Cybergoo

Transmission & Vectors

Cybergoo is, in fact, somewhat transmissible, though many people don’t realise this. If dead nanites from an infected component come into physical contact with an uninfected one, the latter has a much higher risk of developing the problem itself. Because people don’t realise this, this happens alarmingly often.

Causes

Cybergoo is caused by a bug in the neural nanites of a cybernetic component. They become hostile to all organic material, instead of just the cells they are designed to replace, and start attacking the body of the component’s owner until they break down and self-destruct. In this way, it is similar to a lot of autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms

Cybergoo is characterised by cybernetic components leaking a strange grey goo - made of deactivated nanites - as well as rashes and aches in the area connected to the component in question. Later stages of the condition also involve low blood pressure, loss of control over the component, and damage to surrounding muscles and organs.

Treatment

Thankfully, further spread of cybergoo is easily prevented, since it just involves the removal of the affected component. However, the component cannot be replaced for 2-3 weeks afterwards without the new component also developing the condition, meaning that those with major organs affected are often unable to be saved.

Prognosis

In most cases, Cybergoo isn’t all that serious, just causing a small amount of damage to the area around the cybernetic component before being dealt with. However, if allowed to progress for too long, the victim may lose large amounts of blood, or if an internal component is affected, then have another vital organ damaged.

Affected Groups

Obviously, cybergoo requires cybernetics to have any effect. As such, those without cybernetic components are entirely unaffected. As well as this, older cybernetics are more prone to the condition, as well as cheaper ones with weaker nanite security features. This means that people unable to afford newer cybernetics tend to be more affected.

Type

Nanite / Mechanical

Origin

Engineered

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Uncommon