Flood Scrapper

The Flood scrapper form is a rare and mostly-benign of the parasitic species observed in low-energy conditions of their . Discovered in inhospitable environments, Scrappers emerge in periods of extended isolation from and under severe population collapse demonstrate atypical resource conservation behavior. Scrappers are solitary specimens living mostly alone, and setting their behavior apart from other Flood forms. They lack most coordination capabilities, rather focusing on apparent self-preservation as long-term burrowing scavengers. Isolated specimens under observation seem to require "relearning" common Flood behavioral traits suggesting neurological collapse among the in this form.
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==Scrapper Biology==
===Physiology===
The Scrapper body is described as a typically "brittle but adaptive exoskeleton," capable of hardening into a tough crab-like shell in distress by poorly-understood means of rapid calcification should the parasite feel threatened but at cost to mobility and speed. These extra calcium reserves for hardening are distributed throughout Flood cellular structures and present consistently among most other Flood forms. Unlike other Flood forms, the extreme end of this calcification behavior can result in a defenseless and immobile, statue-like state akin to fossilization but hypothetically capable of surviving without nourishment for years, maybe even centuries, comparable to Earth-native tardigrades (water bears). Their outer surface has a consistency similar to dry tree bark, and when panic-calcification, can moderately resist some considerable trauma including from some small firearms such as the native ammunition. has notified security-cleared combat units that typical Flood eradication methods are sufficient for neutralizing Scrappers but recommend entrapment and higher-caliber firearms or plasma weapons are preferable.
Scrappers possess ten tentacle-like limbs/legs comparable to Earth-native solifugaes (camel spiders) with similar dexterity and hardness for rapid mobility. Two forward limbs are elongated with slightly increased calcification serving as burrowing/digging limbs, while the remaining limbs are tipped with small barbs excellent for climbing difficult surfaces and secrete a -derived biotoxin. Exposure to the biotoxin through barb puncture allows Flood scrappers a chance to escape upon encountering a potential predator. Depending on the age of the Flood Scrapper specimen and increased complexity of their internal bladder culture, the accumulation of infectious strains of the Flood supercell in the biotoxin can produce severe allergic reaction including rash, mild-to-severe nausea, and paralysis. Or exposure results in more substantial harm including cellular/tissue damage and rejection, major organ failure, and evidence of slow-grade . The latter-most condition of conversion has never been fully observed due to contemporary Flood containment and research protocols.
Compared to Flood infection forms, Scrapper specimens display shrunken top-"head" bladders and reduced contents of Flood infection/conversion material. Researchers believe the reduced bladder is a undeveloped head-sac seen on pod infectors in a state of extreme resource conservation. The contents of the bladder are a slow growth of Flood mucus and organic byproduct the Scrapper will protect, develop, and nurture within its body via bladder sac, or stored in dark-humid burrows. The organic byproduct, comparable to feces or biological stool, is slowly converted by proto-Flood supercells from scavenged materials, primarily decaying animal remains with an increasingly wart- or mushroom-like appearance overtime and doubles as food reserves. The Scrapper maintains the byproduct, encouraging Flood biocultural development as a learning/learned behavior, between burrows and engorged via a mouth-like cavity connected to the depressed bladder sac. Previously described as an allergic reaction or severe autoimmune response, byproduct-skin exposure is not known to result in Flood conversion, however the resulting rash may lead to onset-rapid skin decay if left untreated. Despite these safety hazards, animals/predators observed to consume Flood Scrappers do not display any apparent signs of Flood infection (yet).
===Behavior===
Unlike other Flood forms, Scrappers will generally avoid direct contact with other multicellular lifeforms, especially sapient life, however such reported pattern distinction has only been observed in lab conditions and remains more theory than fact. Flood Scrappers are seemingly nocturnal, following a secluded existent and hunting on small animals or decaying organic remains for nourishment. While some of the biomass is absorbed to energize a Scrapper specimen, the majority of consumed biomass is stored in the deflated bladder sac to support the biocultural development of Flood supercells. Scrappers exhibit innate burrowing behavior, seeking out damp-soft earth to dig into and form networks/series of burrows, usually in gatherings separated by several dozens meters. These hovels serve a number of uses including rest stops and escape points as Scrappers are limited foragers, only migrating between food sources as needed. Burrows provide safety and rest stops, as well as escape points from predators.
==Known Locations==
*East African Exclusion Zone: (Classified behind top security clearance) Post- analysis by Naval Intelligence around the and exclusion zone remains inconclusive of Flood remnant activity. Following the crash of the Covenant battlecruiser in the , burned large parts of to eradicate a potential infestation. ONI has since uncovered three specimens of fossilized Flood scrapper forms within the glassing fields over the last six years. The discovery of Flood-detection subroutines within - have proved useful in rooting out remaining Flood signatures, often tens of meters below solid igneous rock. All scrapper specimens were found fossilized/crystalized by the glassing attack, enough to declare dead upon discovery and biohazard concerns unnecessary. Flood containment protocols remain in effect with Joint Task Force MARIAH in case an active Flood strain is discovered.
*: Video analysis from ONI science staff along the UNDERBRUSH PENETRATOR course on Erebus VII concluded high probability nearby local small fauna spotted repeatedly "stalking" personnel were Flood scrapper forms. Later disappearances of ONI staff on-planet led to fears of a evolving Flood infestations before being confirmed as a local apex predator species, . Further analysis of explored regions on Erebus VII and its connection to Forerunner research suggests if any Flood specimens are on Erebus VII - the theoretically-curated biosphere seems incredibly hostile to Flood, possibly by design.
*Furthest Point: Akudomura, known offhand as Ragged Ass Road, is the receiving-town for the human settlement on the colony of Furthest Point hosting the first colonial spaceport and receiving connector ships from orbital freighters. It is unclear how or where a Flood scrapper form arrived to the colony in the 2560s. Resulting missing people cases beginning with local children became a political challenge for the human settlers and the nearby multispecies communal anchorage established by the Kru'desh Legion. Spartans taking up residence on Furthest Point eventually eliminated the biohazard threat with ultimately only 11 local casualties.
==See Also==
===Related Pages===
===Literary Appearances===
*Halo: Invisibles 
**Fear What You Know 
Category:Flood