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BER: Fantastic, apparently. At least, that's what they're yelling over comms. Is happy shouting a medical issue? Do we take this to the Vanguard?<br> | BER: Fantastic, apparently. At least, that's what they're yelling over comms. Is happy shouting a medical issue? Do we take this to the Vanguard?<br> | ||
QUI: Ikora first. The Hidden might know something.<br> | QUI: Ikora first. The Hidden might know something.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 2 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 2 | ||
| Line 132: | Line 134: | ||
RAM: Even if?<br> | RAM: Even if?<br> | ||
SHU: Even if.<br> | SHU: Even if.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 3 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 3 | ||
| Line 141: | Line 145: | ||
QUI: They might have honored the quarantine.<br> | QUI: They might have honored the quarantine.<br> | ||
SHU: They're Guardians, Quist. Means the Light has cooked their brains. Haven't you seen them dancing in the Plaza, for no reason, with no music at all? We'll take what we can get.<br> | SHU: They're Guardians, Quist. Means the Light has cooked their brains. Haven't you seen them dancing in the Plaza, for no reason, with no music at all? We'll take what we can get.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 4 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 4 | ||
QUI: Did you see this dispatch of Berriole’s? | QUI: Did you see this dispatch of Berriole’s? | ||
| Line 153: | Line 159: | ||
RAM: The decision to lock down the City was wise.<br> | RAM: The decision to lock down the City was wise.<br> | ||
SHU: Thank you, thank you. Really, it’s too much.<br> | SHU: Thank you, thank you. Really, it’s too much.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 5 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 5 | ||
| Line 166: | Line 174: | ||
QUI: Wait, what are you doing? Shun, where are your gloves? | QUI: Wait, what are you doing? Shun, where are your gloves? | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 6 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 6 | ||
| Line 177: | Line 187: | ||
RAM: There's hope, then.<br> | RAM: There's hope, then.<br> | ||
QUI: Trust me, you don't want to hear Shun sing.<br> | QUI: Trust me, you don't want to hear Shun sing.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 7 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 7 | ||
: Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-6.2 | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-6.2 | ||
: I ran into his room at the sudden silence, but he was already gone. | : I ran into his room at the sudden silence, but he was already gone. | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 8 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 8 | ||
| Line 188: | Line 202: | ||
QUI: What could we offer the Reef?<br> | QUI: What could we offer the Reef?<br> | ||
RAM: Good health, whatever countermeasures we develop, and aid when the mite reaches them. Reef denizens are likely to be susceptible. And they see plenty of Guardian traffic.<br> | RAM: Good health, whatever countermeasures we develop, and aid when the mite reaches them. Reef denizens are likely to be susceptible. And they see plenty of Guardian traffic.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 9 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 9 | ||
| Line 198: | Line 214: | ||
QUI: When will they be ready?<br> | QUI: When will they be ready?<br> | ||
RAM: Soon.<br> | RAM: Soon.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 10 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 10 | ||
| Line 210: | Line 228: | ||
QUI: So she can cut you down at the knees.<br> | QUI: So she can cut you down at the knees.<br> | ||
SHU: Ha. Ha.<br> | SHU: Ha. Ha.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | ________________________________________ | ||
Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 12 | Owl Sector Internal, OS-I6 12 | ||
| Line 236: | Line 256: | ||
Oh Traveler... | Oh Traveler... | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 2, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 2, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 248: | Line 270: | ||
Traveler's shadow, they're going to blame me. | Traveler's shadow, they're going to blame me. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 3, for Owl Sector records, not that anyone reads them, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION under protest. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 3, for Owl Sector records, not that anyone reads them, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION under protest. | ||
| Line 258: | Line 282: | ||
I am forbidden to go home. | I am forbidden to go home. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 4, for Owl Sector's mountain of records, on the everlastingly awful incident known as TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 4, for Owl Sector's mountain of records, on the everlastingly awful incident known as TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 263: | Line 289: | ||
