M2-Based Life-Forms

Since the first humans were corrupted into Machina, the M2 Nanomachines have created unique types of life that share the biomechanical biology/technology of the Machina, yet are not based on a pre-existing organic creature.

Currently, there are two major types of life-forms based on M2 Nanomachines. These are Hives and Larvae.

Hives

M2 Nanomachines generally need to be within a creature such as a Machina in order to survive. Without such a creature, they do not have the means of reproducing and their ability to produce energy is limited. If M2 Nanomachines are spilled into a technological environment like a ship or installation, they will utilize the surrounding metals and technology to begin constructing a Hive. The Hive will start out as a small tumour containing a circulatory system, some sensory systems, and small organs to make M2 Nanomachines. Because the Hive cannot form a Core of its own, it will siphon power from the surrounding systems. This low power availability causes M2 Nanomachine production to be limited, so the first priority of the Hive is to create a Larva within itself which can bond to it and increase the amount of power available to it, as well as acting as a processor for the Hive's systems. The Hive will produce additional Larvae as fast as it can; some of them will help expand the Hive, while others may seek out humans in the vicinity to corrupt into Machina, depending on circumstances. Both bonded Larvae and new Machina will help add to the Hive and help it grow. Hives will eventually grow large enough that Machina may enter it. By this time, the organs that once incubated Larvae will become womb-like pods that a Machina may enter for repairs, called a Regeneration Pod. Humans may also be placed in these to speed up their corruption. By this time, the Hive has likely integrated many systems into itself so that it can perform functions that are beneficial to the Machina that reside in it and protect it. A Larva will typically control one of the Hive's systems by acting as its processor. These can be utility systems like the aforementioned Regeneration Pods, or they may be defensive systems such as M2 Nanomachine Fog generators or defensive weaponry. Eventually, a Hive will overtake the entirety of the ship or installation it began in. When this occurs, the Hive will attempt to develop into something that can further assist in the spread of the Machina. In the context of a Hive that began in a ship, this simply means corrupting and upgrading the entire ship into a Machina vessel. For a land-based installation, the Hive will attempt to use gathered minerals and Machinium from Machina fluids to create new Machina ships within itself to be released from their drydock-wombs and take the Machina elsewhere. It is possible that the Hive continues to spread to nearby buildings if it is fortunate enough to start in an environment such as a city. Such Hives will soon become massive fortresses filled with countless production systems and bristling with defensive armaments. These city-sized Hives become the capitals of only the strongest Queens.

Larvae

Larvae