Since 1975, Majestic-12 has become increasingly concerned with the security of its installations. As a result, in 1976, Dr. Nathaniel Hisiger (MJ-6) initiated Project LAELAPS to genetically-modify guard dogs for installations like the one at Area 51. For four years, LAELAPS researchers were little more than butchers, as Majestic was inexperienced with genetics and modifications were usually made through simple vivisection and grafting techniques. By 1979, the project, which boasted only one successful modification, was slated to be disbanded. ������������

In 1980, however, the Greys gave Majestic-12 the Cookbook, a massive tome detailing the genetic make-up of humans and other animal species. In 1993, Maj.-Gen. Kurtis Schenk replaced the aging Dr. Hisiger as director of Project PLUTO. By this time, Dr. Frantz Hisiger (often called "Moreau" in Majestic-12 documents), son of former MJ-6 director and head of Project LAELAPS, had mastered the modification of the dogs. From 1993-present, Majestic-12 has produced over 1,000 modified canines.�Having LAELAPS dogs as a functioning part of a security force is still a luxury, even for Majestic's above-top-secret research facilities. Maj.-Gen. Schenk has recently begun to push for release of some of the results of LAELAPS research to private corporations, with a small fee to PLUTO, of course.�������

Amazingly, LAELAPS' first successful modification, a by now-decrepit female (which should by all rights be long-dead, but manages to somehow hang on to life) which LAELAPS personnel have christened "Orthrus," is still alive. Orthrus is now kept at Facility-12 in Montana. The researchers believe that their vivisection is responsible for the dog's amazingly long life, and have even attempted to mate her with unmodified males, hoping that a partial modification would be born. Unfortunately, the dogs born are normal in every way, and the mates are killed by Orthrus. Justin Kroft (MJ-1) is pushing for additional research into Orthrus' survival, feeling that it may hold the key for immortality.

ALPHA modifications are stationed at facilities where research into conventional fields (such as genetic manipulation) is conducted, and occasionally at the homes of prominent members of Majestic-12. Military containment facilities (such as the MAJIC Bio-Weapons Containment Facility at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland) or facilities where alien technology or even Greys (live or dead) are located use BETA modifications.

Carapace
The dog's hide is thickened to a varying degree. The dog gains 1d4 points of armor per modification, and can receive the Carapace modification several times (1-7).

Diamond-Matrix Teeth
The dog's natural teeth are surgically removed and replaced with a synthetic diamond-like material. The dog's natural bite damage increases by 1d6 per level (1-7).

Enhanced Attributes
The attributes of the LAELAPS guard dog are increased by 3 per level of this enhancement (1-4). Enhanced Attributes may affect any attribute.

Enhanced Senses
The LAELAPS dog gains sensory skills. A dog normally has Listen 75% and Smell 90%; with this modification the percentages increase to 90% and 98%, respectively.

Immunity to Adverse Conditions
Many of Majestic-12's facilities, or those of its ally NWI, are in remote and out-of-the-way locations such as the Andes, or the desert. This modification allows those facilities to have LAELAPS guard dogs that are adaptable to any condition. The dogs will not overheat, or freeze; this does not render them immune, however, as significant exposure (36+ hours) will still harm them.

Paralysis or Fear Inducing Bark
These modifications are used at Majestic or NWI facilities to simply warn threats away. A fear-inducing bark causes a potential threat to have a strong feeling of dread about entering the vicinity -- match the listener's POW-5 against the dog's POW to even approach further. Make an identical roll per 50 feet. A paralysis-inducing bark requires an identical roll against paralysis for a number of turns equal to the dog's POW.

Remote Control Receptor
This enhancement is a tiny neural implant allowing the facility's personnel to direct the actions of the enhanced dog. Effective range for the LAELAPS remote control is 500 feet, out of which the dog is autonomous. The dog will never attack its master or anyone whose scent it recognizes (so don't get any bright ideas about infiltrating a Majestic facility and turning all the LAELAPS against them).

"Orthrus"
STR�17�� CON 17�� SIZ 8�� INT 5�� POW 10
DEX� 7�� Move 3�� H.P. 12�
Weapon: Bite 15%, damage 3d6
Armor: 4
Skills: Listen 90%, Scent Something Interesting 98%
Modifications: Carapace (4), Diamond-Matrix Teeth (2), Enhanced Senses, Intelligence (1)

LAELAPS-Alpha
STR������2d6������ ���� 7
CON����� 3d6������ ���� 10-11
SIZ������1d6+1� �� �� � 4-5
POW����� 2d6������ ���� 7
DEX������2d6+6 � ������ 13
Move 12
Hit Points 7-8
Avg. Damage Bonus: -1d4
Weapon: Bite 30%, damage (1d4)d6+DB
Armor: 1d4
Skills: Listen 90%, Scent Something Interesting 98%
Standard Modifications: Carapace (1d4), Diamond-Matrix Teeth (1d4), Enhanced Senses

LAELAPS-Beta
STR������� 2d6������ ���� 7
CON���� �� 3d6������ ���� 10-11
SIZ������� 1d6+1� �� �� � 4-5
POW������� 2d6������ ���� 7
DEX������� 2d6+6� � ������ 13
Move 12
Hit Points 7-8
Avg. Damage Bonus: -1d4
Weapon: Bite 30%, damage 1d6
Skills: Listen 90%, Scent Something Interesting 98%
Standard Modifications: Any desired (always at least Remote Control Receptor)

(Project LAELAPS is based on ideas postulated by the eldritch horror which calls himself The Man In Black in his piece on PLUTO sub-projects, and surprisingly not (consciously on my part, anyway) on the silly film Man's Best Friend. Ha!)