STORYLINE

How the Veilstorm changed Lahaina

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The topic of my report for Lahaina history week is the Veilstorm. Lots of people say that the Veilstorm was worse than the big accident, but I’m not sure. It made the island the place it is today and made it so that I got to meet Nana. She has protected us for a long time and always smiles and says “Be mindful little Akamai and stay on the trail.” whenever I leave Pu`u.

Nobody knows what made the big accident happen. Some people say it was a bomb. Some say it was because everyone there was lazy and didn’t fix things when they broke. My cousin says it was because we had gone against the laws of nature, but he’s weird and thinks lots of crazy things. What everyone seems to agree on is what made some of the animals mean and what turned some people into monsters, it was the Veilstorm.

The accident damaged lots of buildings and pushed some houses right over. The people who survived had to find places to go. Lots of people went to emergency shelters but many weren’t close enough and had to find someplace else to go. For many that meant going inside the lava tubes that Veilcorp was using to store the 127 they used to power the station. That was a big mistake.

What they didn’t know was that a really big storm was coming. It was the worst storm that anyone could remember. For 5 days the wind ripped through the trees and knocked down more buildings. It rained so much that parts of the island flooded and brought up some of the 127 from the tunnels. The wind spread it across the island and the rain turned orange. There wasn’t anyplace to go for lots of people. Some got sick and some didn’t make it. But some of the people who got sick started to change.

Nana and her brother Kino were teachers before the accident and they were the first to go out and look for people. They checked lots of different places like Front street, the radio tower, and Hahai Ranch. They were so busy trying to help people that they got caught in the orange rain for a long time and both got really sick. Because they helped so many people, everyone was really sad when they got sick. Kino got a bunch of weird bumps on his skin. Nana was lucky and only had a fever for a few days.

Some of the people in town were worried that Kino would make other people sick so Nana took him to their house to take care of him. She worked and worked to clean up the mess in town and take care of Kino. It wasn’t long before some people noticed that Nana never slept and she could work for hours and never get tired. A few other people began to say or do weird things too. Some of them said they could have conversations without talking or make things move by wishing they would. They were the lucky ones.

For every person who could do special things on the inside there were a bunch that just changed on the outside. Lots of them lost their hair or teeth some had even worse things happen. Nobody was sure what to do. Then people began to talk about how animals had started to change to. The really big boars began to show up and people had to be careful in the jungle. Everywhere on the island the animals and people who were outside during the Veilstorm started to change.

One day a bunch of the village went out to the lava tubes to look for food and they were attacked. All the people who had been staying there had changed. Their arms got longer and stronger. They got sharp teeth and they forgot who they were. They became the monsters that we now call the night marchers. Lots of villagers didn’t make it out of the tunnels, but some managed to. They ran as fast as they could back with the night marchers right behind. Nana was the first to spot them.

She sounded the alarm and everyone got weapons or went inside the old school. There wasn’t a gate back then so Nana knew she needed to slow them down somehow so people could get to safety. She ran to her house yelling Kino’s name. Nobody had seen her brother in weeks and when he came out they didn’t know what to think. The bumps on his skin were all over and he was so big he almost didn’t fit out the door. Nana pointed towards the people running up the hill and the monsters chasing them. That’s all Kino needed to see.

He charged down the hill screaming and waving a big pole over his head. It was so scary that some of the villagers stopped and ran back the other way towards the night marchers. Kino’s pole slammed into the first night marcher and sent it flying. The rest ignored the villagers and jumped on Kino. It was a long fight, but eventually all the night marchers gave up and ran away. Kino and Nana saved the village but Kino was hurt bad.

People couldn’t stop talking about the monsters and how Kino used one as a club after he lost his pole in the fight. They were scared about the monsters and that Kino might hurt someone in the village one day, so they decided he had to go. They gathered up everyone who looked sick and made them live someplace else. Lots of the people who had to leave got together for safety. Eventually they met other people who were sick and made their own villages. Some started to call themselves the Kānaka.

Nana stayed and still watches the trail from the front gate even though she’s old now. People say she still doesn’t sleep, but she never seems grumpy like my mom does when she’s tired. I guess that’s what makes her such a good gate guard. I’m sorry that her brother had to go live someplace else and that so many people got sick or died. Even though the Veilstorm turned some people into monsters it turned some people into heroes too.

Akamai Mahelona
4th Grade
Pu`u School Lahaina

STORYLINE

Oldest Tree In Hawaii Goes Through a Mysterious Growth Spurt

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Since its discovery almost 40 years ago, Okilani an ancient Ohi’a tree on Maui, has fascinated scientists. The massive plant has been estimated to be over 4,000-years-old, making it the oldest known living thing in Hawaii, and one of the oldest living nonclonal trees in the world. But it’s not the tree’s age that has scientists and researchers stumped, it’s Okilani’s recent growth spurt that has them scratching their heads. Over the past 4 years, the venerable tree has grown about 25% bigger.

