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

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I have come to realize that a less... damaging method of capture is often needed for my experiment test subjects. On at least four occasions, my retrieval "experts" have brought me injured or damaged subjects that, for a variety of reasons, are useless for my experiments. For example, how can one test the effects of amnesia inducing injections on a woman who, by blunt force trauma to her cranium, remembers nothing prior to her capture? In short, a safer method of capture is required. One that leaves the subject fully intact and uninjured for my experiments to prove both consistent and accurate.

I have dismissed my retrieval experts and purged their existence from my records. I have also issued orders to a few Sith acolytes in the complex to continue to purge my records outside of my laboratory. I have no doubt they will be successful.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I have researched a wide array of methods with which to complete my goal. A specialized gas used to incapacity targets for both military and bounty hunting use, called Stun Gas, was my first discovery. Unfortunately, this requires inhalation of the gas to function appropriately. While this does seem to possess the traits I seek, I believe a more advantageous mixture may exist. The preferred method would bypass inhalation entirely and instead work on contact with the dermal layers of the subject. For this reason I have opted to investigate anesthetics in place of simple gas applications. The following entries will discuss the methods and discoveries I shall find in this particular line of research.

On a mild side note, I am quite pleased with the acolytes I sent out earlier. All loose ends have been tied up and there is nothing to link me to the late retrieval experts previously under my employ.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Brief research into anesthetics that meet my parameters revealed four separate drugs from which I can make derivatives to make my final product. Methoxyflurane, Fentanyl, Halothane, and Methoxypropane seem to fill the necessary requirements for my experiments.

I have requisitioned Halothane and Mehtoxypropane from local hospitals for my research. Methoxyflurane and Fentanyl are currently being retrieved by the same Sith who tied up loose ends for me earlier. With luck, I can begin experiments next week. I hope to have the drug I seek by the end of the month at the earliest. Should this process take longer than two months, I will be very... displeased.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

While the Sith I tasked with retrieving the Fentanyl have succeeded, the group I sent to retrieve the Methoxyflurane have failed miserably. I have sent the successful group to succeed where the other failed. Those who returned empty handed have been, for the most part, sent to [member="Darth Shara"] for punishment. I did, however, detain one or two for my own purposes. They shall become test subjects in their own right for a more... delicate experiment I have in mind for a later date.

I shall begin my detailed research of the three anesthetics I have in my possession shortly. The last will be dealt with upon its delivery to my laboratory.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Once again, the Sith acolytes in my employ have succeeded, though it seems one was killed in the process. No matter, he shall be replaced by one who is more worthy and able. I have taken the last of the four anesthetics into my possession and begun my research on the drug. I shall describe my findings on the matter at a later date once the research is completed.

For now, I have completed my research on the properties of the anesthetic Methoxypropane. The drug is a type of ether designed to be inhaled by the subject and, from what my studies reveal, is a type of general purpose anesthetic. The chemical is highly flammable, however, and is not as potent as other anesthetics I have found. The drug is also difficult to alter, meaning that changing the inhaled anesthetic to a contact anesthetic will be most difficult. Perhaps the other drugs will be more... useful.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Halothane is the next anesthetic I diverted my attention to in my studies. This particular drug shows more promise, but has setbacks that may be more hassle to change than I desire.

The drug is another inhalation based anesthetic, though it seems that altering the chemical makeup of the material is not exceedingly difficult. However, while the drug is more easily altered, the chemical base is sensitive to light. While normally this would pose no issue in the medical field, the anesthetic must be used in the open and in sunlight. This may mean that the chemical will be less potent in the field, leading to reduced efficiency for the drug's uses. I shall continue research in my free time of this drug, but for now I shall move on to the other two in my possession.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

The third drug in my possession is Methoxyflurane. While the drug is fast acting and meets my parameters near perfectly, I am not sure that creating a derivative of the anesthetic is viable.

This is due to the simple fact that Methoxyflurane creates toxins that are harmful to the subject. Renal failure is a known quantity and has been known to become fatal fairly quickly. Toxins are found in both the liver and kidneys, which is indicative of Flouride poisoning. As the anesthetic is a derivative of Flourine, specifically Flourine salts such as Sodium Flouride, altering the chemical makeup of the drug to remove such a possibility would reduce the overall effectiveness of the drug entirely. In short, the last drug in my possession must fulfill the parameters or I may require more test materials and research.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

It seems that I should have experimented on Fentanyl from the start of my experiment. The drug holds the keys to all the parameters I desire and is easily altered to act as a dermal anesthetic to stun and incapacitate test subjects.

The drug is vastly more potent than Morphine and is very fast acting, often numbing the body in a few breaths. As the anesthetic can be easily repurposed to my needs, I believe that Fentanyl will form the basis of my incapacitation experiments. This decision is also due to the low chance of overdose and fatality potential of the drug, something that is heavily desired in the field.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

I took the Fentanyl and began altering the chemical makeup of the drug. It was a simple effort to alter the chemical to be far more easily absorbed through the skin through an airborne aerosol. It can still be absorbed through inhalation, but through this alteration the drug is far more effective as an incapacitating agent. Strangely, ingestion of the anesthetic can cause toxic poisoning, though I am not fully sure why. It is of no matter, however. The drug is working sufficiently for my purposes.

Subjects exposed to the drug in aerosol form become easily disoriented and confused, often losing balance and cognitive thinking abilities. With sufficient exposure the subjects lose consciousness. I've noticed this symptom occurs after prolonged exposure after a thirty to forty second period of time through skin absorption. It takes roughly twenty to thirty seconds through direct inhalation to achieve this effect.

 

[Doctor Agnusdei]

Once drugged, the subjects remain disoriented for roughly fifteen to twenty minutes should they remain conscious, which is long enough for suitable restraints and retrieval. Unconscious subjects are often immobile for one to four hours, depending on the levels of anesthetic dosage. The drug can be dispersed by aerosol most easily or by a respiratory device. Testing the drug in the mask I created earlier in my entries proved most successful. I shall be using the drug most effectively in this way. I have also made a rather large number of aerosol canisters for field use outside of the mask I wear. I theorize they may come in useful for associates and other specialists under my employ from time to time.

On a final note, I have named this new drug Somnus Gas. I am quite pleased with this avenue of research. More such avenues may follow...