Information AboutBentusi |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT BENTUSI | |
| fictional extraterrestrial species | |
| homeworld series | |
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]] ]] In the Homeworld series, the Bentusi are a race of space-faring technology traders, who help the Kushan fleet in their quest to find Hiigara . Calling themselves ''The Unbound'', the Bentusi are a very ancient, wise race who do not claim any planet for themselves, instead opting to live exclusively among the stars. It is interesting to note that it would probably be impossible for the Bentusi to even survive outside of their ships, given that they are physically connected to them. The Bentusi are one of the three races to possess hyperspace cores, along with the Vaygr and Hiigarans . Although the Bentusi are one of the most technologically advanced races in the Homeworld universe, they choose to remain peaceful unless their Mothership s are attacked. This does not stop them from selling and trading powerful combat technology with other races, though. It is revealed in Homeworld 2 that 3000 years before the events of Homeworld the Hiigaran Empire 's fleet became hungry for power during a war between them, the Taiidan and the Bentusi. They then went after Bentus , the Bentusi's harbour ship in an attempt to acquire a second core and thus an upper hand in battle. As a consequence they were obliterated by the infuriated Bentusi, enabling the vengeful Taiidan to conquer Hiigara and drive the Hiigarans into exile on the desert planet Kharak . As such the Bentusi are indirectly responsible for the Hiigaran exile, and were compelled to help the Kushans in their quest to reach their Homeworld . "THE UNBOUND" This is the title the Bentusi give to themselves, indicating a sense of pride in the race's lack of a home planet or perhaps some other aspect. In '''''''''' it is hinted that '''Unbound''' may actually refer to freedom from organic restraints, perhaps contributing to a higher sense of being. They refer quite obviously (though out of context) to ''' Karan Sjet ''' who they call Unbound. Because of this, many fans believe that the term ''Unbound'' may possess more than one meaning and may mean more than the 'mere' ability to travel through space at Faster-than-light speeds. It may also refer to how she was physically integrated into the Mothership, much like the Bentusi are with their ships. When The Beast entity attempts to consume a Bentusi vessel in Homeworld: Cataclysm, the Bentusi self-destruct. They are completely disgusted and repulsed by the Beast's infection, refusing to be "bound". It should be noted that the behaviour of the Bentusi in Homeworld: Cataclysm, was a drastic change compared to Homeworld. Many Homeworld fans consider Homeworld: Cataclysm to be non-canon, as it has no real effect on the future of the Homeworld universe as depicted in Homeworld 2. None of the technologies in Homeworld: Cataclysm are carried into Homeworld 2, and the Beast incident is not mentioned. BENTUSI CAPABILITIES Prior to the Hiigaran exile, the Bentusi were a prominent military force in the Homeworld universe. They had emerged early on the galactic stage, and were the first race to discover a far-jumper, a powerful hyperspace core capable of hurling ships over incredible distances. Using the power of the far-jumper, the Bentusi quickly established the Old Trade Routes, and spread their influence across the galaxy. Soon after the establishment of the Trade Routes, the Bentusi took upon themselves the mantle of "Galactic Peacekeepers". Using the far-jumper housed in their mothership, Bentus, the Bentusi could send their entire fleet to quell interplanetary wars with their superior technology. However, many systems did not like being little more than protectorates of the Bentusi, and began conspiring with other planets to bring an end to the Bentusi's "tyranny". Almost overnight, dozens of wars broke out across the galaxy. The Bentusi fleet, though undisputably powerful, could only be in one place at once. As the dust settled, several new Empires had been created, and the Galactic Council was formed. The Bentusi's reign had ended. Perhaps the most drastic example of Bentusi military doctrine can be seen in the depiction of the historical standoff between Hiigaran and Bentusi forces. The Bentus, after having taken minor fire from Hiigaran ships, activated its far-jumper, wrenching the Bentusi fleet from nearby staging grounds. As the fight went on, the Bentus made use of its far-jumper to make tactical jumps to support forces around the battlefield. The Hiigarans also utilized a far-jumper, but their inexperience, and the sheer technological superiority of the Bentusi one-to-one, led to their defeat. After the Hiigaran exile, the Bentusi "demilitarized" their fleets, however their ships still retain formidable firepower. Homeworld: Cataclysm introduced the 'super-acolyte' fighter, a swift assault craft sporting smaller ion cannons. If one assumes continuity between Homeworld and Homeworld 2 (an assumption debated over by fans of the series), then the power of the original Bentusi fleet must