Item#: SAP-018, Protoplasm
DANGER Level: Red
Description: SAP-18 is a biological, multicellular substance present in most solar systems where life can be found1. Also known as protoplasm, samples of SAP-18 biomass are comprised of abnormally functioning cells referred to as bions. It appears that these cells operate in a manner similar to most eukaryotic cells, aside from the listed anomalous properties:
- Bions are capable of living unicellular or multicellular lifestyles.
- Bions are physically compatible with all known forms of multicellular life; whenever internalized by an organism, the cells are able to be incorporated into native organs or tissue.
- Their functionality appears to be elastic, adapting to the surrounding environment.
- Bions' efficiency at any given task is multiplied several times.
- The cells can only reproduce asexually and undergo extremely long replication cycles. A bion typically takes more than 25 years to undergo mitosis.
- Bions are immune to all known forms of pathogen, and may live for up to 1,000 years if provided with the right conditions.
- Protoplasm samples (bion colonies) are only able to be destroyed via thermal or chemical means.
Due to its extremely slow reproductive method, protoplasm is considered to be a limited resource and is thus highly valued throughout the galaxy. Its ability to preserve life has also made the material a desired substance by most major world governments. Protoplasm may be used as substitute for tissue or even entire organs. Organisms that have been augmented with protoplasm are referred to as plasmorphs. Samples of protoplasm may be measured by their purity, a fully refined sample would consist of 100% bion cells. However, most known samples have been diluted with the addition of standard cells. This type of sample is referred to as plasmoid tissue. Many efforts have been made to refine plasmoid tissue, with varied results. The life-enabling properties of protoplasm also allow samples of higher purity to act as an "agar" for infiltrating organisms, bions can create a medium in which other organisms may thrive. This allows the imprinting of physiological and behavioral phenomena, creating a plasmoid replicant, a sample of contaminated protoplasm that becomes identical or near identical to an organism in traits and function. Plasmoid replicants act as a functionally indistinguishable copy of the original creature's biological systems and operations. However, given enough time, replicants have been known to slowly revert back to their baseline state, undergoing a process of "retroactive decay" and ultimately deconstructing the replicant. Although rare, this process can sometimes occur at an accelerated rate, triggered by environmental factors such as emotional stability or living condition.
Various applications of the substance have been proposed, but these are largely infeasible due to the material's scarcity. In 1955, it was estimated that only 2 quintillion2 bions are currently part of the Earth's biosphere as active components in ecosystems. New discoveries indicate that this may not be entirely factual, so this statistic is generally applied to otherwise baseline ecosystems.3. It has also been calculated that vast quantities of this material may be present elsewhere in the solar system.
Several strains of bion exist, each with their own unique properties. Interestingly, protoplasm appears to be self-seeking; when multiple variants make direct contact, they do not mix but rather function together. The different strains of bion, aside from the generic variant, include:
- Neuroplasm - A variant that tends to operate as a computing substance. A cubic centimeter of pure neuroplasm is capable of storing up to 1.7 petabytes4 of information, and the computing power is unable to be calculated5.
- Mutoplasm - This term refers to samples that are analogous to musculature, functioning in a manner similar to the skin found in octopi and cuttlefish. Mutoplasm samples are able to "mutate"6 or change their shape. This renders the strain highly versatile, enabling the construction of limbs and appendages in plasmorphs.
- Geoplasm - It is debated whether geoplasm is a true genetic variation of generic protoplasm; some researchers believe that this strain only differs from baseline protoplasm in its capacity for autonomy. Named for its tendency to form large subterranean networks and reservoirs, geoplasm is able to survive by utilizing previously undiscovered methods of chemosynthesis.
- Astroplasm - Similar to geoplasm, astroplasm is capable of functioning in an organism-like manner without the intervention of foreign cells. Astroplasm is known for its capability of carrying out photosynthesis, which aids in the capture of energy. Astroplasm may survive in the vacuum of space; samples are especially resilient to solar radiation and extreme temperatures.
- Radioplasm - Radioplasm is capable of producing visible, thermal, radio, or otherwise naturally occurring electromagnetic (EM) radiation. This is especially useful for long-distance communication.
- Synthiplasm - The defining trait of this protoplasm variant is its ability to rapidly synthesize biological materials. This may include the construction of cells7 or acellular substances, such as silk, chiton, or enamel.
- Hyperplasm - This strain excels at the task of aiding plasmorphs' functions. In animals, this most often manifests as an increased capacity for strength, agility, reaction time, and intelligence. Vital and nonvital systems are seemingly "boosted" without any negative effects.
Aftermath Protocols: Knowledge of SAP-18 is to be restricted from the public. Any available or obtained samples of plasmoid tissue are to be refined and stored for future use. If situationally demanded, plasmorphs may be created for the purpose of enacting Repository policies. All known human-derived plasmorphs around the world are to be monitored for any signs of society-threatening behaviors and are to be engaged if determined a significant threat to human life.
Discovery: SAP-18 was formally catalogued by the repository in 1987, but its existence was scientifically verified in the early 1950s.
Addendum 1: In 1989, the Soviet Russian government, working in tandem with the Red Armiya, successfully extracted 27 cubic meters' worth of geoplasm from a "vacuole deposit" located in the Earth's lower crust. While widely publicized as the Kola Superdeep Borehole, the operation's aim was to gather SAP-018 materials for the preservation of politicians and creation of super-soldiers. This initiated an arms race between the US and the USSR; the American CIA orchestrated the creation of similar drilling initiatives, disguising them as standard oil rigs. The event necessitated Repository intervention, but significant conflict is not likely in the foreseeable future.
Addendum 2: It has been discovered, as of 2001, that several astroplasm samples are present throughout the solar system. One such example is an organism-like individual composed of a biofilm coating Arrokoth8. Communication, primarily via radio signal, has enabled further insight into the nature of this sophont protoplasm-based organism.
Transcribed note from Dr. Theodore:
It appears that we underestimated SAP-018's ability to sustain life. That's because it doesn't just sustain life — it becomes it. Is it really a coincidence that it is compatible with all known cellular life? How can we be sure that protoplasm is not the catalyst for the development of entire civilizations? More research is needed but it appears that (illegible) highly dangerous. We are playing with fire here; for all we know, this material could form a huge network right underneath our feet. I implore researchers to proceed with caution, especially regarding plasmorphs and the creation of plasmoid replicants. Sure, we can grow faster clones that way, but really? If protoplasm truly forms a collective mind, then it could destroy the human race within a few weeks. Why give it human intelligence?
Also, who the [EXPLETIVE] let Fredrick create PSI-capable plasmoid tissue? The stuff is already unstable enough; the last thing we need is telepathic protoplasm.
