Symbiote
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This article, Symbiote, was written by Subtank. Please do not edit this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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Symbiote or its preferable name by the humans "The Flood", (Latin Inferi reformo, meaning "the dead reformed"), is a genetically enhanced species of the infamous parasitic organisms known as The Flood. It has similar purpose, thrive by consuming all sentient lifeforms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability.
Symbiotes are a genetically modified species, with a compilation of the known retroviruses in the human world. The creation of the Symbiote was intentional as companies involved in The Project all shared a common goal which was to retrieve its genetic properties which proved to have help combat diseases and also regeneration of parts and to commercialise those properties and turn them into products. The Project utilises copies and replication of the Flood Super Cell, resulting in the creation of the lifeform. Initially the "recombinant lifeform" existed only in a petri-dish and remained dormant (what exactly the lifeform resembled is unknown). The lifeform didn't react to any of the researchers' experiments, and was about to be deemed a failure.The Project, however, was not taken to full protection as there were several outbreaks which caused a pandemonium for several days before it was contained. Reports of the outbreaks were altered to hide the incident from the world, giving the corporation more time to improve and enhance the Symbiote.
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[edit] Developmental Stages
Though the Super Flood Cell has undergone significant changes, several of its development was intact.
- Epidemic stage is when the release of the Symbiote in virus form. Most of the virus would search for a host and develop independently from within up to 24 hours. After the time frame, several symptoms will appear such as coughing out blood, severe headache, sudden dizziness, passing out or cardiac arrest.
- Feral stage is when the Symbiote takes form of a solid physique. It will later rely on the memories and knowledge of its host to adapt with its environment, and have the natural instinct to gather enough hosts to form a Proto-Gravemind.
- Sentient stage is the pinnacle of the Symbiote's archaic development. Symbiotes will develop its ??? into a more self-sustaining form without the reliance of hosts. This also marks the sharing knowledge, information and memories via telepathy to the Gravemind.
[edit] Properties
[edit] Biology
Symbiote, similar to their ancestors, infects individual organisms and causes them to undergo different stages of transformation into various "forms". Due to their gene properties of having both LF.Xx.3273 and the four retroviruses, Symbiotes has the tendency of amplifying the hatred and evil within hosts, allowing them to have total control over the host's will.
There were several known pathway for Symbiote reproduction and survival. However, in close observation, it seemed the main method of pertaining its survival is by the infestation and assimilation of other species.
In its early stage of life, the Symbiote as a basic form would not be able to counter the freezing temperature as anything below +10 would instantly kill it. However, once a living host is infected, it will adapt to its environment and modify its genes to enhance protection similar to its hosts. Once a Symbiote matures within the host, it can withstand even the harsh environments of all known colonized planets. This differs when a Symbiote infects the dead. The transformation of the dead person into a Symbiote is extremely quick, typically happening in a matter of seconds. This transformation is extremely violent and disturbing for observers. The body of the Symbiote host is forced into new twisted shapes to fit the function of the newly spawned creature.
Though Symbiotes take no chances in selecting its prey, similarly due to the LF.Xx.3273 properties, one of its main fulfilment is to develop a central mind which will greatly enhance their development and domination over other species. All Symbiotes are extremely hardy and capable of surviving in lethal environments no human without appropriate protection could even venture into, such as the cold vacuum of space.
[edit] Countermeasures
Though there were numerous studies conducted by researches, the results concluded that there are few direct countermeasures against infection, all of which considered to be fatal if performed.
After their initial breakout, there is no confirmed way to effectively prevent a Symbiote epidemic infection when a close contact is achieved by the host. Perfection is what it was designed for. The Symbiote has overcome its weakness over the Boren's Syndrome issue, rather enhancing its development from within the host. However, it has been suggested that during Symbiote infection, the host retain valuable time around 24 hours to search a cure. During this time frame, the host would experience several personality discrepancies along with visible symptoms.
In the first stage of the infection, the host would suffer random effects, some of which can either be minimal personality change (mostly aggression), mild fever or passing out. The second stage, usually referred as the chronic stage, is when the infection gets hold of the DNA strand.The replication and translation of the human DNA will take place in this stage. The process would take about 2-3 hours for a complete Symbiote transfer. Symptoms of this stage includes malnutrition, body decaying, and the fatal mental shutdown. The last stage, usually referred as the Point of No Return, will be the point between life and death. In this final stage, the host would undergone a physical transformation/mutation. All links to the real world would be absent within the mind of the host with the exception of hatred and aggression towards a certain subject.
However, seeing that the Symbiote are parasitic-based lifeforms, total elimination cannot be achieved unless a complete extermination of food source is performed. Researchers studying the Symbiote concluded that a single Symbiote is capable of living for 71 years without any food source.
[edit] Combat Behaviour
A symbiote's personality may be based on an amalgamation of the memories and thoughts that have been collected from the various hosts and stored within its genetic memory. It is therefore also possible that while the symbiote possesses a complex sentience, and that it obtains some of its opinions on morality from the current host and as such, amplifies the hatred and evil in hosts.
[edit] Trivia
- The Symbiote is modelled after the Flood. Interestingly, another game, Dead Space released in October, long after this article is created, gave life. It showcased a number of images which is relevant for the Symbiote.
- Symbiote's design encompasses several characteristic from the Marvel Villain, Symbiote as well as from the Resident Evil's T-Virus.
