xindi star trek online

Star Trek: Who Are The Xindi?

In the complex universe of Star Trek's villains, the Xindi are where diversity meets cosmic drama.

• The Xindi, a complex and diverse alien species in the Star Trek universe, have a history marked by civil war and manipulation by the mysterious Sphere Builders.
• The Xindi initially believed Earth was developing a superweapon to destroy their world, leading to tensions with the Enterprise crew who sought to prevent an attack.
• The Xindi Council consists of five species: Primates, Arboreals, Aquatics, Reptilians, and Insectoids. Each species has unique characteristics and played a role in the alliance to prevent the attack on Earth.

The vast universe of Star Trek features a myriad of alien species , each with its unique characteristics and quirks. Among these, the Xindi are one of the show's many villains, and are among the most intriguing and enigmatic races of the franchise. To delve into the depths of their existence, it is vital to know their history and the challenges they have posed to Starfleet. "The Xindi," the premiere episode of Season 3 of Star Trek: Enterprise, kicked off this species' arc. A veteran Trek helmer, Allan Kroeker, directed the installment, written by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga.

It all started in the 2150s, when six unique subspecies lived in the strange world of Xindus. A subspecies of the Xindi, the Xindi Avians, went extinct due to an internal war. The five other subspecies that survived found a common ground and created the Xindi Council. They invaded Earth in the 2150s, changing the course of interplanetary affairs. The history of the Xindi is complex, marked by civil war and the influence of mysterious Sphere Builders. It’s a tale of diversity, strife, and the potential for unity within the vastness of the Star Trek universe.

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Relationship between the xindi and the federation.

Upon making first contact, there was tension between the Xindi and the Enterprise crew due to Reptilians relaying misinformation to other Xindi subspecies. They falsely told the other Xindi that the Earth developing a superweapon to destroy their world for their secret agenda. The other Xindi believed that humanity would eventually become a threat, and thus planned an attack on the Earth. As the crew of the USS Enterprise, under the leadership of Captain Jonathan Archer, learned more about the situation and interacted with various Xindi species, they uncovered the deception and sought to prevent the attack.

When the crew realized that the other four species believed this false information, Captain Archer tried to build trust between them. The Primates were the most cooperative among the Xindi, realizing that humans were not their enemy. The Primates, Arboreals, Aquatics, and Insectoids of the Xindi, along with the Enterprise team uncovered the manipulation and deception by the Reptilians. Together, they allied to prevent the attack. This alliance developed friendly relations between the Xindi species and the United Federation of Planets.

The Xindi's Complex History

The history of the Xindi has been marked by a complex combination of internal divisions and external forces. It has become integral to Star Trek's exploration of diversity, conflict, and potential unity in a rapidly expanding universe.

It all began with the Xindi Civil War, a mysterious event that marked a historical turning point. This conflict resulted from a web of tension among the Xindi subspecies. Disagreements over the fate of the Xindi homeworld and the perceived threat of an unknown enemy caused these tensions to erupt into violence. The conflict demonstrated the complexity of Xindi culture and the difficulties of reconciling so many different species. It also showed the effects of external influences on Xindi's internal dynamics.

The mysterious Sphere Builders emerged as a powerful force behind the scenes, further complicating Xindi affairs. Their use of temporal technology and control over Xindi leaders led to an existential crisis for the Xindi.

Xindi Diversity, Explained

Five Delphic Expanse species made the Xindi Council: Primates (humanoid-like beings), Arboreals (sloth-like humans), Aquatics (underwater mammals that resemble mosasaurs), Reptilians (lizard-like humans), and Insectoids (an amalgam of ant- and fly-like beings). There are two representatives from each species on the panel of the council. They used to hold secret meetings in a hidden chamber to plan the destruction of the Earth.

As mentioned above, the Xindi Council has five species, beginning with the Arboreals. These sloth-like humans seek refuge in the canopies of their lush, wooded worlds. Their distinct ability to navigate trees with elegance and agility differentiates them. On the other hand, the Aquatics survive at the depths of the oceans, their bodies adapting to an underwater existence. In contrast to surface-dwelling animals, their communication mechanism elaborate bioluminescent patterns.

Insectoids, as their name suggests, are insect-like creatures with a hive mentality, offering unique challenges in diplomatic relations. Their complex social structures and ability to act as a unified entity distinguish them from other Xindi. The Primates, the most humanoid of the Xindi subspecies, find themselves at the crossroads of the Xindi's diverse ecosystem. Lastly, as the name suggests, the Reptilians have similar features to the reptilians on Earth. In addition to being aggressive and ruthless, these species are also heavily involved in developing and deploying the superweapon, which would have been used to attack the Earth.

