Small Fungal Life-form

Single instance of Object-B during Experiment Object-01B. Footage recovered from the body cam of Technician ████ ████████.

Item #: Object

Object Class: Safe Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: Meteorological reports are to be monitored for any incoming objects, thought to have originated from the Kuiper Belt, and all presumed "landing zones" or "nests" are to be investigated by D Class being monitored by MTF-Object ("Thought Provokers"). D-Class cleared for investigation must have been heavily misinformed about Foundation operations as to keep information leak to a minimum. No more instances of object are to be retrieved. Any instances found outside of containment must be terminated via incineration. long-range gunfire and only after a confirmed termination, the instance be incinerated. Any civilians thought to have made contact with Object are to be taken in for questioning as to ascertain whether they are to be reclassified as Object-2 and subsequently terminated. Emergency Dispatch Radios are also to be monitored for any signs of Contagion-A, and any extreme but necessary measures to avoid mass spread of Contagion-A, be taken.

Object(s) is to be given 3 kg of decomposing biological matter, meat and/or vegetation every 15 hours, placed inside the designated feeding hole. Instances are to be housed in a 10x10 concrete cell, lined with surgical steel and the floor covered with 7m of dirt. The wall under the cell is to be fitted with a sheet of tungsten carbide 10cm thick to prevent instances from breaking containment. A separate pressurised decontamination chamber is to house the entrance and all spaces in between, must be filled with epoxy. A small fountain, disconnected from the main water lines of the Site, is allowed to run and the water be treated with iodine. Internal moisture is to be set at 30% and the air to be composed of 24.3% nitrogen, 47.4% carbon monoxide, 16.8% methane, 8.9% oxygen and 2,6% ██████. Internal temperature is to be set at 25°C. 15°C. Following the results of Experiment Object-01B, internal temperatures are not to exceed 36°C, and emergency cooling systems are to be checked weekly, during cleaning. Instances of Object-2 are to be incinerated directly after testing. No instance of Object-2 is allowed to exist.

Ventilation must be isolated to a specialised filter and cleaned bi-weekly. The cell should be cleaned weekly and extremely meticulously, as to leave to traces of Contagion-A. No janitorial staff are to enter containment without the proper protective equipment. This includes a nano-filter gas helmet and a nano-weave hazmat suit, which should be examined before and after entering containment for tears. A small side room has been built to house Object, while the decontamination and cleaning of main cell is ongoing (as of Experiment Object-01B, Event Object-172).

Any personnel (even D Class) believed to be infected with Contagion-A, institute a breach of secrecy scenario, and Safety Procedure Contagion-A must be initiated, by order of the O5 Council. SPC-A includes: All personnel thought to house Contagion-A (now reclassifed to E Class personnel), are to be quarantined individually and examined for further signs of infection. If signs of infection continue, said quarantine chambers are to be flooded with ███ litres of ████fentanyl gas, until all are presumed expired, their remains also incinerated.

As of Event Object-02A and the discovery of Contagion-A, Object has been re-designated to Euclid classification. Further testing with Object has also been made forbidden as of Experiment Object-01B, Event Object-172.

+ Note from Site Director Stilton

"Due to MTF-Object's continuous successful attempts at containing Object, with zero major incidents since Event Object-02A, requests for reclassification to Keter have been denied. Our current means of containment, though difficult in some aspects, are considered successful. This does not mean we are in the clear. We have barred the object from communicating with its superiors, yes, but whatever its superior is and wants with information, we do not know. They have not stopped coming since and we don't even know how the come to our planet, so, I want all personnel working in this facility and especially those assigned to Object at their peak alertness. We cannot have whatever's listening, know what's happening within these walls."

Description: Object is a species of previously unknown fungus-based life-form. Instances resemble large blue arachnids or crustaceans with multiple thin, sharp appendages. Instances have no discernible gender/genitalia and seem incapable of reproduction, their current primary objective being self-preservation of the colony. If an instance goes around 15 hours without sustenance, it will enter a form of cryptobiosis, allowing it to be revived by an instance of Object-D. A protective shell lines the top of the abdomen and head. Object has no apparent sensory organs, however they possess several specialised appendiges, some used to sense changes in air pressure, some used to spit up digestive fluids, some used to re-ingest those fluids and some specialised for ████. The main shell appears hollow, however inside the hollow shell are arranged pouches containing Contagion-A. Instances release the contagion by pressing their bodies against the interior of their shells and hence, squeezing the pouches.