The Ohi’a tree holds a special place in Hawaiian mythology. According to the stories, Ohi’a and his beautiful lover Lehua grabbed the attention of the volcano goddess Pele. She fell in love with the brave and handsome Ohi’a and approached him, but he rebuffed her advances. Enraged, Pele turned Ohi’a into a tree as punishment. The fair Lehua was devastated that she could no longer be with her true love and began to wail. The other gods heard her cries and took pity on her. They transformed her into a beautiful red flower and placed her upon the tree so the two could be together forever.

Ohi’a trees can grow in a number of difficult locations that other plants can’t. They grow readily on lava and are usually the first plants to spring up after new flows. As such, they are one of the most common trees to find in the forests of Hawaii, but Okilani stood out according to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) agent Greg Iona.

“In 2010 a fast-moving fungal infection, Ceratocystis fimbriata, was found in Ohi’a trees around Puna. The infection soon spread North across the Big Island and eventually made it’s way to Maui. There was a very real concern that it might wipe out all the Ohi’a trees if it continued to spread. During a survey of the population in Maui, researchers spotted Okilani in the middle of a group of infected trees. It seemed to be fungus-free so they took some samples and that’s when they figured out how just how special it was. Okilani was here at least 1,000 years before the first people were, it has seen the colonization of Hawaii. It was a seedling when people were first figuring out writing. It’s an amazing thing, by far the biggest and oldest Ohi’a tree ever discovered, so there’s lots to learn yet. One of the biggest questions we have is, why did it started growing again 4 years ago?”

A handful of environmentalists say that Okilani’s recent growth is a result of Veilcorp’s Icarus project, increasing worldwide exposure to 127 (Unbiseptium). They say that the element is potentially dangerous and call on government agencies to better regulate its production until long-term studies can be completed. While there have been a number of reports about unusual animal activity in recent years, and even a small group of sea otters that now call Maui home, researchers say that there is no proof that elevated 127 levels are to blame. Vereserum botanist Adler Walters says that there is much yet to learn about the ancient tree and that speculation in useless.

“This amazing organism has so much to teach us that I don’t know why people are wasting their time on wild speculation. Unlike Yew trees or the Glass Sponge, the Ohi’a tree is not a species known for its extraordinary longevity, yet Okilani is one of the oldest living things on the planet. It was found to have a natural resistance to the fungal infection that nearly wiped out the rest of its kind and that’s just the beginning. I believe that it may help us learn more about combating diseases and the effects of climate change. Its sudden and rapid growth during this late stage in life may be perfectly natural. This is such an unusual specimen that we just can’t say what is “normal”. The only thing that is certain, is that Okilani is a fascinating organism that needs a much more thorough examination.”

Not everyone thinks that more study is necessary however. Preservation Zone Compliance Liaison Elizabeth Stonegate doesn’t see what the big deal is and is trying to limit the amount of people allowed to visit the protected area where Okilani grows. “I understand that the tree is very old but so what? It’s not like it can pass on any wisdom or tell you where the best place to have dinner is. I’m not even sure how they know that it’s getting taller. I read that the tree is supposed to be over 150 feet tall now and I thought, ‘How do they know?’ Do they make someone climb up to the top and measure it? I just had my countertops replaced and the contractors couldn’t even correctly measure 8 feet with a laser, I can’t imagine how off they’d be trying to measure something outside. It all seems like a whole lot of fuss about nothing. All I know is that my phone has been ringing off the hook lately. Most of my time is being spent going over scientific study applications instead of measuring the lengths of driveways around the zone, and ensuring that hikers aren’t walking down trails with prohibited toothpastes in their packs. I have important work to do that matters. I would encourage scientists to got to one of the many other places in the world where tall trees grow for their research and stop bothering my office with permit requests.”

STORYLINE

Legal Notice For Anyone Who Traveled Using Veilcorp Technology

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Read This Notice Carefully. A Class Action Lawsuit May Affect Your Rights

If you or a loved one traveled using Veilcorp technology anytime after May 10th, 2038 you might qualify to join a proposed class action suit. Several veil travelers have reported a number of health issues including: severe mood swings, blackouts, anxiety, depression, nervous feeling, problems with memory and concentration, paranoia, hallucinations, a burning sensation, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitation, aggressive or violent behavior, restless sleep, night terrors, dry mouth, hair loss, and a high susceptibility to infection. These changes in behavior have often lead to hospitalization or in some extreme cases, negative interactions with the law.

The solar production of 127 (Unbiseptium) since Veilcorp’s Icarus project began has increased worldwide exposure to medically significant levels of the element. These levels can be even higher in individuals who have previously used Veilcorp technology, causing permanent damage to the brain and/or significant personality changes leading to disastrous results. If you or a loved one was injured, hospitalized, or suffered loss due to a belief that you could exhibit a wide array of psychic powers, you may qualify to join this Veilcorp class action lawsuit investigation. Please contact the law offices of Suter, Stine, Burn,& Partners (SSB&P) for a FREE case evaluation.

