Parasites

NOTICE: This page contains potential spoilers.

General Information
In Objectified, a parasitic organism is ravaging the Rings that seems to originate from affected respawn terminals and spreads through contact. Parasites make their way into the body and then transform the host into a variety of abominations, so far consisting of festering fleshy and insectoid growths. The speed at which objects are assimilated varies, and they vary wildly in appearance.

Assimilated objects are hostile/aggressive entities that wander the Rings.

Spread
Currently, it has been revealed that parasites spread via contact, being spawned from an infected terminal, and possibly ingestion due to the presence of parasites around the mouth of Ghost Pepper's latte in episode 6.

Morphology
Not much is currently known about parasite morphology, though Fossil/Painkiller are currently setting up to study this, according to Painkiller's description on the Cast page.

Assimilated Objects Featured in Objectified
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Additional Info

 * In episode 7, A parasite charges towards Wagyu before halting, then walks away. Given the context in episode 14 that reveals that Wagyu is infected, one can assume that parasites will not attack members of their own species.
 * In episode 19, the silhouettes of parasites can be seen hanging around an alien-like structure atop a waterway that Comet begrudgingly drinks from, showing us that assimilated objects are capable of building or generating structures. The structure featured in this episode has a budding crystalline growth at its center that hums softly. The structure and presence of parasites appears to be causing the local wildlife to die.
 * In episode 9, Gum reveals that parasites are produced by respawn terminals.
 * In episode 15, Gum points out to Razor that the dead assimilated object on the hospital floor was a result of someone's carelessness when using the broken respawn terminal, and warns her that the same thing will happen to her if she isn't careful.
 * In episode 13, Fossil also notes that Carrot had been respawned not long before assimilating while alone with her.