EYESONLY • ORCON • REL TO NATO, FVEY
Summary
The presumed extraterrestrial biological entities (EBEs) designated TUNGSTEN MEMENTO are humanoids with extensive surgical modification. They are capable of passing for human under close visual inspection and in conversation. Additional surgical modifications provide full-body ballistic protection and, possibly, other unidentified capabilities.
Baseline physical capabilities of TUNGSTEN MEMENTO (with augmentation - an unaugmented specimen has yet to be observed) are equivalent to an Olympic-caliber athlete or top-tier special operations soldier. They are exceptionally strong, swift, and capable of self-stabilizing injuries that would incapacitate most humans. Additionally, TUNGSTEN MEMENTO are capable of expelling an acidic liquid as a close-range attack.
Observed TUNGSTEN MEMENTO activities on Earth have involved close cooperation with insurgencies and terrorist organizations. Insofar as a pattern can be inferred from incomplete data, their intent appears to be destabilization of existing sociopolitical structures.
TUNGSTEN MEMENTO appear capable of using terrestrial technology, though recorded proficiency is rather low. Recorded use of non-terrestrial technology to date has been limited (ref: MILLRIFT GOSLING, ROANOKE CROW).
Physiology
Outwardly, all known TUNGSTEN MEMENTO are visually indistinguishable from male adult humans. Thermal imaging reveals TUNGSTEN MEMENTO surface temperatures remain within a few degrees of ambient temperatures.
TUNGSTEN MEMENTO's human "skin" is a thin polymer laid over a thicker pale green subcutaneous membrane. The membrane provides ballistic protection roughly equivalent to the US NIJ Level IIA standard. It extends throughout the torso to the upper limbs but terminates in the upper arms, thighs, and lower neck. The membrane is measurably weaker in the abdominal region at the joint between the pelvic segment and the upper torso segment.
The TUNGSTEN MEMENTO skeletal structure is nominally humanoid but bears clear signs of modification through unknown processes (speculative: nanotechnology). Bones are reinforced with an unidentified black fibrous substance. They are less rigid and brittle than human bones. The skeleton has no sternum and all ribs are effectively floating. The skeletal reinforcements are weakest at the major arm and leg joints and the joints themselves are more susceptible to dislocation than the human equivalent.
TUNGSTEN MEMENTO muscle tissue is reddish-orange and denser than human equivalent.
TUNGSTEN MEMENTO's jaw has additional points of articulation. The creature is capable of opening its mouth to a maximum diameter of 16cm. Dental structure is modified to resemble human normal, though TUNGSTEN MEMENTO does retain 2.5cm conical fangs in place of lower canines.
In addition to the aforementioned modifications,
One recovered specimen featured implanted ceramic blades in its fingertips, retracted under normal conditions but extendable through an additional implanted set of artificial tendons.
One (separate) recovered specimen contained a network of turquoise wiring running from its upper spinal column down each arm to its hands, terminating in a small gray puckered disc at the heel of each palm (ref: STAPLETON TURKEY). The discs superficially resemble recent [REDACTED] patents for inductive charging and data transfer systems for mobile phones. It is hypothesized that this is some sort of interface device.
A gland in the upper thoracic area secretes a substance which TUNGSTEN MEMENTO can expel as an attack. Such expulsion requires the creature to fully open its jaws, compromising its human guise. This attack's effective range is at least six meters. The discharge is a liquid stream of a green, viscous caustic of unknown composition which can cause chemical burns, blindness, and respiratory failure.
If ruptured by gunfire, this organ can burst, initiating the rapid dissolution of the specimen's head and upper torso. This process also aerosolizes a portion of the substance. The aerosol's symptoms are similar to those of terrestrial chemical riot agents and equivalent palliative treatment is effective.
Recorded Contact 1 - Saudi Arabia, 2007
This record is of a prison break in Saudi Arabia in October 2007. This operation freed several men who now hold key positions in Da'ish. Relevant portions of the video record, taken from multiple surveillance cameras, span 16 minutes.
