by Glebe

Albians are a species native to Sephys Minor, an off-Lattice star system discovered during the 13th millennium. The humans that discovered Sephys Minor found the Albians to be intelligent and sentient, but not scientifically advanced. In fact, the Albians lived in a tranquil, almost Eden-like symbiosis with their planet, preferring quiet introspection to technological triumph. At first, humans wanted to exploit the Albians for their unique abilities (see below), but in a rare display of philanthropism, the Off-Lattice Liaison Service of the LWA declared Albians to be a protected species, and Sephys Minor to be off limits to any type of development. Researchers, scientists, and philosophers were allowed access to the planet, but no development or other enterprises were permitted.

Albians are classified by the OLLS as an Amorphic Protoform. Their bodies are made up of an outer membrane surrounding a network of multi-function cells. They are capable of morphing their bodies into all manner of shapes - similar to an Earth octopus or amoeba. Instead of having organs, the internal workings of an Albian is composed of a network of large cells (though still microscopic) that make up the mass of the creature. Except for the cells of the outer membrane, Albians' cells are not specialized in any way. Each cell is able to perform all the metabolic functions required for survival. In human terms, they are muscle cells, neurons, blood cells, renal cells, etc., combined into one. These cells can instantly form and break down bonds, allowing the creature to "flex" in any direction very quickly. The cells exist in a thick, viscous, red-brown plasma that can be equated to blood, although it does not have any metabolic qualities.

An adult Albian has less mass than an adult human. If it were to mold itself into a sphere, it would have a diameter of 2-3 feet. Albians can survive in temperatures similar to a human, but they are more comfortable at warmer rather than colder temperatures.

The Albians' outer membrane cells are rubbery in texture, and have specialized microscopic "feeders." These feeders allow the Albian to ingest food, usually vegetable matter, to be processed internally. The feeders can process a wide variety of food, though Albians find most animal matter to be unpalatable, sticking to vegetation wherever possible. Like humans, Albians require oxygen to survive. Their feeders allow the Albian to filter oxygen from virtually any source, be it a gas or liquid. As long as the medium the creature is in has a reasonable amount of oxygen, it can "breathe." Additionally, the Albians are extremely adept at camouflage. They can instantly change their outer appearance to blend in with any background. How they do this when they can't perceive visible light (see below) is a mystery that still confounds human scientists. An Albian's "natural" skin color is a dull gray-brown.

Albians "see" by a strange form of echo-location. Instead of sound waves, the Albian sends out a series of heat pulses, and sensing how this heat is absorbed by its immediate surroundings. The heat is usually imperceptible to humans, but the Albians ultra-heightened tactile sense allows them to perceive the variations. They have no mechanism for sensing other electromagnetic radiation such as visible light. They communicate via touch. Their "language" is a mix of heat variation, pressure changes, and movement. It has been demonstrated by scientists that this language is not instinctual, and must be learned.

Albian locomotion is accomplished in a variety of different ways, depending on the individual. Some choose to "flow" over themselves, similar to a tank tread. Others roll up into a ball. Still others create tentacles and move similarly to an octopus flowing along the ocean floor. Albians can compress and spring forward, allowing them to jump up to 10 meters. They can "flow" up a vertical surface, provided it is rough enough for them to get a grip. Some few who have lived among humans form two leg-like pseudopods, and walk like a biped.

Albians reproduce asexually. They reach maturity after about 10 years, and have a life expectancy of about 120 years. Older Albians don't show any sign of decreased mental or physical abilities. When they do die of old age, it is precipitated by a sudden break down of their cellular bonds. Scientists are baffled by why and how this change occurs. It almost appears as if the individual just chooses to die. Albians are very secretive about this topic.

Albians have a strange ability to remember and generate sound. Their whole body acts as a microphone for receiving sound. They can then contort a section of their body into an echo chamber, and vibrate their outer membrane to flawlessly reproduce any sound that they have heard. Albians who have lived among humans can be taught language (though many concepts are foreign to them) and are capable of human speech. They hear human speech, process the information, decide what they want to communicate, organize their thoughts into human words, and reproduce the words with their echo chamber. Albians are capable of reproducing virtually any sound that is audible to humans, and can therefore function as living audio recorders.

Albians have an incredible healing ability. They can repair cuts to their outer membrane in only a few seconds. Projectile type weapons are virtually useless against them -- though they hurt, they are not a real threat. However, there are all manner of weapons that do pose a threat. If an Albian were to lose a significant portion of its mass -- roughly 10% or more - it would quickly die. Therefore, if you cut one in half, you don't have two individuals; you have one dead Albian.

Albians do not sleep the way humans do. Albians are constantly resting some of their cells, while other cells take over. At any given time, 10% of the cells are asleep, and 90% are alert.

Due to their unique abilities, they are sometimes sought after by humans to be trained as spies, in spite of the OLLS directive outlawing this. They can squeeze through virtually any opening, their camouflage allows them to hide very easily, and they can "record" every thing they hear. This practice would go on more, except for the fact that it's very difficult to force an Albian to spy for you. When you send them on their first mission, they could easily escape, and never be caught again. The only solution is to somehow convince them to want to spy for you ... an equally hard task, since for the most part, they are happy staying on Sephys Minor. However, there are always exceptions.