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

voice;

[allucinator]

Course. I mean, I am now, but it's been three days. An' teeth, mostly.

voice;

[soothing]

If it's been three days, I don't think there are any samples that I could get from its saliva -- but if a doctor is willing to stand by, I wouldn't mind taking a look at the bite marks.

voice;

[allucinator]

There's-- I mean, I can undo the bandages for a bit. Ain't no need for no doctor.

voice;

[soothing]

Just in case. They may want to see how it's healing anyway.

voice;

[allucinator]

Yeah, but I hate doctors, so I ain't goin' to one.

voice;

[soothing]

[ Sigh. ]

Did you go to one to get it bandaged in the first place?

voice;

[allucinator]

Sort of. Look, I'm fine, all right, don't worry about me none.

voice;

[soothing]

Whatever they were eating was likely not hygienic. If they had bacteria in their mouths and your injuries weren't cleaned properly, it could get infected.

voice;

[allucinator]

I'll take my chances. You wanna see it or not?

voice;

[soothing]

Yes, I do.

[ Now so she can see if it's infected, if nothing else. ]

voice;

[allucinator]

When you free?

voice;

[soothing]

A few hours? Or I can make time tomorrow, if that would work better.

voice;

[allucinator]

Nah, let's inna few hours. I'll still be up. Where are ya?

voice;

[soothing]

I'm in medical, at the moment.

[allucinator]

I'll be there inna few hours, then.

[And he shuts his communicator. As it happens, he comes in only half an hour and sits in the back of the medbay. He's rather distinctive with his shoulder wrapped up tightly and a scowl on his face.]

[soothing]

[ Betty has to wrap up what she's working on, showing others the results, but she does come out eventually. She heads to get a glass of water first, rubbing her temples, though she stops when she sees Jack. ]

Are you waiting for someone?

[allucinator]

[Oh, hullo, that's a familiar voice. Jack raises an eyebrow.]

You, I think. I'm the guy who got his shoulder bit.

[soothing]

Oh!

[ Whoops. She'll rush over then. ]

I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

[allucinator]

Jack. Jack Kelly. You?

[He twists his left hand, offering it to her.]

[soothing]

Elizabeth Ross. Or Betty, if you'd prefer.

[ He's just a kid, after all. ]

How's your shoulder feel?

[allucinator]

Like sh-- real bad, but, uh, I been through worse. You really a scientist?

[soothing]

I might be able to get you some painkillers, if you'd like them. And yes, I'm really a scientist.

[allucinator]

Just never met no girly one before, is all. And no, I'm fine. Just a scientist in general, or--?

[soothing]

[ No girly one oh good lord. ]

And how many scientists have you met? I also teach at a university in Virginia.

[allucinator]

Oh, thousands. Hundreds. Ten. None.