To: Colonel M__________, Special Projects
From: Major Pepper Siamendes, Special Investigations Unit
Concerning the Activities of AR-Pharma on Araxes following the Saf Virus Outbreak
I. Background:
The Saf Virus, commonly called the "Black Pox", was first identified on the planet Araxes by Dr. Eliza Demanjrick of Hoto Nagi. Symptoms include dark pustules and stains to the surrounding tissue. Transmission and fatality rates are high.
Al Raqis council chamber transcripts indicate preliminary research into a cure was seized by the local government at the October 18 session of the Laandsrat. Soon after, AR-Pharma established a production facility in the region.
According to public records, a key ingredient of this early version of the cure is derived from the blood of members of the native born population. This form of the cure, later known as the "Blood Cure", remains controversial in the medical community to this day.
However, with the only proven cure to that point under local government control, a rush began to provide alternatives. Subsequent versions began to appear from recognized pharmaceutical sources and unregulated markets.
Nevertheless, despite the marketing of 'blood-free' products from other sources and the attempt by a number of governments to subsidize the manufacturing and distribution of alternatives, AR-Pharma continued to post healthy profits from the sale of its medicine.
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II. The Facility:
The AR Pharma production facility was located at the edge of the desert to the East of the Al Raqis settlement.
The one large, main door to the structure opened to the only landing pad and was heavily reinforced. No other exits were apparent. An automated sentry gun, placed on standby, was clearly visible on the eastern side of the landing pad. Large vats were stored both inside and outside of the building, waiting for transportation off world.
Lower interior levels contained open warehouse space, enclosed control terminals and processing tanks.
The second floor contained an office or packaging area.
The third floor contained an array of blood draining equipment, similar in design to equipment we found on the derelict ship 'Persephone'.
A crematorium was located in a side chamber on the second floor for the disposal of human remains.
A later upgrade to the facility included advanced harvesting equipment.-----
Sealed Appendix to Report Concerning the Activities of AR-Pharma on Araxes
A total of three assaults took place against the AR-Pharma facility during the week of November 12 to 19. Our operations in the region have allowed us to construct the following timeline:
On November 12, elements of the UNSC 405th arrived at the AR-Pharma facility.
Quasi-human in appearance, these marines were seen entering the building and destroying storage vats.
These troops were joined by a black assault craft bearing the Registration No. 20341 and the call sign “Intruder”.
Persons disembarking included a woman in a Hoto Nagi uniform who appeared to take command of the operation. The group was accompanied by one Myrmidon. It was unclear in what capacity the Myrmidon was present.
The principals were followed back to the Al Raqis Medical Centre. The large windows of the medical centre permitted easy viewing of the activity within.
The principals gathered on the second floor. The group sat at a conference table and reviewed footage take in the AR-Pharma facility.It was after this event that AR-Pharma announced an increase in security. Information on the type of sentry gun was forwarded to [the United Systems Directorate] as per our information sharing arrangement.
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On November 14, our listening post intercepted this transmission:
"Sentry down at coordinates 168/201/63"
This was followed a short time later by:
"Sentry down at coordinates 167/210/73"
Analysis indicates that these coordinates fall within the AR Pharma facility.
We have concluded that this marks the continuation of the Hoto Nagi operation to shut down AR-Pharma activities. It was after this event that AR-Pharma announced its first interruption in production.
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On November 19, there were reports of a further explosion heard across the settlement.
This final attack reduced the facility to rubble. Acrid, black smoke drifted across the settlement. Residents complained of difficulty breathing and nausea. Our agents in the area observed that the fire burned for days.Timing indicates that this attack followed AR-Pharma final attempts at repair and equipment upgrading. It is unknown who was responsible for this explosion.
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