Two days earlier

Crow held a thin mask of Elysium over her face, careful to breathe in as little as possible, lest she become like one of the addicted. She accidentally let a huge breath in and a sigh of relief out. A little couldn't hurt... right?

Either way, she needed to be here, in this disease-ridden hospital with the parasites crawling around outside of her locked office and the medical documents spread out over the desk. Half of a parasite pinned to the table by a metal spike tried it's best to push itself up off of the top of the metal. It used its squid-like tentacles to push its body up the rod, only to come up short and flop back down to the table where it squirmed a bit before trying again. Crow looked at the corresponding image in her research.

DOCUMENT (1)
THE BARBED

This version of the parasite sports barbs along it's appendages. When it latches into the skin it becomes harder to remove. Much like a hook or a tracking arrow it is incapable of being pulled on without massive amounts of blood loss.

The squid variation is much more dangerous than its cone type due in part to the larger appendages. These limbs allow the squid the ability to climb and burrow. The most dangerous aspect of this creature is that it has the intelligence of a bird catching spider. It will go out of its way to set traps and patiently wait for victims. Only the Brain Welder and possibly the Antenna possess this greater intelligence, thank the spirits.

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DOCUMENT (2)
NORMAL VARIANTS
The most common type of parasite is one without mutations. Two types of common variants exist; the cone and the squid. Some think that the habitat plays a huge role in which type presents itself, but given the tendency for parasites to migrate with their host it is difficult to determine. Both cones and squids can have any other type of variation and it is a very real possibility that other mutations may occur in the future.
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She flipped the bloodstained pages over to the other side of the folder. Her shaking fingers steadied with another deep breath of Elysium. Better than breathing in the air.

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DOCUMENT (3)
THE BLISTER

This variation causes lesions on the skin of its host. These abrasions resemble radiation rash and are known to spew dangerous clouds of puss. While the habitat of other types is speculative these are known to exist primarily in heavily irradiated areas of the wastelands. Oddly, these most resemble actual squids, as their radiation blisters act like suction cups to most surfaces, especially skin.

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DOCUMENT (4)
ANTENNA

The appendages of this variation are black and rubbery. They spread out in moving patterns that resemble veins or streaks of lightning. After incubating in the host for 3-6 months the resulting undead will be what is known as a Radio-head. The parasite's appendages will grow out of the host's head, shoulders and chest. They hover as if floating in water until radio waves from other Antenna or outside stimuli are picked up. At this point the appendages will become ridged and point towards the noise. The incubation process is thought to be sped up by proximity to radio waves, back before such things were outlawed. Technological means of communication are best left forgotten as the Radio-heads will inevitably hear our conversations. The intellect of this type of zombie remains unknown as they communicate in an ever-changing conglomeration of the languages we taught them. Most think this is only absent-minded mimicry, but others believe it to be the code of a hive mind.

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So far nothing Crow read was new information. Nothing she read hinted at the anomaly she was breathing. The wonderful, mind-altering essence changing her hair as she breathed. Giving more numbness to her bones and blurring reality around her. No, no! It was not good for her. The drug was not her friend, she had to get out of here before it was too late. Maybe it was already too late. Maybe reading some more would help...

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(The Brain Welder can look like any other parasite in appearance)

DOCUMENT(5)
BRAIN WELDER

The Brain Welder sinks into skin as if it were water. Once the Brain Welder has entered the skull it is impossible to remove. If it enters elsewhere the area must be amputated immediately.

The physical intrusiveness is only the beginning. Once inside the Welder will open up until it becomes flat and covers the brain carefully like a swimming cap on the inside. This is done with the intent of keeping the brain intact along with the entirety of the hosts memories and thoughts. The resulting undead are without a doubt the most formidable and deceptive zombie. They could walk among us at this very moment waiting to get us alone, rising through the caste system, fleeing the host body to transfer to another. Be sure to check your spouse for signs of humanity and personality every night. A lack of compassion is the only symptom. Remember to care for each other.

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"Pfft, look where that got you." The half of a squid on the table made it all of the way off of the metal spike. Crow's pulse didn't rise a single beat as she pushed it back down with her bare hand. "Compassion is weak."