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Zarbi

predatory obedient aggressive relentless instinct-driven
Primary insectoid enforcers of the Animus on Vortis; physical, predatory, and aggressive, equipped with web guns. Telepathically controlled via the Carsinome fungus, they serve as the military arm of the Animus, distinct from the ruling intelligence itself.
50 appearances
Animus Enforcement on Vortis
Also known as: ants, mega-ant, beasties

Zarbi's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

50 moments
S2E17 · The Zarbi
Vicki faces the Zarbi threat alone

Cold, calculated dominance—no fear or hesitation, only the relentless assertion of power over the TARDIS and its occupants.

The Zarbi’s grotesque, ant-like face fills the TARDIS scanner, its mandibles and compound eyes dominating the screen. This is not a physical presence but a digital intrusion—a visual assertion of …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Barbara’s Bracelet Destroyed

Detached and purposeful. The Zarbi exhibit no remorse or hesitation in their actions, treating Barbara as an object to be controlled rather than a person. Their emotional state is one of cold efficiency, driven by the hive’s directives to subjugate and erase resistance.

The Zarbi, acting as the hive-minded enforcers of the Menoptra, are depicted here as the physical agents of Barbara’s psychological torment. One of them is shown removing her gold bracelet …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Vicki confronts the Zarbi in the tendril chamber

Hostile and purposeful, driven by the hive’s directive to subdue and control.

The Zarbi advance toward Vicki in the tendril chamber, their insectile forms looming as they assert dominance. Their presence is oppressive, reinforcing their role as enforcers of the hive’s will. …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Doctor interrogates Vicki about Zarbi breach

Not applicable (hive-minded entity without individual emotion).

The Zarbi’s presence is implied through the breach attempt and the Doctor’s direct address—'What do you creatures want?'—though the creature itself is not physically present in the console room during …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Zarbi breach triggers Barbara’s disappearance

Frightened and confused, with a sense of helplessness in the face of the Zarbi’s threat.

Vicki is disoriented and frightened, clinging to Ian as she insists, 'I don't know! I don't know!' Her confusion—'I was asleep. She must have left the ship.'—highlights her vulnerability and …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Barbara’s Violent Zarbi Abduction

Cold and methodical, driven by their hive-mind directives to capture and assimilate Barbara into their workforce.

Two Zarbi ambush Barbara near a toxic acid pool, seizing her with their mandibles and dragging her away. Their actions are swift, brutal, and efficient, marking the beginning of her …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Barbara betrays Menoptra under Zarbi control

Cold and calculating, driven by the singular purpose of expanding their control. There is no remorse or hesitation—only the ruthless efficiency of a collective intelligence bent on domination.

The Zarbi loom behind Barbara, their mandibles clicking in silent coordination as they use her as a living compass. Their presence is oppressive, their movements synchronized and relentless. They do …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Hrhoonda’s Last Stand and the Cave’s Collapse

The larvae exhibit no emotional state—only cold, efficient aggression. Their actions are driven by instinct and the Zarbi’s collective will to crush resistance and enforce control.

The Zarbi larvae grubs swarm into the cave, their mandibles and impaling strikes turning the battle into a slaughter. One grub impales Hrhoonda with brutal efficiency, while others force Hrostar …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Barbara wakes from Zarbi mind control

None (as a larval extension of the Zarbi hive, it operates without individual emotion, driven by instinctive dominance and control). Its ‘mood’ is the cold, mechanical inevitability of a machine—though its physicality (mandibles, impaling) evokes primal terror.

The larval Zarbi manifests as a grotesque, impaling force—first skewering Hrhoonda with brutal efficiency, then shoving Hrostar to his knees to assert dominance. Its physical presence is a silent, visceral …

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S2E17 · The Zarbi
Barbara learns her enslavement fate

Coldly efficient, devoid of empathy, driven by the hive’s imperative to control and subjugate.