I can call my children on a screen and sing them to sleep, but I can't hold them or help them up when they stumble. I observe, I monitor, I wait, I read Berriole's communications. | I can call my children on a screen and sing them to sleep, but I can't hold them or help them up when they stumble. I observe, I monitor, I wait, I read Berriole's communications. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-1.4<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-1.4<br> | ||
Patient D, Yaris, is here to support his family. Clovis Bray allowances are sufficient but not generous, and there's another child on the way. He is sorry to be separated from them but glad for the volunteer's stipend. | : Patient D, Yaris, is here to support his family. Clovis Bray allowances are sufficient but not generous, and there's another child on the way. He is sorry to be separated from them but glad for the volunteer's stipend. | ||
No changes in general health were observed after injection with Fortitude 3.1, but the volume of his voice decreased significantly and is at present a whisper. Unexpected but not cause for alarm. | : No changes in general health were observed after injection with Fortitude 3.1, but the volume of his voice decreased significantly and is at present a whisper. Unexpected but not cause for alarm. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 5, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 5, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
The Tower bubbles and seethes. No one sleeps. The Guardians rejoice, competing to infect each other, without a care in the world. The City glows in the distance. I sit alone in the Owl Sector observatory, at the highest point of the Tower, and watch the numbers on my monitor rise and rise. Shun is usually here with me, late at night, drinking tea and mocking my simulations. It's quiet without him. | The Tower bubbles and seethes. No one sleeps. The Guardians rejoice, competing to infect each other, without a care in the world. The City glows in the distance. I sit alone in the Owl Sector observatory, at the highest point of the Tower, and watch the numbers on my monitor rise and rise. Shun is usually here with me, late at night, drinking tea and mocking my simulations. It's quiet without him. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 6, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 6, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 276: | Line 306: | ||
We don’t know what this tech mite can do—travel along communications lines and in data packets, say—so the Owl Sector has decided to cut all but two emergency connections between City and Tower. My screens are fixed on the transmission map and no longer can be pointed toward home. | We don’t know what this tech mite can do—travel along communications lines and in data packets, say—so the Owl Sector has decided to cut all but two emergency connections between City and Tower. My screens are fixed on the transmission map and no longer can be pointed toward home. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-3.4<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-3.4<br> | ||
Yaris can't speak or make any sound at all. We do not know whether this condition is permanent. He lets me know what he requires, whether water or food, by typing, but has been reserved about his own thoughts. I find it difficult to look him in the eye. | : Yaris can't speak or make any sound at all. We do not know whether this condition is permanent. He lets me know what he requires, whether water or food, by typing, but has been reserved about his own thoughts. I find it difficult to look him in the eye. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 7, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 7, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 283: | Line 315: | ||
Shun, you Shank-chasing, Mote-thieving Traveler-hugger, I wouldn't be in the Owl Sector if it weren't for you. Now you bail on us? I'm going out of my mind because of you. | Shun, you Shank-chasing, Mote-thieving Traveler-hugger, I wouldn't be in the Owl Sector if it weren't for you. Now you bail on us? I'm going out of my mind because of you. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-7.4<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-7.4<br> | ||
Yaris remains mute. I regret not incorporating a self-annihilation function in these prototypes. I was too confident. I didn't believe I needed a failsafe. I will propose that we include this in future nanotech development. | : Yaris remains mute. I regret not incorporating a self-annihilation function in these prototypes. I was too confident. I didn't believe I needed a failsafe. I will propose that we include this in future nanotech development. | ||
The mixed blessing is that our results are solid. Further research will be rewarding. Yet I find myself hesitating to write the recommendation to proceed. | : The mixed blessing is that our results are solid. Further research will be rewarding. Yet I find myself hesitating to write the recommendation to proceed. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 8, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 8, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-8.4<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-8.4<br> | ||
