To: Director C. From: Dr. R--K-- Subject: Regarding Steps Taken to Maintain Observational Integrity Cc: -- Confidential
Dear Sir,
Included here is a brief summary of the intervention protocol I performed to preserve our contaminant-pure observational regime.
Experimental focus CrT showed signs of organizing a device that would compromise our objective observational status. Concerned to maintain that status, I used several high-focus marker techniques to ensure that our observer team would keep a close eye on CrT. As CrT's assembly of the device continued to take suspiciously direct steps towards discovery of aspects of our space, I took steps to 1) isolate CrT from the other flatspacers and 2) to make every effort to keep the knowledge of his progress from reaching them. Two parallel strategies for 2) were involved, they are detailed below. Finally, I was able to remove this device and nearly all information about its operation from the Flatspace. CrT is no longer a risk to our observation's integrity, although a few small details persist.
CrT was in the process of developing a device which would re-polarize the Flatspace's reflective qualities to reflect light cast down from our space into the Flatspace, meaning, in essence, that the Flatspacers could perceive our shadows.
Light pointers: Initially, I limited the devices to merely a pointer-beam of light shone at all times upon the device itself, in order to mark it for the interns and lab assistants so that the hourly reports would not lack. It was not until much later that a particularly clever intern noticed that the machine's re-polarizing effects were residual, even when the device was not powered; meaning that the pointer-beam's light was being reflected into Flatspace. This no doubt caused CrT and others some concern, but mere concern at the seeming supernatural does not quite meet our criteria for observational contamination.
1)Subsonics: D--, in early observations (Negative stimuli among Flatspace organisms, J. Nat. Stud., pp. 56-72), noted that nearly all of the Flatspace organisms, of CrT's type or otherwise, respond to vibrations lower than 5 Hz from as a negative stimulus, though rather slowly, seeming "confused" or "nervous." To discourage continued work on the device, we bathed the immediate area of Flatspace with 3.52 Hz subsonics. This served to discourage nearly all of the Flatspace organisms from approaching the site. A few, though, for reasons on which I will not speculate, chose to persist.
2)Shadowing: Since, as mentioned above, some residual effect of the machine's operation was persisting even when the machine was non-functional, we decided to take advantage of this to "overshadow" the region, making it unattractive to other Flatspacers of CrT's type (see D--, cited above). Simply enough, we overlaid the zone with a sort of "tent", which prevented 91.2% of ambient light from entering via our space; light entry via Flatspace was of course still possible.
The isolation techniques listed above, of course, also served to prevent dissemination. Additionally, however, some additional strategies were necessary.
1)Flatspacer removal: According to accepted practice, this procedure is only carried out on isolated individuals for preservation and/or testing. Return to their environment would precipitate unacceptable contamination of the Flatspace. In one early instance as the seriousness of this concern approached, we were forced to remove three Flatspacers at once, but concern for further attention and repeated protests from D-- prevented the removal of CrT itself. She pointed out that CrT's disappearance would undoubtedly cause a search; he is a high-status member of the local tribe and his disappearance would only hasten the discovery of his machine.
2)Indirect removal: Instead, I began a project of inducing a slow, "normal-seeming" dysfunction of CrT's system that would end in his total incapacitance; this is easy because his "insides" are completely open to our influence. (This process had to be hastened in the unexpected events discussed below.)
On 15th May, after the removal of three low-status Flatspacers discussed above, a second high-status individual, (HpL, a candidate for previous observation) arrived in the zone of observation. HpL and CrT seemed to be sharing information on the effects and construction of this device, so the intern in charge quickly added isolationary bars to the zone and called me to check on a plan of action. I came in to the laboratory and we decided to do two things: 1) speed up the Indirect Removal protocol to its endpoint and 2) activate the projectile weapon that HpL had brought along to destroy the now near fully-functional machine without arousing further suspicion.
HpL is still an unknown. How much information does it have and will it choose to pass that on? HpL's further actions are perhaps the best way to judge this, but I recommend immediate removal of HpL as well. However, I defer to your Honor's direction.
Sincerely, Dr. R--K--
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