The Journals of Etorre Agnusdei, M.D. - Volume I

[Doctor Agnusdei]

The following are selected excerpts from the personal journals of Doctor Agnusdei:



Day 1
My initial research shows some success, though only marginal. My initial forays into breaking down the DNA of Alazhi bacteria proved problematic. The protein strains of the samples I collected were already decomposing by the time I could bring them under a microscope or even begin synthesizing the samples. At best, this is a simple setback. At worst, a change in tactics will be required.

My thesis is sound, however the breakthrough is highly elusive. Alazhi bacteria could, if my theory is correct, be genetically altered to accelerate the regenerative properties when used to make bacta. I believe that this genetic alteration could create a bacta strain that could heal instantaneously, or very close to such speeds.

To prove this, however, my experiments must show consistency. Currently, consistency is impossible as the DNA strands are incomplete and decayed. I believe this is less due to my methods and more due to my samples. I shall speak with my supplier...

Day 5
My discussion with my previous supplier was highly enlightening. Apparently, the man was charging a rather substantial amount for sub par Bacta. I was, unfortunately, required to purchase my bacta from a different supplier as my previous bacta merchant went missing soon after his admittance of poor business ethics.

It is no matter, however. My new samples arrive in three days and my experiments shall begin once more. Until then, perhaps I should research alternative means of reaching my goals...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 8
My samples arrived today from my supplier and, I must say, these particular samples are precisely what I require. Taking the bacta samples and removing the Alazhi bacteria, I then proceeded to start on my experiments.

Separating the genetic material from the bacteria's cells, I then synthesized the genetic strands. From there, it was a simple matter of taking the physical DNA helix apart and cataloging the nucleotides within. This is, admittedly, the most complex portion of my experiment. Should anything be miscataloged or should a nucleotide become damaged in the process and overlooked, the experiment will become a failure before alterations begin.

Day 15
My cataloging is complete and I have mapped the DNA helix of the Alazhi bacteria. The process took a great amount of time and effort, but it has most certainly paid off in full. I can begin breaking down the physical nucleotides through computer modeling and determine which section of the DNA helix requires alterations to achieve my experiment's goals.

With luck, this process shan't take too long.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 38
The computer projected alterations are completed and my experiment may finally continue. Mapping the altered sections and predicting the possible outcomes of such changes has proved taxing, vexing, and ultimately time consuming. The results, however, are astounding.

Of the entire genetic helix, there are two sections where alterations may have the effects I desire from my artificial nucleotides. Waxing eternal on how precisely I discovered those sections is irrelevant and only the results, a near instantaneous healing effect, is all that matters in this endeavor. However, for ease of future study and consultation of these notes, I have included charts depicting the precise locations of these DNA sequence areas below. The first depiction is a computer reconstruction of the sequence area while the second is a direct scan of another sequence from my equipment working in tandem with the computer program.

Spoiler

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I shall take the incoming, new samples provided by my supplier later this week and begin altering the DNA as soon as they arrive. My plan is to create three, distinct strains: Test groups A, B, and C. With luck, one, or all, of these strains will hold the results I seek...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 47
My labor has borne the fruits of success. All three test groups have been created, though at the cost of many days and sample batches. The three groups shall give me the breakthrough I require for this experiment.

Test Group A consists of alazhi bacteria altered through Gamma and Neutron radiation exposure in the first section, depicted in my earlier notes, and suspended with unaltered Kavam particles in Ambori. Test Group B consists of Alazhi bacteria, also bombarded with Gamma and Neutron radiation, though this is done in the second section, as depicted in my earlier notes, and suspended with Kavam in Ambori, both unaltered. Test Group C has received Gamma and Neutron Radiation in both depicted sections and is also suspended with unaltered Kavam in standard Ambori.

Testing of all three groups begins tomorrow morning. All of my data tells me that one, or many, of these test groups will give me the results I desire...

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The image below depicts the three test groups in order from left to right:​

Test Group A, Test Group B, and Test Group C​

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[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 65
I have gleaned a variety of test results from all three test groups, though none of it is conclusive so far. Human subjects seem to fair better to exposure than animal tests and so I have exclusively tested on human subjects. Most of these test subjects are captured Republic or Omega Protectorate troops from Carida, though many have also been pulled off the streets of Coruscant or other worlds within the One Sith's borders.

