ataraxion | 001

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001 | video

[ 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 it's in a cage, it might not survive the jump. For all we know, they've found a safe place in the laboratories.

[ Betty pauses as well. ]

What do you mean?

[ They were human once. The genetics, the tests she's run and rerun, they're starting to point more toward confirmation than estimation. Still, she needs better samples before she's willing to tell the ship at large. ]

[How much does he say? How much should he keep? Again, he's quiet a moment, looking at his hands. They're animals, and they're angry, but they're something else, too, something unfamiliar when he reaches out to them, like a stiff new boot with a bit of glass in it.

And he remembers the sound of someone stuck outside during the Jump; he remembers Hotspur, though he did not truly know him. Even creatures would not deserve that.]

They're different. I don't know how--but I think they're different.

[ They're different, he says and Betty can't deny that. ]

I don't think they were born the way they are now. I think something happened to them. But I can't be sure without samples.

[He thinks about that as well--and then moves to do as he's been taught, changing around the settings on this device to make this conversation more secret. He doesn't do it well, but well enough.]

You would call it science, whatever has changed them--not magic. I don't know very much about science, but-- [Again, he hesitates.] I could bring one to you. I could hold one still.

[ Betty bumps up the encryption as much as she can -- it's not as much as others on this ship, but it's a decent amount. ]

Can I ask how?

[ "You're just a child," she wants to say. "You shouldn't have to know what these are." ]

I can switch skins.

[He pauses for only a moment, a fear rising in his throat at having said this aloud, to someone he does not know--and so he adds, quickly--]

It isn't dangerous, and it isn't only a story. I really can do it. I tried, once, with the creatures--I did not stay long, but I tried. If I were to practice at it, I could bring one closer.

You can... switch skins? I'm sorry, I don't understand.

[ She doesn't seem frightened though, only confused and a little curious. ]

I can be animals. I can wear their skins. Some people here call it shapeshifting, but it isn't the same, I think.

[ Shapeshifting. It's hard to believe, but Betty's been relying on the suspension of disbelief this whole time. ]

I don't think that would be a good idea. [ Pause. ] You don't want to be these things.

[But he begins shaking his head even as she's discouraging him.]

I tried it. Only for a little while--but I tried it.

[ But you shouldn't have to. ]

What's your name?

I am Bran Stark. And I would be of help to you, if I could.

It's nice to meet you.

May I ask who the other people expressing concern are? They seem to know you.

I am glad to meet you, too, Lady Ross. And-- my brother Jon is the one who spoke first--and then my companion, Alayne Stone. She is a great friend to me.

But they'll let me help, I know they will.

I think you could help. But I think we all might feel better if these creatures were dealt with in another way.

... Though I would like to see your ability at some point, if I could.

[NO BUT--!!! Nearly immediately, his mouth turns down in a frown. She thinks you only a child, too. He tries to keep it from petulance, so he will not be seen as still more of a child, but--]

It isn't for showing off. It should be used in a useful way.

I don't want you to show off. I want to understand how it works -- help you understand how it works more than you already do, if I can.

I don't know anything about shapeshifting, or taking the skin of an animal and being that animal. But I'd like to.

[Oh. He pauses, warily.]

I think it is a type of magic. It isn't the same as shapeshifting, but--my friend, Remus Lupin, has been helping me to learn a little more of it. He is a werewolf, so he understands some of it--though it is different than being a werewolf, too.

Why do you want to know?

I'm curious -- and I'm a scientist. I want to understand things. We don't have shapeshifters or werewolves where I'm from.

It's entirely up to you, of course. Your brother and your companion could observe, if you'd like them to. It wouldn't hurt -- I would just want to see if there are differences in brain activity, to start out with.

How would you see that?

There are machines in medical that can do it. It's painless.

[There are too many machines, and perhaps it is foolish to distrust them, when so many are good and useful, but--]

These machines are here, on this ship--and they are safe? I would have to ask my brothers, and-- Alayne Stone as well.

Yes. The doctors are having people double-check all their equipment as well, since it was here before we were.

If it doesn't work out, no hard feelings, okay?

[Her kindness and her caution--these things make Bran warm to the Lady Ross still a little more, and he relents. And it would be good, to have more practicing at changing skins, wouldn't it?]

If it's safe, then it would probably be all right. So long as Robb and Jon and Alayne knew of it, and-- if they were allowed there, if they wanted to be. And I would have to tell Remus Lupin, since he has been helping me to practice. It would be right for him to know as well.

[ More practice and maybe more understanding, or that's Betty's hope. ]

Of course. They could all come and observe -- I'm sure they'd want to know you're safe. You can tell whoever you like.

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