Leaked Email Exposes Gruesome Tests and Dangers of Veiled Food

from: Harold Breen
to: Dr. Robert Coney
date: Mon, Jan 05, 2037 at 10:53 AM
subject: FDA Approval and Taste Tests

We have ran into a potential stumbling block with our FDA approval. I just wanted to touch base with you to discuss the situation and let you know how I think we should handle it.

As I’m sure you know we are on the verge of securing FDA approval to veil foodstuffs. We’ve completed all the necessary testing and have passed the first round of inspections. Most of the paperwork is done and we are just adding supplemental reports currently. We have shown that consumables can be safely transported through the veil with no adverse effects. As expected, veiled food is completely indistinguishable from food that has not been transported, at least as far as anything the FDA is concerned with goes. The question we have been trying to answer, and the point of this email, is whether or not it tastes different.

The issue came up when the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) expressed concerns that any live animals might be tainted during the travel process, and had some reservations about transporting fish and poultry in particular. To allay their concerns, we assembled a taste testing panel of culinary experts and fed them veiled items and non-veiled items. That’s where we ran into some trouble. We aren’t exactly sure what is going on but about 25% of the tasters could note a difference between an animal that was transported while living, and one that was not.

Our experiments showed that this unexpected side effect was true of fish and many types of fowl but most pronounced in geese. Almost a third of our experts could accurately determine if a goose had been veiled alive before it was prepared. To rule out differences in flavor between individuals, we began to remove a single wing before transmission and then the remaining wing after the animal completed its journey. The results ended up being the same. The wings of living geese tasted different after they had gone through the veil. It is important to note that the experts didn’t say that they flavor was bad, just different. One expert said of the wing plates, “This is really grisly but delicious.”

The same turned out to be true of legs and thighs. Despite our best efforts and some remarkable medical interventions, we were unable to keep a goose alive long enough after removing testable portions of the breast. Nonetheless, we have no reason to believe that the outcome would have been any different. We experimented with a number of sauces and rubs with no measurable change. We briefly discussed the possibility that the cooking process might have something to do with the issue and began to explore ways we could eat portions straight off the bird. At this point in the experiments some of our tasters became noticeably upset and voiced concerns about the well-being of the animals being prepared for them. Feeling that we had already collected enough data and not wanting to ruffle any more feathers, we thanked them for their time and ended for the day.

We aren’t sure what could be causing the issue but it appears that living tissue is absorbing some substance during the travel process that non-living tissue does not. Our best guess is that those able to taste a difference have an increase in fungiform papilae, making them what is commonly known as a “super taster.” These individuals are much more sensitive to flavors and represent about 25% of the population, a number that correlates to our findings. We plan on starting a new round of tests to determine if marinade baths or the removal of feathers prior to transmission will fix the issue.

The good news is that the FDA doesn’t oversee how a food tastes, only it’s safety. As far as we know, whatever is going on with the living animals is not going on with any other foodstuffs. If we’re careful about our claims and keep these findings quiet until we know more, we should still hit our goals on the current timeline. I’ve already verified that all of our testers signed their NDA’s. Hopefully our parts and pieces platters didn’t leave a bad taste in their mouths and they’ll honor their agreements. I’m sure whatever is going on isn’t anything serious and we’ll figure it out soon.

Email Proves VeilCorp Knows Gateway Technology Is Dangerous

from: Dr. Robert Coney
to: Eric Oeming
date: Mon, Jul 12, 2027 at 9:53 AM
subject: R2137 “Brisby” Update

As you requested I’m sending this update on subject R2137, “Brisby” to your private address.

Last Thursday we successfully teleported R2137 across the lab without traumatic injury to the rat. A full physical showed no significant changes. Labs were completely normal and there was no meaningful change in time for her maze tests. We closely monitored the subject, which we nicknamed Brisby, for the next couple days without anything noteworthy happening. As you are now aware that changed over the weekend.

On Sunday staff began to notice that the other rats changed their behavior when Brisby was being carried by. At first the rats would stop whatever they were doing and sit silently. Later during the day, they would move in their cages to be as close as they could to Brisby, remaining completely silent and seemingly focused on her. This behavior continued even when there was no line of sight, and even when Brisby was in a closed cardboard box. Today things became even more interesting.

After reading the weekend reports and talking to staff I decided to look over Brisby myself. Completing my physical examination, I set Brisby down on my desk while waiting for her lab work to come in. A few moments later she walked deliberately to my keyboard and typed “Brisby”. As you can imagine I had a hard time believing what I saw. I deleted the word and asked Brisby to type her name again. She complied. She seems able to reliably type her name when asked but doesn’t respond to anything else I’ve asked so far.

I’ve not shared this information with anyone else yet, but have begun to document this behavior through video. If I don’t hear from you in the next hour I will try your private line again. We may be on the verge of two world-changing discoveries!

