Editing Quest:A.I. Quest (section)

==Losirians==

:''First space krakens, now space SHARKS?!''
:-Post on UFW extranet

A race of extraterrestrial aquatic humanoids that were encountered later after humanity had established itself among this sector of space. Much of the first contact dealt with attempts at communication, before the human fleet opened fire out of fear of the creature's appearance, as the Losirians tore their fleet apart. Losirians rarely leave their home planet despite their technological advancement, mainly due to their reliance on water to remain healthy, but when they do, their ships are specially designed to hold reservoirs of water to allow them to exist in comfort. All Losirian technology is waterproof. While they do not require it constantly, many have taken to wearing suits to keep water flowing against their gills when they're not on their ships, or at their homeworld. They have adapted to be amphibious due to the nature of their homeworld and their own mental development-naturally, far less predators existed on the land leading to a preference for land survival traits, while much of their prey remained in the sea-leading to a mix of both. They're carnivorous in nature, but normally refuse to dine on sentient races despite rumors and racism that says otherwise. This appears to be less a moral decision, as a logical one, since eating sentient species usually means other of that species will attack them on sight. They stay out of most politics, keeping mostly to themselves, ever since the fiercer days of their conflict with the UGEI, taking to the philosophy of 'humans merely do not understand'. Beyond the dominant clans on their homeworld, they do not have a galactic presence beyond mercenary groups. Despite their reluctance, it isn't unheard of for some immigrants to be within largely other race colonies. If they are, however, they stay low and quiet as often as they can, due to racism.

Losirians' skin usually ranges between various colors of blue and white, and is occasionally gray. They normally have a thin muscular build, due to how their skeletal system and fat storing operates. Retractable webbed fingers and toes, extremely tough skin which is rough to the touch, and a set of serrated sharp teeth meant for tearing meat apart give them the 'shark-like' reputation.  They also normally have a rather high pain tolerance as a species, compared to most other beings. They have holes for ears, and have tubes connecting their head to their shoulders to support their dual breathing organs, allowing them to be amphibious. Their eyes are normally pitch black, with a secondary lid to protect it from water and sunlight. They also commonly have a tail with frills and fins, though the tail merely aids in swimming, instead of being the main force behind it. From what Ophion has seen, many Losirians enjoy wearing water breathing apparatuses to their body. This means that in an oxygen-less environment, their suits allow them to survive just like a space suit would. Normally violent, territorial, and carnivorous by nature, Losirians have yet failed to make peaceful contact with humans as far as Ophion is aware. Being able to eat nearly anything organic, many races have come to fear Losirians out of instinct, further inhibiting their diplomatic options along with the isolated and distant nature of their colonies. As a result, it would seem some take to mercenary work to make use of their natural ferociousness.

What little is known about Losirian culture implies they're organized into clans, where many of the lesser males follow the orders of an Alpha male. Females are normally traded between the more primal clans, but female Losirians are not without their own vicious streak, known to even kill Alpha males in rare cases. Despite this, much of Losirian culture is Patriarchal.

As of lately, Ophion has influenced a great change in Losirian culture and indeed, their entire society as a whole. Ophion has supported the Losirian mercenary clans with funds for work, while at the same time fighting many of them due to UGEI influence. In the end, Ophion went to support a secondary faction within Losirian society to subvert these violent clans and solidify the empire as a more reliable ally. This resulted in a massive civil war that raged for several cycles as much of the previous reigning hierarchy was brought down by this mysterious benefactor. Who Ophion will come to know as Emperor Leuk took over as the Losirian dictator, and with an iron fist, forced the remaining colonies to unite under his rule. His surprising control over the Losirian population is somewhat suspect, despite the violent nature of the creatures they appear to listen to him. It was discovered that the Emperor was indeed not a Losirian himself, but instead a Jelack, a species of rare yet highly intelligent jellyfish-like creatures which have lived in secret under the Losirian rule due to their superior numbers and ferocity. Jelack have been known to exhibit some manner of telepathic control over Losirians, but normally only the weak willed and this is suspected to be part of the Emperor's secret for garnering so much support so fast. Since his leadership was established, the Emperor, on top of providing many many ships to throw at Ophion's disposal, has begun to institute changes to benefit his own species in the Losirian homeworlds, often leaving the Losirians high and dry-and often angry. He has silenced any who oppose him, however, with jailtime if necessary (and even reeducation at times). Still, it is hardly as violent as the rule under the ruthless mercenary leaders who cared nothing for their own people.

Known Factions
*Reefling Clan: One of the largest mercenary clans in Losirian Space, they're often regarded as a manner of 'Mafia' by human standards, taking control of key locations behind the scenes and taking much of what they produce in return for 'protection'. With the collapse of the Losirian government, their job became much more valuable, and are now seen in a relatively positive light by most civilians. Their leader is Durlock, an enormous cybernetically enhanced Losirian Alpha Male who prefers to use heavy robotics and cybernetics to do much of his work.
*Razorskin Clan: Rival mercenary group. Methods usually include boarding ships and slaughtering the crew, then selling ships to scrapyards. They're far more vicious then Reefling clan, and infamous more for their brutality outside of Losirian space, and being the main source of negative Losirian rumors and racism. They lack the assets the Reefling clan have, but steal most of what they own. Their methods try to ensure maximum profit, as well as food for their entire ship.