Erris Parasite(Parasite X)

The Errís Parasite

The **Errís parasite**, also known as **Parasitic Organism X-1918-388** by the Terran Confederation, or **X Parasite** for short, is an extremely hostile, shape-shifting organism presumably native to planet SR388c, able to assimilate both the DNA and knowledge of other life forms, as well as to incorporate those features when they take new hosts, and their single-minded drive to consume and spread leaves them a threat to all other life in the galaxy.

## Biology and characteristics

An Errís parasite's base form is a simplistic, airborne gelatinous organism approximately ten centimeters in diameter, with three particle-like structures that circulate within their mass like electrons. Their gelatinous bodies allow them to slip through the tiniest unsealed openings and, with few exceptions, harmlessly yield to projectiles. Errís reproduce rapidly and asexually, allowing them to quickly infest entire planets if not contained, and even in their base form they are able to quickly pursue and infect their prey.

The Errís are voracious, and once they locate prey, they infect the organism's nervous system and start reproducing at an exponential rate, beginning to consume the host's soft tissue typically within hours. It is during this process that the Errís absorbs the DNA and memories of their victim once it reaches the brain stem, allowing them to replicate it and further their species's existence; this process is still possible if the host is deceased, but only if the time of death is within a matter of hours prior to infestation. Depending on the situation, the Errís may either begin mimicking the host's structure then and there, giving the appearance that the host has been possessed, or may simply consume it and create a facsimile at a more advantageous location.

The Errís are not limited to purely organic lifeforms—they are able to consume and replicate bio-mechanical technology, though this can take a longer period compared to more natural life forms. On a similar note, they can even copy DNA from fragments of an individual. However, they are incapable of infecting purely mechanical beings or lifeforms lacking complex nervous systems, including simple plant life.

Errís are proficient at mimicking their prior hosts, allowing them to blend in and strike new, unsuspecting prey, which helps address the natural aversion of SR388c's wildlife to their base form. However, the Errís will almost always have entirely white eyes when mimicking their host, a feature that can give them away. Errís retain the information acquired from previous hosts and will often combine information from various sources to produce new forms more suited for combat; in a general sense, most X forms of wildlife possess more dangerous features than their source. When the X find themselves in danger or lose a fight, they will often incorporate features from a specific additional source. When an Errís hive's manifestation is destroyed and they are reduced to their base forms, the parasites will variously try to immediately infect their attacker, withdraw and form a new manifestation for a renewed assault, or flee entirely.

   The only known and effective counter to the Errís are the Metroids, specifically designed for that purpose. Metroids are anathema to the Errís even on a cellular level, and even the best efforts of the Errís to little to slow the Metroid's predation. Metroids drove the Errís population to the brink of extinction in the region around the Thé'nau research nest and the cavernous areas below. However, with their great versatility, Errís are able to adapt and thrive in virtually any environment, even those alien to their homeworld. Most dangerously, the Errís appear to be capable of accelerated development in their intelligence as a species based on consumed hosts, and a devotion to the welfare of their species, making any strain that has assimilated higher intelligence via sapient hosts more willing to go to any lengths, even self-sacrifice, to triumph over their adversaries and advance the species.

## Trivia

The X Parasite bears a great many resemblances to the eponymous alien lifeform in John Carpenter's The Thing. Much like how the Metroid series was inspired and pays much homage to the Alien film franchise, the X would seem to also be a homage to this other cult classic film about alien horrors from space.