Destine

This is the summary of the analysis done in the Jumping Jacks "interdimensional site" by the Pearl and Crystal teams.

The report on the site itself is based on remote scans by our standard covert ranging sensors and on samples taken.

The "interdimensional site":

Ranging sensors malfunctioned in a manner consistent with the claims of non-Euclidean geometry.

The "portals" exhibited traces of human psychic activity. No further details were available under the circumstances.

Samples of what appear to be deck shrapnel show it to be high-quality emerald. Psionic residues indicate recent exposure to extreme psionic conditions.

During the period of observation, the site was in an artificial psionic condition. The condition resembles that produced by a psi opener operating in natural open psi. Complete analysis was not possible under the circumstances.

Equipment:

The laptop used by the pilot showed no observable differences from the commercial model it resembles. We were unable to make a covert software copy under the circumstances.

The freestanding armored airlock also appeared to be a normal example of its type. Most of the shrapnel observed appeared to be remains of a similar airlock.

The tent appeared to be made of silk. It had complex psionic residues, including traces of human psychic activity.

Weapons observed were mostly models known to be carried by Jumping Jacks. Remaining weapons were archaic, mostly bows and arrows, and one sword in a shoulder scabbard, carried by Dafnord. Aside from the peculiar selection, the weapons did not appear unusual.

The report on the physical character of the personnel encountered by Pearl and Crystal in the Jumping Jacks "interdimensional site" is based on remote scans, blood samples, and skin-flake samples acquired in the encounter, apparently left behind in recent combat taking place in the "interdimensional site."

There was no difficulty in matching samples to individuals. Accordingly, specimens are identified by the individual's original name, as determined by other sources.

Cantrel filius Cantorus:

Analysis based on the usual remote scans taking place during negotiations as well as on skin-flake and blood samples.

We may still reasonably suppose that this is the same Cantrel filius Cantorus, pure-bred Melior (IN ORIGIN), born on the Jack in 2461. However, genetic analysis reveals that he has acquired a genetic prosthesis, a chromosomal segment attached to chromosome 11. The genes in this chromosomal segment code for proteins that appear to form the novel organelles noted in earlier JJ investigations, dubbed "thaumosomes." These organelles have also been found in skin-flake samples taken covertly from Cantrel's wife and son. [Reference link.]

As in prior instances, attempts to analyze the structure and function of thaumosomes were thwarted by repeated equipment failure. We must continue to work on the hypothesis that the equipment failures are due to causal impasse or timelock, and that thaumosomes are anachronistic technology, most probably specialized psionic amplifiers. At least we have now determined that thaumosomes originate from this hitherto unknown genetic prosthesis.

Note that the introns in the genetic prosthesis have a statistical appearance suggesting that they are coding something in a human language. The language is unknown. The most plausible suggestion, in my opinion, is that the coding is technical commentary.

Psi residues indicate recent exposure to extreme psionic conditions, but not to any greater extent that our own personnel exposed to the "interdimensional site."

Thomas Titus Noon:

We may still reasonably suppose that this is the same Thomas Titus Noon, eo-human, born on the Jack in 2464. [Reference link.] He appears to be considerably older than linear chronology would indicate, but also to have been rejuvenated by a mixture of state-of-the-art methods and unknown processes. He has suffered a few recent contusions, consistent with the recent combat encounters.

Psi residues indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions.

Dafnord:

We may still reasonably suppose that this is the same Dafnord of CORC, Jack Patrol, pure-bred Acro, born on the Jack in 2481. [Reference link.] Physiological age matches linear chronology within testable limits. He has suffered several recent burns and contusions, suggesting sporadic combat encounters over a period of weeks.

Psi residues indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions.

Catherine Carter:

We may still reasonably suppose that this is the same Catherine Carter ("Kate") encountered in association with Jumping Jacks on previous occasions. [Reference link.] Physiological age is still about 20, which is unlikely to represent chronological age, given the history of encounters, even taking time-travel into account. There is, however, no indication of rejuvenation by any known method. Ms. Carter has sustained some slight injuries in recent combat.

On the basis of linguistic analysis and previous remote scans, Ms. Carter has been taken to be an eo-human of northwest European extraction, though with unusually light bone structure. On linguistic evidence, it was thought possible that her origin is anachronistic, i.e. that she was from Elizabethan England.