Overview: Excessive 127 Exposure Reports and Class Action Lawsuits

Veilcorp was hit with numerous lawsuits since the beginning of the Icarus project. Numerous aggrieved parties claim that excessive exposure to 127 led to behavioral changes resulting in financial loss and the need for medical interventions. One such lawsuit was filed by a Hawaiian man whose exposure to 127 led him to hallucinate while at work and spill hazardous materials over himself and a co-worker in June 2043. The injuries the man suffered landed him in intensive care for more a week and left him believing he could see other dimensions and even into the future. A release of documents by the activist group Veilwatch last month purports to show proof that Veilcorp knew the dangers of excessive exposure to 127, and is being reviewed by government officials. A report filed in February 2050 by a Senior Investigator for the Department of Land and Natural Resources claims the increase in worldwide 127 exposure has led to violent behavioural changes in animals near Veilcorp facilities, especially native populations of geese. Stories like these are becoming more and more common. According to studies, these incidents have increased greatly since the Icarus project began in January 2046.

How Does the Increase in 127 Exposure Cause Health Issues?

People around the world have turned to veil travel as a mode of transportation because it offers a quick and convenient alternative to other modes of transportation. But the safety of this technology has been called into question with recent reports and scientific studies. The exact process by which the excessive 127 exposure reacts with the brain is not fully understood. Numerous studies have shown a large measurable increase in 127 radiation in the atmosphere, land, water, animals and people. This increase correlates with a marked increase in the symptoms previously mentioned. The increase shows a pronounced spike beginning in 2048 when Veilcorp heavily discounted the cost of veil travel. Recent studies suggest that a significant number of those suffering delusional effects have not reported problems believing they could perform a variety of amazing feats: hear thoughts, remote viewing, etc. If any of your loved ones are suffering from these delusions you can file on their behalf.

If the Science Isn’t Settled Should I Wait Until It Is?

Absolutely not! Cases like this are often settled without a formal trial. You won’t be able to collect compensation without being among the complainants. When someone asks you if you’d like to be part of a class action suit you say “Yes!”

If you or a loved one suffered from an emotional episode or experienced any of the conditions listed above and you traveled using Veilcorp technology, you may qualify to file a Veilcorp lawsuit. If you qualify, an attorney will contact you to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you. Please Note: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client, if you qualify, or getting you dropped from the suit.

STORYLINE

Veilcorp To Blame For Regional Chaos

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I write this not to those of you who know the damage Veilcorp and fossil fuels have done to the world. This is not for my brothers and sisters who have stood on the front line with me. I write this to the media. You’ve called us radicals. You’ve called us misguided fanatics. Nonetheless, the truth has now been laid bare. Thanks to yesterday’s release of documents from our friends at VeilWatch, you can see that our longstanding claims are true. The destabilizing effect of Veilcorp technology was known for years by countless intelligence agencies and the company itself. When you add this to an already misguided dependence on oil you have a recipe for disaster. That is what you have seen this week in Saudi Arabia, an unmitigated catastrophe.

Veilcorp and its government servants have turned their backs on the region and have let it fall into chaos. With a lack of ideas and an entire system based on the need for earth poisoning oil, it is no wonder that so many countries in the area have failed. They were designed to. They were used for their resources, and tossed aside like trash. Veilcorp realized that their technology was just as bad as oil but silenced anyone who pointed out their folly. They took away the petroleum crutches and replaced them with a cane of their own design, ensuring the people remained crippled.

The leaders of these misguided nations have sold out their people with the help of Oeming and his need to bend the laws of nature to his will. Instead of poisoning the land, sea, and air by powering massive industries, they’re doing it by converting seas of oil into cheap plastic novelties and disposable bags. It is no wonder that the people are rioting.

Despite what Veilcorp would have you believe, the people who are forced to live in these air choking regions are no different from you and I. They want the same things: peace, a future for their children, and safety. Veilcorp has made it impossible for these people to fulfill those basic wants and needs without travelling across the world and working for pennies an hour. These allegations are not ours. They are the findings of numerous government investigations that have been highlighted because of this week’s unrest. I appreciate those of you in the media who are brave enough to report it. I urge you to continue this heroic work, and force Veilcorp take responsibility for their actions. They have made a living trading one disaster for another.

They walked away from the farms they leveled in Iowa. They walked away from the people they tested their poisonous 127 on. We know this as a fact thanks again to our friends at VeilWatch. We need the media’s help to make sure that they can not walk away from the unrest and the wars they are now fueling in these delicate areas already at risk because of generations of bad leadership.

