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General Information[]

  • Augmented humans, super-soldiers, created originally to fight the Sheriekas, the Great Enemy: "To fight augmented humans, one needed special humans, not quite as adjusted and modified perhaps as the Sheriekas...but fighters who were more efficient, stronger, and often faster." [1]
    • The soldier caste from which the present-day Yxtrang devolve, were entirely manufactured, they were created to stringent specifications, indoctrinated from birth into a soldier culture that deliberately distanced them from civilian cultures. They might have been raised up knowing that they were better than the not-soldiers. But they were also raised to a strong sense of duty. The civilians, who were weaker and less able to defend themselves, were natural objects of their protection.[2]
  • Originally spelled Trang (meaning "Troop")
  • The word Yxtrang was formed by blending together Y Strain and X Strain.
  • Yxtrang have deliberately developed their own cant language, referred to as Troop, but they once spoke the common tongue.[3]
    • "If they're gonna have tattoos on their faces," she said to Jela, "and their own language, too, it might be hard for an ordinary citizen to take to 'em much."[4]
    • Their native language was also manufactured, spoken only among those of the Troop. Not only were there technical matters they needed to speak of quickly and efficiently, but secret things, too.[2]
  • Yxtrang are taller than average Terrans, but shorter than Clutch Turtles (average Liadens are 5' tall, Terrans 7' tall, Clutch 9' tall [5]
    • But in "I Dare" Edger is only 8 feet. [6]
  • Yxtrang soldiers do not have beards (although they have beard growth) - it's part of discipline[7]
  • Soldiers achieve rank by performance (lieutenants, commanders, etc) but from before birth, through design, and through subsequent training, they become dutiful common trooper "Rifles" or the more adaptable, intelligent, and autonomous (but still dutiful) "Explorers" [8](Some older model "Pathfinders" had "mental shields installed at such a cost" to resist the enemy.[9])
  • Yxtrang have a biological imperative for immediate action but the Explorers have learned techniques to think past it [10]

Daily Mantra[]

(Diglon Rifle reflecting): "The Yxtrang concept, learned at first by a story told by an elder Troop, was rote as a child and reinforced at first once per ten day and then once per five day and then once per day until at last it was part of his very waking thought: Today I will joyfully do the work of the Troop, without delay, remorse, reserve, or restriction."[11]


M Series Soldiers[]

  • See books 1 & 2: Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon
  • More than a millennium ago the GREAT ENEMY, the Sheriekas ("they'd been human once....they were the evolved human, the perfected species"[12]) created the prototype super-soldier. However, humans stole the design. "The design was captured, modifications were made, and when the Sheriekas retuned to exercise their dominion over the Spiral Arm, the M Series was waiting to deny them the pleasure." [13]
  • Human, "designed with human care" and not vat-born "even if his genes had been selected, and cultivated, and arranged, he was arguably as human as anyone who didn't bear a Batch tattoo on both arms." [12]
  • The M Series soldier had been designed to be "far stronger for his size, to get by on less food, see and hear better than average, and respond with faster and more refined action, etc. [12]
  • M strain soldiers were "resistant to a long list of mental manipulations, including sabotage by pheromone"[14]
    • The Pathfinders Chernak and Stost demonstrate this mental resistance[15]
  • The earliest named soldier in the series of books is Jela (M Jela Granthor's Guard). Jela was an M Series soldier, a generalist, assigned to Granthor's Guard creche. He was athletic, adaptable, energetic, humorous, repeatedly lucky, and highly intelligent. Above all, Jela was dutiful.[16]
  • Jela and all M Series soldiers were created individually in a lab and nursed from fetus in a crèche with other children. [17] (not vat-born)
  • Engineered soldiers by default cannot reproduce [18] (but Cantra did conceive "Jela's true and biologic child")[19]
  • M series soldiers were designed to die by decommission at age 45.[20]
  • Command decided to improve on the M Series. "They were too independent, too individual, much too prone to use their own judgment." [3]
  • The Uncle bred some M soldiers as guards, for example M Traven serving Seignur Veeoni. The M Series line of soldiers has not been mentioned among the Yxtrang, but it could be reintroduced, because Jela bequeathed his gene map to Cantra yos'Phelium, via Captain Wellik, [21] and because the Pathfinders brought viable samples, with documentation, of the K, M, X, and Y strains developed by the military and eventually given to The Uncle for safekeeping [22]

