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?

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Alright.

[There is a pause and then his voice again.]

Alright. Keep this feed open.

[It becomes apparent why he asked her to keep the feed open, because in the next instant he shoves the device into his pocket. Sorry, Betty but have some darkness for the next little while. In his pocket it is hard to hear more than the shifting of fabric as he moves, possibly accelerated breathing, a thunk as the pocket and device are smacked against some hard surface, possibly a wall.

There comes a sound that does not sound entirely human or even identifiable as any known beast followed by a couple of heavy thuds.

Still, after the thuds there is a long, cautious pause and then the device is being pulled out of the pocket, spinning dizzily for a moment before his face comes back on the feed.]

Dr. Ross?

[His voice is much lower now, a mere whisper and it sounds very tense.]

[ Once again, Betty very nearly asks if Charles is insane. It's terrible, having to listen to him move, not knowing what's going on -- not knowing if those thuds are a body hitting the floor and not getting back up.

Eventually, however, his face returns. She nods; she's still there. Her voice is quiet to match, not wanting to reveal his position to any more of the creatures. ]

I'm here.

[At this point in the grand scheme of things, between blood loss and being awake for a painfully long period of time, his judgement may indeed be a little more than suspect. However ... it seemed like a good idea at the time.]

All right. I will not have long, so I am going to focus on the head and limbs.

[Still whispered and the device turns, the video feed focusing now on what appears to be an unconscious Manticore.

It is not going to be the most detailed recording, particularly with the way the lights keep flickering and Charles' camera skills leave a lot to be desired. Still he aims the recording to pick up key features, namely jaws like a wide-mouthed nail-toothed crocodiles' and the area where eyes may once have been but now are little more than healed over scar tissue.]

[ Betty doesn't swear much. The sight of the manticore, however, has her swear under her breath. The physical evidence matches up with the samples she has so far, even as she keeps looking them over, conducting more tests in an attempt to get answers for them -- for him especially, since not having those percentages really bothers her. ]

It certainly looks like a hybrid of species.

[ Pause. ] You should get out of there. Finish up and come back, take a look at these samples yourself.

[Truly, he does not need to be told twice. It took every ounce of will to keep himself this close to the creature. Even his natural curiosity for genetics and evolution is not enough to override the instinctive need to be away from what amounts to a killing machine.]

I agree. [He whispers and the answer probably covers both her assessment of hybrid and also the need to withdraw from the department.]

I am going to catch up with Mr. Spock and we will be withdrawing presently I hope. I will be in touch when we are back.

[Well maybe not immediately when they return, it might actually be a few days after he passes out for a bit.]

Stay safe.

[ She means that. One of Betty's greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses is how much she feels -- despite a profession that emphasizes logic and fact, her emotions rule her. ]

I'll tell you anything else we've found once you contact me.

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