HEX Pox
The HEX Mainframe sometimes attempts to assimilate people that aren't even close to the Mainframe. They would deploy these robots into the persons body which attempt to connect them to the HM gestalt. All biological species are effected. The nanobots burn biomass very slowly for energy.
The HEX pox robots strangely resemble some kinds of oranic microbes despite being entirely mechanical in nature and sharing few traits with organics. It is possible that the disease was built this way intentionally to mimic organic cells more closelt and be harder to detect, but it would be obvious in single cellular species such as suons. Most species tend to be multicellular however.
The cultural reception by many factions towards the HEX pox tends to be fear. Though all large enough factions know of its existance, it can be difficult to find and most planets could be infected. Efforts are almost always underway by most planets to actively try and detect it, particularly on vulnerable, population dense worlds with a high value, and even more often on planets closer to the HM. If someone finds out that a person they know has HEX pox, they are highly likely to report it in order to save themselves as well as their family most likely. Some people take joy in suffering, or do not want to report it for other reasons, so many planets offer quite significant rewards to reports that lead to a successful EMP bombing of HEX pox microbes. There is no punishment to reports that do not. Without materials to fuel itself or self replicate, the individual HEX pox microbes will shut down, leaving a measure of energy which enables it to power back up again if it finds a new host.
The HEX pox robots strangely resemble some kinds of oranic microbes despite being entirely mechanical in nature and sharing few traits with organics. It is possible that the disease was built this way intentionally to mimic organic cells more closelt and be harder to detect, but it would be obvious in single cellular species such as suons. Most species tend to be multicellular however.
The cultural reception by many factions towards the HEX pox tends to be fear. Though all large enough factions know of its existance, it can be difficult to find and most planets could be infected. Efforts are almost always underway by most planets to actively try and detect it, particularly on vulnerable, population dense worlds with a high value, and even more often on planets closer to the HM. If someone finds out that a person they know has HEX pox, they are highly likely to report it in order to save themselves as well as their family most likely. Some people take joy in suffering, or do not want to report it for other reasons, so many planets offer quite significant rewards to reports that lead to a successful EMP bombing of HEX pox microbes. There is no punishment to reports that do not. Without materials to fuel itself or self replicate, the individual HEX pox microbes will shut down, leaving a measure of energy which enables it to power back up again if it finds a new host.
Transmission & Vectors
It can be deployed to a new world via cloaked HM ship orbiting a populated planet or other concentration of people. The nanobots will not survive a fall from orbit, so a small pod carrying a small legged robot is sent down. The robot has a special, silent gun that doesn't harm whoever is hit, but introduces the HEX Pox to their body. This whole thing relies on stealth.
Once they grow to a certain population within a single hosts body, they will cease self replication to preserve its secrecy, find its respiratory system and infect someone else via their own respiratory system.
This operation continues until the target faction finds out. When they do, it makes itself more obvious and increase its self replication protocol, attempting to infect the rest of the population.
If the entire population becomes infected, they stop leaving their respective hosts bodies and then connect them to the gestalt simultaneosly.
Symptoms
There are few symptoms until the later stages. A few cells may be missing from their bodies as they were destroyed by the nanobots for fuel.
Treatment
Heavy EMP. The nanobots are EMP resistant (but not immune). However, such intense EMP is likely to disrupt the hosts nervous system. The intensity must be calibrated very well.
Other than that, the target faction can also use their own replicator or weaponized nanobots and attempt to dismantle the HM bots.
Type
Nanite / Mechanical
Origin
Engineered
Rarity
Rare
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