[LTC - K21 - Long Shadow - AE] Emergency Protocols

Ashlon Imperial Science Bureau

Research Report D9-KX-312

Classification: SECRET

Compartment: IRONCLAD

Author: Uhan Mallo, Science Officer Grade III

Background

Project IRONCLAD aims to develop novel toxins for use by Imperial Intelligence. One promising candidate is organism KX, a macrocellular bacterium that excretes a fast-acting nerve agent. Of particular interest is that this agent breaks down rapidly in typical host body environments, making it undetectable at autopsy. However, KX cells only excrete the toxin at very slow rates, severely restricting production.

Experiment Setup

Experiment KX-312 sought to conduct gain-of-function analysis on an engineered KX variant that would both reproduce more quickly, and increase the rate of toxin secretion.

A growth pool was filled with a 5:1 mixture of purified water and standard nutrient solution. Samples of KX (which appear as red discs approximately a forearm in length) were placed in the pool. At experiment start time, a genetic transfusion was activated, flowing genetic material into the pool from a secondary source. This source was organism KE-2, which reproduces extremely rapidly.

Due to the level 3 biohazard, experiment was conducted in Contingency Room 7 which contains a direct-to-exterior venting system. The experiment was conducted with Junior Science Officer Perla supervising in the room, Technician Myrio managing the transfusion flow, and Trooper TK-9621 on routine guard duty. As senior scientist, I monitored the experiment remotely.

Results

No observable changes were detected for the first 4 minutes after transfusion start, as expected given the time required for efficient mixing throughout the pool. Around 4 minutes, the first post-transfusion cell replication began to occur. Thermal monitoring showed increased heat output in the pool. Trace detectors also showed increased output of the toxin element signatures.

Around 6 minutes, thermal activity began a rapid and unexpected exponential increase.  KX cells were replicating faster than expected and generating a dangerous amount of heat in doing so. Additionally, toxin excretion trended rapidly upward to equally dangerous levels. At this time I engaged the failsafe protocol and opened the vent door to vacuum. The water and KX organisms were vented into space, averting danger to the station, and will be captured by the Long Shadow black hole.

The three personnel in the room are being treated for decompression and asphyxiation related injuries. Treatment is occurring in confinement as it is also possible they were directly exposed to the nerve agent toxin. This may provide additional data on the toxin’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

Despite the requirement to activate the failsafe protocol, the experiment successfully demonstrated a pathway to scaling up reproduction and toxin synthesis from organism KX. Future experiments will explore how to manage this productively.