Prime8

Prime8, known by it's scientific name Paninpapionic Helixid Metocloriphide Eight (PHM8) was a particularly potent splice serum used by The Primates that caused temporary rapid mutations in their ranks, giving them enhanced abilities for up to five or six hours at a time.

### **History**

First concocted in early 2013 Prime8 serum was believed to once have been a random test serum used by Theo Lind's secret Argent lab in Brazil that was fronting as a medicinal research facility, but stolen by who Theo believed to be a freshly-initiated member of the ASC Richard Lebette who resented the torturous training procedures he went through to be trained as a ASC officer; When several other officers followed Lebette, sold the serum to a byer who was working for System-12 for an enormous profit.

Following an attack on an S-12 camp by those ASC still loyal to Theo, Lebette used a small dose of the serum on him and some of his followers and easily fought back the ASC, managing to escape into Suriname. System, and the local drug gangs involved with their shady deals, were thankful at how skilled Lebette and his troupe were, and attracted a few more fighters to their cause. System-12 would then recruit Lebette and his newly-named 'Primates' as their own personal troupe.

After System-12 taught Lebette how to synthesise the serum towards the end of 2014, The Primates began using their skills and serum to earn money as a subversive group of mercenaries for a high price; the group actively fought against The Guild in South America who many had bounties for, but soon moved up to North America and began getting involved in more sinister plots to overthrow or at least influence more powerful nations such as the US, Russia, China and Lebette's home country Britain; in particular they would allow these governments to study the Prime8 serum in what the US called Project Topdog by 2017.

The Serum became more refined, but as time got on, it began making all of his troupe, including himself, more and more aggressive, even after the serum had worn off, as well as highly addictive.

### **Properties**

The PMH8 serum was created using various chemicals and mixtures used to create alts, including the base compounds of Nixmid and MLK, combined with DNA proteins from a baboon, chimp and gorilla that had a higher chance to bond with Human DNA due to their genetic relation. The early serum developed by Theo was a surprising success for a first attempt, and it was enough for Lebette to seize his opportunity.

When taken PHM8 enhanced the user's strength from anywhere between 3 to 5 tonnes on top of their standard strength level, it increases speed, reactions, leaping ability, senses and agility to superhuman levels, as well as giving the user a heightened sense of confidence and aggression. It is said that a user feels extremely powerful and raring to go, increasing basic desires and in males increasing testosterone levels tremendously, something that can still be felt long after the serum's physical effects have faded.

### **Drawbacks and Side-effects**

Like most splice serums, the effects and abilities gained from one hit eventually fade after a few hours, this can range anywhere between four to six hours.

PMH8 is extremely potent, and for a full roughly predicted 7-hour duration, or rather 6 hours (plus another "uncertainty hour" where the serum could fade slowly or suddenly stop), 5ml is all that is needed; pushing 10ml can result in overexertion in musculature after the serum has faded as well as heart attacks and brain damage, and 5ml is also enough to keep the mutative side-effects down to a barely-noticeable minimum.

As most of the current Prime8 serum is derived from early, relatively untested chemical formula, it's long-term safety is pulled into question; particularly in the effects on all parts of the body and mind, creating permanent mutations or altering the user's appearance. This also goes for the more malignant forms of mutation including cancer and deformities.

Like MLK, a known side-effect is the increase in aggression long after the serum has faded from a user's system, though not permanent while under 5ml doses, this change of mindset can last for days after, and as The Primates may take the serum regularly, many of them may now suffer essentially permanent heightened aggression and overconfidence. Though the troupe do seem to follow the rule of only using the serum once a day.

Overdosing may even push a user into such a mutative form that it may result in a chimeral or even aberrative incident.