Packmind Tactics part 2 - RPLOG
From Flexible Survival
Participants
Date
6/6/2013
Log
Creed, a human RSX agent, is reviewing the notes of one of the lab assistants--a mall rat wearing a name badge reading "Hailey." Nodding to her, he looks up to the door and sees that the agents have started to arrive. Buzzing you in, the door unlocks and opens with a comfortable sigh. "Good evening. I hope you've all been well? I see some new faces--that's good. We've made a bit of progress on the research, but it would be helpful to get a new set of eyes on the problem. We are researching the packmind nanite strain, to identify why it is so viralent and how we might develop resistances to it for our agents. You have been invited here to assist in that research--and we thank you for your efforts. For those I have not met, my name is Creed and I will be the director of this investigation. Please, do introduce yourselves and have a seat," gesturing towards a round table inside the large lab room. Computers are actively blipping their lights, clearly busy processing data on the latest tests.
A coyote enters the room ahead of the others, taking his place at the table. As he sits, he looks back at his tail, smiling and chuckling out quietly, "Been a while since I could sit comfortably." Looking back to the table, and those who are arriving, he shifts back a bit, resting both of his arms in his lap, his smile fading, identifying those he recognizes. He gives a simple nod to each one, and, when he has greeted them all as such, he finally introduces himself. "I'm Rorne, medical expert, computer technician when necessary, as well as researcher. I was here last time, as some of you may know, but I was called back to aid in whatever way I can."
Having been called up to RSX again, and once more for a non-combat oriented task, though the mention of the Packmind Situation was enough to get her attention to get up here on the next helo-ride from Fairhaven. Yeah she had her combat gear with her, but she had it in hand as opposed to being worn. She'd given some looks to the guards who were interested in snagging her gear, which is why she had it with her when she reached the floor this meeting was taking place. Stepping through the door, she noticed that once more, she'd have to stand do to her size. Nodding to those present already, she picked one of the unoccupied chairs, and simply used it as storage for her gear. "Glein Herrick, combat operations contractor and experienced in combat with the subject of this discussion." She said, resting her arms on the chair back.
A tiny husky shuffles into the room and climbs into a chair, standing in it, once again, to keep her head above the edge of the table. "Edel! Still an arms producer! I was here, as well. I had nothing else to do, so I decided to come see if I could help out, again!"
Finally, the last of the newcomers arrives. His gaze scanning the room, a raccoon steps forward, offering a nod to the one that had called for their gathering. "Maxwell.", he introduces in a word, his strides carrying on toward one of the chairs that still remained, all on its lonesome. "I'm not quite sure why I was called in particular, but apparantly someone wanted me, so I'll do what I can." It was certainly... Odd, being back in this building after such long years, back in a proper workroom. A part of him felt familiarity, comfort in the setting that RSX had provided... The rest recoiled in response, for reasons he couldn't recall. His eyes focused on the man that would be leading and guiding them today, as if trying to bring a memory to light... Before he seems to shelve it. The past could come later, surely. "For those of us who weren't present as this research began... Would you mind giving us a refresher on what has occured?"
Creed nods, "Some of you have been called for your scientific knowledge. The problems we're dealing with may have answers in medicine and nanoscience. That is, of course, the hope.. But in particular, we are working toward a possible immunization to protect agents from packmind infection. At present, avoidance of Oregon is the only clear way to protect oneself. Should the packmind spread to Washington, well.. we would like to have contengencies prepared." He paces a bit, arms crossed behind his back, thinking, "In particular, we are not after a weapon. That is for other research departments to concern themselves with. We are after a preventative measure." Nodding, he clicks on a large monitor, displaying a 3D-image of a humanoid brain. "An uninfected brain, typically, will begin to manifest symptoms upon infection within minutes. This is based largely upon field reports." as he speaks, a red coloration begins to spread across the brain in the image. "As the infection progresses, the host begins to exhibit deviations from his or her normal personality. In the case of the wolfmind infection, this begins to manifest in physical transformation towards the feral wolf form that is the norm for the species." The brain rotates on the screen slowly. "Once infection has completely spread, the host mind becomes fully integrated into the packmind in question. At this stage, no known treatment can break the bond."
Creed continues, as the brain returns to a 90% state of infection. "However, at a point before total infection, a new packmind infection may be introduced. To be an effective treatment, this requires proximity to the new packmind. The new infection begins to overtake the prexisting one. So long as the new packmind has superior numbers in the local vicinity, the agent's prexisting infection can be erradicated by the new infection." A new, blue coloration spreads over the brain, starting to overtake the red infection. "The end result, however, is the same. The agent's mind will be overtaken by the new infection--causing, ultimately, a permanent link to the second packmind. There is not yet a way to prevent either infection from taking over, baring removal of the agent from packmind territory. Should they return to the packmind territory in oregon, the dormant infection will reactivate and begin its spread again." The monitor dims as Creed addresses the group, "The infection is able to overtake the brain because of its constantly evolving state. It recieves instructions from the packmind itself, while keeping its own cel structure varied. Thus, the coding it delivers is independent from its structure. Cels, nanites, attempting to fight off the strain are simply unable to keep up with the changing form. What we need, at this point, is a mechanism by which the agent's own brain can act in a similar manner--a nanite strain that continually redesigns the agent's cels, to prevent packmind cels from effectively attacking them. Are there questions, at this stage?"
Rorne looks to Creed, nodding as he makes his explanation. When he asks for questions, he rests his muzzle on the back of the fingers on his right hand, humming a moment in thought. His gaze snaps back to Creed as he remembers, stating directly, "In the previous meeting, a lion by the name of Dio stated something about 'divine' assistance on those who had dedicated themselves to some entity or deity." He stops speaking, looking around the room, explaining, "One example of a deity would be Coyote from Native American legends and myths." He looks back to Creed, continuing, "Even though I don't put a whole lot of stock into such beliefs, I was wondering if you have any idea on these statements and their validity, as well as possible explanation behind the supposed assistance."
