Technology -- Hivers
From SOTS
Hivers can develop just about any technology you can imagine, naturally; they have the same rates of mathematical and scientific brilliance you would expect from any sentient species.
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Genetics
The one salient feature of the Hiver approach to technology is that Hivers will always consider the possibility of adapting their own bodies first, if it is easier and less expensive than creating a general toolset.
They are more than willing to create specialized Hivers to do particular jobs; if they consider it more efficient to create a vacuum-proof Hiver than to solve the difficulties of creating a Hiver space-suit, they'll go with the vacuum-proof Hiver. In general Hivers prefer to standardize certain aspects of their racial physiology. Their ability to specialize can become dangerous to the empire if overused on a wide scale; they are a species very much in danger of evolving into subspecies if too much genetic tinkering is done.
This is why they still need to terraform worlds, like the other races of the game. If they started to tailor whole Hiver clans to individual worlds, they could wind up with a number of highly successful subspecies with no loyalty to the queen, and the process of fragmenting the Empire would happen very quickly.
Needless to say, Hiver geneticists are incredibly brilliant, work very closely with their Princesses, and are highly prized.
Movement and Gates
Hivers move through space using a combination of slower-than-light and instantaneous-transport technology. A fleet of Hiver ships, driven by standard STL engines, begin by traveling a great distance the hard way—it may take them months or years, moving at sub-relativistic speed, to reach their destination.
Once they arrive, however, the Hivers quickly set up the Gate, a ship with two emitters projecting a triangle-shaped field. Should other Hiver ships choose to follow, they can travel instantly to the newly erected Gate from any other Gate in the Hiver Empire.
Once the Gate is set up, it becomes a dedicated structure to all intents and purposes. As to why Gates are always built as a ship type, this is due to a convergence of physics, politics and strategic concerns.
In physics terms, the power plant necessary to create and maintain an open Gate is such that nothing short of a star drive can power it. No one really wants a fission, fusion or anti-matter reactor sitting in low defensive orbit around a habited world—not even Hivers have that little regard for the lives of their own civilians.
In political terms, the secrets of Gate technology are one of the most jealously guarded technological secrets of the Hiver empire. Only a coterie of Gate scientists fiercely loyal to the Queen have the knowledge and expertise to open and maintain a Gate. Those same elite Hivers are trained to destroy all apparatus and detonate their ship rather than allow it to be captured and deconstructed by an enemy race.
In strategic terms, the placement and setting up of Gates is in the hands of the Hiver military, and they tend to use ships to move machinery and personnel in space. Piloting and maintaining a Gateship, even apart from the Gate itself, takes a certain amount of expertise. Once the Gate is activated, the crew of such a ship are also responsible for military and civil communications traffic, etc.
In general, all enemy races have a similar attitude toward the Hivers drive tech, which is probably the same attitude players will adopt toward them in the game. In brief:
"Hiver drive tech is laughable--until they arrive. Then the joke's on you."
Ship Construction
Hiver ships are built by warriors and workers who dedicate their lives to the task in the service of the Queen. Their skills and knowledge are highly prized, and the most elite among them are the Hivers who build, maintain and control the Queen's precious Gates.
Weapons
Hivers are fond of all sorts of weapons, but for ship defense they are very fond of flame-throwers. Their chitinous armor protects them from fire—most of the enemies they face are not so lucky.
For fighting other Hivers, they prefer armor-piercing rounds with more penetration. And if they have a personal grudge against the enemy, they will be certain to destroy his brain.
As an aside, warrior bugs are often involved in duels of honor. During such contests they eschew all "made weapons" and use their own bodies in combat.
Hiver-only Technologies
Star Drives
Teleport Gate - Allows construction of gate ships. (Starting Technology)
Gate Amplifier - Retrofits existing gate ships. (Core Technology)
FarCasters - Retrofits existing gate ships. (Core Technology)
Power Technology
Long-range Fission Drive - Enables a new engine section. (Core Technology)
Long-range Fusion Drive - Enables a new engine section. (Core Technology)
Ramscoops - Enables a new command section. (Core Technology)
