Flash Slug

 | Property | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Species** | *Seaslug kleptopharos* (The stolen beacon slug) | | **Type** | Mobile | | **Category** | Water Slug | | **Biome** | Observatory Island (caves), Karakorum Power Plant, Root Canyon | | **Attitude** | Defensive | | **Nutrition** | Food +20 / Health -10 / Water 0 |   ![Flash Slug](Flash Slug.png)   The **Flash Slug** is a lifeform found around the Observatory Island, Karakorum Power Plant, and Root Canyon areas. It is a source of Isotonic Water when combined with Salt in a Fabricator.   ## Behavior   The Flash Slug can be found slowly swimming on its own in the Observatory Island, Karakorum Power Plant, and Root Canyon areas. It notably swims further off the sea floor than most other small creatures, often being found 30-40 meters above the sea floor.   When approached by the player, flash slugs will make a high-pitched squeal before briefly shaking, releasing a blinding flash of light, and trying to flee. This flash will disorient the player, leaving an imprint on the screen for several seconds and causing blurry vision for a brief period after the flash fades. This ability has a short cooldown, allowing the player to catch the creature before it charges up again.   At night and in dark areas flash slugs can be distinguished by their glowing appearance. This makes them visible from far away, similar to the Water Slug.   ## Recipes   The Flash Slug is used in the following crafting recipes:  -*   **Isotonic Water**: Crafted by combining a Flash Slug with Salt in a Fabricator.+*   **Isotonic Water**: Crafted by combining Flash Slug + Salt in a Fabricator.   ## Strategy   To avoid being blinded by the Flash Slug, the player should approach the creature at speed, such as with the Dash ability or a Wakemaker, and proceed to pick it up before it has a chance to blind the player.  -Flash slugs will not try to blind the player when they are in the Tadpole. If the Tadpole is piloted right beside a flash slug, it can be picked up as soon as the player exits the Tadpole.+Flash slugs will try to blind the player when they are in the Tadpole. If the Tadpole is piloted right beside a flash slug, it can be picked up as soon as the player exits the Tadpole.   ## Databank Entry   **Source**: Scan a Flash Slug   > *Seaslug kleptopharos*, the stolen beacon slug. A free-swimming, luminescent relative of the waterslug with chimeric traits from another species entirely. > > **1. Microbial photocell** > > The flash slug is powered by the same type of microbial fuel cell present in the waterslug. The slug inhales plankton as it swims, which it digests with photodecomposition and feeds to luminescent bacteria that live in coils of glassy fiber deep in its mantle. These fibers generate and direct bioluminescence, and may in fact be biological lasers. > > **2. Light control** > > The flash slug uses its light to attract food and mates. When threatened, the slug charges up a flash of blinding coherent light to drive off attackers. Spectrogenetic analysis suggests this defense mechanism evolved from a system of internal gene regulation: its original function, millions of years ago, was to activate and deactivate genes inside the slug's body with coded light signals. > > **3. Raylike body plan** > > The flash slug swims with ray-like wings that grow from its foot. CORRECTION: The first draft of this output incorrectly attributed these wings to genetic sequences transferred from a Protean ray. In fact, the wings are a development of the slug's mantle, like Earth's Spanish dancer. The shared sequences with Protean rays may be related to item 4 below. > > **4. Enigmatic viral traffic** > > Millihertz variations in the slug's flash patterns appear to be correlated with Proteavirus activity inside the slug's tissues. The flash signals what the virus is doing — but also triggers changes in viral activity in other slugs (and, perhaps, other species that see the flash). It is possible that the flash slug's light displays give the Proteavirus a high-speed data channel. > > **Assessment**: may provide a useful deterrent against predators if gripped. Close eyes to avoid damage.   ## Gallery   ![A Flash Slug glowing far away](Flash Slug glowing.jpg) ![A Flash Slug at night](Night_flash_slug crop.jpg) ![A Flash Slug from a front angle](Flash_Slug_front crop.jpg) ![A Flash Slug from a side angle](Flash Slug side.jpg) ![A Flash Slug from a top angle](Flash_Slug_top crop.jpg) ![Holding a Flash Slug](Flash Slug hold.jpg) ![A Flash Slugs flash effect](Flash Slug emp.gif)   ## Trivia   *   Despite being the namesake of the databank’s Water Slugs category, the Water Slug itself is currently listed in a separate, molluscs category, making the Flash Slug the only organism listed under the Water Slugs category. *   When held in hand, the Flash Slug will produce light. *   The Flash Slug cannot be dropped nor placed on a Hardpoint. (This is subject to change.)