X and Y Series[]

X and Y became Yxtrang

  • Wanting a more obedient soldier, the designers engineered the taller X Strain and the Y Strain, which became collectively known as the Yxtrang. However, the designers failed to achieve their goal: "They lacked the interchangeability of some committee-envisioned super-fighter: Physically perfect, identical, and above all, amenable to command." [3]
  • The new design created an unintended schism: "The so-called X Strain -- able to work harder and longer on less food than even the efficient Ms...They spoke among themselves a truncated and canted artificial dialect, and appeared to lump any soldier but those of the latest vat runs into a social class of lesser outsiders." [3]
  • Unlike the M series, the Yxtrang were entirely manufactured and deliberately distanced themselves from civilians, in culture, language, etc."[23]
  • Unlike the Ms, the X and Y series covered their face in tattoos: "the all-too-silly tattoos that were becoming the rage -- and making each as identifiable as if they'd shouted out name, rank, creche, and gene units" [3] (The tattoos are eventually referred to as "vingtai" in Plan B.)
  • Not all of the new X and Y soldiers were intolerant of the Ms, as seen by the honor shown to Jela and his decommissioned ship, The Salkithin (renamed Quick Passage). "Happened this particular crew'd been Jela's own from when Salkithin had been put to sleep, six Common Years ago and a bit. It were a mixed crew -- three X Strains, two Ms, a Y, and Ilneri, who was, as far as Cantra could make it, a natural human -- and they all had something to tell about the "Little Captain" [24]
  • As the invulnerable Sheriekas easily devastated Spiral Arm worlds, military command lost hope and interest. With some notable exceptions —-Jela's group, Wellik, etc -- soldiers lost duty, discipline, and honor.
    • Example: heavily tattooed soldiers at Korak Garrison sharpening their teeth, jeering, and shooting at innocent civilians[25]
  • High Command, having been bought, eventually abandoned the beleaguered Rim and pulled back, towards the center of the Galaxy. They set up Temp Headquarters at Daelmere. Subsequently (or consequently?) the Sherieka destroyed planet Daelmere, including Temp Headquarters "or where Headquarters isn't anymore." [26]
    • Commandant Harrib at Scohecan Garrison disagreed with High Command's decision and accepted Jela's datastrip from Consolidated Commander Ro Gayda. Harrib was a natural human: "...a slender man, with sandy hair going thin...not a Series soldier." He ran a tight ship, despite dwindling supplies, with two M series soldiers guarding the gate, and a rambunctious but respectful young X on a scooter. [27]

Yxtrang Today[]

  • The remnants of the Spiral Arm migrated to the Liaden universe. Some Troops flew rear guard to Cantra’s ship Quick Passage. [28]
  • But upon arrival, the Troop found no High Command, no orders. They set up Temp Headquarters to wait for command to arrive, and supposedly still wait, a millennium later. [23]
  • Aimless and without duty, but born with an imperative for action,[10] the Yxtrang became warlike world conquerors and merciless ravagers, making themselves an enemy to Liadans, Clutch Turtles, and Terrans alike (but tolerating the Juntavas, who are Terran). They destroyed Rys Lin pen’Chala’s clan and vineyard. [29]
  • “Liadens were taught to fear and despise the soldier hordes, to consider them forever a threat to the universe, a menace to civilization.”[30] see soldier Diglon in The Rifle's First Wife.
  • After so many centuries, perhaps a millennium, the Yxtrang series is dying out. "The design was failing. There were fewer viable births every cycle"[8] (vat-births, presumably)

Pathfinders & Explorers[]

