The Many


 * Universe: System Shock
 * Homeworld: Tau Ceti V
 * Size: Varies depending on host and gender
 * Diet: Parasitoidic/carnivorus
 * Sapience: yes

The Many are a race of parasitic, worm-like entities evolved from mutant humans and animals trapped on an ejected habitat module ejected from Citadel Station by the rogue AI know as S.H.O.D.A.N.

Overview
The Many are a race of hive rminded parasites that superficially resemble giant liver flukes. Once a human is infected by the parasitic worm released by a large, leathery egg, the genetically female Annelid takes up residence in their chest cavity, feeding on them internally, and releasing mutative agents that increase the production of adrenaline and endorphins, and fusing her DNA with her hosts. This also causes tumors to form. Once the Annelid has eaten enough, she bursts out of the chest and attaches to the forehead, killing the host. However, the Annelid takes over cognitive and motor functions, turning the human into a zombie-like Hybrid. The most the remaining human personality can do is babble non-sense phrases, demands for non-infected to join the hive mind, or, tragically, beg to be killed or warn non-infected to run away. The Hybrid eventually mutates into a hulking beast known as a Rumbler, which has the human remains hanging off one of it's shoulders. The rumbler's purpose is to gain bio-matter, in order to feed it's brain, which is developing into a Psi Reaver. Once the Psi Reaver hatches, the rumbler is recycled. Some eggs produce the genetically male, wasp-like Swarm. If these mate with the Annelid attached to a human host, the Hybrids development into a Rumbler is arrested, and the Hybrid is instead converted into a number of genderless Arrachnids.

History
! Under construction!