A larval Zarbi violently overpowers Hrostar, forcing him to his knees as it prepares to capture him and Barbara. Its sudden appearance interrupts Hrostar’s explanation of the Crater of Needles, …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
TARDIS Revival and Doctor’s Bluff

None (as mindless enforcers), but their physical disruption reflects the Animus's loss of control

The Zarbi act as the Animus's enforcers, surrounding the Doctor, Ian, and Vicki in the Control Room. When the Animus fires an energy blast at the TARDIS, the attack rebounds, …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Doctor exploits TARDIS power to bluff Animus

The Zarbi operate as extensions of the Animus’s will, devoid of individual emotion. Their state is one of mechanical obedience, their actions driven by the Animus’s directives. The rebound of the energy blast disrupts their formation, exposing their vulnerability when the power dynamic shifts.

The Zarbi, acting as the Animus’s enforcers, surround the Doctor and companions in the Control Room. On the Animus’s command, one Zarbi fires an energy blast at the TARDIS, but …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Vrestrin’s near-detection by Zarbi

Cold, mechanical purposefulness—no fear or hesitation, only the unyielding drive to enforce the Animus’s will.

A Zarbi emerges silently from behind Vrestrin, its insectile form blending into the barren landscape until the last possible moment. Its mandibles click faintly, a sound barely audible over the …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Doctor bargains with Animus for Barbara's location

Neutral and mechanical, acting as extensions of the Animus's will without personal agenda or emotion.

The Zarbi act as enforcers for the Animus, blocking Vicki's path and forcibly separating her from the group to use her as a hostage. They stand as silent, imposing figures, …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Doctor bargains for Barbara’s location

None (as extensions of the Animus’s will). Their actions are mechanical and driven by the Animus’s commands, reflecting its paranoia and desire for control.

The Zarbi function as the Animus’s enforcers in the Control Room, blocking Vicki’s path and enforcing the Animus’s orders. Their presence is a constant threat, their mandibles and energy weapons …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Doctor dismisses Ian’s Zarbi warnings

Unseen but implied to be a constant, looming threat; their presence is felt through Ian’s alarm and the Doctor’s strategic countermeasures.

The Zarbi are described as insectile enforcers under the Animus’s control, compared to Earth ants by Ian. Their relentless and indestructible nature is a source of alarm for Ian, who …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Doctor dispatches Ian to rescue Barbara

Not applicable (as a collective force), but their actions are driven by the Animus’s control and the need to maintain dominance over Vortis.

The Zarbi are described as insectile enforcers under the Animus’s control, patrolling Vortis and guarding captives like Barbara. Ian expresses concern about their size and relentlessness, while the Doctor plans …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Vrestin reveals Vortis’ tragic history

A raw mix of grief, urgency, and fragile hope—his body language conveys exhaustion, but his voice carries the weight of his people's survival.

Vrestin perches on the cliff, his wings—once symbols of freedom—now a source of visible pain as he recounts the Menoptra's suffering. His voice cracks with grief as he describes the …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Ian and Vrestin forge a desperate alliance

Deeply grieving and emotionally raw, but his despair is gradually replaced by a fragile determination as Ian’s plan offers a glimmer of hope. His hesitation stems from fear of failure, but the prospect of rescuing his captured comrade—and reclaiming a piece of Vortis—ignites a spark of resolve.

Vrestin perches on the cliff edge, his wings slightly drooped and his voice trembling as he recounts the Menoptra’s tragic history. His body language betrays his grief—whimpering when asked about …

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S2E18 · Escape to Danger
Vrestin reveals Menoptra’s exile and mission failure

A complex mix of despair, defiance, and fragile hope. His emotional state is raw and exposed, oscillating between whimpering admission of defeat and a steely determination to reclaim Vortis. The alliance with Ian offers a glimmer of agency amid his people’s decline.

