146 replies to this topic

[kafros]

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Silabrate_Autopsy

The planning:
Conducting autopsy research on a dead Silabrate specimen was a delicate operation which was carefully planned and programmed. The use of Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS) was inevitable. A special anti-thermal table was manufactured and set in a room. The console was in the neighbouring room, which had a durable and anti-thermal, see-through glass on the wall communicating with the operating theatre.

The operation:
It seems that the creature slowly produces Alien Composites for skin. Although rather simple, the body of Silabrates operates in a remarkable way. Its prefatory functions show it has some low intelligence. With the Alien Composites and its basic intelligence as hints, the operation started.

It is impossible to dissect its indurate skin using sharp items such as scalpels. High-frequency laser was an effective alternative. Just when then skin was removed, the thermal sensors showed a sharp fluctuation, which was stabilized around 1000K degrees. The abstruse and extraordinary exothermic internal of its body was of special interest to our team.

Part of the skin was extracted and analyzed. Indeed, Alien Composites are produced in the internal of the creature and then moved in the visible outer layer of the skin. Even while dead, this valuable substance is still produced as long as there are convertible materials inside the body. The Silabrate metabolism can easily convert a grand variety of chemical substances and materials with low melting points. These reactions take place in one of the 2 glands in the body of the Silabrate with the help of a catalyst. In-depth analysis from the chemical point of view can be obtained from Dr. Cementer’s database.

The skin itself works as a neural and muscle system at the same time. The neural system provides basic interchange of messages between the cells and generates locomotion. The Silabrate moves in order to find materials which it can consume.

A significant quantity of a protein hormone was detected inside the hot body liquids. It is suspected that this hormone is the key factor to the production of the catalyst needed to efficiently create Alien Composites. The fact that the protein doesn’t transmutate due to the high temperatures is of great interest to us. Surprisingly, the pH is around 7.

The second gland is a kind of heart, which takes up approximately 35% of the available body space. It provides the energy needed to sustain the Silabrate in life. The energy is not stored as ATPs as in humans, but as GDPs which are stored in a part of the gland and then used by the cells whenever needed. It is also the factor that produces the extraordinary thermal output the Silabrate needs, probably for the production of Alien Composites. This heart must be a kind of biological nuclear reactor.

We don’t know if Silabrates are the main production agent of Alien Composites or just an alternative production factor, but we know that they indeed can be used to produce small quantities of material needed. We’ve come to the conclusion that the Silabrate is a genetically engineered (maybe even created from scratch) in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites for the Aliens.

New rules for the cooking staff:
#1: Silabrates are NOT to be used in the oven in case of energy blackouts!
#2: We don’t feed food and cooking waste to live Silabrates!
#3: We don’t break nuts by throwing them at Silabrates!
=================
First draft, ~20 mins of brainstorming, ~2 hours of writing/changes/etc..., ~40 mins of word search (dictionary.com/thesaurus.com/etc...). Enjoy!

[dipstick]

This looks good, but I would like to point a couple of things out:

1) Hormones are lipids not proteins...
2) I highly doubt an organism can continue life processes when dead
3) 'transmutate'? what do you mean by that? denaturisation?
4) Why is it surprising that the pH is 7?
5) Explain the 'nuclear reactor' and ' GDP' a bit more please.


Apart from that, 'tis great!

[kafros]

1) http://www.britannic...cle?tocId=72574

Special structure and function of proteins > Protein hormones

Some hormones that are products of endocrine glands are proteins or peptides; others are steroids. (The origin of hormones, their physiological role, and their mode of action are dealt with in the article hormone.) None of the hormones has any enzymatic activity. Each has a target organ in which it elicits some biological action; e.g., secretion of gastric or pancreatic…

This is why Silabrates are special...

2) Resident evil stuff... Even while dead, hair become longer, nails become longer (actually this is wrong, it's just the skin that gets removed and makes the hair/nail "become" longer...), and some other stuff. And, these reactions don't happen as much as they used while the Silabrate is dead, they just happen because there are enough reactants and high temperature, which help reactions take place.

3)http://www.in.gr/dic...
The greek word is "μετουσίωση". Due to pH or Temperature, the protein loses it's shape and doesn't "function" anymore. It becomes level 1 protein, and loses it's level 3/level 4 shape. (Don't know how to say that in english, although I'm good at biology with hellenic words ). I hope you get my point... :S

4) Due to the high temperatures and the different materials and substances inserted in the Silabrate. It can consume acids, bases, metals... anything!

5) About the nuclear reactor, see the "Silabrate" thread. And,

http://www.bioteach....logy/GProteins/

ATP = Adenine with 3 "Phosporic teams" (sry, that's how it's called in Hellenic )
GDP = Guanine with 2 "Phoshpric teams"

Humans DO have GDPs, it's needed in the cell membranes in the "Sodium/Potassium pumps"
And, I hope that we all know that ATPs are the "energy coins" of cells, energy is stored in the form of ATPs, which become ADPs whenever energy is needed for cell use... Just google a bit if you need more info
There are (A/T/G/C)-(D/T)-Ps.. ADPs, CTPs, TTPs, GDPs... etc

Thanks for the comments! Waiting for more opinions

Edited by kafros, 13 February 2005 - 04:11 PM.

[Tsereve]

Red= My comments

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Silabrate_Autopsy

The planning:
Conducting autopsy research on a dead Silabrate specimen was a delicate operation which was carefully planned and programmed. The use of Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS) was inevitable. A special anti-thermal table was manufactured and set in a room.A little more detail here?  "Set in a room" is a bit bland. The console was in the neighbouring room, which had a durable and anti-thermal, this comma is unnecessary see-through glass on the wall come now, everyone knows glass isn't see-through! communicating with the operating theatre.

The operation:
It seems that the creature slowly produces Alien Composites for skin. Although rather simple, the body of Silabrates operates in a remarkable way. Its prefatory functions show it has some low intelligence.  With the Alien Composites and its basic intelligence as hints, the operation started.

It is change this to "was", you've been using past tense so far impossible to dissect its indurate skin using sharp items maybe change this to "human items" instead? such as scalpels. High-frequency laser was an effective alternative. Just is this word really necessary? when then typo, should be "the" skin was removed, the thermal sensors showed a sharp fluctuation, which was delete this word, as the scientists didn't do anything--it stabilized itself stabilized around 1000K write out "one million", looks more scientific, or use scientific notation degrees. The abstruse and extraordinary exothermic internal of its body was of special interest to our team. So if they just discovered this trait, why'd they go through the trouble of making a thermal-resistant table and all?

Part change to "parts"? of the skin was extracted and analyzed. Indeed, Alien Composites are produced in the internal of the creature and then moved in the visible outer layer of the skin. Even while change to "Even when the specimen is" dead, this valuable substance is still produced as long as there are convertible materials inside the body. The Silabrate metabolism can easily convert a grand variety of chemical substances and materials with low melting points. These reactions take place in one of the 2 glands in the body of the Silabrate with the help of a catalyst move this to directly preceeding "These reactions. . .". In-depth analysis from the chemical point of view HUH??? can be obtained from Dr. Cementer’s database.

