Carteca

The Carteca are a prominent Galactic Council member. Great with contractual agreements, they are not led by political bodies, but with corporations, and religious institutions. The Carteca lack a formal organized military, instead relying on the many private mercenary firms that exist throughout their culture. Economically, they employ a very free market stance, that has allowed their many commercial enterprises to thrive. They embrace cybernetic enhancements and other computing technologies because of their physiology, and place a particular emphasis on biological computer technology.

Description
Carteca are somewhat short, and are relatively thin frail-bodied bipedal creatures that have several ear stalks atop their heads. Able to grow to an estimated height of 1.4-1.7 m (4.5-5.5 ft) the Carteca are not physically imposing. They are also blind, lacking any external vision, though photosensitive skin allows them to "feel" intense light. They have excellent hearing however, and can navigate darkness with ease. In order to "see" or interact with the technology of other races, they must rely on drones or cybernetic implants that translate visual interfaces into audible patterns.. In addition to hands, Carteca also have prehensile feet. This allows them to be highly maneuverable in close quarters, as they are not limited to grabbing onto objects with their hands. Despite their apparent physical weaknesses, this maneuverability makes them feared close-quarters fighters.

History
The Carteca history has always been relatively amicable, with minimal military conflicts between its members, though constant economic competition. They developed tachyon-based FTL travel and founded many colony worlds. They were one of the first interstellar species to become part of the original Galactic Council, with the Zusheer, Areev, and Derionai. Fearing the lack of an organized military could be seen as a weakness, the Carteca participated in many early Council meetings. But because they traditionally had never been politically oriented, nor did they have any major political bodies within their society, the Carteca had minimal influence on Council policies.

The Carteca weapons firms gained prominence in their specializing in directed energy weaponry, and as such, heavily influenced the overall armament of the mostly Zusheer-led Council Fleets. Carteca-led mercenary organizations are also very popular, and often form the main military presence in fringe colonies outside direct Council influence.

Because of their open market economy, the Carteca are very flexible in commercial practices, allowing them to remain neutral and stay out of many armed conflicts. This so far has ensured their economic stability, and has minimized the negative impact the sudden removal of Human trade shortly after the Extinction War.