It has long been established that various microorganisms can form endo-symbiotic relationships with larger host organisms. For example, organisms that dwell within the human digestive system contribute greatly to gut immunity, the synthesis of vitamins, and the fermentation/digestion of complex carbohydrates. Such endo-symbiotic relationships are also the result of eons of evolutionary maneuvers between two or more species within a single environment. Though endo-symbiosis is familiar enough to anyone versed in the biological sciences, it comes as a great shock to learn that a non-terrestrial organism also has the ability to enter into lasting symbiosis with life forms spawned in the evolutionary seas of Earth. Despite meticulous quarantine and decontamination procedures, the entire survey team dispatched to the 37 LMi system has come into intimate biological contact with a microscopic life form indigenous to the system. The 37 LMi life form bears a close resemblance to extremophilic archaea found in exotic and often dangerous environments on earth. Indeed, the 37 LMi life form possesses an extreme resistance to α, β, and γ radiation. Like the extremophilic archaea of Earth, this life form is microscopic in scale and has the ability to exploit an enormous variety of energy sources. Indeed, this single species is able to metabolize common organic compounds such as sugars, but (due to biological triggers, as yet unknown) may also derive nutrients from ammonia, metal ions, and even hydrogen. The 37 LMI archaea commonly reproduce via binary fission and/or fragmentation, though upon exposure to human tissue, genomic insertion becomes the primary means of reproduction. In this instance, the organism extends microtubules through the membranes of human cells, thus facilitating the insertion of cellular material into the nuclei of the host cells. Upon insertion, the foreign genomic material binds with host DNA. In the manner of proviral replication, the foreign genomic material is replicated during normal host-cell reproduction, thus with each generation of host cells, a new generation of archaea arises, though these subsiquent “foreign” populations are indistinguishable from the host cells themselves.... ...As for the members of the infected survey team, no adverse biological reactions have been cataloged, though the presence of archean genomic material does seem to increase synaptic budding throughout the human brain. The cognitive effects of this additional synaptic budding are currently under investigation, though preliminary findings indicate a profound increase in linguistic cognition. --Excerpt from the Bureau of Xenological Control, internal Report #11.7-45a *** As always, thank you for viewing and reading, and commenting. Hopefully things are going well. __ Image created in Photoshop and The Gimp