"Project results suggest…" | : "Project results suggest…"<br> | ||
"Experimental outcomes imply…" | : "Experimental outcomes imply…"<br> | ||
And I stop and look at Yaris through the glass. He is eating less and losing weight and hair. | : And I stop and look at Yaris through the glass. He is eating less and losing weight and hair.<br/> | ||
I too am eating less and losing weight and hair. Bah, friendship. It makes us worry more and age faster. Bah, family. Same thing | I too am eating less and losing weight and hair. Bah, friendship. It makes us worry more and age faster. Bah, family. Same thing. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 9, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 9, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-12.4<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-12.4<br> | ||
Even if I cure him, would he speak to me again? I've never run an experiment with lethal outcomes or permanent disabilities. I never thought I would. | : Even if I cure him, would he speak to me again? I've never run an experiment with lethal outcomes or permanent disabilities. I never thought I would. | ||
If they don't kill you with whatever mess of poisons they're mixing up, Shun, I will. I've never slept so little in my life. | If they don't kill you with whatever mess of poisons they're mixing up, Shun, I will. I've never slept so little in my life. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 10, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 10, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-16.4<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-16.4<br> | ||
"Thank you," he said. He walked out of the facility, a thin, slight shape against the red light reflecting off the dunes. The last to recover, and the last to leave. | : "Thank you," he said. He walked out of the facility, a thin, slight shape against the red light reflecting off the dunes. The last to recover, and the last to leave. | ||
After I sent my research staff home, I entered Clovis Bray’s data isolation chamber with borrowed credentials. I had to know. My predecessor’s annotations are sparse, but I believe the data from previous trials show mortality rates of 50-60% for the last generation of injectable biotech. I should have been informed of this. | : After I sent my research staff home, I entered Clovis Bray’s data isolation chamber with borrowed credentials. I had to know. My predecessor’s annotations are sparse, but I believe the data from previous trials show mortality rates of 50-60% for the last generation of injectable biotech. I should have been informed of this. | ||
My report will begin with the words: "Unacceptable, demonstrated risks preclude further human trials at this time." I must make Willa Bray see that this way lies disaster. | : My report will begin with the words: "Unacceptable, demonstrated risks preclude further human trials at this time." I must make Willa Bray see that this way lies disaster. | ||
Our own disaster, meanwhile, has been averted. The Owl Sector relaxed the comms prohibitions today. I called my children and told them I'd be home tonight. They look no worse for the time apart. Guardians are being treated at the Tower as they arrive, much to their disappointment. And Shun— | Our own disaster, meanwhile, has been averted. The Owl Sector relaxed the comms prohibitions today. I called my children and told them I'd be home tonight. They look no worse for the time apart. Guardians are being treated at the Tower as they arrive, much to their disappointment. And Shun— | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 12, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | Report of Geographer Quist, OS-I6 12, for Owl Sector, on TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 331: | Line 371: | ||
IR: But you and I know—<br> | IR: But you and I know—<br> | ||
SHU: We do.<br> | SHU: We do.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 2 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 2 | ||
| Line 336: | Line 379: | ||
SHU: We are in agreement, then.<br> | SHU: We are in agreement, then.<br> | ||
IR: As much as I ever agree with you.<br> | IR: As much as I ever agree with you.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 3 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 3 | ||
| Line 350: | Line 395: | ||
SHU: Standard Amber 6 protocol, no deviations.<br> | SHU: Standard Amber 6 protocol, no deviations.<br> | ||
IR: That will be everything, thank you.<br> | IR: That will be everything, thank you.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 4 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 4 | ||
| Line 355: | Line 402: | ||
SHU: Have you seen this? | SHU: Have you seen this? | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-1.5<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-1.5<br> | ||
Patient E, Jun, has been uncooperative. Laughed unpleasantly when I told him he would receive Glory 2.1. | : Patient E, Jun, has been uncooperative. Laughed unpleasantly when I told him he would receive Glory 2.1. | ||
