The Infected

The Infected is the nickname for a virulent life form that can spread between planets by spreading spores into space and sending out giant organic starships. These "Infected carriers" are in fact a single living being that can launch pods at invading starships. If these pods impact the hull of said ship, they will infest the ship with Infected crawlers, large spider-like creatures that will attack the crew on board. The yellow clouds of Infected spores will spread from sector to sector over time, and any starship that enters Infected space will take continual damage from the spores. Infected sectors are indicated on the Map by a red dot surrounded by yellow clouds.