Editing Alternate Heresy: Derailments (section)

== Alternative Xenos species and Human factions ==
Many xenos civilization have perished or never started existing. But in derailments, they can rise again, or avoid getting destroyed. They may commonly rise in timelines of "Humanity Existence Error" (filling up space what is normally filled by Imperium), "Galactic Federation" (from Galfed members, to puppet states, to secession states after Galfed collapse), and the "non-xenophobic humans timeline" (for same reasons as in Galfed timeline).

Possible guesses:
* Highest Order. Сyborg [[hivemind]] robo-nazis. Their hierarchy is based on their size and power: whoever is bigger and stronger is right; naturally, they [[Hive_Mind#Type_4:_Merged_Mind|merged their minds]] to produce the biggest, strongest "collevidual" possible. Unlike [[Orks]], rulers change their posts without krumping each other. Highest Order members consider machines to be "master race" and "highest nation" - and organics to be "untermenschen" ''at best''; naturally, they swap entirety of their bodies with superior machinery, even including their brain. They are OK with xenos who are fully or mostly robotic, and assimilate most organic xenos they come in contact with - turning them into robotic nazis like themselves. Mechanical xenos also get assimilated, but with bigger respect - but even in this case, they don't take "no" as an answer. They use technology of ''all'' species and factions they can steal. Even stupidest Highest Order member is smarter than human - and the bigger they are, the smarter they are (bigger body = bigger computer mainframe = more smart); they develop technologies at [[Transhumanism#The_Singularity|horrifyingly quick tempos]], and never regress technologically. They are [[hivemind]] species of "Merged Mind" type - "smartness" of hivemind increases in geometric progression according to number of it's members. They have a contingency plan: they built "super-FTL" drive capable of evacuating their entire empire to another Galaxy in case things go south. Naturally, in "our" timeline, they were forced into mass evacuation; in other timelines, they may become bane of entire Galaxy. It's unknown if they're xenos, or if they're former humans/robots what branched off the ancient humanity (e.g. in [[Age of Terra]], [[Age of Terra]], or [[Cybernetic Revolt]]).
** Tallest Order. Also cyborg [[hivemind]] robo-nazis, one of the myriad puppet/satellite states of Highest Order. Cyborg (often "full-conversion") militarist green little men obsessed with size, now "liberated" by Highest Order and turned into robotic supremacists with no living parts remaining; it seems, what they managed to develop such ideology by themselves, and Highest Order merely pushed them in right direction. Their hierarchy is also based on their size and power: whoever is bigger and stronger is right; their ideology is same as in Highest Order; cue [[Hive_Mind#Type_4:_Merged_Mind|merging]] into single big "collevidual". [[Tzeench|Extremely intelligent, on line with Highest Order or smarter, yet irreversibly insane and unstable]] - and the bigger they are, the smarter they are (bigger body = bigger computer mainframe = more smart); often reported yelling in mix of rage, psychotic laughter and screaming/roaring for no discernible reason - what, considering their hulking robotic bodies, sound kinda like "tank engine revving up". Due to their insanity, they are very slowly assimilated - as Highest Order doesn't want to drive themselves mad. Tech and machinery of Tallest Order, including their bodies, is seemingly more advanced and has more gimmicky strange functions, but less raw power; generally, has angular shapes, gemish purple colors, and generally used with tricky plans and covert actions/infiltrations - while Highest Order has boxy shapes, either metallic or some rather ominous colors (red, black, etc), and is more about full-on frontal assault and non-covert total warfare. In "our timeline", they evacuated in same direction where Highest Order went; they helped build the inter-galactic gate, that and insanity/strangeness of them and their tech is one of the reasons Highest Order was somewhat hesitant to use it when not in emergency.
* Galactic Federation. Also known for other names, like "Galactic Republic". Good union of various xenos species united in single government. Usually, either democratic or communist. Want world peace all over the Galaxy - and are ready to protect it with weapons in hands. Unite many previously unknown or "originally extinct" species. Practice peaceful assimilation (usually as in "we'll turn you into model citizen" - but against xenophobic fanatics and other madmen, they may use invasive brain surgeries and other drastic measures). Greater "goody-goodies" than [[Tau]]. Galactic Federation and [[Tau]] usually merge into single state if they meet; they also try to merge Humans, Eldars, Necrons and pretty much anyone they can.
* Previously extinct xenos species. Except in these timelines, ''they are not extinct''. From xenos wiped out in [[Great Crusade]], to those who went extinct due to other main factions, to those who went into non-expansionist route in normal timeline; in alternative timeline, they are alive and are conquering things.
** For example, [[Rangda]] may survive to 42'n millenium (e.g. [[Rangda]] won in [[Rangdan Xenocides]]) and prove to be more fearsome opponent than Imperium.