#missing samples

" L-lets just... Make this a quick one... "

A familiar dark haired man stands front and center in view of the camera, rather disheveled in appearance. Though upon closer inspection he appears to be leaning rather heavily against the lab station behind him.

" My name is Rae Morningstar. This is... I-I guess this is an... An add on? To uh... My last project log? I know it's been a while, but... Yeah... "

He goes to take in a deep breath, only to break out into a fit of harsh, painful coughing which lasts for nearly a minute. Once the fit subsides he's left struggling for shakey, gasping breaths. It takes a few moments before he dares to try and speak again.

" The- The specimen I had in the lab. It's missing. The cold storage container it was in was open when I came in. Even... Even after I warned people about how dangerous it was... Someone broke into the lab and stole it-"

The man can be seen collapsing further against the lab station behind him as he talks, until eventually his legs up giving out from under him and he falls to a heap on the floor just out of frame. There's a quiet and weak string of curses that can barely be made out amongst the growing static. A brief glimpse of black hair can be seen as the scientist attempts to stand, yet ultimately fails resigning himself to his spot on the cold tiled flooring.

Any further words are completely overtaken in the static. The overhead lights flickering once, twice, and then steadying into a dim glow. A different voice can be made out as well, though the words are incomprehensible, as a figure steps in front of the recording device.

However, I've also noticed that a good portion of the files have been... Corrupted? I'm not entirely sure how, as up until this point I've not noticed any of these visual and auditory disruptions in any of my logs when reviewing them.

" I'm Rae Morningstar, and this is project log- "

Static cuts through the audio, preventing the rest of the sentence from being heard.

He once more steps out of center frame, instead moving to the side of the large lab station directly in view of the camera. Set up on the station is various pieces of equipment, some seemingly in use while others either being prepped for use or having recently been used. Settled in the center of it all are several specimen containers, each holding what appears to be different types of plant matter. Only two of the containers are unlabeled.

" Thus far in my experiments, none of the alien flora samples have proven to be harmful. In fact, a few of them are rather similar to the plant life back home in their genetic makeup. "

He paused, attention having shifted over to the pair of unlabeled containers.

" These two, however... Even without having truly begun observation on them, I've already noticed an interesting reaction to certain stimuli within the lab environment. The samples almost seem to... shy away from the bright lights? But as soon as they're relocated to a darker space, they quickly seem to bounce back. "

More tapping against a clipboard can be heard as the scientist stares intensely at the unlabeled specimens. After a moment he can be seen shaking his head and letting out a sigh.

" I don't have much else to report on since the last project log I recorded. I'm just waiting until I've finished up a few final tests with these specimens before I move onto the final two. Hopefully it won't take too long because I have so many questions- "

A somewhat blurry figure can be seen as the recording device is set down and adjusted, seemingly mumbling to himself as he finishes setting everything up.

" Okay. Hopefully this thing still works... "

As the figure takes a few steps back and away from the device, an ID badge briefly comes into focus though the image isn't clear enough to read what it says. Not that it matters as the man comes fully into view and beams at the camera before speaking at a more normal volume.

" Perfect! I wasn't sure if this old thing would actually stay on, but so far it seems promising. Let's get started then! My name is Rae Morningstar, I'm the head of research- "

Static fizzles through the audio, cutting off the remainder of his sentence.

Turning on his heel, the researcher grabs a clipboard off the counter behind him. There's a moment where, as he flips through the few loose papers, the image freezes. Only when he finally addresses the recording device again does it resume.

" This will be my first official project log and, hopefully, it will be something I'm able to continue doing for the foreseeable future- "

Static again.

He continues to speak, although the audio no longer picks up most of his voice. A few words breaking through the distortion every now and then, but not enough to piece together anything coherent.

The researcher grabs a pen from one of his lab coat's pockets and begins to jot down something on one of the loose pages as he rambles on. Though it doesn't continue for much longer as the feed grows more and more glitchy.

" My name is Rae Morningstar, and this is project log number 34: specimen fn-91. "

Shuffling can be heard as the scientist assumedly sorts through his notes.

" I suppose I should preface that this particular specimen was brought in recently by Contross after a solo expedition. It appears to be some sort of fungus? Definitely nothing like I've ever seen before, but that's why I'm running these tests so- "

A light clinking follows as he seems to tap against a glass case, likely the container holding the aforementioned specimen.

" Thus far specimen fn-91 seems to act similar to other species of fungi in its preference for moist, dark areas and the way it feeds off decaying matter. However, as my observations have only recently begun my data on this particular specimen is limited. I have a series of tests that I would like to prepare to try and figure out how this particular fungus functions, how it responds to outside stimuli and how it spreads. "

The shifting of paper on paper can be heard between sentences.

" Centross mentioned that where he found the sample, the entire cave was overrun by it, though he didn't go much further into detail on the matter. I've been meaning to question him further, but I believe he's been sent out on another expedition? All I know is it's been impossible to find him when I- "

The slide of metal on metal can be heard as a door to the laboratory opens. Soon followed by a set of footsteps and a new voice.

" Rae? Love? You've been closed up in here for a while, you've missed dinner- "

" Shit- Sorry, Cas- Let me tidy up and I'll be ready to head out- "