Machina Classes
Machina are sorted into Classes based on their primary role. This is listed after their Category when identifying them, which refers to the stage of development that their body is at. When a human is corrupted into a Machina, the M2 Nanomachines in their body will guide development into a certain Class based on the former-human's traits, such as their physique, their personality, and their cultivated skills. The main Classes are the Assaulter-class, the Attacker-class, the Breeder-class, the Injector-class, and the Supporter-class. Each Class has a significant identifying feature that is central to their role. When a very advanced Category 3 Machina displays more than one of these identifying features, she may be designated as a Hybrid or a Chimera. Category 4 Machina are always Queen-class Machina. Queens will often retain the identifying features of their former Class. It is common for a Queen to have identifying features from several Classes, due to the requirements for ascension to Category 4.
A Machina's Class designation is a reflection of her overall purpose. Category 2 and Category 3 Machina may be sorted further into Types, which is reflective of the specific role that their bodies have been adapted for.
Assaulter_class
Assaulter-class Machina are combatants whose main characteristic is the ability to fly. Assaulter-class Machina vary wildly and often resemble Machina from other classes. This is often because a substantial number of Types within this Class are simply a derivative of an existing Machina design from another Class with the added ability to fly and conduct aerial combat. It is because of this creation process as well, that Assaulter-class Machina adapt the quickest when given new Gene-Code via sex with other Machina.
Their identifying feature is their flight systems, usually including wings. However, it is important to consider their combatant status. A flying non-combatant would not be an Assaulter-class Machina. The basic, most common Type of Machina in this Class is the Interceptor-type.
Attacker_class
Attacker-class Machina are the main combatants. Their purpose is simply to attack human resistance and protect other Machina. For every tactical and strategic situation, there exists a Type of Attacker-class Machina. This is due to their role bringing them into contact with human technology frequently. Attacker-class Machina will not only adapt their bodies to the effects of new human technology, but also have a strong tendency to assimilate new human technology into their bodies through the use of Larvae.
Their identifying feature is their prominent central fin, which can contain a multitude of auxiliary or supporting systems to help the Machina fight on the front lines. The basic, most common Type of Machina in this Class is the Beast-type.
Breeder_class
Breeder-class Machina are one of the two non-combatant classes. Although all mature Machina can create Larvae within their wombs if they want to, a Breeder-class Machina’s body is specialized in the production of Larvae. Each of their breasts contains an additional womb for increased Larvae production. These wombs are constantly making multiple Larvae at any given time, and as such they often have enlarged bellies and breasts. Due to the interior volume of their breasts being taken up in part by their breast-wombs, their M2 Nanomachine production may be lowered. Breeder-class Machina make up for this by receiving the semen or other fluids of Machina who visit them for their services. Their role is to enhance other Machina by applying Larvae in ways that best enhance their talents. They utilize their cultivated experience and intrinsic knowledge gained from the assimilation of semen they receive to predict where and how they will apply Larvae to achieve the desired results.
Their identifying feature is the breast-wombs that produce Larvae alongside their main womb. Their nipples have a central orifice for birthing Larvae, which may also be penetrated by a tentacle or penis to directly nourish her developing Larvae with semen, similar to how vaginal penetration would nourish the Larvae in her main womb. The basic, most common Type of Machina in this Class is the Broodmother-type.
Injector_class
The Injector-class are the most numerous class, and are mainly non-combatants. Whilst all Machina from Category 2 onward can infect humans with M2 Nanomachines, Injector-class Machina specialize in the production of fluids containing M2 Nanomachines and injecting them into humans and sometimes other Machina. Whilst the Injector-class Machina may be the default Class for unremarkable humans to develop into, there are still several roles for gifted Machina within this Class. For example, the role of healers is performed by Injector-class Machina, whose copious breastmilk accelerates regeneration of a damaged Machina's body. In addition, the role of an engineer can also be performed by Injector-class Machina who utilize their M2 Nanomachines to sculpt objects into their desired form and function.
Their identifying feature are their storage tanks and injector tipped appendages. Some Machina may lack injection equipment, and instead rely heavily on their penis for the expulsion and/or injection of their M2 Nanomachines. The basic, most common Type of Machina in this Class is the Infestor-type.
