#autopsy commentary

[commanderguixi]

Autopsy Commentary (5)

ADVENT Shieldbearer

Dr. Tygan: “Physically the ADVENT Shieldbearer is quite similar to the bulk of ADVENT's forces, in that they are the product of careful genetic engineering that generally mirrors the human form. Most of their unique qualities come from a difference in equipment and armor, components I'm sure Shen will have an interest in examining.”

Dr. Lovett: “It is rare that a difference in the ADVENT trooper is distinguished by differing equipment than genetic modifications. When stripped of it’s armour and shield battery, the clone is nothing more than a common soldier. There is no signs of any additional genetic tweaking to increase bone density or muscle hardening as we see in the Stun Lancer -- more on that later -- I wonder, at what point was this unit conceived? Is this another of the Alien’s attempt to stifle individuality?

I will personally take this shielding component to Lily myself. I’m sure she’ll appreciate having an assistant for once as we go over the inner workings. Perhaps we may mock up some experimental armour designs, although preliminary inspections prove that this battery is powered by Elerium Cores .. hmm..”

ADVENT Stun Lancer

Dr. Tygan: “The ADVENT Stun Lancer was apparently outfitted with the intention of serving as a civilian peacekeeping unit within the city centers. Although they are equipped with weapons capable of administering non-lethal blows, recent reports indicate an increasingly aggressive stance taken by these units.”

Dr. Lovett: “Unsurprisingly, the increase of aggressiveness has to do with it’s genetic markup -- as we find increasing more Berserker strands than in any of the other ADVENT clones. These units are highly volatile and should not have been designated to civilian peacekeeping in the first place.

I know firsthand, forced to have two as my escort during my early years within ADVENT. Never before had I felt like .. like.. bloody cattle being prodded with an electric baton if I so much as veer out of line.

Unlike the Shieldbearer in our past autopsy, there are indications of an increased muscle fibre density to enhance it’s agility, no doubt grabbed from the Berserker’s. Further inspection of their interesting, less-armoured suit reveals components that inject.. something or another -- there are small puncture marks all over the body. I can only assume it is some form of narcotic to numb the pain and keep the unit fighting.

Oh, sorry, ‘keep the civilian peace’, because a drugged, unstable, territorial aggressive unit makes perfect peacekeepers.”

[commanderguixi]

Autopsy Commentary (2)

Muton

Dr. Tygan: “Central Officer Bradford has personally substantiated claims that the massive front-line unit they call the Muton was actually at one time even larger than the specimen I have before me today. As it is, the creature is abnormally warm to the touch for a corpse, and I must say, it’s quite disconcerting.”

Dr. Lovett: “I will spare my thoughts regarding the improved musculoskeletal structure of these shock troopers to streamline and perfect their melee capability; because I find myself fascinated by these … almost ritualistic markings. They serve no purpose – perhaps a … faded remnant of a society that no amount of genetic engineering could tweak out? It is impressive anything escapes the scythe of the Elders’ design.

I’ve witnessed similar markings upon some of our Skirmisher allies. Most notably Captain Pratal Mox. His commentary offers a glimpse of how a Muton tribe may have existed.”

Archon

Dr. Tygan: “The product of an extensive fusion of alien biological material and advanced mechanical support systems, the Archon is an unusually ornate design by alien standards. With an air of authority spurred by its distinctive appearance, I can only assume the aliens intended it to be something of a herald to the other forces.”

Dr. Lovett: “Whilst I admit that the Archon is .. aesthetically pleasing .. such purposes are completely null when commanding a troop of aliens. I have no doubt these are not intended to be seen by ADVENT citizens – so it further brings into question why so many resources have been spent and why such a strange, clearly attractive-by-human-standard design.

In any case … they are perhaps one of the more ruthless and cruel of the alien’s forces. A frenzied Archon belays it’s cold intelligence as a brutal and efficient predator. I’ve taken to shear off the … wings? to further analyze it’s jet functionality. I know our soldiers would appreciate better mobility.”

[commanderguixi]

Autopsy Commentary (7)

Andromedon

Dr. Tygan: “As initially speculated by Shen, it does in fact appear this creature is restricted to the confines of its own hulking environmental suit. Unfortunately for our troops, the suit itself is a powerful physical threat regardless of the operator's status, as we learned with some astonishment in the field.”

