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//MSG SENT TO "Imperial High Command" ID:001//
//FROM "Imperial Intelligence Agency" ID:004//
Sir. Attached is all the information regarding The Parasite. Let us know if you require any further information. Have a pleasant day.
Major John Frost
Imperial Intelligence Agency
Date: March 20, 2579
//END MSG//
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[ATTACHMENT: Intelligence on "Codename: The Parasite"]
//OPEN ATTACHMENT//
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[WARNING: FILE ENCRYPTION DETECTED]
[FILE ENCRYPTION LEVEL BLACK]
[PLEASE PROVIDE PROPER KEY BEFORE CONTINUING]
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[KEY ACCEPTED]
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//VIEW FILE///
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//FILE "Codename: Parasite"//
SUMMARY:
The Flood, or "parasite" are a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that can reproduce and grow by consuming sentient life forms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. It is still unclear as to where The Flood originate from, but it is known that they can exist in spore form and can infect species such as Humans, Sanghelli, and other species of similar sophistication. The Flood are an extremely adaptable, dangerous, and expendable parasitic life form. Once the parasite enters its host, it rapidly alters the DNA of its victim. Sufficient testing would be required to fully understand the process. It appears that the host's skin cells turn a deathly brown color most likely due to decay. The host's neck also appears to be broken and the head forced to the side to make room for what we believe to be the "tentacles" of the parasite. The host does not survive the process. First human contact with the flood took place on Alpha Halo and is included in the debrief of Master Chief Petty Officer John-117. Bullet-based weaponry have little effect on the Flood and only seems to further antagonize the organism. Plasma and fire-based weaponry have the greatest effect on disposal of the parasite. It is recommended that a disabled flood vessel be destroyed immediately because reactivation can occur if another infection form were to enter.
FLOOD TYPES:
Infection Form:
This is the most basic form of the flood. This form is very sensitive and can be "popped" by even the most basic of stresses. This form is most commonly seen with a group mentality. In this form, they will band together to attack a host to start the infection process. It has pricks along it's tentacle-like contortions that contain a toxin that, once delivered into the blood stream, renders the host completely paralyzed.
Combat Form:
If the host has sufficient combat capabilities, the flood will retain the hosts physique though greatly disfigured. The combat flood's organs are rendered useless meaning conventional tactics such as decapitation are not effective. This also renders weapons such as Sniper Rifles a terrible option. The best means of disposing of the combat form is to destroy the parasite that is controlling the host. A few well aimed shots through the tentacle-like contortions immediately kills the parasite. Burning the host must then be employed to avoid reinfection. Even one of these forms can decimate an entire squad. Extreme caution is needed before approaching.
The other types of infections can be found by accessing the Covenant Race Infection Types.
For images of the parasitic forms, please access them from your datapad. Do so only when alone to avoid a possible leak.
//END MSG//