Ventriloquism

VENTRILOQUISM 1/?

ANALYZING…  
FILE TYPE: UESC Science logs
PERIOD: xxx
SPEAKERS: Science Officers (redacted.1) and (redacted.2)
TOPIC: TCIV Anomaly Investigation
SUMMARY: A recording of Science Officers (redacted.x) and (redacted.y) during initial walkthrough in the tunnel systems beneath Bio-Research, goal of the search is to locate the source of the newly reported voices and identify if possible.

—

(redacted.1): Begin recording - will you turn the flashlight on? God's sake, I can't see a foot ahead of me.

(redacted.2): You're only two feet behind me at most, just follow my voice. Put your hand out if you need to, really, I don't mind, but you know as well as I do that we've been told to use it as infrequently as possible.

(redacted.1): It's a silly rule to begin with, plus we're underground... a cheap UESC flashlight won't mess with research ability.

(redacted.2): Not disagreeing with you, I just don't want to use it yet.

(redacted.1): If it's not a strict adherence to orders then what's the deal?

(redacted.2): I, hmm... It's like a Schrodinger's cat type feeling.

(redacted.1): Fearful of the potential outcome.

(redacted.2): Partial sensory ignorance is bliss.

A VOICE EMERGES

(!~&^><..?): No, I j-just, I just need more time.

(redacted.2): More time? (laughs) I figured you wanted to get out of here.

(redacted.1): I didn't say anything.

(redacted.2): I heard you say you needed more time. You're not messing with me right? That came from right where you are.

(redacted.1): I swear, I heard it too. Turn the goddamn flashlight on.

THE VOICE RETURNS, SOFTER, FAINT, FROM AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ORIGIN

(!~&^><..?): The research is going well, we're almost there.

(redacted.1): Oh what the fuck, give me that

REDACTED.1 REACHES AHEAD INTO THE DARK, SUBTLE WHIFFS CAN BE HEARD AS HIS/HER HANDS REACH FOR WHERE REDACTED.2 SHOULD BE, MISSING THEIR TARGET

(redacted.1): Where are you, put the light on (fumbling can be heard, the scraping of boot sole on concrete, a shake in their voice), this isn't funny.

THE FLASHLIGHT CLICKS ON, THE PLASTICKY SOUND ECHOES BRIEFLY

(redacted.2): I'm here, I couldn't find the button, sorry. How'd you end up back there?

THE VOICE RETURNS, MORE PRONOUNCED NOW, THIS TIME COMING FROM THE NEARBY LAB TO THEIR LEFT

(!~&^><..?): Minor breakthroughs every day, come, see for yourself. I'm just in here.

THE HOLLOW SOUND OF THE CHEAP FLASHLIGHT AS IT HITS THE CONCRETE TEMPORARILY MASKS THE FEARFUL, SHALLOW BREATHS OF THE RESEARCHERS AS THEY RUN FROM THE VOICE AND DEEPER INTO THE TUNNEL

A NEW VOICE EMERGES WITH A COMMANDING TONE

(!~&^><..?): Who's down there, labs are off-limits! The exit is this way, come!

— —

— —

VENTRILOQUISM 2/?

ANALYZING…  
FILE TYPE: UESC Science logs, Inter-corporate transmission.
PERIOD: xxx
SPEAKERS: Orion (ID: ORION), Nona (ID: NONA).
SUMMARY: In a rare hands across the table moment, Orion opens a dialogue with Nona of Sekiguchi in the hopes of coming to an arrangement of temporary cooperation regarding the now piled high reports of voices in the Marsh facilities. A reluctant extension of the suggestion brought forth in "Field Observation 401.3".

—

(NONA): Oh, how rare it is to find ourselves engaged in conversation free from accusatory catalyst. I do however enjoy our scattered tête-à-têtes no matter the context.

(ORION): Nona. Perhaps you know why I've asked to speak.

(NONA): Are there those you are close with, Orion? Do you share with others, they with you? My darlings share as much as they are able.

(ORION): Right. Nona, I am hoping we can come to some temporary agreement regarding operations around Dire Marsh. At the risk of sounding redundant I feel it incumbent upon myself to emphasize the temporary nature of this request, I intend for this to be finite in nature.

(NONA): Sekiguchi at large is interested in learning how to best assist UESC in their planetary endeavors.

(ORION): We lost a researcher in the tunnels. You're familiar? Of course you are - two were dispatched on a quick recon of the tunnels to investigate voices coming from the surrounding areas?

(NONA): Skracs?

(ORION): We thought so at first. The voices were more robust. Evolved.

(NONA): My runners speak to me of actors in the night, refer to them as husks. A macabre name, but who am I to deny my darlings their creative liberties?

(ORION): Do they speak?

(NONA): Not to my knowledge.

(ORION): Interesting. Seeing as our collective knowledge base is, perhaps, sparse - I would like to propose somewhat of a limited time truce. UESC security forces will look the other way in designated areas where reports are concentrated, tunnels included, and your runners will be permitted to roam the facilities at night. I only ask that we share intelligence, any and all information regarding the source of the reports. I would prefer it if they kept their scavenging at a minimum.

(NONA): You and I both know -

(ORION): Yes yes.

(NONA): And they will certainly keep -

(ORION): I have no way of stopping them aside from cleaning house before hand.

(NONA): I see no issue with this arrangement. How nice of you to bring this to my attention. Let me sort the particulars and I will send for you.

(ORION): Very good. I'm hoping we can get to the bottom of this as efficiently as possible. Oh, and Nona... I suggest teams.