"You're running prototypes in parallel because it's cheaper and faster," he said. "No ethics board on Earth would approve. But I don't have a choice. I’m neck-deep in debt to Clovis Bray." | : "You're running prototypes in parallel because it's cheaper and faster," he said. "No ethics board on Earth would approve. But I don't have a choice. I’m neck-deep in debt to Clovis Bray." | ||
I wish we had tweaked these elixirs to modify disposition. | : I wish we had tweaked these elixirs to modify disposition. | ||
IR: You wished to introduce me to your Golden Age analogue?<br> | IR: You wished to introduce me to your Golden Age analogue?<br> | ||
| Line 367: | Line 414: | ||
SHU: But it's in the record?<br> | SHU: But it's in the record?<br> | ||
IR: It's in the record.<br> | IR: It's in the record.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 5 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 5 | ||
| Line 374: | Line 423: | ||
IR: You—rest well.<br> | IR: You—rest well.<br> | ||
SHU: I will.<br> | SHU: I will.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 6 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 6 | ||
| Line 382: | Line 433: | ||
RAM: Not yet. Shun asked me to call this entry to your attention.<br> | RAM: Not yet. Shun asked me to call this entry to your attention.<br> | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-4.5<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-4.5<br> | ||
Jun has refused to perform required strength and intelligence tests. He has accused me, Willa Bray, and the Clovis Bray corporation of nefarious purposes thirty-two times since injection. | : Jun has refused to perform required strength and intelligence tests. He has accused me, Willa Bray, and the Clovis Bray corporation of nefarious purposes thirty-two times since injection. | ||
: "Clovis Bray destroys the world to remake it in their own image. That's their goal. Look at me—the first step to your perfect colonist. But I'm just a prototype. You know what happens to prototypes, Dr. Shirazi." | |||
: I am not sure how this subject passed the psychological screen. | |||
: Visual observation suggests good health, despite the nimbus of white particles around his head. | |||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 7 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 7 | ||
| Line 396: | Line 449: | ||
RAM: None.<br> | RAM: None.<br> | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-7.5<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-7.5<br> | ||
He said, "Everything and everyone dies. The more you try to cheat death, the more you try to profit from life, the sooner we die." | : He said, "Everything and everyone dies. The more you try to cheat death, the more you try to profit from life, the sooner we die." | ||
: Today I went into Willa Bray's files to look for warning signs, any hint of what happened to Patient B, anything I might have missed. I found optimistic profit charts and a terse order to suppress some amount of data. The data itself is unavailable to researchers at my access level. | |||
: Am I complicit? | |||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 8 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 8 | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-8.5<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-8.5<br> | ||
I said, "You must understand. I'm trying. I wanted to see us among the stars. I ran this study because I dreamed of exploring the unknown and making new places home. I dreamed of the whole universe becoming our home." | : I said, "You must understand. I'm trying. I wanted to see us among the stars. I ran this study because I dreamed of exploring the unknown and making new places home. I dreamed of the whole universe becoming our home." | ||
Jun said, "You don't even have a home here. They treat you with suspicion. You're not a Bray. Why did you come to Mars? Do you have no home on Earth?" | : Jun said, "You don't even have a home here. They treat you with suspicion. You're not a Bray. Why did you come to Mars? Do you have no home on Earth?" | ||
"I don't," I said. | : "I don't," I said. | ||
IR: So she has a conscience.<br> | IR: So she has a conscience.<br> | ||
| Line 416: | Line 471: | ||
IR: She's careless, and I find her research methodology appalling.<br> | IR: She's careless, and I find her research methodology appalling.<br> | ||
RAM: A Warlock would say that.<br> | RAM: A Warlock would say that.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 9 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 9 | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-11.5<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-11.5<br> | ||
I said: Forgive me. He said: Only if. | : I said: Forgive me. He said: Only if. | ||
RAM: The Hidden, the Witches, and our research corps may have had a breakthrough, using the information that Berriole has unearthed. We think we can neutralize this mite. The only problem is, we might kill Shun in the process.<br> | RAM: The Hidden, the Witches, and our research corps may have had a breakthrough, using the information that Berriole has unearthed. We think we can neutralize this mite. The only problem is, we might kill Shun in the process.<br> | ||
| Line 426: | Line 483: | ||
RAM: It seemed respectful to ask.<br> | RAM: It seemed respectful to ask.<br> | ||
