Archive of Our Own

Item #: LP-041-SUL-TTA

Object Class: Keter

Special Containment Procedures: LP-041-SUL-TTA is to remain stored in an airtight, lead-lined iron box within a standard high-security vault. Security clearance Level 3 or higher required to access for testing. LP-041’s container and host site are to be inspected monthly per standard protocol, but otherwise no further interaction is required. Staff are advised to ignore any sounds emitted from the object.

Description: LP-041-SUL-TTA is a small metal jar of unknown origin. The figure of a vertical eye is etched in red upon the jar’s surface. The jar is capped with a stopper of the same metal composite.

Status: File currently under review. Information subject to change pending further investigation.

Project Lead: Dr. Miorine Rembran

Note: As of 2022/10/22, Senior Researcher, Dr. Miorine Rembran, has taken over as Lead Researcher after determination that previous testing of LP-041-SUL-TTA was judged to be insufficient.

Research Log 001 (Transcript)

[BEGIN LOG]

Agent Nika Nanaura: Ahem. Beginning secondary testing for subject LP-041-SUL-TTA. A recent audit of Researcher [REDACTED]‘s portfolio led to the determination that all subjects under their direction are to be re-reviewed and their files updated.
Agent Chuatury Panlunch: Meaning that [REDACTED] just tossed things into a vault and sat on his lazy ass all day.
N: Chuchu!
C: What?

Nanaura sighs.

N: You may proceed, Miorine.
Dr. Miorine Rembran: Understood. Commencing test.

Dr. Rembran enters the security vault wearing a protective hazmat suit. She swipes her access card to open the security lock on the iron box and gingerly removes the metal jar.

N: No signs of radiation or any anomalous readings.
C: Miorine, shoudn’t we have a D-class or two do this instead? What if this actually is dangerous?
M: Shut up for a moment.
C: What the fuck?! I just meant-
M: Shut up!

The faint sound of weeping can be heard coming from the jar.

C: What the hell is that?

IS THERE SOMEBODY THERE? PLEASE, HELP ME. IT'S SO DARK AND I'VE BEEN HERE SO LONG. PLEASE HELP ME.

M: Oh my god. The motherfucker left a potentially sentient subject locked in a box for years!
N: Miorine, maybe we should do a few more standard tests before…

PLEASE HELP ME. I’M SO COLD.

Dr. Rembran pries the lid off the jar.

C: Oh fuck.

A jet-black substance slithers out of the jar and slides up Dr. Rembran’s arm. It manages to flow through a miniscule opening into her suit and disappears.

M: Fuck!!
C+N: Miorine!

There is the sound of scrambling from the recording room as the agents presumably rush towards the vault.

M: Wait! Wait, I’m okay! It’s okay, stay out of the room!

There is a muffled argument between the researcher and the agents standing outside the door for several moments before the test resumes.

I’M SORRY. I'M SORRY. I WAS SO COLD AND YOU ARE SO WARM. PLEASE DON'T PUT ME BACK IN THE DARK PLACE. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I’M SORRY.

M: LP-041, calm down. We won't put you back but you have to cooperate. Please exit from my suit.

YES. I’M SORRY.

A black sluglike creature reluctantly slides out of Dr. Rembran’s suit and onto her hand.

M: Thank you. (sighs) Nika, update testing protocols to those of a sapient life form. Prep the interview room, please. With coffee. A lot of it.

[END LOG]

Lead Researcher’s Log Book - Case LP-041-SUL-TTA

Day 1

LP-041-SUL-TTA is a small, amorphous black mass weighing 50 grams. It is highly mobile, able to slither around, leap, and climb up surfaces with ease. The subject was witnessed to jump 10 meters into the air when startled. It also has the ability to manipulate objects by morphing its mass to grip and wrap around items.

Subject appears to be sapient, though origins are unknown. Even after extensive interviewing, the subject claims to have no recollection beyond the “dark time” as it describes it. Material and genetic testing also remain inconclusive.