The skin itself works as a neural and muscle change this to "muscular" system at the same time. The neural system provides basic interchange of messages between the cells and generates locomotion. The Silabrate moves in order to find materials which it can consume. This seems a bit out of place.

A significant quantity of a protein hormone was detected inside the hot body liquids this is fine, consider changing to "fluids". It is suspected that this hormone is the key factor to the production of the catalyst needed to efficiently create Alien Composites. The fact that the protein doesn’t transmutate due to the high temperatures is of great interest to us. Surprisingly, the pH is around 7.

The second gland is a kind of heart, which takes up approximately 35% of the available body space change to "mass"?. It provides the energy needed to sustain the Silabrate in life change to "the Silbrate's life". The energy is not stored as ATPs as in humans, but as GDPs which are stored in a part of the gland and then used by the cells whenever needed. It is also the factor that produces the extraordinary thermal output the Silabrate needs, probably for the production of Alien Composites. This heart must be a kind of biological nuclear reactor.

We don’t know if Silabrates are the main production agent make this plural of Alien Composites or just an alternative production factor, but we add "do" here? know that they indeed can be used to produce small quantities of material needed rephrase those last few words, they don't make too much sense. We’ve come to the conclusion that the Silabrate is a genetically engineered (maybe even created from scratch) in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites for the Aliens. Whoa, lots of grammar here!  Change to along the lines of "We've come to the conclusion that the Siliabrate was genetically engineered in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites for use by the Aliens"

New rules for the cooking staff:
#1: Silabrates are NOT to be used in the oven in case of energy blackouts!
#2: We don’t feed food and cooking waste to live Silabrates!
#3: We don’t break nuts by throwing them at Silabrates!
=================
First draft, ~20 mins of brainstorming, ~2 hours of writing/changes/etc..., ~40 mins of word search (dictionary.com/thesaurus.com/etc...). Enjoy!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry if I went a little proof-reading-happy.

edit:color change, blue didn't show up too well.

Edited by Tsereve, 13 February 2005 - 07:06 PM.

[Astyanax]

The greek word is "μετουσίωση". Due to pH or Temperature, the protein loses it's shape and doesn't "function" anymore. It becomes level 1 protein, and loses it's level 3/level 4 shape. (Don't know how to say that in english, although I'm good at biology with hellenic words ). I hope you get my point... :S

I think the term you're looking for is "denature."

Since Tsereve has already made a lot of good comments, I’ll just piggyback on his post with a couple of my suggestions. Nice work, by the way, kafros.
Green text = Asty’s comments

red= Tsereve's comments

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Silabrate_Autopsy

The planning:
Conducting autopsy research on a dead Silabrate specimen was a delicate operation which was carefully planned and programmed. The use of Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS) was inevitable. A special anti-thermal table was manufactured and set in a room.A little more detail here?  "Set in a room" is a bit bland. The console was in the neighbouring Since the decision to use English spellings, this should be “neighboring” room, which had a durable and anti-thermal, this comma is unnecessary see-through glass on the wall come now, everyone knows glass isn't see-through! communicating with the operating theatre “theater”.

The operation:
It seems that the creature slowly produces Alien Composites for skin. Although rather simple, the body of Silabrates “the Silabrate body” operates in a remarkable way. Its prefatory functions show it has some low intelligence.  With the Alien Composites and its basic intelligence as hints, the operation started “starts” or “commences”.

It is change this to "was", you've been using past tense so far impossible to dissect its indurate skin using sharp items maybe change this to "human items" instead? or “sharpened implements”? such as scalpels. High-frequency “surgical”? laser was an effective alternative. Just is this word really necessary? when then typo, should be "the" skin was removed, the thermal sensors showed a sharp fluctuation Is this an increase or decrease? Or unimportant?, which was delete this word, as the scientists didn't do anything--it stabilized itself stabilized around 1000K If the temperature is unimportant, suggest removing altogether: "...a sharp fluctuation that stabilized after several minutes..." write out "one million", looks more scientific, or use scientific notation degrees. The abstruse and extraordinary exothermic internal “interior” of its body was of special interest to our team. So if they just discovered this trait, why'd they go through the trouble of making a thermal-resistant table and all?

Part change to "parts"? or “samples”? of the skin was “were” (if you changed “part” to a plural) extracted and analyzed “for analysis”?. Indeed, Alien Composites are produced in the internal of the creature and then moved in the visible outer layer of the skin Suggest: “Indeed, Alien Composites produced internally slowly migrate to the visible outer layer of the skin”. Even while change to "Even when the specimen is" dead, this valuable substance is still “continues to be” instead of "is still" produced as long as there are convertible materials inside the body. The Silabrate metabolism can easily convert a grand variety of chemical substances and materials with low melting points. These reactions take place in one of the 2 glands “structures”? Because the skin and heart aren’t exactly glands in the body of the Silabrate with the help of a catalyst move this to directly preceeding "These reactions. . .". In-depth analysis from the chemical point of view HUH??? can be obtained from Dr. Cementer’s database.

The skin itself works “functions”? as a neural and muscle change this to "muscular" system at the same time. The neural system provides basic interchange of messages between the cells and generates locomotion. The Silabrate moves in order to find materials which it can consume. This seems a bit out of place.

A significant quantity of a "an unusual"? protein hormone was detected inside “within”? the hot body liquids this is fine, consider changing to "fluids". It is suspected that this hormone is the key factor to “in” instead of "to" the production of the catalyst needed to efficiently create Alien Composites. The fact that the protein doesn’t transmutate Suggest: “...the protein resists denaturation at high temperatures...” due to the high temperatures is of great interest to us. Surprisingly, the pH is around 7.

The second gland “structure”? is a kind of heart, which takes up approximately 35% of the available body space change to "mass"?. It provides the energy needed to sustain the Silabrate in life change to "the Silbrate's life". The energy is not stored as ATPs as in humans, but as GDPs which are stored in a part of the gland and then used by the cells whenever needed. It is also the factor that produces the extraordinary thermal output the Silabrate needs, probably for the production of Alien Composites. This heart must be a kind of biological nuclear reactor.

We don’t know if Silabrates are the main production agent make this plural of Alien Composites or just an alternative production factor, but we add "do" here? know that they indeed can be used to produce small quantities of material needed rephrase those last few words, they don't make too much sense. We’ve come to the conclusion that the Silabrate is a genetically engineered (maybe even created from scratch) Suggest: ...the Silabrate is a genetically engineered (or even genetically manufactured) organism that converts various materials... (oops, Tsereve already mentions this below) in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites for the Aliens. Whoa, lots of grammar here!  Change to along the lines of "We've come to the conclusion that the Siliabrate was genetically engineered in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites for use by the Aliens"

New rules for the cooking staff:
#1: Silabrates are NOT to be used in the oven in case of energy blackouts!
#2: We don’t feed food and cooking waste to live Silabrates!
#3: We don’t break nuts by throwing them at Silabrates!

