BANIKS
The Banik species is mysterious; I know very little about it. I suspect that it has been unable to develop its own strong identity because so many of its members are enslaved throughout the Uncharted Territories. Scorpius had no qualms about sacrificing 10,000 Banik slaves in his quest to capture Crichton; the sad truth is that Baniks are rarely considered to be people in their own right.
The Stykera are a breed of Banik who possess such strong spiritual energy that it manifests as a glowing surface over part of their face. Usually, they must keep this surface masked to prevent the energy from dissipating.
Stykera are most famed for their ability to help others' lifeforces cross peacefully into death. I also have seen evidence that they can communicate telepathically, as well as sense profound truths about the nature of space and time. They are, themselves, capable of existing in a noncorporeal form, which is why our resident Stykera, Stark, wasn't killed when the Plokavians dispersed him.
Having not met many Stykera, I'm unclear whether Stark's borderline insanity is typical of his breed. Personally, I'm more inclined to blame this trait on the years Stark spent first as a slave, then as Scorpius' prisoner. Regardless, I am moved by Stark's dedication to his fellow Baniks, and I hope that the species will, one day, live in freedom.
JOURNEY LOG REFERENCES
The Hidden Memory
Liars, Guns and Money, Part 2: With Friends Like These
Liars, Guns and Money, Part 3: Plan B
STARBURST TO ANY LIFEFORM
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