A Vérkatros is a machine whose function is to manage the Vars as well as Griddish. The plural form of Vérkatros is Vérkatrae.
Description[]
The appearance of a Vérkatros depends on the particular function that it fulfills on Griddish. Slipshot 1.0 is concerned with several different classes of Vérkatrae.
Classes[]
The Vérkatrae consist of many different classes, depending on their particular function.
Transport Class[]
Transport Class Vérkatrae are approximately twice the height of a Slave and have a canine-like appearance. Their role is to transport Slaves throughout Griddish, and if called upon to do so, the Vars. They can comfortably carry two Slaves who ride on their backs.
They have short, strong legs that fold up inside their chassis. The normally travel by hovering.
Sleeper Class[]
Sleeper Class Vérkatrae are sent to the Vars as an advance unit whose purpose is to cause the Varling population to fall to a soporific state in preparation for a dismantlement event. The Sleeper Class Vérkatrae were designed to make a dismantlement event humane by minimizing the suffering of the Varlings. It is also believed that the specific capabilities of the Sleeper Class Vérkatrae would make a dismantlement event easier to undertake.
The Sleeper Class Vérkatrae are very large, approximately the height of three Slaves. Some, however, are said to be as large as hundreds of Slaves. They have large heads and broad backs, upon which is mounted a horn-like extrusion that emits a deep groaning sounds. Multiple ocular devices are mounted to the base of their chassis, allowing them 360° vision.
In Slipshot Vol 1.0, Opal Fremmitty is charged with managing the Sleeper Class Vérkatrae.
Constructor Class[]
The Constructor Class Vérkatrae are sent to a Var in order to complete a dismantlement project. They are short, and their heads are close to the ground. From their jaws, they emit plasmic arcs that disintegrate and repurpose matter. They emit a high pitched screeching sound as they dismantle a Var.
In Slipshot Vol 1.0, Rive Amber is charged with managing the Constructor Class Vérkatrae.
Creator Class[]
Creator Class Vérkatre are an ancient form that no longer exists, except in one instance as Dr. Jeremiah Onu, also known as One or 11. Little is known about the Creator Class Vérkatrae, except that they may have been banned, dismantled, or banished to deep space.
The Vérkatrae serve many different management functions and their size and shape are dependent on their particular role. Although Slipshot Vol 1.0 is concerned mostly with Transport, Sleeper, and Constructor Class Vérkatrae, many more classes exist to undertake various functions.
Function[]
The Vérkatrae were originally developed to assist the Slaves in their management of Griddish. Over time, the Vérkatrae evolved their own intelligence and method of communication, of which neither the Slaves nor the Engineers adequately understand. Vérkatrae serve many different functions, ranging from managing the daily operations of Griddish, such as transport, repair and maintenance, dismantlement, agriculture, and construction. They are able to travel between the Vars and Griddish through the Slipshot.
Vérkatrae Access to the Tenddrome
Vérkatrae have access to the Tenddrome, but only the as deep as the second layer. The are closer to the core than non-sentient objects, such as doorways and devices like Perispikes.
Attributes[]
The Vérkatrae are said to have a physical form that is somewhere between organic and mechanical.
Natty Mick describes his experience of a Transport Class Vérkatros:
“Not that it matters,” he mumbled. He turned towards the Transport Class Vérkatros. He took hold of the weird, hybrid flesh, which was somewhere between hard metal and soft skin. He pulled himself up onto its back. His fingers slipped into the organic cellular lattice of the Vérkatros' metal epidermis. It felt cool and soft to the touch.[1]
When Fredrick Munchen from Var 8 first arrived in Griddish, he fully witnessed the Vérkatrae for the first time, in their non-obfuscated form, as they assembled around the Slipshot Silo.
There were many of them, maybe hundreds, or thousands, lined up, silent, still, menacing, as if they were resting and preparing for something important, readying to wake up and march in unison to their ultimate des-tination. Most likely through the dark portal known as the Slipshot. And then down to Earth, to San Francisco. Beyond them, in between the gaps of the large ones as they sat next to each other, Fredrick saw smaller ones. They looked quick, springy, with long thin horns on their heads, and red and orange glowing clusters of eyes. They, too, numbered in the thousands, perhaps, as they sat still in rows behind the large ones.[2]
Trivia[]
- Vérkatrae have an unknown number of classes, since they quickly learn new skills and evolve, thereby creating new branches.
- Blinky, who appears in Vol 2.0, is the first Vérkatros to form a close relationship with a Slave.
- Slaves generally believe Vérkatrae have no capacity for feelings or connection with each other or other Griddishians.