The Xindi are a fascinating exploration of the variety, strife, and potential for harmony in the universe of Star Trek and its advanced species . Their convoluted history with the Sphere Builders and Starfleet paints a picture of a race struggling with its identity while navigating the obstacles of an ever-expanding cosmos.

MORE: Star Trek: Unexplained Anomalies In The Delta Quadrant

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Monday 11 August 2014

Star trek online's delta quadrant, xindi, and new uniforms.

Within the timeline of Star Trek Online, the Xindi species joined the United Federation of Planets long ago. Even then, they preferred to remain isolated within the Delphic Expanse. The Xindi’s tumultuous past as puppets of a powerful extra-dimensional force gives them a historical context for the type of danger the Iconian threat represents. They have not forgotten how the Sphere Builders manipulated their species, and they will not allow other species to fall prey to such deception again. In the context of Star Trek Online, we are portraying the Xindi species as a highly intelligent and experimental species, still capable of fantastic feats of science and engineering such as those that led to the creation of their infamous “Super Weapon” in the 22nd century. By opening a Xindi Lock Box, players will find the opportunity to benefit from the experimental technology of the ingenious Xindi. Their affinity for Research and Development also goes well with the release of our newly-revamped R and D System.

Based on the 2409 Starfleet Academy uniform, the Odyssey uniform was designed to be more in line with the styling of the uniforms seen in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. It features clean lines and a relatively simple pattern. Gray shoulders hearken back to DS9 and Voyager while the bold stripe across the chest pays homage to the alternate future uniforms seen in TNG’s “All Good Things” and VOY’s “Endgame”. With all this in mind it was the perfect fit to give Starfleet characters in Star Trek Online a fashion update and unify the look of the Federation’s forces.

2 comments:

I like the online uniforms, but when I first read the post title, I thought it referred to uniforms you could buy online, like at places like http://www.startrek-mall.com/st14-Clothing.html . Maybe someone will eventually make some of these. They look snappy (now if I only had the body to match).

What about the Vidiians? They were my favorite Delta Quadrant race.

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Xindi-Insectoid

• View history
• 2 Physiology
• 4 Philosophy and external affairs
• 5 Uniforms and equipment
• 6.1 Appearances
• 6.2.1 Physical design
• 6.2.2 Creating CGI
• 6.2.3 Capturing performances
• 6.2.4 Executing animation
• 6.2.5 Reception
• 6.2.6 Props and costumes
• 6.3 Apocrypha
• 6.4 External link

History [ ]

At the conclusion of the Xindi Civil War on their geologically unstable homeworld of Xindus , the Insectoids, together with the Reptilians, committed an act of desperation by detonating gigantic explosions under the eight largest seismic fissures . Thus, the Insectoids contributed to Xindus' destruction and the extinction of the Xindi-Avians , though some Insectoids managed to escape. ( ENT : " The Shipment ")

Two Insectoid ambassadors sat on the Xindi Council . These were an Insectoid councilor and its aide . ( ENT : " The Xindi ", " Rajiin ")

Very soon after Enterprise NX-01 entered the Delphic Expanse and visited the ruined remains of Xindus, numerous Xindi-Insectoid vessels were either sent or at least intended to be sent to destroy Enterprise . The deployment of these ships was planned by the Xindi-Insectoid councilor, who voiced frustration with the rate at which the Xindi Council was proceeding. ( ENT : " The Xindi ")

Aboard Enterprise , there were multiple instances when Xindi-Insectoids were hallucinated. On one such occasion, the starship's tactical officer , Lieutenant Malcolm Reed , thought one was hiding in the shadows of his quarters . ( ENT : " Exile ") Also, two imaginary Insectoids were among numerous hallucinations that Doctor Phlox believed he actually saw while he alone was conscious aboard Enterprise . ( ENT : " Doctor's Orders ")

The Xindi-Insectoids allied themselves with Commander Dolim in a plan to steal the Xindi weapon and destroy Earth against the will of the Xindi Council. But when the other species tried to stop them and the Sphere-Builders intervened with the help of a nearby Sphere, the Insectoid councilor began to doubt and started to suspect there was truth in what Captain Archer told the Council. ( ENT : " Countdown ")

In 3190 , Xindi-Insectoid delegates were allied with the United Federation of Planets and were the sole members of the Xindi present at the Multilateral DMA Strategy Assembly . They voted for diplomacy with Unknown Species 10-C . ( DIS : " ...But to Connect ")

Symbol and name

By 3191 at least one Xindi-Insectoid served in Starfleet . ( DIS : " Red Directive ")

Physiology [ ]

The Insectoids, like all Xindi species, had distinctive ridges on their cheeks. They were, as their name suggests, insect-like in appearance. Their average life expectancy was estimated to be twelve years. It was easy to find, on their ships, individuals about ten years old, who were probably considered " elders ."

