Mantis is a solitary, rare, large insect species native to
some terrestrial planets, but adaptable, choosing habitats
as individually desired. Its size varies depending on what
is doing. In the deep void of space, its body is big enough to work on a
galactic scale.

Mantis came about because mass and consciousness in the
universe combined. Mantis relates symbiotically to physical
beings that have human-like consciousness. It is at least as ancient
as any other physical being in the universe, but not as old as the
universe. Mantis did not evolve. Rather, it instantly manifested
physically because of mass and consciousness combining in
the universe for the first time. Before the appearance of Mantis,
the universe only consisted of spiritual entities and lifeless
mass.

Mantis’ relationship to human beings is symbiotic. Because the
relationship is symbiotic, contact with human beings is rare. Mantis
supports symbiosis with human beings by directing its energy to its
work in the universe. Staying away from those it supports allows it use
its energy to fully support the symbiosis.

Dismantling spiritual entities is the Mantis’ only work. Mantises
hunt down spiritual entities and strip consciousness from them. This
destroys the spiritual entities and makes the consciousness from them
available to support the development of other physical beings.

Mantis is liked throughout the universe for several reasons. The
way it interfaces with reality does not negatively interfere with other
species. One exception is that Mantis’ favorite food in nature is the
Darkonge. For a satisfying meal, a Mantis seeks and eats a Darkonge.
Other reasons for Mantis’ popularity are its physical properties
and abilities. Mantis’ organs include modulation appendages that
allow it to integrate and control its body in all physical environments
in the universe. Therefore, a Mantis is tolerant of wide variations
in temperature and pressure gradients and adept at managing its
physical body across the spectrum of dimensional existence. These
characteristics enable Mantis to travel throughout the universe at
distances and speeds unknown to other species.

When a Mantis stops to rest, those it supports study its
characteristics. Things learned from Mantis’ physical characteristics
are commercially developed and used by humans throughout the
universe for many applications, primarily spectral frequency-based
transport and mass-to-light energy storage systems. The design of
these systems forms a miniature mechanical replication of the Mantis
that sets up and manages systems at customers’ destinations. These
systems, popular throughout the universe, are called Replicated
Mantis Units, or RMUs.

Most popular and common RMUs are gaming systems with
elaborate lifelike game pieces. RMUs are programmed to interact
with the game owners and players, to manage the game pieces and
game play for them, and to put away and store the game when done.
Encounters with Mantis are rare.