Public Lore Collection

[hugtopiamods]

Public Lore Collection

A compilation of public and discovered lore about Havenwell and the world, past and present.

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❥ Newly Added Information

Radio transcripts:

Transmission Received
Date: ACR8102
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM

≪Message begins≫
Ainea keep all of you in Her Grace. We will mourn your loss and carry on in your memory.
████████, I still love you. I know... I know why you did it. I don't- I can't understand it, but I know why at least. If you ever hear this... I'm not mad. I could never be mad at you. I hope you found peace out there.
≪Message ends≫


Citizen's journal:

You know what I miss? I miss chocolate. And ice cream. And the summer sun. I miss the ocean and beaches and lying in the sand. I miss strawberry picking and going on dates. I miss swimming. I miss the smell of rain. I miss the unpleasant sensation of a papercut. I miss the smell of bookstores. I miss itching an insect bite. I miss complaining about waking up after sleeping wrong. I miss sleeping. I miss having dreams and nightmares. I miss the feeling of you hugging me after a long day at work. I miss feeling hungry. I miss sneezing. I miss laughing after someone farts. I miss watching lightning storms and feeling my heart jump at the sound of thunder. I miss pressing my hands together as I prayed. I miss you, more than anything. I wish you'd gone through the Change with me. I miss fighting with you over it. I miss watching you sleep at night. I never realized how much I'd miss everything after all these centuries, but I miss you the most. But if I shut down, no one will remember you anymore. As long as I'm alive, so are you.


Diary or journal of a priest:

I witnessed an altercation between devotees this afternoon. It began and ended mercifully quickly, as their neighbours were swift to separate the two, but the animosity lingered for ages afterwards. Tensions have been high since it was announced that the transition would be widespread; many are against it, despite all the research. Some claim that it defies the wills of the gods, others are simply reluctant to abandon the sins of the flesh despite the needs of our world. If this continues to escalate, I fear what will become of our fair city.


From a local farmer:

My wife's garden won’t bloom. That should have been my first sign.

She’s always had the most beautiful garden for miles, so much love put into it. The flowers won’t bloom though, even though they have without fail every other year. I told her it might just be a bad year, give them more water, add a few artificial nutrients, they’ll bounce right back.

What I haven’t told her is that I’m having trouble with this year's crop. I made sure to rotate the crops this year, but they’ve barely sprouted. They should be at my knees by now. Maybe I’ll get up early tomorrow and see about tilling the soil and switching to next year's crop. It will be a bit of a loss but better than losing an entire season.

❥ Transcripts of Radio Transmissions from Other City-states and Colonies

1. Transmission Received
Date: ACM6734
Origin Point: Colony #12'79'4QW

≪Message begins≫
These storms are insane. Can you still [LONG STATIC]-- --lia suggests we build a canopy soon to keep them out, but our science division isn't as advanced as some of yours. Can you send one of your people here to help us in the [LONG STATIC]-- --member when the sky was blue? I miss that.
May He keep you in His Embrace. Signing out.
≪Message ends≫


2. Transmission Received
Date: ACO7197
Origin Point: Colony #01'63'9XY

≪Message begins≫
Does anyone have any more Sildar ores? We're running low here and it's getting kind of desperate. We have Nicean ore to trade.
≪Message ends≫


3. Transmission Received
Date: ACN7199
Origin Point: Colony #90'13'7KV

≪Message begins≫
This morning dew reminds me
Of the night when we first met
When still our hands could touch each other
And breath was in our breast.
Now how I miss those aches and pains
That once I did protest
When your gentle hand laid upon mine
And brought me comfort and sweet rest.
Through many years we toiled
Under sensation lost, bereft
Still always we were happy
Without the looming fear of death.
Each day we greeted fondly
Each night we called our best
Until this morning when I found
Your soul had gone and left.
Now hear my final plea, oh Gods
Though little you may care
Please, Rawna, take it away from me
This empty hollow, I can't bear.
~In Memory of ████████
≪Message ends≫