EDIT- Changed Tsereve's comments to red. It's Christmas come early!

Edited by Astyanax, 13 February 2005 - 07:32 PM.

[Tsereve]

Tear it apart, piece by piece

btw, maybe blue wasn't such a great color to use for code text. Barely shows up. I'll change the color in a sec.

[Astyanax]

Careful, body functions cease when you die, except for certain reflexes which you retain for a very limited period of time, production of Alien Composites should not continue when the creature is dead.

Well, I can see this happening if parts of the Silabrate are semi-autonomous. Since the Alien Composites possess a living, organic component apart from the Silabrate, maybe it's the Alien Composites thriving on the "nutrient soup" provided by the Silabrate's body? A sort of symbiotic relationship? But you're right, Az, it should be clarified.

[Astyanax]

But saying that it continues to produce Alien Composites suggests that it can do it indefinitively for as long as you put the materials inside the creature, like a oven of some sorts. Maybe having it produce for like a couple of hours past it's death?

Yeah, that's kinda weird. Maybe it's because the way a Silibrate "prepares" the nutrients causes Alien Composites to grow much faster than normal? And once the nutrients within a dead Silibrate are exhausted, the Alien Composites only grow at their normal rate (very slowly)?

Of course, your way probably is easier.

[kafros]

So:

The reactants pass some sort of chemical preparation, adding of catalysts etc. Thus, even while dead, reactions take place. BUT, if you just place new stuff in the Dead Silabrate, nothing happens!

Cool?

www.deathonline.net/what_happens/body/brain_death.cfm
www.thiaoouba.com/kir.htm <-- Has little to do with our problem, but it's indeed very nice, good for the Psi Lab

[tzuchan]

And once the nutrients within a dead Silibrate are exhausted, the Alien Composites only grow at their normal rate (very slowly)?

Hmm....
/me imagines a base store chock full of alien composites and abandoned for the ten years between alien war 1 and alien war 2...
"Siree, we kinna open ta duur!"
"Whyever not?!"
"Cuz de demn thang is wen solid piece of composite!"

Seriously, if Alien composite is not only capable of healing itself over time, but also growing when separated from a host as well, the aliens would only have to manufacture small scouts... Those would then grow into battleships over time...

Suggest that there's an enzyme of some sort that causes the alien composite to grow at a rapid rate, but that it's short lived, can not be extracted from the silibrate in useable amounts/state, and silibrates are too hard to take care of(They eat through anything! Shoot it, shoot it now!)

[Astyanax]

Now that's probably the best compromise yet- the short-lifetime of the enzyme. I like it, tzuchan!

Hm, maybe Alien Composites can grow, but they can go into a dormant state? The [personal armor] CT mentions something about "inducing the organic component of the Alien Composites to create a silicon-(something) network throughout its outermost layer". Perhaps this is the equivalent of putting the Alien Composites into hibernation?

Or maybe I'm trying too hard for the "growing" aspect of the Alien Composites...?

We should decide what Alien Composites can or cannot do in order to enforce consistency between the CTs. Iirc, the fluff text in one of the entries basically implies that a guy got eaten up by Alien Composites. Creepy, yes, but is the idea tenable?

p.s. Congratulations on your promotion, kafros!

Edited by Astyanax, 14 February 2005 - 11:28 AM.

[kafros]

come now, everyone knows glass isn't see-through!

Lemme help ya a bit:
1) Have you seen those "god-damn cool" American FBI movies? There is a room where you put the suspect. There is a glass there. The suspect looks himself on the glass. But, on the other room, there are the cops, looking at the suspect!
(Actually, we don't really need this in an autopsy, but the room in which the autopsy takes place could be an "Alien Examination room", both for dead and alive aliens....)

2) Remember the VERY FIRST scene in Resident Evil (1)? That guy in suit in front of a console, operating 2 robotic hands? That's EXACTLY what I have in mind!

And once the nutrients within a dead Silibrate are exhausted, the Alien Composites only grow at their normal rate (very slowly)?

For example, oil doesn't grow, it was created
That way, Alien Composites don't grow themselves, they are "grown/created" in the body of the Silabrate. And, this reaction only happens while there are "prepared reactants" AND "working catalyst/enzyme". Then, no more Alien Composites 4u!

Congratulations on your promotion, kafros!

Ty! I've brought some leek dancers!

[kafros]

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Silabrate_Autopsy

Conducting autopsy research on a dead Silabrate specimen was a delicate operation which was carefully planned and programmed. The use of Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS) was inevitable. In addition, the carcass produced a skin temperature of 500K, which suggested an abstruse exothermic interior of the body. Thus, a special anti-thermal operating table was manufactured and then set in the examination room. The CIS console was in the neighboring room, which had a durable and anti-thermal glass on the wall communicating with the operating theater.

It seems that the creature slowly produces Alien Composites for skin. Although rather simple, the Silabrate body operates in a remarkable way. Its prefatory functions show it has some low intelligence. With the Alien Composites and its basic intelligence as hints, the operation starts.

It was impossible to dissect its indurate skin using common human tools such as scalpels. High-frequency surgical laser was an effective alternative. Just when the skin was removed, the thermal sensors showed a sharp fluctuation up to 1000K where it was stabilized.

Samples from the skin were extracted for analysis. Indeed, Alien Composites produced internally slowly migrate to the visible outer layer of the skin. Even when the specimen is dead, this valuable substance continues to be produced as long as there are convertible materials inside the body. The Silabrate metabolism can easily convert a grand variety of chemical substances and materials with fairly high melting points. These reactions with the help of an enzyme take place in one of the 2 body organs of the Silabrate. That organ works as a storage sac where the various metabolism substances are stored. It is actually a “substance soup” and this is the reason why Alien Composites continue to grow even when the creature is dead. Catalysts and high temperature are the main factors these reactions take place.

The skin itself functions as a neural and muscular system at the same time. These multipurpose skin cells provide basic interchange of messages between them and produce locomotion.

A significant quantity of an unusual hormone was detected within the hot body fluids. It is suspected that this hormone is the key factor in the production of the catalyst needed to efficiently create Alien Composites.

The second gland-like structure is a kind of heart, which takes up approximately 35% of the available body mass. It provides the energy needed to sustain the Silbrate's life. The energy is not stored as ATPs as in humans, but as GDPs which are stored inside the heart and then used by the cells whenever needed. In addition, it produces the extraordinary thermal output the Silabrate needs for the production of Alien Composites.

We do not know if Silabrates are the main production agents of Alien Composites or just an alternative production factor. We have concluded that the Aliens genetically engineered the Silabrate in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites ready for use. The idea of using Silabrates for our own good was tempting, but proved impossible to effectuate. Live Silabrates are just too dangerous to be used for production. We have tried to insert substances in a dead Silabrate, but we did not succeed in stimulating the reactions. In order to produce Alien Composites, we must utilize our own chemistry methods.

