***INCOMING TRANSMISSION***
From: Mark Newman
Subject: Safe?
To all those unfortunate souls who applied,
It may come as a surprise to you that Aperture Science is a ruthless research group. It is well known that their labs are unsafe, and any applicants will probably not be heard from again.
You have been warned,
Ageira Technologies C.E.O
Mark Newman
You may have made the choice to be turned into something which you believe to be more... or less... than human, but in the end you are just a mere human to be caught in the wake of greater beings.
Incoming Transmission
Source ID: Aperture Science CEO
Location: Research Vessel Borealis
Mr. Bret, it would be a pleasure to have you with us during the procedure. You are cleared to come aboard and take a seat in the observation room when it begins.
Mr. Newman, I will leave it to the subjects themselves to refute your claims.
I believe i will be present at these tests, with my guards, of course...I'm curious as to how this event will run, and if it will....succeed...and in the event that it does, i believe that any further tests may be of interest to my crew...The two of my guards work are proficient in most things, and i myself am a scientist...
Name:Vixen Age:Biological Age: 21 | Chronological age: Barely a year Gender:Female Species:Human/Gaian Wildcat genetic crossbreed Education:Advanced knowledge of mechanics, electronics, and small knowledge of medicine, as well as a near-unlimited knowledge able to be drawn through computer mainframe of the "Meeya-Wildcat" BRIEF bio:I myself have dealt with having to come to terms with what i am...i believe that i can help with the process in these ones...
Name:Jade Age:19 Gender:Female Species:Human Education:Advanced medical training and psychological training, that is, observing and manipulating the psychology of others...not in a bad way, though. I can calm people when they begin to panic, and that sort of stuff...also, many talents that may prove useful in giving these people the chance to come to terms with themself. BRIEF bio:My mistress, Vixen, found me and my sister in cryogenic stasis on a derelict slave ship...she freed us with barely hours left, and we've been with her ever since...
Name:Sophia Age:19 Gender:Human Species:Female Education:Knowledge of physical medical procedures, and self defence, as well as many other talents related to calming subjects... BRIEF bio:Jade and I were in cryo on a slaver ship out in kepler, the crew was all dead...she saved us. We came along with her, because we owe her...she is our new master, even if she did free us from our bonds.
Here are the applications. Also, my girls have a request...in the event that this experiment comes around again, they would like to be subjects.
Vixen, out.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
Transmission recieved
Source ID: Aperture Science HR department
Location: Research Vessel Borealis
Your expertise may prove useful, miss Vixen. However this is not the channel for such applications to be sent, please send them to us via private channel and they will be reviewed. Upon being accepted they will be added to our registry on the Enrichment Center page.
On that note, Stage one is underway and everything seems to be going well thus far. We will keep you apprised as the procedure continues.
He leans over and presses a button on the intercom
Custodial engineers, please report to test chamber 18... thank you.
"Sirs, the correct terminology is Anthropomorphic, not Anthromorphic. Aperture Science seems to have quite a ways to go to catch up to the other Research and Development groups throughout Sirius."
Name: Lord Edward 'Inquisitor' Kollingworth III
Age: 42
Place of Birth: Planet Cambridge, Cambridge system
Education: Cambridge degree in mechanical engineering
Work experience: 30 years of hunting and trapping on the manor grounds. 4 years anthro hunting throughout the houses. Eighteen months inter-aristocratic diplomacy.
Genetic sample chosen: Any and all subjects.
Reasons for volunteering: Know thine enemy. If I can help you study these abominations, it may lead to more effective hunting, or ultimately a cure to this heresy. I'm in no academic position to research the beasts, but I can bring them to you...dead or alive.
Transmission recieved
Source ID: Aperture Science HR department
Location: Research Vessel Borealis
Hello Mr. Kollingworth... *sigh* Where to begin... You don't seem to understand exactly what you are volunteering for. We have no intention of finding a "cure". You do not "cure" progress. Evolution does not happen on its own, it must be forced. THAT is what we are doing. Any of these wondrous creatures you call "beasts" that come through our doors do so by their own free will, they bring themselves. We have no need of your services. Application DENIED.
And we now have an update on the progress of the subjects. They are alive, and experiencing only minor side effects from stage one of the process. All indications at this point are that the genetic material is successfully incorporating itself into their DNA.
Also, Aperture Science would like to thank Synth Foods for their generous donation of black forest cake.
Processing Transmission Data Transmission Source: StormTech R&D Mobile Offices
The screen flickers for a moment, then resolves into a blue-white background with the words StormTech R&D centered in the middle in a steel-like font. Beneath the logo are the words "Error, video unavailiable."
For a second, there is no sound, and then a man begins speaking. While it is a very good imitation, certain elements in the sound of his voice reveal that the voice itself is synthisized.
"Ah, good day. Before I begin, I must appologize for the lack of true audio or video in this message. Our ship is currently travelling within a dense nebula which makes realtime transmissions almost impossible to transmit. Thus, I have had to resort to a synth-voice transmission from a text medium. I hope you do not mind.
Now, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Doctor Andrew Cameron, and I represent StormTech Research and Development. We have been following your announcements for some time now, and many of us are very interested in the genetics work you have been doing.
Your work has other viable applications, and as such, the Board of Directors has authorized me to offer you a sum of twenty million credits for the purchase of all research data related to your experiments as they proceed. Should you find this offer to be inadequete, I am prepared to negotiate a more appropriate sum.
I look forward to hearing from you. Good day."
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