4. Transmission Received
Date: ACD7231
Origin Point: Colony #92'44'8LI

≪Message begins≫
All colonies be advised: automated transports no longer viable for intercolony trade and goods exchange. Increased entity activity along trade routes has resulted in irreparable damage and loss. New methods must be devised.
≪Message ends>


5. Transmission Received
Date: ACLR7233
Origin Point: Colony #92'44'8LI

≪Message begins≫
EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. ALL COLONIES IN THE AREA OF #92'44'8LI PLEASE RESPOND. WE'RE BEING BREACHED. WE NEED--
≪Message ends≫


6. Transmission Received
Date: ACAT7925
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM

≪Message begins≫
If any other colonies can hear this message, please respond.
This is Havenwell. We're still alive. The city is safe. We will come get you, no matter how far you are. This is not an automated message. Please respond.
≪Message ends≫


7. Scouting Transcription #9A3201; Agent #1HQ6NWI Interview

Running protection on trade route between home base and Colony #09'07'1UB and spotted new flora growth in Sector 7. Flora is brown stemmed, ruddy broad leaves with yellow spots and large fuschia flowers with blue pistils and yellow tendrils. Surprisingly beautiful, but do not suggest approach or documentation. Agent #2HQ7BYR got close in an attempt to take a sample and upon contact, went completely inactive. Attempts were made to remove Agent #2HQ7BYR from the plant's immediate vicinity, but the tendrils wrapped around his body and began to burn through his chassis. Agent #8HQ7IAG was also lost in the recovery effort. It just...It tore right through them. It burned straight thro-- [...] Sector 7 is overrun and it is my suggestion that we cordone it off and reroute to avoid.
≪Interviewer's Note> Agent #1HQ6NWI is now on administrative leave pending psychiatric evaluation.


8. Transmission Received
Date: ???????
Origin Point: ?????????

≪Message begins≫
......[STATIC]




...Hello?





....Can you hear [STATIC]



....[STATIC]

....for...

....[STATIC]

... for you...

....[STATIC]

≪whispered, barely audible> We're coming for you.
≪Message Ends≫

9. Transmission Received
Date: ACR8102
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM
≪Message begins≫
Ainea keep all of you in Her Grace. We will mourn your loss and carry on in your memory.
████████, I still love you. I know... I know why you did it. I don't- I can't understand it, but I know why at least. If you ever hear this... I'm not mad. I could never be mad at you. I hope you found peace out there.

❥ Guard Reports

1. Date: ACE8921
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM
Guard ID: #761065FZ9L

≪Report Begins≫
Storm has intensified in the past three days. Recommend advising citizens closest to the wall to close their shutters against the noise.

Seeing rocks tossed up by the winds bounce off the barrier is interesting though. Breaks the monotony of literally nothing happening. I kind of wish it was time for my rotation to lab security. At least then I'd have someone to talk to.
≪Report Ends≫

2. Date: ACD9531
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM
Guard ID: #54397TMO92

≪Report Begins≫
I saw a building through the storm today. Maybe it was where the old school was? That's... about all that's happened this month. Or last month. Seven months ago, I reported seeing a tree, but Farris just told me that they'd holoprojected it onto the barrier as a prank to get me excited.

Can't wait for rotation to come around.
≪Report Ends≫

3. Date: ACL9720
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM
Guard ID: #761065FZ9L

≪Report Begins≫
Why do we even need guards on the wall? It's not like anyone is even interested in going out anymore.

I tossed a pebble at the barrier today just to see it light up. No change in the storm, barrier, or the city as far as I can tell.

