10 March 2012
Starvation affects both the body and the mind, causing higher-level functions to be shut down as an organism reverts to more primitive modes in an effort to survive. Behaviorally, severe prolonged stresses in the human species can cause even taboo behaviors such as cannibalism to be resorted to as the survival instinct assumes primary importance.
Communications had been lost for more than a week with deep space probe L-17 in its long overdue return to Earth. Propulsion systems had been damaged by collisions with space debris, making them not inoperative but rather inefficient and functional below intended parameters. While automatic on-board systems would ensure the eventual return of the probe to Earth, it was feared that even the most conservative rationing of food supplies on board the vessel would be inadequate to ensure the survival of the crew. With the last voice communication from the crew many days ago and detailing their progressive starvation, it was feared that there would be no survivors of the mission.
The mood was accordingly somber when probe L-17 returned to the mission base on automatic system guidance. Assuming that it would be a recovery rather than a rescue operation, technicians removed the escape hatch of the silent vessel externally. Air hissed from the vacuum-sealed opening as lights were trained within the spacecraft.
The creature which emerged from the hatchway bore little remaining resemblance to a human, while he wore the tattered remnants of a flight suit. Launching himself from the hatchway, the wild humanoid clawed with talon-like fingernails and tore with his teeth at the scientists and technicians who had come to examine the interior of the vessel. When the surviving mission member was physically subdued, it was determined that he had been the victor in vicious fighting that had occurred between starving members of the crew. Worse still, he had consumed their remains, even splitting the thigh bones open to extract the marrow.
Psychologists determined that the sole survivor of deep space probe L-17 had been reduced to mid-brain functioning, driven by needs and instincts as a reptile might be...and in space as it has truly been said, no one can hear you scream...
Reptilian Brain • Opuss № I