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Scope and Purpose ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Scope and Purpose As a species Internecivus Raptus moves beneath a pall of mystery, and uncertainty, only to lunge out occasionally to remind us of its presence and power. They are cold calculating predators - survivors of the highest order. After four unsuccessful encounters with the Alien (each ending in the regrettable loss of personnel and material) it became apparent that without an intelligent base to work from we may never be able to adequately deal with the creature. As of 2379 no structured scientific look into the creature, and its abilities, had been created. At the joint request of the Dykstra Global Industries' Bio-Sciences Guild and the United Systems Military various members of the scientific communities located on the orbital installation Anchorpoint were charged with the task of creating such documentation. After six years of research and compiling of Weyland-Yutani data dating back to 2119 the cumulative efforts of the Anchorpoint personnel was made available. Known simply as "The Anchorpoint Essays" this is the largest and most comprehensive look into the biology and behavior of the Alien available in the colonized systems. It is through these essays that personnel of the United System Military, Astro-Sciences Guild, Terran-Sciences League, Bio-Sciences Guild, Exo-Sciences Guild, and Bio-Weapons Development Guild may access all levels of information acquired and deemed permissible on I. raptus. (Access to The Anchorpoint Essays requires Authorization Protocols of "A12/c" or higher. Additional clearance may be granted to those holding "A12/d" or lower based on Senior Officer/Administrator assessment and requirements (see DGI Authorization Protocols Manual - Article 16, section 12, paragraph 3 for requirement needs and qualifications)). Approximately 86% of the information reported within the Essays is based on scientific speculation and theory. This comes as a result of a general lack of information regarding the species. The majority of the Alien's recorded activity and abilities are from field reports taken under combat situations, or scenarios that are removed from the arena of empirical scientific study. However, the compilation and collation of this information, as well as theoretical extrapolations based on this material have resulted in the most complete investigation of I. raptus to date. These essays should not be seen as a means of combating the Alien, but should be seen as a means of acquiring information so as to better understand it. The purpose of these essays is to inform, and to present a better understanding through sound theory an applicable science. It is also necessary for the reader to understand that the due to its biomechanical nature the biology of the Alien challenges what we know of life, and it's requirements in order for it to exist. As such some of the theories put forth in the following essays challenge the established working parameters for purely organic, as well as biomechanical, biology. It is asked that the reader put aside conventions of "impossible vs. possible" and understand that given the lack of empiric scientific study new avenues of theoretical biomechanical engineering have been explored. As a result existing scientific boundaries have been pushed and expanded to encompass possibilities that are outside of our current realm of understanding. >> End of entry Return to Top ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... The Debate There are those among the scientific community that feel that the study of Internecivus Raptus should be done from the point of view that the specimens cultivated aboard the USM Auriga are, and should be, the basis for study when looking at the species as a whole. This standpoint comes from the fact that there have been no recorded instances involving the Alien since it's last encounter on Fiorina 161 in 2179, which is a possible indication that no such specimens exist. Therefore, it is felt - however slim the chances are - that any future interaction with the creature would be a direct result of surviving members of the Auriga brood. Then there are those that feel the Auriga brood should be studied, not as a variant, and not as a primary target within the species, but rather as an equal part of the overall species as it has been encountered. The belief here is that the incorporation of DNA from any host will ultimately cause a variation in the Alien's biology and behavior to the point that no two hive societies are alike. The third direction in study is that the Aliens encountered aboard the USCSS Nostromo (2122), on LV-426 (2179), and Fiorina 161 (2179) are considered to be "uncontaminated" forms of I. raptus (being that they all can be seen as being direct descendants from the same stock of eggs - those aboard the Derelict Ship found on LV-426). The incorporation of a higher-than-normal-level of host DNA in the Auriga brood caused aberrant biology and behavior in the Queen and her offspring. As such the Aliens aboard the USM Auriga should be treated as aberrant specimens when studying the species as a whole. This does not mean that they should be excluded from study, only that their inclusion should be seen as circumspect, and the outcome of their study will produce results that vary from those that would be obtained otherwise. It is believed that