Inktober 2024 - 4 - Exotic

XMZ9PHR7 has been in the Mammalian Genetic Mutation Department for a few cycles, now. It likes it. It finds it challenging.

When it first came into existence, it was assigned to the evolution of viruses, which is well-known to be one of the easiest target groups for mutation agents. This is why new participants are often sent to that team, among a few others with just as low a potential for disaster. When it comes to illnesses, tweaks can pretty much be anything one wants, as long as the resulting organism is not completely overpowered, to the point of uncontrollably driving another species to extinction. And since even when taking one's pick of symptoms, spreading methods, and target species, it is actually really hard to come up with a super virus, there is not a very big risk of any newcomer making that mistake. In the end, it's a safe bet for everyone: newbies get to learn, and the more experienced beings can supervise with some level of tranquillity while keeping track of their own activities.

After performing well in that Department, XMZ9PHR7 was welcomed to the Insect Department. It's as cool as the Fish one, both benefiting from a lot of leeway in terms of what you are allowed to do, all the while starting to test your skills in ways simpler life forms cannot. Insects and fish do not mind odd mutations. They can vary greatly in colours, appendages, and biological capabilities without breaking a sweat, so to speak. More than that, they sometimes even relish the variability. And whatever other species might notice those changes – typically, Humans – they more often than not greatly enjoy them. What fuss they make about it is acceptable.

With mammals, it's different. They do not have the resilience of microbes, creepy crawlers, or deep sea dwellers. Too noticeable a mutation might make the resulting mammal into a target for its peers or other species for any number of reasons which, again, nobody wants. The whole point of Evolution is to move things forward as an ecosystem, not achieve any kind of absolute victory. Speciation events happen, but they are expected to be splits in the road, not radical changes of direction.

So far, all of XMZ9PHR7's suggestions in the context of its current assignment have been rejected by the Controlling Entity as too extreme. It however keeps its hopes up that one day it will come up with a major yet acceptable mutation that will make it to Earth. It has plenty of ideas for the humankind, but the members of that species are already pretty hung up on differences among them, so adding some is even trickier than on any other population. But that's part of what makes their case so interesting to XMZ9PHR7.

Today, it is presenting a very basic but also – in its humble opinion – very cool mutation. It is designed to be harmless, have no medical or monetary value, while still making its recipient feel special and lucky to have it.

"Hm. How exotic," simply said the Controlling Entity before finally, thankfully, approving XMZ9PHR7's idea.