Ancient Plague

[Tenacity]

...Downloading Briefing File...

-Operation Plaguebearer, Official Briefing File-
Author: Commander Kaylee Staite, Order Science Division
Recipients: Order, Zoner, and Blood Dragon Science Departments

"Several days ago, the Blood Dragon Cruiser Hatsuzakura towed aboard a derelict Katana-Class fighter reportedly belonging to the father of Hattoro, the vessel's commanding officer. Shortly after, six of the Hatsuzakura's crewmen became infected with a mysterious illness, exhibiting the following symptoms: Muscle Spasms, Increase in body temperature, and alteration of Iris color towards various shades of blue. Effected crewmen also experienced blackouts, loss of memory, and were reported to speak incoherently of a glowing jewel."

"Security footage on record shows that all six effected crewmen came into contact with an unknown artifact appearing to be of Daam K'vosh origin. The footage has been enhanced and the image of the artifact extrapolated, uploading image now..."

"Additionally, scanner logs onboard the Hatsuzakura report that the artifact, when first handled by crewmen, 'opened' and emitted a matter stream of unknown composition. After contacting The Order, the second in command of the Hatsuzakura isolated the infected crewmen to a quarantine zone aboard the ship, and tested all remaining crew members for signs of the illness, all test results came back negative. Bloodwork from one of the effected patients was sent to Mora station, and shows distinct foreign microbes attacking the subject's red blood cells. Uploading blood sample now..."

"These microbes appear to function as a cross between a normal bacterial cell and a virus, altering the DNA of surrounding cells in order to mutate them into copies of the original alien cells. Thus far, no known antibiotic or antiviral treatments have had any effect on the foreign microbes. Further testing on the blood samples showed that, in similar manner to Nomad cells, these microbes are able to absorb various types of radiation to fuel themselves, rendering radiological cures ineffective."

"It is believed that the artifact was discovered by the Katana's pilot, and was left behind by the Daam K'vosh empire. The artifact was obviously a containment vessel for these microbes, but we are as of yet undecided on the nature of the organisms; whether they are a biological weapon, a K'vosh experiment, or in the worst case scenario the cause of the Empire's downfall. This is the first known artifact to contain living biological matter, so there is no precedent that would help us determine the artifact's purpose, or that of the organism itself."

"All six of the Hatsuzakura's effected crewmen have been placed in cryogenic stasis pending the development of a cure to this illness. At this point in time, we are out of ideas, hence why you have all been sent this briefing file. If any similar artifacts are found, treat them as extremely dangerous objects and have them sent to the nearest allied research facility. If anyone has any suggestions as far as treatments are concerned, please relay them as soon as possible."

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