A dead hatchling

They were genderless and reproduced asexually . Also, because of their insectoid nature and the shortness of their life span , they were strongly concerned over the survival of their offspring. They protected their young by making a hatchery attached to their ships and shielded it in case of danger, even at the expense of the ship's life support system . Each individual was able to produce large clusters of eggs .

The eggs could not survive out of the ship and were equipped with a gland capable of producing a powerful and subtle neurotoxin . If an unexpected presence was detected in the vicinity of the eggs, the clusters would spray the substance on the intruder, causing (in the latter) an instinctive, obsessive interest in protecting and nurturing the hatchling . ( ENT : " Hatchery ")

By the late 32nd century, at least some members of the species (like the Insectoid delegate at the Multilateral DMA Strategy Assembly in 3190 ) were considerably more humanoid in appearance, though they still had noticeable insect-like features. ( DIS : " ...But to Connect ")

Language [ ]

The Xindi-Insectoid language was a clicking dialogue that was the most unusual and complex of all Xindi languages , save that of the Aquatics . In fact, there were sixty-seven dialects of the Insectoid language. Insectoids had names that grew longer and more difficult to pronounce as they grew older. ( ENT : " The Xindi ", " The Council ")

Philosophy and external affairs [ ]

Insectoids interpreted raised voices as a sign of hostility. They were quick to make decisions and were often in alliance with the Xindi-Reptilians . Both species used to trade their technology between each other and usually agreed on all decisions. Like the Reptilians, the Insectoids were mostly determined to do the bidding of the Sphere-Builders and exterminate Humanity . ( ENT : " The Council ")

Uniforms and equipment [ ]

Insectoid ambassadors who were included in the Xindi Council wore long robes. ( ENT : " The Xindi ", " Rajiin ") For battle, Insectoids also had black body armor available. ( ENT : " Rajiin ")

The Xindi-Insectoids utilized a diversity of spacecraft. Members of the species most commonly used Xindi-Insectoid starships . ( ENT : " Twilight ", et al. ) Other Insectoid vessels included patrol ships , scout ships , and assault shuttles . ( ENT : " Stratagem ", " Hatchery ", " Azati Prime ") Insectoid technology additionally included a type of rifle . ( ENT : " Rajiin ")

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ].

• " The Xindi "
• " Proving Ground "
• " Doctor's Orders "
• " Hatchery "
• " Azati Prime " (voice only)
• " The Council "
• " Countdown "
• " ...But to Connect "
• " All In " (Changeling)
• " Rosetta "
• " Red Directive "

Background information [ ]

Physical design [ ].

An initial Xindi-Insectoid concept sketch

Creating and depicting the Xindi-Insectoids required the input of multiple contributors. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, pp. 14 & 16) The Insectoids were also extremely expensive to represent. ( In a Time of War, Part Three: Final Conflict , ENT Season 3 Blu-ray special features)

The notion of there being an insect-like race of Xindi was devised by Executive Producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga , who also decided that the Insectoids, in common with the Xindi-Aquatics, would be created with CGI . ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 50) The fact the Insectoids were to be "computer-generated characters" was noted in the final draft scripts of ENT Season 3 episodes " The Xindi " and " Rajiin ". This choice having been made, the process of designing the Insectoids was about to proceed with sketches done by Visual Effects Producer Dan Curry . ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features; [2] (X) ) The brief for the Insectoids was that they should be generally humanoid, rather than creatures which crawled around on the ground. " We wanted a creature that was about the size of a Human being so people could look into its face, " said Curry. " I looked at macro shots of various insects and then did kind of an amalgam of a fly and an ant. " Curry initiated the design as a concept sketch, dated 30 June 2003 . ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 15)

A particular consideration was exactly how many arms and legs the Insectoids were going to have. Dan Curry revealed, " My first thoughts were they would have six appendages like insects on Earth, but Rick [Berman] felt that they evolved to a higher life-form. So the middle two became vestigial and actually went away. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51) The thinking behind this was that, as the Insectoids had become bipedal, they had no longer needed their third pair of appendages. In practical terms, omitting them also minimized the time it would take to animate the creatures. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 15)

A concept sketch of the Xindi-Insectoid head

One requirement was that the Xindi-Insectoid seem visually compatible with the other Xindi, so the design for the Xindi-Reptilians proved to be a significant influence. Noted Curry, " The scaling pattern on the head of the insectoid is not dissimilar. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

