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

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.

'M not injured.

[ A few bruises, some cuts - the usual - but last time she wasn't really trying to capture one of them so much as she was trying to get the hell away. She goes on in a low mutter. ]

First time I feel like I have something to do here, anyway.

If they injure you, then.

[ There's a pause. ]

What's your name?

[ She still hasn't gotten used to giving it out. ]

Cat.

It's nice to meet you. Be safe, okay?

... Yeah.

D'you want it soon?

The sooner the better, in all honesty. Any equipment that you might be able to salvage, too.

I'll give it a go. Dunno if I'll bring you back anything else of use, though, I know fuck all about technology and stuff like that.

[ She's all about the brawn and not so much the brains. ]

That's okay. I'm sure anything there might be useful.

Though of course, it may be a lot to carry...

I said I'll try, 'm not making any promises here.

Oh, I know. Believe me, I really do appreciate the attempt, whether it works out or not.

[ There's a vague sound of movement and footsteps as Cat decides she might as well make her move now, but she stays on the feed. She has to make some connections here of some sort, whether she likes it or not. ]

So what if poking around inside these things only gives you more questions than answers?

Edited 2012-06-30 21:28 (UTC)

Unfortunately that's more than possible. If we do get more questions, we'll have more to work on, I suppose.

[ Betty sighs slightly, tucking a stray bit of hair behind one ear. ] If nothing else, we should be able to see how they were holding up in the department, what they were eating, that sort of thing.

Or you'll hit dead ends.

[ Very optimistic. She huffs, quietly. ]

Probably ate whoever worked in that department before.

They might have, once, but unless they've managed to keep pieces in a refrigerator, they've had to have eaten something else between now and then.

Maybe they're smart enough to use fridges and nothing else. [ It might be an attempt at humour, but it's kind of hard to tell with Cat. ] Could've been eating each other.

That would definitely be a trick.

Cannibalism is probably the most likely possibility. We should be able to tell after an autopsy.

Hope that's it, then. If they've been eating each other then they've done some of the work for us.

They're probably rather weak if they've had to resort to eating each other.

And there's less of them than there originally were. Nicest thought I've had since this shit started.

They probably used up a lot of energy fighting everyone who went into the science labs, too. They should be worn out.

Yeah. With teeth like that, though, anything's possible.

[ Another pause, more footsteps. ]

Right, one creepy experiment monster and any technological stuff possible, yeah?

[ She's rolling her eyes to herself just for being a position where saying these things isn't really out of the ordinary. ]

Edited 2012-07-01 13:46 (UTC)

Unfortunately so.

[ Just another day on the Tranquility... ]

Right. And while I'm sure you have no intention of getting yourself hurt -- please be careful.

I'll be fine. Seen worse.

Should I ask?

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besiege - 2012-07-02 00:39 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-02 15:13 (UTC) - Expand

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