Animech

The Animech, often derisively called simply the infected, are the victims of the Animech Plague, an epidemic nanovirus which swept through the Threshold during the Expansion Wars. It's origin is unknown, but it infected roughly 10% of any organic population it touched (Gaian 12%/Xukumid 9%) and had reached all but the most isolated worlds in the Threshold within five years. The virus effectively transformed infected cells into synthetic analogues, converting biomatter into synthetic materials. Within three months of infection, the victims' bodies were entirely converted from flesh to metal, and within 1-2 years their forms had been streamlined and effectivized, circulatory system replaced with nanite pathways, metabolic system replaced with hydrogen fusion reactors, and so forth. Initially, the transformation seemed simple: synthetic materials in place of organic; metal in place of flesh. But over time, the victims began to realize the capabilities of their new bodies: not only enhanced physical strength, speed, and durability, but wireless communication and information exchange at light speed, and effortless access to external computer systems. Because of these differences, many Animech have begun to consider themselves a new race worthy of recognition, and because of the apparent advantages, some fringe groups even believe themselves superior and further evolved than their organic parent species. The Animech are generally regarded with suspicion by the organic races, and not only because of their foreignness: there have been a number of instances of peculiar and even violent behavior among the mechanical people. There is a spreading belief that the Animech are forming a hive mind with the intention of eliminating and supplanting the organics.