[OPEN][TEXT] khaara threat update: signs and symptoms

[inject]

I have information regarding the Khaara. Read attached form.



> Analysis of the disease contracted by the base in the months previous was undertaken with regard to the available information on the Khaara. Using these methods it was possible to conclude that the disease is in fact related to them. Similarities between samples of the disease in the lab and the Khaara on record are comparitive to a human to an ape - they share a common ancestor.

> Evolution in bacteria occurs over a much quicker time than in complex species. With this in mind, a century, perhaps two, can be hazarded as the amount of time it took this strain to develop. In that time, it adapted to the local environment by relying on the local species for survival rather than conquering.

> They are a collective. The samples reacted to each other in their culture dishes and grew as one entity.

> Distance is no barrier. A dish placed as far away as the other side of the base continued to grow in the same pattern as one in the labs.

> The illness makes local animals stronger. The Khaara samples weaken as it rearranges the animal DNA. It forces a rapid evolutionary process. The animals become violent. Key signs of infection, therefore, are aggression, weakness, and mutation. The illness can be spotted by previously detailed strengthening aspects.

> Both can be contained with enzyme blockers. Repeated booster shots are a must for treatment to be effective.

Now if you excuse me, I'll be going for a drink.

Comments

[bonomial]

Shell, what's next in the list of discoveries? It's like this planet just keeps getting crazier and crazier.

If the Khaara are related to the Jellyshroom sickness, is there some way to figure out whether the common ancestor is from Iniidae or somewhere else? I was working under the impression that Iniidae's lifeforms were always native to the planet, but doesn't this potentially throw a monkey wrench in that hypothesis?

[inject]

Bacteria can evolve over a much slower period of time. It's entirely possible that the Khaara are an invading species who left when they found the planet unsuitable, and the remaining strand became what they are now.

That said, it's also entirely possible that the Khaara were originally a native species.

We simply don't know enough.

[bonomial]

Where I'm from, bacteria don't even have any kind of consciousness, so this is completely new. There weren't any signs of consciousness in the Jellyshroom sickness bacteria... how the heck did it happen in these alien guys?!

Or

[There's a long pause, as something very strange occurs to him.]

is it possible it's an emergent property?

[inject]

There were when I grew them in culture pots. I knew what I was looking for at that point.

[bonomial]

That's incredible! I hadn't thoguht [A pause, as he deletes his text, his fingers seemingly tripping on the keys a little.] The possibility of a sentience arising from a whole bacterial mat instead of just small clusters isn't something I considered at all.

This changes everything. How many other organisms on the planet act like this? Is this part of the whole "sentient planet" thing? If it's like a giant thinking biofilm, it's like the planet is one big brain!

[Yes, it was necessary to underline that.]

[inject]

I believe there are several hypothesis on the planet being sapient itself already. The dreamscape seems to be one.

[ It's not her area of research, though - she's focused on the keeping them alive part of staying here. ]

Ask around. You might find out more.

[bonomial]

Will do. It sounds like something that should have some serious thought put into it, especially with stuff like the Khaara being prominent now.

At the very least it's gonna be important to pay attention for other signs of sub-cellular sentience. Who knows what else the Khaara could be living in?

[He hasn't forgotten Karkat describing them as algae-like growths. There's been a certain level of paranoia every time he encountered some new algal bloom as a result.]

[inject]

I'll look into any samples that we gather. The tests are fairly simple, if time consuming - but we have Dave to help with that.

[bonomial]

If you can, shoot whatever info you get over to the labs, and I'll analyze it. It'll be important for that scanner. With any luck, I'll get this thing up and running for the Jellyshroom sickness, and then I can think about expanding it to look for other kinds of similar microbes.

[inject]

Got it.

This might just be instrumental in saving us, Donatello. You should be proud of what you did.

[ Pile on the praise. It seemed like a good idea. ]

[bonomial]

[He appreciates it, Valentine.]

For now, go take that drink. I'm pretty sure you've earned it.

[inject]

More than.

[ She logs out. ]