the Auriga brood is a deviation from the normal biological effects of a host upon the Alien due to genetic tampering. It is this last view that was taken when creating The Anchorpoint Essays. It is felt that this view point offers a clearest perspective on the Alien species by looking not only at the species as whole, but looking into the possibilities of genetic augmentation when applied the Alien. >> End of entry Return to Top ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... The Use of Theory: The Creation of an Empirical Basis As it is stated above: nearly 86% of all material reported here is based on theory, but this should not be a seen as a means of dismissing this information as being"just theoretical." The idea that the objects in the Sol solar system orbit the sun is a theory. The idea that black holes are stars with demesne gravitational pull is a theory. Escape velocity is a theory. Faster than light travel is a theory. Quantum mechanics is physical theory. The dynamics of atoms and their interaction with other atomic particles is called atomic theory. The process of evolution? Also a theory. All of these theories are accepted by experts as fact because each is an explanation that can be proven to a certain degree - either through observation and/or experimentation. This is what individuals in various scientific fields refer to when they speak of theory: it is an explanation that fits the presented evidence of a given problem. These theories are then seen as the most reliable view of reality until contradictory data is presented, or a better explanation can be made. Basically, theories are constructed in order to explain, predict and master phenomena. In many instances, theories are seen to be a model of reality. A theory, at its simplest, is nothing more than generalizations about observations and consists of interrelated yet coherent ideas. Through this view a theory is little more than a guess, or a hypothesis. In science, however, a theory is much more than that - it is an established paradigm that explains all, or as much, of the data available and offers valid predictions that can be tested. In science, a theory can never be proven true, because it can never be assumed that we know all there is to know. Instead, theories remain standing until they are disproved, at which point they are thrown out altogether or modified. The root of all theories is empirical observation. At some point, there is a need or curiosity to find an answer to a given question or problem. Within scientific theories, this then leads to research, in combination with hypotheses, which may then lead to a theory. Some scientific theories (such as the theory of gravity) are so widely accepted that they are often seen as laws. This, however, rests on a mistaken assumption of what exactly theories and laws are. Theories and laws are not rungs in a greater ladder of truth and enlightenment, but merely different sets of data. A law is a general statement based on observations. In science a theory is only considered to be a theory once it has a firm empirical basis, i.e.:
>> End of entry Return to Top ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Origins of Internecivus Raptus The true history of the Alien is, at this time, unknown. However, based on observation and reports (as made by the Nostromo crew and two survey teams based from the terraforming colony on LV-426) of the Derelict Spacecraft the Aliens were most likely in transit, and presumably for use as a biological agent in planetary reconstruction/reconfiguration. Based on the transmitted warning emanating from the Derelict Craft, the ship's pitch in relation to the terrain, it's location on the planetary surface, and the ship's structural damage it is believed that LV-426 was not the intended destination of the ship. Further observations as to the structure and layout of the egg chamber found in the ship remain consistent with a cargo hold. The eggs were arranged in an orderly fashion, and were apparently kept in stasis - a stasis system that appears to have been still functioning when the Nostromo's crew located the spacecraft. The eggs also seemed to be sectioned off in groups of similar quantities, which may indicate an intention to deposit the eggs in controlled specific clutches. There are currently two working theories as to how the Jockies (the approved designation for the race of aliens that created and operated the Derelict Spacecraft) came to have I. raptus in their possession. The first theory is no longer upheld by many, and has long since been deemed "unlikely." However, there are still those few that subscribe to this belief, which is why it was chosen for inclusion in The Anchorpoint Essays. This theory is that the Jockies farmed the Aliens: I. raptus may have been indigenous to the Jockey home world, or may have been found elsewhere, but were deemed useful as a biological weapon or an agent of planetary reformation. Through this theory the Jockies had created a way of collecting and preserving eggs from numerous Queens that would then be held in stasis until such a time that they were needed. This theory relies heavily on the notion that I. raptus evolved as a result of natural selection within a given ecosystem. If this is true then the various means of self defense available to the Alien would seem to indicate that it was not at the top of the predatory chain - specifically the acidic blood and