Chapter Text
A comfortable room with a desk. Someone is sitting and writing on a tablet. The room is flooded with light and furnished very comfortably. A few plants create a very calm atmosphere.
A man is sitting at the desk.
In front of him is a large display.
A small tablet lies in front of it.
He taps on it several times.
Windows open.
Close again.
More appear.
Eventually one of them remains open.
An email.
From: Department of Special Projects
To: Dr. Ethan Miller
Subject: Assignment of a New Case | Memory Reconstruction
Dr. Miller,
Effective immediately, you are assigned the memory reconstruction of SAW-01-29912.
The specimen was deployed as part of the recovery mission on the Grey Planet and simultaneously participated in a test series involving a novel biomedical neural implant.
During the operation, transmission of telemetry data unexpectedly ceased. The specimen was subsequently classified as lost.
Several weeks later, telemetry data was received again. At that time, the specimen was already located within a terrestrial facility of the Organization.
No retrieval operation was authorized. No corresponding transport protocols exist.
The specimen claims to possess no memories of its return.
Your task is to reconstruct the missing memories and obtain all available information concerning the events that occurred between the loss of telemetry and the specimen's reappearance.
The specimen appears friendly, cooperative, and compliant. Please take into consideration the incidents related to the SAW-01 uprising; therefore, it is strongly advised that it be treated with considerable caution.
It is once again explicitly emphasized that the development of emotional attachments to test subjects is prohibited.
Anthropomorphization of test subjects represents a known risk to the objectivity of psychological investigations and must likewise be avoided.
This applies especially while we remain in lockdown.
We wish you every success.
The man closes the message.
For several seconds he silently stares at the screen.
Finally, he reaches for his mug.
Before he can even take a sip, there is a knock at the door.
The man stands up and walks to the door. When he opens it, an armed guard is standing outside.
Guard: "We've brought the experiment, as requested."
The man looks past the guard.
Behind him stands a child-sized, animal-like creature covered in dark fur, whose large yellow eyes glow unnaturally.
The creature appears somewhat frightened. A tear still hangs at the corner of one eye. A stuffed toy is clutched tightly in its arms.
Directly behind it stand two more armed guards. One of them keeps his finger beside the trigger and constantly points his weapon at the creature.
The man steps past the first guard and bends down toward the creature.
Man: "So this is 29912."
The man looks directly into the creature's eyes.
Its dark iris trembles slightly as it looks back at him.
Man: "Interesting."
The man briefly glances at the guards.
Then he straightens up and looks at them.
Man: "Good. I'll take over from here."
Guard: "Understood. I'll accompany you."
The man shakes his head.
Man: "No. Not necessary. It would only make my work more difficult."
The guard is silent for a moment.
Guard: "Fine. We'll wait here."
He gestures to his weapon.
Guard: "If there are any problems, we're right at the door."
The man nods.
Then he returns to the room, stands by the door, and turns toward the creature. He opens the door a little wider.
Man: "Come in."
The creature slowly approaches the room. As it does, its gaze repeatedly drifts toward the men's weapons.
It wears no clothing and is covered entirely in short dark fur that appears somewhat longer on the head, along the back, and in the groin region.
Despite having animal-like paws and walking on its toes, it moves upright like a human.
With every springing step, a loud jingling sound rings out, like a cat bell.
As it passes through the doorway, a large bushy tail becomes visible, ending in an orange tip.
A large bell has been fastened to its tail with a ribbon.
Standing on the threshold, the creature glances fearfully at the weapons one more time.
At the back of its head, where one would expect ears, two long pointed fur-covered protrusions can be seen.
Its body is covered in yellowish scars of various sizes and shapes.
In its arms it holds a stuffed toy, not unlike its own appearance.
Its left arm and right leg are wrapped in bandages.
The man examines these details very carefully.
Finally, the creature enters the room and looks at the man with slight apprehension.
The man closes the door behind it.
Then he points toward a large, soft couch.
As the creature turns its head, a third protrusion becomes visible in the center of the back of its head.
It is slightly shorter than the others.
Man: "You can sit over there."
The creature first looks at him questioningly.
Creature: "Will the men with the weapons stay outside?"
Man: "As long as they have no reason to come in, yes."
The creature watches the guards for a while longer.
Then it follows his request and finally sits down on the couch.
The man retrieves the chair from his desk, takes his tablet in hand, and sits down in front of the couch so that he has a clear view of the creature.
The creature looks toward the door several times.
Then toward the windows.
Then back to the door.
The man briefly writes something on the tablet.
Then he begins to speak.
Man: "Before we begin, I should introduce myself."
The creature looks at him.
Man: "My name is Doctor Miller. I'm a psychologist."
A brief silence.
Creature: "What's that?"
Dr. Miller: "Someone who tries to figure out how other people think."
The creature continues to look at the man in confusion for a moment.
