(Video, backdated to before the Halloween Party)

[trustycrowbar]

[It's Gordon, and he's looking more Frazzled than he normally is. Visibly tired, hair disheveled, tie missing. He even takes off his glasses for a moment to rub over his face before he speaks.]

We've got a new development in the moon... situation. A reliable source mentioned to me that the person that caused the instance in Termina was actually under control of a mask. I mean ANOTHER mask. They, uh, drew a picture:

[So suddenly a file with this image attached is broadcast to everyone:]

[Good luck sleeping tonight, guys.]

I haven't found any other images besides this one, but the other masks we gained from the monsters makes me believe that this one really is out there, and that someone has a hold of it. Or rather, that the mask has a hold of THEM.

If you're a student and you see it, let a security team member know; Do NOT confront them on your own. We don't really know what they're capable of, but considering the recent minor reconfiguration of the cosmos, I'd put money on "a lot."

We need to find this thing, and whoever it's wearing, and put a stop to them.

Comments

[trustycrowbar]

Yeah. I know this thing was stopped by the giants last time, and then retreated into--

...

Into the moon itself. It's impossible to verify if it's up there right now, so I haven't exactly sounded the charge. The best we can do is hunt around down here.

[will_be_god]

Giants. Is that beast that destroyed this area one of them, or simply a beast?

[trustycrowbar]

That was just a beast. I get the feeling those giants were more intelligent than that thing was.

[will_be_god]

There was something binding them then? Or were they simply waiting for a catalyst in order to act?

[He stared off to the side]

...Professor Freeman. What do you know about the effects of a sudden change in brain chemistry on the human body? Specifically the sudden loss of emotion.

[trustycrowbar]

I'm not sure how they were called to help yet...

[He fiddles with his glasses.]

I'm no neurosurgeon, but I think that any changes in the body should be taken in context of the rest of the physical system. That said, a sudden loss of emotion is probably an indicator of something else that's going on.

[And not something good, either.]

As to the effects... I'd worry about of other parts of the human pyche going along with it. Empathy and self-preservation, to start with.

[will_be_god]

Worry...how strange. To do so about another at this point is to look away from the big picture...

[It seemed for a moment that Cyrus was heavily distracted by something off to his side, or perhaps he was simply lost in thought]

I am aware of the cause. However, I am experiencing unforseen side effects that appeared nowhere in my research.

[trustycrowbar]

Showing concern for other people is what keeps us humane. We become either monsters or automatons without it.

[And he's certainly not doing anything that would lesson Gordon's concern. He gives Cyrus a sidelong look.]

What side-effects? What have you been getting into?

[will_be_god]

Automatons, yes...

[He paused, staring off into space again]

...yet a degradation in programming is a sign of either extreme age or extreme error.