They claim that this veiling technology is the greatest discovery in the history of man but what have they done with it? They haven’t cured disease or fed the starving masses. They haven’t helped these people learn that fossil fuels have all but destroyed the planet. Instead, they’ve created a food delivery service and the world’s most expensive virtual notepad. They’ve created smaller corporations that put ads on cars and tattoo company logos on animals in the name of saving them. This is the height of human achievement? Is this the bold new tomorrow Oeming spoke of on the day he started his machines and shot a metal cube like a bullet through the fabric of reality?

Again and again Veilcorp has proven that they are willing to let people starve and live in misery if it helps their bottom line. Like all despots, Oeming is content to let civil unrest and anarchy continue in these countries as long as his stock goes up a point. The continued damage done to the environment has been long known, and our sick mother is now passing her suffering onto her children. You can’t call these truths the ramblings of a “fringe group of radicals” anymore. Your own governments have verified them.

Veilcorp had a chance, and a responsibility to help these regions see the error of their energy policies and stop killing the planet. They were warned long ago, but chose not to do anything about it. They must be convinced. Their disregard for life must be highlighted by the media, just as it has been highlighted in these reports. Years of burning petroleum has strangled the earth and killed countless species, but it’s not too late. These regimes need to fail, but the innocent people of the region need to be protected. Veilcorp has done nothing to expedite the end of these misguided governments or ease the suffering of the people. They need to be held accountable for this disaster because they had a big part in it.

STORYLINE

VeilWatch Claims proof of secret human-127 testing program, threatens a midnight release

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People across the globe are expressing shock, anger, and disbelief over allegations from VeilWatch that Veilcorp and the U.S. government conducted a secret human-127 testing program in 2022. The watchdog group says they will release a full report at midnight unless the company agrees to halt all operations, and an independent government investigation is begun.

The study of 127 (unbiseptium), the element that makes veil travel possible, has a long and controversial history. Environmentalists have questioned its safety since a containment breach at a test facility in Iowa caused the mass evacuation of thousands and the destruction of several acres of crops surrounding the area in March 2023. The human testing program allegedly began months before.

These claims come hot on the heels of a leaked report from an investigator at the Department of Land and Natural Resources in Hawaii, linking an increase in 127 exposure to abnormalities in a number of plants and animals. Veilcorp denied those allegations producing a number of impact studies.

Complaints have not been isolated to Hawaii however. Since Veilcorp’s successful Icarus project increased the production of 127, reports have been pouring into various government and health agencies about adverse effects. Government officials claim that there is no need to worry and Veilcorp officials say that they have done everything possible to ensure the public’s safety. They vehemently deny these new allegations.

Spokesperson Lisa Hunt says,

“These allegations would be laughable if they weren’t so disgusting. I think the public needs to remember that this is the same organization that claimed to have proof that we had discovered a secret Nazi base in the arctic, and had moved all of our R&D there in 2040. Also, please don’t forget that in 2043 the sleuths at VeilWatch claimed to have evidence that our technology was the result of a pact Dr. Oeming had with the aliens who live on Nibiru. Nibiru of course is the mystery planet that enters our solar system every 3,600 years. We naturally expected VeilWatch to release our plans for a distribution hub in Atlantis next. The truth is that VeiWatch will release anything sent their way no matter how ridiculous or bizarre, but they have crossed a line this time. This is clearly nothing more than a distasteful smear campaign. We urge the public to consider the messenger when it comes to these charges, and urge government officials to take action against these reprehensible claims.”

VeilWatch founder Tim Durney counters that the full report has been released to key officials and has been thoroughly vetted.

“I was there in Iowa and saw how carelessly they acted. During the investigation it became clear to me that the government and Veilcorp were hopelessly entangled but I had no idea just how deep and dark their dealings were. According to these reports Veilcorp and the government started testing the effects of 127 exposure on people almost a year before the accident in Iowa. They knew how dangerous it was and didn’t warn anyone. Some of the findings in this report are incredible. I’m not going to get into specifics unless our demands aren’t met, but I will tell you that the research and findings described in these documents are right out of a sci-fi or horror movie. I have no doubt that the particulars will be shared with the public in the coming months. I think this is really going to open some eyes and people aren’t going to like what they learn.”

Experts seem split currently on what to make about these new allegations. Some share Hunt’s sentiments about some of the more outrageous claims made by VeilWatch over the years. Other’s say this time is different, as there has been some acknowledgment this morning from a number of officials that some sort of program existed. It remains to be seen what that program entailed and if it indeed involved human testing.

STORYLINE

Veilcorp activity may be producing changes in native flora and fauna

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Since its inception there have been numerous accusations about the effects of the veil station in Lahaina on the surrounding plants and animals .Numerous internal investigations as well as EPA studies over the last 18 years have failed to offer any definitive proof that the company, or its veiling technology have had any impact on the region’s wildlife. However, with the success of the Icarus mission, 127 (Unbiseptium) has now been found in alarming levels virtually everywhere as the company stockpiles the power source. This has led to a marked increase in complaints and calls for investigation. As the Senior Investigator for the Department of Land and Natural Resources it is my job to collect all available data, conduct a preliminary investigation, and make a recommendation to the governor’s office. The following is that report.

