Undergrowth Records: Haemomyxa vampirex

>>>ACCESSING BASE DATA

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--Designation: Haemomyxa vampirex

--Clearance: Level 2

--Status: Released.

--Response: NON-LETHAL.

--Classes: ████████, Homomimus, Endoparasite, Hemotrophic.

--Biohazards: Bloodborne pathogen. (minimal risk.)

--Research: Halted.

--Eco Threat: None.

--Hominid Threat: None.

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IDENTIFICATION:

NOTE: Positive identification of Haemomyxa vampirex may be difficult without expert experience or █████ assistance.

IN AN ENGAGEMENT: an electric shock may be used to identify a Haemomyxa vampirex specimen. A positive result will show a red fluorescence in the host's eyes brought on by bodily trauma, while a negative result shows little outward effect. However, Negative results do not disprove Haemomyxa infection, as the genus is known to have multiple species and sub-species with varying characteristics.

Hosts to Haemomyxa vampirex specimens often resemble pale hominids, and may be easily mistaken for homo sapiens. They are perfectly capable of mimicking speech and locomotion; allowing them to approach their prey without arousing suspicion. No test that relies on behavior or intelligence is capable of identifying an infected individual, but there are notable physical characteristics and █████ differences.

The unique features of Haemomyxa hosts are largely internal, with a few exceptions. Species in the genus are only found in recently deceased corpses, which they puppeteer through the remnants of their nervous system. They are only able to restore enough bodily functions to appear as their host did in life. Outward signs of infection are often related to decay, with room temperature skin, darkened veins, and infrequent (or absent) breathing. A quick examination of the oral cavity will reveal enlarged canine teeth, which the parasite uses for hemotrophic feeding. An aggressive or frightened specimen may bare these fangs in an attempt to scare would-be attackers, but such displays are rare while the parasite maintains its cover.

Internally, the changes are far more drastic. Blood taken from Haemomyxa hosts is often darkened red or black due to the decomposition of blood cells. A CT scan will reveal partially decomposed organs, liquefied gray matter, atrophied lungs and stomach, and an overly developed heart disfigured with irregular growths. These unnecessary organs are theorized to become food for the developing parasite as it expands its reach throughout the body.

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OVERVIEW & ENGAGEMENT:

Any method that would incapacitate a hominid species should also incapacitate a Haemomyxa specimen (Including ██████) but there are noteworthy differences.

With a few exceptions, the vampirex hosts are able to heal physical damage to their host bodies, and slowly regenerate from wounds that would otherwise kill an ordinary lifeform. For this reason, the use of lethal munitions may be used for non-lethal capture of infected individuals, but there are several exceptions that will result in fatality. They include:

1. High caliber or explosive rounds.
2. Silver munitions.
3. Submersion in acid.
4. Fire resulting in 3rd or 4th degree burns.
5. UV light.
6. Damage at least 50% of the heart's tissues.
7. ████ ████████ ██ ████████

Any fires capable of burning through the host body's epidermal layers may ignite methane bubbles in the decaying blood, fueling the fire and spreading it to nearby tissues. Without a way to shut off the source of the methane, it may continue to burn until it irreparably damages the subject's heart and ██████. To be extinguished, the flame only needs to be cut off from oxygen, but expanding foam is capable of sealing the wound before it clots. In cases where foam is unavailable, tarps, rubber sheets, ███, ██████, and glob rounds may be improvised for small fires. In indoor situations, cutting off oxygen to a small room may be a viable solution, as the subjects do not require oxygen to breathe.

For long term transportation it may be necessary to suspend a specimen's heartbeat, which will result in a temporary catatonic state for both the host and the Haemomyxa parasite. An implement piercing the heart such as a bullet, arrow, needle, stake, or ███ ██████ implant may be used to induce this state without risking long term damage to the organisms.

