Creature:Worm

SERPENT SHIELD - Threat Analysis Summary [2R6.K2U.ANA.8K7]

Tuuros Expeditionary Initiative / Security / Intelligence / Threat Analysis and Prediction

Product of Javelin Terminal Office

The following is a Threat Analysis Summary of SERPENT SHIELD -- the so-called 'Worm' -- based on all currently known and available evidence [appended, see section 5].

Overview
The Worm is an extrinsic parasitoidic biological neural network teleonomically adapted for the infiltration and destruction of civilizations. The appearance of the Worm in a civilization is hereby referred to as an "iteration." The Worm is believed to have been present in Tuuros for well over █ billion years. Over that time, Worm iterations have occurred in an estimated ████ civilizations. Each iteration consists of two components: a species and a religion. These components are inseparable. The Worm species promotes the Worm religion, and the Worm religion propagates the Worm species.

As a species, no two iterations of the Worm are exactly alike, but all share common functionalities, archetypes, and goals. All Worm organisms are telepathically linked, forming a superorganism; the overall intelligence of this superorganism increases as the Worm population grows, particularly the number of hosts. Its origins, in terms of both location and evolution, are unknown and likely unnatural [possible Discontinuity source hypothesized].

As a religion, the Worm is as mutable as the species. This is because the Worm typically piggybacks on existing, widely accepted religions, adopting their appearances and practices for its own. However, at its core, the Worm cult inevitably features three constants: the worship of three god-figures RHAA, ZUOR, and QARNH [or linguistic variants], the belief that an eschatological event can be brought about manually through the actions of the faithful, and the need to convert as much of the population as possible [leading directly into the second constant].

The culmination of each Worm iteration is the total destabilization of society in advance of an Immanence event [see section 3]. This appears to be incidental, being the natural end result of the widespread emergence of titanic exofauna, corresponding massive hostile mutations in civilian populations, subversion of influential figures by the Worm parasite to serve its interests, and the actions of the Worm cult in worshiping, protecting, and facilitating these disasters.

Known Worm archetypes
Every iteration of the Worm species is unique. Each displays different morphological and genetic characteristics. Only the fact that every iteration behaves nearly identically allows them to be considered part of the same phenomenon.

In every iteration, the Worm species demonstrates four archetypal morphs.

Parasite
The parasite worm represents the beginning of any given Worm iteration. It is the most common and least obvious archetype. Every parasite iteration appears individually tailored to the species it infects. Regardless of morphology, parasites are invariably obligate-permanent, endoparasitic, and subjugating. Parasites usually cannot survive outside a host.

The exact method of infection varies, but always ends with the parasite merging with and subordinating the host's central nervous system [or equivalent]. This transforms the host into a wholly compliant Worm quisling. No outward indication of infection will exist. The host retains all memories, skills, and behaviors, and for all appearances remains the same individual it was before infection.

It remains unclear as to what degree host and parasite remain separate individuals - whether the parasite fuses with the host's mind, simply takes over its functions, or completely "kills" the host consciousness and converts it into a p-zombie under total parasite control. Removal of the parasite either kills the host or renders it comatose.

Regardless, infection inducts the host into the Worm psychic network. Every infected individual may access the knowledge and experiences of every other host, regardless of distance. This gives the Worm superior coordination, information distribution, and the ability to react to threats immediately.

Metamorph
In accord with the Worm species is a chemical substance called mutagen. All Worm archetypes produce it: parasites secrete it as a defense mechanism, others disperse as a weapon. As with the parasites, mutagen's composition varies from iteration to iteration, each one apparently adapted to target a specific host species. Its exact mechanism of function remains unclear, most likely Essence-based.

When mutagen enters the body of the targeted organism in clinically significant quantities [pathways include inhalation, consumption, injection, etc.], it instigates a rapid, traumatic, and total transformation into a new species, a hybrid of Worm biology and the original organism. The resulting organism is classified a metamorph. Ingestion of non-significant quantities of mutagen causes a broad spectrum of potentially-fatal deleterious symptoms ["mutagen fever"], according to amount consumed.

When threatened, embedded parasites are known to secrete mutagen to transform their host into a metamorph if no other option for escape exists. Metamorphs appear to lose most of their original intelligence, becoming driven solely by the Worm group mind. In compensation, they generally develop superior physical characteristics. They are often themselves capable of producing mutagen. In the early stages of a Worm iteration, metamorphs may be used as attack animals, protecting important locations and individuals.

Metamorphs are individually consistent. Every targeted organism mutates the same way into the same species. Non-targeted organisms that ingest mutagen may also transform, but in a markedly less stable manner.

Titan
A titan is the imago form of the Worm organism, occurring only when the network has achieved a certain critical threshold in population and intelligence.

The exact biological triggers that transform a bonded parasite into a titan are unknown, but are most likely the result of interactions between mutagen and other chemical factors. Driven by this interaction, the host encases itself in a gelatinous resin ["caul"] secreted from its pores and orifices and begins to mutate. The pathways for titan mutation are radically different from those of metamorph mutation; while metamorphs are a hybrid of Worm and host genetics, titans completely break down the host into an organism of pure Worm biology.

Titan mutation occurs relatively quickly for its size. The caul continues to grow to accommodate the nascent titan as it grows hundreds or thousands of times larger than the original organism. What emerges, weeks later, bears little resemblance to either of its progenitors. Unlike the iteration-based diversity of parasites and metamorphs, titans are individually diverse.

The emergence of a titan worm represents the escalation of Worm strategy from infiltration to invasion.

Their most obvious characteristic, their colossal scale, causes tremendous damage to infrastructure, challenges conventional armed response protocols, and inspires fear and awe in civilians, feelings that are easily manipulated by the Worm cult. Furthermore, the impossible structural characteristics that allow titans to function at such sizes gives them correspondingly impossible resilience; historically, weapons capable of wounding titans would also cause significant collateral damage.

However, size alone is not the only threat that titans pose. Titans also produce mutagen in industrial quantities. Most commonly, it is sprayed in an aerosolized form into the atmosphere, drifting for continental distances according to global air currents. Other titans are known to excrete mutagen where they walk, polluting soil and water sources. In this way, the Worm gradually renders entire planets uninhabitable for life in its original state.

Size and mutagen are the two titan constants. Records indicate that titans often present with additional, variable idiosyncrasies.