First, I’d like to emphasise that my team and I did not investigate every claim that has been submitted to The Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The time required to do so with my limited staff would have been prohibitive. Instead, we focused on the most common complaints and the specific concerns of the governor.

We could find no specific evidence that the marked increase in a number of invasive plant species, (woodrose, smokebush, pampas grass, among others), was due to Veilcorp activity, or increased exposure to 127. There is no doubt that these species are pushing out native plants, but the increase in visitors to the island who might accidentally carry seed on their clothing, coupled with these plants popularity as landscaping cover, can account for the increase. We did however find a considerable drop in nitrogen levels in the soil around the island. If that is part of a larger natural process or the result of 127 killing off nitrogen-fixing bacteria needs to be studied further as it may be impacting plant life. More on this later in the report.

In addition, human interactions and normal sylvatic cycles can not be ruled out in regards to the higher than normal rates of disease reported in plants and animals. Again, I suggest that officials begin a more thorough investigation. I will also point out at this time that Veilcorp has been less than forthcoming with their own impact studies to my investigators. We have also ran into a number of roadblocks at the local level with officials expressing concern about the investigation’s effect on tourism. Let me assure you that any temporary economic impact that might result from this investigation would pale in comparison to that which would occur should the next Ebola have its origin in Lahaina, and we try to hide it.

We were also unable to verify that a variety of stinkhorn mushroom has become parasitic and has been infecting the deer and boar populations. The sample mushrooms provided by the hunters from Hahai ranch have proved unremarkable. Even though we weren’t able to find an infected animal in our survey, we should remain vigilant and continue to work to find an infected specimen. The hunters know these animals better than most. We should take their reports seriously.

There were a couple of claims that we were able to verify nonetheless, including the alarming reports from the biologists studying the nene. The Hawaiian goose population on the island has become hyper-aggressive and has started to show signs of physical transformations since the Icarus project. The average nene is now 20% larger and carries more robust tomia (the teeth-like structures that line the bill). We have been able to verify a number of attack reports, including an incident where a group tried to separate a child from his family at a park, and the hunting and consumption of small mammals, especially mongooses. Our team experienced attacks themselves while working in a cliff area. A flock tried to drive team members off a high path in a manner reminiscent of large birds of prey pushing food animals to their death.

In addition, a species of native hibiscus, hibiscus waimeae, has become so toxic that it is killing off many of its usual pollinators, including hummingbirds. Some team members theorize that this might be a response to the soil becoming so nitrogen poor. They think the hibiscus is trying to supplement this deficiency with birds in a manner similar to carnivorous flora such as the pitcher plant and venus flytrap. It’s a reasonable hypothesis but to see such a transformation in such a short period of time is unprecedented. Additionally, the new toxin seems to have an intoxicating effect on larger animals. The mongoose population often eats the poisoned birds which makes them slow to react to danger, leaving them particularly vulnerable to nene predation. The word has spread quickly among the local people and incidents of hibiscus intoxication are now common. While we were conducting our investigation there was a bust at the local maker commune after it was discovered that some individuals were selling dried flowers, and had brewed a large quantity of “Tree Tea” to sell to tourists.

While we simply didn’t have the time required to do a proper scientific investigation of many of the environmental claims made since the increase in 127 exposure, there is no doubt something is happening. The physical and behavioral changes in the hibiscus and our state bird are unparalleled, and defy everything we think we know about natural processes. The fact that Veilcorp scientists don’t seem concerned, and have been slow to cooperate is all the more troubling. In my opinion, there can be no doubt that the increase in Unbiseptium has had major impact on all living things. Who knows what it is doing to people? We should act immediately while our ducks still look, swim, and quack like ducks.

STORYLINE

Reparre Biologic develops permanent allergy treatment

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Until now people like 40-year-old Kristyn Ribble had few ways to cope with their extreme allergies: avoid contact with their allergen, or take medications that can sometimes have serious side effects. But a recent breakthrough by Reparre Biologic is offering a chance to “cure” severe allergic reactions, not just manage symptoms. Using genome editing technology, the company says one shot is enough to permanently rid an individual of any allergy. Reparre says the treatments are safe, quick, and a game changer for those suffering from life threatening allergies.

Kristyn is part of an ever increasingly large group commonly referred to as “Allergy Exiles”. Suffering from a severe sensitivity to tree pollen, Kristyn has spent most of her adult life veiling from place to place in order to stay ahead of pollen blooms. She says, “As a kid I’d have to stay inside for weeks at a time and the medicine I was prescribed made me hyper. It wasn’t a pretty picture. I didn’t understand why my parents gave me these pills that made me bounce off the walls and then would keep me inside while all my friends were out playing. When I was 8 I snuck out to jump through the sprinkler with the neighbor kids during a pollen bloom. I made it through the water a few times before my throat started to close. For the last 32 years I haven’t felt safe outside. I can’t wait to get the treatment and try to live a normal life, without having to move at the beginning of every season or breathe scrubbed air.”