IR: Do it, and the Traveler's Light shine on you.<br> | IR: Do it, and the Traveler's Light shine on you.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 10<br> | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 10<br> | ||
| Line 431: | Line 490: | ||
RAM: Here to say goodbye. I am stepping down as Acting Liaison to the Vanguard. Liaison Shun Li will be resuming his duties shortly. He is in good health. Says he knew you'd be worried sick.<br> | RAM: Here to say goodbye. I am stepping down as Acting Liaison to the Vanguard. Liaison Shun Li will be resuming his duties shortly. He is in good health. Says he knew you'd be worried sick.<br> | ||
IR: It's been a pleasure, Ramos.<br> | IR: It's been a pleasure, Ramos.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 13 | Owl Sector Debrief to Ikora Rey, OS-I6 13 | ||
| Line 447: | Line 508: | ||
The Owl Sector has determined that our acutest need is information. Which is where I come in. The area of interest includes former Clovis Bray buildings, so I expect my skills in cryptography, biosignature falsification, and historical architecture to be thoroughly exercised. | The Owl Sector has determined that our acutest need is information. Which is where I come in. The area of interest includes former Clovis Bray buildings, so I expect my skills in cryptography, biosignature falsification, and historical architecture to be thoroughly exercised. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 2, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 2, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 455: | Line 518: | ||
I love these vintage rigs. So graceful. So elegant. Mementos of a brighter time. They tend to be banged around a bit before I get my hands on them, but this one was pristine. I powered it up, ran a few traces and queries, and brought up the last authentication: one Dr. Shirazi, a scientist, working for Willa Bray. Something secret. The hashed password is twice the average length. I will submit my next report when I have cracked it. | I love these vintage rigs. So graceful. So elegant. Mementos of a brighter time. They tend to be banged around a bit before I get my hands on them, but this one was pristine. I powered it up, ran a few traces and queries, and brought up the last authentication: one Dr. Shirazi, a scientist, working for Willa Bray. Something secret. The hashed password is twice the average length. I will submit my next report when I have cracked it. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 3, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 3, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 464: | Line 529: | ||
Her entries are individually locked. The first is below, and more will follow. | Her entries are individually locked. The first is below, and more will follow. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-1.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-1.1<br> | ||
I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with Clovis Bray. No more clawing for research grants. No more hopping universities. The volunteers enlisted for this study are likewise in good spirits. | : I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with Clovis Bray. No more clawing for research grants. No more hopping universities. The volunteers enlisted for this study are likewise in good spirits. | ||
: Patient A, Susan, believes with all her heart in the colonization effort and will do anything to support it. Twelve hours have passed since injection with Magnificence 2.0. Her vital signs are strong, but she complains of phantom insects. | |||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 4, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 4, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-2.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-2.1<br> | ||
Patient A remains healthy and cheerful, despite a low buzzing in her ear. She has referred to the phantom insects so frequently and with such confidence that I'm starting to imagine them. Blue, darting things. There's a word for this phenomenon, where the patient's reality becomes the researcher's, but I do not remember it. | : Patient A remains healthy and cheerful, despite a low buzzing in her ear. She has referred to the phantom insects so frequently and with such confidence that I'm starting to imagine them. Blue, darting things. There's a word for this phenomenon, where the patient's reality becomes the researcher's, but I do not remember it. | ||
We did tag this variant with a blue colorant, for our own scans, but the patient should not have known. I will call it coincidence. | : We did tag this variant with a blue colorant, for our own scans, but the patient should not have known. I will call it coincidence. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 5, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 5, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-3.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-3.1<br> | ||
I can see them now. Blue beadlike or beelike particles swarming around Patient A's head. I wonder what took me so long. | : I can see them now. Blue beadlike or beelike particles swarming around Patient A's head. I wonder what took me so long. | ||