Objects are not aggressive and are completely docile aggressive towards all life and are extremely territorial, and will release Contagion-A liberally, even as a warning. Instances show the intelligence of pack hunters and eusocial insects in parallel, and so show slightly different physiological traits in each position of the pack. Objects are classified on these terms as Object-A, Object-B, Object-C and Object-D each fulfilling a purpose towards the colony. Currently the Foundation possesses ███ instances of Object.

Contagion-A is a virulent fungal strain of unknown origin or genus. Single instances of Contagion-A are spores 3.5 nanometers in diameter, thus it cannot be seen by the human eye. Contagion-A can affect any vertebrate. Contagion-A can also be absorbed by skin. Infection begins immediately, having a secondary amnesiac and incapacitant effect at initial contact if subjects inhale more than >███ micrograms. No such effect has been seen occurring to non-human carriers of Contagion-A, however other vertebrates have been notice to recoil in pain and flee. Human subject will have little recollection and will wake up several hours afterwards, confused and nauseous. Subject (therefore renamed Object-2) will go through a 3-stage transformation with complete bodily reconstruction occurring at around 2 weeks time. Stages of infection are as follows:

• Stage I: Spores attach to DNA and begin the process. DNA is unwound and unknown mRNA proteins attach and rewrite the host's genome. In the first five days of infection, non-vital organs die and are converted into spore factories. Organs include spleen, appendix (if available), one kidney, testicles (if male), uterus, ovaries, cervix (if female), gallbladder and one lung. No discernible abnormalities can be seen, apart for a laboured breathing, however Object-2 is effective in transmitting Contagion-A and it is theorised that is the reason non-vital organs are target. Object-2 expels minute amount when exhaling and through skin contact with other vertebrates. Traces amount to less than ███ micrograms, not causing incapacitation or amnesia, however subjects seem confused and have very short term memory throughout.

• Stage II: Seven days after initial contact, all of DNA has been rewritten by spores and physiological reconstruction ensues heavily. Subjects enter a form of stasis and in all cases will remove all articles of clothing, fall to their knees and hold their face. Why all instances of Object-02 respond with that specific motion to Stage II. Brain activity and life functions all fall to undetactable levels. Two hours after stasis, the subject's skin will begin to glow and turn blue over a 43-minute period. Hair will also begin to turn a translucent white. Cordycep-like growths appear along the spine, with bulbous bioluminescent sacks forming at the top of these growths. They will continue to grow upwards for an additional four days at a rate of 8cm/day. The eyes of the subject have also been noted to grow bioluminescent sacks, to the point of complete reconstruction. Eyelids are kept shut through-out.

• Stage III: After a total of twelve days, the transformation is considered complete. Brain activity resumes at 98% of its capacity, denoted by the subject's eyelids opening bioluminescence flooding out. MRI scans reveal with most activity are sites of memory (such as the amygdala, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex). Signals are sent from the brain down the spine and up the growths, which formed specialised neurons, signals are converted by unknown means into extremely low frequency waves and broadcast outwards from the sacks. Stage III lasts only around 2 days depending on age of subject, with recorded instances of Stage III in children lasting only 13 hours. Object-02 expires from dehydration and exhaustion as instances have known to reach internal temperatures of ███°C.

Currently, the Foundation have no means of decrypting or intercepting the projected waves. Proxy waves, similar to the ones projected by Object-2, have been tested with, however, and were intercepted by a large body in the Kuiper Belt, presumably Pluto. One signal has been sent back since, but Foundation radio-communication teams were unable to be intercepted it. No other proxies have yet to initiate another response by the unknown party.

