The V-Heads

The invading alien force is easily distinguished by their proportionately larger heads, which angle up along the sides and back down the middle, thus earning them the nicknames of V-Heads. The typical V-Head has no hair on their body, including a lack of eyebrows or nose hair. Along the elongated sides run headlong ear holes without any form of lobes. These large ears assist in hearing beyond the human standard ability, but also prove to be more sensitive to loud sounds. Their eyes hold dual lids: the vertical set acting as light filters (much like a pair of sunglasses) while the horizontal set serve the same purpose as our own. Their necks are also far thicker than humans, running in equal proportion to the bottom of the face. This extra thickness provides room for extra "pipes", each serving a different purpose (air flow and sound, carbon disposal, digestive, and flame expulsion). The V-Heads' skin is very pale - almost white - and very taut against thin but muscular forms, similar to those of Olympic swimmers or runners. This tone is also represented in their increased strength and speed compared to typical humans. The final difference is in their digits, having four wider fingers (including an opposable thumb) and no toes with extended feet to maintain balance.

The V-Head home world began four-star systems away, the furthest planet from the sun. Roughly three thousand years ago, this very advanced society learned that their sun was about to go supernova and began preparations for survival. In addition to constructing cities far below the earth, their scientists created an electromagnetic atmosphere strong enough to act as a global force field. This shield acted as protection from the impending disaster and to keep the planet together (much like a electric egg shell). The global field drained the planet of all electronic power, however, sinking it into a dark age.

When the sun exploded, the planet was expelled out of the gravimetric rotation rather than being destroyed, beginning its galactic journey.

Through chemical manipulation and evolution, the V-Heads developed many survival abilities to cope with their new environment. Without a source of ultraviolet light, plant life on the surface soon died off, removing the planetary source of carbon dioxide / oxygen transformation. In turn, the mammal life had to be transformed to process carbon dioxide-filled air. A filter developed to remove the carbon from the air and transport it down to the heat production area. With a lack of sunlight, natural heat was only generated in limited amounts by the planetary core. Fearful of causing instability, an interior heat source was developed within the V-Head body. This heat source, fueled by the carbon siphoned off by the filter, evolved into a fire that could be expelled through the mouth carefully as only that specific pipe is flame retardant and can cause burns to V-Heads if any other part of the body is exposed. The lack of natural light also brought about the optical evolution; when both eyelids are open, their eyesight in darkness is as clear as a human's during the day. The light filters formed for those rare times a light source was available. Lastly, the lack of light has caused the skin pigmentation, leaving the race very susceptible to ultraviolet rays. Extended periods in sunlight (especially in earth's decreased ozone layer) will cause extreme burns in short periods of time - second to third degree burns in less than an hour.

Having floated through star systems for several millennia, the V-Heads were surprised when an alien probe penetrated their diminished electromagnetic atmosphere. A year later, they found their planet once again captured in a solar gravity. Through examination of the probe, the V-Heads concluded that it originated, not just from another race, but one that held certain similarities to their own. As such, when the space ark entered their area of space, they had dropped the force field and were prepared for visitors. Examining and autopsying the aliens, the V-Heads concluded that the new planet - the third one from the sun - would provide a good environment for relocation.

Coupling the human technology from the human carrier with that of their own, the V-Heads launched an invasion of their own, shuttling over twenty thousand of their strongest warriors (roughly a fifth of their population) in a ship designed for a thousand. Once in earth orbit, they quickly established an electromagnetic shield similar to the one created by their ancestors, activating it upon their landing and beginning the invasion. Control for the field is maintained from the shuttle, highly guarded at what used to be known as NASA. Operating primarily by night, the V-Heads have formed raiding parties to eliminate the human race, including all resistance cells. While it is commonly believed that the V-Heads are incapable of communication with humans, they had a multi-year trip to earth in which they familiarized themselves with earth languages. While they communicate solely in their native tongue, each invasion force is well versed in the regional dialects.

The V-Head invasion is the cause of the environment, not the effect to be focused upon. The stories told are to be about the new society that has developed, with the aliens serving as background and occasional antagonists. Exposure to the humans must be limited, lest the weaknesses of the invaders be learned too soon and exploited. The aliens also serve the purpose of holding this new society together, based on mutual need. To maintain the idea of a ongoing threat, use in stories must be limited.

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