video [late afternoon]

[testsonseashells]

Hello, all! Dr. Solus, reporting in from Vegas.

Firstly - thanks to efforts of Ms. Tsukuyomi and company, have managed to capture Vermini for study. Unfortunately, organisms died in captivity - [he displays the corpses, trapped in a glass jar] - but was still able to glean useful information.

Spent most of the day examining samples, and have determined so far that Vermini completely foreign to Earth - no known genetic structure, cellular mechanisms all subtly different - suggests entirely different evolutionary history compared to our own. Can still process our food, however.

Secondly - FAQ updated with trials of police officers, alien arrival, and recent murder in Locke. Offered assistance to Detective Strutz, but was refused. May change with time - suspect this murder connected to supernatural events. Should advise me if you feel anything lacking - will add anything else important I missed.

Wish you all luck in your own investigations. Dr. Solus out.

[He waves and cuts the feed.]

Comments

[Text]

[professorwolf]

[Lyall is definitely interested in this.]

They didn't disappear when they died? I tried studying the first ones when this all started, but they vanished into steam. What were you able to learn about the bodies?

text

[testsonseashells]

No, disappearing already. Merely reported results almost immediately after death.

[He attaches a picture to confirm - the Vermini are already gone.]

Unfortunately, was able to determine little about body structure, although noted a high number of mitochondria-analogues compared to terrestrial species. Obviously capable of inducing mutagens and altering nervous systems.

Planning to try and clone them next. Will see where that takes me.

[Text]

[professorwolf]

That's still longer than they lasted for me. I got the steam and light pretty much immediately, with no time to show anyone anything. I wonder if the slight difference means something is changing.

[Doesn't mean he's not disappointed to see it, though. ]

I suppose that explains what all they've done in the past, taking over animals and people and changing them.

You have the ability to clone an alien species?

[testsonseashells]

Can clone anything, in theory. Question is whether clones will be viable.

If asking about equipment, received echoes that mitigate several more expensive pieces necessary for cloning, especially with organisms of such small size.

Video;

[alilyinthemoonslight]

After a good bit of searching, it seems like Vermini like to pop up around water too. The giant fountain pool in front of the Bellagio was the first place I found one, a couple weeks ago - also at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

[She frowns and sighs. It's been a draining day for personal reasons, but... This is important, so she continues.]

Supernatural events... I guess if there were Vermini there, that might sync up... Is that what you mean, Doctor? Though, a lot of murders happen here, I mean... Just like any other metropolitan city, right? There's probably been some today, I just haven't turned on the news to find out.

[testsonseashells]

True, but within "echo zone" of Vegas pushes boundary of coincidence. Suppose it's possible, but would prefer to be certain.

Mostly irrelevant. Detective refused help.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

[Lily makes a bit of a face. That's certainly not something she'd like to consider... There's a slight chill running through her, perhaps briefly visible, but she shakes it off.]

Right, of course.

I guess more important at the moment is, if these things appear alien in origin...

[She blinks, looking down.] There's something being missed in the clean up going on right now over in Locke, I suppose...

[testsonseashells]

Shipping creatures here possible, but unlikely, at least for anything beyond initial population. Suspect they were allowed to breed naturally; might reproduce in water.

handwritten

[wastingtime]

Define 'subtly different'.

[testsonseashells]

Membrane lipids of differing molecular structure, foreign proteins used to construct organelles, slightly different cellular respiration processes, other small changes.

[wastingtime]

I see. Presuming they originate on a different planet, that's not all surprising.

Any luck isolating the specifics?

[testsonseashells]

Certainly; simply didn't think anyone would be interested.

[A few files are attached, detailing the molecular configuration of various organelle analogues within Vermini cells.]

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

Detective Strutz is practically impossible to contact. If you manage it, will you please let me know?

video

[testsonseashells]

Actually, managed to speak to him in person, although may have advantage in former FBI membership. Haven't always been a civilian; taken more seriously than someone with no professional experience.

Audio

[dead_black_eyes]

That is an advantage.

My current case might be connected. I was hoping to at least find a way to ascertain that it's not.

[testsonseashells]

Would be interested to hear relevant details.

[Text]

[dyingtohealyou]

Interesting.

Did they die because they were injured, or is it just impossible to keep them alive in the jars or what?

[testsonseashells]

No, simply didn't feed them. Didn't want to risk adverse reaction to organic food; dying by the time I determined they could process it. Not an issue. Can obtain more samples fairly easily.

[dyingtohealyou]

Kind of amazing that it's so simple.

Hey, maybe you should try to figure out if they have a universal favorite food. We can use it as bait if they start showing up in Locke again.

[>Priorities!]

[Voice]

[gobybessie]

Is it possible I could see them for myself? The results.

video

[testsonseashells]

Certainly. Will send them now.

[The files are attached.]

Surprising interest; had thought I was the only one.

[gobybessie]

It would worry me greatly if you were.

Text;

[evowhisperer]

Fascinating. It's a shame you didn't realize they could digest organic food sooner, but what's done is done.

Have any samples from the carcasses survived?

[testsonseashells]

Unfortunately no; creatures sublimate upon death. Still, managed to get surprisingly complete genetic samples.

Suspect sublimation is engineered, actually. Would likely impair nutrient cycles if corpses all dissolved instantaneously.

[evowhisperer]

Excellent.

It would, unless there was a substance given off during sublimation that other creatures could feed on. That, or perhaps they have a life cycle that can't rely on decomposition the way ours does.