Dr. Lovett: “Our phantom, Klaus Webnar, had the unfortunate first hand experience of just how powerful a threat the re-activated robot shell was. A single punch was enough to break his jaw and knock out the lower second premolar -- and I have cause to believe that was merely a glancing hit.

My associate and I were unable to properly determine all of the fumes that resided within the suit itself, making the process risky at best -- and irradiating the theatre room at worse. Thankfully, the most common and prominent gas that we could determine was Argon, which is, to put it simply, non-toxic.

Unfortunately the occupant of the environmental suit expired within minutes once the shell was breached, rending a useless, dried and shriveled cadaver that rendered our tests inconclusive. It does bear similar shape and size to a Muton, however if it’s linked to that species -- perhaps a distant cousin if you will -- remains to be seen.”

Gatekeeper

Dr. Tygan: “This specimen, henceforth referred to as the Gatekeeper, seems to harbor considerable Psionic power. As with the aliens other unique biomechanical field units, it will take some time to decipher the systems involved in its function.”

Dr. Lovett: “My associate’s sparse report indicates the struggle the science team have in determining the purpose of this creature, beyond that of an immense Psionic power. I .. truly, have nothing to add, for once. I am at loss for words. Whereas the Spectre provides a starting point to springboard ideas of quantum mechanics the Gatekeeper remains.. unpredictable and, unknown.

Perhaps I shall send a sample to the Templars to test it’s Psionic capability, although I no doubt will be branded a heretic for presenting them with what they will call a minion of the Elders. I hope that they put aside their religious zealotry for the sake of an inquiring mind. We have to take measures to understand the Psionics we battle against, so we can take the necessary precautions against them.

... Contacting.. Feng, to speak to Prophet Geist may win him over sooner. There is something about that man.. Nevermind.”

[commanderguixi]

Special Autopsy: Viper King.

Dr Vahlen, pre-recorded: “ Although it had been years since I conducted my last autopsy, I found the process returned to me quite naturally. This subject was perhaps less intimidating because of its similarities to the varying reptile species found naturally on the Earth. Because of extensive cyrogentic modifications to the subject's chromosomes, this could very well be the only male variant in the entire species.”

Dr Tygan: “Having carefully studied what remains of Dr. Vahlen's personal research reports, I've slowly come to understand the depths of her intellectual curiosity and the degree to which she was consumed by her ambition. By reversing key changes to the Viper's genetic structure, traits intentionally suppressed by the aliens, she created this, subject "Gamma" - the Viper "King."

Dr. Lovett: “I propose a different theory than my associate and his predecessor: there exists male Vipers, although I have no concrete proof, the ADVENT Speaker bears too striking of a similarity to past infiltration units that we now know were extensively modified Vipers -- population control can be maintained through infertility: after all, why dummy out potentially new and useful dimorphism?

The Elders have proven to be -- unreliable when it concerns their frugality. On the one hand, they can be clinically efficient to the point of brutality, but then they design a unit based entirely of frivolous luxury such as the Archon. But surely they would not pass up the chance to add more genetics in their little soup.

Beyond discussing the uniqueness brought on by it’s variation -- which, I stand by is not that unique at all -- I have unfortunately given my hands frostbite when trying to autopsy the cadaver. Until Shen can design some gloves that will allow us to safely proceed through the autopsy, we can only speculate.”

[commanderguixi]

Autopsy Commentary (6)

Faceless (raw tape)

Dr. Tygan: “I'm at a loss for words to describe the difficulties we've had in attempting to handle this creature, affectionately known as the Faceless by our troops. The nebulous form of its physical structure, including a pliable, semi-solid outer layer, seems to be slowly degrading now the creature has expired. There is also a pungent odor that only seems to grow stronger as time passes.”

Dr Lovett: “Until my associate and I can further analyze the substance this creature seems to be excreting, I’ve marked it as clinically unsafe and a toxic hazard. It should not get on human skin, as our soldiers report that debris of it’s .. flesh, if you could call it that .. burn like acid when coming in contact with them.

I do apologize for the rough audio quality on this tape, I refuse to handle this creature in anything less than a decontamination suit.

Features of this creature seem to melt and blend away; it feels as if my gaze keeps sliding away given how nondescript it is. This unit must be a rather new addition to the alien forces, perhaps created from the disposal genetic waste refined out from the Blacksite, as these creatures were not employed as their infiltration units during the alien’s first contact --

If, if you’ll excuse me, I think my stomach wants to become acquainted outside of my body -- the smell -- Excuse me, Doctor.”