While crafting the design of the Insectoids, Dan Curry paid much attention to working out precisely how the Insectoids functioned. He decided their method of speaking was by making a series of clicking noises with their mandibles, rather than using a conventional voice box powered by air from their lungs. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 15) Despite designing the Insectoids to have only four appendages, Curry still kept them obviously based on real-life insects. He recalled, " I kept a lot of insect attributes like the compound eyes and breathing tubes through the side. So the creature we have now is basically inspired by a variety of different insect species that I put together – the head's kind of fly-like, with a little ant-ness. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51) Wanting to make the Insectoids look intelligent, though, Curry made the foreheads slightly larger than normal. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 15)

A sketch of a Xindi-Insectoid infant

In the script for "Hatchery", fetal Insectoids were referred to as " spider -like". For that project, Dan Curry returned to his original design concept for the Insectoids and sketched a young-looking member of the species. He later described this as a "Bambi-fied" version of the Insectoids. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 17)

Creating CGI [ ]

Dan Curry's concept artwork was provided to Eden FX , who were tasked with building the CGI model for the Insectoids. Recalling the illustrations, one of Eden's CG artists, Digital Effects Supervisor John Teska , stated, " That was a sketch of the character, and a couple of revisions for the head close-up and things like that. I had a pretty good idea of what they looked like before we started building. " ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features) Because designs for Insectoid chairs and clothing were also produced, Teska was impressed by how much thought the design team were spending on the Insectoids. He related, " When I got that [sketch], I realized, 'OK, they are taking these guys seriously! They've got wardrobe, they've got chairs!' " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

John Teska created the digital model for the Insectoids. ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features; [3] (X) ) It was built as a full 3D model. In early renders of at least an Insectoid head (if not also a full Insectoid body), Teska arranged the basic textures in place. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, pp. 15 & 14) He recalled, " I dug out all my insect reference – great books with scanning electron micro-photography – where I got a lot of the ideas for the smaller details, like little hairs around the eyes, the things that didn't show up in the pencil sketches. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 50) Teska elaborated, " It was several weeks of first working up the geometry, building this basic polygonal, you know, polygon cage, sort of like low [resolution] at first, just to work out proportions and what they looked like. Then, building this elaborate skeleton that would basically allow us to move them like a character, like a puppet on the screen. " ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features) John Teska not only digitally built the Insectoids but also determined how they would move. In addition, he created a CG version of the baby Insectoid, working out how it would move. The final step in the creation of these infants was to create a fully rendered version of them, which could be shown moving. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, pp. 16 & 17)

For the adult Insectoids, however, having a CG model was merely the beginning of the process. Dan Curry pointed out, " The Insectoids had to convey emotion, they had to give a performance, they had to have body language. " ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 16)

Capturing performances [ ]

Tarik Ergin playing one of the Xindi-Insectoids

Unlike with the Xindi-Aquatics, stand-ins were used for the Xindi-Insectoids, to give the directors and animators references for CGI placement. [4] (X) The decision to use this procedure was inspired by the success of the CG character Gollum from The Lord of the Rings films , he having commonly been "played" by actor Andy Serkis . " I decided, I want to go into this with the same idea, " explained Visual Effects Supervisor Ronald B. Moore .

The stand-ins wore special suits, which helped to track their movements for such episodes as "The Xindi" – the only episode wherein Moore used motion-control because the production staffers wanted to digitally replicate even the minutest actions of the performers. " So, Dan [Curry] came up [...] as only Dan can do, with roles of tape and started putting grids all over these guys, " Moore continued. " We got black suits made for them. And put the grids on, so we could follow them [....] [We] didn't exactly know what we were up against, with these guys. " As it turned out, the animators did so well at replacing the stand-ins with the CGI that it was evident motion-control was not required. ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features)

Whenever the Insectoids were to appear on screen, the creation of the footage began with one or more of the stand-ins on stage, each dressed in one of the grid-covered suits which gave the artists at Eden FX reference for all the different movements. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 16) Each set of clothing primarily consisted of a form-fitting pair of cotton trousers, a long-sleeved shirt with a hood that had an eye opening, a pair of gloves and a pair of black Reebok shoes. The grids were white and stitched into all the clothing apart from the shoes. Except for the grids, each entire outfit was black. Both pairs of shoes were inscribed " D. Madalone ". Similarly, even during (and after) being used for the Insectoid stand-in work, one of the shirts was branded with a Star Trek: Voyager tag inscribed " Ethan Phillips ", a name tag which had been written over. The fingers in the gloves were taped together, which gave each hand a three-fingered alien appearance. Each partitioning of the fingers was attached to a thin replication claw. [5] The claws were made out of foam core by Dan Curry, who crafted them with the intention of providing the stand-ins the feeling of having insectoid claws. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 17) " The stand-ins [were] just on regular boxes, though; they don't have a butt like that [of the Insectoids]! " exclaimed Curry. ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