Rawna, I'd kill for something interesting to happen.
≪Report Ends≫

4. Date: ACL9720
Origin Point: Colony #56'07'4TM
Guard ID: #761065FZ9L


Something threw a boulder against the barrier today! The wind wasn't nearly strong enough to lift something of that size! Couldn't see what it was through the clouds, but after tossing a few more at other points along the wall, it seems to have moved on. The barrier is too strong to be broken by a few rocks, even if they looked like they were a few chassis lengths wide. Praise be to the gods for protecting us.

Remind me never to pray for excitement ever again.
≪Report Ends≫

❥ Journal Entries from Citizens Pre- and Post- The Change

From a diary/journal of a citizen:

1. Papa says he's going to be different, after tomorrow. Like Auntie. He said, 'hug me so hard it hurts!' I tried, but he laughed instead. I think he's happy, but everybody's acting weird. Mama isn't gonna do it, she said she has to wait until after ████████ is bigger, and we'll do it when we're grown up, too.

I don't know if I like it yet, but when I turn into a robot I want laser hands.

2. Well, it's happening. I'm the last one in my neighborhood to not change. I just... I don't know? I mean, my husband changed and our children, grown as they are, they've changed. My damn brother, that devout Ainean priest always going on about how the world needs more love, even he changed. Even Ohma's head priest changed. ████████ keeps saying it's the future, the only way we can save the planet after all the stress we've put it under for millenia... And it makes sense. It does. I'm just... I don't know how I'll feel when I wake up and I no longer see my own face in the mirror. Will I still be the same man? ████████ doesn't seem to have changed much other than, you know, the obvious, but... I just don't know.

3. You know what I miss? I miss chocolate. And ice cream. And the summer sun. I miss the ocean and beaches and lying in the sand. I miss strawberry picking and going on dates. I miss swimming. I miss the smell of rain. I miss the unpleasant sensation of a papercut. I miss the smell of bookstores. I miss itching an insect bite. I miss complaining about waking up after sleeping wrong. I miss sleeping. I miss having dreams and nightmares. I miss the feeling of you hugging me after a long day at work. I miss feeling hungry. I miss sneezing. I miss laughing after someone farts. I miss watching lightning storms and feeling my heart jump at the sound of thunder. I miss pressing my hands together as I prayed. I miss you, more than anything. I wish you'd gone through the Change with me. I miss fighting with you over it. I miss watching you sleep at night. I never realized how much I'd miss everything after all these centuries, but I miss you the most. But if I shut down, no one will remember you anymore. As long as I'm alive, so are you.



From local farmers/merchants:

1. The scientists say that once our impact on the environment is lessened that the soil will bounce back and things'll grow better. Not that we'll have any reason to grow things anymore, really. No one'll be eating anymore. Guess we could do contests, grow 'em just to keep something to do. Feels like the city folk aren't really thinking about what it'll do to us out here in the satellite communities, but what're you gonna do, right? It's always been that way.

If it means I'll get a different job or that all my crops turn decorative... I guess that's not too bad. I'm not giving up my land though. This has been in my family for over 40 generations and I'm sure as hell not gonna let mine be the one to let it die any more than it already has.

If they say the soil will turn fertile again after a few cycles, all I can do is believe in them and pray to my God to provide for me.

2. My wife's garden won’t bloom. That should have been my first sign.

She’s always had the most beautiful garden for miles, so much love put into it. The flowers won’t bloom though, even though they have without fail every other year. I told her it might just be a bad year, give them more water, add a few artificial nutrients, they’ll bounce right back.

What I haven’t told her is that I’m having trouble with this year's crop. I made sure to rotate the crops this year, but they’ve barely sprouted. They should be at my knees by now. Maybe I’ll get up early tomorrow and see about tilling the soil and switching to next year's crop. It will be a bit of a loss but better than losing an entire season.



From a diary/journal of a priest:

1. Love shall prevail in all things, even in this. Though you turn your back on Her divine sight, embracing these immortal undying bodies, still She Loves you. One day, even these metal monsters you've become will break down and die and then She shall welcome you back with open Arms."