The subjects' origins aside, the results from testing are seemingly random and inconclusive, though not wholly disheartening. Select test results are logged below this entry of my journals, primarily as a reference point for future testing and referencing.

I shall attempt modifications to the three test groups using varying methods. Experimentation begins with the arrival of new test subjects from Coruscant next week.

Spoiler

Test Subject: Human Male, Designation 0011
Test Group: A
Application Method: Intravenous Injection
Results:

• 00:30 minutes after injection, patient begins screaming in what appears to be extreme pain. Pleading and begging is heard between screams. Test continues.
• 04:16 minutes after injection, patient begins to exhibit rapid hair and nail growth. Screaming intensifies. Patient ceases all coherent speech. Test continues.
• 13:49 minutes after injection, patient's hair and nail growth continues. Tumors begin forming underneath the patient's skin. Discoloration over tumors follows. Screaming intensifies further. Hearing protection is advised for those within the test room. Testing continues.
• 19:22 minutes after injection, tumor growth doubles in speed. Discoloration is now widespread. Screaming ceases as patient begins to aspirate on his own blood. Hearing protection is no longer advised for those within the room. Testing continues.
• 19:55 minutes after injection, patient vital signs cease. Tumor growth ceases. Discoloration continues widespread. Patient begins bleeding from orifices. Testing continues.
• 20:33 minutes after injection, discoloration ceases. Patient blood tested for live bacta strains. No live bacta is found. Testing ceases.

Spoiler

Test Subject: Human Male, Designation 0042
Test Group: C
Application Method: Oral Ingestion
Results:

• 00:10 minutes after ingestion, patient complains of painful abdomen. Testing continues.
• 00:18 minutes after ingestion, patient complains of increased pain in abdomen. Patient's blood pressure increases drastically. Patient's heart rate increases accordingly. Patient begins to exhibit flushed, red skin.
• 00:27 minutes after ingestion, patient begins screaming. Patient's blood pressure increases to 210 Systolic with 140 Diastolic. Patient's skin maintains flushed, red status.
• 00:40 minutes after ingestion, patient ceases screaming and loses consciousness. Patient's blood pressure drops to 94 Systolic with 38 Diastolic. Patient's skin pales and becomes clammy.
• 1:22 minutes after ingestion, patient regains consciousness and attempts to violently break his restraints. Patient's blood pressure returns to 210 Systolic with 140 Diastolic. Patient's skin remains pale and clammy.
• 01:28 minutes after ingestion, patient loses consciousness again. Patient vitals cease. Subsequent autopsy showed the patient's internal organs at nearly twice their normal size and that all organs ruptured simultaneously. Testing ceased.

Spoiler

Test Subject: Human Female, Designation 0096
Test Group: C
Application Method: Topical Salve
Results:
The original data recorded from this experiment was destroyed with the Test Subject mutated and broke her restraints before destroying the test room and killed eight of my technicians and aides. The Subject was killed roughly one hundred meters from the testing area when lab security destroyed it with blaster fire. Initial inspection shows rapid hair and muscle growth along with what appears to by a symbiotic parasitic relationship between the host body and the altered bacta.

The parasitic bacta was discovered on the bodies of all eight dead technicians. I've ordered all bodies incinerated and disposed of. All those injured reported for testing and, when the bacta was also found in their bloodstreams (albeit residual), were terminated in a similar manner.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 81
Once again, the three test groups are completed. This time, I did two separate batches of three strains each. One batch was exposed to Gamma radiation in the same manner as the original test groups. The second batch was exposed to Neutron Radiation, again, in the same manner as the original groups.

My belief is that when both radiation types were used on the original bacta test groups that both together caused massive damage not only to the exposed sections, but may have caused a cascade effect within the rest of the DNA helix. Subsequent analysis of those DNA strains shows my hypothesis to be correct. Massive amounts of damage is apparent along the entire genetic strand, though it is apparently centralized around the exposed locations. I believe that the radiation damage has destroyed the covalent bonds within the helix itself.

By creating the two different batches, I believe I can determine which type of radiation has caused this damage or whether it was simply both types together...

Depictions of the damaged sections can be found below.