Supporter_class
Supporter-class Machina is a catch-all term for auxiliary Machina who are not combatants, and not focused on reproduction. Supporter-class Machina often exist to assist their Queen-class Machina, performing roles such as espionage, reconnaissance, or research which require specialized and/or niche knowledge and cultivated skills. When identifying a Machina that is suspected to be a Supporter-class Machina, one must consider if she is intended for combat. For instance, if a Machina has stealth capability, she may be a Supporter-class Machina if she is not intended for combat. A stealth combatant would belong to the Attacker-class, whereas a stealth reconnaissance Machina would likely be a Supporter-class Machina. If this stealth reconnaissance Machina could fly, it would not mean she is an Assaulter-class, as she is not intended for combat.
Since Supporter-class Machina are specialists, there is no basic or most common Type for this Class. Ordinary or unremarkable people do not become one of these Machina.
Queen_class
Queen-class Machina are the leaders of the Machina. They are the central server of the Cluster, which links the minds of all Machina who share the same Cluster-Code as the Queen. From this position of power in the Cluster, the Queen-class Machina is able to learn everything her subordinate Machina learn, as well as issue commands and supply information to her subordinates. This allows the Queen to coordinate the sharing of knowledge and genetic material among her subordinate Machina to optimize her Cluster for a particular style of combat. During combat, the Queen uses sensory information from her subordinates and her immense processing power to direct the actions of all Machina in her Cluster as they fight to conquer humanity.
A Queen's will is felt at all times by her subordinates. The Queen's will seamlessly enters the minds of her subordinates where it will exist as a goal for them to bear in mind as they pursue their own goals. Some Queens are content with just this level of control, knowing that her desires will be carried out to the best of her subordinates' abilities. If she needs to, a Queen can issue more overt orders to her subordinates, like mentally conveying commands. In times of need, it is not uncommon for Queens to expand their minds and issue constant commands to many of her Machina in order to maximize their performance and grand-scale coordination.
Queen-class Machina are also linked to each other through the Main Cluster, which they use for communication and to share data if needed. Using the Main Cluster they can make decisions that influence the Machina as a whole.
Because of their importance and uniqueness, Queen-class Machina are referred to using a codename for each Queen rather than the usual Type designations, such as 'Category 4 Queen-class Codename: ARACHNE'. In addition, there is a ranking metric called 'Hazardous Adversary Ranking Metric - List of 72' or 'HARM-72' for short. This system tracks the Queens who pose the greatest hazard to humanity according to REPAIR, not necessarily a ranking of who is strongest.
Hybrids and Chimeras
When a Machina receives enough Gene-Code belonging to Machina of another Class, she can develop into a Hybrid. When identifying a Hybrid Machina, the two observable Classes are hyphenated together with 'Hybrid' prefixed to them. These Machina still have a Type designation. An example of this might be 'Category 3 Hybrid Attacker-Injector-class Medic-type Machina'.
Chimera Machina are very rare Machina. This occurs when a very strong Category 3 Machina has acquired large amounts of traits from several Classes other than her own Class. As such they look like a combination of at least three Classes of Machina. Chimera Machina are very close to ascending to Category 4 and becoming a Queen-class Machina, and this means they are some of the most dangerous Category 3 Machina. Due to the complexity of their bodies, Chimera Machina may have a Type designation, but are often simply identified by the Cluster they belong to. The latter designation does not match the standard designation structure due to it beginning as a REPAIR expediency in naming these extremely-high-value targets. An example of the former naming style might be 'Category 3 Chimera Protector-type Machina' and an example of the latter naming style might be 'Category 3 Chimera Machina - ARACHNE Cluster'.
Proto_Machina
Where a Hybrid Machina is two Classes at once, and a Chimera Machina is three or more Classes at once, a Proto-Machina can be thought of as having no Class at that particular time. This occurs during a certain set of circumstances where expedience is needed for Machina development. In these situations, the Machina are prevented from developing more than the bare essentials so their development is faster, but otherwise develop from Category 1 through to Category 3 as normal. This can be ordered by a Queen whose situation necessitates new forces as soon as possible, or may be triggered by Outbreak Protocol. Once the situation improves, the Proto-Machina will be released from the restrictions and allowed to develop the equipment she would naturally have.