The psychologist picks up the tablet and holds it in front of him.
Dr. Miller: "Beginning of recording. Subject is Experiment 29912. Session number 1..."
While the psychologist is speaking, the creature interrupts him.
Creature: "What's being recorded?"
The psychologist briefly presses something on the tablet again.
Dr. Miller: "Everything we say and do here."
Creature: "But why?"
Dr. Miller: "So that others can verify that I'm doing my job correctly."
The creature thinks for a moment.
Creature: "Then this is a test for you?"
At first, the psychologist is visibly confused.
Dr. Miller: "Yes, part of my work is being evaluated."
Then he waits for a moment and observes the creature.
Finally, he presses the tablet again.
Dr. Miller: "Resuming recording."
He turns his attention back to the creature.
Dr. Miller: "Please state your designation."
Creature: "I'm Jingles."
The man looks at the creature's large, almost rat-like head for a while.
It has a canine nose, clearly visible predatory teeth, and tears in its eyes.
Then he briefly writes something on the tablet.
Dr. Miller: "No. I mean the designation you officially carry."
The creature looks at him almost with alarm.
Creature: "Oh... that name."
As the creature squeezes the stuffed toy against itself, the psychologist's gaze falls upon its hands.
Four short, sturdy fingers.
One of them formed as a thumb.
All ending in large gray claws.
Pink gripping pads visible between them.
Quietly, the creature says:
"29912."
Dr. Miller: "Experiment 29912. Is that correct?"
29912: "Yes. Correct."
Dr. Miller makes a brief note:
"Late specimen of an early SAW-01 product line preceding the generational transition. Sex recorded as male. Young adult."
29912: "Are you going to hurt me too?"
Dr. Miller immediately responds:
"Why do you expect that?"
29912: "Humans do that often."
The psychologist settles into a slightly more open sitting posture and remains silent for a while.
Dr. Miller: "People hurt you often?"
29912: "Almost always."
The psychologist falls silent again for a moment.
Dr. Miller: "No pain tests are scheduled as part of this investigation."
The creature remains silent and simply sits there.
The psychologist observes it for a while.
Dr. Miller: "Do you know why you're here?"
The creature thinks for a moment.
29912: "No."
Dr. Miller: "Would you like to know?"
29912: "No."
Dr. Miller: "Why not?"
29912: "Humans always have reasons. But they never tell me."
The psychologist makes a brief note, then looks back at the creature.
Dr. Miller: "We're going to talk for a while."
The creature looks at him in mild confusion.
29912: "Just talking? No pain?"
Dr. Miller: "Exactly."
The psychologist observes the creature for a moment.
Dr. Miller: "You look at the door often."
29912: "Yes."
Dr. Miller: "Why?"
29912: "Because they're there."
Dr. Miller: "The guards?"
The creature nods.
Dr. Miller: "Do they scare you?"
29912: "Yes."
Dr. Miller: "Why?"
29912: "They have rifles."
Dr. Miller: "So you think they might shoot you?"
The creature stares silently at the door for a long time.
29912: "I don't know."
Dr. Miller: "Then why does it concern you so much?"
The creature remains silent.
Dr. Miller shifts slightly in his chair and tries again:
"What do you think they carry those rifles for?"
29912 answers immediately:
"To kill me."
Dr. Miller: "Has any one of those men ever shot at you?"
29912: "No."
Dr. Miller: "Then why would they?"
The creature looks toward the door.
29912: "Because maybe I do something wrong."
Dr. Miller: "What would be something wrong?"
29912: "Something they don't like."
Dr. Miller: "For example?"
29912: "I never know beforehand."
Dr. Miller: "What do you think would happen if they shot you?"
29912: "Then I disappear."
Dr. Miller: "And why does that scare you?"
29912: "Because then Cheeseman would be alone."
The creature looks sadly at its stuffed toy.
29912: "...and Scratches too."
Dr. Miller: "Who is Cheeseman?"
29912: "Cheeseman."
The psychologist looks at the creature with interest.
29912: "He gives me cheese sometimes."
The creature places a finger beneath its snout.
29912: "He worries a lot."
29912: "Usually everything is okay."
Dr. Miller: "And Scratches?"
The creature lifts the stuffed toy slightly.
29912: "Scratches."
The stuffed toy is in fairly good condition. But there are many noticeable scratches on its left arm.
29912: "Then he'd be alone too."
Suddenly one of the guards outside the door coughs.
The creature instantly looks toward the door and freezes.
Finally, it squeezes the stuffed toy tightly against itself.
The squeeze triggers a short bark.
Dr. Miller: "29912?"
29912: "Yes."
Dr. Miller: "What happened?"
29912: "He coughed."
Dr. Miller: "And?"
29912: "After that there's always blood."
Dr. Miller: "Whose blood?"
29912: "The one who coughed."