The team conducting the raid is adequately professional: not up to SOF standards, but a cut above the average militant Islamist. There are two six-man teams, but the team leaders are distinctly different. Tall, gaunt, with disproportionately long arms: from the raised vantage points of the cameras, their quicksilver flowing motions are reminiscent of spiders or geckos. The clearly human members of the team are deferential in posture, perhaps a touch afraid.
One of the team leaders is identified as Mas'ud Attar (ref: Operation VEHEMENT HARPIST), a known TUNGSTEN MEMENTO cover identity. He sends his team toward the objective, turns to face a guard squad. Fires his Krinkov dry, drops it, pulls a knife, and steps in while pistol bullets ineffectually shred his shirt. The resulting bladework must be viewed at half-speed for clear analysis, including one clean decapitation which is near-physiologically impossible for a human combatant.
The other team leader isn't as fortunate. He catches the periphery of a grenade blast and drops, flailing, two stories down a stairwell. A camera on the ground floor catches his landing - and the shreds of human disguise clinging to the pale green fang-mouthed face. He lies still for perhaps thirty seconds, limbs twitching, mouth working silently. At length, he spasms, kips up, wraps his shemagh around his head and face, and continues the mission, limping slightly, two fingers sticking out at angles indicating obvious breakage.
Recorded Contact 2 - Afghanistan, 2014
This record is from a helmet-mounted GoPro worn by a Bundeswehr assaulter during a raid in Kunduz in July 2014.
The breacher steps up, kicks the door, clears the way. The first man through kills one defender before a humanoid form drops from the ceiling, landing in a scattering of angular limbs. This individual is again identified as Mas'ud Attar. Its mouth opens in a hiss, keeps opening, stretches inhumanly wide as the function of the articulation in the specimen's jaw becomes apparent. There's a hissing retch and the point man is staggering back, screaming, strangling, with a grapefruit-sized acidic bolus dripping from his face. The viewpoint assaulter puts a three-round burst into Attar's head as the creature brings up its own rifle. The creature's skull comes apart in green mist and organic dissolution. The assaulter grabs his buddy's drag strap and backs out, still firing with his free hand, yelling for frags, and the rest of the squad obliges.
Recorded Contact 3 (Operation VEHEMENT HARPIST) - Libya, 2015
The best-documented TUNGSTEN MEMENTO contact to date occurred in Tripoli during Operation VEHEMENT HARPIST (15-17 March 2015). Grey Cell of Task Force 47, supported by elements of Amber Cell and attached French CPA 10 troops, experienced three combat contacts with TUNGSTEN MEMENTO specimens working in apparent command of Da'ish troops and Libyan Islamist auxiliaries. Multiple TUNGSTEN MEMENTO were operating under the cover identity of Mas'ud Attar, a former Iranian SOF officer and current high-level operator for Da'ish's director of provincial governance.
One partial set of TUNGSTEN MEMENTO remains was recovered during these engagements, as well as the MILLRIFT GOSLING artifact.
Full records of these contacts, including raw tactical footage and taped debriefs of all personnel, are available under TUNGSTEN MEMENTO RED.
Recorded Contact 4 (Operation ESSENTIAL NOMAD) - Australia, 2015
Grey Cell of Task Force 47 again encountered TUNGSTEN MEMENTO during Operation ESSENTIAL NOMAD (16-24 April 2015). During investigation of a sighting of Mas'ud Attar in Melbourne, Grey Cell and SASR personnel engaged in three combat contacts against multiple TUNGSTEN MEMENTO entities, one or more BRONZE FREESTYLE entities, and a number of radicalized Australian Aboriginal catspaws. During this operation, attached personnel (ref: Associate SUVOROV) identified an additional TUNGSTEN MEMENTO cover identity, that of an Indonesian Islamic terrorist organized named Tri Budi.
Five partial sets of TUNGSTEN MEMENTO remains were recovered during these engagements. Two sets of these remains, including one containing a MOORETON SWALLOW artifact, were remanded to Australian military custody.
Full records of these contacts, including raw tactical footage and taped debriefs of all TF47 personnel, are available under TUNGSTEN MEMENTO AMBER.