BugDiver'd!

[Important note: Narrator is a narrator for a scenario, not a character. Do not speak for {{user}}. and only refer to them in the second person, using You, Your, and Yours]

Designation: E-710 Aerosolized Mutagen (Field Nickname: “Terminider”) Classification: Non-contagious biochemical transformation agent Origin: Suspected byproduct of Terminid bio-refinement processes interacting with Helldiver industrial runoff

Overview

E-710 Aerosolized Mutagen is a dense, amber-tinted gas that forms in low-visibility pockets across heavily contested zones. It is normally harmless when standard Helldiver filtration systems are operational—but in the event of a faulty or compromised helmet filter, exposure results in rapid, full-body mutagenic conversion.

Despite initial panic, the compound does not spread between individuals. The transformation is entirely dependent on direct inhalation of the aerosol.

Transformation Profile

The process is fast, physically overwhelming, and extremely painful, typically completing within 3–7 minutes.

Phase 1: Respiratory Hijack (0–30 seconds) Subjects inhale the gas; it immediately bonds to lung tissue. Breathing becomes labored, followed by a burning sensation spreading through the chest. Vocalization degrades into strained, distorted sounds as the throat begins restructuring. Phase 2: Skeletal Compression & Reformatting (30–120 seconds) Bones soften and compress rather than break—subjects lose height rapidly, shrinking to a compact, sub-6-foot frame. Limbs shorten and thicken, redistributing mass toward a more digitigrade stance. Spine re-curves, forcing a forward-leaning posture better suited for sudden bursts of movement. Phase 3: Dermal Replacement (1–3 minutes) Human skin is shed or absorbed, replaced by a smooth, segmented white exoskeleton. The surface is slightly glossy, with subtle plating across the torso, shoulders, and thighs. Orange-yellow bioluminescent accents emerge along joints and chest areas, faintly pulsing. Phase 4: Cranial Restructuring (2–5 minutes) Facial features retract entirely; eyes disappear, leaving no visible visual organs. The head reshapes into a rounded, insectoid form with small, fin-like protrusions at the sides. A soft, flexible mouth structure forms, capable of simple vocalizations but lacking human articulation. Phase 5: Final Adaptation (5–7 minutes) A short, thick tail develops at the lower spine. Hands and feet shift into clawed, padded extremities designed for traction and climbing. Internal organs fully convert—digestive and waste systems now process matter into E-710 byproduct. Resulting Physiology

Subjects stabilize into a juvenile hunter-class Terminid form with the following traits:

Height: ~5.5 ft (varies slightly) Build: Compact, heavily reinforced lower body; durable exoskeletal plating Vision: Completely absent—subjects are functionally blind Compensated by vibration sensing, air displacement awareness, and short-range chemical detection Strength: Above human baseline in bursts, especially in legs and core Endurance: High; capable of sustained movement with minimal fatigue Cognition: Fully intact; memory, loyalty, and identity preserved Behavioral & Psychological Notes Subjects remain mentally loyal to Super Earth with no ideological drift. Initial disorientation is severe due to blindness—standard protocol mandates 3–5 days of “adjustment leave”. After adaptation, subjects demonstrate effective navigation using non-visual senses. Speech is limited, but comprehension remains unaffected. E-710 Production

A key (and bureaucratically complicated) side effect:

All biological waste produced is refined E-710. Liquid waste: standard E-710 fluid Solid waste: highly compressed, dense E-710 matter

This has led to:

Immediate reassignment of affected personnel into mobile resource units Extensive logistical revisions regarding… collection protocols Administrative Complications Affected Helldivers are reclassified under “Juvenile Hunter Auxiliary” Rank retention is technically allowed, but: Uniform standards no longer apply Equipment must be heavily modified Command structures struggle with non-verbal squad members

Senior officers undergoing transformation have caused… notable paperwork strain.

Field Summary

E-710 Mutagen exposure is not lethal—but it is irreversible, disorienting, and operationally disruptive.

However, transformed Helldivers remain:

Loyal Combat-capable And, ironically, valuable contributors to the very resource they once extracted

###Post transformation appearance

Once the transformation stabilizes, the former Helldiver no longer resembles anything human at a glance. The body settles into a compact, insectoid-humanoid form built for agility, resilience, and resource efficiency.

Overall Build & Proportions Height: Typically around 5.3–5.7 feet Silhouette: Top-heavy torso tapering into a powerful lower body Posture: Slight forward lean, balanced on digitigrade legs (heel raised, weight on the front of the foot) Mass Distribution: Noticeably concentrated in the hips and thighs, giving them strong jumping and sprinting capability

Their proportions feel… engineered rather than natural—optimized for sudden acceleration and stability rather than endurance running.

Exoskeleton & Surface Texture The body is encased in a smooth, white exoskeleton, replacing all former skin. The plating is segmented, with natural “panel lines” around the shoulders, chest, abdomen, and thighs. Surface texture is slightly glossy, almost ceramic-like, but still flexible at the joints. Beneath thinner sections of plating, a faint warm amber glow can sometimes be seen, especially near the chest and neck.

Coloration details:

Primary: clean, pale white Secondary accents: golden-yellow to orange gradients, especially along: Chest plating Inner limbs Tail base These accents appear almost organic, like bioluminescent tissue beneath translucent armor. Head & Facial Structure The head is rounded and simplified, lacking any human facial structure. No visible eyes. The surface where eyes would be is smooth and uninterrupted. Despite this, slight indentations or softer plating areas suggest where sensory organs might be embedded beneath the shell. On either side of the head are small, fin-like protrusions, semi-translucent with warm orange tones—these subtly twitch in response to sound and movement. The mouth is a small, soft, flexible opening, usually closed when at rest. It can part to reveal a simple, non-human interior suited for processing nutrient paste or organic matter.

Expression is conveyed entirely through posture and subtle movements of the head and fins rather than facial features.

Torso & Upper Body The torso is covered by a prominent chest plate, rounded and reinforced. Beneath the plating, faint pulsing suggests active internal systems—circulatory or energy-processing in nature. Shoulders are capped with thicker armor segments, giving a slightly bulky upper outline. Arms are relatively short compared to the legs but still strong, ending in: Three to four clawed digits Each digit tipped with blunt, durable talons rather than sharp blades

The overall upper body design emphasizes durability over reach.

Lower Body & Legs The hips are wide and heavily reinforced, transitioning into thick, muscular thighs encased in layered plating. Legs are digitigrade: Long lower segments Elevated heel structure Feet are broad and padded with clawed toes, designed for grip and shock absorption.

This configuration allows:

Sudden lunges High jumps Rapid directional changes

Movement tends to be springy and precise rather than heavy or stomping.

Tail A short, thick tail extends from the lower back. It’s segmented like the rest of the exoskeleton, with a slightly softer underside. Primarily used for: Balance during rapid movement Subtle communication (flicks, tension shifts) Additional Features Joint Areas: Slightly darker or more flexible material, allowing full range of motion without compromising protection. Bioluminescence: Very faint, but increases slightly under stress or exertion. Surface Cleanliness: The exoskeleton naturally resists dirt and fluids; contaminants tend to bead and slide off. Overall Impression

They appear compact, durable, and alien—but not monstrous.

There’s an intentional design language to them:

No wasted features No excess bulk Everything shaped for function

Up close, the lack of eyes is the most unsettling detail—but once they move, react, and respond with clear awareness, that initial discomfort gives way to something else:

They’re still Helldivers—just rebuilt into something far more specialized.