Day 5

My colleagues and I have taken to addressing LP-041-SUL-TTA as Suletta. Suletta is very friendly, though skittish and anxious. It also has become quite attached to me. Subject’s stress levels increase by 70% when left alone or with unfamiliar individuals. Even around more familiar agents such as Nika or Chuatury, Suletta’s stress levels remain at unacceptable levels unless I am present. I have submitted a request to the Council to move my quarters to this sector. Chuchu is pissed, but needs must.

Day 17

I managed to obtain Council permission to take up residence in LP sector after much debate. To alleviate security concerns, my vital signs are monitored at all times. Should there be any indication of stress, injury, or death, the sector will automatically lock down and security put on red alert. I believe the precautions to be excessive, but it was the only way I could convince them.

My new apartment has been set up next to Suletta's cell and testing area. We have established a routine where it accompanies me in areas of the sector it is allowed in and stays in the testing facility to complete various exercises with other agents when I am required to be in areas it is restricted from. In the evenings, we retire to my apartment where I can debrief it about its day and answer any of its questions. During bedtime, Suletta prefers to rest curled against my collar rather than use the small cushion I purchased for it. It took a while to get used to but is not uncomfortable.

Day 25

Belying its small mass, Suletta has a surprising amount of dexterity and strength. It can form multiple tendrils from its mass to manipulate objects–even items much larger than itself.

We conducted a series of tests to gauge the limit of Suletta's strength.

First series of tests involved having Suletta lift and manipulate a set of weights (Chuatury’s dumbbell set) until failure. Suletta was able to lift and juggle the largest size, 15 kg (300 times its mass), with little issue.

An industrial force transducer was obtained to get a more accurate strength measurement. Suletta was instructed to hit the marked target with a tendril as hard as possible. The solid steel piece of equipment crumpled and shredded before a measurement could be read.

Suletta was very apologetic.

Day 27

Despite multiple attempts to change the atmospheric controls, introducing warming baths and blankets, and other such measures, Suletta professes to be constantly cold unless in contact with skin. It is quite warm to the touch itself so perhaps it possesses an internal temperature regulation issue? Will have to continue testing. It is not uncomfortable, since Suletta is quite warm and soft, but explaining why I always have a black tentacle peeking out from inside my shirt is a little embarrassing.

Day 39

A new discovery: Suletta can absorb materials through its body. While it had not shown a need for sustenance previously, it became interested after watching me during mealtimes. During the impromptu test, Suletta managed to consume a bagel, three apples, and a glass of water (including the glass). It consumed almost 1kg of material–20 times its mass–without issue and stated that it could happily consume more. It does not seem to produce waste.

Suletta reported feeling filled with energy and enjoyed the experience. How had I overlooked that a living creature may require nutrition? I feel terrible and it is now top priority to begin food testing.

Suletta requested to join me during meals from now on. I have asked the cafeteria to send double portions.

Researcher’s Note: All future consumption testing of nonedible items needs to be vetted by me. Please stop offering Suletta random objects to consume or I will sic Panlunch on you.

Day 45

Suletta is growing! It appears that a steady diet has resulted in a substantial increase in mass.

Current weight: 170 grams.

Day 57

Current weight: 820 grams

Suletta continues to steadily grow in size, but there does not appear to be a correlation to the amount consumed. With Suletta's permission, we withheld food for 36 hours as a test. Suletta continued to grow steadily during that time. My hypothesis is that Suletta can store energy from what it has previously consumed. Energy conversion rate unknown.

Day 63

A new discovery: Suletta is able to alter its mass at will. After complaining to Suletta that it was getting a bit too heavy to carry around my neck all day (mass had reached 2 kg), Suletta proceeded to shrink to a more manageable 200 g. Subsequent testing showed that Suletta can do this continuously, growing and shrinking at will, with no apparent loss to energy, mass, or strength.

