Bloom Node

This animal (tentatively Cecidia ctenophora) is a symbiote with — or parasite upon — the titan rockbore below. It is in a paradoxical state of distress and vigorous activity.

1. Comb structure The comb structure, similar to baleen, filters nutrients from fast-moving water currents. No such current is present. The comb has collapsed.

2. Body bulb The bloom node is fastened to an orifice in the titan rockbore below. This may have been the water source the node fed upon.

3. Viral bloom feeding The bloom node receives large RNA virions (generated name "Proteavirus beta") from the titan rockbore below, then distributes them to nearby bloom cankers. The cankers return killed organisms, which the node digests and secretes into the rockbore for transport elsewhere.

4. Apparent distress Biofilm infestation has resulted in stress and rapid aging. Blood flow is diverted from the comb structure to the digestive organs. The bloom node's normal life path has been redirected to produce virus and collect nutrients for another organism.

Assessment: bizarre and disturbing. Clearly part of a larger viral ecosystem. Destroying nearby viral cankers may reduce the flow of nutrients, slowing viral reproduction and allowing the bloom node to clear the virus.