The stand-ins who "played" the role of the Insectoids were Evan English and Tarik Ergin . ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features) It was Ergin's clothing which featured the written-over "Ethan Phillips" name tag, although Ergin's clothing also featured multiple other sewn-in tags showing his own first name. [6] Dan Curry remembered, " Ron Moore [...] was very strong in using the stand-ins for performance; that way they could read dialogue and participate in the scene, so the other actors knew where to look. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51) Regarding how much enthusiasm the stand-ins put into their portrayals, Curry offered, " [They] were really into playing the Insectoids [....] They really gave a performance and didn't just walk through it. " ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 17)

Typically, after footage of one of the stand-ins was recorded, the process continued with him stepping out of the frame, followed by the action being re-staged and re-filmed without him in shot. The absence of the actor allowed space for the animators to digitally add the Insectoid, later. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 17)

Executing animation [ ]

Wireframe versions of two Insectoid characters wearing body armor

Adding the Insectoids into pre-filmed footage was far from easy. Even though the shot of the actor gave the animators a reference for positioning the Insectoid's head and arms, the CG creature still had to be blended seamlessly into the background, which meant the animators needed to recreate 3D space. Where he could, Dan Curry used a considerably low-tech technique to provide them with some useful reference. " A lot of times I would use a little bounding box I made out of chopsticks hotglued together, " he remembered. " By looking at that the animators could see the changes in perspective as the camera moved around. " Animating each Insectoid was done by moving a wireframe skeleton under the CG flesh. Thereafter, basic animation of the CG Insectoid was created to match the movements of the stand-ins, visually replacing them in the pre-recorded footage. The final step of the process was to create the creature in full resolution, carefully matching the CG lighting with the lighting on the set. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, pp. 17 & 16) Thus, the live-action footage gave the CG animators reference of not only what the stand-ins' performances were like but also how light had affected those performers. ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51) It was somewhat difficult for the animators to match the on-set lighting, as the sets were dark, with many different sources of light. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 17) The editors nonetheless tried to ensure the CGI Insectoids fit convincingly into the appropriate shots. ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

John Teska regularly animated the Insectoids. Robert Bonchune , effects supervisor at Eden FX, commented, " The Xindi insects are kind of his baby, so when they come along we usually give them to him, 90 per cent of the time, at least on the shows I supervise. " ( Star Trek Magazine  issue 118 , p. 30)

Reception [ ]

Ultimately, Ron Moore was impressed with the use of stand-ins. Although aware that the actors were intentionally playing different characters, he believed viewers can also see behavioral differences in the roles. ("Visual Effects Magic", ENT Season 4 DVD special features) Dan Curry was also pleased with how life-like the Insectoids ultimately became, pointing out, " The Insectoids are effectively there , they interact. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 50) He also approved of how the animators matched the CG lighting with the real on-stage lighting, remarking, " They were really great at matching that. " He was keen to acknowledge the collaborative means in which the Insectoids were brought to life, saying, " The success of the Insectoids is really a testament to the artistry of our team. " ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 17) Consulting Producer David A. Goodman and Director David Livingston concurred that the Insectoids (in common with the Aquatics) were "great" though "kinda weird." (" Impulse " audio commentary , ENT Season 3 Blu-ray special features) André Bormanis remarked that the Insectoids "came off really well." Making a statement Bormanis agreed with and found funny, Co-Executive Producer Chris Black jokingly observed, " It would've been so easy if only we'd known, you only ever saw them on screens, that they were actually only like three inches tall and all you had to do was step on them. " (" Countdown " audio commentary , ENT Season 3 Blu-ray special features) Phlox actor John Billingsley was extremely critical of the Insectoids, which he described as "clicking little centipedes," and didn't believe they looked frightening enough, due to the series' limited budgets. ( In a Time of War, Part Three: Final Conflict , ENT Season 3 Blu-ray special features)

Props and costumes [ ]

Having designed the Xindi-Insectoids to be incapable of sitting on a regular chair, Dan Curry designed a special type of chair for the ambassadors of the species, and their "Insectoid butts." ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51; Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, p. 16) John Teska digitally modeled a version of the Insectoid chair. " We got a sample from the real chair, " he reflected, " and I matched the wood grain, and everything; we actually had the prop chair here for a day. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

Although Insectoid armor appears only in the episode " Rajiin ", an image in Star Trek Magazine  issue 118 , p. 33 of two wireframe Insectoids showed them wearing armor. In the final draft script of "Rajiin", this clothing was described as "shining, beetle -like armor."

