Hullen

Hullen
Information	Hullen neuroparasite

“What do they want?” - Captain Duhane
“To make more of them and less of us.” - Turin

Background

Hullen parasites bonding with a host's cells

The Hullen are a race of humans bonded with an invasive neuroparasite contained within the Green Plasma.

The Hullen have existed for thousands of years and across species.

Physical Characteristics

Hullen look like normal human beings, however they have a number of superhuman abilities that set them apart. Those who survive the bonding process have their strength, reflexes and endurance enhanced to extreme levels. They also gain regenerative powers, enabling them to rapidly heal from any injury with the exception of sudden brain death. This also has the effect of effectively ceasing their aging process at the point they were turned Hullen.

The process also damages the individual's anterior insular cortex and hypothalamus, suppressing the capacity for empathy and bonding. Because of this, they maintain training camps around the galaxy, using human slaves to teach Hullen how to socialize and act "human". According to Sabine, most chosen for the Red 17 process do not survive the physical or mental transition.

The neuroparasite the Hullen are bonded to lives in the host's brain, and must remain in constant contact with their body. An incomplete bond can result in inflammation to the brain, forcing the host to relieve the pressure by hitting themselves. D'avin Jaqobis' repulsive effect on the plasma can disrupt the connection between parasite and host, which allowed Sabine to regain her emotions while slowing her ability to heal. Brain scans showed that the effect was temporary, though he theorized that he might have been able to cleanse Sabine of the plasma completely. A severe injury to the brain or spinal column can sever the connection entirely, either killing them from the resulting trauma (as with victims of the dreadnought) or rendering them human again (John Jaqobis and Delle Seyah Kendry were cleansed using the latter method).

Hullen Hive Mind

Creatures bonded with the neuroparasite develop a hive mind within their species. Mossipedes of the Badlands on Westerley are an example. The Hullen have a hive mind that allows them to access memories from all of their kind, as well as communicate instantaneously across interstellar distances. Due to an imperfect bond, the original humans that bonded with the neuroparasite, such as Khlyen, tended to retain a greater degree of autonomy, however Aneela and her allies conducted experiments to strengthen the bond in order to suppress autonomy and control the newer Hullen. These experiments formed the basis of development for the Red 17 process.

Hullen in the Quad

"Centuries ago, my people offered the ancestors of the Nine a deal, eventual assimilation or immediate annihilation. Their descendants have had ten generations to suck the wealth out of the Quad and honor the deal. What you're seeing in Old Town right now is the beginning of that handover. A silent invasion has begun."

- Khlyen

The first known Hullen in The Quad were the Arkyn colonists who became infected with plasma discovered beneath the moon's surface approximately 200 years ago.

Since then the Hullen have expanded their numbers and influence, and have infiltrated the RAC and The Company. Labs were constructed under the Spring Hill compound to turn survivors of the Execution Eugenics program into Hullen, with plans to spread the program across Westerley. However, these plans were abandoned when Khlyen, Dutch, Johnny and D'avin destroyed the plasma source on Arkyn, rendering much of the plasma in the Quad inert and removing the Hullen's ability to create soldiers there.

Aneela's Fleet

Aneela commands a vanguard fleet from her cruiser which includes numerous smaller Falcon Class ships. Gander is her second in command.