Yanme'e
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
| Yanme'e | |
|---|---|
| |
| Biological overview | |
|
Latin name: |
Turpis rex |
|
Classification: |
Arthropod |
|
Diet: |
Carnivorous |
| Physical information | |
|
Avg. height: |
177.8 centimetres (5.83 ft)–205.8 centimetres (6.75 ft)[1][2] |
|
Avg. weight: |
|
|
Distinctions: |
Xeno-arthropodal morphology, beetle-like wings and exoskeleton. Flight-capable. Vestigial third pair of limbs on abdomen |
| Sociocultural information | |
|
Homeworld: |
|
|
Native Tier 4/Adopted Tier 2[3] | |
|
Notable individuals: |
|
|
Also known as: |
|
- "The flying Yanme'e, simply called the Drones by some, tend to a hivelike society, eusocial and separated by castes, each with its own tasks, subject to the will of a matriarchal queen."
- — From the Prophet of Clarity's Notes on the History of the Covenant[5]
The Yanme'e (Latin, Turpis rex, translated to "dishonorable king"[6]), referred to by some individuals as Drones[5] or Buggers,[4] are a race of sentient, carnivorous, flight-capable insectoids.[7] The Yanme'e were one of the species that composed the religious hegemony known as the Covenant, having become the body's second client species in 1112 CE.[3] In combat, the Yanme'e served as mechanics and soldiers, often using their ability to fly to carry out ambushes on enemies of the Covenant.[1]
History[edit]
The Yanme'e evolved from winged tree-dwelling arthropods on Palamok which had developed complex motor skills due to a flexible appendage made up of chitin that functioned as an opposable thumb. Eventually, the species developed higher levels of technology that ultimately led to the evolution of the Yanme'e species, due to societal coordination and cooperation.[7] The Forerunners noted that the Yanme'e were one of the few sapient, arthropodal species in the Milky Way galaxy that were competent enough to attain tool-making and technological skills.[3]
The Covenant[edit]
Eventually, the Yanme'e became an interstellar-faring, Tier-4 species. The Yanme'e first encountered the Covenant in the year 1112, while the Covenant was searching for Forerunner artifacts.[8] Initially, first contact was violent as the Yanme'e attempted to resist the alien invaders. Both sides took heavy casualties, but surprisingly,[3] it was the Covenant who fared worse in these battles due to the sheer amount of Yanme'e combatants.[1] However, the Covenant was unwilling to glass Palamok, as the San'Shyuum believed that Palamok's hives could be guarding Forerunner relics on the planet's surface. The San'Shyuum eventually found an effective way to communicate with the Yanme'e, and subsequently incorporated them into the Covenant by way of a treaty in an effort to prevent a prolonged war. Exploration of Palamok following the war provided no evidence of former Forerunner artifacts on the planet.[7] The San'Shyuum were quick to make use of their talent for repairing machinery, and employed them as mechanics on Covenant vessels.[9] An assembly of Yanme'e Hive Queens was formed, and they conscripted members of the drone caste into the Covenant military.[5]
The Yanme'e were one of the first species to make contact with humanity, on the human colony of Harvest in February 2525. They were first identified by the United Nations Space Command in the siege of Gladsheim, a small town on Harvest.[10] During the later fight on the Tiara, several Yanme'e killed the Huragok Lighter Than Some out of jealousy, causing the enraged Unggoy Deacon Dadab to slaughter them in revenge.[11]
After the Hierarchs declared war on humanity, Yanme'e were used as military combatants against UNSC forces. They were deployed during many major conflicts, including the Fall of Reach. During the Battle of Meridian, five or six Yanme'e were deployed by an Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette to finish off the survivors of a boat it had fired upon. Dorian Nguyen was able to kill one by slamming it with a guitar, crumpling its wings and sending the Yanme'e into the sea. Dorian managed to escape, but the Yanme'e slaughtered the hundreds of other people on the boat, including Dorian's friends and bandmates.[12]
During the Battle for Earth, they boarded orbital defense platforms along with other Covenant infantry.[13] When the Covenant made landfall in New Mombasa, the Yanme'e immediately established a large hive in the Superintendent's data center.[14]
During the Great Schism, the Yanme'e joined the San'Shyuum and the Jiralhanae.[15] Many were present as combatants during the Battle of Installation 00.[16]
Post-war[edit]
After the Human-Covenant War, many Yanme'e happily returned to their home system.[7] In 2554,[17] Many Yanme'e served in Tem'Bhetek's faction which attempted to use the Prototype Halo installation to destroy Sanghelios and the Sangheili. Many were killed by Rtas 'Vadum and Tul 'Juran after mortally wounding Tem'Bhetek with the remaining ones trying desperately to get to Boru'a'Neem to stop him from firing the miniature Halo again. They were killed when Tem destroyed the installation.