a cloning chamber, and torture chamber.

It’s controlled by a simulated, lifeless replica of infant Rootmars, whose brain is encased in a protective glassy film. This replica can generate electric signals that accumulate and discharge as massive blasts of circular, flashing blue and green energy spheres, capable of incinerating individuals. They deploy surveillance drones known as Pupastiko, which resemble massive, sunset-hued locusts with a singular metallic blue-orange eye. These drones are capable of projecting orbs of green fire and expelling streams of acidic, corrosive fluid that mimics blood.

The Dai-Manji boasts exceptional armour, comprising malleable metal plates reinforced with bullet-resistant flesh and a thin shielding of greenish-blue electricity. Serving as the core of the Rugname, it releases Mini-UFOs, unleashes lethal electrical discharges, shoots purple fireballs electrified with sparkling blue sparks, and propels fiery energy bolts with precision to target enemies. It’s believed that there are forty Dai-Manji stored within the Rugname with only four to six permitted to be deployed at any given time. Each one features a logo with the insignia of the Martian race: a circular pickled bluewood crest with an eight-pointed red-orange star at its centre, outlined with a gold border and adorned with four emerald dots at the cardinal directional points (north, south, east, and west).

The Pupivah, also known as the Mars Satellites, are remotely controlled spacecraft shaped like feldgrau Nazi UFOs with a gilded sheen, capable of achieving remarkably high velocities. They are equipped with dual luminous laser systems, emitting either emerald green beams that incinerate targets or magenta beams that petrify them.

The Pepapiro, also known as the Mini-UFOs, are highly agile aircraft equipped with a beehive-shaped ray gun that emits slow-moving greenish-blue lasers capable of penetrating cloth and flesh. The Mini-UFOs are distinguished by their colour schemes and pilots: grey metal variants with eight saffron-yellow stripes are operated by the Mars Quotidian, black metal variants with six red-orange stripes are operated by the Mars Garrison, and gilded variants with four crimson stripes are operated by the Mars Elite.

The Popaphubi, also known as the Hopper Mechas, are suicidal drones that detonate explosive payloads fueled by nuclear radiation and flammable bile, delivering a lethal blow to their targets. They are ten-legged, rust-coloured arachnids featuring gilded pedipalps and a distinctive, shaky silver stripe extending from the cephalothorax to the mid-abdomen. Their forehead bears a triangular arrangement of six blackish-brown eyes, while their entire body is covered in flexible, crystalline hairs.

The Papophiv, also known as the Mars Walkers, are gigantic quadrupeds with metallic blue-red flesh and articulated legs terminating in five clawed, slender fingers. Their bulbous knee joints are covered in hook-like spikes. The creatures' belly features sixteen intestinal tubes encircling a large, glossy jade half-orb. They are capable of producing a black, poisonous gas that causes rapid skin decay and lung rupture. The jade half-orb can produce bouncing bubbles that cause highly corrosive burns once in contact with living organisms. They possess three slit-shaped eyes that exhibit a purely iridescent purple hue, and an antenna that strikingly resembles a sunflower. However, this antenna conceals a deadly capability–it can emit intense, fiery purple lightning bolts.

The Pipopuvhax, also known as the Ring Laser Mechas or Utoms, are sentient, glistening purplish-grey cerebral entities that propel a navy blue tubular body replete with biomechanical organs akin to those found in mammals. They possess four highly flexible robotic arms, surpassing human limb dexterity, which manipulate tusk-like, porcelain-hued levers and metallic green, red, and orange buttons. Their muscular brain features prominent, jutting veins and is shielded by a protective film of whitish, heat-resistant, bulletproof slime. They’re capable of unleashing rings of electrokinetic force, inducing bodily combustion, and generating nearly invisible, bony appendages to grasp individuals.

Goals and beliefs

Their primary objective is to debilitate Earth's military forces and leverage the planet's technological advancements to subjugate humanity. However, their motivations aren’t entirely malevolent; they seek to eradicate the destructive exploitation and harmful activities plaguing Earth. By doing so, the Martians believe they can redirect its resources towards fostering universal unification. They have a disgust for species who harm and abuse the resources and well-being of their home planets. They automatically deem them as inferior and in need of re-education through assimilation into their culture and ways of thinking.

