ataraxion | 001

[ 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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Don't worry about it -- I know about wanting to dive into work, believe me. It's nice to meet you, too.

I will. I'm also going to be asking medical to do an autopsy, once samples have been collected.

It's much appreciated, thank you. Might I have a look during the postmortem?

That may depend more on medical than me, but I'll be asking them the same thing.

If you have't considered becoming part of the xenobiology & genetics staff, you should. We could use more people.

My area is more inclined towards xenobiological research - of a certain kind - but I'll consider it. [ His alien expertise is... rather limited to. Demons. And certain mystical occurrences, at that. But regardless, being on-staff with easily contactable resources might come in handy. ]

How many of you are there, if you don't mind my asking?

It's still experience. It can be adapted.

Six. Most of us just arrived this jump.

Indeed. Six specialists on staff are better than none. Between all of you, any secrets the creature might hold will be uncovered soon enough, I'm sure.

One is on bedrest and seven would be better, especially if you'd like to look at it anyway.

Must one 'officially' join in order to be privy to staff findings?

No. But if you want to actually look at the material, it would make us feel more comfortable.

[ Or maybe just her. ]

Understandable. Like I said, I'll consider it.

[ He's not exactly in the business of making people feel comfortable, but he'd rather not set himself back by being on edge about it. ]

For now, I trust my outsider status won't be an issue?

For now. We all want to know what these things are, after all.

Yes. Again, you have my thanks. I'll speak to you soon.

001 | video

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