Yep

4546B (or at least the Crater) is completely infested with Kharra. It’s waterborne, and every organism has it in their bloodstream. The only reason why the player’s (and many other animals’) incubation stage was so long is because of the Sea Emperor’s unstable form of Enzyme 42.

In other words, you’re basically infected as soon as you enter the water.

But what if the player never enters the water?!!??

Then you will die of thirst and starvation - duh

In freedom mode, when there is no hunger or thirst, you don't have to enter the water. You also have 2 nutrient blocks and water bottles in your lifepod.

@Westonplayzgames True, but you’d have to leave the lifepod eventually in order to progress the story.

People, I did it in Creative, at least tried to..

@Orpheus Prime You could probably tp into the QEP with cheats.

Because they did not create alternative story, plot points, or replacing events, just for creative mode?