Cephalopod
Cephalopods (short Cephs or derogatory squids) are a sentient species of somewhat humanoid-lovecraftian body and embroiled in a brutal war with Humanity. Not much is known about them.
The first contact was a genocidal display of devastation wrecked on the Human colony Aurora.
Contents
Biology
Biologically speaking, Cephs have four prehensile upper limbs[1] and copper-green blood, suggesting a hemocyanin-analog to be the protein responsible for oxygen transport.
Society
Currently its speculated the Cephalopod Society to be organised fully into the military force with a two-way communication into the computational grid, allowing for relay of information and reception of orders.[2]
Warfare
Cephalopods have the upper hand in everything in regards to warfare; they have faster ships, better guns and generally technologically superior. The main factor they have not yet overrun Humanity is not entirely clear, but the integrated role of magical girls in the Human military seems to be one of the more deciding factors.
That's the only reason Cephs are able to field lighter and faster and still better armoured ships wielding better weapons than Humans and still be defeated by mages, especially if employed the advantage the Cephs were not yet able to outcompete technologically – stealth and detection. Since Magi Cæli deal devastating damage in close range, the prevalent doctrine of the Cephs is field carriers in the back supplying fighters and bombers for the frontlines of the battle. In battles of sufficient size the carriers are joined by one or more siege-range blink cannons. In any case, a nearly oerwhelming complement of drones of various purposes usually join the fray. In the event of significant heavy capital ship losses the Cephalopods prefer to withdraw.[3]
Early in the war the Cephs established outposts surrounding the total of Human space, encapsulating it.[4]
By now the Cephalopods are aware of the danger mages pose to their troops and equipped their field personnel with shrapnelling self-destructs[5] as well as deploying snipers aiming for soul gems[6], and in cases detonating heavy ordinances in close proximity to their installations if they detect anything slightly indicating a Human MagOps insertion.[7]
Ships[8]
- (Heavy) Carrier
- Blink Bombardment Cannon
- teleports heavy ordinance into the middle of human fleets
- aim experiences a short phase-in period
- Bomber
- Heavy fire platform
- Not FTL capapble
- Interceptor
- Defense against MC
- Cover for bombers
- Battlecruiser
- Heavy fire support
- Planetary bombardment, WMD deployment
- Often sacrificial pawn to delay Human fleet
- Cruiser
- Heavy anti-personnel platform
- Deploys hard radiation bombs and EMP pulses
- Frigate
- Light anti-personnel and patrol platform
- Deploys "shrapnel" flak and minefields
- Strategic Vessels
- Operate independent of fleets
- Goal: Terror, Raiding, break supply lines
- FTL and Blink capable
