Zorome

Zorome
General Information
Other names	Machine Man (after cybernetic conversion)
Homeworld	Zor
Locomotion	Quadrupedal
Lifespan	Immortal (after cybernetic conversion)
Sapience level	Sapient
Behavior	Friendly Scholarly
Language	Telepathic
Reproduction	Dioecious (before cybernetic conversion)
Behind the Scenes
Universe	Professor Jameson
Created by	Neil R. Jones

Zoromes are a sapient, extragalactic cyborg species from the planet Zor, which orbits a star millions of light-years away from Earth.

The name "Zorome" is used to refer to the natives of Zor, both before and after their cybernetic conversion, but is also used to refer to members of other species who have been assimilated by having their own brains encased in robotic bodies identical to those of the original Zoromes.

The name "Machine Man" is also used for all mechanical Zoromes, regardless of origin or gender.

Biology

The organic Zorome species evolved long after the extinction of humanity. Several hundred thousand years before 40 million AD, the Zoromes started converting themselves into cyborgs by encasing their organic brains into robotic bodies that could potentially live forever.

Organic Zorome populations still exist on Zor. Since the Machine Men are incapable of reproduction, the organics are needed to replenish their numbers and prevent population loss due to accidents.

Organic Zoromes

Organic Zoromes share their basic body plan with their mechanical kin, having four legs and six tentacular arms. Two tentacles protrude from each side of the upper body, while an additional two emerge from the back and the chest. Their legs are short and jointless, and terminate in triangular feet. They have no hair, but a membranous fringe decorates their heads, the colour of which varies from dark red to pink. They have flat noseless faces with deep dark eyes, a diamond-shaped mouth, and no external ears. Instead of ears, they possess a hearing organ located on the back of the head, hidden by the fringe. They breathe through valved openings at the base of the foremost tentacle.

Organic Zoromes are a dioecious species, meaning that they have male and female individuals. Females can be distinguished by the presence of inches-long underlashes, which are absent in males.

Machine Men

Mechanized Zoromes stand about half the height of a Human. Their bodies are block-shaped, made of a metallic alloy that resembles steel, and equipped with six tentacular arms and four jointed legs. On top of the cubical body is a pointed dome-like head with a circle of eyes around it, plus an additional eye on top, allowing them to see in any direction, including upwards. The eyes can also be closed by metal shutters. Zoromes have no mouth and communicate with each other by telepathy. They have no need to eat or breathe, are incapable of sleep, and have no sense of smell.

Although they can live perfectly well without an atmosphere, Zoromes still require a certain amount of heat and thus can't survive in the vacuum of space indefinitely. However, they are still able to survive comfortably in temperatures that would be lethally cold for Humans.

While the Machine Men have succeeded in making themselves immortal (barring accidents), they have also no way to reproduce, and their only means of increasing and replenishing their numbers is to convert others, including both organic Zoromes and members of other species.

Culture and society

The Zoromes' homeworld, Zor, is the fourth planet in its star system, although the other planets have also been colonized by them. They are ruled by royal families.

Zoromes are a peaceful species which largely dedicate their immortal lives to the exploration of distant stars and galaxies. Born as organic beings, they can choose to convert themselves into Machine Men at any point in their lives. Although they generally look forward to immortality as a Machine Man, most prefer to wait until they approach middle age before conversion, thus giving them time to experience organic life and, if possible, to have children.

When an individual is converted into a Machine Man, they lose their individual name and are instead identified by a series of numbers and letters (e.g. 4R-3579, 9G-721, or 25X-987).

Appearances

• "The Jameson Satellite", by Neil R. Jones (1931)
• "The Planet of the Double Sun", by Neil R. Jones (1932)
• "The Return of the Tripeds", by Neil R. Jones (1932)
• "Into the Hydrosphere", by Neil R. Jones (1933)
• "Time's Mausoleum", by Neil R. Jones (1933)
• "The Sunless World", by Neil R. Jones (1934)
• "Zora of the Zoromes", by Neil R. Jones (1935)
• "Space War", by Neil R. Jones (1935)
• "Labyrinth", by Neil R. Jones (1936)
• "Twin Worlds", by Neil R. Jones (1937)
• "On the Planet Fragment", by Neil R. Jones (1937)
• "The Music-Monsters", by Neil R. Jones (1938)
• "The Cat-Men of Aemt", by Neil R. Jones (1940)
• "Cosmic Derelict", by Neil R. Jones (1941)
• "Slaves of the Unknown", by Neil R. Jones (1942)
• "Doomsday on Ajiat", by Neil R. Jones (1942)
• "The Metal Moon", by Neil R. Jones (1949)
• "Parasite Planet", by Neil R. Jones (1949)
• "World Without Darkness", by Neil R. Jones (1950)
• "The Mind Masters", by Neil R. Jones (1950)
• "The Star Killers", by Neil R. Jones (1951)
• "The Accelerated World", by Neil R. Jones (1968)
• "In the Meteoric Cloud", by Neil R. Jones (1968)
• "Exiles from Below", by Neil R. Jones (1989)