The Origin Exiles

The one's behind the fall...

A woman's voice spoke from behind him, “Lorne Smith,”
The Archivist turned slowly. He recognized the voice, despite it being distorted by the radio in the helmet. “Invicta.”
The woman wore a suit made of metal cloth and grafted tissue. A small tendril flailed in the air, sprouting from her right shoulder. He couldn't see through the visor. Her face hid behind a thick green fog filling the inside.
“It’s been a long while,” she said. “Been what, a few decades, at least?”
“Leave.” The Archivist replied.
“Why? Lorne It’s me.”
“Leave.”
The woman stood silently for a time, as if she didn’t expect rejection. “So that’s it? I disgust you, now?”
“You disgusted me then. Now, your true colors are just easier to see.”

I hoped I'd never have to speak of them again. That was kind of the point in getting rid of them, you see. Like all skeletons placed in the closet, they came back to remind us of the horrors we left behind. They are our greatest enemy. There are some good deeds in their ledger, but don't forget that. Don't believe their lies.
The exiles are comprised of humans who chose a different path. They were faced with the wonders of our new home, and it left them feeling hollow. Perhaps it was their history, or maybe their humanity died long before it became apparent. Perhaps they couldn't appreciate it because they had forgotten how. It wouldn't have mattered. We forced them to leave, whether they wanted to go or not.
The Exiles are mercenaries. They drift from system to system, collecting bounties, claiming salvage, and engaging in the occasional act of piracy. Despite this, They won't touch human vessels, no matter what they stand to gain. It's easy to call them honorable criminals, but don't let it fool you. We gave them the boot for a reason. They are the ones who killed the earth.

History

The exiles began on earth with a woman named Invicta and her crew. The founders are directly responsible for humanity's current condition. Their actions, whatever it is they did, directly led to the earth's destruction and the decimation of our species.
They love to talk about it. When asked about what happened, each member gives a different answer. It would seem the truth of Earth's fall will remain a secret. One thing remained constant: they weren't all that torn up about it. This changed. Most of them regret their actions, at least the ones still alive. When Earth fell, they didn't mourn, but they did know of humanity's dire situation.
I suppose we shouldn't hate them too much. They are the ones who first started using The Safe Harbor protocols. They were the ones who pointed us home to Safeharbor. They still do, galivanting through the galactic core. They send refugees our way and sometimes go so far as to escort them. It's the only reason we let them step foot on the surface.

Our greatest enemy

The exiles don't come to Safeharbor if they can help it. We know their history. Most people on Safeharbor open fire without a second thought. I try to be as unbiased as I can, but I count myself among them. Invicta is our enemy. She and her exiles are a disgrace to our species.
It's not their alteration or fascination with biotech that concerns me. What bothers me is their mind. They believe themselves to be the good guys. Some even believe the earth needed to be destroyed. Their intentions are unknown, their minds are utterly foreign to ours.
The Wayfarers try to learn what they can, but it's a slow crawl. My suggestion is to ignore them. Pretend they don't exist, as I have for so many years. It works better than you might think.

Barely Human

Life as an exile is not as bad as it seems. They don't live lives of pain or hardship. The changes to their bodies are well done and rarely cause too much inconvenience. They live like anyone else. The major difference between us and them comes from their culture.
The Exiles care very little about reclaiming the earth. If it's even still out there. They care little about helping humanity thrive, despite their own attempts to assist. They care about one thing, survival. Whatever they saw when the earth died scarred them to a point where survival became their only motivation.
They offer a place aboard their vessels for those who see the world as they do, but only humans can join. The process is said to rather pleasant. You go through the various procedures and train with their gear. Sadly. There isn't a way to leave. Most of these changes made to the body are permanent.

Tools of the trade

The exiles are known for their biotech. Their proximity to other species necessitates some radical alterations of the body. Some are so disfigured, they refuse to remove their helmets.
Between cybernetic implants, strange pacts and symbiotic contracts with alien lifeforms, and biological engineering, it's a wonder they even identify as human. To look upon them is to experience the horror of what we could be.
Their weapons utilize caustic slugs of radioactive plasma. Their suits are old, held together with biomass, scrap, and whatever else could be found. They're ships often serve as a breeding ground for the biotech they've managed to buy, salvage, or steal. Most of these vessels are part organic themselves.

• Gene therapy: Due to constantly being assailed by biological horrors brought on by their exposure to other species, The Exiles have "acquired" gene editing technology. They program bacteria to edit their DNA and target foreign cells, adding to the long list of contagions routinely.

• Steller Zoos: Every vessel crewed by The Exiles features an ecosystem. Creatures live alongside the crew. Some are kept to harvest venom and other substances. Some, however, are completely mindless. Tucked away in cryogenic chambers are the amalgams. These creatures take biologically similar creatures and alters their genetic code to grow human organs and tissue. The exiles harvest them when a crew member needs them.

• Bio-labs: These are not small-time pirates. They are well-educated, and capable of producing their own technology. They produce medicines, biological weapons, and more. Some of these include biologically modified pets to be used in combat, their signature acidic spray meant to dissuade melee combat, and some ships fill their interior with chlorine gas, altering their lungs to breathe the gas as a means of neutralizing the threat of stowaways and spies.

---

Cried the mothers of sons, “They were barely men!
Sent them off with our daughters to meet their end.”
Load up, soldier, For tonight we die.
Our flag looks best when flown in alien skies.
Hush little hero don’t say a word.
Your lover will be loyal, or so I’ve heard.
Cry out when they come, while you’re covered in mud,
“A few stops more, and well make our way home.
On the last of seven ports, I’ll be in your arms, my love”

— Exile Boarding Shanty Broadcasting On All Frequencies