Check the egg

Before leaving the level, you and your floating companion, MPAD-24, headed to another lab where the strange egg was being examined. You motioned for the door to open, but it didn't respond.

"MPAD-24, can I get in?" you asked.

"The lab is under secure access mode which only allows access by authorized personnel," it replied.

"Can someone let us in, or is there a way to view it?" you continued.

After a few moments, MPAD-24 morphed into a viewer panel, and the Grey doctor was visible. "Hello Sky. The lab is currently kept locked to avoid anyone from accidentally coming into contact with the egg. A research team is examining it, and I've checked if it would be alright for you to observe them. They've agreed, and I've given you viewing access for the room. You can activate that now."

You motioned with your hand, and immediately the wall turned transparent allowing you to view the lab. Compared to the other labs on this level, it was sparsely filled. There was one large table in the middle with the flat oval egg resting atop and a protective bubble surrounding it. Nearby were a trio of consoles, each currently being used by a Grey researcher. Periodically, their screens would change and different lights emitted from the ceiling at times, apparently scanning the egg, but beyond that there wasn't much to see.

You looked back to the MPAD screen, and offered your thanks to the doctor. Then you asked, "Have they identified what it is or where it came from?"

"The analysis to determine that is still on-going. From the initial scans, there are similarities between this and eggs produced by a form of interstellar amoeboid. Some of those can produce eggs with hard enough outer shells to survive the hazards of space, and those eggs can potentially survive drifting in space for thousands of years before landing on a habitable surface, and finally hatching. However, such specimens we've found previously were less than one centimeter (0.4 inches) in diameter. We have never found one this large before. Also, none have exhibited any form of toxins, or ways that their eggs can feed from a host. Thus, this might be something entirely new." The doctor paused and seemed genuinely intrigued by that possibility.

Then he continued, "When we survey new planets, any leftover soil samples are sterilized and then added to the Feeler labs as needed. This egg was likely very small when it first came aboard in a soil sample which allowed it to go undetected. We are still trying to determine how it avoided detection, and how it survived the sterilization process. It was probably introduced with the soil added in that lab about 6 months ago. At that point, it likely began to feed on the nutrients in the soil and steadily absorbed water while it grew undetected just below the surface. Eventually it reached the root of the Feeler and began feeding from it. That's as much as we can determine so far based on its location, apparent growth rate, and when the Feeler appears to have been first affected."

It was surprising that even the Grey's technology could miss something like this, but how could it have remained undetected by everyone this long? "What about the Cunis that tended that Feeler before it was affected. Didn't they notice anything?" you inquired.

"There were also some reports by the Cunis of a patch of barb blight growing near the Feeler in that lab, but it was never located. It's likely they were periodically stepping on the egg's spines and assumed it was barb blight. We've also discovered that some species have a natural resistance against this type of toxin, including the Cunis, the Grey and Arthro. However, both your species and Gargos appear to be susceptible to it. If the Gargo aboard the Starpoint had entered that lab, he likely would have suffered similar effects to what you encountered," explained the doctor.

"If it hatches, will it pose any danger?" you wondered.

"We can't be sure until we know what it is. If it is a form of egg-producing amoeboid there could be considerable risk. After they hatch, they usually try consume anything digestible that they encounter. One this large could potentially eat the crew, or damage the ship. Once they are large enough, they undergo a form of metamorphic fission in which the amoeboid's body hardens and then sub-divides into a multitude of smaller eggs. Then the process repeats over and over. An amoeboid this large could potentially split into billions of eggs which the sensors are apparently unable to detect and our sterilization systems might not be able to kill."

"Let's hope that doesn't happen. Thanks for the info," you replied. They had a very good reason for keep the lab secured. Hopefully they could figure out what it was and where it came from before it hatched.