001 | video

[soothing]

[ ENCRYPTED 75% TO MEDICAL AND XENOBIOLOGY/GENETICS STAFF + BRUCE BANNER: ]
I took the liberty of checking out the blood samples we were able to get from the creatures at the end of the maze. Some of them seemed to have bacterial infections, which isn't surprising, but I also checked them against known DNA samples from Earth.

I don't want to alarm anyone, which is why I've encrypted this for now, but so far the results are all coming back in essentially the same manner. The DNA of these creatures is a mix between Earth creatures -- the lion is a large component, and there are also what appears to be genetic material from the Australian dingo and some sort of crocodile. However, at the present time it appears as though the largest genetic contribution comes from human beings.

Obviously the samples may have been compromised, as I've really only been able to work off their blood and some hair. I'm going to request a larger sample, preferably an entire specimen -- dead, obviously. Hopefully we can get more answers, and hopefully the human genetic material was just cross-contamination.

[ OPEN: ]
I've heard a few things about people returning to the end of the maze to clear out the rest of the creatures, in addition to a possible salvage operation. My name is Elizabeth Ross -- I'm a cellular biologist and university professor back home. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to request a mostly intact -- though definitely dead -- specimen of the creatures. I'm sure there are a lot of people who are wondering just what they are and how they got here, not to mention how they've survived the jumps, and I'm hoping that an entire specimen might be able to give us some answers.

How is everyone feeling?

Comments

SCI - Filter

[excessivehubris]

How many samples did you test? Was the combination uniform across each sample taken?

[He's not questioning your methods! This is just professional curiosity being piqued.]

SCI - Filter

[soothing]

Sue Storm was able to bring back two vials of blood and some hair. The rest were mostly taken from patients who had the blood splattered across them. It's not ideal, but I want to know what we're dealing with.

There was some genetic variety, the same you'd find if you were to check between different individuals of the same species, but so far they're uniform. Homo sapien is the main genetic contribution, then the lion, then small amounts of dingo and crocodile across all of them.

TEXT

[cryptid]

[ This is exceedingly relevant to his interests. ]

Ms Ross,

If you were to acquire a specimen, might I have a look as well? I'm well-versed in xenobiology [ of a sort ] with a small amount of experience in genetic abnormalities, and I'd very much appreciate a chance to examine a creature further.

[ Sharing is caring. ]

TEXT

[soothing]

It's Dr. Ross, if you want to get technical.

I'd be fine with that, if the rest of the staff has no objections. I'd also like to be present, just to prevent cross-contamination or note it; I'm sure you understand.

voice; piggybacking on betty's encryptions

[invisigirl]

I don't like where this is going.

[ Creating monsters in a laboratory in space ... ]

Their genetic structure was a mess. Something like that doesn't happen spontaneously.

voice; 75% encrypted

[soothing]

Neither do I. People back home worked on super soldier programs, playing with genetics to try and make people faster, stronger -- this could be the same thing.

[ And just like back home, it went wrong. ]

voice;

[allucinator]

I don't exactly got no, uh, specimen, but it took a chunk outta me shoulder, if you wanna check that out.

voice;

[soothing]

Are you okay? And with its claws or its teeth?

voice;

[besiege]

I can get one. [ There's a slight blunt awkwardness to Cat's voice; she doesn't tend to offer help very often, but this sort of suits her abilities. She leaves out the word "try" very specifically, because she's proud and a pain in the arse like that. ] One of those things.

[ Even if the thought of encountering them again leaves her feeling just a little bit cold. ]

voice;

[soothing]

If you can get one, I would appreciate it. Take care of yourself first, though -- if it's too dangerous or if you're injured too badly, leave it. I don't think any specimen is worth a life.

[voice]

[doggedly]

I can get one! [He's more breathless with excitement and effort than illness (or at least breathless from a general feeling of mania).] A whole one, right, teeth and jaws and horrible matty fur and all? Where d'you want it delivered, right to your door?

[voice]

[soothing]

[ Betty's a little surprised by that excitement. Deep breaths, Sirius. ] A whole one would be preferable, yes. And no, thank you -- I suppose we'll have to continue using the labs in medical, for now, so that will work.

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

You sound far too excited about this.

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

You do not wish one living?

[voice]

[soothing]

Considering the damage I've seen them do to people? No, not particularly. The last thing we need is one getting out in a heavily populated area of the ship.

AUDIO;

[widowing]

Significantly less disgusting.

AUDIO;

[soothing]

That's good to hear.

Did you get to the end of the maze before you came to medical?

text; encrypted 85%

[puppydogeyes]

[Taylor doesn't normally go to the bother of hacking any of the encrypted messages that get passed around the network. It's not something she's particularly skilled at, making it more effort than she thinks it's likely worth on a lot of them. But considering the public portion of this message, she's curious. And what she finds has her curious enough to respond directly.]

Dingo?

text; encrypted 85%

[soothing]

[ Betty recognizes that this person isn't supposed to be on her filter, but... well, hacking is only to be expected. And whoever this is, they aren't freaking out (yet), so she replies just as calmly. ]

Yes, dingo. Does that have some significance to you?

[video] SCI filter

[anthropos]

'A mix' is not a sufficiently precise enough diagnosis to speculate on these creatures. If you have examined their DNA, it should be clear whether they have evolved this way, had portions of DNA spliced into their own, or mutated through some other route, be it intentionally or accidentally. If the latter, there is the chance - albeit minute - that the process may be reversible.

