Rota Lucius or “Gyropike” is an aquatic lifeform first discovered on the ocean planet Spin. It resembles the Northern pike in some aspects, with a long body measuring around 30 inches from tip to tail, a narrow jaw filled with sharp teeth, and oval spots covering its skin. It differs from a conventional pike, however, in that it bears no dorsal or pectoral fins. Its caudal fin is also remarkably narrow by comparison, and its outer scales have been found to be much denser than typical fish scales, likely an evolutionary adaptation.

Rota Lucius’ most distinct feature is the method in which it hunts for food. When a potential prey is identified, the Gyropike will begin spinning on an axis (lengthwise) at speeds measured as high as 50,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). This causes the surrounding water to boil, quickly dispatching its prey and softening the outer flesh. At this point the Gyropike will stop spinning briefly before opening its jaw to expose its teeth. It will then continue spinning at approximately 10,000 RPM, using its teeth to shred the flesh of its prey, similar to how a blender functions.

As mentioned earlier, the Gyropike’s scales are significantly more dense than other fish species. Samples of shed scales were found to be as dense as iron and disperse heat with remarkable efficiency. It is surmised that this is how the Gyropike is able to survive in boiling water.

The Gyropike specimen housed at Axion Labs is kept in a quartz glass aquarium, 8 inches thick, and measuring 35’ x 15’ x 15’, to be sealed outside of feeding times, and monitored for damages. During initial transport, C-331 broke free from its transport vessel after it bored a hole in the comparably smaller aquarium. The Gyropike continued revolving even when no water was present, resulting in two researchers suffering moderate friction burns.