Fiction:Midnight Sanctuary



"They call themselves a "sanctuary". Those that don't know them believe them. Those that think they know them call them a zoo. Those that truly know them call them an organ farm." Unknown

The Midnight Sanctuary, often just called the Sanctuary, is a civilization located within the Tuuros Galaxy, specifically within The Schism. The center of it's territory is located within the Midnight Nebula. It contains numerous species. The exact number of species is difficult to quantify, as a large number of organisms contained with are hybrids, cyborgs and mechanical beings. The organization of the Sanctuary is unusual- worlds are assigned to a particular "Phylum" by an enigmatic central command body known as The Advisor. Additionally, there is an area known as the Central Domain, territory which belongs to no Phylum and is directly ruled by The Advisor.

The goal of the Midnight Sanctuary is to discover, induce and examine as many species as possible, with the ultimate goal of creating the perfect organism. To accomplish this, each Phylum has varying methods and ideas. Many Sanctuary vessels and vehicles are dedicated to abducting creatures, which are placed on worlds to be experimented on. Some of the most notable methods used by the Sanctuary include genetic modification, deliberately mutating organisms, and directly combining organs and body parts of different species.

History
The Midnight Sanctuary originated from a world within the Midnight Nebula known as Alvakyos XII. The frozen planet was beginning to foster life, when the star it orbited experienced a supernova, wiping out almost every living thing. However, a small number of organisms survived, using radiation from the surface to gather energy. Over an enormous period of time, life began to return to Alvakyos XII. This life was adapted to the harsh void of space, and intelligent organisms began to develop.

Technology began to advance. However, when genetic modification technology arrived, some used it to develop a devastating bioweapon, crippling the fertility of the species and killing billions. Those that remained called themselves "the Fading", as they relied upon cloning technology to sustain their population. Mutations were rampant, and soon they became desperate. One group developed mechanical beings to take the place of the decaying, biological beings. Others attempted a rush to faster-than-light technology, to find other species and use their knowledge to help.

Gradually, a new dominant philosophy emerged. The Fading began to keep themselves alive through organ transplants. As desperation increased, genetic modification was used to remove immune rejection responses, allowing for the parts of other species to be grafted on. Each Fading was becoming increasingly varied in anatomy. They were the same species in name only, as culture too diverged.

Then, the mechanical development project succeeded. Sentient artificial intelligence emerged, their own views on this fusion of species also formulated. They desired more efficiency, the optimal possible combination of parts. Space exploration discovered new worlds containing life. These machines saw opportunity for increased diversity, superior organs, better results. They formed their own enclave, inside of which they collected as many specimens as possible. Many decided to implant their computerized minds into living bodies. Their goal had now become a quest for perfection.

The mechanicals achieved dominance over the living Fading, and began to spread their influence across space, conquering worlds to gain new biochemistries, new organs, new concepts and ideas. Abducting other creatures to experiment upon them became common. When a tribal group of intelligent beings was discovered, they were "induced" forcefully into this society. Reorganization occurred, leading to this civilization being called the Midnight Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary became divided into Phylums based upon the philosophy of their members. Each was given territory, and a singular overarching goal- obtain perfection. A new central authority known as The Advisor was created, in order to maintain control over each Phylum and its own Central Domain. More exotic species were induced into the Midnight Sanctuary, many of them adopting the dominant philosophy within and beginning to alter themselves for improvement.

Astrography
Extending from the fringes of the Schism to a moderate way within, the territory of the Midnight Sanctuary is not overwhelmingly large, but neither can it be considered minuscule. At the heart of the Sanctuary is a large nebula known as the Midnight Nebula, from which the Midnight Sanctuary derives its name. Due to incredibly varying biology and dominance by mechanicals, all manner of worlds are contained within its borders, from temperate terrestrial planets to searing, diamond-covered worlds to rogue planets without stars to orbit.

There are a total of seven Phylums into which the Midnight Sanctuary is divided, in addition to the Central Domain found at the society's core. This division is highly erratic to provide as much diversity to each Phylum as possible, rather than by type of world, dominant species or astrographical locations.

Government
Most regulations inside of the Midnight Sanctuary are dependent upon Phylum. Phylums are disallowed to conflict except after an accepted official request to The Advisor, or upon special "combat worlds". Decisions about the entire Sanctuary are made via majority vote of each Phylum, and the opinion of The Advisor. Each Phylum may petition to consider hostile attacks as an attack on the entire Midnight Sanctuary. If this succeeds, every Phylum is obligated to aid in defensive efforts.