Rootmars and many Martians advocate for the subjugation of humanity to save Earth, but a splinter faction disagrees with this ideology. This dissenting group led by Pupipi, known as the Pipajozhe Army, believes that cohabitation and global cooperation are the only paths to achieving universal peace and protecting the planet. However, due to this belief, the Pipovulaj Army views them as traitors, finding it foolish and shameful that they can have sympathy for an "inferior species". They will stop at nothing to publicly humiliate and/or brutally execute anyone who joins or is found to be part of the Pipajozhe Army, if that person is one of their own kind.

It's well-known that humans and Martians share a similar DNA structure, making interbreeding possible. However, due to the Martians' dominant genetic makeup, offspring always exhibit predominantly Martian traits with subtle human influences. The dynamics of Martian-human reproduction are complex as only male Martians can produce viable offspring with humans. Female Martians can engage in intimate relations with both male and female humans but are incapable of conception.

The two prominent Martian armies, the Pipovulaj Army and Pipajozhe Army, hold differing views on human-Martian reproduction. Those who serve the Pipovulaj Army are vehemently opposed interbreeding, prioritising the preservation of their pure Martian lineage. They fear genetic contamination from outsiders, especially if they find out that they’re wrongfully exploiting their own home planet. In contrast, those who serve the Pipajozhe Army view human-Martian reproduction as a means to enhance their survival prospects. They also believe it can foster meaningful relationships, alleviate human fears, and promote coexistence.

The Martians are open-minded and embrace a diverse range of spiritual concepts, including reincarnation, the psyche, and deities that embody specific principles. In their view, deities serve as avatar conduits for the principles they represent with some requiring more worship and acknowledgement than others to sustain their power. They believe in the supremacy of a unified cosmos, where every individual has a purpose determined by their willingness to align with moral righteousness and strive towards their hopes and dreams.

They hold that no being is above the true purpose of existence and the eleven fundamental powers of the universe: seamlessness, centration, allurement, emergence, homeostasis, cataclysm, synergy, transmutation, transformation, interrelatedness, and radiance. They firmly believe that the true purpose of existence lies beyond human comprehension and will only be revealed to those who have attained divine enlightenment, thereby gaining the capacity to grasp the vast expanse of extraterrestrial mysteries and horrors.

All Martians share the conviction that natural resources provided by planets are invaluable and should be treated with utmost care and reverence. The mishandling of such resources is viewed as a heinous and sacrilegious act against the divine forces of the universe. They hold in high esteem the preservation of ancient knowledge and architecture, and endeavour to protect and pass on the cultural heritage of all species through various means, including meticulous drawings, written works, and other forms of documentation. They regard biological evolution and technological advancement as two pivotal, dynamic forces that shape and transform society and ecosystems in a perpetual state of flux.

These are the results of my fourth playthrough of Metal Slug 1 on Level 8 difficulty. I tried my best to limit the amount of saves I can use in a playthrough. I'm trying not to heavily rely on saves.

Masterpost for the Iron Eclipse AU

Random information

Main timeline

Reworked characters (main cast):

Marco Rossi

Tarma Roving

Eri Kasamoto

Fio Germi

Trevor Spacey

Nadia Cassel

Ralf Jones

Clark Still

Tequila

Gimlet

Red Eye

Reworked characters (antagonists):

General Morden

Allen O'Neil

Doctor Amadeus

Ptolemaios

Rootmars

Invader King

Reworked characters (other):

Walter Ryan

Tyra Elson

Avatar of Evil

Sol Dae Rokker

Hyakutaro Ichimonji

Allen Jr.

Pupipi

Rumi Aikawa

Madoka Aikawa

Sophia Greenville

Margaret Southwood

President Marx

Original characters:

Wysteria

Celaphios

Sagan and Logan

Torquil, Guilherme, and Ferdinand

Reworked species:

Martians (includes the Pipovulaj Army and Pipajozhe Army)

Tuatha Dé Danann

Invaders

Mutants

Zombies

Mummies

Sasquatches

Man Eaters

Reworked groups:

Rebel Army

Regular Army

Peregrine Falcons Squad (P.F. Squad)

S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S.

Ikari Warriors

Division 6

Amadeus Syndicate

Ptolemaic Army

Miscellaneous:

Which characters are assigned to each of the seven Regular Army garrisons?

What does the cast of the Iron Eclipse AU prefer to call the SV-001 by?

How good is the Iron Eclipse cast at cooking?

Which characters are right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous?