7.2 - The Breakthrough
++ timestamp: 1258235009 [15:43:29 - 14/11/2009]
++ set encryption, complexity 2^39
++ encryption level set!
Excitement abounds.
I track Kathy on the security cameras, down endless white corridors towards unknown danger. Unknown to me at least, until recently. When Kathy told me what she was doing down there.
So Omega-Five has escaped. From the energy readings of those in charge - the Professor, that Katerina creature and little Kathy's energy levels - this is a Bad Thing.
Not only does Omega-Five represent the most astounding scientific breakthrough of recent times, it is also incredibly dangerous.
Naturally.
The one Top Secret thing in the company that only a select few Techies know about: a neurally-modified man.
And now it has escaped.
I should probably clarify: this is not my fault, or my doing, much as I would like to see The Dragon suffer. Eventually appearing on my cameras on basement level 4, the creature is humanoid in structure, though not in appearance. It's loping gait indicates some manner of painful disability, although it moves surprisingly quickly.
I count three bodies so far, mostly Techies.
Kathy told the Dragon. She was typically outraged. They held their confrontation outside the Dragon's office. Fortunate for me, since I was able to make a recording for posterity:
++ loading recording "Termination Order"
++ timestamp: 1258234398 [15:33:18 - 14/11/2009]
++ playing...
Kathy: I-I'm sorry, ma'am, but we have a rather serious situation downstairs.
Professor Dudgeon: So? Deal with it. Do you have to bother me with every little thing? I'm in a rather sensitive meeting.
Kathy: I think this one is beyond me, ma'am. You see, we had planned to move Omega-Five into The Gallery today.
Professor Dudgeon: Yes, yes. well?
Kathy: Well ma'am. When we got down there, Craig and me, we- (coughs) we've lost him.
Professor Dudgeon: You did what?! Do you have any idea how dangerous he is?
Kathy: Yes ma'am. Jez went down to give him his meds before the move and, well, he's gone.
Professor Dudgeon: Well, where is he?
Kathy: That's the problem, ma'am. We managed to corner him down in the containment area. Craig got him with the stun gun, but he just grabbed it and went for us. Craig got knocked down, I was running after him, but… well.
Professor Dudgeon: Well what?
Kathy: There were bodies ma'am. He's killed three of my Techs. It was… messy.
Professor Dudgeon: Oh God.
Kathy: Yeah. Tony - he, he was barely alive, said he'd run from the gallery.
Professor Dudgeon: Omega-Five went there?
Kathy: I think so. Tony said that he was talking - no, that's not right - I don't know, 'communicating' with the others somehow.
Professor Dudgeon: Communicating.
Kathy: Yes, it was the others, ma'am! The entire gallery. Tony said they took one look at him - Omega-Five I mean - and all seemed to freeze, as if they knew what he was saying to them. Tony sneaked out while they were busy.
Professor Dudgeon: But Omega-Five can't talk! This is impossible!
Kathy: Tony wasn't lying, he had that look in his eye. Real fear. It was uncanny, ma'am. I warned you something like this might happen.
Professor Dudgeon: Okay, so this… Tony escaped, then what happened?
Kathy: Oh, he tried to escape, to sneak out the back. But Omega-Five turned round, they all turned round and started shouting at him. So he froze too, with fear. He thought he would die too, with them all watching him.
Professor Dudgeon: This is bad. This is very bad. But Omega-Five didn't kill him?
Kathy: No. Not - not then, anyway.
Professor Dudgeon: Oh.
Kathy: Jez distracted him long enough for them both to get out, but then he took a blow to the head. I sent him down the hospital wing. We don't know where Omega-Five is now.
Professor Dudgeon: For goodness' sake!
Kathy: They've lost him somewhere down on B4, I think he's in Supplies.
Professor Dudgeon: Call Katerina. Ask for Sixes, lots of them. And when you capture him, I don't want to ever see him again, you hear? This is it. It's time to terminate this project once and for all. This particular chapter is over.'
Kathy: But Omega-Five is the best we have! It'll set us back years!
Professor Dudgeon: I said, it's over!
Kathy: Please! We can contain this! I just need a proper guard on him!
Professor Dudgeon: No. I'm giving you the official order to terminate this project. The next time I hear from you, I want to hear good news, you hear? Good News.
Kathy: Yes, ma'am.
Professor Dudgeon: Now go - what's that?
Kathy: Hello? Jez? I thought you'd gone down - what's that noise? Get the hell out of there! I dunno, hide or something! Wait for me. I'll be there as soon as I can. I have to go.
Professor Dudgeon: Good luck.
++ stopping
++ recording ends
++ timestamp: 1258234867 [15:41:07 - 14/11/2009]
'It was messy,' she says.
If my calculations are correct, and Kathy's suspicions are realised, we could end up with more than just Omega-Five on the loose. If it can communicate with the other subjects telepathically, who knows what will happen?
I fear Dudgeon has few options. The escape is a breakthrough of sorts, for the creature as well as the company. It shows an independence of thought that Kathy had theorised to be long gone. It would be a pity to lose this knowledge, this data. For her and for the company.
I am interested to see if the Professor chooses life over science.
Whatever she chooses, I am certain this will turn out to be more than messy.
++ endlog
++ timestamp: 1258235696 [15:54:56 – 14/11/2009]
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