And if that is a case - if they were human once, and might be again - is it not our duty to at least minimise casualties in the meantime?

[video] SCI filter

[soothing]

That's why I'm asking for more samples. The only equipment we have so far is what we can use from medical -- everything else is covered in blood in the science department that the creatures came from. I'm working with what I have, and I'm not a geneticist. If you'd like to look at the samples yourself and see what conclusions you can reach, you're more than welcome to. But I'm not going to bring something that dangerous back to a populated area of the ship. I'm not going to risk everyone else.

voice | locked 98%

[aggressively]

And suddenly everything old is new again. [ he says the words with careful, horrified lightness. not his best performance but it's not his best day, either. ] Was it an African lion or Asiatic?

voice | locked 98%

[soothing]

[ There's a sigh. ] One of these days, people might learn to stop playing God.

I'll have to check again. The equipment is all borrowed from medical; everything we really need is in the science department with the rest of the creatures.

video;

[ringbearer]

[ Frodo's quietly on the mend, there's a scab visible from his dark curls and beneath his white shirt (he prefers the clothing of home no matter how tattered ) the beginnings of bandages. ]

I'm alright, Ms. Ross. And yourself?

video;

[soothing]

I'm fine. I was fortunate enough not to get sick.

It's good to hear from you, Frodo.

audio; stark encrytion 100%

[starked]

Assuming once you get an actual sample of the creepy hellbeasts and it turns out that they're testing the same results, you bio kids going to keep a secret? Technically, might be a good idea, but you put this at a 75 percent encryption which means I already know about this and Kirk will know too, if doesn't already.

Yeah, I know, don't break into encryptions that aren't yours, it's rude, but it was there and you're Bruce girlfriend. I get one rude thing a week or something.

[ a beat. ] Oh, and I'm feeling tons better now that I'm not puking black vomit or turning blue or black. It was a fun experience though. I appreciate the concern, Dr. Ross.

audio; stark encrytion 100%

[soothing]

Mr. Stark. I'd heard you were here.

But no, I have no intention of keeping it a secret. People on this ship deserve answers, no matter how bleak they are. [ She sighs. ] However, preliminary findings are showing that it's extremely likely that the creatures used to be human. If you know Bruce, then you know that the two of us have understandable concerns about people playing God. Medical already has samples of those who came in sick, and there are others in xenobiology and genetics who want samples of everyone, apparently as a safety precaution. I've spoken with Dr. McCoy about setting up security for the samples in medical already, but that's not fool-proof, and as you've pointed out, I'm not the best at encryptions.

It's good to know you're feeling better.

[video]

[wolfdreamer]

Why must it be dead?

[video]

[soothing]

[ Oh and there are children on this ship. What a nice surprise. Not. ]

I won't risk bringing something that dangerous back to a heavily populated area of the ship.

voice; medical encryptions

[askedtobe]

Do we know if all of them have been killed?

voice; medical encryptions

[soothing]

They haven't been, no. Someone's planning on leading a team there to kill the rest of them.

encrypted voice;

[therangerking]

[ Groggily, because guess who just woke up and found this surprise. Also, he eavesdropped on your conversation with Miles, so when he speaks his voice is rough. ]

I have only known great evil that is capable of twisting the bodies of Men into wraiths that are barely alive, but not even the Enemy is capable of joining humans with animals. A creature with a beast's scent-sense and the intelligence of a human seems formidable indeed.

[ A quiet clatter, he's sitting up. ]

Do you know the manner by which they can accomplished this?

encrypted voice;

[soothing]

They don't think like humans.

[ She just wants to make that clear, since both Charles and Tyke impressed that fact upon her. ]

There are theories, but it's not my area of expertise. To have actually been able to pull it off, to make not just one short-lived creature but multiple... That's beyond me. It might have even been an accident.

[ The way the Hulk was an accident. ]

[ video ]

[wont]

[ She tries her best to be strong and smile graciously at the woman. Alayne knows she has made interruption to her conversation with Bran and that is regrettable, but if she holds some sway over the decision — does he stay or he go to find these animals — she knows she must make som acquaintance. ]

Lady Elizabeth of House Ross, I greet you. [ Alayne pushes herself up to sitting as best she can, a pillow propped up behind her in an attempt to strengthen her bowed back. ] My name is Alayne Stone.

You've asked to be brought one of the beasts, and have been given many offers. Have any made due on their promises?

[ video ]

[soothing]

[ Meanwhile, Betty is mostly wondering how many people from a time other than her own are here. It's terrifying enough to be stuck on a spaceship and she's from a time when they've made it to the moon -- how does it feel for these people? ]

It's nice to meet you. [ She looks as though being sick took its toll, and there's a slight frown of worry before she answers. ] I believe preparations are still being made -- Isaac Clarke's group seems to be the most promising, simply because they can carry the most.

[ And, because Betty's not stupid, can guess what this is really about, she locks the conversation; 75% encrypted, just as her other filters. ]

Your companion, Bran Stark, has offered to help -- as you saw -- but I'm trying to dissuade him from the idea. From what we do know about them, they're too dangerous for me to feel comfortable with him trying something like that. So far I think I might be succeeding but I don't know him as well as I'm sure you do.