Vrestin perches on the cliff edge, his wings slightly drooping—a physical manifestation of his people’s weakened state. He reveals the tragic history of the Menoptra with a mix of defiance …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Ian and Vrestin awaken in Zarbi chamber

Neutral but threatening; their actions are driven by their role as enforcers for the Animus, with no apparent emotional state beyond their programmed hostility.

The Zarbi warriors are present in the chamber, standing guard with crystalline weapons poised. Their silent, menacing presence dominates the space, creating an immediate and palpable threat. They do not …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Barbara learns of the Animus and Menoptra’s doomed rebellion

None (as mind-controlled agents, they exhibit no emotional state—only mechanical enforcement of the Animus’s commands). Their presence, however, radiates a chilling, inescapable authority.

The Zarbi manifest as silent, looming sentries in the Crater of Needles, their crystalline weapons glinting under the toxic haze. They harry Hrostar and Barbara with abrupt, wordless commands, ensuring …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Barbara learns of the Animus

None (they operate as extensions of the Animus, devoid of personal emotion or motivation). Their actions are purely functional, driven by the hive mind’s directives.

The Zarbi appear as silent, relentless enforcers in the Crater of Needles, their presence looming over Hrostar and Barbara like cattle herders. They harry the slaves with wordless commands, their …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Barbara Learns of the Isotope Gambit

None (as mind-controlled drones). Their actions are purely functional, driven by the Animus’s will. However, their looming presence creates an atmosphere of dread, amplifying the tension in Barbara and Hrostar’s conversation.

The Zarbi loom in the background like silent, crystalline specters, their presence a constant threat. They harry Barbara and Hrostar with abrupt, wordless commands, their movements jerky and mechanical. Though …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Doctor sacrifices truth to save Vicki

Aggressive and commanding, with no emotional depth—purely instrumental in enforcing the Animus’s control.

The Zarbi operate as a unified, aggressive force in this event, acting as the Animus’s enforcers. They capture the Doctor and Vicki, using mind-control collars and threats of execution to …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Doctor bargains with Zarbi for Vicki’s freedom

Hostile and single-minded, driven by the Animus’s directives. Their actions are mechanical and devoid of empathy, but their urgency betrays a underlying desperation to neutralize the Menoptra invasion.

The Zarbi operate as a hive-minded, militarized force in this scene, using their mind-control collars and communication tubes to coerce the Doctor and Vicki. They threaten Vicki’s execution to pressure …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Doctor secures Vicki’s freedom with deception

Agitated and reactive, driven by the urgency of the perceived Menoptra invasion threat, yet still methodically enforcing control through mind-control collars and grubs.

The Zarbi react to the Doctor’s deception with heightened agitation, redirecting their forces to Pictos based on the false intelligence. One Zarbi enters with a mind-control collar, later removing a …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Zarbi alarm triggers Menoptra retreat

Hostile and unyielding, driven by the Animus’s influence. There is no emotional response—only the mechanical execution of orders.

A Zarbi soldier acts with ruthless efficiency, violently knocking Barbara Wright to the ground as the alarm blares. The soldier’s movements are precise and unyielding, reflecting the hive-mind obedience of …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Prapillus Volunteers to Destroy the Larvae Gun

Anxious and burdened; his fear of failure is palpable, and his suspicion of the Doctor stems from desperation, not malice.

Hrostar serves as the group’s reluctant leader, revealing the invasion plan and the dire consequences of the Zarbi ambush. His dialogue is laced with anxiety and suspicion, particularly toward the …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Zarbi expose Doctor’s deception and reclaim control

Hostile and triumphant, their actions driven by the Animus’s will. They feel no remorse or hesitation in recapturing the Doctor and Vicki, viewing them as threats to be neutralized. Their collective demeanor is one of cold efficiency, their power reaffirmed by the Doctor’s failed deception.

The Zarbi, acting as the Animus’s enforcers, intercept a Menoptra transmission revealing the Doctor’s foreknowledge of their invasion plans. They react swiftly and brutally, recapturing the Doctor and Vicki and …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Doctor and Vicki sabotage Zarbi control system

Hostile, suspicious, and alert, driven by their programmed obedience to the Animus and the need to maintain control.

