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To: [Forge]
From: [Jennie]

Now that I finally got the real reason for Marius's visit to my room out of him, I require further explanation.

What exactly is it you are going to attempt? I mean, he explained it, but experimental scientific proceedures don't translate very well into Mariusese.

- Jen

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To: [Jennie]
From: [Forge]
Subject: The procedure

Well, if he's told you, I suppose I can at least fill in the details.

Marius's DNA, specifically the part that carries the mutant gene, is flawed. It's also tied to the part of his genetic code that deals with the hemoglobin-producing cells in his body. When he absorbs those cells from other people, it acts like a patch on that flawed part of his DNA. It's why he borrows other mutant abilities.

Except it always purges itself from his system, so he needs to feed again. And while he's got those powers, his body wants to try and adapt to them. His current situation is an example - his body thinks THAT'S his default state, and keeps trying to return to that, it's why feeding off of Jay or Kyle didn't fix him at all.

So instead of just "patching" his DNA, Doctor MacTaggart and I came up with the idea of fixing it. But we needed a donor with a compatible x-gene (which if you paid attention in biology, tends to be tied to the father's chromosomal DNA). So that trip I took to Australia - which you were gone for, of course - I ostensibly went for a conference but while I was there I tracked down Marius' half-sister, Monet.

Once I explained to her that her bone marrow could save her little illegitimate brother's life, she practically couldn't wait to give a sample. Well, truth be told, she was a stone bitch about the entire thing but didn't want it said that she sat back and let her father's youngest son die of complications from his own flawed mutation.

To make a long story short, I managed to get the genetic sample back here (let me tell you, having to build a cryogenic refrigeration unit into one's own leg and manage to sneak THAT through customs? Not an experience I want to repeat) and get it to Moira, who's been replicating it with the equipment on Muir.

We're going to try a bone marrow transfusion on Marius, using Monet's donated marrow. In essence, her DNA is perfect. There's not a chromosomal anomaly in it, seriously. So hopefully his body will recognize it as familiar and start reproducing it to fill the broken parts of his own code.

I don't know what effects it'll have, not completely. But if it works - and the Nobel-candidate scientist tells me it should - his condition won't get any worse. His powers won't kill him. He's going to live.

His parents have given the okay, and he's agreed to it and is going in for the procedure tomorrow.

JHF