"No need to fear, we're everywhere. Always looking over you."
Name: Harmony Blossom, but she can be called Belle for simplicitiy
Gender: The Blossom is Hemaphorditic, containing a stamen and pistil. The Host is Female.
Age: 'Petal' and Host are both 13 Solar years
Species: The Harmony Blossom
Physiology: The Harmony Blossom was once a parasite that specifically targets a mammalian species on the planet, and over time there has been an odd bit of symbosis between plant and animal. The Blossom then developed intelligence and at some point had developed a self awareness among all its component parts. The Blossom now makes up the higher thinking portion of host's brain. Without a blossom, the host is without thought and vegetative. When a blossom is fertilized with the pollin of another blossom, it will immediately bring the seeds to a root complex. The seeds are then cared for until a host is born from their cloning facilities and farms. The Blossom grows through the hosts head and when it begins to flower, presents the same awareness as the rest of it. It is at this point that it is considered a petal (An individual that goes forth to complete tasks) or a root (An individual that is used for genetic material and is purposed to seeing to the health and propagation of the Blossom)
The host species, with some aspects similar to rabbits or mice, has changed so much and varies so much in form or function based upon genetic and hormone manipulation that determining features of each sub-species is a test for xenobiologists to catalogue. The blossom gets nutrition from the omnivore nature of its host, and it requires light to respirate normally. Blossoms in darkness tend to get sickly and wilt in a few hours.
Psychology: The Harmony Blossom is an example of a Gestalt intelligence. A hive mind, where each 'petal' and 'root' of the blossom is just extensions of a super organism. This ability is attributed to a latent psionic connection that is present regardless of distance, and a combination of olfactory pheremones mixed with an truly extraordinay form of biological statistical processing. The being knows itself so well, it can predict what each of its components will do in a given situation so additional lack of sensory information becomes redundant, allowing it to filter unnecessary events from its system. The Blossom has developed a utopian society where each individual works in service of the Blossom's propagation and survival. Having grasped the concept of genes and evolution at early stages of development, the template species of primitive mammals have been changed and altered almost to the point of being unrecognizable from the original. The Blossom has sub-species that serve as specialists. Some are designed to produce more hosts, others are stronger for labor, others can manipulate fine materials. Their technology is more organic than not, havin developed ways to literally grow ships from the plants on their planet.
As they developed FTL, they have met with other races which has lead to a number of hostile encounters as others understandably recognize the dangers. Following a long period of information exchange and diplomatic encounters, several other sub-species have developed with the soul purpose of interacting and living among other species. These petals assimilate themselves into the culture of their chosen race in exchange for information or particularly evolved skills. The Blossom has since then become an interpreter and a source of general information among the Federation. It does not have a seat among the decision making bodies since many view the organism as a potential threat, regardless of how many hoops the Blossom has shown that it means no harm. Rumor and evidence has shown the Blossom to be sampling the genetic data of other species for reasons it has not shared.
Appearance: Belle is part of the 'Artisan' Strain. Standing 135 cm and weighing 27 kg, Her body is delicate, weak, and very light. Her face and body are akin to the anthropomorphic rabbits of Terra, she is covered with minute white fur and has two elongated ears. Her eyes appear black and shimmering, but are a complex lense that is able to differentiate between light spectrums and focus in the micro and macro levels. Her limbs however are more fin like in appearance. They are a rather complex form of silia flush together in dress and sleeves to give her a more 'non-threatening' and standard feminine demeanor. The fins can be seperated with ends capable of manipulating objects on a near molecular level. Locomtion is acchieved by a rythmic dance of the scilia with speed acchieved by short 'hops'. Her light weight and fins allowing her bouency and a graceful floating action between hops.
The blossom has grown throughout her head with the size, petals, and vines typical of a mature specimen of the Harmony blossom.
Rank or Role: Intelligence Analyst Officer, Interpreter, Xenobiological Analyst
History: The reason the Blossom was put onto the life boat was a reason that was hotly debated for months. The reasoning was that there was no better genetesist in the galaxy then one of their artisans, and seeing how the ship was supposed to be a life boat, medical as well as genetic problems were something that was taken into account. If the cryostasis failed, thousands would die, leaving only the crew that numbered in the dozens. Not enough variation to remain viable. Additionally, and in theory, the blossom would be able to be updated with the current state of the galaxy, allowing to act as a secondary check on the computer systems of the life raft. So after much deliberation, a single petal was allowed to be frozen.
So Belle, having had the numerous modifications made to her form so that she could be killed should she do anything suspect was placed in the program. She was altered mid hosts adolescence due to a particular genetic mutation that left her as a viable template for future blossom and host sequence. In a way, she was an arc for the blossom the same way the arc was a life boat for humanity. She is even able to birth a host should the need arise, but she cannot implant herself, something that is both biologically dangerous and abhorrent to the blossom. Scientists made sure of that as one of their criteria for allowing the organism aboard their last best home.
Psych Report: Belle is the Harmony Blossom. There is no point in differentiating its component petals. To talk to one is to talk to all. For that reason, she has mannerism utterly alien to how mankind understands it, and at the same time, its a species that is primarily xenophilic, communal, and erudite in function. You're talking to a super organism that still understands the reasons and ettiquette of emotions and the importance of humor as well as valuing you as an individual. Obviously though not everything translates. She knows more than any lesser being can, and that translates as a superiority complex that completely overrides others opinions. She values life but will always put her own life first above all others. She also has a very ambivalent view when it comes to death. When one of her petals is destroyed, it was like sacrificing a hair or bit of skin. She can casually send legions of herself into jaws of death, as long as the Blossom survives.
Needless to say, if situations get dire, meaning she does not have her petals to fall back on, she gets increasingly more paranoid and desperate. She can and has put others in danger for her own benefit without a second thought. Another odd little quirk is that due to her partially telepathic way of speaking with others, her ability to out right lie or decieve others is near non existant. She knows full well how to steer investigations off the path but its almost instinctual to know when the Blossom is lying, and it knows it. There are other petals that dont have that problem, but Belle does not have those specific mutations.
Extraordinary skills: A Living Computer - As a super organism with eyes and ears and 'hands' across the universe, she has lived a thousand lifetimes on a thousand planets. She can tap into that knowledge and that advanced nervous system like a walking super computer, finding facts, developing strategems, and finding solutions based on logic and emotion.
Genetic Architect - Her body is specifically designed to conduct genetic manipulation. Her eyes can focus to the micro level, and her scilia can touch, penetrate, and manipulate cells with secretions of proteins. She can even implant retroviruses and hormones from her own body to stimulate stable mutation. She can additionally second as a medical specialist, as such biological secretions and skills make for a great surgeon. She can even alter herself given time and organic matter.
Telepathic - The Harmony Blossom is telepathic. It doesnt read minds, but its quite empathic in scope, able to determine emotions and subtle hints to others psychology. Detecting pscionic sources, talking with speaking directly into someones mind, and determining whether someone is lying are within her power.