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Project 4-12 was the earliest encountered, and most complex, Mixmaster creation. He was created in 1973 and bred for combat in Vietnam, specifically designed to hunt down the Vietcong in the jungles of Hochi Provence in a nocturnal environment and to clear-out tunnels. The secret, underground laboratory that he was created in was eventually obliterated, thanks to Proudfoot's shady dealings. Cletus Poffenberger, his creator, couldn't bear to let the young animal die before he’d had a chance to live, so he stole him away from the Proudfoot Corporation laboratory in Perfection, Nevada before it was destroyed. As a result, Cletus went on the run with him from both the corporation and the federal government.
He became the companion and friend of Cletus and for the most part, 4-12 was a faithful companion. However, due to the aggressiveness of the animals he was made up of, he was prone to violent mood-swings. Cletus was able to control 4-12's mood with the bud of a special cactus called Blue-Diamond Chola cactus. As these kept him docile due to the high levels of melatonin and SSRIs found in them. Unfortunately, the cactus became rarer each year until 4-12 finally got away from Cletus and went on a rampage throughout the valley before being put down by the citizens of Perfection in self-defense.
Project 4-12 (episode)[]
4-12 was a hybrid of a rhinoceros, switchback spider, wolverine, skunk, panther, and cougar that was raised by Cletus Poffenberger far outside of Perfection. He escaped when Cletus told him there weren't anymore Blue-Diamond Chola cactus flowers. He went around the valley, goring Harlowe's horse and killing a biker in town. Near the end, Rosalita, Nancy, and Jodi drove off; leaving Burt, Harlow, Tyler, and Cletus to make a flamethrower, which they used to kill 4-12. Cletus buried him a few feet away from Nancy's house with a plank of wood that read, "Project Four-Twelve. 1973-2003. Best pal ever." 4-12 has the distinction of being the only intentional Mixmaster creation to appear in the series that had not mutated beyond its original form.
Physiology[]
This creature was a genetically engineered organism designed for combat. It exhibited remarkable resistance to small arms fire, suggesting a tough and resilient outer layer. Its sex was indeterminate, though it was often referred to with male pronouns.
The creature was engineered to emit a potent, nauseating chemical blend that deterred enemies and protected it from Graboid predators. This chemical adaptation made it inedible to Graboids, as evidenced by El Blanco's experience.
The creature possessed advanced sensory capabilities, including X-ray vision, which allowed it to perceive objects and threats through solid surfaces. This ability was likely derived from genetic modifications.
Its aggressive nature was a result of its genetic makeup. To mitigate this behavior, it required regular doses of a specific plant extract, Blue-Diamond Chola cactus flowers. The decreasing availability of this plant posed a potential challenge to its management.
Physically, the creature was approximately six feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. Its body was reinforced with silicon bacterial DNA, contributing to its exceptional durability and resistance to injury.
Concept Art
Abilities[]
As a genetic creature mixed with few different species of animals, 4-12 proved to be a lethal weapon.
Speed and Agility: 4-12 was an agile hunter as he was able to run at high speeds. 4-12 was able to pounce on a horse, but unable to outrun a jeep that was carrying the weight of a grown man and two grown women. He was able to make quick turns, using his short tail for superb counter-balance.
Strength and Combat: His strength was capable of knocking down a door that was nailed shut using beams and the extra weight of a heavy barrel by his owner to hold 4-12 down but in short time he was able to break it down with little room to build up momentum. With rhinoceros DNA, 4-12 had the charging power to break through a small shop made out of wood, along with metal fencing, which takes bit more force from his attacks to take it down. As his for combat capabilities, 4-12 was mostly shown to use his horn to gore his enemies.
Keen Sight: The 4-12 creature possessed advanced vision capabilities, akin to a sniper scope, complete with a targeting reticule. This allowed it to lock onto prey with deadly precision, as demonstrated by its successful hunt of the wild boar. Additionally, it possessed X-ray vision, a trait inspired by Superman comics and incorporated into its genetic makeup by Cletus. While not explicitly shown, it's likely that the creature also possessed night vision, a useful adaptation for combat in dark environments such as tunnels. This ability may have been derived from the DNA of a wolverine.
Endurance and Stamina: The 4-12 creature displayed exceptional stamina, enabling it to pursue prey over long distances without fatigue. Its rhinoceros-derived DNA likely contributed to its remarkable endurance, as evidenced by its ability to survive being swallowed and violently expelled by El Blanco. Moreover, its tough, genetically modified skin rendered it highly resistant to conventional weaponry, such as bullets, minimizing any significant injury or discomfort.
Hunting: 4-12 used his horn to kill his prey. His hunting tactics demonstrated that in a natural environment the creature would sweep through his territory in a classic grid-pattern: north to south, south to north. 4-12’s main hunting-style was to run his prey down as he did with the wild boar and Harlowe’s horse (and presumably the burro that he killed), though he curiously didn't eat the horse (and possibly not the wild boar nor the burro). 4-12 may have been designed to be incapable of eating his prey; it’s even possible that - despite his bloodthirsty nature - he was a herbivore.
Defense Mechanism: The 4-12 creature was engineered to emit a potent, foul-smelling chemical blend, composed of skunk entrails, panther urine, and cougar excrement, designed to incapacitate enemies through nausea. This repulsive odor also proved to be a powerful deterrent for Graboids, as evidenced by El Blanco's experience in expelling the creature unharmed.
Intelligence: 4-12 exhibited remarkable cognitive abilities, demonstrated by its capacity for rapid tactical thinking. While it's uncertain whether it comprehended human language, Cletus's attempts at reasoning suggest a potential for understanding. However, the creature's hyper-aggressive nature, likely a byproduct of its complex genetic composition, hindered effective communication and may have ultimately led to its demise.