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) estimates that over 200,000 people in the U.S. alone are allergy exiles. Mirroring the rise of severe peanut allergies in the 2000’s, the increase in severe pollen allergies has been dramatic and the cause remains a point of controversy. While many radical environmentalists and fringe medical practitioners claim the increase is due to Veilcorp activity or 127 poisoning, most allergists believe in the “hygiene hypothesis”.

According to the hypothesis, children are not exposed to enough infectious agents and parasites, as well as beneficial symbiotic bacteria when young. This severely holds back the natural development of the immune system and leads to extreme susceptibility to allergic diseases. Ironically, according to the explanation the air filters that Kristyn has relied on most of her life may be making her condition worse.

The treatment devised by Reparre is several years in the making and once administered lasts a lifetime. “We use our stem-cell therapy and personalized DNA medicine to permanently modify genes in our patient’s cells putting an end to their body’s extreme response to allergens. Beyond just a stuffy nose and watery eyes, for people like Kristyn, allergic reactions can be fatal. When we started looking into the problem we were surprised to learn that nobody was doing any serious work in the area. Most doctors recommended exposure therapy, but that was at the very least uncomfortable for patients, and could often be dangerous. Our treatment involves taking a cheek swab to harvest some cells, and a return visit the next day for a shot. That’s it. No more living in fear of anaphylaxis,” says CEO Shawn Hastings.

While Reparre says their allergy cure is easy, safe, and quick, there were a number of troubling reports during the treatment’s trial phase. One of the earliest recipients of the treatment was reported to have become allergic to his own hair and later another subject developed a severe sensitivity to water. Hastings dismisses the stories as the fabrications of a disgruntled employee. “I can assure you that nobody has suffered any permanent harm during our testing. Like all trials, we learned some valuable information about side effects and the efficacy of our therapy. But we’re talking about things like nausea and a slight rash, nothing near as dangerous as the conditions we were treating. This treatment is a new lease on life for many.”

Kristyn agrees. She has already made an appointment and plans to be the first recipient of the treatment at her doctor’s office when it is available next week. “It’s going to be a big change for me. I usually spend my winters in Sydney catching as many shows as I can at the Opera House. Then I veil to Tokyo and stay until the cherry blossoms begin to bud, and I move on to my spring/summer homes in Oslo or Stockholm. I absolutely love Scandinavian summers. The fall sees me veiling to my beach house in Lahaina so I can catch the food and wine festival and watch the whales when they begin to arrive. A few months later the whales and I head back to Sydney and begin the whole process again. It’s exhausting! With this new treatment I’m hopeful that I can finally enjoy my many homes in any order I want.”

While the therapy was targeted at dealing with life threatening allergies, Hastings is quick to point out that the procedure works equally well for those with less severe reactions. “If you’re sick of taking a pill every time you go to visit your aunt and her collection of cats, or you just want to stop and smell the roses without getting a sinus headache, ask your doctor if our treatment is right for you. It’s quick, easy, and lasts forever.”

STORYLINE

Hundreds Rescued From Veilcorp “Floatilla Protest”

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Off Baby Beach this morning, the so-called Veilcorp “protest floatilla” dissolved into disarray, less than a week after it began. Hundreds of protestors had to be rescued from the water with dozens being treated for exposure and related injuries. 6 people are in serious condition. Officials say alcohol and drug use contributed to the chaos, adding that they are looking into charging protest organizer, John Driscol.

According to Driscol it all started last Saturday, April 11th. He had just had a heated conversation with a tourist about the safety of Veilcorp’s Icarus project and the solar production of 127 (Unbiseptium). Many, including prominent scientists, are concerned about the impact the element is having on the surrounding environment.

“I was so hot after talking to that know-it-all, that I had to leave the beach bar and cool off in the water. I stepped on an urchin almost right way, and that’s when it occurred to me: Veilcorp is making Lahaina a terrible place by storing huge amounts of 127 in the ground and ruining our beaches by dumping thousands of urchins in the water. There’s no way I could actively do anything to stop them, they’re a huge organization. If I had any chance of making myself and my concerns heard, I’d have to do the opposite. I’d do nothing, and I’d do nothing for a long time. I’m good at nothing and It didn’t surprise me at all how fast the protest caught on.”

Armed only with floaties, kayaks, paddleboards, and a few swimming mattresses, John and a few friends floated out in the Baby Beach area and begin their lackadaisical protest. Word of the unique demonstration spread quickly through social media. By Sunday, hundreds, some with boats, had joined Driscol in his floating revolt against Veilcorp and the status quo. That evening, the story was picked up by numerous media outlets and the response was “staggering”.

