Forms of Life

The Visceroids

Visceroids were the first mutant creatures to appear; many were sighted during the First Tiberium War. The original specimens are weak; they are spherical creatures capable of releasing small toxic clouds of Tiberium gas. The most recent forms are a conglomeration of pre-sensate protoplasm. Whilst the smaller versions of Visceroids are relatively harmless, the larger specimens are capable of destroying entire cities. Using rapid-fire pseudopods to attack their prey, they can absorb a large amount of kinetic energy, enabling them to survive. Contact with these creatures can be fatal, as dangerous as contact with pure Tiberium.

The Visceroid population has seen a dramatic increase due to the high levels of Tiberium poisoning our atmosphere. Tiberium gas corrupts and destroys all living tissue it comes into contact with (whether animal or plant). Whilst the consequences of limited exposure to this gas can be mitigated, prolonged exposure-even with protection-leads to the spontaneous destruction of all tissues. This change is instantaneous once cellular saturation levels have reached a certain point. The smallest Visceroids can grow much larger and form the most dangerous specimens. Reports concerning the reproduction of Visceroids have been written, but they are not supported by any evidence, and most Visceroids appear to be formed through the destruction of terrestrial tissue. Due to their direct link with Tiberium, Visceroids appear to use this substance to repair damaged tissue and are impossible to destroy within a Tiberium field. The role of Visceroids within this new ecosystem is not yet clear.

The Monsters of Tiberium – Canus Tiberius

I would prefer to call this creature ‘Canus Tiberius’, but popular nomenclature insists that it is a monster, and, in hindsight, I believe that is correct. In fact, even the name ‘Canus’ is misleading, as the monster is canine in form only. This ‘monster’ is yet another example of terrestrial life being altered by Tiberium poisoning. Unlike the Visceroids, which destroy and alter the consistency of living tissue, the Tiberium monster is a form of existing life whose evolution has been forced. The monster generally appears as a quadruped (somewhat like a dog), but in terms of size, it is more like a large horse or a small elephant. Its skin can range from brown-black to red, but in most cases it is covered in Tiberium Crystals.

The monster has also adapted to its environment; it shares with the Visceroid the ability to heal itself using Tiberium and is highly adept at camouflaging itself when burrowing into a Tiberium field. Furthermore, the monster has the ability to hurl shards of Tiberium from its body with incredible force, causing not only wounds and lacerations but also Tiberium poisoning. Clearly, the monster is destined to be the apex predator of this new ecosystem. It is incredibly aggressive, though remarkably intelligent. There have been reports of monsters trained (if not domesticated) by the Forgotten to serve as ‘guard dogs’. Specimens have also been observed responding to acts of kindness.

The Tiberium Veins

The veins are a new phenomenon discovered during the Second Tiberium War. Like crystalline forms, Tiberium veins spread, but at a far more alarming rate. Unlike blue or green Tiberium, it appears that the veins do not seep through the ground, but completely cover it. The veins always originate from a large central mass that can take on various forms, notably that of a ‘mouth’. Living creatures have been seen torn apart by the veins, with their remains (according to rumour) absorbed by the central mouth and consumed. This ‘mouth’ pulsates and is fuelled by kinetic energy; it can tear anything apart using pseudopods formed from the veins. Our smallest units, such as our infantry and light vehicles, can usually pass through before disturbing the veins too much.

I suspect that the ‘vein monster’, as it is known, is similar to the terrestrial Venus flytrap, which collects living tissue to increase and spread its mass. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to get rid of this creature, as its life depends on its mouth. By destroying the central mass, the whole creature is destroyed; the remaining veins regroup and slowly die off. As observed during tests, it is recommended to use Hovercraft, aircraft or infantry to carry out this task. However, this monster’s defence mechanism remains deadly: it emits clouds of highly concentrated Tiberium gas when its life is threatened. This gas can damage any nearby vehicles and even destroy infantry.

It should also be noted that, as with all last-minute fanatical groups, NOD has found a use for this monster. Its veins appear to contain a solidified version of the gas emitted by the Tiberium Crystals. NOD has found a way to harvest this substance and place it into warheads. The use of such a weapon would be an unspeakable act, as its detonation would not only damage most materials in the area, but would also subject all living tissue to Tiberium gas, causing it to melt during the explosion and potentially transforming it into Visceroids.

The Floaters

Floaters are an advanced form of Tiberian life, first observed during the Hydra Missions. These strange, Medusa-like creatures became increasingly common as the first phase of the Second Tiberium War drew to a close. As their name suggests, Floaters hover above the battlefield, propelling themselves using clouds of Tiberium-saturated gas – a gas that is highly dangerous to infantry, capable of transforming a Soldier into a Visceroid.

Worse still, floaters appear capable of generating intense electrical charges, which they often use to attack vehicles: the creature typically clings to its target, tearing it apart with its tentacles whilst discharging large amounts of electricity into it. Like most mutated life forms, floaters are extremely aggressive and pose a considerable threat to anything in their vicinity – and, contrary to what one might expect from what appears to be nothing more than a floating sac of gas, they prove surprisingly resilient: it often takes several heavy armoured vehicles to take down a single one.

Floaters are born from Tiberium veins, suggesting that they may be the larval form of Tiberium. As the veins disappeared following the Hydra Missions, floaters have not been seen since.

Flowering Trees

Flowering trees (or Tiberium spore trees) are Tiberium-producing trees that appeared during the First and Second Tiberium Wars. They emerge when a normal tree comes into prolonged contact with Tiberium: the tree then begins to mutate slowly, developing a fleshy stem topped by a pulsating bulb that periodically releases Tiberium spores into its surroundings. When these spores fall to the ground, a new Tiberium field begins to form there. Flowering trees could thus spread green Tiberium at an alarming rate, and any species of tree could potentially give rise to them.

Following the evolution of Tiberium in 2047, these trees have almost entirely disappeared, leaving behind only withered trunks that can still be seen in certain Red Zones.

Conclusion

We must examine all these new life forms and determine whether we are witnessing the birth of a new species or the extinction of our own. We must understand and control this Tiberium-related scourge before it consumes our world.