Kelythelene
Contents
Kelythelene
Kelythelene is a volatile, naturally occurring buoyancy gas synthesized within the upper mantle bladders of Tammuz corpulus. It is the primary reason the kaiju remains aloft, and is highly prized by human engineers for its explosive energy density and clean combustion profile.
Composition and Properties
- Molecular Structure: Unknown; theorized to include helium, unstable nitrogen, and trace kaiju digestive enzymes
- Color: Pale iridescent blue
- Odor: Sweet, metallic, with ozone overtones
- Phase: Gaseous at ambient pressure; compressible to liquid under 800 psi
- Buoyancy Index: 1.21x that of hydrogen (per volume)
Keluthelene is lighter than air and non-toxic in its native state but becomes **combustible when compressed or exposed to iron oxide**. It is inert while suspended in kaiju tissue due to internal pressure regulation and mucus containment.
Biological Source
Tammuz corpulus creates Kelythelene via an internal metabolic loop that digests airborne toxins and prey biomass. Within the kaiju’s **mantle bladders**, volatile gases are distilled, filtered through internal sphincters, and stored until released during respiration or cloacal backdraft.
Kelythelene is occasionally expelled in small bursts when Tammuz adjusts altitude or after major digestive events.
Human Applications
Kelythelene is extracted via:
- High-altitude siphoning following Skyloaf drop events
- Gas capture from post-defecation cloacal venting
- Mantle-tap dirigible teams (high risk)
Refined Kelythelene is used for:
- Dirigible fuel (airborne harvester fleets and sky cities)
- Burn-pellets and compressed gel charges
- Generator turbines in Class-B Wasteland Outposts
- Urban furnace cores in Barrow’s End, Six-Bastion, and Upper Kray
Hazards
- Flammable when compressed above 200 psi
- Explosive in iron-rich environments or near ozone catalysts
- Hallucinogenic if inhaled in raw form (classified as a Schedule II intoxicant in Union territory)