While many were confused about the exact purpose of the floatilla or how they planned on accomplishing their goals, some locals embraced the idea and offered their help. Inventor Ano Lee provided the floatilla with 5 of his Sharknet modules to help protect against attacks. “I’m not necessarily behind the movement, to be honest I’m not even sure what it is they hope to accomplish, but I love the idea of almost a thousand people becoming convinced that floating in the sun and drinking beer is a radical form of protest. I’ll support that kind of thinking however I can, just to see what will happen,” Mr Lee said.

Others provided suntan lotion and offered emergency floatie patching services. Driscol says, “I made it clear that this was a BYOB kind of thing, but a couple of my backers did send out care packages of pineapple and orange wedges, cherries, and pretzels to help us keep our strength up, but there just wasn’t enough bar garnish for everyone.” Officials estimate that at its height Wednesday evening, a living raft of almost 10,000 protesters had joined the floatilla and major issues began to surface.

Those issues came to a head Thursday night and carried over into this morning. Over 30 first responders worked on treating victims overnight suffering from severe dehydration, heat stroke, and exposure. A dozen conservation officers weaved their way through the water, conducting safety checks and looking for underage drinkers. They estimate that the cost of the cleanup effort to remove all the trash left by the protestors is going to reach into the tens of thousands. Ocean Safety lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard are scheduled to assist the effort today. Many are now calling for the government to break-up the floatilla and file charges against Driscol. An anonymous source inside the mayor’s office says that at the very least, Driscol will be billed for the cleanup and emergency response.

Veilcorp COO Lisa Hunt says she is bewildered by the protest, its leader in particular, and hopes that everyone makes a full recovery, despite what they think about the company.

“I’m rarely surprised these days but I have to admit the size of this group of disgruntled floaters amazed me. Very early on we made contact with Mr. Driscol to ascertain exactly what it was he wanted and his quote was, ‘I want you to stop.” When we pressed for specifics about what it was he wanted stopped he responded, “You know, all of it.” That was the extent of our negotiations. The fact that anyone got behind this man is astonishing to me. John Driscol is like some sort of mythical creature from a parable. He has become so lazy and unwilling to take responsibility for his actions that he has created work for himself, and will be left holding the bag for all the misdeeds of his fellow floatillians. It’s an amazing accomplishment, but not one anybody should be proud of.”

STORYLINE

Supplemental Interview covering the Incident on 6/6/2043

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I understand that the events on 6/6/2043 are incredible, that why I put “wrong side of probability/fate” into box 13 when asked for the underlying cause of the accident. I continue to stand by that assessment.

My foreman Frank and I were the only ones scheduled to work the night shift leaving me to move the latest shipment of 127 to the second floor storage area myself. As usual Frank put on his noise dampeners, and was pretending that he wasn’t listening to music.

I hooked into the first pallet and drove to the freight elevator only to discover that it was not working. I thought I’d try to raise the forks as high as I could, and see if it cleared the balcony railing. About 8 feet from the height I needed the lift started to tip. I decided my best bet would be to grab a length of carbon cord and a pulley from the maintenance room. I attached the pulley to the balcony railing, and lowered the rope. Then, I got a medium sized plastic trash can, and one of the promotional Nuuskin thermoses that were accidently delivered to act as a scoop. With can and thermos in hand, I climbed up my lift to the pallet. Frank sat with his back to me nodding his head in time to his music.

I attached one end of the cord to the trash can and opened the container of 127. Balancing on a fork, I began to fill the can with 127 using the thermos as a scoop. I now know that 127 is a very dense material, and that it has been estimated that I had scooped around 195kg into the can. It is important to remember that I weigh between 68-70kg on any given day. My legs trembled as I strained to pull the trash can up to the balcony. Then I slipped.

I kicked the can hard, and watched it head to the floor. I noticed that I had wrapped the cord around my hand too late to undo it, and found myself heading up towards the railing. My hand met the bottom of the pulley and the trash can hit the floor. My fingers snapped. The can broke apart spilling 127 everywhere.

Now lighter than me, the barrel shot past as I began my quick descent leaving a trail of 127 in the air. I passed by the cloud as the AC kicked in, blowing it into my face. I landed hard on a fork and heard a snap in my ankle. My now bloody fingers slipped from the cord, and I tumbled backwards. Without being tied to my hand, the trash can came down again.

I landed folded up between the seat and the controls pressing on the accelerator with the now almost empty can on top of me spilling the remaining 127 over my head. The lift lurched backwards and I was off heading straight towards Frank. I screamed at him, but he remained ignorant of the fact that a co-worker wedged in a lift was flying towards him with a cracked and mostly empty barrel of 127. It’s strange but right before I hit him I could swear I heard his music and stranger still, I saw him both get hit, not get hit, fall down, and not fall down. I seemed to simultaneously hear Aloha Oe, Robert Johnson, and Iz not as a mashup, but as simultaneous individual soundtracks to my failure. I watched him go flying onto the board in my side mirror before passing out.