This effect was not intentional. We directed the nanoparticles to strengthen the subject's immune system, reinforce skeletons, exoskeletons, joints, and musculature, and accelerate synapse and logic board signaling. This should all have been invisible and internal. What does it mean? | : This effect was not intentional. We directed the nanoparticles to strengthen the subject's immune system, reinforce skeletons, exoskeletons, joints, and musculature, and accelerate synapse and logic board signaling. This should all have been invisible and internal. What does it mean? | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 6, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 6, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 487: | Line 558: | ||
Shun, Quist, you've gone silent and I don't know why. I am alarmed, but in the absence of updated orders, I am remaining on site to finish extracting the Shirazi logs. I hope that you and the City remain in good health. | Shun, Quist, you've gone silent and I don't know why. I am alarmed, but in the absence of updated orders, I am remaining on site to finish extracting the Shirazi logs. I hope that you and the City remain in good health. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-4.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-4.1<br> | ||
Patient A appears to be walking two inches above the ground. It is unclear why this has happened. The soles of her feet have turned blue. She is alarmed and delighted by turn. This of course complicates our strength tests. | : Patient A appears to be walking two inches above the ground. It is unclear why this has happened. The soles of her feet have turned blue. She is alarmed and delighted by turn. This of course complicates our strength tests. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 7, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 7, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 494: | Line 567: | ||
Along the sides of this abandoned laboratory sit locked metal cabinets, cut or melted open. Some piles of freshly broken glass, not yet sandblasted. I would venture that whatever Dr. Shirazi stored in these cabinets for the last few centuries was recently released to the world. I would also venture that we know what that is. | Along the sides of this abandoned laboratory sit locked metal cabinets, cut or melted open. Some piles of freshly broken glass, not yet sandblasted. I would venture that whatever Dr. Shirazi stored in these cabinets for the last few centuries was recently released to the world. I would also venture that we know what that is. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-6.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-6.1<br> | ||
I'll call her Susan. I'll call them all by their names. It breaks protocol but feels like the right thing to do. | : I'll call her Susan. I'll call them all by their names. It breaks protocol but feels like the right thing to do. | ||
: Susan took the news in silence. She appears resigned. | |||
: I am not resigned. | |||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 8, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 8, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 507: | Line 582: | ||
"Acting Liaison Ramos," she said. I didn’t need to hear more. Almost took off my respirator, it was so wet. But that would put two principals of the Owl Sector in the hospital wing. And I need to be out here. Looking. | "Acting Liaison Ramos," she said. I didn’t need to hear more. Almost took off my respirator, it was so wet. But that would put two principals of the Owl Sector in the hospital wing. And I need to be out here. Looking. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-9.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-9.1<br> | ||
These prototypes are too deeply embedded in my subjects' systems to extract by force. Organs, neurons, frontal cortex... Even complete hemodialysis would be insufficient. | : These prototypes are too deeply embedded in my subjects' systems to extract by force. Organs, neurons, frontal cortex... Even complete hemodialysis would be insufficient. | ||
I must find another way. For Susan. For Yaris. For Kit. Maybe even for Jun. | : I must find another way. For Susan. For Yaris. For Kit. Maybe even for Jun. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 9, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 9, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-13.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-13.1<br> | ||
Long and sleepless nights. My whole staff in isolation suits, bent over our microscopes. But we have discovered a solution, I think. We have not tested it on patients yet, only pure prototype samples. If we toggle Fibrons 7, 21, and 16 across all nanoparticles with pulses of particular wavelengths, enough interference should be generated to render them dormant. | : Long and sleepless nights. My whole staff in isolation suits, bent over our microscopes. But we have discovered a solution, I think. We have not tested it on patients yet, only pure prototype samples. If we toggle Fibrons 7, 21, and 16 across all nanoparticles with pulses of particular wavelengths, enough interference should be generated to render them dormant. | ||
