Replicator

Replicators are robotic spacecraft (particularly warships) and associated infrastructure which are capable of autonomous self-replication. First seen towards the end of the Second Interstellar Period, feral replicators ran rampant across parts of the Starweb during the Interstellar Dark Ages until their defeat by the Stellar Compact in the Replicator Wars.

Leftover replicators are known to prowl the Frontier, or lurk in disused systems, striking occasionally at passing ships.

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A replicator fleet was encountered at Meridian, having been installed by its Keepers as a means of preventing intruders from accessing the planet. It was activated some time after the Meridian Expedition's arrival and defeated when Selva override its control system to lock Norla out, enabling the Star Patrol to obliterate its drones without fear of retaliation. */