Bane

The Bane are a sapient species of vaguely cephalopodic creatures with aggressively expansionist tendencies and strong communal bonds between individuals.

Biology
Physically, the Bane are shaped like enormous mollusks with a shelled back and seven strong ambulatory tentacles. Despite their size, they can cling to walls and ceilings. They also have a single eye on their faces and several smaller tentacles surrounding their mouths. As a telepathic species, they are able to read minds and manipulate memories. The Bane Mother is much larger in size than regular Bane, suggesting that they might have different castes, or grow continuously as they age.

The Bane are particularly vulnerable to communication device transmissions, including those of Earth cell phones. The power generated by an Arcateenian interstellar communicator can be strong enough to kill several Bane, including the Bane Mother.

Culture and society
The Bane serve and venerate the Bane Mother. Their technology includes illusory projections which allow them to appear Human. They refer to their kind as the "Bane family" and have very strict discipline, using cannibalism as punishment. Failing at an important task will result in the blamed individual being eaten alive by the others.

History
The Bane invaded the Earth during the early 21st century, disguising themselves as a Human corporation to produce and commercialize Bubble Shock!, a highly addictive beverage branded as a healthy product. Advertised as "organic" and "containing bane"; this proved to be quite true when Sarah Jane Smith studied the product and discovered that it contained a chemical substance produced by the Bane Mother.

The Bane were able to take control of the minds of all those addicted to Bubble Shock!, but could not conclude the plan yet due to 2% of the Human population which was still immune to its effects.

Appearances

 * The Sarah Jane Adventures
 * series 1, "Invasion of the Bane" (2007)
 * series 2, "Enemy of the Bane" (2008)