Vexarak Spoiler
The Vexarak Spoiler is an insect-like creature that consumes and metabolizes both complex metal ores as well as plasma and related energy sources for nourishment.
This hearty creature is capable of withstanding both extremely low temperatures found in deep space as well as extremely high temperatures found near volcanic vents or irradiated patches of sludge.
The creature is roughly 4 inches long when fully mature. It possesses a tough outer shell, comprised of densely arranged metal molecules, usually of a predominate type that it has consumed. This makes the creature very resistant to vacuum as well as resistant to crushing and vaporization.
The creature is non-sentient and is a hazard to starships and stations that should encounter them. The refined metal ores and refined focused energy sources present in those structures make for an ideal food source for the creature and they seek it out vigorously.
Once an infestation has started they are very difficult to eradicate.
The creatures possess two means of locomotion. The first and most commonly used is through a series of 20 leg-like appendages that function in a manner very similar to those of terrestrial centipedes. This mode of transport is most commonly employed while the Spoiler is consuming a food source as it is most efficient.
The second type of locomotion is though gas expulsion. As the creature consumes various minerals, it's gut produces a concentration of gasses which are stored in a special gland in it's body. When the Spoiler has consumed all the available minerals on it's selected site, it will violently expel those gasses in order to propel itself through space towards the next available mineral rich source of nourishment.
As the creature normally lives in metal rich asteroid belts, this form of locomotion is very efficient for transporting the creature from one mineral rich site to another. Additionally since the Spoiler is capable of hibernating for a very long period of time, should they miss their target they can drift indefinitely until they make contact with another mineral rich source of nutrition.
The Spoiler usually travel in swarms numbering between a few hundred individuals to as many as a few hundred thousand. Larger swarms have been reported but not verified.
The Spoiler possesses two highly sensitive antennae, which can detect magnetic fields as well as latent thermal and plasma energy. These antennae have an incredible range and it is estimated that a Spoiler can detect minor fields at a distance of up to fifty kilometers.
Although hearty, the Spoiler does not singularly depend upon it's hard outer shell for protection. The creature sports a nasty set of hardened metal coated pincers that are capable of rending flesh with ease. there have been reports of the creature taking off fingers or leaving terrible gashes in victims even through armored EVA Suits.
In addition, the Spoiler possesses a gland forward of it's main body situated between it's two antennae. This gland is sheathed by a very powerful muscular covering that is capable of compressing the gland sufficiently to propel a chemical enzyme to a distance of up to three meters with incredible accuracy. because of it's ability to detect magnetic fields clearly, the creature is capable of easily detecting potential predators long before they are a threat to the Spoiler.
The enzyme is a complex compound in it that acts as a psychoactive chemical cocktail. When it makes contact with the flesh of most humanoids, it is readily absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. Once it reaches the subject's brain it attacks centers that are normally responsible for the regulation of anger, aggression and inhibition.
The enzyme causes the brain to send signals to the endocrine and hormonal system of the victim causing them to produce the chemicals necessary to enhance the emotional turmoil associated with aggression and anger. In addition, the enzymes also reduce the ability to remain mentally inhibited, causing the victim to undertake actions which they may not normally perform. The exact nature of these reduced inhibitions are dependent upon the individual affected.
In Humans, there is a remarkable increase, up to 500% in some cases, of the compounds Endorphins, Adrenalin, and Testosterone. The inhibition reducing aspects of the enzymes are not very well documented, but they have been known to affect even the very strongly mental disciplined of humanoid species such as Vulcans.
In order to ingest their metal diet, the creature has specialized acid glands on their underside which cause the rapid pitting and decay of the affected metals, which are then absorbed directly through the polyp-like glands located nearby. Energy is simply absorbed through these same structures.
The creature has a very short reproductive cycle, and in the presence of a mineral rich environment, a single creature is capable of producing up to three offspring every twelve hours. Once the eggs are laid, usually near an energy source, they mature rapidly, within roughly three hours, and the Spoiler emerges fully grown.
Like the adult, the eggs are very resilient and very difficult to destroy. Egg sac minerals are almost always consumed by the newly hatched adults in order to maximize their intake of critical minerals.
Because of this rapid reproductive cycle, it is conceivable to have a significant infestation problem within a relatively short period of time. Infestations of a significant magnitude almost always end in the destruction of any artificial structure so infested.
The Vexarak Spoiler first appeared in the USS Rosenante and USS Bouddica joint mission Just Another Saturday Night
