Spline (Xeelee Sequence)
The Spline are creatures that feature in the Xeelee Sequence.
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History
The Spline were space going entities that were considered the products of convergent evolution. Their origins were traced to immense sea-going creatures with articulated limbs that had once scoured the depths of their world girdling ocean. In time, they developed spaceflight capabilities leading to them travelling the stars for millennia. It was believed that possibly around a million years ago that they made the strategic decision to rebuild themselves. This led to them putting plates around their flesh and hardening their organs where they rose from the surface of their planet as mile wide living craft leading to them feeding on the thin substance between the stars. Thus, the Spline became carriers who earned their place in the universe by hiring themselves out to hundreds of different species. (Timelike Infinity)
During first contact between the Qax and humanity, it was discovered that mankind was both weak as well as naïve leading to the Spline warships moving into Earth space. The brief first encounter led to humans learning about the Qax and their dominion which included the history of the Spline. (Timelike Infinity)
Overview
These massive creatures were living creatures who were in fact sentient beings. A pit by its head consisted of an eye that was a gleaming ball which was startling similar to that of a human but were three yards across and able to roll in order to fix their gaze at objects. These massive creatures had a wrinkled leathery hide similar to the epidermis of an elephant. They were able to open slit-like orifices that were hundreds of yards long in their toughened epidermis to allow access to outsiders into the creature. On the skin-hull, it was possible to install sensors and weapons in navels that were yard wide pockmarks. Certain specimens were capable of being quite large in size with one being as long as a mile wide in bulk. Their organs had been hardened in order to survive the bleak conditions of star travel which included moving through the shifting perspectives of hyperspace. Furthermore, they were adapted to serve the needs of their passengers that resided within the warm bellies of the creatures. (Timelike Infinity)
Splines were sentient beings that served in their role as vessels with some capable of being warships that bristled with weapon emplacements whilst others acted as freighters. They were considered among the greatest ships that were available with the probable exception of the Xeelee's navy. (Timelike Infinity)
Appearances
- Xeelee Sequence: "Timelike Infinity" (1992)
External Links
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