|
== Appearance and Anatomy ==
Taynix are somewhat blobby, and about the size of a loaf of bread, but flatter.{{book ref|skyward|12}} TheyThe hyperslugs have bright yellow skin and small, blue, somewhat stiff spines along their backs, though there may be coloration differences between individuals. The boomslugs are similar, but have red skin, black spines, and black stripes. The commslugs are purple with orange spines.{{wob ref|12554}}{{wob ref|15071}} They are not slimy to the touch, feeling tough like leather, but with a soft, springy consistency.{{book ref|sky2|3}}{{book ref|sky2|24}} While they do not have eyes or any components of a face, they can still perceive their environment, probably through sound and scent, or possibly cytonically.{{book ref|sky2|18}}
== Behavior ==
Taynix are able to make fluting and trilling noises with their spines{{book ref|skyward|12}}{{book ref|sky2|7}} using different tones, and sometimes do so to express emotion.{{book ref|sky2|3}}{{book ref|sky2|9}} They are capable of recreating a wide variety of sounds, as they often parrot words said to them, as well as other sounds like grunts, groans, and whistles.{{book ref|skyward|16}}{{book ref|skyward|22}}{{book ref|sky2|7}} They are of above animal intelligence,{{wob ref|12908}} and Doomslug occasionally corrects [[Spensa]]'s grammar.{{book ref|sky2|9}} Taynix can also give off a cytonically detectable sound that is similar to soft music. This sound, while only perceptible to cytonics, can be used to find out their location over long distances.{{book ref|sky2|epilogue}}
Taynix can move by crawling.,{{book ref|skyward|12}} Theythough hyperslugs can also teleport withto theirget cytonic ability, though they never do so when being watchedaround.{{book ref|skyward|15}}{{book ref|skyward|30}}{{book ref|sky2|33}} Taynix are able to handle heavy gravitational forces, responding by going rigid and hunkering down, though they do not seem to enjoy the experience.{{book ref|sky2|3}}
== Ecology ==
== Uses ==
Taynixes seem toTaynix have various different [[cytonics|cytonic]] abilities, with the specific one depending on their species and indicated by their color.
=== Yellow and BlueHyperslugs ===
YellowHyperslugs{{wob andref|15071}}, which are yellow with blue taynixspines, have anthe innate [[cytonics|cytonic]] ability to travel through the dimension of the [[delver]]s,. andThey are used by the Superiority as hyperdrives thatsince they do not risk drawing the delvers into the universe.{{book ref|sky2|34}} To do so, a cage containing athe taynix is inserted into a Superiority hyperdrive. During a hyperjump, the taynixhyperslug produces a [[cytonics|cytonic]] scream, which distracts the delvers from the passing ship.{{book ref|sky2|20}} This scream is apparently only perceptible for beings with cytonic abilities.{{book ref|sky2|21}} Cytonics onboard can, intentionally or unintentionally, interfere with the ship's hyperjump process and cause a malfunction, which is usually resolved by replacing the taynix in use with a new one.{{book ref|sky2|24}}{{book ref|sky2|33}} Engineers can be reluctant to swap in a fresh taynix, though, because doing so leads to a lot of paperwork.{{book ref|sky2|31}}
=== Red and BlackBoomslugs ===
RedBoomslugs{{wob ref|15071}}, which are red and black taynix, have an ability that greatly resembles a [[mindblade]];. whenWhen thinking of a delver or else threatened, they send out a powerful force in all directions that is capable of injuring humans. Their attack inflicts a score of shallow cuts on whatever is threatening them. They are generally left alone, due to the danger of mishandling one and setting it off.{{book ref|sf1|4}}
=== Purple and OrangeCommslugs ===
PurpleCommslugs{{wob taynixref|15071}}, which are purple and orange, have the ability to communicate cytonically. This communication can be received by traditional technology, however, as [[Platform Prime]] was able to receive [[Cuna]]'s cytonic transmission without needing a purple taynixcommslug.{{book ref|sf1|7}}{{book ref|sf1|8}}
== History ==
|