Giant Void Drifter
The Giant Void Drifter is one of, if not, the largest species of galactoceti current known to inhabit the galaxy. These passive giants drift almost lazily from nebula to nebula gathering a myriad of gases including: Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), and Propane (C3H8), before basking in the energy rich radiation of a nearby star.
The Giant Void Drifter uses a unique form of locomotion to move through space, seemingly "swimming" through space through the use of their flippers, though it is theorized that this creature can manipulate dark matter using it's appendages.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The body of the Giant Void Drifter is a stocky, teardrop shape with a broad head and ventral throat grooves that allows for the Drifter to open it's mouth to a ridiculous degree. Two sets of flippers line the sides of the body, one long set that is used to stabilize the Drifter when in motion, and a short, wide set that assists in the propulsion of the creature. At the end of the Drifter's tail are broad flukes that form the main motive force behind the creature. Along the dorsal section of the Drifter are clusters of dark grey, crystal-like growths that shimmer, glow and cascade through the colour spectrum whenever the Drifter engages in psychic activity such as psynging or spike drill jumps.
Genetics and Reproduction
Little is known of the reproductive habits of the Giant Void Drifter, though based on the observation of individuals from a distance and examination of recovered bodies, it is theorized that they reproduce sexually with the male fertilizing the females ovum internally, after which she undergoes a gestation period of several years before giving birth to a baby referred to as a calf. The calf is fed a nutrient rich substance that resembles sour cream released from sheltered mammary glands.
Growth Rate & Stages
The Giant Void Drifter reaches full physical maturity after 45 years of age.
Ecology and Habitats
Giant Void Drifters can be found in abundance in and around various nebulae.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Giant Void Drifters perform photosynthesis to sustain themselves, using hydrocarbons from nebulae and water from ice crystals to fuel the process.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Full grown Giant Void Drifters are solitary by nature, only coming together to mate and rear offspring. Juvenile Drifters will move in loose pods made of individuals numbering between 10-35, for safety before splitting off upon reaching physical maturity.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Giant Void Drifters can be found all across galaxy.
Average Intelligence
Giant Void Drifters display an intelligence level similar to the large baleen whales of Old Earth.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Giant Void Drifter has eight eyes, four on each side of it's head, which allow the creature to see into several colour spectrums including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light. One set of the Drifter's eyes can see the flow of metaphysical energy, allowing them to make surprisingly safe Spike Drill Jumps from solar system to solar system.
Giant Void Drifters are one of the species of galactoceti that are capable of using psynging, a form of psychic echolocation, which they seem to use to communicate which each other. Psychics with training in the Metapsionics field of psychic powers have claimed that the observation of a Giant Void Drifter psynging is a sight that is both mesmerizing and awe-inspiring, as the sheer power of the Drifter's manipulation of metaphysical energy is easily felt even by those that don't specialize in the Metapsionics discipline. Even non-psychics can "feel" the Drifter psynging if they are within relatively close proximity (under five kilometers).
Giant Void Drifters are one of the species of galactoceti that are capable of using psynging, a form of psychic echolocation, which they seem to use to communicate which each other. Psychics with training in the Metapsionics field of psychic powers have claimed that the observation of a Giant Void Drifter psynging is a sight that is both mesmerizing and awe-inspiring, as the sheer power of the Drifter's manipulation of metaphysical energy is easily felt even by those that don't specialize in the Metapsionics discipline. Even non-psychics can "feel" the Drifter psynging if they are within relatively close proximity (under five kilometers).
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Galactocetus Praegrandis pacificus (Peaceful Galactic Whale of Enormous Size)
Lifespan
700 Years on average, Some have reached nearly 1300 Years with assistance from space-faring sentient species
Conservation Status
The Giant Void Drifter is classified as a species of Least Concern in terms of endangerment, with many spacers considering the creature a form of "good omen" when a ship crosses paths with one in the void of space. Many spacers, including the more unsavoury ilk such as pirates and scavs, will actually come to the aid of these majestic creatures should they come under attack by either predators, or poachers hoping to make a quick buck off of the abundant resources the creature contains.
Average Weight
5000 Metric Tonnes (5512 Short Tons)
Average Length
950 Meters (3116 feet 10 inches)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The Giant Void Drifter has a dark grey colouration on it's dorsal section with a lighter grey counter-shading on it's ventral section at most times. While basking in solar radiation the ventral section of the Drifter will shift into a undulating kaleidoscopic pattern which allows the creature to absorb multiple wavelengths of light for photosynthesis.
That the Drifter mistakes the ship for a potential mate and it trying to catch it's attention in order to mate.
That the Drifter mistakes the ship for a younger Drifter and is attempting to escort it to a safe location.
That the Drifter can sense the emanations from the spike drive and is curious as to the source.
That the Drifter is just lonely and just wishes for the company.
The final theory has gained much traction in recent years due to reports from freighter crews claiming that the same Drifters are meeting their ships at the same times on their recurring scheduled hauls, with no clear benefit to the Drifter, and with the Drifter allowing for members of the crews to spacewalk out to them and to hitch rides upon the creatures' backs for entertainment.
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