“#1: Silabrates are NOT to be used in the oven in case of energy blackouts!
#2: We don’t feed food and cooking waste to live Silabrates!
#3: We don’t break nuts by throwing them at Silabrates!”
- New rules for the cooking staff

If the temperature is unimportant, suggest removing altogether: "...a sharp fluctuation that stabilized after several minutes..." write out "one million", looks more scientific, or use scientific notation

The temperature I’m talking right here is the internal body temperature, which is constant. Therefore, our accurate sensor shows its temperature right away. In addition, K is not “thousand”. If I meant thousands, I should also put the MEASURE! Thus, K is not kilo, it IS A MEASURE ITSELF, it is KELVIN Degrees = Celsius degrees + 273, it is scientific by itself

D@mn, I've ONCE put red color in my .doc, but it was not saved in here.... Anyway, you should read it all. I've made many changes, and I've added a lot of stuff.

[dan2]

So you're saying this silabrate body stays very hot (more than 200 celsius) continuously, even after is long dead?
I hope you realize all organic molecules like GDP would long decompose at this temperatures.
Why not GTP if you compare it with ATP? D for "di" and T for "tri", low energy and high energy. Whatever, nobody cares about chemistry these days, I see.
I guess the text is far too advanced to turn it toward a silicon based life-form instead.
Then keep up the good work

[kafros]

So you're saying this silabrate body stays very hot (more than 200 celsius) continuously, even after is long dead?
I hope you realize all organic molecules like GDP would long decompose at this temperatures.
Why not GTP if you compare it with ATP? D for "di" and T for "tri", low energy and high energy.

I've thought about decomposition... Higher preassure then? Special "protection" substances? Instant recomposition? What do you all suggest?

Well, Triphoshoric is surely better than diphoshophoric, but the Silabrate doesn't need that much energy. And, As it has many cells, it prefers to have MANY GDPs than SOME ATPs. What you say?

Whatever, nobody cares about chemistry these days, I see.

Why you said that? People care about Biology, so they DO HAVE to care about chemistry ::

[Moriarty]

Well, Triphoshoric is surely better than diphoshophoric, but the Silabrate doesn't need that much energy. And, As it has many cells, it prefers to have MANY GDPs than SOME ATPs. What you say?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

if I remember correctly, the energy stored in the dihosphoric bond is not even high enough for any decent reaction. which is exactly why the triphosphoric compunds are used as energy transfer molecules... and just to be exact: none of them are long-term energy storage molecules, because they spontaneously split in aqueous environments. they are assembled on-demand.

I suppose it would be better to invent a totally different system, considering the silabrate is probably too hot to sustain any kind of known biochemistry
(wasn't the original alien in X-Com a silicon-based lifeform? why not take that idea? if it's silicon-based, it would probably be able to live at extreme temperatures, because the silicon-hydrogen bond is more stable than the carbon-hydrogen bond. I think. )

[kafros]

S-H bonds are in your hair... Θειογέφυρες, "Sulfur bridges"

About Silicon... Hmmm, pas mal pas mal . Should I "invent" new substances?

[dan2]

S-H bonds are in your hair... ???????????, "Sulfur bridges"

About Silicon... Hmmm, pas mal pas mal . Should I "invent" new substances?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually silicon hydrogen bonds are weak, but silicon makes really strong bonds with fluorine, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus.
Strong bonds means they are stable at high temperatures.
Silicon semiconductors can be used as power generating units, while silicon dioxide, known in a special crystaline form as quartz, a very transparent material, can be used to focus light or radiation on semiconductors or as mirror material.
Silicon carbide is as unscratchable as diamond, so it's perfect to penetrate armor.
If you have a plasma producing unit inside, there you go, plenty of energy to keep it very hot.

P.S. Silicon tetrafluoride can be a heat conducting gas while silicone oils can be blood or heat transmission fluid, greasing the joints. There's even silicone rubber. Polymers with silicone, highly resistant to heat

Edited by dan2, 12 March 2005 - 09:38 AM.

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

In the live Silibrate text, the original thought was that it was far more exotic than 'mere' organic chemistry. It was actually (If I had ever gotten around to the autopsy) going to be a living breeder reactor. That explains the temperature, and you don't have to go into more details of how, other than several variations on "it's unlike anything we've ever encoutered". You can just describe the reactor process as the life process.

-The Captain

[dan2]

You don't have to go into more details of how, other than several variations on "it's unlike anything we've ever encoutered".  You can just describe the reactor process as the life process.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't you have to be pretty specific if you choped the creature in tiny pieces? Like how is ticking and what is it made of? A bit of chemistry never hurt, and I'm here to help... if asked, of course.

[Sectopod]

Hello

Heres my suggestion (just posting the draft ):

Silabrate Autopsy

The Silabrate is a creature which when under the knife, reveals a massive amount of secrets. From a glance by X-Corps soldiers, it appears to be a creature comprised of molten lava, stumbling across the battlefield, leaving a searing trail in it's wake. After some detailed analysis, we now understand what makes the Silabrate have it's molten appearence.

It's outer shell, which our scientists have dubbed the "Silabrium" of the creature, is comprised entirely of an organic alien alloy, which is extremely reactive to the material known as Xenium-122. The Silabrium is at least 5 inches thick, which explains why the Silabrate takes a massive amount of pummeling before being reduced to a heap of organic metal and small energies. X-Corps soldiers also noted that when the Silabrate stopped functioning, it had lost it's vigourous molten appearance, as if it had dried out. What we found underneath the Silabrium of the creature was even more puzzling.

Inside the creature, is what we can describe as "depleted Xenium". We had found massive amounts of black crystals inside the the core of the Silabrate. These black crystals had the residual trace of the element Xenium, although these residual traces would hardly be of use to X-Corps. The molten appearance of the Silabrate from what we can determine is the inner core of Xenium reacting with the Silabrium.

Examining further, our scientists had found an unusual organic device, which from what we gather, emits a latent psychic hyperwave signal. These hyperwave signals from what we can understand, command the creature to do the alien's bidding, to whatever purpose it may have for the aliens. This device is integrated in the Xenium itelf, and how it moves is even more baffling.

As the Silabrate's Silabrium is reactive with the Xenium, it constantly maintains a hard, searing molten shape. When it needs to move, it simply moves its interior Xenium forward, thus, moving closer to it's target.

When the Silabrate's psychic device is destroyed, it's Xenium is destroyed with it and reduces to a slump.

The Silabrate, is almost immune to laser weaponry, explosive and inicidary weaponry, however, it appears to be succeptable to the plasma technology the aliens use. Psionic attacks of the beast appears to work to some extent, it's device being a natural magnet for the X-Corp's psychic attacks.