  • "Pathfinders became Explorers among Yxtrang. Scout is the Liaden equivalent of Explorer."[31]
  • Much like the M-series generalists, Pathfinders are all Master Pilots, capable trackers and scouts, and handy with maps, strategies, and weapons. They have resistance to mind control to resist the Great Enemy
  • known Pathfinders: Chernak (f) and Stost (m)
    • On Bechimo, for Minot Port, they were given the last name Strongline[32]
  • known Explorers: Nelirikk Explorer, Hazenthull Explorer, Vepal the Ambassador , Gernchik (died on Lytaxin)
  • Nelirikk suspects the Explorer line is being phased out, because he hadn't seen any in years[33]

Pathfinders Chernak and Stost[]

Excerpt Gathering Edge Wyrd Space flotsam

Wyrd Space : Orbital Aid

  • Chernak Strongline, female
  • Stost Strongline, male
  • The Pathfinders are proto-Yxtrang Explorers. They are master pilots and capable scouts and soldiers, able to resist mind control. Chernak and Stost (and cat Grakow) might have The Luck, as they are the only survivors of Orbital Aid Shipwreck, from the static universe.

Both were pathfinders by training and birth and…she was seven seconds the elder. They shared the seventh minute of the seventh hour of the seventh day, and had been tagged as the “lucky ones” of their cohort by some K-grade staffer, for reasons they had never learned, and now never would; the Third Corps creche-world was long ago dust in a sheriekas raid. [34]

  • escaped the Sheriekas and entered Wyrd Space / Teapot Space in a holed ship, carrying priority document cases to be delivered to High Command or, if none, the highest governing official among civilians. Rescued by Bechimo and crew[35]
  • adopted the only other survivor, a cat, Grakow
  • helped deal with greedy admin, Scout Captain Ing Vie yos'Thadi, and the rioting crowds at Minot Dock. Helped rescue Captain Rig Tranza, Theo's teaching pilot when they piloted Primadonna (see The Gathering Edge)
  • Applied unsuccessfully for work with The Mercs at hiring hall on Surebleak. Eventually signed on with Bechimo to clear Surebleak outer space of Independent Logics made of Old Tech, speaking old Yxtrang, set on mayhem.

Turtles’ Prey[]

All those born to the Soldier Race fear the Clutch Turtles

  • “There were many documented attacks of Yxtrang upon Clutch vessels as late as eight hundred Standards before. Then, the attacks ceased.”[36]
  • The Yxtrang suffered catastrophic loss to the Clutch -- "slayer of soldiers, destroyer of fleets" - and, utterly defeated — they agreed to terms, [36], [37]
  • The turtles named Yxtrang their "fair and just prey"[38]

“Clutch turtles? Nelirikk managed to stifle the shiver, while fervently hoping never in his lifetime to see a Clutch turtle, enemy of the Troop, slayer of fleets."[39]

"The Clutch have weapons no one can stand against. Troop lore tells of ships of monstrous size appearing at will inside defensive rings and absorbing the energy of the strongest beams, and of an invasion where songs sung by five Clutch soldiers brought down walls and destroyed weapons held by Troops. It is said that if a Clutch begins to sing it is safest to throw your weapon far away before it blows up in your hands. ... The Troop knows, mouth to mouth across the years, that Temp Headquarters itself, within a ring of five defensive moons, could not prevent the landing of a dozen Clutch vessels at Prime Base itself."[40]

Nelirikk, Diglon & Haz[]

Nelirikk Beautiful Miri quote, I Dare

Nelirikk has his own main page article now. See Nelirikk

But see Nelirikk, Diglon, & Hazenthull for details on Diglon and Hazenthull

Genetic Maps[]

The Pathfinders asked Captain Miri Robertson to find a trustworthy repository for the genetic samples they brought from the old universe. She chose The Uncle:

"You already hold a big collection of similar material, all of which makes you the best choice to receive and care for these ... rare and precious samples....Those cases contain viable samples, with documentation, of the K, M, X, and Y strains developed by the military. There are also samples and notes for various specialist strains. The cases are purposely built to keep the samples fresh until they can be move to a more appropriate, long-term archive." [22]

Other Individuals[]

Gernchik Explorer[]

  • Yxtrang Explorer (similar to Scout) [41]. Hazenthull's mentor. Died on Lytaxin.