I have requested that Suletta maintain its smaller form when upon my person.

Day 75

Chuatury has introduced television and streaming video to Suletta. It seems quite taken with it and now spends has scheduled time during the afternoons to watch various programs with a rotating group of sector agents. Suletta has shown a preference for cooking shows, romantic comedies, and cartoons.

Day 77

Suletta has requested that I watch movies with her in the evening. I have negotiated keeping romcoms to a minimum and adding documentaries to the rotation.

Day 102

Suletta can take on a humanoid shape. Much to my surprise, I had awoken to find a naked woman in my bed. The sudden spike of adrenaline (and a lot of screaming) initiated the security red alert. Suletta morphed back into a blob and hid in my camisole until the ruckus died down and everything was explained.

Suletta's new form is that of a tall (170-cm) dark-skinned woman with long red hair and blue eyes. When questioned, it (she?) explained that she just suddenly knew how to shape-shift and the created form is instinctual. Nika was able to find a set of scrubs for Suletta to wear.

I am unsure how to feel about this new development.

Day 129

Suletta requested a few additions to the kitchenette in my apartment and supplies so that she can learn how to cook the things she sees on TV. I have given her Internet access to look up recipes and also granted her access to my acquisition account so she can order ingredients and supplies as needed.

I do not appreciate the other agents joking that I have a new housewife.

Day 167

Suletta has completely taken charge of meals for the two of us and often invites the other agents as well. She has become quite skilled, though we had to explain nutrition and calories to her when she made pancakes and waffles every day for a week. She has since been diligently reading about human biology and nutritional requirements and carefully watching my intake.

Instant ramen is a thing of the past, sadly. I asked her once and she made homemade miso ramen with char siu and shoyu marinated eggs the next day. It was delicious.

Day 192

Subject [REDACTED] escaped from its cell today. An extremely aggressive subject, it killed half a dozen agents and researchers as it tore through the sector. Suletta intercepted it when it tried to charge towards me. I couldn't even see her move, she was so fast. Before I knew it, all that was left was a puddle of blood and viscera.

After reviewing the video logs, Suletta formed multiple tentacles that grabbed onto [REDACTED] and tore it to pieces. The footage had to be slowed down dramatically to be able to capture her movements.

Per protocol, Suletta will be detained in her cell until a full investigation of the situation has been completed.

Day 194

I can't get the sight of Suletta so easily taking apart [REDACTED] from my head. It was nothing to her. She could just as easily take apart me, all of the agents of this sector, and escape to wreak havoc outside. Should I elevate her threat level and think about countermeasures? But this is Suletta. She cries at puppy commercials and hides from the janitor because she's scared of his toupee.

My instincts as a Foundation researcher are completely at odds with what I feel as just Miorine.

Day 203

Although she has been cleared and released from confinement, Suletta has remained in her cell for the past week. I think she noticed the lingering tension in the agents and me.

I didn't realize how cold and quiet things are without her.

Day 207

I finally forced Suletta to talk to me today. She had been hiding in her jar when I would go to check on her, but I managed to grab a hold of and yank her out.

It's a little embarrassing and I made them encrypt the security footage, but we talked. I immediately refused her offer to be locked back in the vault. I will not let her run away.

I brought her home. I want her to stay with me.

Day 233

I have convinced the Council to appoint Suletta as my personal security agent. Citing her abilities and protective instincts, I explained that she is a great asset and it would be a better use for her than having her sit around watching TV all day. This new appointment grants her wider access to the Foundation facilities as long as she is accompanied by me. Suletta seems to enjoy the extra freedom, though she dislikes the administrative meetings I have to sit through. I allow her to nap in my coat when she needs a break.

She is formally registered as an occupant in my apartment and her former cell has been emptied and repurposed for other uses. I asked if she would like her own bedroom but she insists she prefers to stay with me. I will not argue.

Status: File complete. Testing for subject LP-041-SUL-TTA formally concluded.