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| Orthographic side view of an SAP-008 instance. |
Item#: SAP-008
DANGER Level: Red
Aberration Class: Nest
Description: The designation SAP-008 may refer to any specimen of the species Homo ultiliformis, or to the race as a whole. Instances of this designation are related to, and possibly descended from, the baseline human species (standard Homo sapiens). However, this is not evident upon the first observation of basic morphological features: the radically modified body plan is significantly altered from the bipedal humanoid form. SAP-008 specimens possess 4 pairs of jointed limbs (each terminating in 2 clawed digits), 1 pair of prehensile tentacles (which are able to be retracted into "sheaths") near the front of the body, and 2 pairs of non-jointed wings (each measuring around 3.5' long), all attached to an embryo-like core. These wings operate in a manner similar to those of insects belonging to the order Odonata1, allowing for hovering flight as well as the ability to maneuver to the sides and even backwards.
The internal physiology and anatomy of SAP-008 strongly suggests genetic tampering2. The bones of the species are hollow3, which makes the skeleton more lightweight. Tissue samples show that muscular tissue is more efficient than that of vertebrates, instead being more analogous to the cells of arthropods, allowing H. utiliformis instances to retain human-like strength despite their seemingly delicate limbs. The wings' internal structure is inconsistent with any previously known biological limbs, bioengineered or otherwise. Near the base of the wings, large sections of muscle are present, allowing powered movement. These muscles may also be rapidly contracted and released without moving the wings; this is done to generate heat to warm the core body. Because of this, the species can comfortably live at temperatures of 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
The farthest derived organ, however, is the brain. Analysis of SAP-008s' nervous system have yielded unprecedented results, with heavy yet unclear implications for the fields of psychology and neurobiology. The cell to volume ratio is very high, allowing for more processing power than baseline human brains. The tissue also appears to have much higher levels of myelin4 than other lifeforms, allowing cells to occupy spaces much closer to each other without electrochemical interference. Functionally, this allows a much higher intelligence in any individual of the species.
It appears that the previously described attributes grant specimens the ability to simulate 3 different psuedo-consciousnesses5. The first, which appears to function as the means of bodily control, seems more instinctual and is responsible for the control of the legs, wings, and tendrils. The second appears the most similar to that of a standard human, but is less social and less dependent on interaction with others. The third is the most foreign to researchers. Circa 19██, it has been documented to possess much more problem-solving ability than any other known sophont, enabling the accomplishment of tasks in unfathomable degrees of thought process efficiency. In fact, it is thought that the species has reached the upper limit of (non-anomalous) biologically possible computation, given the brain mass.
The threat posed by SAP-008 is currently somewhat negligible, assuming that all interactions with the specimens have been correctly interpreted as positive. However, if war were to ever break out between human kind and hiveman kind, the extinction of baseline humanity is an unpreventable eventuality, not a possibility.
Aftermath Protocols: Any knowledge of SAP-008 is to be continuously wiped from the public records; lethal force is authorized to be used on those responsible for data leaks. In the event that SAP-008 reveal their existence to the public, negotiations are to begin with their unified species and coups are to be enacted in all major world governments to prevent any hostilities.
Discovery: SAP-008 appear to hail from a reality alternate to that of ours. The species has cultivated the planet into a paradise where there is no war or hunger. Each individual seemingly contributes to the maintenance of the planet's ecosphere, albeit through poorly understood means. Current estimates state that the alternate Earth has a population of 3 quadrillion SAP-008 individuals, and it is unknown whether off-world settlements exist.
SAP-008 were discovered in the US state of Nevada whenever a rural town began to call authorities, claiming the existence of benevolent "spider people". It was later found that SAP-008 were able to enter our universe by navigating a naturally occurring spatial anomaly. The race appears to have no interest in colonizing our planet; it is unknown whether the species has evolved beyond expansionist needs.