Update on the incident at Pine Bridge

Good morning Dr. Oeming. As I’m sure you’ve already been informed, we had a possible security concern when some of the escaped R2137 or “Brisby” rats were discovered in the small town of Pine Bridge, Georgia. I’ve just completed a tour of the facility in which they had been living, recovered our animals and have left personnel to tie up any loose ends. Before I go more in depth, let me allay any concerns you may have about the incident. I am sure that I recovered all our assets (including some new pups), and I am confident we won’t be hearing anymore about the matter.

After the robbery of our Seattle facility and theft of some of the R2137 animals last Fall, you’ll remember that the decision was made to move all the rats from that lab to other, more secure locations. The process went as planned except for a group that was veiled to our Atlanta location. At some point in the move approximately 8 individuals escaped their boxes. An intense sweep of the building and the grounds yielded nothing and an alert was put out to our government partners to monitor the area. After continued searches of the facility found nothing, and no reports about large white rats acting strangely came from surrounding areas, we assumed they had fled outside and fell victim to natural predators. It appears that was an incorrect assumption.

Within a month the town of Pine Bridge, about 30 miles North of Atlanta, began to experience a rash of chicken disappearances. While it’s not unusual for a number of animals to prey on chickens, there was none of the usual signs of predation. They were simply vanishing. Despite the lack of blood, bodies, or feathers, the local Wildlife Resource Division took measures to cull the surrounding coyote population, thinking they were responsible. Even though they took in very few animals, the disappearances soon stopped and not much more was thought of it. None of the reports mentioned anything about rats and since chickens are taken all the time, it didn’t tip off any government monitoring software.

Then neighbors around the recently closed Murphy Poultry Farm began to call officials about strange noises coming from the property. Eventually the police responded when they received a call that the processing plant had started up one night. The responding officer drove up to the building but after a thorough search didn’t find any suspects. What he did find was over a hundred chickens and a number of large white rats. It was his call into the station that night that caught the attention of our partners and triggered the alert to us.

I was in Pine Bridge that following morning and began my tour of the facility around noon. The locals were told that the farm was being used by wanted Gaia Guard terrorists to hold stolen lab animals. They seemed happy with that explanation.

What I saw was truly amazing. In only a few months and without any tools, the rats had gathered enough chickens to start operations again. They even picked up a small gaggle of geese from somewhere. They had reconnected the water and electricity. Even the recycling and automated disposal systems were online, and most of the processing machinery was operational again.

I could see that a large female recognized me and was eager to show off what they had done. Not having enough feed for all the fowl, the rats would take turns herding groups of chickens into the vast fields outside so they could forage for food. I spent an hour watching groups of rats take turns escorting their wards to various foraging areas and keep watch over them like sheep dogs tending a flock.

I’m not an expert in animal husbandry or the raising of chickens, but to be honest, some of their innovations were remarkable. They made some improvements to the water recycling system to better accommodate the geese. I don’t fully understand it all but my guide seemed very insistent that I take copious notes. Her whiskers were a frenzy of excitement when we got to the chick sorting area. They had fully automated the process by chewing differently sized holes through the table screen. To be honest, it’s the most well run and efficient free range operation I’ve ever seen. If they were provided with the proper support, or were human, the business would be a huge success.

Of course after the tour we shut everything down, caged the rats, and disposed of the fowl. The responding officer doesn’t seem to know what he saw. Even if he did know the truth, I don’t think anyone would believe him. However, just to be careful, I’ve asked that his and all the communications from everyone in his station be monitored for the next several months. I honestly don’t think we have anything to worry about here.

I’m going to bring this bunch back to Lahaina with me just so there is no further trouble or mix ups. I think we might have to consider starting a little farm ourselves here. I’ve never seen the rats so happy.

Veilcorp Transports Contaminated Animals To Lahaina Facility

from: Dr. Robert Coney

to: Eric Oeming
date: Fri, Oct. 12, 2036 at 5:53 PM
subject: Update and relocation of 6th Generation R2137 “Brisby” Line

A little over 9-years-ago we successfully sent subject R2137, (aka: Brisby), through the gateway and discovered that the process had made some profound changes in the animal. At that time I theorized that some of the amazing abilities exhibited by the rat would be passed on to her young. As we now know that theory was correct. We have carefully bred the “R” line with limited numbers into the 6th generation and I will continue to keep you apprised of any new developments and issues as they arise. That brings us to the recent incident in the Seattle facility.

4 subjects in the Brisby line were taken by Gaia Guard radicals when they attacked the lab. We followed protocol by removing all sensitive information from properties nearby and alerting our government contacts. They have been taking point with local law enforcement and have had control of the public messaging. Unfortunately the animals have not turned up so far and no arrests have been made.

