Nanotech: Alpha Swarm

Attn: Dr. Strenz

The Alpha Swarm has surpassed our greatest hopes, however they still seem to be suffering from several distinct limitations.

First, despite our best efforts, they remain incapable of learning new information. Our attempts to create a hive-mind memory have apparently failed, we must pursue this further.

Second, they seem to be able to recall a particular form only for as long as they carry the mass of it. It also seems that this limitation extends to a roughly 5 minute time span, with the time limit being shorter with more complex items. Thus, while the swarm can absorb an object, and then flawlessly recreate it, it cannot then replicate the object, even if it is attempted immediately.

Thirdly the nanites seem to eventually hit a critical mass in terms of numbers. It is unclear at exactly what point this occurs, but it also can be clearly witnessed. The swarm can rebuild itself from only a milligram of nanites back to its starting mass of 1 Kg, but it does not seem to be able to grow larger than 2Kg. We theorize that the nanites numbers overwhelm their ability to communicate, and that nanites that are still connected to the hive begin to register the disconnected nanites as hostile invaders, and reabsorb them.


Aside from these limitations however, they are performing very well.
The first handful of test subjects did not fully survive the integration of the swarm, their psyche seems to have broken upon the control units being injected into the brain stem. Although their bodies survived, the procedure either immediately or shortly reduced them to a vegetative state. The current test subject has survived, however it is clear that he has suffered from a remarkably complete amnesia. He recalls absolutely nothing prior to the nanites’ injection. The other matter of curiosity is that at times he seems to exhibit slight personality shifts.

For now, as planned, we have the nanites able to absorb directly from the subject’s bloodstream, as well as through the skin. The bloodstream absorption is obviously a much faster process, as far more of the nanites can surround the material to be absorbed. The epidermal absorption, in addition to being a slower process, also seems to be fairly limited in terms of scale. If an object cannot be pressed fully against the subjects skin, the nanites lose their ability to remake the object later. Our theory for this is that the nanites cease to recognize it as a single entity, and instead determine it to be several unrelated objects, and thus their ‘memory’ of how to reassemble the object is reset. We think this limitation may be possible to overcome later.

We are presently very occupied with ongoing tests on the current subject, I will send more detailed updates shortly.

-Dr. Amelia Jones

Attn: Dr. Strenz

Confound it all! During transport of some of our lab equipment from our original facility to the new lab we established on Mars, the test subject--along with the entirety of the alpha swarm--was lost. I am activating as many assets as I can in this region to locate them, but we are not even certain what happened. The transport vessel suffered from a catastrophic engine failure and lost navigation. Much of our equipment was damaged, though thankfully all the ships records survived, including my teams’ complete research notes.
I refuse to take responsibility for this freak accident unless some kind of negligence on my part can be proven. Dr. Marro has been actively trying to get me replaced as project lead, and I refuse to allow his manipulations to succeed.
I am begging you now, as a friend and my most valuable mentor, help me to locate our test subject, and more importantly, the alpha swarm. It could still be in space somewhere, but I think it far more likely that the subject has either made planetfall on Mars, or has gained access to another vessel.

I will contact you further as soon as I learn more.

-Dr. Amelia Jones

Attn: Dr Jones

Don’t worry my overly-excitable student, of course I will assist you. Don’t forget that I have a doubly-vested interest in seeing your project’s success. I’ve called in several favors in that sector, one of which is with a talented--and discreet--mercenary company that you have experience with before...
We’ll find your test subject, and I will personally ensure that you remain project leader.

-Dr. Strenz