Biological Research & Experimentation Laboratory
While originally a general purpose Biological R&D Lab this workspace has
been assigned to me so that I could begin work upon the development and
Institutional usage of a technology originally intended as a personal project.
My reasons for beginning the project remain classified but my purpose for
continuing the project is not. I believe this project can be of great value
to the Institute aiding us in the matters of Security and Therapeutic
Treatment. As to what it is? I call it Latex Splicing
Latex Splicing
First a definition; Latex Splicing is the ability to splice organic
material and Delta Latex Nanites at the molecular level to create a reversible
fusion of the two with the organic matter gaining the durability and other
useful properties of the latex without compromising the cellular lifecycle of
the organic material. In layman's terms to be able transform a living being
into living latex.
You might ask why I would want to achieve this? Perhaps this will help
answer that question.
We discovered the injury healing capability by accident after a couple of
injured Gold Team members were exposed to the Latex Splicing formula at a
party and were instantly healed of their injuries during transformation. When
they were reverted to flesh and blood the repairs remained and there was no
sign of their injuries. Clearly a property worth exploring. Additionally
any physical injury suffered while in the transformed state quickly heals and
repairs itself leaving no trace it ever occurred. A very useful property that
would remove concerns about patients injuring themselves or of staff members
suffering injuries while tending to patients.
Of course it's not a cure all as long time conditions remain which is why
despite multiple transformations I still wear glasses. Also we have no idea
yet how the transformation will affect organic damage inflicted by malignant
cancer cells or viruses. Since we're primarily a psychological rather than a
medical facility we don't have the time or resources to research all the
questions these investigations raise. Ultimately we have to be concerned with
the practical applications for the Institute.
In a Basic Latex Splicing Transformation or Type 00 Mode (aka Anatomical
Splicing) the human body retains the exact same appearance while undergoing a
radical shift in its biochemical makeup.
When transformed the body's cell structure doesn't appear to age (though
this data is based on short term testing being too recent a development for
long testing) as if the cells have achieved homeostasis in their present latex
state. Therefore dead skin cells aren't shed to become dust particles. While
flesh becomes latex the blood's biochemistry changes into a latex-polymer
which surprisingly acts identically to blood. It brings nourishment to the
cells, which gives the subject's body a distinctive latex shine. How it
converts oxygen into the compounds the living latex needs is presently unknown
since it must happen on the molecular level of the Delta Latex Nanites.
From my preliminary testing a Spliced subject can go for several weeks
without eating. Theoretically once transformed a subject might not even need
to eat nor drink again to survive being sustained by the molecular action of
the nanites. However testing has shown that if food and water are not
ingested the test subjects latex skin loses its luster which could be a
warning sign about long term consequences. Also the test subjects still feel
hungry, though not as intensely as they did as flesh and blood. Any food or
liquid ingested seems to be completely converted into fuel for the body so
there are no waste products. Another useful trait that should make our
housecleanig personnel celebrate. While they feel unchanged the subject has
less mass so you could call transformation an instant weight loss plan. Also
squeaking noises tend to accompany their movements.
Test subjects continued to display their usual responses to their
environment. They still feel hot and cold as they did when flesh and blood.
However suntanning is no longer an option. Prolonged exposure to direct
sunlight causes the skin to become tacky and requires either reversing the
transformation back to their old self or spending several hours in an air
conditioned room to undo the damage and let their latex skin heal. So I'm
not recommending Latex Splicing for outdoor use.
So far we've looked at the Type00/Anatomical transformation but there
are several others that modify the body's shape to varying degrees. The
following Latex Splice types have recently been approved for use within the
Institute. They can be used to apprehend unruly patients or intruders but
are not to be used outside the facility. With that exception of Gold Team
who can use Latex Splicing weaponry if acquisition operations dictate. In
the event of misuse by staff the offenders will receive both multiple
demerits to work off but will be subjected to the same Splice Type they
misused for a period to be determined by the disciplinary board.
With the disclaimer out of the way let's take a look at them.
One of the strangest properties of this variety of Latex Splicing is that
if the Type02/Inflatable's skin is ruptured (not easily accomplished) and the
internal gases vent within a few minutes the hole will have healed and the
subject will have inhaled sufficent air to reinflate themselves. Though if a
tube is inserted so the hole can't close while the subject is alive and well
she remains as limp as a burst balloon and can be folded for storage. It's
also possible while the subject is in this state to fill them with a liquid
or gas. Introducing a foreign sbstance doesn't injure the subject but does
neutralise their mobility until it's drained out or the transformation is
reversed.
Type 02 Latex Splicing is becoming standard usage in violent patient
control because it renders them harmless. Unable to attack, flee or even
defend themselves the most violent patient can be handled by even a novice
member of the Black Orderlies.
Case in point recent committal Jennifer Walters who became excessively
violent even by her standards upon hearing that the latest comicbook based on
her adventures had also tanked was inflated and became easy to handle. While
she was being transported to her room by a single orderly an intruder (later
identified as her friend Wanda Maximoff) broke in and attempted to free her
but was quickly subdued by a security guard accompanying the orderly as a
standard precauiton.
After the transformation was complete the orderly was able to handle both
of these potentially incredibly destructive patients without any need for
assistance.