I go now to try it on Susan, who lost consciousness yesterday. Even prone, she floats an inch above her sleeping surface. | : I go now to try it on Susan, who lost consciousness yesterday. Even prone, she floats an inch above her sleeping surface. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 10, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 10, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 523: | Line 602: | ||
Overjoyed by your last communication, Ramos. Almost at the end of the Shirazi logs, which I will finish transmitting for completeness of Owl Sector records. | Overjoyed by your last communication, Ramos. Almost at the end of the Shirazi logs, which I will finish transmitting for completeness of Owl Sector records. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-14.1<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-14.1<br> | ||
At least this much of my conscience is clear. Susan left our facilities today, walking on the ground. Not quite smiling. None of us are smiling. We don't know what the long-term effects might be. But she appears healthy, for now. | : At least this much of my conscience is clear. Susan left our facilities today, walking on the ground. Not quite smiling. None of us are smiling. We don't know what the long-term effects might be. But she appears healthy, for now. | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 11, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | Report of Bypass Authority Berriole, OS-I6 11, for Owl Sector records, assigned to incident TRANSMISSION. | ||
| Line 548: | Line 629: | ||
ZAV: She's right, though. It's the best option at the moment.<br> | ZAV: She's right, though. It's the best option at the moment.<br> | ||
IR: The only option.<br> | IR: The only option.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-6I 2 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-6I 2 | ||
| Line 563: | Line 646: | ||
IR: We need you as you are. Healthy and in sound mind.<br> | IR: We need you as you are. Healthy and in sound mind.<br> | ||
CY6: All right, all right. I'll sit on my hands. This time.<br> | CY6: All right, all right. I'll sit on my hands. This time.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-6I 3 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-6I 3 | ||
| Line 578: | Line 663: | ||
IR: Her choice of passphrase is interesting. As is her decision to lock each separate entry, a security precaution disproportionate to her project's classification as Level 2.<br> | IR: Her choice of passphrase is interesting. As is her decision to lock each separate entry, a security precaution disproportionate to her project's classification as Level 2.<br> | ||
CY6: Not the probable association with a high-velocity technological mite that could bring the City's defenses to its knees? It's her passphrase that bothers you?<br> | CY6: Not the probable association with a high-velocity technological mite that could bring the City's defenses to its knees? It's her passphrase that bothers you?<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 4 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 4 | ||
| Line 583: | Line 670: | ||
Transmitted from Owl Sector's Bypass Authority, Dust Palace, Mars. | Transmitted from Owl Sector's Bypass Authority, Dust Palace, Mars. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-2.3 | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-2.3<br/> | ||
: Patient C reports yellow artifacts on the edge of her vision but remains excited about the potential of this project. She argued for taking strength and intelligence tests three times a day rather than daily. I saw no harm in this. There were clear improvements in her performance six hours after injection, in line with results from the other conscious patients. | |||
: This innovative therapy holds great promise for our colonization program. We can cut years off the construction timetable of a city. We can reduce the decompression and adjustment period of new colonists. This is a world-changing study, and I am glad to have such a motivated subject. | |||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 5 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 5 | ||
| Line 597: | Line 685: | ||
IR: You’d think he’d appreciate increased aggression.<br> | IR: You’d think he’d appreciate increased aggression.<br> | ||
ZAV: He cares more about fairness.<br> | ZAV: He cares more about fairness.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Transmitted from Owl Sector's Bypass Authority, Dust Palace, Mars. | Transmitted from Owl Sector's Bypass Authority, Dust Palace, Mars. | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-3.3<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-3.3<br> | ||
Patient C insists that I call her Kit. She says she has been fighting all her life for an advantage and finally has it, and she's not about to let it go. She has broken several pieces of equipment in exhilaration, in addition to a large quantity of glassware. | : Patient C insists that I call her Kit. She says she has been fighting all her life for an advantage and finally has it, and she's not about to let it go. She has broken several pieces of equipment in exhilaration, in addition to a large quantity of glassware. | ||