The Zarbi detect the Doctor and Vicki's sabotage attempt, interrupting their actions and reasserting control. One Zarbi is controlled by Vicki using a captured spider, while another pushes the Doctor …

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S2E19 · Crater of Needles
Team destroys the larvae gun

Mechanically focused but momentarily disrupted by the ambush, exhibiting no fear or hesitation—only a sudden shift from control to helplessness.

The Zarbi guard abandons its post at the larvae gun, leaving it vulnerable. It is distracted by Prapillus's thrown rock, which snaps its focus away from the weapon. The guard …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Barbara discovers hidden refuge from Zarbi

None (as extensions of the Animus’ will, they operate without individual emotion, but their actions radiate oppressive intent).

The Zarbi are the relentless antagonists of this scene, their skittering advance a constant threat that forces the group into retreat. They close in on Barbara and Hrostar with single-minded …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Doctor tames Zarbi for escape

Neutral (no emotional capacity; actions driven by programming and external control).

The Zarbi initially patrols the Control Room under the Animus’s telepathic control, distracted by flashing lights. When Vicki lures it closer, the Doctor seizes the opportunity to collar it using …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Doctor exploits Zarbi control flaw

None (as a controlled entity, its 'emotional state' is dictated by the Animus or the Doctor's ring).

A Zarbi walks past the Doctor and Vicki, initially unaware of their actions. Later, another Zarbi is lured by Vicki and collared by the Doctor using his ring. The collared …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Prapillus unites the Menoptra for Barbara’s plan

Not applicable (mentioned but not physically present).

The Zarbi are referenced as a looming threat, their absence from the Temple of Light temporary and potentially deceptive. Hrostar warns that they may have left guards, underscoring the ever-present …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Hilio’s distrust fractures Menoptra unity

N/A (Organization/Force)

The Zarbi are not physically present in this event, but their looming threat is the unseen force driving the Menoptra's desperation. Their absence—noted by Hrostar—is a tactical advantage, yet their …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Barbara Proposes the Final Assault

Desperate and skeptical—his emotional state is a volatile mix of grief (for his lost comrades), anger (at the Zarbi and the Animus), and fear (of leading his people to further slaughter). His concession to the plan is not born of conviction but of exhaustion; he has no better alternative to offer.

Hilio arrives as a storm of desperation and defiance, his body language tense, his voice raw with the weight of failure. He is the embodiment of the Menoptra’s shattered spearhead, …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Doctor Proposes Tracking Zarbi to Find Menoptra

Neutral (passive, repurposed from threat to tool)

The Zarbi exits the Carsinome alongside the Doctor and Vicki, its presence serving as a silent but critical clue. Its recent departure leaves visible tracks, which the Doctor identifies as …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Doctor arrives with tamed Zarbi

Neutral (as a controlled entity)—its role is purely functional, reflecting the Doctor’s dominance over the Animus’s forces.

The Zarbi, initially perceived as a threat, is revealed to be tamed by the Doctor. Its sudden entrance triggers panic among the Menoptra, but the Doctor’s control over it shifts …

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S2E20 · Invasion
Barbara’s Plan Sparks Menoptra Division

The Zarbi itself has no emotional state, but its presence evokes fear and urgency in the group, symbolizing the oppressive control of the Animus.

The Zarbi breaches the temple doors, its sudden and violent entry disrupting the group’s debate and forcing them into defensive mode. Initially perceived as a threat, it is later revealed …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Vicki’s hidden betrayal stalls the mission

Aggressive and single-minded, driven by the Animus’s control and their predatory instincts. Their emotional state is one of unchecked hostility, with no room for hesitation or fear.

The Zarbi, aggressive and relentless, are lured into the Carsinome by Barbara and Hlynia’s tactics. Their predatory instincts are exploited as they chase the group, only to be drawn into …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Hlynia lures Zarbi into Carsinome

Agitated and disoriented—the Zarbi’s confusion is palpable, but their aggression remains a constant threat, especially as reinforcements are imminent.