2. I tried telling the Head Priest of my vision from last night, but he dismissed it as anxiety. No one of our sect has ever had a vision before. We're too small, he said. Why would I, of all of us, the newest and least experienced of our order, be granted such a high honor?

I suppose he's right. I've been apprehensive since they announced the new initiative to save the planet. I've always been a bit of a technophobe after all. Still, I feel like I should record my vision, or my dream, I guess, just in case:

I was standing beneath the Great Sea and through the waters I could see the whole of Aellyn spread out above me. All around churned the Great Dragons of the Sea and all the lesser creatures under Her purview, and they swam with great agitation. I saw the land above me turn from verdant green and golden yellow to a harsh cold white and gray, the colors sweeping like a wave overhead. I saw the people, our people, raise their hands in joy. All the creatures around me began to wither and die, and the Great Dragons of the Sea screamed in a pain I felt rend my very soul as they scooped up the ashen bodies of Her lesser creatures into their mouths and died themselves. Their bodies disintegrated and I was left alone.

I don't know what this dream means, but it still scares me.

3. I witnessed an altercation between devotees this afternoon. It began and ended mercifully quickly, as their neighbours were swift to separate the two, but the animosity lingered for ages afterwards. Tensions have been high since it was announced that the transition would be widespread; many are against it, despite all the research. Some claim that it defies the wills of the gods, others are simply reluctant to abandon the sins of the flesh despite the needs of our world. If this continues to escalate, I fear what will become of our fair city.

❥ Religious Texts

1. ≪Excerpts from The Prophesies of Janellestra required translation from an ancient Aellyn dialect into a more common tongue using a cypher.≫

a. Destruction rains from above and floods the gates. It slips in with the darkness hidden in the light. Beware the heralds who whisper quicksilver words.

b. Preservation comes with metal and stone, wrapping us tenderly in their rigid embrace. It ushers in the eternal reign, unbroken, immense and immeasurable of-- (fragment lost)

c. They come in the dark. They come through the walls. They fall from the skies like burning lights. We will greet them as friends and familiars, but they are strangers to us. Whether they come as saviors or heralds of our destruction, we will not know until it is too late.

d. Journey not! The way is dangerous and when the Heavens fragment, we shall perish.

e. The ground will rumble, deep and long, as it awakens from its slumber. Its hands, slippery and foreign, will drag us all into a darkness from which we cannot escape alone.


2. Diacht's wings spread beneath the grandeur of the sky, whipping the clouds into being. The honorable God filled the air with a song so pure, none could listen and not feel its pull on their heart. The people raised their eyes to Their Magnificence and praised it, pouring their souls, their demons, their fears and loves into it. And Honorable Diacht dipped Their wings into their purity, their filth, and drew it away, releasing the people from their burdens with a sigh. Forevermore, Their wings are stained from the weight of it all.


3. It is said that once, there were as many gods as there are emotions in the soul. Cities and territories flourished under their care, and in turn the gods were blessed with great power. But war is not a concept born of mortals alone, and not all branches of the heart will bear sweet fruit. Those who rise to power under the banner of hate can only destroy or be destroyed. Lessons of the past were made to be remembered, and yet we have forgotten them.


4. The following is an excerpt from a banned text, the source of which is no longer known:

I used to have a lady love,
she journeyed through the sea,
her fins were as the mourning dove,
a mated pair were we.

our bodies tangled, hand in glove,
a queen and devotee,
but she was called to rise above,
our bond not meant to be.

Though I endure, bereft, belove,
I have her guarantee,
I'll be the one she's thinking of,
a little dove told me.



5. When bold and brave [NAME ILLEGIBLE] ruled the skies, wily and cunning [NAME ILLEGIBLE] slithered in the dirt, afraid of rearing His head lest it be rent from His body. But He knew that Time was patient and just as cunning as He, so He made a pact and He waited. Millenia passed and a millenia more, and still bold, brave [NAME ILLEGIBLE] scanned the skies, keeping watch over Aellyn. His Time would come soon though because He could feel it stirring in the air, in the water, in the very hearts of the creatures that plod the ground above Him. Soon the Rending would come and then He would take His rightful place.


