Wraith pathogen

From SGCommand

"It's a biopolymer, similar to a polysaccharide but with organo-metallic compounds mixed in."

—Carson Beckett

The Wraith pathogen was an element of Wraith biotechnology.

[edit] Overview

The pathogen was an element of Wraith biotechnology which, when infecting a host, began to grow after some time. The body begins to manifest tendrils that consume it while the brain becomes confused as a portion of the host's mind is used to house the creature's nervous system. This contnues until the host's mind is overwhelmed by the organism which seeks to protect itself and become what it was designed to be. It was capable of reasoning and used its tendrils to defend itself while it sought to expand through its location.

The organism grew constantly and doubled its mass every hour or so which took the form of dark tendrils that were capable of penetrating walls and attaching to power conduits. This energy was used to help further the creature's growth to maturity. It's body consisted of a bio-polymer with metallic traces present in its form. This was the equivalent of a beetle that had a soft body at first while it grew a harder shell to encompass the body. The organic elements were resistant to energy, heat and even radiation.

It was speculated that the creature was growing into a hive-ship. The developing pathogen stated that it has no name and it's designation would be given to it after it reached maturity.

It's unclear whether the pathogen was natural part of Wraith technology or something Michael had created.

[edit] History

The pathogen was released at Michael Kenmore's hidden base that the Atlantis Expedition encountered when they attempted to free their team mate Teyla Emmagan. The members of the rescue team were infected by a pathogen that was not contagious but remained inert for sometime after the intial exposure.

It manifested itself first in Doctor Jennifer Keller who woke up at her workstation with her right hand covered in a translucent sticky substance. Several days later when she went to sleep, she remained a state that resembled a coma while her body was being engulfed by organic tendrils. The organic tendrils began to spread and infiltrated numerous positions in Atlantis while beginning to siphon of power from the generators in order to spread its growth.

When Dr Keller awoke, she was confused on her condition as her body except her faced was now covered with the organic tendrils that cocooned her body to her bed in the isolation room which itself was being covered by the Wraith biotechnolgy. Eventually, it spread to numerous positions with the tendrils attacking threats to their being. Keller's personality was being consumed by the biotechnology which stated that it simply wished to become what it was designed for namely that it was growing into a Wraith vessel.

Doctor Carson Beckett managed to develop a phage that was capable of destroying the pathogen but it needed to be delivered to the host body namely Dr Keller herself if it was to be successful in destroying the organism. Colonel John Sheppard was successful in reaching the chamber and delivering the cure after which the organism died. After which, treatments were given to other expedition members that were infected by the pathogen. (ATL: "The Seed")