Chromosome 24 or C24 is an artificially made chromosome created by the ancient inhabitants of the planet Mars. It is the source of all the creatures from the 2005 film Doom.
Overview[]
Chromosome 24 was a means of conquering disease to the ancient inhabitants of Mars, bio-engineered to ensure future generations could thrive without the threat germs could potentially provide. Though it made them free of disease, it also enabled those possessing the extra pair of chromosomes to divide cells 50 times faster than normal, enabling for rapid regeneration of damaged tissue. It also enabled superhuman feats of strength, as well as enabling them to become superhumanly fit and of course, making them superhumanly intelligent.
Though this worked for some people, however there was a major side effect, which came in the form of the host's mentality. If a host was injected with the chromosomes and had a history of psychotic behavior or even that of violent tendencies, mutations would begin to change the body in various ways. Despite it's various forms of mutation, all the hosts would become increasingly more powerful and aggressive towards others. People were indeed capable of turning into creatures similar to that of zombies, while others could change into more hideous beasts such as the Hell Knight.
Doom (2005)[]
Chromosome 24 was found in the skeletal remains of a female humanoid holding her baby in the fetal position, beneath the surface of Mars. Dr. Samantha Grimm was apart of the archaeological team who discovered her and began extracting DNA from what remained. This is where they discovered the extra chromosome, as well as what it was capable of doing. Unbeknownst to Samantha however, Dr. Todd Carmack was using samples of the chromosome in human experiments. To Samantha, there was never supposed to be experiments on humans. It was due to these experiments and the rapid mutation of the subjects, that the laboratories were locked down and Carmack initiated quarantine procedures.
An R.R.T.S group led by Asher "Sarge" Mahonin left Earth via the Ark and to the Olduvai facility on Mars. Once in the quarantined area, the team made contact with those infected with the chromosome, including that of Carmack. Samantha examined those infected, eventually discovering that the creatures the team were taking down were actually infected humans. Samantha would eventually learn the truth sometime later that not only were these things infected humans, but also that the chromosome was choosing who to infect, as it was targeting people with psychotic behavior or violent tendencies. Once what was left of the team returned to Earth, Sarge began displaying rather violent behavior towards others, believing all of the people inside the facility they were located at to be infected. This however wasn't the case and even after trying to convince him, Sarge refused to listen, following his orders to the letter. Sometime later, Sarge became infected, as did Marcus "Pinky" Pinzerowski. The only marine left was John "Reaper" Grimm, who was also Samantha's brother and who was wounded by one of his own bullets, which ricocheted off a nano wall and hitting him in the abdomen.
With little choice, Samantha injected him with a sample of C24 which she took with her. The serum not only saved his life, but gave Reaper superhuman abilities, which he used to fight his way through the hordes of monsters in his path, as well as combat his commanding officer, now also infected. He was able to send him through the portal back to Mars and set off an ST grenade, throwing it into the Ark to Mars, killing Sarge. Reaper and Sam were then able to escape the facility without issues.