The Pilot is a subspecies of Cielioid engineered to effectively pilot spacecraft.
Anatomy
Pilots are small and lithe, generally standing between 1 and 1.25 Meters high.
Their heads are expanded to allow extra eyes, giving pilots 360-degree vision, enhanced depth-perception, and fine-detail perception. The interior of the Pilot's skull contains specialized structures for protecting the brain from the effects of high g-forces. A Pilot's brain is optimized for spatial perception and navigation ability, combined with a capacity for making split-second decisions.
Pilots have two sets of thin, nimble arms for operating multiple sets of controls at once.
Pilots stand on four sturdy legs to help them maintain their balance and stability, even during high-acceleration maneuvers and occurrences of atmospheric turbulence.
Culture
It is common for Pilots who achieve officer-level rank to have cybernetic implants installed that allow them to communicate directly with their ship's systems. Frequently, Pilots with these implants will become so emotionally attached to their ships that they refuse to leave their posts for the rest of their lives, even in emergency situations or long periods of maintenence.