Commander Kahliiz[]

  • Raided and claimed a small smuggler ship and left it stranded, until Borg Tanser of the Juntavas so kindly gave it to Val Con and Miri, in false faith with the Clutch Turtles. Kahliiz then tried to recapture the smuggler ship with Val Con and Miri, but Val Con jumped to Vandar while too close to the Yxtrang marauder. The blast didn't kill Kahliiz but it seriously damaged his ship[42]

"The General"[]

  • "The General" of the 14th Conquest Corps is never named in the book, "Plan B"
  • On Lytaxin, the General ignored No-Troop Nelirikk's urgent warning, thus losing a troop transport ship, the "Spraghentz"
  • The General sent Nelirikk No-Troop into enemy land with inferior equipment, on a supposed recon mission
    • where he was captured by Jason Carmody of The Mercs, Gyrfalks Unit, to eventually pledge himself to Captain Miri Robertson, Line yos'Phelium
  • Others in 14th Conquest Corps: Captain Kagan, Corporal Dikl, Over-Tech Akrant[43]

Ambassador Vepal[]

  • Ambassador to the Unaffiliated Worlds[44][45][40]
  • An Explorer
  • the final chapter of "Shout of Honor" implies that he is the same Yxtrang ambassador mentioned in passing in Agent of Change
  • Develops a fondness for JinJee Sanchez, commander of the Paladin Mercenaries (see The Mercs)[40]
  • His “small troop” : Vepal Explorer, Ochin Rifle, Pilot Erthax[40]

Ochin Rifle[]

  • bodyguard to Vepal[44][45][40]
  • reads Liaden melant'i plays for recreation after picking up a set in a pawn shop[40]
  • promoted to Master Rifle after demonstrating initiative and strategic thinking[40]

Erthax[]

  • pilot of Vepal's ship[45][40]
  • apparently tortured for info and executed by Vepal after proof of betrayal[40]

Captain Wellik[]

  • A dutiful soldier. Captain Wellik was an X Strain in command at Solcintra Garrison in the old universe. He has "a single brown star tattooed high on his left cheek."
    • Jela sent young Tor An yos'Galan and Liad dea'Syl to Wellik with some leaves from The Tree as proof of trust, saying: "I know you have no love of soldiers, especially the X strains, but I personally vouch for Wellik."[46]
  • Wellik created Jela's Honor Guard unit -- the same unit that Nelirikk belonged to in the new universe. [47]
    • He appointed pilot Vachik (Y strain soldier) to Jela's Honor Guard unit -- Cantra's friend. It's unclear what mission they were given. Maybe helped Wellik's troops fly rear guard in the Exodus from Old Solcintra [47]

Firge[]

  • An ally of Vepal's stationed at Temp Headquarters. Vepal is not sure if she is still alive.[40]

Language[]

In the old static universe, manufactured soldiers such as M-Jela spoke common tongue, and also a secret warrior language.

  • Their native language was manufactured, spoken only among those of the Troop. Not only were there technical matters they needed to speak of quickly and efficiently, but secret things, too.[2]
  • The more radical Yxtrang deliberately developed their own cant language, which M-Jela despised[3]
  • In the new expanding universe, some Old Tech ships and devices speak old Yxtrang /old Troop. This includes Aberthaz Ferry, one of the famous Independent Logics.[48]

Words & Phrases[]

  • Arak ek zenorth - "honor and glory"[49]
  • kojagun - means both "not a soldier" and also "prey"[50][51][40]
  • malkonstituita - "scorned, impotent, a laughing stock"[40]
  • nchaka - facial scar when first being bladed into service (see details below)
  • vingtai — facial tattoos (see details below)
  • Yxtrang — originally Trang, meaning “troop” — any type of soldiers. The word Yxtrang was formed by blending together Y Strain and X Strain.

