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The Kalish were a Sebaceanoid species, roughly the same proportion body-wise as Humans and Sebaceans, with orange hair and pale skin that was mottled in places in a repeating diamond pattern.
Biology[]
The Kalish body was highly efficient — indeed, the average member of the species only needed to eat ten times per cycle. These were food binges in which the Kalish would consume more than a Hynerian; the feasts were followed by a digestion period of increased body temperature. Kalish also had the ability to “shift their gravity centers,” allowing them to walk on walls and ceilings. Their relatively small and light veins and other internal body parts were somehow related to this ability.
Kalish could not tolerate translator microbes and had to learn language of each new species they encountered. If severed, their limbs could be reattached without surgery. ("Crichton Kicks") Kalish were especially susceptible to radiation; short exposure will destroy three of their internal organs.
It must be noted that most of the preceding information about Kalish physiology has been garnered from observation of one member of the species who was actually genetically engineered. It is not known which characteristics apply to the entire species and which were engineered into the subject. For example, other Kalish have not shown any difficulty in understanding English on their first exposure to it and thus may be able to use translator microbes. However, the ability to shift gravity appears to be universal for Kalish. ("We're So Screwed - Hot to Katratzi")
Like other Sebaceanoid species, Kalish had one thumb and four fingers. They were renowned for their intelligence. ("We're So Screwed - Fetal Attraction") They had white/gray blood. ("We're So Screwed - Hot to Katratzi")
History[]
Thus far, little is known about the Kalish society. However, it is known that the Kalish were highly intelligent and are especially adept in science, technology, and organization.
Unfortunately for them, the Kalish were also a conquered species under the thumb of the Scarran Empire, and were forced to be their conquerors’ bureaucrats, technicians and intelligence experts. They were forced to serve the Empire in order to survive. ("We're So Screwed - Fetal Attraction", "We're So Screwed - Hot to Katratzi") They hated the Scarrans, ("Crichton Kicks") and also the Charrids, another partner species of the Scarrans. Hatred between Kalish and Charrids was particuarly high in the empire's outer worlds. ("We're So Screwed - Hot to Katratzi")
The Kalish had a sophisticated underground resistance, which included some genetically engineered bioloids. ("We're So Screwed - La Bomba") Though Scarrans were usually credited with creating bioloids, which were copies of life forms given certain tasks and abilities, it may be that the Kalish were behind the idea. At the very least, they managed to create bioloids without the Scarrans' knowledge.
Notes[]
"Sho-kana-sho" is a Kalish phrase. ("We're So Screwed - Hot to Katratzi") It appears to serve as both a farewell and goodbye and/or wishing of good fortune.