Dr. Miller: "Why do you think that?"
29912: "It was often like that in the cave."
Dr. Miller: "Tell me about it."
29912: "The walls had weapons."
Dr. Miller: "Weapons?"
29912: "Yes."
29912: "They hurt me."
Dr. Miller: "And you're still here?"
29912: "I was well prepared."
Dr. Miller: "And now?"
29912: "I'm not prepared."
Dr. Miller: "Why are you more afraid of the men than the cave?"
The creature thinks for a long time.
29912: "The walls were always dangerous."
It glances once more between the psychologist and the door.
29912: "With humans, you never know."
The psychologist studies the creature silently for several seconds.
The creature sits quietly on the couch.
The stuffed toy clutched tightly in its arms.
Its gaze drifts toward the door once again.
The psychologist makes another note.
Then he sets his pen aside.
Dr. Miller: "29912."
The creature looks up at him.
29912: "Yes?"
Dr. Miller: "That's enough for today."
The creature stares at him for a moment.
Then at the door.
29912: "Really?"
Dr. Miller: "Yes."
The room suddenly becomes completely silent.
29912: "No more examination?"
Dr. Miller: "Not today."
The creature looks at the psychologist in confusion for several seconds.
29912: "Today was just talking?"
Dr. Miller: "Just talking."
The creature briefly looks down at the stuffed toy.
Then it slowly nods.
29912: "Usually humans always want to know something."
The psychologist writes something down.
Dr. Miller: "So do I."
Dr. Miller: "Information."
The creature looks at him for several moments.
29912: "That makes sense."
The psychologist glances at the tablet.
The notes from the last hour fill several pages.
The creature looks toward the door again.
29912: "Are they coming back in now?"
The psychologist follows its gaze.
Dr. Miller: "Yes."
The psychologist stands up and places the tablet on his desk.
Dr. Miller: "We'll probably talk again."
The creature glances up briefly.
29912: "Just talking again?"
The psychologist hesitates for a moment.
Dr. Miller: "That's the plan."
The psychologist walks to the door and opens it.
The guard on the other side first looks at him, then into the room at the creature.
Guard: "Is it causing trouble?"
Dr. Miller: "No. But I'm finished with it for today."
Guard: "Good. Let's get it."
He turns to the other guards standing behind him and gestures into the room.
Guard: "Move. Take it out."
The other guards enter the room with their weapons drawn and approach the creature.
The creature simply stands there silently, its gaze fixed on the door.
The two guards advance toward it with raised weapons.
It remains standing still and tightens its grip on the stuffed toy for a brief moment.
Then it lifts its gaze and simply nods.
The psychologist stands next to the guard outside the door.
Dr. Miller: "Oh, before you go."
He looks at the guard.
Dr. Miller: "I'd like to have a private conversation with you."
The guard looks into the room, where the other two have positioned themselves beside the creature.
Then the guard calls out:
"Watch it until I get back."
Finally, he turns toward the psychologist.
Guard: "Fine. What is there to discuss?"
Dr. Miller: "Please close the door for a moment. I don't want to influence the experiment."
The guard reluctantly glances into the room one more time.
The men inside nod briefly.
Then he closes the door.
Guard: "Alright, Doctor. What did you want to tell me?"
Dr. Miller: "Experiment 29912 currently shows no signs of aggressive behavior."
His gaze briefly drifts toward the guard's weapon.
Dr. Miller: "Therefore, my recommendation would be not to keep it under constant armed threat."
Guard: "Have you lost your mind? Don't you remember what happened last month?"
The guard turns toward the door.
Guard: "Those creatures killed two of my men. One of them was a close friend."
Dr. Miller: "The constant presence of armed personnel significantly affects the experiment's behavior."
Guard: "I can't believe what I'm hearing. Those things are just pretending."
Dr. Miller: "Possible. That has no bearing on my assessment."
The guard frowns.
Dr. Miller: "What matters is the experiment's near-exclusive focus on the security personnel's weapons. Under these conditions, I cannot conduct a reliable memory reconstruction."
Guard: "I won't allow another human being to die because of those things!"
Dr. Miller: "Then the decision rests with your superiors. My task is to obtain information. My professional assessment is that the current security measures hinder that objective."
The guard remains silent for a moment.
Guard: "And what if it tears someone's throat out?"
Dr. Miller: "Then my assessment was wrong. So far, however, I have seen no indication of that."
Guard: "Then I hope your assessment is correct."
Then he looks toward the door as if he could see through it.
The psychologist says nothing further.
Finally, the guard walks to the door and opens it.
Guard: "Move out!"
The two guards inside the room give the creature a light shove forward.
It leaves the room, closely followed by the guards, and stops in front of their leader.
The guard turns around and starts walking down the corridor.
The others follow him with the creature.
The psychologist watches them until they disappear around a corner.