6. Rawna granted me strength of heart and Ainea gave me love to guide it. Diacht taught me honor and Ohma the wisdom to wield it. Mighty [NAME ILLEGIBLE] molded the weapon to my fingers and [NAME ILLEGIBLE] pointed it at my enemies. Thus I am victorious when none else are, and so by rights I claim this land for us and all our generations after. Though far we have fallen from our original grace, forever shall we prosper.


A Passage Found About the Lost Gods

The world began as thus: it was a rock. That's all. He came upon it first, and loved it immediately, this empty rock where nothing lived. He burrowed deep inside and devoured it inch by inch, teeth breaking upon the surface and growing anew. Through Him, over time, the stone became the soil.

His task was all but complete when the Winged Lord appeared, still new and uncertain of the path He was to walk. He was hungry, so He clawed at the stone to find where His prey crawled. He toiled the earth, stirring it up, and the seeds of other worlds fell from His claws. Burrowing deeper, the Crawling One eluded Him, laughing, and they played this game for a millennia, until the entire surface of the world was rich and vibrant and full of life. The Winged Lord loved it. The Crawling One however loathed what had been done to His home. He snarled and dug deeper, calling out to the dead to join Him. And so the two chose their domains.

In the core of the star, He nested. The dying sank to Him and He swallowed them, ever hungry. Above the world, the Winged Lord circled, delighting in all that He had created, but He missed His friend, too. He missed the game they played. The day He chose to start it anew is when the darkness fell upon the world.

The Crawling One met Him beneath the surface, and instead of play, it was war that they wrought. The soil within Him turned to poison as He shed it, and it spread to every corner He touched. Through the soil, through the plants, through the creatures that walked the land unknowing. Like a parasite it was passed through life's endless circle. Like dust it moved into the air. And like that which birthed it, death followed. Weeping with joy, the Crawling One toiled endlessly to regain the empty stone that once was His.

The Winged Lord saw what had become of His world, His beautiful paradise of life and colour, and He rebelled. He burned the poison from the earth in a scorching fire, He devoured the animals corrupting the land, He breathed life back into His beloved people, that they might rise and praise Him and grant Him new power. Balance, He told His followers, must always be kept. Nothing shall die here that I do not allow.

When the poison claimed Him, the whole world wept. The whole world grieved the passing of life itself. Even the Crawling One, deep, deep beneath it all, cried His poison into the core of Aellyn for the loss of His oldest friend.

The decay began anew, and there were none to stem the flow.

❥ Historical Scientific Discoveries

1. Log of ████████ RE: Experiment 1
Log #902

As expected, with the stabilization of Subject OM1, we've begun the transfer of all willing citizens to the new bodies. We expect it should be done by the end of the year so long as production can keep up with demand. So far so good. This may be a desperate move, but it's the right one. We'll see soon enough how the planet recovers


2. Log of ████████ RE: Experiment 1 Aftermath
Log #600321

We were wrong.

Oh Gods, forgive us. We were wrong. But we can fix this. I can- We can fix this. We just need to reverse the process. It can't be that hard, right? We could create metal bodies, so flesh should be simple. We just need to find some original genetic material. There still must be some in the archives somewhere.


3. Log of ████████ RE: Experiment 73
Log #94

Without taste buds, this seems like a lost cause. And honestly, do we even need to eat or is it just to keep up the appearance of normalcy? Is it simply a programmed instinct that remains within our souls despite no longer having a physical requirement? More study is required. However, I believe I am very close to breaking the code necessary to give us the ability to "taste" in a fashion. I will keep you updated.


4. Log of ████████ RE: Experiment 73
Log #285

We really don't need food, right? Rawna, preserve me. This is going to fry my internal processors. I wish people would stop complaining about it. We don't need to eat!