X-Corps soldiers from this must aim directly into the center, and to pound the Silabrate with focused fire. If X-Corps manages to penetrate the Silabrium deep enough, they can hit the organic device and stop the Silabrate's relentless advance. The organic psychic device is extremely sensitive to stun weaponry, however, offering a great chance for us to study this Xenium based creature, provided they can capture it alive.

Dr James Zachariah- "I believe that we have struck the beginnings of the gold to this war.."

Edited by Chmmr, 04 June 2005 - 04:14 AM.

[Exo2000]

Edits by Exo.

The Silabrate is a creature which, when under the surgical laser, reveals a massive amount of secrets. From a glance by X-Corps soldiers, it appears to be a creature comprised of molten lava, slithering across the battlefield, leaving a scorched trail in it's wake. After some detailed analysis, we now understand what makes the Silabrate have it's molten appearence.

It's outer shell is at least 5 inches thick, and contains a fairly liberal amount of Alien Composites, which explains why the Silabrate takes a hefty amount of weaponsfire before being reduced to a heap of slag metals. X-Corps soldiers also noted that when the Silabrate stopped functioning, it lost it's lava-like look, as if it had dried out, much like a hardened lava flow. What we found underneath the shell of the creature was even more puzzling.

Inside the creature, is what we can describe as "depleted Xenium". We had found massive amounts of black crystals inside the heart of the Silabrate. These black crystals had the residual trace of the element Xenium, although these residual traces would hardly be of use to X-Corps. We suspect that the Xenium crystals are used to power the heart structure.

The molten appearance of the Silabrate from what we can determine is the inner core of the creature undergoing the transformation processes, allowing it to break down most matter into it's base components, then recombining them into Alien Composites.

Examining further, our scientists had found an unusual device, which from what we gather, can receive psychic signals from any transmitter within a wide radius, allowing them to be controlled by the other aliens. The device has no recognition, so the signals are easily hijacked and the Silabrate turned against it's masters. It's too stupid to know better, it's made to follow orders. Should the device somehow be destroyed and the Silabrate survive, it will go on a feeding frenzy, attempting to consume any matter viable for transformation into Alien Composites.

Also contained within is a heart, and a storage chamber of some kind. The heart is, from what we can discern, an organic micro-fusion reactor slash atomic smelter and forge, generating not only energy for the creature, but also breaking down any matter consumed and recombining the base atoms into Alien Composites. Any matter consumed and not used is stored in the storage chamber as a solid mass. The storage area is the coolest internal part of the Silabrate, allowing anything in it to be stored as a liquid rather than a gas.

If the heart is struck and ripped open by weaponsfire, the Silabrate will cease functioning, instantly cooling and hardening into a lump of inert silicon and base metals such as iron and copper, as well as it's outer shell of Alien Composites. Unfortunately, it's unusuable to us, as it's bent in a useless shape, and is also welded to a large mass of base metals. Scientists suspect that this is supposed to be some sort of defense mechanism.

As the Silabrate's shell is thick, it's surprising how it can move, however, by increasing it's surface temperature, it can break the shell into "plates" and slither along, much like a slug. This has the effect of exposing the ground below it to the temperatures, which means it leaves scorched, smoking trails behind it as it moves.

The Silabrate is almost totally immune to laser weaponry as well as explosives and it thrives in fire, therefore making incendiary weapons useless. Most bullets crush against it's shell, or are simply vaporised by the heat generated, and are therefore useless. It is, however, vulnerable to the plasma technology the aliens use, meaning we can use the alien plasma weaponry to kill it.

X-Corps soldiers from this must aim directly at the core of the Silabrate, and focus their fire, if they hope to kill it. If the soldiers manage to penetrate the shell deep enough, they can hit the "heart" and stop the Silabrate's relentless advance. The psychic device is extremely sensitive to stun weaponry, however, offering a great chance for us to study this Alien Composites based creature, provided they can capture it alive.

Finally, it's only method of attacking is lashing out with whiplike tendrils of lava, searing flesh and burning through most armour. The tendrils are made on a needed-to-be-used basis, and otherwise they are hidden.

Sqd. Gudbrand Poul: "I..it... it freakin' burned through that guy like a hot knife through frickin` butter, man! Poor guy just stood there firing his gun at it uselessly. Moments later, his charred uniform fell to the ground. The stench of burning flesh was horrible... ugh..."

Scientist Kendal Sameer: "It appears that it is a biological factory for Alien Composites. I have no doubt that larger, immobile variants of this creature exist on the alien home base, maybe even any bases they establish here. Either way, these things should be terminated as soon as possible."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

To expand on the device being destroyed, once the Silabrate reaches critically low health (25% approx.) it will make a beeline for soldiers, recieving a boost to timeunits, changing to a "beaten up" appearance. If it detects anything, and I mean ANYTHING moving, it will attempt to "deatomise" (read; burn into a crisp with it's lava-whips) it for reconstruction into Alien Composites. It will basically become a rampaging menace, attacking X-Corps, Civilians and Aliens alike. This makes it all too happy to gobble up grenades, which will explode!

[kafros]

Unfortunately, I don't have time right now to read the whole text in-depth and make comments. First impression is very good , although some (most) parts seem to fit in the "Silabrate" CT and not the Autopsy one...

[Tsereve]

First of all, "deatomise" isn't a word. It's spelt "atomize" with a "z" and it means to break down into indivudual atoms, which are usually dispersed. Adding the prefix "de" makes it the opposite. Basically, it doesn't become atomized. I doubt this is what you mean, so just say "atomize."

I think the scientific term for a storage chamber of this sort is a "vacuole." Might be spelt wrong, but I think that looks right.

If it "thrives in fire," then would IC weapons simply have no effect, or would they make it stronger? If I were a creature of fire, being in fire would just energize me (or so I'd imagine) so would a Silabrate gain more TUs?

[Exo2000]

Incendiaries would either do no damage, or restore TUs by a small (not very significant, one or two every turn it's in a burning area) amount.

Edited bits now coloured;

The Silabrate is a creature which, when under the surgical laser, reveals a massive amount of secrets. From a glance by X-Corps soldiers, it appears to be a creature comprised of molten lava, slithering across the battlefield, leaving a scorched trail in it's wake. After some detailed analysis, we now understand what makes the Silabrate have it's molten appearence.

Originally said knife, and it's known the Silabrate is far, far too hot for knives.

Slithering sounds better than stumbling, really. Something can't really stumble if it hasn't got legs.

It's outer shell is at least 5 inches thick, and contains a fairly liberal amount of Alien Composites, which explains why the Silabrate takes a hefty amount of weaponsfire before being reduced to a heap of slag metals. X-Corps soldiers also noted that when the Silabrate stopped functioning, it lost it's lava-like look, as if it had dried out, much like a hardened lava flow. What we found underneath the shell of the creature was even more puzzling.

