Editing Llayne's Characters - Gaarvin "Gaar" Makinaugh (section)

===Ashers===

KVI, among many other variants, tailored more efficient humans to work their mining operations on this brown star system. In corporate speak, more efficient usually means more cost effective. These efforts resulted in what are now called Ashers' The biggest cosmetic difference from baseline humans is the dull grey skin, sometimes with faint blue hues, other times with darker gray tones. Ashers are sometimes born with mottled or blotchy markings and their is prone to becoming chalky or dry. 

Ashers were given higher temperature thresholds which meant less AC cost in their housing. Their increased endurance and durability meant less downtime for medical reasons... and improved digestion let them digest a wider range of matter more efficiently. This cut down on their food intake and all associated costs. The improved respiration system allowed their bodies to filter out ash and other harmful debris in the air, and the combination of the respiration and digestive modifications gave them a significant resistance to poison.

As a side effect, of these their tastebuds were less responsive and the ability to metabolize alcohol was greatly increased. Asher food is generally prepared with heavy spices and strong flavors, which is good because it covers up the low quality of food many in the slums have to eat. They also lean toward beer and spirits that are extremely strong.

Ashers were designed for internal use within KVI, and as such the corporation was able to bypass many of the regulations associated with the sale of genetic modifications. While cosmetically they appear close to human, they actually have a very alien biology and their blood is actually dark blue, often confused with black.  To achieve the endurance and durability they wanted Ashers dna was infused with tantalum generating properties. This process worked, but requires ashers ingest certain amounts of base metals to remain physically strong.

Asheres were designed as mining and construction workers, operating heavy machinery in whatever mining/terraforming is going on. The heavy machinery, the arms at least, are controlled by arm movement... so the Ashers stick their arms in these sleeves in the control station. It's a bit gross to work for a whole shift getting sweaty, then to have somebody else need to stick their arms in those same sleeves. Better employees earned their own sleeves so they didnt have to share and it eventually became something of a status symbol... with Ashers walking around wearing the sleeves all the time.

Within the KVI mining enclaves, Ashers are considered valued employees. They can and often do progress to senior positions such as foreman and planner, but few, if any, go beyond middle management.

Ashers that retired, had discipline problems or were laid off during a mine closure found their way to the cities. Here they were quickly lumped in with other Xenje's and treated as lower class. Over the years most Ashers found their way to the slums, although there are still plenty of respectable Ashers that work and live in the city.