December 19 - Vespera-7 Hits a Snag
This is the third part of a three-part story. The previous parts were on December 7 and 14
Subject: Transmission from Expedition Vespera-7
Location: Exoplanet Seraphia (formerly Gliese 667 Cb)
Date: December 19, 2123
This is Captain Elara Rodriguez transmitting from the surface of Seraphia. We have moved the mission to the break-point between the permanent night and day zones to investigate the flora, fauna and animal life in the transition between these two parts of the planet. Our exploration has been proceeding well, but the mission was hit by an accident a few days ago when Dr. Sierra was was found incapacitated one mile from the main station. Dr. Sierra has come into contact with a parasitic organism that seems unique to the planet. The organism has attached itself to his face. It manifests as a series of intricate filaments intertwining with his epidermis. We initially attempted to extract the parasite but decided against it as we feared Dr. Sierra would incur tissue damage in the process. Our initial attempts to remove it was with resistance, as the filaments seem to embed themselves deeper into its host's skin when subjected to external force.
Preliminary analysis indicates that the parasite, tentatively named Pseudocephalus gliesiensis, belongs to a previously undiscovered phylum. Its adaptive capabilities are extraordinary, incorporating a symbiotic relationship with the host's nervous system. The filaments, upon close examination, seem to extend micro-tendrils into the neural pathways, possibly manipulating or extracting neural information. After two days, the parasite detached itself, and appears dormant if not perished altogether. We do not understand its metabolic system at this point, so we can't be sure. We have quarantined the sample appropriately.
Dr. Sierra became conscious a few hours after the parasite was detached, and is currently asymptomatic, displaying no adverse effects on cognitive or motor functions, apart from a persistent cough, and mild chest pain. Given the unknown nature of the parasite, we are implementing quarantine protocols to prevent potential spread. Dr. Sierra will stay in isolation for the next three days, before we determine the next steps. Our medical officer, Dr. Taunton, is working tirelessly to understand the nature of the organism and what impact it might have on its host, specifically the human physiology and psychology.
We are collecting data on Pseudocephalus gliesiensis, utilizing our on-board molecular analysis tools to sequence its genome and understand its cellular structure. The medical bay is equipped with isolation chambers to study the parasite's interaction with human tissue while ensuring the safety of the rest of the team. In the meantime, we have bolstered our decontamination procedures and and increased the safety protocols for our daily movements on the planet to ensure the safety of the entire crew.
With anticipation and humility.
Captain Elara Rodriguez
Expedition Vespera-7
Exoplanet Seraphia
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DALL E 2 prompt: “A magical savannah under an ominous sky with planets, digital art” (variations)
Chat GPT prompt: "Write the third transmission back to earth from a space explorer on exoplanet Gliese 667 Cb in 400 words. One of the members of the team has been found with a parasite on his face. Include scientific details."