Minor make-it-sound-better changes. Mostly to do with words used. Pummelling sounds like melee attacks, stupidity against a creature like this. Weaponsfire, on the other hand...

Inside the creature we found what we can describe as "depleted Xenium". We had found massive amounts of black crystals inside the heart of the Silabrate. These black crystals had the residual trace of the element Xenium, although these residual traces would hardly be of use to X-Corps. We suspect that the Xenium crystals are used to power the heart structure.

First bit of that was Chmmr's, I just added the end line because of my own edits, to explain bits of it. Noticed another error, mostly an extra comma that was replaced with other stuff.

The molten appearance of the Silabrate is, from what we can determine, the inner core of the creature undergoing the transformation processes, allowing it to break down most matter into it's base components, then recombining them into Alien Composites.

Went a bit more geeky on it there, explained in better detail than just that the Xenium is reacting with it.

Examining further, our scientists had found an unusual device, which from what we gather, can receive psychic signals from any transmitter within a wide radius, allowing them to be controlled by the other aliens. The device has no recognition, so the signals are easily hijacked and the Silabrate turned against it's masters. It's too stupid to know better, it's made to follow orders. Should the device somehow be destroyed and the Silabrate survive, it will go on a feeding frenzy, attempting to consume any matter viable for transformation into Alien Composites.

Also contained within is a heart, and a vacuole of some kind. The heart is, from what we can discern, an organic micro-fusion reactor slash atomic smelter and forge, generating not only energy for the creature, but also breaking down any matter consumed and recombining the base atoms into Alien Composites. Any matter consumed and not used is stored in the vacuole as a liquid. The storage area is the coolest internal part of the Silabrate, allowing anything in it to be stored as a liquid rather than a gas.

Going back to the "3 internal structures" thing from kaffy's version.

If the heart is struck and ripped open by weaponsfire, the Silabrate will cease functioning, instantly cooling and hardening into a lump of inert silicon and base metals such as iron and copper, as well as it's outer shell of Alien Composites. Unfortunately, it's unusuable to us, as it's bent in a useless shape, and is also welded to a large mass of base metals. Scientists suspect that this is supposed to be some sort of defense mechanism. The inner structure is, however, perfectly preserved.

Excuse as to why you get no Alien Composites for killing one, but can autopsy it. I pretty much adlibbed that paragraph.

As the Silabrate's shell is so thick, it's surprising how it can move so fast, however, by increasing it's surface temperature, it can break the shell into "plates" and slither along, much like a slug. This has the effect of exposing the ground below it to the temperatures, which means it leaves scorched, smoking trails behind it as it moves.

Original explanation was it moves the Xenium inside it and therefore moves itself... why not give it a much more basic propulsion method that explains why it burns the ground it passes over?

The Silabrate is almost totally immune to laser weaponry as well as explosives and it thrives in fire, therefore making incendiary weapons useless. Most bullets crush against it's shell, or are simply vaporised by the heat generated, and are therefore useless. It is, however, vulnerable to the plasma technology the aliens use, meaning we can use the alien plasma weaponry to kill it.

X-Corps soldiers must aim directly at the core of the Silabrate, and focus their fire, if they hope to kill it. if you see the original, it didn't make as much sense If the soldiers manage to penetrate the shell deep enough, they can hit the "heart" and stop the Silabrate's relentless advance. The psychic device is extremely sensitive to stun weaponry, however, offering a great chance for us to study this Alien Composites based creature, provided they can capture it alive.

Finally, it's only method of attacking is lashing out with whiplike tendrils of lava, searing flesh and burning through most armour. The tendrils are made on a needed-to-be-used basis, and otherwise they are hidden.

Sqd. Gudbrand Poul: "I..it... it freakin' burned through that guy like a hot knife through frickin` butter, man! Poor guy just stood there firing his gun at it uselessly. Moments later, his charred uniform fell to the ground. The stench of burning flesh was horrible... ugh..."

Scientist Kendal Sameer: "It appears that it is a biological factory for Alien Composites. I have no doubt that larger, immobile variants of this creature exist on the alien home base, maybe even any bases they establish here. Either way, these things should be terminated as soon as possible."

If I accidentally marked any of my edits as Chmmr's, sorry.

To expand on the device being destroyed, once the Silabrate reaches critically low health (25% approx.) it will make a beeline for soldiers, recieving a boost to timeunits, changing to a "beaten up" appearance. If it detects anything, and I mean ANYTHING moving, it will attempt to consume Tsereve's nitpick. (read; burn into a crisp with it's lava-whips) it for reconstruction into Alien Composites. It will basically become a rampaging menace, attacking X-Corps, Civilians and Aliens alike. This makes it all too happy to gobble up grenades, which will explode!

If it can't detect anything moving near it, it will start eating walls and floor objects.

Edited by Exo2000, 04 June 2005 - 10:00 PM.

[Tsereve]

So what does it do in Alien Containment?

[Sectopod]

I like the other version, it covers on how Silibrates can make Xenium, and can be farmed, and it is more flexible. If it is farmed, then a low psychic emmitter would keep the Silabrates from going wild (but not suitable for X-Corps duties, it has to be in a controlled environment, the weak signals can be blocked by the aliens on missions, and anyway its just to make them docile).

Edited by Chmmr, 05 June 2005 - 01:24 PM.

[Tsereve]

SILABRATE AUTOPSY
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Silabrate Autopsy

Conducting autopsy research on a dead Silabrate specimen was a delicate operation which was carefully planned and programmed. The use of Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS) was inevitable. In addition, the carcass produced a skin temperature of 500K, which suggested an abstruse exothermic interior of the body. Thus, a special anti-thermal operating table was manufactured and then set in the examination room. The CIS console was in the neighboring room, which had a durable and anti-thermal glass on the wall communicating with the operating theater.

Put the degrees sign around the "500K". I presume you mean K as in Kalvin, not as in thousand? Also, how did they know the temperature before it was put on the operating table?

It seems that the creature slowly produces Alien Composites for skin. Although rather simple, the Silabrate body operates in a remarkable way. Its prefatory functions show it has some low intelligence. With the Alien Composites and its basic intelligence as hints, the operation starts.

Maybe "produces Alien Composites, which are integrated into its body as skin" would be better? Your version just doesn't sound. . .scientific. Well, that sentence at least. Also, "some low intelligence" is kind of redundant. The final sentence here works fine, but I don't feel like it flows well. But that might just be me. Consider "With these discoveries (factors or properties might also work here) as hints, the operation starts."

It was impossible to dissect its indurate skin using common human tools such as scalpels. High-frequency surgical laser was an effective alternative. Just when the skin was removed, the thermal sensors showed a sharp fluctuation up to 1000K where it was stabilized.

Make it sound like we just realized it is impossible, as it is, it sounds like we knew of the skin's strength already. "Our research team soon discovered that the skin of the Silabrate greatly exceeds the capabilities of common surgical tools, such as scalpels." This also applies to the next paragraph, consider changing it to ". . .surgical laser proved to be an effective. . ." "Just when the skin was removed" sounds too unscientific. How about "As the epidermis was removed, a sharp increase in temperature of up to 1000k (add another degrees sign) was recorded on our thermal sensors."