"Let me at 'em!" she said. "Give me something to fight!" | : "Let me at 'em!" she said. "Give me something to fight!" | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 6 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 6 | ||
| Line 614: | Line 706: | ||
ZAV: Ikora is correct. Our commission is to protect the City, under all conditions, in all circumstances. We cannot risk the health of our citizens for this, this—whimsy.<br> | ZAV: Ikora is correct. Our commission is to protect the City, under all conditions, in all circumstances. We cannot risk the health of our citizens for this, this—whimsy.<br> | ||
CY6: Fun. The word you're looking for is fun.<br> | CY6: Fun. The word you're looking for is fun.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 7 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 7 | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-6.3<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-6.3<br> | ||
When I disclosed Patient B's clinical outcome, as required by exception 31B in the Research Regulations Handbook, Patient C said, "How could you do this to us?" I had no answer. My predecessor's experimental records had not suggested any lethality. A 20% mortality rate would counterbalance the increase in colonist strength, intelligence, and speed. | : When I disclosed Patient B's clinical outcome, as required by exception 31B in the Research Regulations Handbook, Patient C said, "How could you do this to us?" I had no answer. My predecessor's experimental records had not suggested any lethality. A 20% mortality rate would counterbalance the increase in colonist strength, intelligence, and speed. | ||
ZAV: Doubt in Clovis Bray communications? That's rare.<br> | ZAV: Doubt in Clovis Bray communications? That's rare.<br> | ||
| Line 625: | Line 719: | ||
IR: I am not as fond of poetry as Zavala, but I do appreciate the historical insight.<br> | IR: I am not as fond of poetry as Zavala, but I do appreciate the historical insight.<br> | ||
ZAV: I did not purr. Purring is not something I do.<br> | ZAV: I did not purr. Purring is not something I do.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 8 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 8 | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-8.3<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-8.3<br> | ||
"I am doing everything I can," I said. | : "I am doing everything I can," I said. | ||
"That's not enough," she said, and turned her back. | : "That's not enough," she said, and turned her back. | ||
I do not have the training, or the knowledge, or the wisdom for this. | : I do not have the training, or the knowledge, or the wisdom for this. | ||
ZAV: She's been dead for hundreds of years, but I can imagine her standing here with us.<br> | ZAV: She's been dead for hundreds of years, but I can imagine her standing here with us.<br> | ||
| Line 645: | Line 741: | ||
ZAV: Do you want her to bring up that frame of yours? Because she will.<br> | ZAV: Do you want her to bring up that frame of yours? Because she will.<br> | ||
CY6: Close the records, Ghost. Thanks.<br> | CY6: Close the records, Ghost. Thanks.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 9 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 9 | ||
Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-14.3<br> | : Z. SHIRAZI CB-PZ-14.3<br> | ||
They did not see me behind the door.<br> | : They did not see me behind the door.<br> | ||
Jun said, "We have to tell the truth about Clovis Bray. We know. They don't."<br> | : Jun said, "We have to tell the truth about Clovis Bray. We know. They don't."<br> | ||
"We have to be cautious," Kit said.<br> | : "We have to be cautious," Kit said.<br> | ||
"We'll be alone for a while. No one will believe us. At first.<br> | : "We'll be alone for a while. No one will believe us. At first.<br> | ||
"I've been through harder things.""<br> | : "I've been through harder things.""<br> | ||
"You're in?"<br> | : "You're in?"<br> | ||
"I'm in."<br> | : "I'm in."<br> | ||
IR: Strange. I do not remember so much as a lone protest against Clovis Bray in our histories.<br> | IR: Strange. I do not remember so much as a lone protest against Clovis Bray in our histories.<br> | ||
| Line 663: | Line 761: | ||
ZAV: Authority exists for a reason. Rebellions tend to squander strength and vitality that should be conserved. And yet I can't bring myself to disapprove of them. Jun. Kit. Shirazi.<br> | ZAV: Authority exists for a reason. Rebellions tend to squander strength and vitality that should be conserved. And yet I can't bring myself to disapprove of them. Jun. Kit. Shirazi.<br> | ||
CY6: It was a different time.<br> | CY6: It was a different time.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 10 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 10 | ||
| Line 674: | Line 774: | ||
CY6: Even though we've solved this problem?<br> | CY6: Even though we've solved this problem?<br> | ||
IR: I think in terms of unifying theories, Cayde.<br> | IR: I think in terms of unifying theories, Cayde.<br> | ||
________________________________________ | |||
Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 13 | Records of the Vanguard, OS-I6 13 | ||