Dybbukim are the last line of defense for humanity in the vast reaches of space. They’re the soldiers, and the face of the Exodus Fleet. Created long ago to serve in the wars of the malakim. They continue to serve humanity in life after life. Dybbukim are the finest soldiers in the galaxy, and the pride of the Exodus. A dybbuk is a human mind that’s been downloaded into a robot body. Their original human body is put into cryo-sleep while the dybbuk is active, and only awoken when their dybbuk’s memories are restored to them. Dybbukim are created and trained at Jupiter-brain (j-brain) facilities scattered through Exodus Fleet space. These massive structures allow for the uploading of human minds, and their storage in a virtual reality space. The virtual reality space is what’s used to train new dybbukim in all the skills needed by the Fleet. The dybbukim of the past were larger than humans, standing at a height of 5 cubits, or 228 centimeters. This height has shrunk over time as Fleet technology’s improved. Modern dybbukim stand at 3.75 cubits, or 171 centimeters. Modern dybbukim blend in with Exodites, easing the minds of citizens. They are powered by rechargeable batteries that slot into their torso. These power cells can hold a charge for several days and recharge in moments. Dybbuk power cells are standardized and interchangeable with other Exodite technology, such as the ships they serve on. Dybbukim can also recharge their personal power cells with smaller batteries, like those used to power their energy weapons. Dybbukim are the soldiers of the Exodus Fleet. Some of them crew each Exodite vessel, but the greater number are ground forces. Exodite ships are mostly operated by human minds uploaded directly into the ships themselves, referred to as shipminds. Dybbukim on board Exodite ships are kept in storage, with their minds dwelling in the shipmind’s virtual reality space with the rest of the crew. The standard equipment of a dybbuk includes powered armour. This armour draws from the same batteries that power the dybbukim themselves. Dybbuk armour consists of a frame that each soldier steps into, and armour plates that are attached to it. The frame and plate system allows Exodite armour to be modular and customized for each mission type. Exodite armour plating is a ceramic composite that absorbs and disperses heat from energy weapon blasts. It is, however, vulnerable to the kinetic strikes from gauss guns. Exodite small arms are laser and gauss guns. Both types of weapons are powered by a standardized power cell. Dybbuk espatiers are issued laser weapons, so that they don’t puncture the hulls of the ships they fight on. Dybbuk ground forces are equipped with a mixture of energy and kinetic guns. Other equipment includes blast grenades, jump jets, personal drones, and more. Dybbukim are deployed to a planet from their ships in orbit. Exodite ships have one time use transports for squad or platoon size deployments. These transports are fired from the ships as they pass a target planet. They’re equipped with defensive measures to jam enemy tracking and to shoot down incoming missiles. Dybbukim are rarely stationed as a garrison on any planets, except the core worlds of the Commonwealth. If a dybbuk is killed, they’re restored from a backup on the ship they’re assigned to. If their ship is destroyed, they’re restored from a backup on the j-brain they were created on. Dybbukim that manage transmit their memories to their ships at the time of their death, have the memory of destruction excised to avoid trauma. Each destruction and backup risks the loss of the most recent memories of the dybbuk. But preserves the person from whom the dybbuk was created. Service in the Exodus Fleet brings little risk of true death to its soldiers. The dybbukim are the soldiers of humanity. They fight for the glory of the malakim and the safety of the Exodus. Each dybbuk knows that their service means a safer galaxy for their kin. But the price they pay is missing decades of the lives of their loved ones. Dybbukim are the premier soldiers of the galaxy, the best of the best. They’re feared by any enemy that’s faced them, or heard the tales of those who survived a battle with them. Guardians, soldiers, and destroyers.
Author: woerm