Genetic analysis, however, now shows a very different structure. There is a complete absence of any genetic disease or disability, resembling in some ways state-of-the-art Melior eugenics. However, her introns are extremely archaic, suggesting neither Melioran nor European origin.

Psi residues indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions, as with other personnel of the "interdimensional site." In addition, there are residues suggesting a very rich, deep, and complex psionic structure imbued throughout Ms. Carter's body. Circumstances did not permit a complete analysis.

Four unknown females:

Skin flakes were collected from four unknown human females. Three appear to be related to each other, probably as mother and two daughters with different fathers. The fourth does not appear to be a close relative. All, however, have the same genetic and psionic features as Ms. Carter, to the limits of our analytical ability with such small samples. Morphological simulation was fragmentary, but the mother is tentatively identified as "Daewen," a sometime associate of Cantrel's. [Reference link.] From the condition of the skin flakes, all these individuals appear to have been in the "interdimensional site" several days or weeks ago.

One unknown specimen:

Skin flakes were collected from an unknown Terran animal, apparently a small mammal. Morphological simulation failed. Psionic features resembled those of Ms. Carter, but were highly fragmentary.

"Daphne":

The subject, not encountered before, was taken to be a familiar or other psychic projection, and so we expected her to be composed of human tissue, psionically organized air, or an intermediate colloidal suspension of the two. This was, to put it mildly, not the case.

Remote scans showed the subject to be composed of animal tissue, with very light bone structure and a high body temperature and metabolic rate. The subject appears to have suffered recent burns, but to be healing very rapidly.

Some skin flakes have been collected that, on the basis of psionic residues, must come from the subject. However, genetic analysis was confused. Unable to explain the confusion ourselves, we asked the forensic database to produce an hypothesis. It suggested a contaminated sample, blending at least five specimens:

• Homo sapiens var. (archaic eo-human, ethnic type unknown)
• Homo erectus spp. (a prehistoric hominid, subspecies unknown)
• Anax spp. (a dragonfly, species unknown)
• Vespex spp. (a wasp, species unknown)
• Betula spp. (a birch tree, species unknown)

The database offered this explanation eight different times, because we submitted data to it repeatedly. Analysis results were inconsistent from one pass to the next; apparently, the genetic sample was changing during the analysis. Needless to say, sample contamination is not consistent with the conditions under which we collected the samples. (How do you get such contaminants inside skin cells?)

Psionic residues resembled those from Ms. Carter.

"Braeta" and "Obedan":

The subjects, not encountered before, were taken to be Acro hybrids. They are not. Instead, they appear to be eo-humans. However, they have the completely "clean," defect-free kind of genomes found in neo-humans or in Ms. Carter. Both appear to be about physiological age 20. "Obedan," however, bears traces of many old, well-healed wounds, suggesting his real age is greater. Method of rejuvenation is unknown. Both have taken recent burns and contusions in recent combat.

Psionic residues from both subjects were off-scale and/or jammed sensors.

"Greywolf" and "Desmond":

The subjects, not encountered before, were taken to be eo-humans. They may be, but they have the completely "clean," defect-free kind of genomes found in neo-humans or in Ms. Carter. Both appear to be about physiological age 20. Both however, bear traces of many old, well-healed wounds, suggesting their real age is greater. Method of rejuvenation is unknown. Both have taken recent burns and contusions in recent combat. "Desmond" has been severely wounded within the last month.

Psionic residues from both subjects were off-scale and/or jammed sensors.

"Brunalf":

Origin unknown. It appears to be what it seems: a male neo-cat, early adult, never yet rejuvenated, piloting a small vehicle designed for feline ergonomics. The vehicle is based on advanced, probably anachronistic, psionically mediated gravitics, and has obviously been damaged, repaired, and given jerry-rigged weapons modifications. Psi residues on both pilot and vehicle indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions.

"Katrina":

The subject, not encountered before, was taken to be an eo-human of eastern European extraction. Remote scans are consistent with this, and with a physiological age of about 20, this time with no inconsistencies or signs of rejuvenation. Linguistic analysis suggests British birth, though there are some anomalies, possibly anachronistic.

