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I don't know how many of you will recognize this one, but the Berserkers from the Fred Saberhagen novels. Hideously powerful self-replicating automated starships bent on destroying all organic life. They don't want your land or your resources. They don't want your loyalty or obedience. They don't want to add your biological and technological distinctiveness to their own. They just want you to die. If you're lucky, they'll make it quick. Otherwise, they'll torture you to death - sometimes, for information, and sometimes seemingly just for kicks.

Along the same lines, the Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah from Star Control.

A few quotes:

Kohr-Ah: "We are the Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah.
We cleanse our destiny.
You will soon die.
Make whatever rituals are necessary for your species."

-----

You: "If you attack us, we will destroy you."

Kohr-Ah: "Over five thousand races have made such a claim.
We survived. They did not.
Nor shall you."

-----

You: "Surrender or die."

Kohr-Ah: "Our counter to your statement is simpler:
just `die'."

-----

Kohr-Ah: "Before we destroy other thinking beings we share with them this comforting fact:
This life of yours... which shall end immediately following this statement
is but one of many lives you will live.
Perhaps, in your next incarnation
you will be born an Ur-Quan."



Man, I love those guys.

Never heard of it. Though it sounds like one of those guys isn't facing reality. No hard to believe. In a number of games I've had small and meaningless races say that they were going to take my out. They died shortly after.

In Star Control, the Kohr-Ah are one of the most powerful races by far; even in the player's advanced Precursor ship with most of the upgrades, they can still ruin your day if you aren't careful.

In their case, it's not just a boast, though there are plenty of other races who talk a big game, then get spanked.

Fun stuff.

Yeah I love that game. The Spathi rock too. You can basically bluff your way into victory over them