Curiously Cthululian ...

[T'aral 0]

T’Aral sat with her medical team in a conference room to discuss the discovery of Corporal Tremaine and the implications of his posthumous condition. “It was a most unusual discovery; if we had not run a full-spectrum mineralogical scan, it might have been overlooked. The Corporal had apparently died of sudden desalinization: there was virtually no salt in his body – ionized or composite.”

 

Ensign Khora looked over to T’Aral. “To do such a thing would require a complete filtration of the body’s circulatory system. How would that even be possible?”

 

“The human body is capable of processing and expelling conspicuous levels of salt depending on intake, Ensign. In the Corporal’s case we will examine the rings along his face and neck. Close examination shows an intrusion into the capillary structures within these rings. Focused examination of the skin at the center of the marked regions indicates swollen sudoriparous glands.”

 

Ensign Ellis looked across the table. “He was forced to sweat to death?”

 

T’Aral nodded. “Through a previously undocumented process, the salt in the Corporal’s body was drawn into his bloodstream and extracted through the center areas of the mottled rings. The red marks are a point of introduction for a chemical extractor … as well as possible suction bruising.”

 

Ellis looked to T’Aral with a furrowed eyebrow and a worried look. “Ow?”

 

She nodded in reply. “The process would likely be extremely painful on several levels, disrupting both circulatory and neurological processes. While the intensity of sensation would be unknown, it is possible that the entire body would experience some level of discomfort.” She leaned back slightly, shifting in mild discomfort from her developing condition. “Analysis: what are we looking for?”

 

Khora leaned forward. “Biosurveys indicate a relatively low saline content in the local plants. An examination of insect matter provided by Lieutenant Shalin suggests that the region’s animals also subsist on a low-saline level. The creature in question, however, clearly has high saline requirements. This suggests that it is not indigenous, or that it cannot process salt through normal digestive functions. Under the conditions that the creature currently finds itself, humans would prove irresistible.”

 

T’Aral looked over to Khora. “ ‘Creature’? You have discounted the possibility of a plant-like organism?”

 

Khora nodded. “There were no plants in the area around Corporal Tremaine with a floral structure capable of producing the mottled marks. Predatory plants do a poor job of disposing of carcasses – the remains of a victim is usually quite close to the plant itself.”

 

T’Aral nodded in reply. “Quite logical. Please continue.”

 

Fighting off the urge to blush from the praise given, Khora pressed onward. “The marks resemble indications from a cephalopod, though not in the traditional sense. The absence of floral damage in the region around the Corporal’s body or any sign of significant subterranean passages suggests a multi-pedal organism. It is probable that the creature has additional mandibular structures, as salt alone is inadequate as a complete dietary program.” She then punched a few key on a terminal. “I have approximated some possible biological configurations.”

 

T’Aral examined the images critically. “Curiously Cthululian, Ensign.”

 

Khora blushed again. “Agreed, Ma’am, but the victim would need to be restrained. That and the ability to move in and out of a region without ground disturbance suggests these options.”

 

T’Aral nodded one last time. “Thank you; I will advise the Captain.”

 

“Ma’am: one last thing …” Khora breathed deeply to calm herself, embarrassed to interrupt so. “The fact that the survey team didn’t note the presence of such a creature suggests intelligence. A creature with an animal’s intellect that was capable of this would attack an individual or a small group. A survey team examining the natural environment would’ve observed such a creature and have had time to make notes, unless they were overrun en masse. If that were the case, the bodies of the survey team would’ve been left behind. The attacker or attackers have covered their tracks. What happened here was done with stealth; that is a trait of intelligence.”

 

T’Aral raised an eyebrow. “Well observed, Ensign – I will advise the Captain of that as well.”