Recovery Log: Object was discovered on 13/02/1931, after reports of a farmer in ██████, Maine saw his dog being dragged away by a giant spider crab. Reports of an explosion/meteor in said area were submitted 4 weeks prior to this incident, however when local authorities investigated they found nothing. Foundation operatives sent to investigate were unprepared for contact with Contagion-A. When operatives reached the initial landing zone of Object, they were attacked by instances of Object-B and incapacitated. As soon as mission control lost contact, an emergency response team was dispatched, armed with Foundation stantard-issue biological warfare protection. ETF went in and recovered both agents and the Object, without any other problems. Knowledge of Contagion-A had not be obtained yet. After retrieval, it was discovered that almost ███% of the personnel in Site-███ had contracted Contagion-A and a site-wide extermination was initiated on 24/02/1931. It was also discovered that the police officers that investigated had all contracted Contagion-A and had spread contagion-A to ██% of local life and ███ instances of Object-2 in ██████, Maine had to be eliminated (dubbed as Event Object-02A). There have been ██ identified landing zones since Event Object-02A. No meteorite material has yet been recovered from any landing zone.

Addendum Object-1:
Below is physiological and psychological data, complied by Dr Wilmarth and Researcher Towers, about Object's reaction to different stimuli in the wild, to ascertain whether Object can assimilate into our natural environment or rather how it will assimilate life into it's what the object perceives as natural. Ethics committee has approved the use of ████ wild animal species, ████ of natural New England wildlife and ███ exotic specimens. All specimens were kept in 30x45m habitation exclosure simulating a standard New England woodland area. Specimens were introduced into the habitation by Technicians ████ ████████ and ██████ ████ who were later found kneeled over ████████ in advanced stages of Contagion-A, during the aftermath of Experiment Object-01B, Event Object-172, whose events cleared the project for immediate shut down. Attached is also a transcribe of foreword from Dr Wilmarth, recorded on ██/██/1989:

+ Foreword by Dr Wilmarth

"Finally! It's been almost 60 years since they first contained these things! Can you believe it? Finally they're letting us take a look at them! I cannot contain my excitement. I already have a name for it Charlie! Macrospora Wilmarthis, hahahaha. Hey, no need to scof- where are you.. Charlie! Okay then… [clears throat] My name is Dr Albert Wilmarth and I am zoologist here at the Foundation, with 24 years of experience. I have been assigned as head of Research Project Object-01B, and my job is to oversee all current operation on this Project. The object arrives tomorrow and the first batch of animals the day after. We will allow the Object to facilitate itself, create its nest and react to the flora around it without any other stimulus. I am told.. [ruffles paper] that we should be expecting ██ specimens total. Researcher Towers will be assisting me as my second in command, although some of us are more excited than others. I can understand it, he just had a kid. We'll try to get this over with, hopefully we'll be here for less than the scheduled six months."

Object-A (aka Hunters)

+ Object Alpha

Physiology:

• Average Height: 24.1cm
• Average Length: 52.8cm
• Average Weight: 7.6kg
• Average Top Speed: 49km/h

Behavior:
Object-A leave the nest in twos or threes to prey on small animals. Object-A instances are extremely fast in dealing with prey. Display pack hunter strategies, but because of their size usually have no problem in dealing with any animal, even humans in cases. Attack by striking prey with sharp hooked ends of their appendages causing lacerations. Once the prey is dead, a single instance will hook the prey onto their back and move onto the next prey, until all instances have at least one animal corpse on its back, signalling the end of a hunt. Instances then return to the nest and share the newly acquired food with the rest of the colony. They will then retreat into the tunnels underneath and re-emerge 16 hours and 27 minutes later. No use of Contagion-A has been seen by Object-A on prey.

Object-B (aka Nesters or Guards)

+ Object Beta

Physiology:

• Average Height: 27.3cm
• Average Length: 45.1cm
• Average Weight: 11.9kg
• Average Top Speed: 14km/h

Behavior:
Object-B's primary duty is to establish a nesting area. The process begins by all instances digging (using specialised appendages) a large hole until water is reached, in the place of the landing zone. Instances have also be observed drilling through concrete. Once the nest is established and widened the instances will seek out any flora to overlay over the nest, obscuring it from sight. Object-B will then position themselves around the nest and dig a pair of their appendages into the dirt, presumably to sense for vibrations. Instances will remain in assumed position until a threat approaches. Instances will also break position to eat, but only in pairs of two at 2 hour and 34 minute intervals. Object-B have the most Contagion-A pouches out of every other other Object instance, as well as having tubes attached to the end of them to better aim the cloud of spores. Will use Contagion A exclusively, as a method of defence, regardless of the size or numbers of the threat. Also boast very heavy and resilient shells, usually requiring several heavy caliber round for termination.