Sectoid

Dr. Tygan: “Though I was never witness to one myself, countless observers attest to the existence of a much smaller, less intimidating variant of the Sectoid that took part in the original invasion. In the time since, this new being, the product of clear genetic manipulation, is now a familiar face to our forces operating in the field.”

Dr. Lovett: “I was in service as a CMT -- first time around -- when the Aliens invaded. I saw these creatures. They reminded me much like vermin, scurrying about without an ounce of empathy. No Geneva Convention or international humanitarian law mattered to these Aliens. I was human. Wounded were human. That was all that mattered.

...

These are quite extensively genetically modified creatures. I am unsure why the Aliens seem to favour these Sectoid enough to drastically improve them when I’m certain their resources could be spent elsewhere. I’m beginning to think my understanding of the Elders’ practicality was entirely unfounded, and that they are vain, fickle beings.”

[commanderguixi]

Autopsy Commentary (4)

Chryssalid

Dr. Tygan: “Presumably the name Chryssalid derives from assumptions made previously about the creature's unusual means of reproduction. Although rumors have long prevailed about the existence of zombies created as a byproduct of the Chryssalid gestation, recent reports seem to indicate that a new, equally disturbing means of propagating their species.”

Dr. Lovett: “Burn it. Burn it with extreme prejudice and thank the higher powers that be that all we ever had to deal with before were giant tarantulas or scorpions. This ... thing ... is an affront of nature. Yes .. Dr. Tygan, that IS my professional opinion.”

Viper

Dr. Tygan: “Although I would expect to be more accustomed to seeing the clear intermingling of both human and alien genetic material, I must admit, this reptilian creature with such distinctive human features is surprisingly unsettling. Invasion-era reports include references to a species with some reptilian qualities, but nothing as readily apparent as this.”

Dr. Lovett: “At least the Viper’s purposes of infiltration may attribute to the various why’s posed by it’s design, though it has been a long time since the Aliens had need for a creature to walk among heavy populated areas ... yes, I am aware of the existence of the Faceless, but I shall save my commentary on that for when we examine .. what’s left of it.

The certain.. mammalian features present on the Viper are not what our soldiers hope them to be, but they are in fact the glands for their venom. No doubt the choice had to have been consciously made during the engineering process to keep the allusion of breasts, for whatever reason. I find myself sharing my esteemed colleague’s sense of unease. The words uncanny valley spring to mind..

As a side note, the hive-like rash present on the Viper’s scaly skin is identical to the one found gracing the ADVENT Speaker’s neck. This could be a clue as to the engineering behind that infuriating preacher.”

[ltdres-blog]

Autopsy Commentary (1)

ADVENT Trooper

Dr. Tygan: “Knowing that my past surgical experience is limited, I'm sure the crew appreciates I hone my skills on fallen ADVENT before triaging our own wounded. To the uninitiated the common ADVENT Trooper is seemingly human, the aliens have disguised its most glaring divergence from the human form with with a carefully designed helmet.”

Dr. Lovett: “Whilst I am qualified to practice surgery on our troops, further experimentation upon the fallen ADVENT cadavers allow me insight into better treating our Skirmisher allies -- some procedures would inadvertently harm them more than heal them, I find. Upon further analysis, the helmet -- and most of it’s armour -- seems to be bolted on or grafted across the jawbone to the back of the head. I can only assume this is to prevent accidental removal.”

ADVENT Officer

Dr. Tygan: “The ADVENT Officers appear similar, if not physically the same, as the common ADVENT Trooper in terms of power and agility. However, field reports indicate a more developed mental acuity, as the Officers provide tactical directives to the subordinate ADVENT forces.”

Dr. Lovett: “My distinguished colleague’s assessment of the Officer’s mental acuity is correct. When out in the field, my GREMLIN recorded brainwaves and activity of the Officer and Trooper we were battling with and found that the Officer reacted more autonomously than we first believed. But this is more akin to machine learning than independent, individual thought.

We are not certain as to what sort of tactical reserve the Elders forces are calling upon in place of the Commander, though they no doubt have planned for this contingency. Our best, educated guess is that their psionic Network has been rerouted to their greatest tactical mind: the Chosen Hunter.”