Samples from the skin were extracted for analysis. Indeed, Alien Composites produced internally slowly migrate to the visible outer layer of the skin. Even when the specimen is dead, this valuable substance continues to be produced as long as there are convertible materials inside the body. The Silabrate metabolism can easily convert a grand variety of chemical substances and materials with fairly high melting points. These reactions with the help of an enzyme take place in one of the 2 body organs of the Silabrate. That organ works as a storage sac where the various metabolism substances are stored. It is actually a “substance soup” and this is the reason why Alien Composites continue to grow even when the creature is dead. Catalysts and high temperature are the main factors these reactions take place.

Tweak the third sentence along the lines of "This process seems to be automated, as even in death, the Silbrate's body will continue converting materials into this valuable substance." Still, this doesn't explain why we wouldn't be able to keep Silabrate corpses for an unlimited and free supply of Alien Composites, so maybe this should be removed altogether.

The word "chemical" here doesn't seem to work, as it can also convert organic and manufactored material. Replace this sentence with ". . .can easily convert a grand variety of substances and materials, including those with extremely high melting points." Also, change the next sentence to "With the help of an enzyme, these reactions take place in one of the two Silabrate organs (body is implied here). "This organ works as a vacuole" not "That organ works as a substance sac" might be better. "Substance soup" seems to. . .casual, like what a soldier would say instead of an overpaid scientist. How about "heterogeneous compound"?

The skin itself functions as a neural and muscular system at the same time. These multipurpose skin cells provide basic interchange of messages between them and produce locomotion.

It has already been stated that these cells make up the skin. Thus, "skin cells" can be reduced to "cells." And they provide A basic interchange, don't forget the article

A significant quantity of an unusual hormone was detected within the hot body fluids. It is suspected that this hormone is the key factor in the production of the catalyst needed to efficiently create Alien Composites.

Good, good. . .

The second gland-like structure is a kind of heart, which takes up approximately 35% of the available body mass. It provides the energy needed to sustain the Silbrate's life. The energy is not stored as ATPs as in humans, but as GDPs which are stored inside the heart and then used by the cells whenever needed. In addition, it produces the extraordinary thermal output the Silabrate needs for the production of Alien Composites.

"Available" works here, "total" also would, "available" just seems wrong for some reason. . ."sustain the Silabrate" will work too, but there's nothing actually wrong with what you have (enjoy it while you can ). I don't remember for sure, but I think the singular and plural forms of ATP are the same.

We do not know if Silabrates are the main production agents of Alien Composites or just an alternative production factor. We have concluded that the Aliens genetically engineered the Silabrate in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites ready for use. The idea of using Silabrates for our own good was tempting, but proved impossible to effectuate. Live Silabrates are just too dangerous to be used for production. We have tried to insert substances into dead Silabrates, but we did not succeed in stimulating the reactions. In order to produce Alien Composites, we must utilize our own chemistry methods.

". . .using Silabrates to our own advantage" might work better here. As you stated before, dead Silabrates still produce Alien Composites, as long as convertable materials remain inside the body. ". . .but were not able to simluate the reactions" sounds a bit better to me, but that's probably just me (again. . .).


“#1: Silabrates are NOT to be used in the oven in case of energy blackouts!
#2: We don’t feed food and cooking waste to live Silabrates!
#3: We don’t break nuts by throwing them at Silabrates!”
- New rules for the cooking staff

Overall, very good. Still a few things to work out, but it's coming along really well.

[Tsereve]

btw, Chmmr: The new version doesn't say anything about Xenium.

[Sectopod]

"Inside the creature we found what we can describe as "depleted Xenium". We had found massive amounts of black crystals inside the heart of the Silabrate. These black crystals had the residual trace of the element Xenium, although these residual traces would hardly be of use to X-Corps. We suspect that the Xenium crystals are used to power the heart structure."

I know, its the old version, but it just sounds cool Maybe we can merge the new version and the inmproved draft me, kafros and Exo worked on?

Edited by Chmmr, 05 June 2005 - 01:26 PM.

[Tsereve]

Wait... no... why has this text been rewritten? this is the last draft, work with this one please.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[kafros]

Well, we can still find some interesting information from Chmmr's draft, and implement it as a part of the original . But, we shouldn't make a complete change, just work in an additive manner.

But please, don't make Silabrates produce Xenium, Xenium issues are all around, and there are already 4 proposed ways of creating Xenium, it's a complete mess .
If you just meant that Silabrates USE some Xenium... interesting, we could talk about that

Answers to Asty's comments (in order of appearance):

1a) Well, of course it's 500 Kelvin! If it was Celcius, I formally had to put 500.000 ºC . But, even our sun has a surface temperature of 5000 Kelvin, so, it may be a bit too much. But again, that's a strange reaction happening at the Silabrate... Doh, pick and choose
1b) Well, an unfortunate soldier noticed that trying to pick up a dead silabrate was... too... dangerous . So, they first check the temp, and then see that it is around 500K, so they set the table to be that heat-resistant.

2) Indeed, "scientific" alternatives are always appreciated
3) Same as above

4) Indeed, a re-writting of that paragraph and more explanations would be just fine
I didn't know the word "vacuole"... hmmm

5) "A" wouldn't fit in greek... Although I have to agree that somehow it sounds a bit better in English

6)

7) . And, 1 ATP, 2 ATP...? Because it's a "name"? I gotta check that out

8) I'll give it a try

Well, let's see if more people have some comments, and I will make the needed corrections

[Exo2000]

I like the other version, it covers on how Silibrates can make Xenium, and can be farmed, and it is more flexible. If it is farmed, then a low psychic emmitter would keep the Silabrates from going wild (but not suitable for X-Corps duties, it has to be in a controlled environment, the weak signals can be blocked by the aliens on missions, and anyway its just to make them docile).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They make Alien Composites, not Xenium.

And in no versions do they make Xenium! In my version they USED Xenium to power the "heart" reactor in order to convert them.

The reason you could autopsy them;

Everything inside would be perfectly preserved, as the rapid cooling would have the same affect as fossilising.

If it uses z's instead of s', that's AMERICAN spelling, not ENGLISH spelling.

~~

As for how the aliens get Xenium, remember those crystals on the Alien Dimension in Apocalypse? They probably get it like that, as crystals in that form, grown and shaped with some sort of resonance to speed growth and repair damage.

[Astyanax]

Whoa, I can't even remember some of the questions I've asked... I'm going to have to review a little.

Wait a minute... that's Tsereve's post! Just because something has colors doesn't mean it's mine!

1a) Well, of course it's 500 Kelvin! If it was Celcius, I formally had to put 500.000 ºC .

Technically, it'd be about 773ºC.

