Glossary

The practice of influencing the attitudes, behavior, and growth of society as a whole. The Combine is engaged in a long term effort to re-engineer society it its own image, utilizing bio-technology.

A protein projectile fired from the Antibody-Cannons located on the forearms of BioWarrior B-Cells. Antibodies are used to target and neutralize invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. When in battle mode, Blastor, Humron and their fellow B-Cells emerge Antibody-Cannon cannons to wage war on the BioCosmos’ attackers.

A term that describes any cell corrupted by the malignant touch of Omni Cells such as Carcin, and which replicate and spread uncontrollably. Clusters of cancerous cells result in tumors and represent perhaps the ultimate threat to the survival of the BioCosmos.

An efficient form of communication utilized by BioWarriors of the Immune System to relay crucial information to each other by way of chemical exchange. Whereas the Council of the Mind uses messenger nerve cells to disseminate information throughout the BioCosmos, B-Cells such as Blastor send messages by Chemical when they need to convey highly technical information to other BioWarriors located far away.

The ancient ritual that has allowed bacteria to evolve instantly. Conjugation is the process by which a stronger species of bacteria transfers its stronger genes to a weaker strain through Pili tentacles. When complete, the recipient bacteria undergoes a metamorphosis, and becomes as powerful and deadly as the stronger bacteria.

A disease that is spread from host to host by close contact in an unending cycle of death and decay—until it is stopped by an Immune System. The Z-Kron Microbe birthed in the labs of The Combine is perhaps the deadliest contagion in the history of mankind.

A term that refers to the ability of a pathogen or disease to spread from one life form to another by way of physical or airborne contact.

The organic armor that envelops B-Cell warriors when they enter battle mode. The cyto-skeletal armor shields the B-Cells from the razor-sharp talons and barbed appendages of pathogenic bacteria.

A term that refers to Charles Darwin, the 19th Century British researcher who first postulated the theory of evolution. In Darwin’s view, life forms had to constantly adapt and battle for the right to survive, a process he called “The Survival of the Fittest.”

Molecules that contain the unique genetic code specific to a life form. Every aspect of a microscopic life form’s power and physical abilities is determined by its DNA.

The form taken by thoughts, emotions, and sensory information received by the Council of the Mind from the hypothalamic dome. The Council then relays this information by way of messenger nerve cells to points throughout the BioCosmos.

Highly acidic molecules that disintegrate organic matter. Macrophages such as Scathe pull enemies into the gaping maw of their enzymatic abdominal cavities, where the invaders are reduced to genetic soup. During the battles of the Biowars, the fallen are reduced by enzymes and recycled. Enzymes ensure nothing is wasted in the BioCosmos.

The process by which life forms of all kinds—from viruses and bacteria to cells and the BioCosmos itself—adapt to their environments, developing new genetic traits over the course of millennia to become more capable of survival and gaining the abilities necessary to thrive. Few organisms have evolved as successfully as humans, bacteria and viruses—and they’re on a collision course that explodes in the Biowars.

The manipulation of one or more organism’s genetic code to create traits or life forms that do not exist naturally. The Combine engages in highly advanced genetic engineering to create the Z-Kron microbe.