Humans and Near-Humans, Masters or Mayhem?

It's not uncommon to hear certain phrases in the galaxy. "Well, the Human's off Earth now" is a common one. "The biggest [thing/change/shame] since Humans" is another. And, a common statement all together: "Humans everywhere, these days."

But, what are humans, you might ask? And what qualifies as a human?

A fair question, even for those who are themselves 'human', in the state of the galaxy today.

Humans are a mammalian, tetrapoda species from the Sol System, also called the Terran System per biological classifications, on the planet Earth. They were discovered by the Hive centuries ago, and the High-Pteron overlords uplifted their species to serve as a militant caste in their interstellar Empire. Kept in line through social engineering and incentive structure, the humans held high regard with their masters, and a distinguished position in the hierarchy.

The Hive also provided the humans with galactic standards in technology, and transportation. Humans were exported across Hive space, and such made them recognizable in almost all areas of the galaxy. Moreover, humans were often used as guinea pigs, test subjects, and burden bearers, but all with the mark of prestige. Humans were test subjects in cutting edge experiments that benefited the empire, and labored in high-skill environments. They did not toil fields, or muck up ore from asteroids.

The Hive also reinforced their base impulses, alongside their physiological structure. Innate human desires to compete, acquire resources, procreate, and maintain social status were all used to Hive advantage. Polygamous marriages were given to persons of distinction. Humans were regularly bestowed with surnames for service. Humans were able to own property. And many human activities, especially service in the military, served as competitive exposure. But, just as well, the Hive pushed humans to success in certain areas. Selective breeding and eugenics were common in many areas, streamlining ideal humans for ideal purpose. As well as benefiting the species overall.

Such has rendered results still visible to this day. The average height of the human male is 6'3" - 6'4" (192.1 cm), while the average height of a human female is 5'9" - 5'10" (176.6 cm). This size as an average, as well as the extent of standard deviations, tending towards taller, results in one of the most physically impressive sapient species among the tetrapoda types. Additionally, a mix between medical science improvements, as well as a plethora of interfaces for immediately bettering health, the average human lifespan has gone up to that of approximately 110-116 Terran Years. Give or take some fifteen-year standard deviations based on how strenuous one is on their body, and/or the quality of life they live.

Additionally, humans are by their nature very robust. The conditions of planet Earth, and the biological niche that humans evolved into, have provided many survival qualities that similar species of large size don't posses. Very reliable and effective scar tissue, ample resistance to magnetic fields and radiation, significant responses to trauma and threat, as well as adaptations such as perspiration, nutrient efficiency, bacterial symbiosis, and oxygenation rates make humans among the most durable species per their size bracket.

The limitations of humans, such as a self-destructive immune-system, virus vulnerability, bacterial vulnerability, mental illness and addiction, as well as illogical or psychotic tendencies can be well mitigated by a central authority with enough resources. And given even rudimentary implants, many of the first three can be mitigated to a substantial degree.

But, more extreme efforts to engineer humans over centuries have produced many other offshoot branches of humanity, colloquailly referred to as near-human. Still biologically successful with native humans in most cases, they may have very emphasized, reduced, or entirely alien traits superimposed upon the base of humanity. More than just a cultural exposition, they are an entirely unique divergent from the base homo-sapien breed.

And since humans have lost their homeworld due to High-Pteron interference before the Galactic Reconquest, humans are often moving about the galaxy. Setting down roots, replanting themselves, and providing their strength and passion to whatever project inspires them.