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745 bytes removed ,  11 years ago
I don't like these background sections. The introductions are for this sort of thing.
(→‎History: Silentium implies that some escaped and a handful were spared.)
(I don't like these background sections. The introductions are for this sort of thing.)
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The '''Flood''', designated as [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273]] by the [[Forerunner]]s ([[Latin]] '''''Inferi redivivus'''''<ref name="bestiarum">''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> meaning "the dead reincarnated"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865888 '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': Updated and abbreviated list, errors amended]</ref>) and referred to as '''the Parasite'''<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Heretic]]'': Thel 'Vadamee: ''"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked-"''</ref> by the [[Covenant]], is a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that reproduce and grow by consuming sentient life forms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. The Flood was responsible for consuming most sentient life in the galaxy, including many [[Forerunner]]s, during the 300-year-long [[Forerunner-Flood war]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'': First cutscene, referenced by [[343 Guilty Spark]]</ref>  
The '''Flood''', designated as [[LF.Xx.3273 Flood Super Cell|LF.Xx.3273]] by the [[Forerunner]]s ([[Latin]] '''''Inferi redivivus'''''<ref name="bestiarum">''[[Bestiarum]]''</ref> meaning "the dead reincarnated"<ref>[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=865888 '''Halo.Bungie.Org''': Updated and abbreviated list, errors amended]</ref>) and referred to as '''the Parasite'''<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Heretic]]'': Thel 'Vadamee: ''"Noble Hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked-"''</ref> by the [[Covenant]], is a species of highly virulent parasitic organisms that reproduce and grow by consuming sentient life forms of sufficient biomass and cognitive capability. The Flood was responsible for consuming most sentient life in the galaxy, including many [[Forerunner]]s, during the 300-year-long [[Forerunner-Flood war]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'': First cutscene, referenced by [[343 Guilty Spark]]</ref>  


The Flood presents a highly variable and unconventional threat in combat, as it can infect and mutate dead or captured opponents into a myriad of deadly forms, effectively growing stronger as it weakens enemy forces. They are widely considered to be the greatest threat to the existence of life (or, more accurately, biodiversity) in the [[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]]. 
Originating from the [[Path Kethona|Large Magellanic Cloud]],<ref name="sil35">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 35''</ref> the species reproduces and spreads by infecting other organisms, hijacking their bodies and nervous systems in order to transform them into one of many specialized Flood forms. Through infecting sentient life-forms, the Flood assimilates their memories and intelligence, and the species becomes collectively more intelligent as a result. Because of their frighteningly rapid growth rate, as long as enough hosts of sufficient biomass and intelligence are available, the Flood is effectively unstoppable.  
 
==Background==
Originating from the [[Path Kethona|Large Magellanic Cloud]],<ref name="sil35">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 35''</ref> the Flood is an extremely adaptable, prolific and dangerous parasitic life form. The species reproduces and spreads by infecting other organisms, hijacking their bodies and nervous systems in order to transform them into one of many specialized Flood forms. Through infecting sentient life-forms, the Flood assimilates their memories and intelligence, and the species becomes collectively more intelligent as a result. Because of their frighteningly rapid growth rate, as long as enough hosts of sufficient biomass and intelligence are available, the Flood is effectively unstoppable.  


All Flood forms share a single consciousness, which becomes progressively more intelligent and sophisticated with every sentient host that is assimilated. When enough hosts have been infected, the Flood consciousness becomes a [[Gravemind]] - a self-aware, highly intelligent entity that strategically commands all Flood forms in an outbreak.  In the absence of a [[Gravemind]], the Flood possesses only basic coordination; they are incapable of forming complex strategies, and focus solely on attacking and infecting nearby sentient organisms. This stage of a Flood outbreak is known as the [[Feral Stage]]. At this stage, the Flood seek to create an assembly of biomass, calcium, and nervous system reserves, which leads to the creation of a Flood hive and the beginnings of a [[Proto-Gravemind]]. The nature of the Flood's collective consciousness can be likened to a sort of socialist utopia, due to the fact that the Flood act as a unified entity, with no individuality that would be present in other, more traditional species.<ref name="bestiarum"/> Each component of the Flood meta-organism works tirelessly for the advancement of their species.
All Flood forms share a single consciousness, which becomes progressively more intelligent and sophisticated with every sentient host that is assimilated. When enough hosts have been infected, the Flood consciousness becomes a [[Gravemind]] - a self-aware, highly intelligent entity that strategically commands all Flood forms in an outbreak.  In the absence of a [[Gravemind]], the Flood possesses only basic coordination; they are incapable of forming complex strategies, and focus solely on attacking and infecting nearby sentient organisms. This stage of a Flood outbreak is known as the [[Feral Stage]]. At this stage, the Flood seek to create an assembly of biomass, calcium, and nervous system reserves, which leads to the creation of a Flood hive and the beginnings of a [[Proto-Gravemind]]. The nature of the Flood's collective consciousness can be likened to a sort of socialist utopia, due to the fact that the Flood act as a unified entity, with no individuality that would be present in other, more traditional species.<ref name="bestiarum"/> Each component of the Flood meta-organism works tirelessly for the advancement of their species.


The Flood were the cause of the [[Forerunner-Flood war]], which lasted approximately three-hundred years. They were the reason that the [[Halo Array]] was constructed, as a final effort by the Forerunners to halt the Flood infestation and preserve biodiversity in the galaxy. After exhausting every other strategic option, the Halo Array was fired, resulting in the death of almost every sentient being in the Milky Way, save for those that were placed on [[Installation 00|the Ark]] and the [[Shield World]]s by the Forerunners. The Flood themselves starved to death, except for specimens kept in stasis on the Halo rings and other facilities.
The Flood presents a highly variable and unconventional threat in combat, as it can infect and mutate dead or captured opponents into a myriad of deadly forms, effectively growing stronger as it weakens enemy forces. They are widely considered to be the greatest threat to the existence of life (or, more accurately, biodiversity) in the [[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]].


==History==
==History==
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