Dan Curry additionally designed the Insectoid armor. ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 50) He invested thorough thinking in the Insectoid clothing. Bearing in mind that insects breath through tubes in their sides, he made sure the sides of their clothing were open. " It looks like the kind of thing Medieval knights would drape over their coats of mail, " Curry observed. ( Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection issue 24, pp. 15-16) On the other hand, the medieval robes worn by the Insectoid ambassadors were designed by Bob Blackman , who usually designed costumes for live-action usage. " Since he designed all the other Xindi garments, " said Curry, " I felt it was best if Bob gave us some direction. " ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

The Insectoid costumes were very popular with the creative team. Production illustrator John Eaves exclaimed, " I so loved the costumes that Bob Blackman came up with for these nasty space demons!!! " [7] Of course, the designs for the Insectoid chair and clothing likewise impressed John Teska. ( Star Trek: Communicator  issue 149 , p. 51)

The suits used by Tarik Ergin and Evan English as stand-ins for the CGI Insectoids were sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction . [8]

Apocrypha [ ]

In the novelization of The Expanse , the Insectoids are described as having "darkly gossamer wings" and "slender, fine-haired limbs" as well as a "glistening black carapace," under which was a thorax. The novelization specifies the Insectoids lacked a protective internal skeleton and "the teeth, tongue, and palate necessary to articulate primate speech."

The book also details how Insectoid behavior, seemingly manic by the standards of any other Xindi species, came about; their shorter lifespans and absence of an internal skeleton resulted in the Insectoids developing mannerisms based on a sense of urgency. By rubbing its wings together, an Insectoid could create "a shrill blast," which they did when requesting attention. The Insectoids are described as "notoriously skeptical" as well as typically agitated and, according to a frequently stated Xindi-Primate belief, Insectoids obviously didn't think at all.

Following the announcement to the Xindi population that the Xindi Council were planning to destroy Earth, the Insectoids not only rallied to support the anti-Earth efforts but also presented lavish donations to a group of Reptilian children, who had been orphaned by the warrior who had piloted the Xindi probe which had attacked Earth.

External link [ ]

• Xindi-Insectoid at Memory Beta , the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• 3 ISS Enterprise (NCC-1701)

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Xindi Lock Box and Lobi Store Ships

By LaughingTrendy | Thu 17 Jul 2014 09:28:30 AM PDT

While the Xindi are nominally members of the Federation, they rarely involve themselves in galactic society and have chosen instead to devote their resources to the restoration of the Delphic Expanse. Now, with the discovery of Dyson spheres in the Delta Quadrant and the rise of the Iconian threat, the reclusive Xindi Council has voted to offer their technology and expertise to any species willing to stop the Iconians. After being manipulated into nearly destroying humanity in the 22 nd Century, the Xindi know all-too-well the devastating effects of being puppets of a power that would manipulate others to achieve their own goals, and have vowed to take whatever measures become necessary to prevent this from coming to pass.

Xindi-Aquatic Narcine Dreadnought Carrier

The Narcine reflects the elegant beauty of Xindi-Aquatic engineering. The ship's exterior design has remained almost completely unchanged for hundreds of years, but has undergone extensive internal refits on a regular basis. It combines strong offensive capabilities with enough versatility to support both itself and its hangar craft in any confrontation.

This vessel is equipped with a Console - Universal - Cascade Resonance Catalyst. When activated, this console sends out ripples of energy which will resonate with the shield and hull frequencies of all nearby ships, bouncing to additional targets. Friends are immune to any detrimental effects, but Foes hit by the ripples will take a moderate amount of kinetic damage and find their damage resistance decreased. The deleterious effects of this debuff can stack when bounced between multiple vessels.

The Narcine Dreadnought Carrier also comes pre-equipped with two wings of Mobulai Frigates. These agile light craft are equipped with multiple Phased Biomatter beams, Quantum Torpedoes and a Quantum Mine Launcher. They are capable of using Dispersal Pattern Alpha I with their Quantum Mines, and will do so with some regularity.

