Specimen Eighteen

Specimen No.0018, full name PitIndus:2066AD:GenTest26:H2Obreath:SpcmnNo.0018c, is an advanced genetic experiment on pine trees, created by a group of scientists working for Pit Industries. It is engineered to allow penguins to breathe underwater for periods of time longer than the usual scuba gear by increasing it's intake of carbon dioxide and it's output of oxygen required for photosynthesis (the process in which plants produce energy).

History
It started with Pit Industries pushing the boundaries of science and science fiction like they always do. With their Quantum Aperture Project being an overwhelming success, the management wondered what they would do next. One balmy spring in 2065, the Pit Industries Easter Event (one of the only times 'voluntary' product testers were allowed out of the testing centre) was in full swing and what they would do next came. One of the psuedo-games they had to play was the 'Cream Soda Aperture Swim', a gruelling water-based assault course in which contestants had to, with the aid of a Aperture Cannon and a pair of Cushioner Shoes, cross. Unfortunatly, two contestants are half-drunk having won the 'Cream Soda Drink-Off' the previous hour. They sat there, strategising the best they could as to how they would clross an olympic-sized swimming pool, one of them spoke.

"You know, it would be much easier if we could drain that massive pool. Or at least be able to aperture across the thing with a few nifty shots."

The other replied. "Yeah, that's one idea, too bad the entire blasted assualt course is made of glass."

"I wonder if there's a plug though, that we could swim down and pull to drain it. It must have one, how do they move it without getting soaked?"

"Wait, I hadn't thought of that before." The spirit of Pit Industries took over from there, they spent the next two minutes trying to find an opening. They eventually blacked out from oxygen-starvation and a helpful contestant dragged them out (the people in charge would have done nothing about it, all Pit Industries officials disregard the safety of their employees) and saved them both. They were told what happened. The spirit of Pit Industries took over again and they filed an application for a new division to be set up within their, minor in comparision to Project Aperture, Genetic Testing programme. This application was accepted and a division known as H2Obreath was set up to create a suitable substitute for an aqualung for water breathing. After rigorous testing and many (as usual) fatalities on the part of testers a final product was reached, Specimen No.0018.

Development
-Easter Monday 2065: Idea first conceived.

-A few days later: Application for H2Obreath filed and approved within 24 hours.

-May 21st 2065: New genetic engineering equipment is bought as well as the refitting of some of the first test chambers for use with water.

-May 31st 2065: Official opening of H2Obreath Division.

-June 14th 2065: First prototype tested, modified Cedar sapling. Spontaneuosly combusts due to fast rate of oxygen production, killing the tester and Specimen No.0001.

-July 5th 2065: Multiple variations are made with different trees and combinations of genes that produce high oxygen levels. All either become Grade A Hallucinogens or produce Toxins under the HazMat Commission or spontaneously combust again. Specimen No.0002-0010 destroyed in fires or suffocate themselves.

-July 15th 2065: Five month long inquiry occurs after a report leaks and several clumsy engineers are sacked, putting the division behind schedule.

-January 20th 2066: Project finally gets back on the road and produces Specimen No.0011-0016b. Fast growth genes introduced, but cause over-running of four test rooms and they are subsequently burned.

-February 19th 2066: Genes are toned down, producing Specimen No.0017-0018a. 0018a is picked to be given further testing due to it's efficiency.

-March 4th 2066: Testing and further refining of the tree gives Specimen No.0018c. Which is considered refined enough for patent and commercial use. The patent is approved within a few months.

-March 6th 2066: Selling of engineered seeds starts.

-April 25th 2067: H2Obreath seed farm produces first batch of seeds. Aqualungs with Specimen No.0018c are first sold.

Trivia

 * 0018c is actually a spruce.