Tsereve: Kelvin doesn't use degrees (e.g. 100ºC is approximately 373K).


Whew, made it back from my own computer woes, but now I'm back... with a vengeance: my computer now can run Xenocide!

[Tsereve]

1-

2- ROFL

3- Show-off. . .

4- Ah, thanx, I'm not to in-the-know with these scientific units of measurement.

5- Mine still can't

[centurion]

[...]

1a) Well, of course it's 500 Kelvin! If it was Celcius, I formally had to put 500.000 ºC .

Technically, it'd be about 773ºC.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's the other way around, 500°C is 773,15 K, 500 K is a measly 227°C

[Astyanax]

D'oh! Not so much of a show-off, am I?

[kafros]

Damn, I had written a reply, which somehow seems not to have been posted...
Anyway, a new one:

Due to some very bad syntax and use of language the

Well, of course it's 500 Kelvin! If it was Celcius, I formally had to put 500.000 ºC

was supposed to be:

If 500K was meant to be "5 hundred thousands Celcius degrees", then, in order to be formal, I would have to write "500,000 ºC".

But, as you ALWAYS have to write the measure (kg, K, ºC, Pa, N, that's how they are called in English, right? ), K means Kelvin. And of course, the formulae are:

T = 273 + θ , where T=Kelvin degrees and θ=Celcius degrees
C = (5/9)(F-32) , where C= Celcius, F=Fahrenheit

And, if you can't remember the C-F formula, just remember that:

0 C=32 F (freezing)    100 C=212 F (boiling)

So, solve a 2X2 equation system, and find it

Phew, that was a bit of a lecture (Wasn't it?! Yes, I know you AGREE! )

[Exo2000]

Ok, I think this topic has quite literally been cooked until it's done.

[kafros]

SILABRATE AUTOPSY
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Species/Silabrate Autopsy

Conducting autopsy research on a dead Silabrate specimen was a delicate operation which was carefully planned and programmed. The use of Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS) was inevitable. Cursory study of the carcass proposed a skin temperature of 500 Kelvin, which suggested an abstruse exothermic interior of the body. Thus, a special anti-thermal operating table was manufactured and then set in the examination room. The CIS console was in the neighboring room, which had a durable and anti-thermal glass on the wall communicating with the operating theater.

It seems that the creature slowly produces Alien Composites which are integrated into its body as skin. Although rather simple, the Silabrate body operates in a remarkable way. Alas, dield reports show that Silabrates are low-intelligence organisms. With these factors as hints, the operation starts.

Our research team soon discovered that the skin of the Silabrate greatly exceeds the capabilities of common surgical tools, such as scalpels. High-frequency surgical laser was an effective alternative. With the removal of the epidermis, thermal sensors recorded a sharp thermal fluctuation which was stalibised aroun 670 Kelvin.

Samples from the skin were extracted for analysis. Indeed, Alien Composites produced internally slowly migrate to the visible outer layer of the skin. The Silabrate metabolism can easily convert a grand variety of chemical substances and materials with fairly high melting points. With the help of an enzyme, these reactions take place in one of the two Silabrate organs, which works as a vacuole where the various metabolism substances are stored. It is actually a heterogeneous compound of collected materials.

The skin itself functions as a neural and muscular system at the same time. These multipurpose cells provide a basic interchange of messages between them and produce locomotion.

A significant quantity of an unusual hormone was detected within the hot body fluids. It is suspected that this hormone is the key factor in the production of the catalyst needed to efficiently create Alien Composites.

The second gland-like structure is a kind of heart, which takes up approximately 35% of the total body mass. It provides the energy needed to sustain the Silbrate. The energy is not stored as ATP as in humans, but as GQP which are stored inside the heart and then used by the cells whenever needed. In addition, it produces the extraordinary thermal output the Silabrate needs for the production of Alien Composites.

We do not know if Silabrates are the main production agents of Alien Composites or just an alternative production factor. We have concluded that the Aliens genetically engineered the Silabrate in order to convert various materials into Alien Composites ready for use. The idea of using Silabrates to our own advantage was tempting, but proved impossible to effectuate. Live Silabrates are just too dangerous to be used for production. We have tried to insert substances into dead Silabrates, but we did not succeed in stimulating the synthesis procedure. In order to produce Alien Composites, we must utilize our own chemistry methods.

“#1: Silabrates are NOT to be used in the oven in case of energy blackouts!
#2: We don’t feed food and cooking waste to live Silabrates!
#3: We don’t break nuts by throwing them at Silabrates!”
- New rules for the cooking staff


So, dead Silabrates are dead for good. No more alien composites

Edited by kafros, 03 July 2005 - 09:24 AM.

[tzuchan]

The energy is not stored as ATP as in humans, but as GQP which are stored inside the heart and

GQP? What's that? I know that ATP is Adenno Triphosphate(Spelling is probably off, but at least I know what that is...) but I've no idea what GQP is... Ideally, before you throw out anacroms like ATP and GQP, you spell it out once and have the anacrom in brackets beside it, eg: Adenno Triphosphate(ATP).

This way, the average gamer would than at least have an inkling of what it might be.

[kafros]

These "energy coins" of cells use a base (Adenine, Guanine, Cutosine, Themine), and some phosphate, from 1 to 3. So:

ATP = A-p-p-p
GDP = G-p-p
CMP = C-p
CTP = C-p-p-p

GQD actually doesn't exists (at least I haven't learned about it ), and should actually be that: G-p-p-p-p (Quadphosphate or something...). I know it doesn't exist, but I loved the idea of "inventing" something

[Astyanax]

The energy is not stored as ATP as in humans, but as GQP which are stored inside the heart and then used by the cells whenever needed.

I'm kind of surprised how many posts have been dedicated to this sentence... To avoid confusion, maybe you should spell out the acronyms: adenosine triphosphate and guanosine quadraphosphate (sp?)? (Oops, tzuchan's already posted this)

This is not meant as a criticism, but I was looking over the Silabrate CT in the Phase 1 subforum of the Proofreading forum, and I was thinking if you discussed some of the ideas from that text in this CT, the two texts would be more consistent (which is a good thing! ).

Some things that I think would be good to mention:
1.) the Silabrate is a silicon-based lifeform and/or that has a sizeable amount of silicon was found in its tissues (paragraph 3 in the Silabrate CT)
2.) clarifying whether the Silabrate has been surgically altered by some other Alien, and, if so, how its carapace has been altered (paragraph 4)
3.) the increased radiation levels and/or the presence of uranium in Silabrate biology (paragraph 6). This might also be addressed in your paragraph 1: how special radiation-proof shielding was needed in addition to the heat-proof operating table.

Edited by Astyanax, 06 July 2005 - 12:03 PM.

[kafros]

Thanks for the comments pal, I will have a look (or maybe 2 ) at it

[kafros]

Any volunteers for this CT, or should I work on it?

Edited by kafros, 03 August 2005 - 11:39 AM.