Androsynth

The Androsynth are a fictional race of beings featured in the Star Control science fiction computer game series.

Overview

The Androsynth ("false men") are a group of super-intelligent homo sapiens clones. Genetically engineered for intellectual superiority, they were nonetheless denied equal rights and forced into a life of work. As a result they grew to harbour deep hatred for their imprisoners. They finally went renegade, escaping Earth in one large movement, having secretly invented (and kept hidden) hyperspace travel before the Earthlings themselves. The race then found a new home in the Vulpecula constellation and allied with the Ur-Quan in their Hierarchy of Battle Thralls, hoping to blow away a few of their old oppressors.

Fate

However, an Earthling exploration vessel intent on meeting with the Androsynth entered the system many years later, finding the apparent remains of the Androsynth civilization on the second planet. Not a single Androsynth, dead or alive, was found among the scraps of their buildings and technology. Rumours spread, citing Androsynth to have again made a great leap of technological prowess, which had for unknown reasons resulted in the disappearance of the entire race this time. The recently-appeared Orz seemed to know something about the vanishment, but were unwilling to the point of hostility to discuss the matter. The fate of the Androsynth remains a mystery.

Androsynth Guardian

The Guardian ship is of curious design, yet its asymmetrical appearance hides a powerful set of features. The ship's primary weapon releases a cloud of acid bubbles, that wade towards the enemy with a degree of randomness. The second mode of attack, however, turns the ship into a blazing comet (known as the 'Blazer' form), that — given enough weapon energy — speeds through the battlefield and rams the foe to scrap. When it runs out of weapon energy it reverts to the regular form.

A standard tactic for the Androsynth Guardian dictates forming a protective cloud of bubbles and hiding behind it until the enemy ship is close enough to be battered to death using the comet form. Obviously, the tactic becomes effete when facing a ship that renders the protective cloud useless — such as a Chenjesu Broodhome, which can simply shoot right through the bubbles.cfbv