Cambridge Stellar Research, Surveillance Mission #3, Goddess Geode, Baffin

[Malaclypse 666]

"Exactly, my dear Doctor. We have some ideas about the Scrubbies' 'genealogy', but little to nothing about their 'provenance'."

Mal poked at a datapad, sliding it towards the young woman. "We provided samples to your former associates at C.R.I. shortly after the discovery. While their findings were not conclusive, they did determine that our specimens were 'distant cousins' to the more common organisms found in the Omegas and Omicrons.

"One scientist referred to the Scrubbies as 'proto-nomad' in origin; but I am doubtful that there is any connection between our 'scavengers' and the nomads we know today."

"As to their provenance, we may never really know. Perhaps they arrived in their present form, attached to a passing ship. Would they survive the transit of a wormhole in such an exposed condition?

"Perhaps they began life as 'normal' organisms which escaped from a damaged or derelict freighter, only evolving as they were 'exposed' to the unique environment which is Baffin?

"Or perhaps they have always been here, surviving and mutating undisturbed and undetected until a mechanical malfunction brought them to my attention."

Mal could tell that the young woman was valiantly trying to absorb the data on the small screen, but her exhaustion was obvious. The discussion could continue at a later time.

"Doctor... Vii... That data is available on any terminal on the station, through our private 'FnordNet' comms system and database. I will provide your shipboard comms officers with access codes as well, so that the data will be available wherever you are in Baffin.

"You will also find a Chronological History there, which, as I recall, places my discovery sometime in 811AS. Perhaps you will find it informative as well. Now, I suggest you folk get settled in and get some rest. We can continue our discussion at your convenience."

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