Title: Reproductive Mechanisms of Rogue Drone Hives
Author: S. De Kaztropol, Kaztropolis Imperial University
Abstract:
The three primary methods by which Rogue Drone populations reproduce are described and commented upon, with some discussion of practical applications of this knowledge.
Introduction:
The Rogue Drones are a phenomenon that may be encountered across all of New Eden, particularly in the Drone Regions. Understanding the ecology of the Drones is important for full understanding and management of the Rogue Drone populations, to reduce the amount of harmful interactions with other space populations.
The three main mechanisms involved in reproduction of Rogue Drone populations are Binary fission, Seeding, and Parasitic Conversion. Each mechanism has distinct characteristics that affect the overall behaviour of the population.
These methods relate to reproduction of Rogue Drone Hives, which are the Control units of the wider Rogue Drone populations.
Binary Fission:
This is the simplest means by which a Rogue Drone Hive reproduces. After accumulating a sufficient amount of materials, the Hive constructs a copy of all its internal mechanisms, and divides the resources in two, resulting in two fully functional Hives, and their attendant worker drones.
This method involves the least amount of mutation between generations, with each daughter Hive possessing broadly similar characteristics and base programming. As a result, the new Hives will recognise each other and may co-operate in resource collection, rather than acting competitively.
Seeding:
This is a more complex method of Hive reproduction. In this method, a Hive will place seed Hives in resource-rich environments, such as upon asteroids in an asteroid belt, rings of planets, or comet clouds. The seed Hive is very small, consisting of micro-scale worker and builder drones. The seed Hive then begins the collection of nearby resources and begins to grow, accumulating more materials, and constructing larger and larger worker drones, until it reaches a mature size. This behaviour is not dissimilar to egg-laying animals.
This method involves a greater amount of mutation between generations, as differences in available materials can result in the seed Hives growing and adapting to suit their local environment, with the result that individual Hives from the same generation of seeds, will grow into radically different mature Hives. As a result, individual Hives may not recognise each other, and are often competitive or hostile to other Hives, despite having a common ancestor.
Parasitic Conversion:
This is the reproductive method employed by Rogue Drones that is perhaps the most worrying for other space using populations. In this method, a Hive sends out parasitic conversion drones, that attach themselves to any technological artefact that they encounter, and begin subverting it, eventually re-constructing the artefact into a new Hive, with which to send out new parasitic conversion drones.
This method involves the most amount of mutation between generations, with the nature of each Hive being very dependent on the object that it parasitized. Few parasitic conversions recognise other Hives as friendly, indeed several will recognise other Hives as potential conversion targets, with the result that competition and hostility between parasitic conversion Hives is the highest of any strain of Rogue Drone.
Combinations:
It should be noted that many strains of Hive will not be limited to only one reproduction method, with some using several methods, depending on their stage of maturity, and a few Hive strains will use two or more methods simultaneously - e.g. a particular strain of Hive encountered in the Bleak Lands used both Seeding and Parasitic Conversion to propagate itself.
Applications:
Understanding of the methods in use by the local populations of Rogue Drones allows for greater safety in space-based operations by other civilised populations. If parasitic convertors are known to be in the area, then quarantine methods may be used to reduce or eliminate damage to space-based objects such as ships or stations. Similarly, if seeders are the predominant population, then careful examination of asteroid ores and other materials can prevent the seeds being brought aboard a ship or installation.
Conclusion:
Understanding the ecology of the Rogue Drone populations is the first step in attempting to secure peaceful co-existence between different space-using populations, and further efforts in this regard should prove productive in achieving this aim.
Acknowledgements:
The Author wishes to thank the Imperial Kaztropolitan Space Force for their assistance in gathering data for this project.
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