009 ✿ Video

[flowerette]

Hello, fellow imPorts.

[ Raina greets the camera with her ever-present charming smile. ]

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Raina. I've been an imPort for the past two and a half years now. And for all of that time, I've been involved in imPort cellular research -- studying us on a cellular level, trying to make sense of these nanites within us. I am pleased to announce that I've finally had a large breakthrough in terms of discerning the probable function and possible outcomes were we to extract nanites from ourselves entirely.

I've always operated based on the theory that as soon as we come through the porter, something within us changes on a molecular level. As many of you know, a few months ago there was an incident where a few of us found ourselves with unwelcome clones. I joined with a team of fellow imPorts to infiltrate Heaven Scent and was able to extract some vital research from their database. What all of this illuminated for me is more concrete proof of my theory.

I'll briefly go over what we do know about nanites for those who might be new or unaware. Every imPort is injected with them upon arrival. They are not the root cause of our powers, but they do allow for those powers to be altered or sometimes even nullified. They are also responsible for our mostly functional ability to revive from death. They have no effect on natives or even metahumans. And the reason behind this is a bit gruesome.

These clones of ours were infused with nanites of their own which largely allowed them to house our powers to near perfection. But on a molecular level, our clones were unable to handle the infusion of nanites in their blood for longer than a couple of months and after that time, these nanites started to eat them alive -- breaking them down on a cellular level and causing them to essentially disintegrate.

[ Raina pauses, glancing down at some of her own paperwork and rifling through it. ]

I've run multiple tests this past month of samples from both Heaven Scent and blood samples I managed to extract from clones during their brief, but memorable, time with us. My findings are all conclusive: we alone are the only ones who can house nanites because we alone have come through the porter and changed on a molecular level. And it is through these nanites that our powers are able to translate into what they are in this world. Meaning: without the nanites inside of us our abilities would become erratic, uncontrollable, and in all likelihood gone entirely. Nanites might not be responsible for our powers, but they are what enable us to use our powers the way we know them and without those to keep us anchored to this universe, there is a chance we would disintegrate the way our clones had when they were exposed to the nanites.

[ Looking up again, this time invitingly. ]

I would like to run some more tests to study this further. In order to do so, I am in need of samples. And by samples, I mean blood samples. If anyone is willing to donate to the cause, I promise it'll be worth your while.

[ A promise that sounds a lot more sensual than it should, and with a little wink -- Raina ends the feed. ]

Comments

[ghoulking]

Perhaps you could answer something for me.

ImPorts started arriving in 1986 and the nanites were created and given to imPorts in 2006. And yet, from 1986 to 2006, imPorts were here and using their powers. Why could they use their powers and didn't disintegrate during those 20 years, but it became a problem after?

[flowerette]

I do not have access to samples and research of earlier imPorts, so I can't answer that conclusively. But there could be a number of things at play. From the imPorts themselves being from universes on a parallel wavelength to the porter having altered over time and mutated our powers so much, this world is unable to handle them. If you were to look back at the earlier imPorts and their power listings -- were they as complicated, nuanced, and as widely varied as our own? Were they from universes as far reaching as our own? Not all imPorts are created equally.

[ghoulking]

I know one of them was capable of molecular manipulation. [ yes, that did sound pretty complicated and complex. ] I just find it strange that imPorts only started requiring nanites after said nanotech was created and continuum was found. I also find it very interesting that imPorts were never able to figure the nanites out, no matter what kind of powers and knowledge we have, though clearly the Russian did figure them out several times.

Small discrepancies, I suppose. [ why worry? ]

In any case, thank you for sharing this information, Miss Raina.

text; username Fox

[lempereur]

The last time most of us gave blood, we were cloned.

[flowerette]

Yes. And Dandelions and Daffodils are both plants that bear flowers. What is your point?

[lempereur]

Only that I would hope that people are more hesitant to respond favorably to an open request for bodily fluids.

Which is not to imply anything against you. As disturbing as they may be, your findings are fascinating.

[khaleesipls]

I didn't give blood and was still duplicated.

[flowerette]

You're right. Heaven Scent used both force and deception to obtain what they needed. There were numerous imPorts listed in their database who had their samples taken unwittingly.

[lempereur]

Sometimes even being careful is not enough.

video; a rare nice otto

[doctopussy]

Your research has yielded some extraordinary results. I personally find the implication that we're changed on a molecular level to be troubling, to say the least, but if that is the truth then that knowledge is something we can now explore, and possibly use.

video; shady science combo makes a nice otto!