armor-like exoskeleton. If this were true then the natural environment for I. raptus would be incredibly hostile and toxic. One evolutionary constant found throughout the galaxy has been that the most hostile environments produce the most hostile organisms. The Alien also does not seem to strike an equilibrium with its environment. Most organisms will naturally find a balance with their surroundings based on the availability of food, climate, shelter, and any other materials needed for survival. I. raptus does not appear to do this - to the contrary I. raptus appears to rapidly consume all resources available to it making it more analogous to a viral agent. The second, and currently accepted theory, is that I. raptus is the result of controlled bioengineering with the intent of creating an organism for the specific purpose of planetary reconstruction/reconfiguration. It is believed that the Jockies - in a desire to colonize additional worlds created a means of altering any planet so that it would be suitable for their biological needs. Through this theory "starter clutches" of I. raptus eggs would be deposited strategically over a planet's surface. The Aliens would increase in number and not only eradicate all life forms suitable for being host material, but the gases that are released as a result of respiration and ingestion would begin to alter the planet's atmosphere making it more suitable for the in-coming Jockies. Presumably after decades of habitation by the Aliens, the Jockies would then eliminate the I. raptus infestation, and begin to settle the new planet. It isn't clear how eliminating a planetary infestation would occur, but it's believed that I. raptus may have a genetically designed weakness to a specific pathogen or waveform that would allow the Jockies to sufficiently deal with the Aliens prior to colonization. This theory presents the Jockies as a race of individuals governed by an unsympathetic and ruthless imperialism - which raises the question: Which is more horrific: the race that could conceive of creating a creature such as I. raptus for such a purpose, or the creatures used in bringing their creators' desires to fruition? It has been suggested that the Alien was designed specifically as an agent of biological warfare. Without any degree of certainty this cannot be refuted, and it is possible that I. raptus may have been employed to such a degree at various times. However, this use alone seems to undermine some of the creature's potential, and as such it makes the Alien too valuable to be used in such an expendable manner. Also - the number of eggs recorded in the Derelict's cargo hold have been estimated to have been of sufficient number to reconfigure a planet the size of Earth in approximately 20 years. >> End of entry Return to Top ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Purely Organic vs. Biomechanical The current classification of I. raptus is that of a biomechanical organism, as opposed to purely organic. As of 2385 the current scientific definition of a biomechanical organism - as listed in the Oxford English Dictionary - is:
It should be noted that the use of the term "inorganic" in the above definition not only includes "standard" inorganic material (inorganic salts, inorganic phosphates, etc.), but also refers to metals, metalloids and alloys not commonly occurring in biological organisms. It should also be pointed out that the term "biomechanical organism" should not be confused with "android" or "cybernetic organism (cyborg)." In comparison to biomechanical organisms androids are comprised purely of synthetic materials, are unable to evolve, and unable to reproduce via gametes. Cybernetic organisms contain metal and/or metalloid and/or synthetic augmentations within a biological physiology. As such these augmentations occur separately from normal biological development and growth, and there for not genetic - making them nontransferable via biological reproduction. The classification of the Alien as "biomechanical" was first introduced in 2125 by the Weyalnd-Yutani Bio-Weapons Division when it was speculated that silicon (a metalloid) may be incorporated in the creature's physiology. However, at that time biomechanical organisms were still considered to be strictly theoretical, and as such consideration for such a classification was subject to strenuous debate. By 2180 a ground-work had been set for a basic classification of biomechanical organisms, but being that this was still considered theoretical the classification was somewhat tenuous. The first major scientific contribution that elevated the classification of I. raptus from organic to biomechanical was the release of the Weyalnd-Yutani Bio-Weapons Division report "The DNA Reflex" in 2185. This report built a convincing argument for the Alien utilizing a virus to catalyze the creation of an embryo within a host organism. Further research applied this theory to the ability of an adult Alien to create eggs from host organisms as well. It is a well-documented aspect of nearly all biological organisms that bacteria are harbored and generated due to an organism's diet and/or habitat. These bacteria may be part of a symbiotic relationship, used as a defensive measure, or may simply be generated as a by-product. But no organism has ever been recorded to internally create a specific virus - let alone a virus that is utilized for such a specific purpose as reproduction. Only