Yxtrang Facial Tattoos - "Vingtai"[]

  • Marks of rank and accomplishment, done with a needle to be permanent[7]
  • Yxtrang history, as taught to Nelirikk, tells that vingtai were used by the first soldiers because it gave fear to Liadens[7]
  • However, tattoos were already becoming "all the rage" in the old universe.[3]
  • For one example, Jela saw a "woman with a red lance crossing a blue blade tattooed on her right cheek"[3]
  • Nelirikk's vingtai showed the following (before it was removed):
    • On the right cheek: Insignia of born-to troop: Jela's Guard Corps[7]
    • On the left cheek: Marks of Explorers and the double lines of No-Troop[7]
    • The rest: Creche mark, apprentice troop, honors of marksmanship and piloting[7]
  • Flower of Genius, worn at the outer corner of the left eye, may be earned by proposing a creative solution to a difficult problem[44]

Facial Scar - "Nchaka"[]

  • "When a soldier is done training and has his own weapon given, Sergeant of Arsenal bloods the Grace-Blade, to show the edge is sharp."[7]
  • When Miri gives the order that Nelirikk's Vingtai shall be removed, she allows him to keep the Nchaka ("A man's scars are his own")[7]

X Strain troop tattoos[]

  • a combat whip throwing sparks--or maybe it was stars [52]
  • three modest diagonal stripes--green-yellow-green [53]
  • an eight-pointed star and a ship [25]

References[]

  1. Crystal Soldier, ch 2
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Gathering Edge, ch 7
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Crystal Soldier, ch 5
  4. Crystal Soldier, ch 17
  5. To Cut an Edge
  6. I Dare, ch 5, Day 50 Lytaxin Erob's Medical center
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Plan B, ch 15
  8. 8.0 8.1 The Gathering Edge, ch 17
  9. The Gathering Edge, ch 16
  10. 10.0 10.1 The Gathering Edge, ch 12
  11. The Rifle's First Wife, in A Liaden Universe Constellation, volume III
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Crystal Soldier, ch 1
  13. Crystal Soldier, ch 31
  14. Crystal Soldier, ch 19
  15. Accepting the Lance: Bechimo
  16. Crystal Soldier
  17. Crystal Soldier, ch 29
  18. Crystal Dragon
  19. Crystal Dragon, ch 22
  20. Crystal Dragon, ch 2
  21. Crystal Dragon, ch 24
  22. 22.0 22.1 Neogenesis, ch 20 vi
  23. 23.0 23.1 The Gathering Edge
  24. Crystal Dragon, ch 27
  25. 25.0 25.1 Crystal Dragon, ch 5
  26. Crystal Dragon, ch 28
  27. Crystal Soldier, ch 20
  28. Crystal Dragon
  29. Necessity’s Child
  30. The Rifle’s First Wife
  31. Neogenesis, ch 51 Audible format
  32. The Gathering Edge
  33. Plan B
  34. The Gathering Edge, Prologue, Orbital Aid 370
  35. The Gathering Edge
  36. 36.0 36.1 Agent of Change, ch 22
  37. I Dare, Lytaxin, Erob's ClanHouse
  38. I Dare, Lytaxin, Erob's Clanhouse
  39. I Dare, Day 50, SY1393, Lytaxin, Erob's House
  40. 40.00 40.01 40.02 40.03 40.04 40.05 40.06 40.07 40.08 40.09 40.10 40.11 "Shout of Honor"
  41. I Dare
  42. Agent of Change, ch 18
  43. Plan B
  44. 44.0 44.1 44.2 The Gathering Edge, ch 3
  45. 45.0 45.1 45.2 The Gathering Edge, ch 10
  46. Crystal Dragon, ch 15
  47. 47.0 47.1 Crystal Dragon, ch 33
  48. Accepting the Lance: Bechimo
  49. Neogenesis, ch 20 ("Surebleak") part III
  50. Alliance of Equals, ch 18
  51. The Gathering Edge, ch 12
  52. Crystal Dragon, ch 17
  53. Crystal Dragon, ch 20
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