Neomorph

Neomorph's History

The Neomorph (Plagiarus celerius), also known by the forces of the Union of Progressive Peoples as the Heomopf, was an endoparasitoid extraterrestrial species created by a mysterious pathogen. While the Neomorph shared some characteristics with the infamous Xenomorph, most notably its reproductive process of gestating inside a living host organism and an elongated head, it was otherwise markedly different.

Two of the creatures were first encountered by the crew of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation colony ship USCSS Covenant while they explored an uncharted planet. Examples of the Neomorph were later encountered during incidents on LV-991 and the Union of Progressive Peoples mining planet Shānmén.

Following David's attack on the Engineer settlement with the Chemical A0-3959X.91 – 15 pathogen, the Neomorphs were one of the hybridized parasitic organisms to arise from the mutagen contaminating the planet's ecosystem. David's laboratory in the lower levels of the Engineer temple contains specimens of each stage of the Neomorphs' life cycle; and several immature and embryonic Neomorph specimens, the failed results of his biogenetic experiments to create the perfect organism.

Two members of the Covenant's security detail, Ledward, and Hallett, were infected by the spores, Ledward through his ear and Hallett through his nose. Both men were killed when the creatures emerged from them; the infant inside Ledward ripped out of the man's back while he was being treated aboard the Covenant's dropship, while the infant Neomorph inside Hallett erupted from the man's mouth. The Neomorph spawned from Ledward attacked and heavily mauled Karine before attacking Faris, escaping when the latter accidentally destroyed the dropship in an attempt to kill it. Both Neomorphs ran off into the night, while the surviving crew members were left stranded in the wheat field.

Soon afterward, the two Neomorphs returned attacked the crew. When one of the Neomorphs leaped at Daniels, Walter tackled the creature, before having his hand bitten off. The creature then struck Walter with its tail, throwing him aside before redirecting its attention to the rest of the crew. The security officers attempted to shoot the creature dead, but this only angered it, causing it to lash out and strike Ankor with its tail, mutilating his face and killing him. It then attacked Daniels before being shot dead by Rosie. Seconds later, the second Neomorph appeared and attacked Rosie, taking her to the ground. The Neomorph nearly mauled her to death, but she was saved when David fired a flare gun into the air, scaring it off.

The second creature survived to maturity, infiltrating David's temple and killing Rosie by tearing off her head with its jaws. The Neomorph was discovered feeding on her corpse by David, who attempted to communicate with and tame it. Chris Oram arrived moments later. Against David's wishes, an enraged Oram shot the creature dead.

Following the destruction of the UPP-owned Rodina Station after a presumed outbreak, scouts managed to acquire remnants of Plagiarus praepotens cells, resulting in the formation of lab sites across the UA border and Borderline Region under the 'Darkstar Program', headed by the Ministry of Space Security. Scientists eventually managed to reconstruct the damaged chromosomes into a Neomorphic genome, successfully conjuring Neomorph specimens. The UPP have since preferred producing these 'Heomopfs' over the traditional Xenomorph XX121, as their extremely short lifespan proved a viable and controllable bioweapon, albeit with the troubling catch of a Neomorph corpse producing hazardous Egg sacks.