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[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 85
It appears that the Gamma Radiation had caused the damage to the entire DNA helix, not the Neutron Radiation. I have therefore disposed of the Gamma test groups and have proceeded solely with the Neutron test groups.

Initial findings are hopeful, though the samples require stabilization. Test results are scattered, but a pattern is emerging. Test Group A tends to cause widespread mutations at the cellular level on test subjects while Test Group C seems to cause spontaneous, uncontrolled cancerous tumors in almost every test. Test Group B is the most stable, only causing cancerous growth at a rate of one percent, though the regenerative abilities are only mildly faster than standard bacta.

More research is required. Perhaps the reactions between Alazhi and Kavam bear investigating. I may find the answer of rapid regeneration there...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 87
Success! My investigation into the reactions between Alazhi and Kavam has proven what else was needed. In altering the Alazhi with Neutron radiation, I accidentally altered the chemical reactions that occur between the two substances that occur naturally.

To rectify this, I will attempt two separate methods of experimentation. I will soak the Kavam as a whole in Neutron radiation in one batch and manually alter the corresponding Kavam DNA in the second batch. My theory is that if both bacteria match one another in the corresponding DNA helix sequences, then the reactions between the Kavam and Alazhi bacteria will occur despite the radiation and subsequent mutations in the DNA strands.

My supplier will arrive this week to deliver more, fresh bacta samples. With luck, this experiment will succeed and I can begin final testing...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 94
My experiments with altering the Kavam were successful. Bathing the corresponding genetic sequences of Kavam to match those of the Alazhi has allowed both bacteria to react as they would naturally. I was then able to begin testing the resulting bacta.

My stock of test subjects are running low, though I was able to run a few, basic tests on the remaining humans in my stock. So far, the results are breathtaking. In nearly every case, the bacta remained stable and possessed regenerative abilities. In fact, the regenerative abilities embodied the exact parameters I desired upon the start of this experiment: near instantaneous regeneration. In nearly every administration, no matter the method, the altered bacta causes rapid, life saving regeneration no matter how grievous the wounds. In once instance, a test subject was purposely stabbed repeatedly with triangular stakes in the torso and abdomen. While normally a mortal wound, administration of the altered bacta caused the wounds to rapidly heal completely in a matter of seconds, though noticeable delays have been found depending on the severity of the wound.

Unfortunately, the bacta only works on the living. Upon death, the bacta becomes completely inert and dies off. On top of this finding, a minor number of side effects were discovered in conjunction with the Bacta.

Due to the rapid, near-instantaneous regeneration of cells, the subject suffers excruciating pain in every single case. In roughly ten percent of all experiments conducted, this pain has caused mental breakdown and instability in the subject. Also, it seems that in at least one testing, spontaneous, uncontrollable cancerous cells appeared at a seemingly random point of the body. The cancer was aggressive, but not instantly lethal as the patient is still alive since her injection three days ago. Her life expectancy is believed to be another week at maximum. Possibly many more months if not a full recovery should measures be taken to treat the illness. Unfortunately, I have no data on the bacta's effects on the deceased when injected into a living subject that is allowed to perish. Testing on this patient will continue.

Also, I shall soon receive a plethora of new test subjects of various near and non-human races. The tests to follow their arrival will determine if the altered bacta is able to affect a broad spectrum of species...

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Day 104
My near and non-human test subjects arrived and I was able to begin testing almost immediately.

Initial test results were the same as the baseline human test subjects' with near instantaneous recovery. Excruciating pain was evident in all cases as was mental instability and degradation caused by the intense pain. Also evident is the potential for uncontrolled cancer in the body at a rate I have deemed to be one percent, a risk well within the operating parameters of the experiment's goals.

Some differences were spotted, though none were major. Wookiees injected with the serum tended to experience both a higher level of pain and chance of insanity. Twi'Leks suffered a five percent chance of cancer upon injection while pain levels and mental instability rates remained unchanged. Most interesting were the few Chiss subjects I tested on. None succumbed to mental instability and all reported extreme pain, but on a relatively lesser scale than the rest of the test subjects. I may research this more thoroughly in the future, but for now my experiment can be deemed a complete success.

On a side note, the female human test subject mentioned in my last entry died this morning. Disappointingly, the bacta results and data were inconclusive.