an organism that was bio-engineered by a separate race would have such an ability. From this point on I. raptus was officially a biomechanical organism. Once this was established this opened the door for additional theories that challenged conventional ideas of life, existence, adaptation, and reproduction. The current accepted definition of a biomechanical organism was established in 2268, following the successful creation of a biomechanical organism (Specus Compactor) in 2265 by Samuel H. Oroti, PhD at the Lorring Institute, located on Mars. Since that time further analysis of the Alien has only solidified notions of I. raptus being a bio-engineered creation. It is believed that one of the contributing factors to Dr. Mason Wren's difficulties in cloning Ellen Ripley was a lack of knowledge as to the process of engineering that went into the creation of I. raptus and how this shaped the construction of it's DNA. >> End of entry Return to Top ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Anchorpoint Anchorpoint is an Orlando Class United Systems Orbital Expansion Base positioned in high planetary orbit above Thedus. Anchorpoint is the largest off-world scientific installation in operation with a working community of approximately 3,094 individuals (personnel roster breakdown is as follows: 2,515 members of varying scientific communities, 311 crew members responsible for station operations, 182 United Systems Military personnel (most of which represent the Military Sciences), and approximately 86 civilians). The average tour of duty for those among the scientific communities is 24 months (Terran time); among stations operations and military personnel the average tour is 12 months; the civilian presence is limited to Dykstra Global Industries employees and representatives - each with varying tours of duty based on need and vocational classification. Operational, industrial, orbital, scientific, and transit regulations all fall under the multinational/interstellar jurisdiction of Dykstra Global Industries as per the Ottawa Accord of 2336. Any military presence on DGI installations is subject to said regulations, unless otherwise noted by DGI legal representatives. Following the close and decommission of Thedus Dry Dock Echo in 2341 - as well as all surface-based mining operations in favor of improved mining possibilities on Xarem - DGI scientific representatives felt that the location was ideal for an outer veil scientific community dedicated to exobiological studies. However, by the time construction began Anchorpoint was no longer planned as an exobiology lab - it was a fully functional inter-discipline community of scientific research and development. Plans to retrofit Dry Dock Echo to meet the needs of the scientific community were scrapped and the Dry Dock dismantled in favor of a larger, more versatile station. Initial phases of construction began August 11, 2354 under the funding and supervision of Dykstra Global Industries, with partial representative funding from the United Systems Military. Construction was completed June 17, 2369. Anchorpoint represents the first large-scale interstellar accomplishment since the merger of Weyland-Yutani Corporation and Dykstra Industries in 2332. Once construction was underway members of scientific communities throughout the system began to submit Applications of Transfer in hopes to be reassigned to what was being hailed as a "milestone in orbital scientific installations." However, by the completion of construction in 2369 a four-year waiting list had been put into effect to deal with the massive influx of transfer requests. By the end of the first year of operations that list had doubled. Anchorpoint resides in a high planetary orbit over Thedus, otherwise designated as Epsilon Reticuli B, or HD 27442 B. Thedus is a Jovian Class planet with a mass equivalent to 1.43 Juptiers. It resides in a near circular orbit 1.18 AUs from its host star Epsilon Reticuli with an orbital eccentricity of 0.03. The average duration of Thedusian orbit is 426 Terran days with an argument of perihelion equal to 349°. The average length of day is 20:32:08 Terran hours. And the average surface temperature is 13° C. Discovered December 11, 2000, by Anglo-Australian Planet Search Thedus was originally believed to be a gas giant - hence the Jovian classification. However, when the planet was first surveyed in 2092 it was found to be more closely aligned to the climate and terrain of Mars. Following this discovery surface surveys were conducted which showed the planet to be rich in iron (in the form of Magnetite, Hematite, and Siderite), copper (in the form of Digenite, Azurite, and Malachite), and aluminum (in the form of Bauxite), with unusually high concentrations of Diamond, Fullerite, and Lonsdaleite formations. Terraforming facilities were constructed by 2108, with mining operations beginning shortly thereafter. Epsilon Reticuli, also designated as HD 27442, is an orange main sequence star located 18.2 parsecs (59.332 light years) from Sol. Its luminosity type is K2-IVa with a magnitude of 4.442 and a mass equal to 1.2 solar masses. In the Terran sky Epsilon Reticuli is located at RA 04 16 29.0287, DEC -59 18 07.763. Average travel time from Earth at standard regulated FTL speeds is 18 months. >> End of entry Return to Top ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Home
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