Vegan (Way Station)

The Hazers (a name given to them by Enoch Wallace); more properly known as Vegans; are a sapient, peaceful and advanced race native to the planet Vega XXI, which hold considerable influence and esteem in galactic society.

Biology
Hazers are humanoid bipeds, with some extraordinary quality about them, as if they were made of something other than flesh, although they are, in fact, flesh-and-blood beings, just like Humans. Their metabolism differs from that of Humans in some ways, and while some of the foods and beverages they consume can also be consumed by Humans, others cannot.

They have something akin to hair on their heads, which is neither true hair nor feathers, and becomes white when they age. Their fingers look more like tentacles. They're known to travel in "sexual units" consisting of five individuals, though whether that means there are five sexes or that five are needed to fertilize their gametes is not known.

The most notable aspect of this species is that they seem to emanate a "golden haze" or "aura" that gives the appearance of glowing, but not with visible light. The name "Hazers" comes from this quality, which is not visible but is still perceivable, as if they "glowed in spirit", as described by Enoch Wallace. The golden haze also seems to extend to whatever is touched by them and to the environment itself, and will remain present for some time even after the Hazers themselves have left. The haze is stronger in younger individuals, and fainter in elderly ones.

When Hazers die, the golden haze fades from their bodies, and they suddenly appear to become bonier, more angular and far less beautiful than the soft and noble-looking creatures they were in life. In death, their skin appears as a scaly parchment holding the bones together. Wallace rationalizes this phenomenon by suggesting that the haze might be the life essence of the Hazers, and that in life they "wear" this essence as a cloak outside their bodies, while other species have it concealed inside. The fact that their dead bodies are extremely light-weighted also suggests that the haze may be an actual physical substance with a weight of its own, of which the body is drained upon death.

It's possible that all Hazers' minds are linked in some way, and that they maintain some connection with each other's bodies, even after death; as they instantly become aware if one of them dies and what was the cause of death, even while standing light-years apart. They will even know if the body of a dead comrade has been moved to a different location. Like many other things about the Hazers, there is currently no explanation about how they do it.

Culture and society
Hazers are a friendly people and generally pleasant and happy in disposition. Their culture includes literature and other forms of art that appear to be unknown to Humans. However, they're also a proud, honorbound race and may become deeply offended by what they perceive as dishonor. Even so, it is still possible for them to swallow their pride and ignore the offense if they think that will be for the galaxy's greater good, and even when offended, they can still be reasoned with. Their homeworld is entirely civilized, with controlled weather patterns and no wild areas left.

Hazer customs dictate that when they die, the body must remain on the same general location and cannot be transported to another place. What will be done with the body depends on the local customs, for instance: if a Hazer dies on Earth, he may be interred and the Human that interred him may read verses from a holy book, just as if the Hazer had been Human. Friends and relatives of the deceased will not attend this or other kinds of ceremonies, however. The place in which a Hazer has died will forever be considered part of Vega XXI, meaning that there are myriads of such locations scattered across the galaxy.

Any belongings that the Hazer was carrying with him at the moment of death will become property of the one who was with him, and who performs whatever funeral ceremony is needed according to the local customs. To refuse such property is considered a grave insult.

Appearances

 * Way Station, by Clifford D. Simak (1963)