Darien Fawkes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deadpansnarker) wrote2009-02-02 03:08 am
deadpansnarker) wrote2009-02-02 03:08 am
Entry tags:
Project Quicksilver Confidential Files (2/4)
0200: Quicksilver
0201- Biodegradability
In its invisible state, Quicksilver is a semi-solid, flexible sheath and if it is in contact with subject Fawkes (or another individual with a Quicksilver Gland) it will persist until it is acted upon by the beta reagent inhibitor. When separated from the subject - i.e., if applied to a separate object that's left unattended - the Quicksilver compound will eventually autoxidate and change state to its solid, crystalline form.
After autoxidation, or after being acted upon by a beta reagent inhibitor, Quicksilver converts to a dry crystalline form that is extremely brittle and is repelled by natural oils in human skin and hair.
Once converted to this form, crystalline Quicksilver degrades rapidly into powder, and then into its constituent amino base pairs, within approximately 72 hours.
0202- Side Effect: Quicksilver Madness
Earlier Quicksilver Gland prototypes (the QS-9000, QS-9100, and QS-9200) all presented side effects directly related to either the failure to maintain visibility, or an inability to terminate invisibility. The latter of these issues persisted into the first human trial of the QS-9300 with subject Cole.
Following the second human trial with subject Fawkes, a new side effect was discovered. A new stabilizing compound (formulation [DELETED]) used in the alpha reagent acted upon the brain as a behavioral disinhibitor, displaying certain chemical similarities to Schedule I narcotics. An excess of Quicksilver in brain tissue spikes the subject's epinephrine/norepinephrine levels, promoting violent behavior and causing higher cortical functions to degrade, impairing judgment and suppressing the superego. This buildup begins after approximately 30 minutes of Quicksilver use, or six days of passive glandular secretion. Shorter periods of Quicksilver usage reduces the length of the buildup cycle.
It was learned shortly after the onset of symptoms that Dr. Arnaud De Thiel was actually a terrorist named Arnaud de Fehrn. De Thiel deliberately created the side effect, which has been dubbed "Quicksilver Madness," as a means to controlling individuals who are given the Quicksilver Gland. He planned to maintain control over the subjects by rationing the supply of a counteragent drug that negates the effects of Quicksilver Madness.
Subject Fawkes' serum level of Quicksilver Toxin is now monitored daily through the use of a circular tattoo in the shape of a snake devouring itself, divided into segments. Each segment of the tattoo contains a subcutaneous sensor that changes color from green to red when serum levels of the toxin reach predetermined volumes of parts per million. Each successive segment is keyed to respond to a higher level of toxin than the previous segment. Regular injections of Quicksilver Counteragent are administered when the tattoo reaches 70 percent red.
Stage one Quicksilver Madness is marked by an increase in body temperature and general irritability.
As body temperature increases to 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit, stage two Quicksilver Madness occurs. During stage two, the body's autonomic response will be to cause vasodilatation in an effort to cool itself. Other symptoms of stage two include sharp pain similar to migraine headaches, and petit mal convulsions, both of which are likely the result of synaptic disruption in the frontal lobe cause by the [DELETED] in the alpha reagent. The effects of the vasodilatation are most visible in the ocular capillaries. (In layman's terms, the subject's eyes become bloodshot.)
Stage three Quicksilver Madness is typified by violent paranoia and delusions of persecution. During stage four Quicksilver Madness the subject loses all inhibitions against amoral behavior, and exhibits self-destructive tendencies.
During stage five Quicksilver Madness (the final stage) the subject's eyes turn from bloodshot to solid silver as Quicksilver compound is involuntarily excreted from the tear ducts. The subject becomes megalomaniacal, convinced of his own invulnerability and infallibility. Theoretical models indicate that if stage five Quicksilver Madness is not reversed within approximately 12 hours, it will become irreversible. The approved protocol for such a scenario is the immediate termination and retrieval of the subject, followed by the harvesting of the QS-9300.
0201- Biodegradability
In its invisible state, Quicksilver is a semi-solid, flexible sheath and if it is in contact with subject Fawkes (or another individual with a Quicksilver Gland) it will persist until it is acted upon by the beta reagent inhibitor. When separated from the subject - i.e., if applied to a separate object that's left unattended - the Quicksilver compound will eventually autoxidate and change state to its solid, crystalline form.
After autoxidation, or after being acted upon by a beta reagent inhibitor, Quicksilver converts to a dry crystalline form that is extremely brittle and is repelled by natural oils in human skin and hair.
Once converted to this form, crystalline Quicksilver degrades rapidly into powder, and then into its constituent amino base pairs, within approximately 72 hours.
0202- Side Effect: Quicksilver Madness
Earlier Quicksilver Gland prototypes (the QS-9000, QS-9100, and QS-9200) all presented side effects directly related to either the failure to maintain visibility, or an inability to terminate invisibility. The latter of these issues persisted into the first human trial of the QS-9300 with subject Cole.
Following the second human trial with subject Fawkes, a new side effect was discovered. A new stabilizing compound (formulation [DELETED]) used in the alpha reagent acted upon the brain as a behavioral disinhibitor, displaying certain chemical similarities to Schedule I narcotics. An excess of Quicksilver in brain tissue spikes the subject's epinephrine/norepinephrine levels, promoting violent behavior and causing higher cortical functions to degrade, impairing judgment and suppressing the superego. This buildup begins after approximately 30 minutes of Quicksilver use, or six days of passive glandular secretion. Shorter periods of Quicksilver usage reduces the length of the buildup cycle.
It was learned shortly after the onset of symptoms that Dr. Arnaud De Thiel was actually a terrorist named Arnaud de Fehrn. De Thiel deliberately created the side effect, which has been dubbed "Quicksilver Madness," as a means to controlling individuals who are given the Quicksilver Gland. He planned to maintain control over the subjects by rationing the supply of a counteragent drug that negates the effects of Quicksilver Madness.
Subject Fawkes' serum level of Quicksilver Toxin is now monitored daily through the use of a circular tattoo in the shape of a snake devouring itself, divided into segments. Each segment of the tattoo contains a subcutaneous sensor that changes color from green to red when serum levels of the toxin reach predetermined volumes of parts per million. Each successive segment is keyed to respond to a higher level of toxin than the previous segment. Regular injections of Quicksilver Counteragent are administered when the tattoo reaches 70 percent red.
Stage one Quicksilver Madness is marked by an increase in body temperature and general irritability.
As body temperature increases to 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit, stage two Quicksilver Madness occurs. During stage two, the body's autonomic response will be to cause vasodilatation in an effort to cool itself. Other symptoms of stage two include sharp pain similar to migraine headaches, and petit mal convulsions, both of which are likely the result of synaptic disruption in the frontal lobe cause by the [DELETED] in the alpha reagent. The effects of the vasodilatation are most visible in the ocular capillaries. (In layman's terms, the subject's eyes become bloodshot.)
Stage three Quicksilver Madness is typified by violent paranoia and delusions of persecution. During stage four Quicksilver Madness the subject loses all inhibitions against amoral behavior, and exhibits self-destructive tendencies.
During stage five Quicksilver Madness (the final stage) the subject's eyes turn from bloodshot to solid silver as Quicksilver compound is involuntarily excreted from the tear ducts. The subject becomes megalomaniacal, convinced of his own invulnerability and infallibility. Theoretical models indicate that if stage five Quicksilver Madness is not reversed within approximately 12 hours, it will become irreversible. The approved protocol for such a scenario is the immediate termination and retrieval of the subject, followed by the harvesting of the QS-9300.