•           Faction: All
•           Rank Required: Real Admiral / Brigadier General / Sub Admiral I
•           Availability: Xindi Lock Box
•           Hull Strength: 40,500
•           Shield Modifier: 1.15
•           Crew: 1,800
•           Weapons:  4 Fore, 3 Aft
•           Device Slots: 3
•           Hangar Bays: 2
•           Bridge Officer Stations: 1 Commander Tactical, 1 Ensign Tactical, 1 Lieutenant Engineering, 1 Lieutenant Science, 1 Lieutenant Commander Universal
•           Console Modifications: 4 Tactical, 3 Engineering, 3 Science
•           Base Turn Rate: 9 degrees per second
•           Impulse Modifier: 0.19
•           +10 Weapon Power and +10 Auxiliary Power
•           Can Equip Dual Cannons
•           Console - Universal – Cascade Resonance Catalyst

Xindi-Reptilian Contortrix Escort

The Contortrix has long been a last line of defense of the Xindi people. Despite their aged design, these nimble escorts remain capable of holding their own in battle against modern aggressors, but are usually held in reserve for coordinated hit-and-run strikes, while allowing the larger Aquatic Dreadnoughts to patrol their borders against aggressive threats.

This vessel is equipped with a Console - Universal - Xindi Weapon Platform, which summons a modern replica of the famed "Super Weapon" that was once developed for use against humanity. This weapon platform will defend the ship that summons it, periodically firing heavy beam attacks at the summoner's current target. If no foe is targeted, the weapon platform is also capable of attacking nearby foes independently.

•           Availability: Lobi Crystal Store
•           Hull Strength: 33,000
•           Shield Modifier: 1.1
•           Crew: 50
•           Weapons:  5 Fore, 2 Aft
•           Device Slots: 2
•           Bridge Officer Stations: 1 Commander Tactical, 1 Ensign Tactical, 1 Lieutenant Commander Engineering, 1 Lieutenant Science, 1 Lieutenant Universal
•           Console Modifications: 5 Tactical, 3 Engineering, 2 Science
•           Base Turn Rate: 17 degrees per second
•           Impulse Modifier: 0.21
•           +15 Weapon Power
•           Console - Universal – Xindi Weapon Platform

Xindi Console Set Bonus

Equipping both the Cascade Resonance Catalyst and the Xindi Weapon Platform consoles will grant experimental improvements to any Weapon Platform brought into combat, doubling its Hull and Shield capacity while slightly increasing the damage output of its Phased Biomatter Beam weapon.

A Dark Reflection

The Lobi Crystal Consortium has continued to salvage derelict Mirror Universe ships and sell them to the highest bidder. Three additional Mirror Universe ships are now available – for the right price. Included in the Xindi Lock Box is a set of Mirror vessels never before made available for player use.

Mirror Universe Escort Retrofit

The Mirror Universe Escort Retrofit looks more like our Prime Universe Escort Retrofit, but favors Science Bridge Officer Seating and Console slotting.

The Mirror Escort Retrofit includes the mirror version of the Saber, Rapier and Ushaan classes.

•           Faction: Federation
•           Rank Required: Real Admiral
•           Hull Strength: 27,600
•           Shield Modifier: 0.9
•           Weapons: 4 Fore, 3 Aft
•           Bridge Officer Stations: 1 Lieutenant Tactical, 1 Commander Tactical, 1 Lieutenant Engineering, 1 Ensign Science,  1 Lieutenant Commander Science
•           Console Modifications: 4 Tactical, 2 Engineering, 3 Science
•           Impulse Modifier: 0.2
•           +15 Power to Weapon Systems
•           I.S.S. Registry Name Prefix Option  

Mirror Universe Ki’Tang Bird-of-Prey Retrofit

The Mirror Ki’Tang Bird-of-Prey Retrofit maintains the All-Universal Seating typical of Klingon Raiders, but in a rank breakdown not previously available to players.

•          Faction: Klingon
•           Rank Required: Brigadier General
•           Hull Strength: 24,750
•           Shield Modifier: 0.8
•           Crew: 75
•           Weapons:  4 Fore, 2 Aft
•           Bridge Officer Stations: 1 Commander Universal, 2 Lieutenant Commander Universal, 1 Ensign Universal
•           Console Modifications: 4 Tactical, 3 Engineering, 2 Science
•           Base Turn Rate: 21 degrees per second
•           Battle Cloak
•           +15 Power to Weapons
•           Can Load Dual Cannons
•       25% damage when attacking an NPC enemy's rear arc
•       8.33% damage when attacking a Player enemy's rear arc
•           A.K.S. Registry Name Prefix Option

Mirror Universe T’Varo Light Warbird Retrofit

The Mirror Universe T’Varo Light Warbird Retrofit boasts an even stronger emphasis on Tactical Seating and Console Slots over the Prime Universe version.