Yesterday I told my story to the Department of Energy investigators numerous times. I told it to a room full of people 8 times in fact. The last time they brought in all the interns and the secretaries before I complained. You’ll have to excuse me if I seem a little tired of explaining the events that led to the worst day of my life for the amusement of others. This better not end up on YouTube.

You asked specifically why I believe “wrong side of probability/fate” was the cause of the accident, and not gross negligence or incompetence. That is hard to explain, but I’ll do my best. Since that Saturday I can see how actions are connected. Every action produces something like probability string art that I can follow. You’ll have to trust me, there was no decision that I could have made that day that would have led to a substantially different outcome. All the strings led to this place. I was the good person due for a bad thing to happen to him.

Sam Pilikia
Lift Operator

STORYLINE

Record Setting Solar Prominence Highlighted By Eclipse Remains a Mystery

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The eclipse on April 20 attracted astronomers, amateur stargazers, and eclipse chasers from all over to the island. The exceptionally dry and clear weather of West Maui makes it a perfect place to view astronomical events. A partial eclipse isn’t the rarest event in the universe but what was discovered that day is changing what we know, or don’t know in this case, about stars. A record setting solar prominence was clearly visible to all and has many worried about what effects Veilcorp’s Icarus Project is having on the sun.

One of the most impressive features of the sun is a solar prominence. The fiery loops of plasma extending far outward into space, following magnetic fields, are as beautiful as they are impressive. These gigantic loops of plasma can extend far into space. An average sized prominence can reach out thousands of kilometers, with the largest recorded before April 20 measuring over 800,000 kilometers long. Prominences can last a long time, days or sometimes even months. However, the prominence activity noted on the day of the eclipse is unlike anything astronomers have ever seen.

While many are concerned, Aldrick Lehmann, astronomer and lead engineer of the Hoku telescope, urges caution, noting that scientists are still researching how and why prominences are formed.

“The truth is that we just don’t know what could be categorized as normal. We’ve only had the technology to properly study the phenomena a short time. What we can say accurately is that we’ve never seen so many prominences at once before, and the first recorded description is from the 14th century. In addition, the longest has been estimated to be over 1.3 million kilometers long, that’s almost twice as long as any ever observed before, roughly the diameter of the sun. A coronal mass ejection from a prominence so large would of course be a concern. It’s interesting that this sort of activity has never been seen before the start of the Icarus Project, but I can’t say that Veilcorp is responsible, or even that it’s dangerous. What is clear however, is that we need more time and data in order to understand what is going on.”

Veilcorp has no shortage of critics, but the Icarus Project has easily been the most controversial program in the company’s history. Extracting 127 (Unbiseptium) directly from the sun, the program has been a target for environmentalists and safety officials alike. However, until now, most concerns have been focused on the economic and environmental impact that the increased exposure and stockpiling of 127 would cause. Despite Veilcorp safety assurances, the effects of the project have been a point of contention, with both sides citing conflicting studies. This is the first time that there has been any evidence that the project is impacting the sun itself, and it has many worried.

Sebastian Malu, a Barraloha instructor at the Kokua Wellness center and founder of the Eternal Cycle Church has been one of the most vocal critics in Lahaina. Over the past two months, he and his followers have camped out in front of the municipal Veil Station, protesting the company’s continued solar extraction of 127.

“The sun is the heart of our solar system. It’s energy feeds the plants and those of us who are able to tap into our inner beings. The Icarus project has pierced our heart and is feeding like a parasite from this most vital cosmic organ. Like other sensitives, I felt an increase in my electromagnetic energy as soon as the project started. I must admit that at first I appreciated the upgrade in intuition and awareness that I received, but the intensity of that increase began to be problematic. I spend a good portion of my day now trying to slow down my absorption of the sun’s energy before it’s too late. I urge other enlightened souls to do the same. I know it can leave you exhausted, but until we convince Veilcorp to stop stabbing our heart, it’s our best option.”

Veilcorp spokesperson Lisa Hunt says that the Icarus project is a multinational endeavor and points out that the brightest minds from around the globe have deemed the project safe. “While the cause of the prominences observed on April 20 are uncertain, the science surrounding the safety of the Icarus Project is clear. There is not, and never has been, any indication that the solar extraction of 127 is dangerous: to the sun, to the planet, to plants and animals, or to people who pretend to have magical powers. Remember, Icarus simply harvests 127 that is naturally made in the corona and captures it before it decays into less interesting elements, it doesn’t increase production in any way. I suggest we all take a deep breath, stop believing everything we read on the internet, and let the scientists study this amazing solar event.”