The Nasat are an insectoid species from the eponymous planet, which they share with a sentient plant-like species, the Citoac.
History and specifics[]
Space-faring for many decades, they have tended to isolate themselves from the rest of the galaxy, but have joined the United Federation of Planets. A cautious people with an aversion to taking risks, they were rarely seen off-world, but in recent years have become slightly more visible, working within the Federation government on a number of levels, and increasingly represented in Starfleet. Still, they are stereotyped as a careful, conservative people, who are slow to take action or change their ways.
Biology and sociology[]
Nasats bear a striking resemblance to Terran crustaceans. Humans often liken them to pillbugs or woodlice, but they are much larger, typically reaching chest height on an average Human male. They possess a chorion carapace composed of flexible plates, and an almost reptilian tail, which reaches to the floor. Covered in heavy scales, it is essentially an extension of the shell. A Nasat's multiple limbs are exoskeletal and jointed, like those of insects. There is a set of primary manipulator arms, two pairs of secondary manipulators, and a pair of rear legs for standing on. Having eight limbs in all, they have earned the classification arachnid, despite their crustacean appearance. Although they spend much of their time on two limbs, Nasats are capable of moving equally efficiently on eight. The three upper pairs end in grasping pincers.
A Nasat's head, resting directly on the shoulders and with no measurable neck, is round and smooth, resembling a chitinous dome. Projecting from the top of the skull, above the heavy brow ridge, is a pair of antennae. These sensitive feeling organs are used for finding one’s way in the dark (the Nasat people having evolved in damp caves beneath the forest). Nasats also possess attack hairs on the neck, which bristle when danger presents itself. These hairs protect the Nasat from being targeted by flying or arboreal predators. Another instinctive reaction to danger is curling. The hinged plates of the carapace allow the Nasat to curl into a tight armoured ball, and by flexing these plates outward one after another they can roll at speed. Specifically, they move backwards from the source of danger, in a continuous reverse somersault. The shell is incredibly tough, and protects a Nasat in a variety of harsh environments, even - for a period of several hours — the vacuum of space. A Nasat can also function for a limited time in an N-class environment like that of Venus, or in the crushing pressure at the bottom of oceans. The acidic atmosphere of Eridas IX is too much for them, though. The shell can even withstand directed energy weapons to some degree. On the other hand, it is not invulnerable to piercing weapons such as arrows.
A Nasat’s eyes, which are blue, black or yellow, are heavy-lidded, giving them a permanent drowsy expression. The eyelids allow them to blink, though they do so irregularly. Underneath these lids are transparent membranes, which allow the Nasat to see where it is going while its eyes remain protected from harsh environments, again including space.
Although capable of enduring a wide range of climates, they prefer warm and humid environments, having evolved in the rainforests of their planet’s tropical belt. Nasats are equally at home on the ground or in trees, having originated on the forest floor, while today residing in the canopy.
An individual Nasat - or “shell” as the Nasats themselves phrase it - can be identified by its unique bioelectric signature, which is read by passing a scanner over the forebrain region of the head. The Nasat brain contains the Central Cortex, a region believed to be the most primitive part of the organ. Whatever functions it served were long thought to have become obsolete as the species evolved. In the average Nasat, the Central Cortex might show low-level brain activity a handful of times a day, nothing more. However, there is a type of Nasat known as a "Quiet" whose upper brain functions are concentrated here. In a Nasat, a highly stimulated Central Cortex is related to communication deficiencies; the label of "Quiet" is applied as these people cannot, under normal circumstances, speak or grasp even the basics of language. Quiets hatch at a uniform rate planet-wide, regardless of shell colour, geography or heredity. One in every 750 Nasats can be expected to hatch a Quiet, and for much of Nasat history such people were left to a life of isolation, performing menial tasks and unable to participate in civic affairs. In the 24th century, a Federation neural-electric linguistics program was developed to facilitate the communication skills of these "quiets". It was discovered soon afterward that the Quiets were not "defective", but instead adapted to communicate with the Citoac, who stimulate the brains of Nasats with sound in order to interact with them. Quiets were historically essential to keeping the peace between the two races.
Nasat come in five different colors, which are integrated into their names (Blue, Brown, Red, Green, and Yellow).
Nasats inhabit the giant trees covering much of their planet's tropical regions. While the Capital Township is increasingly modernized as Nasat integrates into the Federation, more "rural" regions are still very traditional and occasionally opposed to alien influences. Being a peaceful race, they prefer keeping to themselves, and thus simply cordon off their dwellings instead of aggressively colonizing or controlling the forests. All manner of animal and plant life coexist beyond the townships, relatively undisturbed by the Nasat presence.
Nasat generally have little sense of history, and romantic love is an alien concept to them. Females are fertilized, then may wait several years before birthing larvae. The larvae are transferred to state nurseries soon afterward; there is no parent-child bond. (SCE eBook: Balance of Nature)
Commonly referred to as "Ciliates" in the 23rd century, Nasat are ambidextrous and gifted with excellent eyesight. Their cilia-like arms are quite sensitive. (Stardate Magazine vol. 1, Issue 3/4: "Personnel File - UFP: Ciliates")
History[]
The Nasat had made contact with the United Federation of Planets by the late 23rd century. In 2269 one member of the species, M3 Green, accompanied Captain James T. Kirk and a multi-species team to retrieve and return the "Soul of the Skorr" to the Vedala. (TAS episode & Log Five novelization: The Jihad)
By the 24th century, the Nasat were members of the Federation, although many Nasat decided not to leave their homeworld. One exception was P8 Blue, who served aboard the Federation starship USS da Vinci as part of the ship's Starfleet Corps of Engineers team for much of the 2370s. (SCE eBook: The Belly of the Beast, et al)
Another exception to this were a group of Red Nasats who left in the early 24th century to forge a new life for themselves. These Nasats settled on planet Phantas 61, where they integrated into Phantasian culture. (SCE eBook: The Art of the Deal)
Nasat individuals[]
| This article or subsection has an associated category. | Nasat |
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- B6 Blue
- C29 Green
- D6 Blue
- F2 Red
- F3 Red
- G3
- M3 Green
- M9 Green
- P8 Blue
- Q2 Brown
- R1 Red
- T4 Yellow
- V1 Red
- V5 Red
- W37 Yellow
- Y29 Brown
- Z4 Blue
Appendices[]
| This section is written from the Real World point of view. |
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Background[]
The Nasat, named in the first SCE eBook: The Belly of the Beast, are the same race as the "pillbug" alien character of Em/3/Green, from the TAS episode: "The Jihad".
External link[]
- M3 Green's species article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.