Chiral Heterophage

A lifeform originating on a rogue planet just coreward of Aslan Hierate space, the Chiral Heterophage is a self-regenerating and self-reproducing complex alien lifeform characterized by its ability to utilize dead organic matter to reproduce and develop, and incorporate inorganic matter into its exoskeleton. It is also characterized by the square-spiral patterns its cells leave on surfaces with which they interact, superficially resembling those of a bismuth crystal. It was the cause of the deaths of several of the former crew of the Annic Nova before nearly dealing the crew of the Calamity the same fate, infecting the surface of Gaius Livius's torso. Kyras Ler worked out the nature and weaknesses of the organism, resulting in the destruction of its various incarnations through the use of alpha and gamma particles, as well as Gaius Livius's flamethrowers and shipborne weapons. Abernathy and Newton Peabody developed the gamma ray weapons and ultimate solvent solution that resulted in the neutralization and isolation of the Heterophage.