Antari

Antari Biology
Antari are a hermaphroditic race of bipeds which populate most of the inner-rim planets of the Calida galaxy. Their evolution has led to a convergence of male and female traits, yet they haven't completely turned into a single-gender race yet. Males are characterized by a large penis and more muscular features, while females are generally smaller and have no penis. Both genders have milk-producing breasts, a vagina, and a working uterus.

The Antari mating system is complicated, influenced by primal evolution and advanced culture. Every Antari is born male. As they grow up, individuals become weaker or stronger based on exposure to environmental natural selection. The stronger males end up dominating the weaker males through copulation. Once ejaculate touches the Rhomboid organ located deep within the vaginal canal, an explosive reaction takes place which leads to a gender change of the individual. The penis rapidly shrinks, and the muscles atrophy slightly. The organic mass flows to the breasts and buttocks, leading to a gender transformation into female.

Another part of the reaction is that an aggressive region of the brain becomes inactivated, leading to submissive behavior and sometimes a dependence of the female on their male dominator.

Various methods are used by Antari males to dominate one another. The most common is outright physical domination through strength. However, Antari have been known to trick each other using subterfuge or lying to gain the upper hand. Others rely on speed and agility to outmaneuver their opponent.

Antari culture has evolved a moral code to reduce the conflict generated by this gender-swapping system. It is generally seen as pathetic or uncivilized for males to try and dominate as many others as possible, although it does still happen in rural or undeveloped areas of Antari space. In the higher echelons of society, there are rituals whereupon two males fight in an arena and use 'moral' tactics to try and convert each other. The victor marries the vanquished and, after child production, the male undergoes surgery to prevent further sperm production. The male vigilantly protects the female against any further insemination.

Deep within Antari society, in the most hedonistic and sheltered circles, some Antari practice various perverted bastardizations of this ritual. Two Antari may ejaculate into each other simultaneously, causing a dual gender swap while becoming submissive to each other. Some Antari take their own sperm and inject it into their own vagina, willingly changing gender. These practices are seen as perverse and dangerous, because any subsequent male insemination is capable of triggering submissiveness and dependency.

Various disorders are associated with failures of each step of the gender transformation process. For instance, Temeter Syndrome is a result of the aggressive portion of the brain failing to shut down, which causes a newly converted Antari female to not accept their dominator.

[From data log found in engineering aboard the spaceship in part 1]