Genetic analysis reveals some anomalies of blood chemistry and suggests anomalies of neurology, but nothing that can be classed as pathological. These particular anomalies are, however, unprecedented.

Psionic residues indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions.

"Markel":

The subject, not encountered before, was taken to be an eo-human of mixed European extraction. Remote scans are consistent with this, and indicate a physiological age of about 20, but evidence of a number of old, well-healed wounds indicating a much greater actual age. Method of rejuvenation is unknown. Linguistic analysis gave no indications of origin.

Genetic analysis reveals anomalies similar to (but not identical with) those of "Katrina." Genetic analysis also ruled out European ancestry, but gave no indication of origin.

Psionic residues indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions.

The "dragon":

The subject, not encountered before, turns out to be a Terran animal, according to genetic and metabolic analysis. Even anatomical details are Terran. It is the gross anatomy (i.e. the wings) that appear alien.

The wings are coded for in the genome, so this is not a surgical construct. Genetics and anatomy link the subject most closely to archosauria, displaying a mix of avian and reptilian features similar to that of theropod dinosaurs.

The wings are not, however, sufficient for flight in Terran gravity and air pressure. Psionic residues are consistent with frequent and recent telekinesis, so it is likely that the subject uses psychic levitation for lift, reserving the wings for thrust.

The subject also has modified salivary glands, of the sort seen in venom-spitting reptiles. The subject does not spit venom, however. Morphological simulation is insufficient to determine what these glands produce, but psionic residues are consistent with frequent and recent pyrokinesis, so it may, in fact, breathe flame.

The braincase is much larger than that of typical archosauria. If the brain is as densely ordered as a modern bird's, the subject may have sufficient intelligence for full sapience.

Remaining psionic residues indicate recent exposure to a variety of extreme psionic conditions.

The "statue":

The remote scan sensors were not selected with this kind of item in mind, so very little can be said about it. It is clearly animated and may be alive in all the usual senses. If it has any internal anatomy beyond a simple gut, we were unable to detect it. In composition, it appears to be granite intermingled with organic compounds, most closely resembling a fossil bone retaining collagen and other proteins from the original material. (However, granite is not a fossil-bearing rock, and we cannot identify the organic materials involved.)

Under the circumstances, we cannot evaluate the subject's intelligence, sentience, or sapience. It was not heard to speak during observation, but patharchic analysis of the body language of the (other?) personnel at the "interdimensional site" showed that they regarded it as a member of their group.

The subject was, at all times, intensely active psionically. Psionic residues resembled those from Ms. Carter.

"Robbie":

We may suppose this is the AI encountered before under the name "Robbie," but evidence of identity is scanty and in any case his origins are still unknown. [Reference link.] On this occasion, he not only used a new chassis, he also appeared to be cloaked by a novel form of mechanical psilence, since remote scans for composition and electrical activity were confused and muted.

Sentient Liaison Officer Salimar:

We may suppose this is the anachronistic KaiSenese liaison referred to in other reports. [Reference link.] The subject is certainly not human, and has left no skin flakes, blood, or other genetic samples. It is unlikely that genetic analysis is applicable; the subject almost certainly does not indulge in DNA or any other nucleic acid, except perhaps as a snack food. See next paragraph.

Composition is, broadly, organic, but remote scans could not supply much detail. Gross density is 60% above the human norm. The range of chemical activity exceeded analytical ability under the circumstances; it is clearly orders of magnitude more various than human metabolism.

Remote scans show only partial skeletal structure, enough to support the human appearance observed. The skeletal structure changed during the period of observation. Most of the apparent garments were actually part of the subject. It is very credible that the subject is a metamorph, as reported elsewhere.

The subject was, at all times, intensely active psionically, and gave evidence of a deep, rich psionic structure. Details, however, did not resemble those associated with Ms. Carter. It is noteworthy that even the light reflected off the subject carried psionic residues, at 7000 and 4500 nm (violet and green).

Addendum:

On direction from Crystal, all psi-related samples and results were forwarded to Sky Blue Pink, who, after the standard period of study and meditation, produced the following in hypnotic trance:

"It's turtles all the way down."
"You can disenchant the pumpkin, but not the godmother."

Make that what you will.