Theoretical: The space between galaxies is expanding according to Hubble's Law. But more than that, the expansion rate is accelerating. Hence the distance that you think you need to traverse to get to another galaxy now will be even larger in the future.Hypothesis: Codex: Tyranids suggests that the Great Devourer came from the voids between galaxies. i.e. they have traversed this great distance. Whilst not impossible in a physical sense (i.e. they'd take less than the age of the Universe to do so), it is probable that they came from only the nearest galaxies if this is true. Hence it may be physically difficult to accept that the tyranids are attacking the Milky Way from multiple angles (out of the plane of the Milky Way's disk, and along the plane) as that would suggest multiple tyranid origins (i.e. they're come at us from different galaxies on opposite sides of the Milky Way). So, I'd like to propose a new hypothesis: tyranids come from Galactic Cannibalism. We know that the Milky Way is gobbling up the Large and Small Magellanic clouds as well as the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy. Hence I'd like to propose that the tyranids originated in one of those gobbled up galaxies. This solves the issue of the tyranids coming at us from multiple directions with grace -- the destruction of their original galaxies would sling shot those original stars throughout the Milky Way with ease. And Occam's razor suggests it is the better (simpler!) explanation :)
You know, I like this idea. It makes sense. Why worry explaining how they got from their galaxy (galaxies?) to this one, when the answer is so straightforward?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting, but I think I disagree with the premise that coming from a single outside source would make it difficult/impossible for them to attack from multiple angles. Presuming that they can cross the space between galaxies (the extra-galactic theory is implied, but never really shown to be absolute in the codex), the distance "around" our own galaxy should be almost trivial to them- it's like saying that someone who drove across the country to get to your house would be unable to make a detour to get around to the back side of your property.
ReplyDeleteBut why go through the back door when the front door is closer and you're rather hungry after a long journey? I therefore argue that Occam's razor suggests they make a beeline for the closest food :)
ReplyDeleteWhite dwarf 165 has a story excerpt from the novel 'Space Marine' by Ian Watson. It describes a boarding action of several space marines of various chapters against a tyranid Hive Fleet. We get revealed to us that there are turtle like creatures in armour similar in effect to power armour 14,000 years +/- 2,000 years via Carbon XIV dating. Note it doesn't mention light years, just years. That there are creatures inside the hive ship that exist mostly within the warp and act as transporters within the hive ship itself but only for tyranids all non-tyranids are sealed in a digestive acid room of sorts inside the warp. I was pretty sure the exact galaxy they came from was mentioned, but it may have been mentioned in another white dwarf in the same span of issues. It has been stated though, you just have to go back to the space crusade/advanced crusade and the late rogue trader/early 2nd edition 40k fluff. It is there. No need to speculate at all.
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