To be honest Eric, we haven’t heard anything in over a year so I think nature has solved the problem for us. As we learned firsthand, the Brisby line is very hard to keep in enclosures. I find it highly unlikely that anyone ignorant of their abilities would be able to keep them contained. Since we haven’t had any reports of animals grouping together in large numbers, or acting oddly in any other way, I think we might be safe. Knowing how much the rats love to tinker with machinery and control any other animals they come in contact with, I find it doubtful that they would have survived without acting out. We will keep working until we have a definitive answer of course, but I think we can breath a little easier.

It has been a few months now since we’ve relocated the rest of the line to the Lahaina facility and they are assimilating nicely. Not only has the move proved beneficial from a security standpoint, but the rats seem to be thriving in their new environment. The 6th generation retain many of the abilities and characteristics of their predecessors.

The rats seem to be able to share information amongst themselves. Teach one a task or trick, and the others become immediately capable of performing the activity. This communal knowledge seems to be passed on at birth automatically without any outward teaching. The generation 6 line has retained knowledge taught only to previous generations in this way. The animals are capable of typing out words in order to communicate wants or needs, and are capable of impacting the behavior of other animals. This ability seems less powerful in the 6th generation than others, with the rats being able to change the mood of other animals (passivity being most common) rather than the total control demonstrated in past lines. This still makes them too dangerous around other animals however, as a lab assistant learned in Seattle when confronted by a dozen raging rabbits.

Their love of building blocks borders on obsessive, and their urge to examine and fix anything mechanical (within their physical capabilities) is almost as strong. In addition, they remain big fans of instructional videos especially anything involved with food production. The newly installed vending machine has been a big hit and has led to some interesting new behaviors. We just got the latest model from Reality Machine which includes a recycler and the rats have gone nuts over it.

Because of the cost, we tried in vain to keep them away from it at first, but eventually let them examine it under close supervision. It’s ability to breakdown items, especially food, led to some excited chattering around here. I’m not sure some of the flavor combinations are going to take the culinary world by storm but they seem to like them. Past favorites include vanilla-broccoli-bread and peanut butter and herring bites, with cheesy-raspberry-chips being the snack of choice for over a week. Additionally, their need to have these creations photographed have allowed a bit of much needed levity to creep in around here. I’ve attached some of the pictures and there are many more hanging around the lab. We can take solace in the fact that they don’t seem interested in taking selfies yet but a few do insist on being next to their food when pictures are taken. I’ll keep you updated on any further events as usual.

Veilcorp Email Outlines the Effects of Gateway Travel On Animals

from: Dr. Robert Coney

to: Eric Oeming
date: Fri, Aug 27, 2027 at 5:53 PM
subject: Subject R2137 “Brisby” Update

It has been a little over a month since we successfully used the gateway technology on Brisby, and the subsequent discovery of remarkable changes in the rat. She remains in good health with no physical detriments. Her weight and appetite remain normal as are her labs. Her cognitive and special changes are briefly outlined below:

Language: Brisby is capable of recognizing and correctly identifying objects and her favorite foods. She seems to understand tone and can follow simple verbal instructions. However syntax and other higher elements of language seem beyond her grasp so far. Her abilities can best be described as similar to those of a language-deprived child. It may be that we have missed a developmental window in Brisby, and this is the limit of her skills. It is just too early to say at this point.

Social Interactions: As I mentioned to you before, Brisby’s interactions with the other rats has changed. She seems able to communicate with them over a distance without physical contact or a line of sight. We have ruled out that these new interactions are pheromone or scent based. There is a marked increase in brain activity when these communications happen which has led us to hypothesize that what we are witnessing is a documented case of animal ESP.

Empathic Projection/Control: Related to her social interactions but remarkable enough to call out separately is Brisby’s ability to make other rats do her bidding. Whenever she is brought within close proximity to the other animals they move as close as possible to her and remain motionless. If they are moved away they return and resume this behavior. Occasionally these periods will be broken up with one-on-one play with Brisby or with the rat bringing a food item or toy to her. Further, when asked to make another rat move a certain distance away or complete a simple task, Brisby has been able to force the subject to comply without any visible interaction.

Accelerated Learning: Traveling through the gateway has greatly increased Brisby’s ability to learn. She has beaten all previous records in our standard maze, and seems to be able to learn new configurations in record time as well. In addition, an assistant discovered that she has an affinity for watching instructional videos. A how hatchery chickens are made video is her favorite. She asks to watch it every morning and multiple times in a day. However, after careful consideration and an increased interest in factory farming on her part, we’ve decided it best to remove all of the birds from the facility and restrict eggs from the lab. Technical videos seem to run a close second. She lacks the size and dexterity to complete most of the projects shown to her of course, but she was moderately successful at adding more memory to a lab computer after watching a tutorial. She can also successfully login to a work station she has been provided. As noted above we are keeping careful record of her search history.

At this point we will continue with the program as I’ve already laid out and keep you apprised of any new developments. It might be interesting to see if these abilities can be taught to others with her help or passed down to offspring.