Zeta Reticuli is a binary star system, approximately 39 light-years from Earth. The system consists of several small rocky worlds, whose surfaces are blistered and baked by the constant light and unyielding heat of their twin suns. The fourth World, strangely called "Reticulum Prime" by the inhabitants, is a giant of a world and the only planet supporting life. The dominant species, coloquially known as the Reticulans, is a race of bipedal, smooth-skinned humanoids noted for their blue-gray skin tone, bulbous heads and large, bug-like eyes. The surface of Reticulum Prime is unihabited, due to the scorching heat and lack of atmosphere, and appears to be a dead, rocky mass. The population of the planet lives underground, accessing the surface and their orbital facilities by means of sally ports sporadically located across the planet. To minimize the possibility of siege, there are hundreds of thousands of these sally ports, and each is heavily fortified. The underground network consists of labryrinthine reinforced tunnels, supported by decorative arched trusses of metal and rock, connecting settlements and providing conduits for utility and communication lines. These underground environments are poorly lit by the standards of surface-dwelling species but the Reticulans are comfortable in this environment. Reticulan cities are built within natural or manufactured caverns and are made up of continuous clusters of structures built as high as the cavern will permit. These cities are crushingly crowded and this overpopulation problem answers to some of the expansionist and bellacose nature of the Reticulans.

The Reticulans

An unyieldingly curious culture, the Reticulans are renowned as space-farers and explorers. Most of the inhabited worlds within the sphere of influence of Zeta Reticuli have been visited by these beings. The Reticulans make painstaking efforts to conceal their presence from native inhabitants of visited worlds, unless they mean to initiate hostilities. Occassionally the natives to have encounters with Reticulan scout parties. When this happens, the Reticulans typically behave in a ridiculous fashion, in the hopes that the natives, when they return to their homes, will tell such outlandish stories that no one will believe them. The Reticulans, in the past few decades, have taken a special interest in a Sol III, locally known as Earth, likely due to a recent surge in technological advances which has seen the dominant species, the Treatgivers, poised to colonize their moon and an adjacent planet. There is speculation that the Reticulans are monitoring progress of technological advances, and that likely they will strike and destroy the planet when it becomes a threat to them. More likely, however, this interest is due to a particular agricultural product of Sol III - tobacco, for which the Reticulans have developed a particular taste. Tobacco cannot be grown on Reticulum Prime, so the Reticulans tend to stealthily assimilate into the population of Sol III to obtain this product. If any hostilities are engaged with the Treatgivers, it will likely be for control of tobacco production.

To relieve their overpopulation, the Reticulans seek other worlds to colonize on a regular basis. Generally, they do not peacefully assimilate with the local populations, preferring to take command and run things as suits them. it is for this reason that their recent diplomatic liaisons with the Ka-Zing are particularly disturbing and noteworthy.

Technology

The Reticulans have developed significantly advanced weapons and technology, and have developed advanced genetic engineering capabilities. Their primary manufacturing entity, Mr. Corporation^TM, provides all manner of equipmentfor the Reticulan expeditionary forces.

• Weapons: the Mr. Raygun^TM Division produces an exceptional line of energy-powered small arms for the Reticulan military.
• Industrial Equipment: From Mr. Sneak-a-Peek^TM to Mr. Hand^TM, the Industrial Products Division offers equipment and tools for every use.
• Medical Equipement: The Medical Products Division manufactures medical and laboratory apparatus, most notably the Mr. Evisceration^TM robotic autopsy device.
• Starships: The Mr. Spaceship^TM Division designs and constructs spacecraft for the Reticulan forces, for exploration and military support. One of Mr. Spaceship's^TM most recognizable and versatile designs is the ZX-14A Medium Strike Cruiser, a sleek, powerful ship whose classic lines were inspired by one of the Reticulans' favorite imports from Sol III.