Fatalukans

Fatalukans are a fictional species featured in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. They are a sentient, silicon-based lifeform native to the Tines, a planet with a highly unusual environment. Fatalukans are characterized by their crystalline structure and their ability to survive in conditions that would be lethal to carbon-based life. Their biology is adapted to a world with extreme temperatures and a corrosive atmosphere.

The Fatalukans are not a solitary species. They exist as colonies, with each individual within a colony sharing a collective consciousness. This interconnectedness allows for rapid communication and coordinated action among members of a colony. Individual Fatalukans are relatively simple, but when gathered together in sufficient numbers, they form a highly intelligent and complex entity. This collective intelligence is referred to as a "supermind."

Their society and motivations are alien to human understanding. They are driven by a unique set of biological imperatives and a perspective shaped by their crystalline nature and collective existence. In the narrative, the Fatalukans play a significant role as inhabitants of a dangerous region of space known as the "Beyond," a place where advanced civilizations are not permitted to exist due to the presence of a mysterious force. Their interaction with other species, particularly the humanoids known as the Tines, highlights their unique place in the universe Vinge created.