Lifeform Type: Fungal mat / environmental contaminant World: Helion Prime Habitat: Life-support ducts, scrubber stacks, condensation pans, old filter media Size: Patches from hand-sized to several square metres Number Encountered: 1D patches per infected system Speed: Immobile; spreads by airflow and wet contact Hits: 6 per square metre Armour: 0; dormant in vacuum; vulnerable to UV, heat, and desiccation Characteristics: STR 0, DEX 0, END 12, INT 0, INST 6, PACK 0 Spore Bloom: When disturbed, burned incompletely, or exposed to warm humid airflow, the fungus releases spores. Unsealed characters in the compartment must make END 8+. Failure: Take 1D damage ignoring armour and suffer DM−1 to END checks for 1D days. Failure by 6+: The victim develops a persistent lung infection; daily Medic 8+ treatment is required or the victim takes another 1D damage ignoring armour. Equipment Fouling: A contaminated life-support unit imposes DM−1 to Engineer checks involving atmosphere control. If ignored for 1D days, the penalty increases to DM−2 and filter-mite infestation becomes likely. Proper Decon: Clearing the fungus requires Engineer 8+ plus Science (biology) 8+, or a dedicated TL9+ sterilisation kit. Treating patients without treating the scrubbers merely resets the outbreak clock. Holst Use: This is the recurring villain of the Helion plague: not dramatic, not intelligent, but persistent and perfectly adapted to human-built habitats.