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PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR:

Despite their humanoid appearance, no species in the genus Haemomyxa may be considered human. Species within the genus are homomimus hemotrophic endo-parasites capable of inhabiting hominid bodies and accurately replicating the behaviors of living individuals. In its natural state outside of a host, Haemomyxa could be compared to a plasmodial slime mold whose body is composed of decaying blood, iron particulates, and stray proteins in a homogeneous ████ soup. This mass of former blood cells and ██████ demonstrates enough surface tension to maintain some bodily cohesion outside of its host, but no known specimens demonstrate locomotive ability or ██████ on their own. Without a host, they might as well be inanimate.

After seizing control of a host body as an endo-parasite, Haemomyxa species will go on to act as an ecto-parasite upon other animals. (generally hominids.) This is to say that after assimilating the host's blood into its own body mass, Haemomyxa will go on to feed on the blood of other organisms. Hominid blood is more palatable, but species and individual specimens vary on preference.

1. Feeding: Feeding is reportedly pleasant for most victims. The bite they deliver injects a trace amount of the Haemomyxa's biomass into the victim, resulting in a rush of endorphins and brief memory loss ranging from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
2. Lifespan: Lifespans for Haemomyxa specimens are currently unknown. The specimens obtained in the 1916 incident have shown few outward signs of aging in 90 years, but their internal organs appear to have decayed to the point of liquefaction. Anecdotes of 200 or 300 year old specimens are unconfirmed, but it seems reasonable to assume that Haemomyxa specimens could have lifespans in the order of centuries if their environmental conditions allow for it.
3. Catatonia: Catatonia is observed in specimens undergoing extreme physiological stress. In this state the parasite may use some residual ██████ to repair damage to their host bodies, but this process occurs at a greatly reduced rate. The gradual dehydration of the body in this state may result in mummification, but so long as the heart remains mostly intact and the dried blood is left to sit in place; the specimen may always be revived. ███ ██████ █ ███████ ██ ████ ███ █████ ██ ████ ███████ ██████ ██ ███ ██
4. Propagation: Haemomyxa vampirex specimens in captivity typically self-describe their reproduction as such.
   1. Grooming: A potential host must be dosed with Haemomyxa vampirex blood regularly until their body develops a tolerance. This process is often termed "ghoulification" or "nursing." The "ghoul" or "nursebabe" is still largely themselves at this point, but symptoms of obsession, intrusive thoughts, and dissociation may occur. As a small upside, the Haemomyxa blood is still capable of healing wounds in this diluted state.
   2. Sleeping: After ghoulification is complete, the victim must be fed upon until their body lapses into an unconscious state. Then, a final dose sets off the transformation, and the host's brain is immediately consumed to feed the growing parasite.
   3. Spawning: The vampirex parent then accompanies their host into a dark room, and partially submerges them in a spawning pool of blood and water to facilitate their transformation. For the following week, the parent shelters their developing offspring from light, sound, and outside disturbance while they gradually drip feed them until they are fit to move on their own.
   4. Teething: The host body's teeth won't fully grow in for another month, but the parasite is no less eager to hunt. Generally the first object they see in their darkness becomes their prey, and if they're lucky- their parent may prepare an easy target.

The vampirex species is distinct from other species in the Haemomyxa genus by the highly developed eyes of their host bodies, which are observed to fluoresce red in response to pain, pleasure, and stress. Specimen dissections reveals microscopic crystalline structures, which have grown into the iris' epithelium cells. These structures are believed to play a role in the subject's nocturnal activities, but further experimentation may be required. ██████ ██ ███ ████ █ ██████ ██ █████ █████ █ ████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ███ █ ███ ██████ ███ ████ █ ████ ██ ████ ████ ██████ ███ ████ ██████ ████████ ████████████ █ ██ ████ ██ ███ ████

HABITAT:

Subjects may be housed in enclosures made for ████ carbon based biospheres. Requests made for additional clothing and furniture may be automatically approved without site director involvement. A meal of one cy-drone every other day is sufficient for their diet, but subjects may be withheld sustenance for 3 weeks before entering a catatonic rest state.