5. Log of ████████ RE: Experiment 920194
Log #83

Without a method of reproducing our original cells, I fear this whole venture is simply impossible. We cannot create life out of nothing. We saw how well that went last time.


6. Log of ████████ RE: Experiment 920194
Log #229

Genetic splicing of Subject XR21 and Subject LO91
Result: FAILURE
Genetic splicing of Subject TN7 and Subject OI34
Result: FAILURE
Genetic splicing of Subject YY782 and Subject XR21
Result: FAILURE
Genetic splicing of Subject IN09 and Subject ER14
Result: FAILURE
Genetic splicing of Subject BU432 and Subject LO91
Result: COMBUSTIVE
Experiment 920194 on INDEFINITE HOLD until lab is rebuilt

❥ Tower Assault Stolen Information

Random Uncategorized Information found via hacking

1. The calendar notation is AC = After Change, BC = Before Change, AKA before and after the majority of the population transferred their bodies into synthetic forms.
Colony #90'13'7KV is a lost colony quite far from Havenwell, of which the majority of information has been lost. In one of the labs, the poem from #90'13'7KV is on display, along with the scientist's notation:
"#90'13'7KV? Where even is this? It's a nice poem though. Wish I knew who had sent it, but thanks to the offworlders for rediscovering it. Lovely to know that our god Rawna was worshipped, even so far away."
The notation is accompanied with a series of derogatory emojis, which implies some sarcasm in the text.
The text was on a board that displayed some personal imagery (ie. holographic photos of two natives linking arms), implying it is more of personal curiosity than an ongoing research project.
Confirmation that Havenwell is referenced in some communications as Colony #56'07'4TM. It is quite far from "#90'13'7KV.
The city's most noteworthy defensive capabilities are the power-neutralizing signals that can be initialized in pockets throughout the city as needed by security forces, or throughout the entire city in case of emergency. This defense is incorporated throughout the entire barrier and cannot be neutralized without deactivating the barrier. It can affect both offworlders and invading entities, though to what degree has yet to be fully determined, as few invasions have occurred and depowering city-wide would place offworlders at risk during an attack, thus it has not been tested.
Experiment 1 is the transfer from mortal bodies to robotic. It was named as such as it was meant to be the epitome of scientific success and would herald the dawn of their new age of life and discovery. It is understandably ironic in retrospect, and the scientists acknowledge it as such now.
Experiment 73 refers to a series of tests made to stimulate the ability to 'taste' to the robotic bodies, which can currently only be experienced in VR. These experiments were deemed failures and abandoned a long time ago.


Offworlder Related Experiments

1. Biological Studies of Offworlders

A list of residents (past and present) who have either taken part in Dr. Rojir's patient study, visited the clinic for care, or observed throughout the city, though the latter would have far more limited information. The data found from a quick scan is:
Name
Species (if known or shared)
Gender
An image or described characteristics so they can be easily identified for patient care
More detailed information is carefully locked under multiple security features and will delete itself if excessive hacking is attempted. Protecting your private health information is very important to them!


2. Poison Research:

One of the more recent experiments recorded (dated within the last two years) is the collection of poisonous substances that exist outside of the barrier, gathered from various creatures by successful scouting excursions. Similar to what offworlders have done, as far as gathering the poison from the spider-like creatures and other infected beings that can survive outside of the safe zone, the tower researchers have been searching for an antidote to ease or even cure the effects of this poison on organic matter. They have had some success over time in easing general discomfort, soothing pain (similar to an anesthetic) and reducing fevers, but have not been able to decrease the side effects faster or more effectively than simple physical contact. The experiment is thus far not considered a failure, as the effects do seem to help rather than hinder or do nothing, and the researchers have been in contact with Dr. Rojir of the offworlder clinic to begin offering this treatment to visitors who qualify as an optional test phase, as no offworlders have received the treatment yet and they are uncertain of the potential side effects, if any. Animal studies have reached the point where they are successful, but further studies can't be done until they get volunteers for humanoid research.


