Nexus Organism

"Beautiful, isn't it? The scientists called it the "Nexus". They thought these bigger specimens acted as conduits for the [Marker's] control signal, broadcasting it to the smaller forms."

—Jennifer Santos

Two known nexus forms.

Nexus Organisms, also known as Hive Minds, are massive Necromorphs that are able to receive and broadcast the control signal from the Markers and the Brethren Moons to smaller Necromorph variants, telepathically coordinating large-scale outbreaks.

Although Hive Minds typically grow to be very large, they may begin their cycle as Slasher-sized Necromorphs, as seen with the Ubermorph Hive Mind on Titan Station.

Overview

"The Nexus experiment is... well, it's incredible! [...] We're learning so much about how these "Necromorphs" communicated. The whole species seems to have been connected by some telepathic signal - from the lowliest foot soldier, to the mightiest specimens!"

—Dr. Earl Serrano

A SCAF guide showing the Tau Volantis Nexus.

Based on the provided biomass, the appearance of the nexus may vary. The outcome may be completely different to the anatomy of the original hosts or somewhat similar to it, as is the case with the Tau Volantis Nexus, which bears some resemblance to the Tau Volantis natives it was created from.

No matter the differences, all nexus variants have a set of massive, antenna-like appendages on their backs. The purpose of these is unknown, but it is likely that they serve as antennas helping in broadcasting the Marker signal to other beings as well as forwarding commands to the other Necromorphs. Other common characteristics seen with the Hive Minds include a prominent rib cage and several weak spots made from sacks filled with yellow liquid that are vulnerable to damage.

A nerve cluster inside of a Hive Mind, used for relaying Marker signals.

All Hive Minds possess nerve clusters inside their bodies containing synapses that are able to emit and receive bioelectric signals; using this neural network, the nexus' role is to serve as the second-in-command during Necromorph outbreaks, answering to the Marker and relaying its directives to the smaller creatures.

The Aegis VII Hive Mind

Main article: The Hive Mind

The Aegis VII Hive Mind.

The Aegis VII Hive Mind, which was based on humans, resembled a worm-like creature with a round mouth filled with long flytrap-like teeth. The head was rounded with "eyes" made from sacks containing yellow liquid. It had a rib cage filled with sacks made from the same material as the "eyes", possibly serving as its heart.

Marker 3A maintained its connection to the Hive Mind through a signal-amplifying pedestal. When the Marker was removed from its pedestal, the connection was severed and it could no longer relay orders to the massive creature, most likely due to the reduced intensity of the signal's pulses.

The Ubermorph

Main article: The Ubermorph

The Ubermorph.

The Ubermorph was a Regenerator-type Necromorph seen during the Titan Station outbreak and greatly resembled the Aegis VII Hive Mind on a much smaller scale. Like the previous creature, it was based on humans and had a round mouth with five "eyes", a prominent rib cage and several appendages resembling antennae on its back.

The Ubermorph was seen leading the Necromorph assault on the Government Sector to clear the way to the Site 12 Marker prior to the start of the Convergence Event, indicating its role as a Hive Mind with a commanding role.

The Tau Volantis Nexus

Main article: The Nexus

The Tau Volantis Nexus.

The Nexus on Tau Volantis appeared significantly different from the Aegis VII Hive Mind. Like the first one, it resembled an insect, although this one did more than the Hive Mind. It had four blades and mantis-like feet used in traveling. The head was of the original host's with few modifications (as opposed to the Aegis VII Hive Mind), with yellow sacks as "eyes" around its mouth. It also had a large sack inside its rib cage serving as its heart, a digestive system, a stomach containing three nests, and a chamber located in its belly containing nerve clusters that received Marker signals.

By the time humanity discovered Tau Volantis, all of the Nexus forms on the planet lay inactive and frozen by the Alien Machine, although one was later thawed by Isaac Clarke's team before being killed.

Trivia

Various Brethren Moon appearances, showcasing their similarities with the Nexus Necromorph strain.

The "eyes" of a Brethren Moon during Isaac's fight against the Site 12 Marker.

• The Brethren Moons themselves possess the pentagon-shaped mouth and 5 eyes typical of a Hive Mind, indicating their role as the end-stage of the Nexus strain through a Convergence Event initiated by the Markers. They also share the Hive Minds' worm-like appearance and "antennae" on their back.
  • The "chain of command" of the Marker signal thus originates with the Brethren Moons and runs through the Markers, and from the Markers down to the Hive Minds and their Necromorph pawns.
• It is possible that The Boss from Dead Space: Sabotage was an immature Nexus; the creature's roars and theme song were the same as those heard with the Hive Mind in the original game. The Boss also featured yellow sacks surrounding its mouth and a rib cage protecting a large, yellow "heart".
• In the graphic novel, Dead Space: Salvage, an apparent Hive Mind was seen on the Ishimura while Stefan Schneider was crossing the outside of the ship. It was swiftly repelled by the Oracles.

Gallery

The "eyes" of the Aegis VII Hive Mind.

The "eyes" of the Ubermorph.

The "eyes" of the Tau Volantis Nexus.

Concept art of a Slasher developing a Hive Mind's eyes in Dead Space 2 - according to designer Ben Wanat, this is intended to be a "manifestation of a Hive Mind".

The Slasher developing a Hive Mind's eyes in Dead Space 2.