2009 Update: All Haemomyxa vampirex specimens are to be released to the custody of the US Department of ██████ Affairs.

THREAT:

None.

EXPERIMENTATION:

1. Live Feeding.
   1. Day 1: A live cy-drone was introduced to the testing chamber. The three Haemomyxa vampirex specimens circled cautiously, before two attempted to feed. This drained 2.2 liters, and satiated the specimens.
   2. Day 2: Three live cy-drone were introduced to the testing chamber. The specimen who fed the day before held back, and the other two attempted to feed. This drained 1.2 and 2.8 liters, and satiated the specimens.
   3. Day 3: Three cold bags of hominid blood were introduced to the testing chamber. One specimen attempted to feed. This drained 1.1 liters, or close to half a blood bag. This bag was then removed, and testing continued.
   4. Day 4: Three lukewarm bags of decayed blood were introduced to the testing chamber. No specimens attempted to feed.
   5. Day 5: A live cow was introduced to the testing chamber. One specimen appeared to briefly stalk the animal, before attempting to feed. This drained 1.3 liters. The specimen was later observed regurgitating 0.6 liters.
   6. Day 6: A Cereuform sapioamora specimen was introduced to the testing chamber. No specimens attempted to feed.
   7. Day 7: A cy-drone infected with Haemomyxa vampirex was introduced to the testing chamber. No specimens attempted to feed.
2. Artificial Propagation & Cyberization.
   1. Haemomyxa vampirex blood was administered to a cy-drone corpse. This experiment resulted in a new Haemomyxa specimen. Results were consistent with the process captives specimens described. The infected cy-drone’s behavior became erratic, as it’s cybernetics were no longer able to interface with its nervous system. The cy-drone did however demonstrate some recollection of the programming it possessed in its living state. This unit was retired.
   2. Haemomyxa vampirex blood was administered to a living cy-drone. This experiment resulted in symptoms of temporary euphoria and memory loss of the last 2 hours. Results were consistent with the process captives specimens described. The cy-drone experienced abnormalities in its wetware, and was reprogrammed. This unit was returned to service.
   3. Haemomyxa vampirex blood was administered to a living cy-drone dosed with immunosuppressants. This experiment resulted in symptoms of temporary euphoria. The cy-drone experienced abnormalities in its wetware, and was reprogrammed. This unit was returned to service.
   4. Haemomyxa vampirex blood was administered to a cy-drone that had been dosed with ████ ████████. The use of ████ induced an out of body experience and temporary lapse in wetware functionality. This experiment resulted in a Haemomyxa specimen. Results were consistent with the first experiment, but the unit was unable to recall its previous experiences, and exhibited personality traits consistent with the blood’s donor.

UTILIZATION:

Haemomyxa vampirex is a specimen of scientific interest, but few practical applications.

Older specimens may serve as a source of █████ ██ for ████ staff members and cy-drone units.

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>>>ACCESSING POST-UNDERGROWTH FIELD REPORTS:

--Colloquialisms: Vamps, Vampires, Trausten, Trauzten.

--Status: Released

--Response: Our expedition through L2 has failed to uncover any Haemomyxa vampirex specimens living or otherwise, but that's not important right now.

The documents we've so far uncovered are contradictory. The US Secret Census we uncovered clearly state that testing on live Haemomyxa vampirex should have ended in December 1941 when the United States entered into WWII. We have been unable to find any records of what happened to the specimens released to government custody, or the cy-drone they infected. The only trace of them we found was an old habitat and testing chamber that was repurposed for Latexphera specimens decades ago.

I implore, we must present our findings to the Trausten Elders. They may still have family members trapped in the tunnels, or worse. We can't allow news of our findings to get out any other way.

Credit & License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Original concept and writing by https://twitter.com/Jakuryusei