The Takisians are an alien species. They are much more scientifically advanced than Earth, and are the creators of the wild card virus. Takisians are notable for being genetically identical to humans. Their society is techno-feudal, and they're ruled by a score of aristocratic families, the Great Houses. The members of the Great Houses are psi lords, gifted with telepathic powers. The vast majority of the population, the workforce, have no such powers. The most famous Takisian on Earth is Dr. Tachyon, a prince of House Ilkazam who turned against his own people to help mankind deal with the virus he himself helped create. A few other Takisians have visited or even lived on Earth.