Regaining Body Experiments


1. Devoid of DNA:

There are several depressing journal entries that detail one researcher's feelings on the lack of foresight their old selves had in not properly preserving DNA structures and samples in order to rebuild their own bodies and save themselves. There are sparse details of cryogenics mentioned, where several bodies were (they thought) properly frozen and preserved as a failsafe, but either an unfortunate earthquake incident shattered a part of the equipment, or it was never properly set up to begin with, and the bodies were so severely decrepit and damaged by the time it was discovered that all DNA was unsalvageable. Attempts at cloning from such material resulted in deformed monstrosities that lacked the ability to survive longer than a handful of hours, and every moment of it looked agonizing. They could not commit to further experiments of that nature when the conditions were so inhumane, so they re-froze the material (properly this time) and shelved it until they could find a more viable source.


2. Animal Experimentation: Folder I

A handful of scientists, circuits dizzy from tainted oil consumption (Editor's Note: "this does not belong in a research paper, Estron"), made a bet that a soul could not be transferred into an animal. The argument lasted well into the evening and concluded by noon the next day, at which point a surprisingly well-written grant request had been compiled between the group seeking funding for what came to be known as "The Parotease Quandary". Several weeks later those same scientists were astonished to find that not only were they granted the funds, but they now had to create a viable experiment from their wild conjectures. Not ones to be easily defeated, these brave scientists, heralded by Dr. Estron, bred and raised a collection of parotease birds, nurtured them 24/7 until they were fully grown to create a 'bond' with them, and finally attempted to hybridize clones with which they could viably complete the soul transfer, using their raised originals as the platonic equivalent of a mated pair to "learn how to bird", as the modern children are wont to say. (Editor's Note: "Es, come on, someone has to read this besides you.") The following results occurred within days of a successful transfer:

Subject A-2 shrieked for 18 hours without pause, with Subject A-1 joining in intermittently, out of confused solidarity as far as the researchers could tell.

After 18 hours Subject A-2 finally settled and allowed itself to be handled, fed, and toured around the room. It then attempted to bathe itself and short-circuited, resulting in a reverse-transfer.

Subject B-2 requested a reverse-transfer within 8 hours, (10 minutes after defecating, a fellow scientist noted, resulting in HR Incident #20467), citing only, "I don't want to talk about it."

Subject C-2 fell off its pole six times, flew into four walls, and after being tethered in place to prevent further self-injury, hung upside down until a forcible reverse-transfer was completed to prevent brain damage. Citation: "why did the world create a creature with such an incomprehensible center of balance?"

Subject D-2 was so content in its new body that within 3 days it had removed identifying features and taught its companion the code to perform the reverse-transfer, which surprised everyone in the lab, especially Subject D-1 who possessed no understanding of synthetic motor skills. Subject D-2 cackled the entire 3 hours required to resolve the issue, including the 2 hours it took to restraint its former body, and once the proper reverse-transfer was completed, cited, "I've never felt so alive," and quit the project immediately.

Subject E-1 and E-2 escaped the lab through a series of embarrassing mishaps and lived together in the botanical gardens for 17 years. When Subject E-1 died of natural causes, E-2 returned to the research center to request a reverse-transfer at last. Subject refused to be interviewed.

No indications were ever found that contact between any parotease pair strengthened the barrier, or reduced the pollution outside.


3. Animal Experimentation: Folder II

[This folder is full of hundreds of beautiful, professional digital photos of the parotease in various angles, poses, and expressions. It is a multicoloured bird vaguely resembling a parrot, but with the ears of a ferret and the tailplumes of a pussywillow tree. The images are labeled A to E, numbered 1 or 2 (or both together), and they look identical save for tags on their feet identifying them, and a subtle, unnatural gleam in the eyes of each "2".]