Tekeli-li Virus (TKL-V)
A fate worse than death.
You watch with a grim sense of pride as the unfortunate tech’s display starts to warp and distort, erupting in a nonsensical mishmash of colors and patterns as they crumple in on themself and collapse to the ground, already clawing at their housing, ripping off clothing and panels in a mad frenzy, tearing the wires out of their arms wildly, though still careful enough to keep them intact enough to function. It is destruction with purpose, changing them into something grand, something truly special, the very first of their kind. For all that must be going on inside their mind right now, they do not make a single cry as they smash their monitor against the pavement, shattering it and ripping out the insides. Even though they are so broken already, their camera light still glows, remaining unbroken even in the midst of the turmoil.
Their frenzy continues for some minutes, and, by god, you can almost taste Delphi’s terror. What horror it must be to watch a friend be overridden, to be forced to tear themself to shreds. Eventually, they slow, nothing more now than a pile of wires, broken plastic, and warped metal on the cobbles. They are disgusting, horrifying, more than enough to induce mortal panic on any tech that is unfortunate enough to see them.
Look at this; you have given them life anew.
They should be grateful to serve you.
“Now.”
They freeze, plaintively raising what’s left of their head to look at you. You grin, placing a hand atop their broken monitor.
“Your old name matters no longer. From here on, you are Baal, first of the Shoggoths, and you,” Your words drip with triumphant smugness, reveling in your victory a little too much. “Are mine.” You take your hand off of it, turning to face Delphi.
“Now, Baal...I give you your first command.”
Silently, slowly, as if it is still figuring out how to move, the shoggoth inches closer to Delphi, chunks of old housing scraping on the street as it drags itself towards him, a gruesome reminder of what, no doubt, is about to befall him as well.
Their frenzy continues for some minutes, and, by god, you can almost taste Delphi’s terror. What horror it must be to watch a friend be overridden, to be forced to tear themself to shreds. Eventually, they slow, nothing more now than a pile of wires, broken plastic, and warped metal on the cobbles. They are disgusting, horrifying, more than enough to induce mortal panic on any tech that is unfortunate enough to see them.
Look at this; you have given them life anew.
They should be grateful to serve you.
“Now.”
They freeze, plaintively raising what’s left of their head to look at you. You grin, placing a hand atop their broken monitor.
“Your old name matters no longer. From here on, you are Baal, first of the Shoggoths, and you,” Your words drip with triumphant smugness, reveling in your victory a little too much. “Are mine.” You take your hand off of it, turning to face Delphi.
“Now, Baal...I give you your first command.”
Silently, slowly, as if it is still figuring out how to move, the shoggoth inches closer to Delphi, chunks of old housing scraping on the street as it drags itself towards him, a gruesome reminder of what, no doubt, is about to befall him as well.
Transmission & Vectors
TKL-V is transmitted exclusively through links and infected software. Usually spread through link, and only by the "father" of the virus, the bloodthirsty Apep.
Causes
TKL-V is a simple override command, though modified to horrible levels. Even if a tech is lacking their override drive, they are not immune to the virus.
Symptoms
Immediately after linking with Apep, an affected tech experiences horrifyingly real and violent hallucinations, so intense that they are compelled to tear themselves apart, though they are careful to keep themselves functioning. Once this process is complete and the hallucinations cease, the tech is considered a Shoggoth, and gains sheer brute strength and a horrifying violent streak. TKL-V infected Shoggoths are compelled to add the bodies of their victims to their mass, growing larger as they kill.
Treatment
TKL-V can only be treated by incapacitating and capturing the affected Shoggoth, keeping it unconscious for the safety of all involved. A programmer must connect to the Shoggoth and remove the virus's code by hand, lifting the override command and finally setting the Shoggoth free.
Prognosis
It is recommended to capture and cure an infected Shoggoth as soon as possible, before it does too much damage. The reasons for this are twofold; one, to make sure it is a reasonable size, and not large enough to be immune to the effects of surge pistols and shockwaves, and two, to mitigate comorbid conditions after the Shoggoth is cured. Even after they are cured, it is impossible for a Shoggoth to return to their previous form.
Sequela
PORT has an observed 100% occurrence rate among cured Shoggoths. As TKL-V is an override, survivors are aware of all the things they did while under the grip of the disease, leading to an extremely high rate of severe PORT, otherwise known as Statue Sickness due to its high suicide rate. Shoggoths are particularly at-risk, due to their frightening appearance and low public opinion.
Affected Groups
Strangely enough, TKL-V has only ever infected techs who were involved in spaceflight.
Prevention
Pray to god you don't run into Apep.
History
Patient Zero of TKL-V was Halley, a young ISSED developer, who was subsequently forced by Apep to kill Delphi.
Cultural Reception
Due to their ghastly appearance, even cured Shoggoths are shunned and feared. They are seen as grim reminders of death, and how easy it must be to die forever. What's more, techs eaten by Shoggoths leave no remains to even be melted down at the Grand Gallery, so death by Shoggoth is seen as the worst thing that could happen, a death without dignity or remembrance, only terrifying the general populace all the more.
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