Doc#: ARTEFACT-RECORD-294
Clearance: CLASSIFIED

Name: Homo Myocardus
Also Known As: Cardio Man, Heartthrob, Arnie
Identification Number: C1-0425
Domain: 3
Threat Level: 2
Procurement Status: Acquired

Description:
A tall humanoid creature with human legs and an enlarged heart-like torso. Possess enhanced speed, strength and stamina. Average height is around 6 feet 5 inches, but a height of up to 8 feet has been recorded. Skin colouration ranges as with humans, but becomes ruddy and thicker in texture across the torso. The prominent heart valves appear to be functionless (possibly vestigial.) Its meat is prized for its taste and nutrition, especially considering it is one of the few safely edible “foods” within Domain 3.

Behaviour:
Homo Myocardus is largely peaceful and surprisingly hard to provoke. It is believed that its ability to defend itself and its lack of nutritional needs (see Anomalous Features) has effectively removed it from the food chain and diluted most aggression-based behaviours. Homo Myocardus displays three primary behavioural states.

Inactive
When inactive Homo Myocardus remains motionless in a relaxed standing position. Typically, Homo Myocardus’ will group together during this state, standing packed together in groups as large as 50, but you may also come across lone Homo Myocardus in this state. They appear to still be conscious as they will react to dangerous stimuli.

Active
When active Homo Myocardus will wander aimlessly. Despite a lack of eyes, it is rarely seen to stumble. This may be due to muscle memory, as Homo Myocardus’ tend to trace the same paths, but could also be due to an anomalous feature of its biology – many Skew creatures seem to share a connection to the landscape, though this is usually found in inner domains.

Provoked
Homo Myocardus tends to tolerate low aggression, such as pushing, hitting or even small cuts. This is possibly because, due to its profound physique, such damage is viewed as inconsequential. Provocation typically occurs in 3 circumstances: if grievous bodily harm has been applied; if Homo Myocardus has identified items/people/circumstances that previously provoked it; or if it has detected a deceased member of its species. Once provoked, Homo Myocardus will enter a vicious rage that will not ebb until it has eliminated the perceived threat or the threat is removed.

Anomalous Features:
Homo Myocardus displays an anomalous digestive system. While it does possess a digestive tract, there are no associated orifices, meaning that Homo Myocardus does not eat nor produce waste. This is partially strange given its physicality, which would be expected to require huge amounts of energy to maintain. Tests on tissue samples have revealed that chloroplasts are not present, ruling out photosynthesis as a means of energy exchange. Some form of Skew-enhanced chemosynthesis may be possible, though current data is lacking. At the present time, this digestive feature is considered purely anomalous.

Other Notes:
It is unknown if Homo Myocardus is a species originating from the Skew, an evolutionary cousin of humans that wandered away from our world long ago or a common REDACTED.

Preservation Protocol:
Storage should have a dimension of 3m height and 1.5x width per Homo Myocardus. The floor, ceiling and three walls should be constructed of concrete or reinforced steel panelling. The front-facing wall should be made of reinforced steel fencing with an alternating double-door locking system and rolling steel shutters, allowing for both security and easy access for sample taking. The ceiling should be equipped with a quick-release barbed wire net spanning the length of the storage unit and incinerator vents placed at 50 cm intervals.

Clearance Level for access should be set at ACROAMATIC.

Further Reading:

N/A