Records of the Observer

[Taneru]

:System Online:
>_ access.video.files
:Accessing video files:
:Files Encrypted. Access Code Required:
>_******
:Code Accepted:
>_ access.log.026
:Accessing Data Log 026:
:WARNING. This video file contains a unknown element. This file may not display correctly. Do you wish to continue?:
>_ yes
:Commencing Playback:

A hum started up as the file began playing; no static this time, the screen simply flickered once and the recording appeared on screen. The picture is that of a security feed, displaying a plain, unremarkable white walled hallway. Two figures strode down it side by side, one dressed in a simple white lab coat, the other in a more formal dark blue business suit. Compared to the fair quality of the rest of the video, the faces of the two men were strangely out of focus, blurred and indistinct. The audio was unaffected, however, and the voices of the two came through clearly, revealing that the man wearing the business suit was actually a woman.

"I didn't come here for idle chatter, Doctor Cameron. The board wants an update."
The man in the lab coat chuckled and quickened his pace, waving for the woman to follow him, "Of course, Director. This way, please."

As the two passed beyond sight of the security feed, the picture suddenly switched over to a view of a small room, the majority of which was dominated by a quartet of glass tubes, slightly larger than human sized and filled with a murky greenish liquid. Only one of the tubes contained anything visible, but of what could be seen of that tube's contents, it was something hideously abnormal. Vaguely humanoid, but any similarities to humans ended there. Though the liquid obscured any real details, the thing's right arm was clearly out of proportion with its left, larger, warped, and seemingly with far too many joints.

Following the sound of a door sliding open, Cameron's voice rang out again, "Magnificent, isn't it?" Cameron and the Director moved into view, approaching the tank as the scientist continued, "I must say, the genetic code of the sample you provided us with is very interesting... and very difficult to work with. A natural splicing with the human genome was near impossible, so we had to make some.. alterations in both genetic codes to facilitate the integration. As well as a bit of...improvisation in a few instances."

The Director approached the tank to examine the specimen within, "Hrm. No mouth? No nose?"

Dr. Cameron nodded, stepping up behind her. "Indeed. The original sample's species appears to be photosynthetic to a degree, though a bit different from that of a plant. They appear to take in energy from the stars themselves. Naturally, this was one of the compatability issues we ran into, and the solution was less than elegant, in my opinion." He motioned towards the creature's torso, and the Director adjusted her gaze.

"Cybernetics?"

"Indeed. The human digestive and respiratory systems were conflicting with the original sample's photosynthetic processes in earlier specimens, and it would ultimately result in the deaths of those specimens. We were eventually forced to craft specialized implants to transform the photosynthetic energy of the sample's processes into something useable by a more human physiology. Unfortunatly, the experimental nature of the implants has reduced the estimated lifespan of the specimen to only a dozen years, but continued development of the implants should remove that issue."

"So, is it alive?" The director glanced over at the scientist, who simply shrugged and turned back to stare at the creature.

"In a manner of speaking, yes... and no."

The director glared at Cameron, "Explain."

"Biologically, it is alive just as we are. However, ever since it finished developing, it hasn't moved at all. There is some brain activity, but it resembles that of a human in REM sleep. A more fitting question would be 'Is it awake?' However, the answer to that is sadly no. Though this is not from lack of trying. We have made many attempts to invoke a response from the specimen, to no avail."

"And its... abilities?"

"Ah, yes.." Cameron stepped up to the tank, pressing his hand up against the glass and staring at the creature within with admiration, "The potential is there, I am positive of it. We have been unable to confirm the exact extent of its powers with it in the condition it's in now, but with more time, I'm certain we'll get results."

The director sighed, and stepped back away from the tank, shaking her head and muttering with a hint of disappointment, "So, it's not even useable... Theories don't carry much weight, Doctor. Perhaps it is better it remains like this.."

Dr. Cameron blinked at her, a touch of fear evident in his voice as he spoke. "Ma'am?"

"The board is not at all satisifed with the apparent lack of progress with this experiment. The results were not at all up to their expectations, and they've decided to cut back on funding. There have been too many security issues popping up recently, and this facility may not remain secret for much longer. You have two weeks to show some progress, or the board will shut down this experiment."

-Discontinuity-

---

Characters
Alan Markson: The Hellfire Legion's Lord Commander
The Perihelion: Freeport Four's guardian, and yet much more. Missing and assumed Lost with all hands.
Eric Dresmund: Junker, smuggler, thief. Last seen drunk on Beaumont
Vayrn Wyard: IMG Recon pilot turned Neo-Terran Captain. Last location unknown