Jackal’s Journals – Journal 6
Entry #6.1 – June 2009
Three days ago heavily tainted Nova accosted customers in supermarket in Colorado Springs. Made off with assortment of confectionery. Items were of little value. Mainly chocolate bars and candy. Followed trail but tracks disappeared in sewers.
Entry #6.2 – June 2009
Search continues with limited success. Few avenues of investigation have presented themselves. Cobalt believes I should hound local deviants in pursuit of leads. He fails to perceive this would be unproductive. Admit it would be a refreshing diversion but would accomplish nothing. Subject’s behaviour is animalistic and solitary. Criminal fraternity have no knowledge of its movements. Creature is not part of their world. Secret is to understand biological imperatives that drive it to act as it does. Requirement for sustenance and shelter are obvious. Have suggested looking into reports of break-ins in local area during last few weeks. Hope to get lucky. Is likely that this is not first time it has resorted to theft in order to satisfy hunger. From evidence of video footage, it would be difficult for this individual to hold down a regular job.
Entry #6.3 – June 2009
Presence of recognisable claw marks confirmed creature was also responsible for recent break-in at water treatment plant. Several large water containers were appropriated.
Overlooking more obvious explanation, Cobalt concluded that water was probably contaminated with foreign agents responsible for creature’s tainted appearance.
No evidence existed to support this theory. As usual was pure speculation. Perhaps creature was just thirsty. Water looked normal. Eventually Cobalt arrived at similar conclusion through lengthy process of transporting sample to Teragen research facility and waiting for chemical analysis.
Entry #6.4 – June 2009
Earlier today a dozen missiles of indeterminate origin detonated within Colorado Springs AFB compound. In addition to large amounts of collateral damage, these missiles appeared to cause the eruption of a large number of novas. Was fortunate to be in vicinity at time of attack, and able to observe events first hand. Directive resources were rapidly re-deployed into the area.
An unusually high percentage of base personnel erupted. Would estimate around one hundred out of one thousand within compound. However after relatively short period of time it became apparent resulting Novas were flawed in some way. Quantum energies appeared to be fluctuating. Unstable. They began burning up. Flesh and blood consumed by quantum forces that were restructuring their human DNA. In a few short minutes their numbers were decimated.
Left devastation of compound in attempt to locate launch site. Own calculations suggested missiles were fired from amongst range of hills north of base. Imagery transmitted from orbital satellites assisted in pin-pointing exact location.
Found abandoned 4-ton truck. Had been used as missile launch platform. Weapon system was modified multi-launch pedestal version of FIM-92A Stinger surface-to-air missile. Payload unidentified. Modifications were impressive.
Completed survey of area. Tracks indicated lone man left scene in pickup heading for town. However presence of second vehicle suggests there was an accomplice.
Gave pursuit but lost trail in outskirts of urban sprawl.
Entry #6.5 – June 2009
Rejoined others. Is possible that Cobalt and Storm Queen have established identity of rogue nova. Among police reports of missing persons is man named Simon Hoskins. Suspect was recently laid-off from water treatment plant. Was reported to be suffering from emotional problems. Has not been seen since.
In spite of apparent progress, original investigation has been abandoned in favour of looking into missile attack. Colleagues are prone to such distractions. In this instance however am inclined to agree that redirection of effort is warranted.
Entry #6.6 – June 2009
After spending evening scouring city Storm Queen located abandoned pickup in parking lot outside shopping precinct. Was fortunate she elected to call before proceeding. Vehicle was wired with large quantity of C17 explosive. Would have been loud bang. Disarmament was relatively simple however. Booby-trap neutralised.
Was able to obtain assorted evidence through inspection of vehicle interior. Car-key with partial fingerprint, traces of soil from driver’s foot-well, plastic shavings from rear seat.
Cobalt has warped vehicle and evidence to Chicago where an acquaintance in the Forensics Department is carrying out analysis.
Entry #6.7 – June 2009
Analysis proved to be of limited benefit. No match for fingerprint. Soil sample requires local knowledge. Plastic shavings are from water container of variety used at water plant.
Once again Cobalt demonstrated his propensity for jumping to wild, unsubstantiated conclusions. Presence of plastic shavings led to speculation that contaminants are being introduced into local water supply. Seems to have ignored more probable explanation that water container was used to hold chemical constituents of missile payload.
Found employment of own resources more productive. Have confirmed fingerprint belongs to Nathan Spats.
Entry #6.8 – June 2009
Returned to Colorado Springs. Local forensics expert was able to identify soil sample as having originated from area near reservoir. Only nearby habitation is abandoned pumping station.
Intend to investigate.
Entry #6.9 – June 2009
Visit to pumping station confirmed site had been used as base for undetermined scientific research. Is probably location where chemical agent used in missile attack was produced. Area had been sanitised shortly before our arrival however. Records and key items of equipment had been removed. Little remained other than the body of a scientist fitting Spats description. His throat had been cut.
Were fortunate that one item had been missed. Whitelaw recovered computer disk that had been taped under desk. May hold valuable information.
Entry #6.10 – June 2009
Instincts tell me perpetrator has eluded us for time being. Has covered tracks and made hasty get away. Is time to regroup. Review information gathered before proceeding further.
Reminded colleagues of original reason for coming here. Declared intention to visit home of Simon Hoskins in attempt to locate subject before trail went cold. Cobalt and Whitelaw elected to tag along.
Found creature, presumably Hoskins, with little incident. Subject is suffering from massive levels of taint and appeared somewhat retarded. Quickly made friends with Cobalt. Probably due to comparable intellectual capabilities. Was unable to achieve original objective as Cobalt spirited Hoskins away to some undisclosed Teragen location. Settled for placing powerful transmitter in slice of pizza offered to Hoskins before he departed. Device will transmit signal briefly to allow subject’s position to be pinpointed.
Entry #6.11 – June 2009
Computer disk recovered from pumping station contained records of internal Triton Foundation emails sent by Nathan Spats. Refer to SS program. Honing Interface Variable Emissions project. Various research into quantum build-up. Development of serum that brings about eruption of potential novas. Also includes discussions about status of Gabriel Melchior, cult leader, recently disappeared. Spats’s emails indicate Melchior was resident at Triton Foundation Taint Control Centre in Maple Creek, Canada before being moved to Bahrain facility.
Disturbing conclusion.
Examination of disk was terminated by intervention of unidentified biotechnological entity. Organism manifested by replacing members of local population with simulacra made from as yet unidentified material. Full capabilities of new adversary remain undetermined though it is clear that it has the power to absorb both organic and inorganic material. Entity withdrew once disk was destroyed. Was clear sanitation of evidence had been its sole objective.
Final note: Cobalt and Whitelaw believe Spats was victim at pumping station. However own testing of genetic imprint from blood shows that victim was a clone.