[flowerette]

It is a bit troubling. But it does give us a good base to start with our understanding about the anomaly that is imPorts. I trust you would be willing to look over some of my findings? It might be good to have a different set of eyes glean the data for things I may have missed.

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[dun_moch]

[The Count smiles with an upbeat air in the video, as though exulting in Raina's breakthrough. His deep voice rings with enthusiasm.]

Well done, Raina. You have unlocked one of the great mysteries of why we are here. All imPorts owe you their thanks for your hard work.

If anyone is hesitating to cooperate with Raina's tests, I can testify to her character and her qualifications. Your samples will be perfectly safe in her hands, I can assure you.

[And then PRIVATE. Dooku drops the smiling act like a rock. His face clouds.]

This news is disastrous. Even if we are able to remove the nanites from our bodies, we could be left powerless or destroyed. The price will be too high for many to accept.

[Dooku has been tempting people with a nanite-free existence, among other things, for a long time. And now that's been taken off the menu, he expects. Who would ever trade away power for the sake of freedom? Not Dooku, that's for sure.]

Private

[flowerette]

The nanites themselves are not without their perks...

[ Reviving from death? Advanced regeneration? Those were definitely a benefit. ]

Liberation is still a cause you can champion. But the liberation from nanites now comes from not removing them from ourselves, but finding a way to make them tamper proof and in our direct control. Of course, it doesn't seem as though anyone is readily willing to jump right into donating to the cause. We may need to resort to other measures.

[ Best case scenario: blood drive. Worst case scenario: bleeding people against their will. ]

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[hardcut]

thanks

[ Arthur really needs to find a better way to comment on these kinds of informational, investigative addresses, but given all factors he has nothing to contribute, really. Still, though, it's clear people are really working hard at this ominous shit. ]

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[flowerette]

You're welcome. You know, I think you're about one of the first people who thanked me for my research.

[ Most people either are ungrateful or expect far more. Huff! ]

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[infomodder]

How much do you need for your donations?

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[flowerette]

Monetarily? Or do you mean in terms of blood?

[ Is this an offer to acquire blood, Will?? ]

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[stretchy_girl]

I can feel them.

The nanites attached to my cells.

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[flowerette]

There are a few people who can feel them. I find it fascinating they can adapt to all types of anatomy. But I do fear removing them may be far worse than keeping them at the moment.

[acclimatized]

So, what you're saying is Heaven Scent infused our clones with nanites and it killed them. Sounds a lot like murder to me.

And I can donate blood if you want, but I can't promise I won't break one of your needles.

[flowerette]

It was the only way they could get them to use these other worldly powers, although I'm certain they didn't care about their well-being after the fact. They were merely tools.

[ The same way some people said imPorts were the tools of the government. Her expression softens. ]

I would appreciate even an attempt. And if you do break the needles, maybe I can ask for your aid at another blood drive next month?

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[doubleblind]

Have I told you lately how cool your research is? Because it's very cool. I can't believe how much you were able to find...

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[flowerette]

Thank you, Cosima! As terrible as Heaven Scent's goals were, their research really did provide the breakthrough in my understanding. I think it's very important to come to a full understanding of these nanites before the wrong people do. If the key is unlocked on how to attach them to people who are native to this world, in the wrong hands it could be disastrous. It could mean unlimited power and ultimate control.

When we infiltrated the base, there were several scientists there. Some of which had horrifying powers that were akin to our own. But they lacked control over them. The one with the regeneration abilities regenerated faster than their own body could handle and the end result made them look like a monstrosity.

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[andtherevolution]

[Experiments like this would seem pretty fishy after the business with Heaven's Scent, but... she helped take them down, didn't she? That makes her just as much a hero as Yusuke and Futaba. However, there's one thing that's bugging her...]

I wouldn't mind helping, but... weren't there people at the factory with powers? Not the clones, but the scientists, too. What happened to those guys? Did they get nanites, too?

[Or were they more like the natives who got powers a while back?]

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[flowerette]

There were. I'm uncertain what exactly they did to themselves, if they had these nanite prototypes or not. But I do know their powers got out of control. None of the scientists had a true handle on their abilities. One had the power of regeneration and regenerated far faster than their body could sustain, turning them into a hideous monstrosity. I assume the work they did with the clones was to find out how best to use nanites on themselves in order to control the unnatural powers they were able to create.