Object-C (aka Foragers)

+ Object Gamma

Physiology:

• Average Height: 22.5cm
• Average Length: 47.2cm
• Average Weight: 5.9kg
• Average Top Speed: 41km/h

Behavior:
Object-C are nocturnal, and leave the nest individually to look for fallen fruit, carcasses left by other predators, dead plant life (especially if covered in fungi) and mushrooms growing on the ground. Observed arranging their appendages to form a basket of sorts. Will chose to retreat instead of using Contagion-A when outside of the nest. If one instance of Object-C dies while foraging, other Object-C will retreat back into the tunnels of the nest and will never re-emerge. Instances of Object-D can be seen dragging the dead instances of Object-C out of the tunnels and into the food hole. Not much else is known about Object-C.

Object-D (aka Janitors or Maintenance)

+ Object Delta

Physiology:

• Average Height: 17.3cm
• Average Length: 34.2cm
• Average Weight: 3.4kg
• Average Top Speed: 62km/h

Behavior:
Smallest of the Objects and never observed to leave the nest, prior to Experiment Object-01B, Event Object-172. Primary objective witnessed is to establish the underground tunnels under the nest and the food hole. Whenever an item(s) of food is dumped into the food hole, instances will emerge from the tunnels and regurgitate viscous black liquid which breaks down biological matter in the hole. Other instances will the feed off this black food pulp when necessary. Traces of the same liquid can be found dried inside the walls of the tunnels. What this liquid is, is currently unknown. Object-D have also been observed to mend other instances injuries and revive instances from cryptobiosis using a translucent white liquid, injected using a specialised appendage with a sharp hypodermic needle at its end. Will use Contagion-A when under threat no matter the size of the threat.

Addendum Object-2
Foreword: Below is transcribed a communication log from Experiment Object-01B, Event Object-172. The communication was between Dr Wilmarth, inside Project Object-01 Command, and Technician ████ ████████, who was entering containment with the intent of introducing, new specimens. Object was scheduled for "Summer Scenario" testing and the internal temperatures of the habitation were raised to 40°C, as to habituate cold blooded life.

Date: ██/██/1989

<Begin Log:>
Dr Wilmarth: You got the snakes, ████?
████: Yeah Al, two of them are especially rowdy. Seems like they don't wanna go inside, hahaha.
Dr Wilmarth: That's reasonable, they're going in there to die.
████: Kinda inhumane, but if the Ethics douches signed off on it, I guess its not that bad.
[Sound of decontamination door opening]
████: Hey Al, I think something's going on in the chamber I can hear scratching on the otherside of the door.
Dr Wilmarth: Okay I want you to leave
[Static and screeching sounds]
████:AL! THEY'VE BREACHED[audio cuts out]
████: AL! GET ME THE FUCK OUT OF-
[Audible screeching]
Dr Wilmarth: ████! What's going on? I can't see anything! ████? Answer me!
[Banging and screeching]
████: He cannot be stopped, he will not be stopped. He has swallowed others and inevitably he will swallow u[Static]
Dr Wilmarth: ████! GET OUT OF THERE!
████: He is inevitable, he is the spawn of Azathoth and the brother of the Darkness. His scouts come from far and he need our [Audio cuts out]
<End Log>

Closing Statements: After ████'s alert, SPC-A was initiated keeping casualties to minimum. It is theorised that, when internal temperatures reached 37°C, Objects went into a ████████ state and released massive amounts of Contagion-A which was [DATA EXPUNGED] due to the warmer temperature. Instances then began to leave the nest and attacking anything that was not Object, in sight. Containment was breached and an emergency response team was dispatched to re-establish containment. Instances were all discovered ██ meters beneath Testing Site-██. ███ personnel were lost, including Researcher Towers. Dr Wilmarth who was unharmed after 3 weeks in quarantine was reprimanded and reassign off site to Safe-class data entry. Site Director Phillips with accordance with the O5 Council have restricted all further testing of Object.