•           Faction: Romulan
•           Rank Required: Sub Admiral I
•           Hull Strength: 27,000
•           Crew: 150
•           Bridge Officer Stations: 1 Lieutenant Commander Tactical, 1 Commander Tactical, 1 Ensign Engineering, 1 Lieutenant Engineering, 1 Lieutenant Science
•           Base Turn Rate: 18 degrees per second
•           +10 Weapon Subsystems, +5 Engine Subsystems
•           Singularity Warp Core
•           Romulan Battle Cloaking Device
•       40 Base Power For All Subsystems
•       Plasma Shockwave
•       Quantum Absorption
•       Warp Shadows
•       Singularity Jump
•       Singularity Overcharge

The co-operation of the Xindi with the Lobi Crystal Consortium has opened new possibilities for an increased offensive towards any species who wish to threaten the stability of the Alpha, Beta, and now Delta Quadrants. The resurfacing of the five Xindi races, and their choice to share more of their experimental technology, is a welcomed addition to our strategic plans to deal with the looming threat of the Iconians, the Undine, the Voth, as well as any other species we may come into conflict with.

NOTE: The above stats for all ships are subject to change

The  Xindi Lock Box , as well as these thematic additions to the Lobi Crystal Store, will become available starting July 17th, 2014, at approximately 10:00am PDT.

Jeremy Randall Systems Designer Star Trek Online

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Episode Preview: The Xindi

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• 1.1 Xindi species
• 2.1 Appearances
• 2.2 External link

History and specifics [ ]

When Xindus was destroyed in the 2030s decade , the surviving races spread out across the Expanse. On 22 March , 2153 , the Xindi launched an attack on Earth and killed millions of Humans . Investigation eventually revealed that the Xindi had been manipulated for decades by an advanced extra-dimensional civilization hoping to alter the course of history by encouraging them to destroy Earth. ( ENT episode & novelization : The Expanse )

The Xindi had joined the United Federation of Planets by 2311 . ( ST reference : Federation: The First 150 Years ; TNG short story : " Meet with Triumph and Disaster ")

Xindi species [ ]

Six species of Xindi evolved on Xindus, and all but one species survived the cataclysm which destroyed their original homeworld. The remaining species are bound together by the Xindi Council . Despite mutual distrust and hostility, the five have made every effort to remain united, fearing a second devastating war like the conflict responsible for the loss of their homeworld.

• Xindi-Aquatics
• Xindi-Arboreals
• Xindi-Avians
• Xindi-Insectoids
• Xindi-Primates
• Xindi-Reptilians

The Arboreals are perhaps the most peaceful of the Xindi races, only striking out violently when attacked by others. They are known to be somewhat lethargic, although they grow agitated when around water, which seems to invoke a phobic reaction in most Arboreals. As their name indicates, they prefer to shelter in trees. Of the other four races, they are most closely allied with the Primates, who are also of mammalian stock.

The Aquatics are complicated and enigmatic and have been known to over-analyze, taking an excruciatingly long period of time to come to decisions. Xindi-Aquatic communication is highly complex and, since the Aquatics are underwater beings, they do not use their mouths, instead generating sounds through organs near their gills. When using the past tense, they switch to SONAR. They respond better to visual stimuli, however, and are extremely suspicious of the spoken word. They admire boldness and confidence and treat hushed tones with suspicion. ( ENT episode : " The Council ")

The Insectoids are the most numerous species, a consequence of their rapid rate of reproduction. They are asexual, and lay eggs. Their average life expectancy is twelve years. The Insectoid language is a clicking dialog that is the most unusual and complex of all Xindi languages. In fact, there are 67 dialects. Insectoids have names that grow longer and more difficult to pronounce as they grow older. They interpret raised voices as a sign of hostility. They are quick to make decisions and are often in alliance with the Reptilians. ( ENT episode : " The Council ")

The Primates are the Xindi race most closely resembling Humans. They are typically stereotyped as honest and trustworthy by other Xindi, but on balance are often convinced of their intellectual superiority over the other races. Nowhere near as aggressive as Reptilians or Insectoids, they are in fact possibly the most arrogant of the five species. Given their comparatively soft skin, they are not seen as being very resilient. Their engineering know-how is greatly respected, however. ( ENT episode : " The Shipment ")

The Reptilians are the most aggressive and militaristic of the Xindi. They are perceived as being untrustworthy and impatient by the other races, but are often called upon to defend all Xindi in times of war. Military rank often determines social status. Despite a history of conflict with the Insectoids, this is the race they most frequently associate with, to the point of sharing spacecraft. Reptilians are cold blooded, and bask under thermal lamps when aboard ships or otherwise cut off from direct solar energy. ( ENT episode : " The Shipment ")

Appendices [ ]

Appearances [ ], external link [ ].

• Xindi article at Memory Alpha , the wiki for canon Star Trek .
• 1 USS Triumph (NCC-26228)
• 2 Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
• 3 Odyssey class