Thexar-VI: Khal-Vex-El — Sha-El 06: Vex-El Khal-sha — Space: Symbiotic Expansion
“A living ship carries its own garden. Even a garden needs walls, water and someone who notices a crack.” — From an Xha-Vokh pilot’s recollections.
Ruun-ak rass: → rhu [Thexar-VI, Sha-El 02, "Thar-Vex Khal-sha"], → rhu [Thexar-VI, Sha-El 01, "Thel-ak Khal-vex"] Mor-ven: Xha-Vokh (“Spirit-People”) are grown ship-organisms. Outer layers withstand vacuum while internal living tissues are protected by shells and supply systems. Their bodies combine three principal components:
6.1 Xha-Vokh — Living Ships
| Parameter | Xha-Vokh | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 12 km | Adult |
| Mass | ~800 t | — |
| Crew | Up to 500 Xha'ri | — |
| Speed | 0.12 c — interstellar design target | Cruising |
| Acceleration | 0.02 g | During powered acceleration with external energy |
| Lifespan | ~1 200 years | — |
| Reproduction | 1 offspring per 80 years | In space |
Life cycle: embryos grow for 12 years in orbital "shipyards" (nutrient pools); a young Xha-Vokh (~2 km wingspan) serves short voyages; after 200 years it becomes interplanetary. On death, the body burns up over Théxar — the silicon-organic ash falls to the surface, becoming soil: a closed loop.
6.2 Orbital Forest
Stations retain their atmosphere with strong shells and bio-membranes. Active transport maintains air composition within closed circuits; gas lost through damage must be replaced. Self-repair helps preserve the seal but does not remove the need for air reserves and emergency compartments.
6.3 Serrin-Ur and Thel
Serrin (moon, 425 km): bases and a colony of Xha-Vokh attached to the surface, a "nursery" where young spend the first 50 years obtaining mineral feedstock from regolith and other nutrients from supplies.
Thel (moon, 178 km): a source of He-3; extraction by symbiotic organisms that filter regolith. Living structures work alongside buildings and machinery.
6.4 Interstellar Plans
As of +4 028, no interstellar flights (light speed is absolute, FTL impossible). The "Seeding" project: sending Xha-Vokh embryos to nearby stars in suspended animation, with a "wake" program upon finding a suitable planet.
Ruun Ven
- Xha-Vokh — living ships: 12 km, 0.12 c — interstellar design target, 500 crew, ~1 200 y lifespan.
- Material recovery: remains and worn components are processed; losses still require replacement.
- The Orbital Forest: 24 stations, 350–1 200 km.
- Serrin has bases and nursery facilities; Thel supplies He-3 through biological and mechanical extraction systems.
- "Seeding" — the interstellar plan, no FTL.