Enzyme 42

Enzyme 42 is an enzyme found in almost every life form on Planet 4546B but is only produced by the Sea Emperor and Sea Emperor Juveniles. It is the only known cure for Carar. The Precursors were investigating how to produce a cure using Enzyme 42.

The Sea Emperor occasionally releases Enzyme 42 as a cloud whilst it swims around the aquarium, the Juveniles release it as a solid ball of concentrated Enzyme 42. This may reflect the unstable nature of the captive's Enzyme.

Data Bank Entry

Analysis of the enzyme-production organs in the sea emperor species indicates that it may be possible to permanently purge the alien bacteria from a human system with a sufficiently stable enzyme sample, however the procedure carries a risk profile in the upper bounds. While the emperor specimen encountered is in poor health and unlikely to produce enzyme with the necessary strength, a juvenile of the species may do.

Trivia

• The name might be a reference to Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, with the meaning of life being 42.