have been unparalleled. Bentusi ships have only been seen armed with beam weaponry. The Bentusi also have a unparalleled array of information at their disposal, and in the original Homeworld sold a wide variety of technologies, such as the Ion Cannon to the Kushan exiles. They require resources (RU) in return for this technology. What the Bentusi do with the resources is unknown. The information that the Bentusi have could also extend to that of a Proginator level, repairing the Dreadnaught's Phase Cannon Array after it was used successfully against a Vaygr attack fleet, but becoming irrepairably damaged. In Homeworld Cataclysm, the Bentusi successfully repaired the '''Kuun-Lan's Siege Cannon''' by installing superheating sinks, which enabled the cannon to fire repeatedly. The Bentusi also complimented Kiith Somtaaw for finding such a weapon, being impressed by the skill in how the lesser races created it. However, Kiith Somtaaw did not create a weapon like this, it was salvaged in a sector of space where a battle was supposedly fought by another race, in an area surrounded by mines. BENTUSI SHIPS Exchange: Bentusi Exchanges, or simply Tradeships, are one of the most recognizable ships in the Homeworld universe. They are massive, mothership class vessels (although in Homeworld: Cataclysm, they are reduced to Carrier class). Their exteriors are solidly armored, with runes across the top. The interior consists of a spectacular array of lights and docking bays. Bentusi Exchanges are considered homes of the Bentusi, and as such are well armed. Exchanges are armed with a trio of forward-facing, continuously firing ion cannons, capable of destroying almost any attacker very quickly. Cargo Barge: A smaller, frigate sized vessel, ejected from a Bentusi Exchange tradeship after a Taiidani force attacks the vessel at Tenhauser Gate. The vessel is promptly destroyed by Taiidani vessels, annihilating whatever precious technology or escaping crew was sequestered onboard. As it's name suggests, the Cargo Barge was most likely to be used normally for transporting resources or technology between other ships. Super Acolyte: The Bentusi Super-Acolyte is an incredibly powerful strike-craft, featuring a pair of small ion cannons (most likely a prelude to the Pulsars and Lance Beams as seen in Homeworld 2). The protocols for building Super-Acolytes were transferred to the Somtaaw in the last level of Homeworld: Cataclysm, in a sort of 'deus ex machina'. Realistically, the Super Acolyte would simply be called the Acolyte by the Bentusi. Harbor Ship: Unlike the Bentusi Exchange, only one Harborship, Bentus, the flagship of the Bentusi, was ever built. It acted as the heart and soul of the Bentusi fleet and played a key role through the Homeworld Saga, although it only made an appearance in ''Homeworld 2''. This massive ship houses the Bentusi Farjumper , and is the same ship that led Bentusi fleets to battle in the First Time. After the Vaygr begin their ruthless conquest of the galaxy, the Bentusi sacrificed themselves by scuttling Bentus to destroy the ruthless Keepers of Sajuuk, thus saving the ''Pride of Hiigara'' so that the Hiigaran fleet could destroy the Vaygr once and for all. The explosion of Bentus, however, didn't destroy the First Core, allowing the Hiigarans to salvage it, and later use it to reawaken Sajuuk. Many fans speculate as to whether this was the true end of the Bentusi; it is implied during the events of ''Homeworld: Cataclysm'' that many Bentusi vessels fled beyond the galaxy. Side Note: The Harbor Ship is also a common target of Modders, who tend to add weapon "hard-points" onto it's model, thus allowing Bentus to be capable of attacking enemies and defending itself better. Planet Killers/Orbital Surface Bombardment Platform: At the end of Homeworld 2, the Hiigaran fleet led by Karan S'jet (installed in Sajuuk's ship) encounters three of these ancient giant star-shaped machines as they are fending off the last Vaygr forces battling the beleaguered Hiigaran Defense Fleet. It is not known where in the galaxy the Vaygr Warlord Makaan has unearthed these machines, but, obviously, these ships serve as the game's final "bosses." They all appear simultaneously during the middle of the mission, and Fleet Intelligence notes that they have Bentusi technological hallmarks on them. Fleet Intelligence then orders the player to attack the Planet Killers with Sajuuk itself as the Planet Killers are impervious to conventional weaponry. Players must hurry to destroy these machines as the Planet Killers are launching a constant barrage of Low Orbit Atmosphere Deprivation Missiles, the same ones used by the Taiidan in the first Homeworld game to incinerate much of Kharak. If the population meter drops below 10 million (?) the player fails the mission, but thankfully, the missiles are easily destroyed by squadrons of interceptors. Originally, the Homeworld team meant for these ships to be a part of the "Tiamat" or "T-mat" race in the first game, but due to graphical and technical limitations at the time they could not include the Planet Killer model. |
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