| Tick | |
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Codex
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Distinctions: |
Mega-arthropod, possibly bio-modified |
Ticks are large, carnivorous mega-Cetoniinae presumed to be native to Tau Ceti IV. Their current form and behavior may be a result of Colony Era research.[1]
Behavior[edit]
Ticks are highly aggressive. They gestate in large fleshy communal nests, which they defend by rushing any perceived threats and exploding in a caustic, super-heated mess.[2]
During the Colony Era, New Cascadia entomologist Dr. Tobias Luttero observed that ticks exhibited a range of behavior which he classified into the categories of Approach, Chasing, Foraging, Roll, Singing, Threat Display, and Waving. He noted that ticks had never been observed retreating from a threat. When foraging, the ticks displayed no preference for what they consumed. Their "singing" was done at a frequency inaudible to the human ear, and served to provoke other ticks within hearing range to chase a single target. The Waving behavior occured when a tick ceased movement, lifted each leg in succession, and rotated it counterclockwise. Luttero could not determine the purpose of this behavior.[3]
History[edit]
Research conducted by Dr. Luttero during the Colony Era showed that ticks were not capable of being domesticated. During the course of these studies, the ticks' behavior went from indifferent to aggressive in response to the colonists' ecological presence and they developed toxins in a matter of weeks.[4]
Luttero later spearheaded the process to utilize the ticks' excreted waste as a nutrient source. Ticks were encouraged to deposit their waste in collection pods using artificial pheromones, which were noted to make the ticks more territorial. Then genetically modified bacteria was used to digest the waste and turn it into a drinkable protein source dubbed "tick milk", which could supplement up to one-third of a healthy adult's caloric intake.[5]
At some point, ticks presumably became mutated by the novel contagion.
Gallery[edit]
Press Kits[edit]
Screenshots[edit]
Ticks being harvested for their "milk" in Bio-Research.
A container of tick milk.
Appearance[edit]
- Marathon (2026) (First appearance)
References[edit]
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