Deep Child Egg Case Fragments

These strange biological samples were thick mats of organic fibers, similar in structure to that of terrestrial fungi, but far greater in strength and resistance to heat than any structure contained in any other known life form. They were found, bearing signs of huge physical stresses, near unusual volcanic formations on the worlds known as Shattered Worlds, worlds with all the characteristics of Earthlike life-bearing worlds except their unusually high level of tectonic activity, causing an extremely high-temperature, violent climate. These worlds included Syra, the original Syreen homeworld, changed into a Shattered World after an unusual asteroid collision. They were first discovered by the crew of Captain Zelnick; based on preliminary observations and on references made by the Melnorme to the role of the Mycon "Deep Children" in the destruction of Syra, scientists guessed these egg cases were Mycon in origin, despite the fact that the egg case's curvature indicated an egg at least 25 meters in diameter, much larger than the average Mycon.

It soon transpired that, in fact, Mycon Deep Children were a Mycon subspecies, enormous organisms genetically programmed to terraform planets; encased in the tough egg cases, the Deep Children collided with the planet's surface and burrowed out into the planet's interior, causing the massive tectonic shifts of a Shattered World. Zelnick's Deep Child egg fragments were the crucial evidence that convinced the Syreen Commander Talana of the Mycon's responsibility for the death of Syra, bringing the Syreen into the war on the Alliance side.

At last report, the Druuge were willing to pay exorbitant prices to study these egg fragments; the purpose is unknown, but it can be inferred that the ability to synthesize such a resilient, heat-resistant substance would be invaluable in improving the performance of the crude chemical-burning furnaces that power the Druuge's overburdened technological infrastructure.