Editing Flood Super Cell

{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:Flood Super Cell.jpg|thumb|The Flood super cell in a study.]]
The '''LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell''', often referred to using the acronym '''FSC''', is an undifferentiated cell type that serves as the basis of all [[Flood]] biomass.{{Ref/Game|Id=BestiarumFlood1|H3|Edition=[[Halo 3 Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] and [[Halo_3_Legendary_Edition|Legendary Edition]]|Bestiarum|Quote=Flood biomass is composed of an undifferentiated cell type that has been labeled [marker[?]]>LF.Xx.3273_Flood_Super_Cell. The Flood Super Cell (FSC) can be loosely described as [thinking muscle[?]], and it closely resembles neurons or glial cells in structure. It has been verified on multiple occasions that the Flood have the ability to arrange these FSCs to mimic any organ they might need.}}

==Biology==
[[File:Flood Cell Division.jpg|thumb|left|Flood Super Cells performing [[Wikipedia:Cell division|Cell division]] inside of a host.]]
The Flood Super Cell is often described as ''"thinking muscle"'', and closely resembles both neurons and glial cells in terms of its physical structure. The Flood have demonstrated on numerous occasions that they have the ability to arrange these cells to mimic any organ that may be needed.{{Ref/Reuse|BestiarumFlood1}} In addition to this ability, the Flood Super Cell has a wide repertoire of additional abilities, which culminates in the creation of a [[Gravemind]] and a fully-developed [[Flood hive]].{{Ref/Site|Id=HWUCS|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/flood|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe|Page=Flood|Detail=Coordinated Stage|Quote=The first indicator of the coordinated stage is found in the atmosphere, as the FSC propagates spores and creates a hive-like carapace holding a warm, humid environment at its center. [...] While environmental conformity is one goal as the Flood speeds toward the coordinated stage, it is not the central focus. The formation of a Gravemind, a centralized intelligence or “Compound Mind,” is necessary in order to continue growth.|D=26|M=10|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/flood.html}} In these latter stages of an outbreak, the Flood is able to spontaneously generate the FSC in its effort to alter the environment into a more suitable one for its growth.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWUFCS|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/flood|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe|Page=Flood|Detail=Flood Super Cell|Quote=In the latter stages of Food development, the FSC can also be spontaneously generated as the Flood attempts to transform the environment into one more conducive to the growth of the parasite.|D=26|M=10|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/flood.html}}

An important capability essential to the Flood's survival is its ability to convert other life forms into more Flood cells, which can be used in a wide variety of ways. The Flood Super Cells capture and interface with the host's cells, which are quickly metabolized, broken down, analyzed, and reassembled into more Flood Cells that mirror the function of the target's cells.{{Ref/Book|Id=AOH3|AoH3|Page=26|Quote=Because the Flood uses its victims for foot soldiers, the trick was to keep them recognizable enough while changing their silhouette enough. The Pure Forms removed that limitation—the only fictional constraint that we had to keep in mind was that the Flood alters the DNA of its victims in the same manner that we alter the DNA of cows or bean sprouts. By digesting them.}} This process is rapid and continuous, with the end result being that the host's biomass is largely overtaken by the newly-generated Flood biomass.{{Ref/Book|Id=AOH|AoH|Page=48|Quote=The Infection Form, which swarms over a victim and consumes its host, replacing the host's biomass with the Flood's super-cell biomass. The host is rapidly transformed into a Combat Form. The host's brain is chemically blocked from all but autonomic systems—keeping the body alive as it is devoured/converted.}}

When first inserted into a victim, primarily by the [[Pod infector|infection form]], the Flood cells are in an encapsulated [[Flood spore|"spore"]] state before they become active in the victim.{{Ref/Level|Id=Library|HCE|The Library|Quote=You can see how the body has been transformed by the genetic restructuring of the Flood infection. The small creatures carry spores that cause a host to mutate. The mutated host then produces spores that can pass the Flood to others. It is insidious and elegant. As long as any hosts remain, the Flood is…virulent.|Quotee=343 Guilty Spark}}

==Trivia==
*The Flood Super Cell shows remarkable similarities to the alien life form in the 1982 film ''[[wikipedia:The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]''. The cells of this alien being interface with and analyze the cells of its victim, and simultaneously consume them, shaping the resulting biomass to be a perfect replica of the victim. Similar to the Flood, the alien can reconstruct the matter of the victim in any way it chooses, and is not something that can be cured, like a disease.
*The Flood Super Cell's ability to consume and facilitate the use of an organism as an environment for its own prosperity closely parallels the abilities of real world microorganisms, specifically those of the [[wikipedia:agrobacterium|Agrobacterium]] genus. This genus of bacteria utilizes [[wikipedia:Horizontal gene transfer|horizontal gene transfer]], to insert harmful DNA into target plants, generating tumors that create an environment in which the bacteria can thrive.

==List of appearances==
*''[[Iris]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 3|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]'' {{mo}}
**[[Awakening the Nightmare| Awakening the Nightmare DLC]]
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
**''[[Season 04: Infection]]'' {{Mo}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Flood}}
[[Category:Flood]]
<!-- Other mentions from the Bestiarum
{{Ref/Game|Id=BestiarumFlood2|H3|Edition=[[Halo 3 Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] and [[Halo_3_Legendary_Edition|Legendary Edition]]|Bestiarum|Quote=The pure form does not become available until a coordinated group has secured sufficient reserves of calcium from host life forms. The Flood uses those calcium resources to construct an [adaptable] framework upon which the FSC is attached, creating a [fearsome engine].}}
{{Ref/Game|Id=BestiarumGravemind|H3|Edition=[[Halo 3 Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] and [[Halo_3_Legendary_Edition|Legendary Edition]]|Bestiarum|Quote=A Gravemind—like the proto-gravemind that gave rise to it—is the fusion of pure Flood Super Cells and the evolved complex neurosystem of one or more sentient entities.}}
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