The Zarbi, disoriented by Hlynia’s voice, is lured into the Carsinome, its predatory instincts temporarily overridden by confusion. Another Zarbi is fought by the group’s ‘tame’ Zarbi (Zombo), creating a …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Barbara spots lone Zarbi sentinel

Neutral but menacing—it is a tool of the Animus, devoid of independent emotion but capable of unleashing chaos if alerted.

The Zarbi sentinel stands as a lone, imposing figure in the control room, its presence a silent but potent threat. It is positioned near the TARDIS, its posture suggesting vigilance …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Prapillus discovers Zarbi control mechanism

Hostile and instinct-driven, but its actions are dictated by the Animus’s commands—its 'emotions' are a reflection of the parasitic intelligence’s will.

The Zarbi is locked in a physical struggle with Hilio, its insectoid limbs flailing as it attempts to subdue or repel him. During the chaos, it inadvertently loses its grip …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Barbara warns Hlynia against reckless tactics

Frenzied and defiant, with a deep-seated fear of failure and a refusal to accept passivity in the face of annihilation. There is a raw, almost primal urgency to her actions, born of the knowledge that this may be their last stand.

Hlynia is a whirlwind of desperation, her crystal spear flashing as she drives it into the wall of the Carsinome Control Room. Her movements are sharp and frantic, a physical …

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S2E21 · The Centre
The Isop-tope’s Suspicious Passage

None (as extensions of the Animus, their 'emotions' are subsumed by the hive mind’s will). Their stillness radiates an eerie, oppressive calm, as if they are biding time for a greater command.

The Zarbi stand as silent, motionless sentinels in the corridor, their predatory forms a stark contrast to their unnatural stillness. Unlike their earlier aggressive pursuits, they offer no resistance as …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Vortis Restored and Farewells Begin

Neutral, driven by primal instincts—no longer under the Animus’s control, they are reduced to basic survival behaviors, reflecting the planet’s renewed balance.

The Zarbi, once enforcers of the Animus, are reduced to scraping at the ground and drinking from the newly flowing water before being driven off by the Menoptra. Their presence …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Doctor’s Farewell and Vortis’ Renewal

Confused and disoriented, reflecting their loss of purpose without the Animus’s control.

The Zarbi, once enforcers of the Animus, are depicted scraping at the ground near the TARDIS and drinking from the newly flowing water. They are driven off by the Menoptra, …

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S2E21 · The Centre
Doctor departs liberated Vortis

Neutral and instinctual, their behavior reflecting the absence of the Animus’s influence. They are neither hostile nor friendly, merely responding to their environment.

The Zarbi, now freed from the Animus’s control, scrape at the ground and drink the newly flowing water. Their actions are instinctual and uncoordinated, a stark contrast to their previous …

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Affiliations

Zarbi
member
Animus-Controlled Enforcement and Planetary Defense

Zarbi are insectoid foot soldiers directly controlled by the Animus, serving as the primary combatants on Vortis. The description of Zarbi matches almost perfectly with the description of 'Zarbi'.

Animus Enforcement System
member
Enforcement and Security Operations on Vortis

The Zarbi are the Physical agents of the Animus; they are tasked with patrolling Vortis, guarding the TARDIS, and engaging in direct combat.

Animus
member
Ecological and Psychological Domination of Vortis

The Animus is a non-corporeal parasitic intelligence, and the 'source of command; for Animus Enforcers and Zarbi. As a controlled enforcer, the Zarbi are members.

Across the Seasons

How this character reads at season scale

Season 2 · anchor

Primary insectoid enforcers of the Animus on Vortis; physical, predatory, and aggressive, equipped with web guns. Telepathically controlled via the Carsinome fungus, they serve as the military arm of the Animus, distinct from the ruling intelligence itself.