Dolan (bioship)
Encyclopedia
The Dolans are living spaceships
which the authors of the Perry Rhodan
fictional universe
introduced in 1967. While the concept of a largely organic spacegoing vessel had been put forward earlier, the Dolan represents the first example of the class of bioengineered
, highly integrated combat-capable starships that have become a frequent feature in current science fiction.
In the storyline, the Dolans served as all-purpose vessels and weapons for their commanders, the Oscillation Sentinels (also known as the Second-Conditioned) who were products of the same synthetic biology
, designed and bred as agents for their elusive masters, the Prime Oscillation Power. These entities monitored spacetime
for the telltale hyperdimensional signatures of temporal experiments, which they regarded as forbidden.
were detected, Dolans concealed themselves on remote uninhabited planets and stayed in stasis
, resembling a deflated balloon hull. In its active state, a Dolan became a reddish or black and outwardly almost featureless sphere of about 100 meters diameter. Its body consisted mainly of matrix tissue built from structural cells that could adapt to almost any function (including absorption of nutrients) and could undergo multiple rounds of local cell division whenever this was called for; therefore, few dedicated organs were required. Within minutes, this tissue could undergo a solid-phase transformation to harden its structure to a polycristalline steel-like quality. Limited mobility on planetary surfaces could be achieved by growing tentacle-like legs. Completely engulfed by this pluripotent biological matrix were four decks and a central cylinder of 20 meters length. These non-biological internal support structures held the drive unit, power sources, weapons and other equipment that closely interfaced with the Dolan's highly differentiated nervous system and the brain. Dolans were sub-sentient
, capable only of instincts and basic emotions, and bonded to their respective commander for absolute loyalty.
To be fully operative, a Dolan needed not only its Oscillation Sentinel but also seven "executors"—individuals from other races who were acquired, enslaved and mentally integrated with the Dolan during missions—to serve on distinct stations: (1) piloting and navigation, (2) flight technology, (3) engineering, (4) communication and scanning, (5) motor functions, (6) weapons, and (7) analysis. Because of the tightness of the integration, an executor who died had to be replaced as soon as possible because grief would all but incapacitate the remaining executors and the Dolan itself.
; they could not be saturated or overloaded by any known weapon. Transform cannons, Terra's most advanced ship-to-ship weapon which teleported gigaton-calibre nuclear warheads into enemy craft, failed to penetrate those shields while Dolan hypermechanical interval cannons could destruct any known object almost regardless of its shielding. The Dolan War pushed mankind to the very brink of survival; the Home System and Earth itself came under heavy attack. Although countermeasures were finally developed and the Empire survived, it was so weakened that many of its provinces subsequently broke away into independence.
in The Night's Dawn Trilogy
, and the vessels employed by the Vorlons and the Shadows
in Babylon 5
, could be regarded as conceptually descended from the Dolans. However, since the Perry Rhodan story arc
in which Dolans played a pivotal role was apparently never made available in an authorized English translation, it is difficult to ascertain whether the authors of these much more recent space operas were inspired by this very early predecessor.
For an appreciation of the visionary value inherent to the Dolan concept, it should be considered that at the time of its first presentation in 1967 genetic engineering
was unknown (the first of its basic toolsets, the restriction enzymes, was discovered only in 1970); that the term synthetic biology
was coined in 1974 as an exercise in scientific speculation that would approach realization only decades later; and that at this time the existence of even moderately complex organic molecules in space was considered impossible by the majority of scientists.
Bioship
A bioship is a type of spacecraft or starship described in science fiction. Bioships differ from other types of spacecraft in that they are composed, either predominantly or totally, of biological components, rather than being constructed from manufactured materials...
which the authors of the Perry Rhodan
Perry Rhodan
Perry Rhodan is the name of a science fiction series published since 1961 in Germany, as well as the name of the main character. It is a space opera, dealing with several themes of science fiction. Having sold over one billion copies worldwide, it is the most successful science fiction book series...
fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
introduced in 1967. While the concept of a largely organic spacegoing vessel had been put forward earlier, the Dolan represents the first example of the class of bioengineered
Biological engineering
Biological engineering, biotechnological engineering or bioengineering is the application of concepts and methods of biology to solve problems in life sciences, using engineering's own analytical and synthetic methodologies and also its traditional...
, highly integrated combat-capable starships that have become a frequent feature in current science fiction.
In the storyline, the Dolans served as all-purpose vessels and weapons for their commanders, the Oscillation Sentinels (also known as the Second-Conditioned) who were products of the same synthetic biology
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research that combines science and engineering. It encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies, and disciplines with a variety of definitions...
