Fiction:Genetithief Swarm

Origin
The Insectiles, more commonly known as the Genetithefts, are a genetic experiment gone wrong. What started as a miracle cure spiraled out of control into a swarm of aggressive mutants. A race of creatures known as the Cyther had gotten tired of diseases that they could not fight with surgery or medication, such as cancer. So they decided to make a microscopic army to help cure the incurable.

Miracle Cure
The Cythers knew that most cancers are caused by cells splitting with improper genes to regulate tissue growth. The Cythers had discovered a species of cell which they dubbed ''Genetisis repairii. ''They discovered that the cell were prone to frequent and potentially harmful genetic mutations. However, rather than evolution taking a course with those less afflicted by such mutations surviving, it took another course: Eliminating the mutations all together.

It was found that the Genetisis were able to repair, create, or destroy chromosomes as needed, thanks to special protein producing organelles. It was also found that Genetisis may have a built in need to keep the species alive, as the cells had been observed trading needed proteins, or even giving to those that were less fortunate, due to chemicals given off by the cell, identifying their own species in a way similar to ants using pheromones.

The Cyther simply spliced a Genetisis cell to identify cancerous cells as their own species as well, and to give off chemicals that fooled the immune system into thinking the Genetisis cells were actually part of the system so they were not destroyed while they went to work, and thus it was complete. Cancer caused by genetic mutation ceased to exist within a matter of months, as did other ailments. The Cyther were seen as heroes in their quadrant, and empires were lining up, offering massive amounts of money for their own strain. The Cyther were the only race capable of producing the Genetisis as needed, but they were powerless to stop nature.

The secret of the the Genetisis' mutation problems has already been discovered. One of the scientists who would be responsible for the wonder cure was studying the cells, just to see how they worked before testing as a cure went into effect. The Genetisis were nothing more than your average blob of organelles and cell membrane, and drifted wherever the currents of the ooze they lived in took them to. However, cells require energy, and Genetisis are not capable of producing food like plant cells. That's when the Scientist found out what made the Genetisis tick.

Genetisis were predators. Anything that swam too close was absorbed. But not completely destroyed. The scientist began noticing that his Genetisis strain began showing traits of other cells as time went on. The Genetisis were capable of taking the traits of other cells and passing them on to the next generation. They could even pass on these traits through the Protein Trade with cells that had not even consumed anything to give them said traits.

The Beginning
The problem with using an always evolving, community focused cell as a medical miracle was that if the cells were not eliminated from the system, problems could ensue. While a drug had been produced that would kill all Gentisis cells in the body, not getting the medicine into the system was the worst thing to do. And this was where it all began.

Patient Zero was of a species known as a Insecroc, and was named Sparky. The loyal pet of a Cyther family. Insecrocs have a mix of reptilian and insect traits. The body and eyes are reptilian, the legs are insect-like, and the creature possesses antennae as well. Their mouths are reptilian, with a pair of mandibles forming just over the jawbones.

The cure creators intended the Genetisis cure to be a quick fix: Let them repair the damage then get rid of them quickly. The Genetisis were not designed to recognize healthy cells as their own species. Thus, a perfectly healthy individual with no cancers or diseases would not last long with a foreign, cell absorbing species in their system.

This is where the Genetisis first began to show their potential as a pathogen. They began to attack the system, and absorbed the traits of the cells. But what traits are there in the cells of a multicellular organism? The traits needed to build a multicellular organism. The Genetisis began to form themselves into a basic structure of a multicellular organism, with some taking the role of a brain, some being used to digest and spread energy, etc. The cells, for the first time, stopped sharing all their traits with each other, as a cell dedicated to neurological signals could not also be used to digest. But they were still working together to keep their organism alive.

The first of the Swarm arose twenty-five years after the cure was developed. Sparky had been taken into a veterinary clinic, his stomach distended horribly, as well as a low blood cell count and damage to all of his organs. When the vets went to take an ultrasound, the Insecroc's stomach burst like a geyser, and sitting there was a creature that shared many of his traits. Scales, six legs, antennae, reptile-like eyes, and manidbles overlaying a reptilian jaw.