MEMO DATE: 13 AE
SENDER: PROFESSOR DAVIS FEYNBAHN ID 3466
RECIPIENT: [REDACTED]

SUBJECT: TANGEMERE SPECIMEN PAPER EDITS REQUEST

Sirs,

After reading the final draft on the Tangemere specimen (received last week) there are several issues with the way my findings were presented that I take issue with. These alterations considerably change the tone of the final report and downplay several conclusions which must be brought to the attention of the [REDACTED] and general staff.

-Use of the phrase 'drone strain' in Section 32-4 is inaccurate as the descriptor 'strain' is used when referring to the two known Locust genetic subgroups, alpha and beta, not to phenotype (the term 'drone' refers to a phenotype of alpha-strain Locust).

-Section 33-1 states that I reached the conclusion that the specimen was of the drone phenotype due to a NEAR percent match in genetic sequence. At no time in my paper did I make such a conclusion. In Analysis 2, fourth paragraph I stated that the DNA test was incomplete but that of the portion completed, there was a ninety-percent commonality with the alpha-strain and an eighty-two percent commonality with the beta strain. This is a key error which changes the entire tone of the report. I state in the Conclusions section of my personal notes that the Tangemere specimen is highly unlikely to be alpha-strain Locust of any type.

-Doctor Ca[REDACTED]'s comments about dwarfism are not supported by any analysis of the specimen I am aware of. The initial impression of the coroner at [REDACTED] Station, that the specimen was of the grenadier phenotype, is based mostly on the texture and coloration of the skin. In reviewing Dr. [REDACTED]'s notes and photographs I would suggest that the specimen's height and mass differences from the drone phenotype cannot be explained satisfactorily though the dwarf grenadier hypothesis.

I appreciate that the suggestion of a hitherto-unknown strain of Locust is not supported by any other evidence besides the Tangemere corpse. However, for the good of humanity and our struggles, I believe this possibility should be exhaustively investigated. As my own requests for the complete background of the recovery of this specimen have been denied due to lack of clearance, I would request that the entire report, with my notes, be submitted to Professor [REDACTED], as his qualifications in the field of genetics are beyond reproach.

IMMEDIATE ACTION TAKEN: [None]

NOTE 1: FOLLOWING PROFESSOR FEYNBAHN'S DEATH ON 2nd BRUME 13 AE ALL PERSONAL FILES PERTAINING TO PROJECT SEARCHLIGHT DE-RATED FROM ABOVE TOP SECRET TO RESTRICTED ACCESS

NOTE 2: AFTER REVIEW BY THE [REDACTED] TEAM AT THE BUREAU OF MEDICINE, NO ALTERATIONS WERE MADE TO FINAL REPORT. NO REASON FOUND TO INVOLVE PROFESSOR [REDACTED] IN SEARCHLIGHT.

Baird leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, mindful not to let the broken latch send him toppling over. He swore that his brain was uttering the same creaks and groans of protest as the chair's frame. Why everyone waited forever to get one of these apartments instead of living in the tent camps or refurbs was beyond him; at least you didn't have to fill a tent with rotting pre-war furniture.

"Daaamon, what are you dooooing?"

A pair of mocha-brown hands slid down over his shoulders to his chest. He felt Sam's breath, hot and wet on the neckline of his T-shirt. Baird sighed grumpily as the woman pressed her cheek up against his. "Digging humanity out of the shit piling up from all quarters. Advancing human knowledge for the betterment of all. You know, important stuff that's too advanced for you."

"Ohh, is Bairdy-bird all gwumpy because I'm rubbing my soft, soft skin against his ugly face?" Baird could practically hear her smile through the gentle mocking in her voice. "You spend enough time on these old files as it is, when do I get my piece of you?"

"You know," Baird intoned seriously, "I should trade you for a puppy. The only difference between you and a puppy is that I can put the dog in a cage when it starts to annoy me."

"That's not fair," Sam chuckled. "I haven't pooped on the rug in almost a week. What are you looking at anyways, Damon?" She leaned in over his shoulder to read the text on the taped-up monitor unit. Sensing that he would soon have to start explaining an entire days worth of decoding, Baird conceded defeat and started picking up his notebooks and electronic organizer off the desk and dropping them into the drawers, careful not to nudge Sam off-balance.

"I honestly have no idea at this point. The files I have unlocked are all over the place. This document is something about a place called Tangemere, in case that rings a bell."

The brunette screwed up her face in thought. "You mean the Tangemere River?"

"You know about it?" Baird lifted her arms from around his neck as he swiveled the chair around to face her.

"River valley in the northern… you know…. Agh, the area by the coastal mountains, near Scyllia. I just remember the tourist brochures. Lots of quaint farms and ski lodges up the slopes. Wine tasting, pick-your-own-fruit, that sort of frilly stuff." She looked into Baird's eyes and smirked. "You know, civilized stuff that's too advanced for you.'

"Funny," Baird retorted as she sat down on his lap, holding his shoulders. "And they say I'm an ass."

"You are one, I have one," Sam beamed as she leaned in and kissed him on the lips "Been in the mood to share it lately, but I suppose the professor is too tired by now…"

"Oh, I dunno." Baird pulled her back in for a second kiss, this one deeper, steamier. "I think I'm good for another few hours of 'research'" He smirked, not at his own lame joke but at Sam's eye rolling.

"Maybe I have some mountains and valleys of my own for you to explore, Daaaamon," she taunted,

"I don't have satellite access to these regions. Hmm, maybe you could let my recon teams in for a little hands-on surveying?" His fingers fluttered up and down the sides of her bare midriff. Sam, grinning ear to ear, reached down and grabbed the zipper of her sports top and started to pull it open.

"Why professor, I thought you'd never ask."

A detailed map of Sera would be really nice. Probably take some of the fun out of thinking up geography and place names, though.

PS, Sam and Baird seem adorable now but just wait till those fuckers are tag-teaming you in Team Deathmatch. :U