, designed and bred as agents for their elusive masters, the Prime Oscillation Power. These entities monitored spacetime
Spacetime
In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space as being three-dimensional and time playing the role of a fourth dimension that is of a different sort from the spatial dimensions...
for the telltale hyperdimensional signatures of temporal experiments, which they regarded as forbidden.
Biology
Unless signatures of causality manipulationsTime travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
were detected, Dolans concealed themselves on remote uninhabited planets and stayed in stasis
Stasis (fiction)
Stasis , or hypersleep, is a science fiction concept akin to suspended animation. Whereas suspended animation usually refers to a greatly reduced state of life processes, stasis implies a complete cessation of these processes, which can be easily restarted or restart spontaneously when stasis is...
, resembling a deflated balloon hull. In its active state, a Dolan became a reddish or black and outwardly almost featureless sphere of about 100 meters diameter. Its body consisted mainly of matrix tissue built from structural cells that could adapt to almost any function (including absorption of nutrients) and could undergo multiple rounds of local cell division whenever this was called for; therefore, few dedicated organs were required. Within minutes, this tissue could undergo a solid-phase transformation to harden its structure to a polycristalline steel-like quality. Limited mobility on planetary surfaces could be achieved by growing tentacle-like legs. Completely engulfed by this pluripotent biological matrix were four decks and a central cylinder of 20 meters length. These non-biological internal support structures held the drive unit, power sources, weapons and other equipment that closely interfaced with the Dolan's highly differentiated nervous system and the brain. Dolans were sub-sentient
Sentience
Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Eighteenth century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think from the ability to feel . In modern western philosophy, sentience is the ability to have sensations or experiences...
, capable only of instincts and basic emotions, and bonded to their respective commander for absolute loyalty.
To be fully operative, a Dolan needed not only its Oscillation Sentinel but also seven "executors"—individuals from other races who were acquired, enslaved and mentally integrated with the Dolan during missions—to serve on distinct stations: (1) piloting and navigation, (2) flight technology, (3) engineering, (4) communication and scanning, (5) motor functions, (6) weapons, and (7) analysis. Because of the tightness of the integration, an executor who died had to be replaced as soon as possible because grief would all but incapacitate the remaining executors and the Dolan itself.
Offensive potential
When the Solar Empire was first engaged by the Dolans in 2435, it was the dominant military power on this side of the Galactic center and had employed hyperspatial technology for over four centuries. However, its weapons capabilities were no match for the Dolans. Their Paratron converters opened destructive rifts in spacetime, and their force fields (which employed the same technology) deflected incoming energy into hyperspaceHyperspace (science fiction)
Hyperspace is a plot device sometimes used in science fiction. It is typically described as an alternative region of space co-existing with our own universe which may be entered using an energy field or other device...
; they could not be saturated or overloaded by any known weapon. Transform cannons, Terra's most advanced ship-to-ship weapon which teleported gigaton-calibre nuclear warheads into enemy craft, failed to penetrate those shields while Dolan hypermechanical interval cannons could destruct any known object almost regardless of its shielding. The Dolan War pushed mankind to the very brink of survival; the Home System and Earth itself came under heavy attack. Although countermeasures were finally developed and the Empire survived, it was so weakened that many of its provinces subsequently broke away into independence.
Significance for science fiction
The Voidhawks and BlackhawksTechnology in the Night's Dawn trilogy
In Peter F. Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy, a large number of advanced and unusual technologies are described, befitting the series' 27th-century setting. Some of these technologies are listed below.-The Alchemist:...
in The Night's Dawn Trilogy
The Night's Dawn Trilogy
British author Peter F. Hamilton's The Night's Dawn Trilogy consists of three science fiction novels: The Reality Dysfunction , The Neutronium Alchemist , and The Naked God...
, and the vessels employed by the Vorlons and the Shadows
Shadow (Babylon 5)
The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...
in Babylon 5
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, could be regarded as conceptually descended from the Dolans. However, since the Perry Rhodan story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
in which Dolans played a pivotal role was apparently never made available in an authorized English translation, it is difficult to ascertain whether the authors of these much more recent space operas were inspired by this very early predecessor.
For an appreciation of the visionary value inherent to the Dolan concept, it should be considered that at the time of its first presentation in 1967 genetic engineering
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
was unknown (the first of its basic toolsets, the restriction enzymes, was discovered only in 1970); that the term synthetic biology
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research that combines science and engineering. It encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies, and disciplines with a variety of definitions...
was coined in 1974 as an exercise in scientific speculation that would approach realization only decades later; and that at this time the existence of even moderately complex organic molecules in space was considered impossible by the majority of scientists.