The Irkens are a race of typically short-statured sapients indigenous to the planet Irk.

The sole goal of the Irken Empire is total universal conquest; they mostly attain this feat with the aid of their vast armada, which aids in planetary destruction via a sort of final attack called the "Organic Sweep".

The Irken Empire is the militaristic governing force that rules their species. They send solitary Irkens to take over planets in the name of universal conquest. Likely due to their naturally short statures, they place height above anything else, with the tallest of their species at any given time ruling the government, no matter how incompetent they might actually be. These officials are given the not-so-original title of "almighty tallest".

Irkens are bipedal in structure, but have light-green skin. Irken eyes are very different from equine ones, and, instead of having pupils and irises, are a solid color: various shades of red are the norm, but some Irkens have been known to possess purple, pink, green eyes, and the rarest, yellow brown. Irkens also possess a pair of antennae atop their heads that sweep back. These appear to be prehensile, acting much like human eyebrows in that they rise and fall to convey emotions. It is also likely that they are sensory organs (like the antennae on insects), as Irkens lack ears or noses.

The most unique aspect of an Irken's appearance, however, is the PAK that is plugged into his/her back at birth. A small, backpack-like device, the PAK is the Irken equivalent of Swiss Army Knife, containing multiple useful devices and weapons. More importantly, the PAK also functions as a secondary brain, containing backups of his/her memories, knowledge and even social status. When an Irken's PAK is forcibly separated from its owner, that Irken has ten minutes to recover and reconnect the PAK, or they will die.

Technically, Irkens do not have parents: They are manufactured in birthing facilities and are genetically engineered to suit their predestined purpose. Due to genetic shuffling, Irkens are born with different appearances and personalities to prevent the spread of a common illness just like normal development. When fully developed (indicated by a green smile on top of the capsule), the capsule which they developed in is removed and cracks open like an egg, then drops on the floor. With the sweet smeet (Irken baby) still unconscious, a robotic arm surgically attaches 2 PAK plugs and the PAK itself on its back. Another arm electrocutes it for a second, activating both the PAK and the smeet.
Once awake, the smeet is thrown/dropped into a chute that leads to another room, where a cable plugs itself into the smeet's PAK and transfers the Irken knowledge into its hard drive. This seems to be an efficient equivalent of teaching. After the transfer is complete, the smeet is put to another chute where a robotic arm puts a visor to his/her eyes and begins the virtual training that will last for 10 Irken years.

An average Irken will grow to approximately the size of an equine child. Other Irkens grow fat and wide, medium height, or have a large head. Apparently, some Irken can grow thin and tall. Some grow to be very short and develop a round head; however, this may be due to genetic engineering because of their height-based society. This would prevent any Irken to grow taller than the current tallest/s. When the reigning Tallest/s die, they search for another Irken second to height to the previous one and promote him/her as Tallest, regardless of social status. In the case where there are two Irkens of the same height, they both become Tallest.

Irken bodies also have a much faster healing rate than any Equis-native creature. A minor wound will heal in seconds, and a severe wound may take several hours to heal. Dismembered body parts can be easily reattached to its original position in no time at all.

When an Irken dies, its body naturally decomposes, its PAK is recovered (if possible), and all the data contained is transferred to the Data library located somewhere on Irk. It transfers all information about its former host; history, experiences, personality, medical records and DNA. Basically, the very essence of its host is transferred, where it will be used by other Irkens, as well as the next generation as part of the Irken Knowledge. Defective PAKs can not contribute, and are rejected by the control brain.

3838632 Although there ARE known defects in the race.... Namely the most despised member of their race.....